Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125690
i scram6Dn' around By Maureen Lee o r0- m Being on vacation gives you time to mosey around a bit and drop in on people you don't see too often and you get a chance to pick up all kinds of little goody bits that are interesting in one way or another. You also get more chance to check out ~ some rumors or investigate the more serious stories going around so before we get to ~ the lighter ones we feel we must comment on the· North-South motocross series a bit w as we usually have something to say when there's any controversy! Z As a lot of you know by now there were some hard feelings displayed at Bay ~ Mare. Who or what started icall is of no consequence because once both teams get u involved then there's equal blame. Whenever a promoter engages in a "one side ~ against another side" event or a "grudge race" between two riders there is always the chance that things can get out of hand due to the competitive spirt of the human animal. When the action starts the old battle instincts rise and sometimes can't be checked. We've all felt that urge (you wouldn't be a racer if you didn't have a bit of "killer" in you) when someone gives you a lump or damn near runs you into a tree and you know good and well he could have avoided doing it if he tried. You want to give him as good as he gave you next chance around. Most of the time just letting the other guy know verablly you're on to his sneaky ways will stop further incidents but sometimes handing him one on the track is the only way to make him realize the error of his ways. . What is to be guarded against is in the rising popularity of the team races so they don't get out of hand. Some riders are so competitive that they are literally unfit for team competition where you have to think of the others as well as yourself. A team, to be effective must work as one, just like a football line. The front runners must be protected by blocking which is perfectly legal but in racing should that blocking get out of hand, someone's going to get hurt and in sportsman racing there is just no place for it, and team racing is exciting to watch as you see the strategy unfold. Watch the Inter-Ams and you'll see the Husky's versus the Maicos versus the C-Zed's etc., each man helping or being helped by a teammate should he need it. What we're trying to say, we guess, is not to put an end to these North vs. South or East vs. West races because a minority can't control themselves. One little thing to think on, that once a rider has been paid money (and many of our events do pay money now) he no longer thinks quite so charitably towards his fellow riders because he is a professional, even if one Sunday he rides as a sportsman for points at;ld a trophy and the next for a purse. Fortunately or unfortunately, money does change things and the day may come when events will have to be split up so that riders who have never raced for money race by themselves and those who have, ride with their fellows. Just re-reading that sentence gives me food for a whole' column on nothing but that, especially what constitutes a sportsman, semi-pro and pro. It may make some people a bit unhappy too, 9ut so be it. On to the lights stuff. Just wait 'til you see your number plate colors fot 1971! Some of you won't care, some will react with miscellaneous epithets and think the Competition Committee must be bonkers while others will shudder because their riding apparel won't match. All kidding aside, if you do grimace a bit, the changes came about for a very good reason. They will stop riders from riding out-of-class and will enable clubs to spot offenders lining up incorrectly immediately, especially in desert events. BEcause number plates were all the same colors and on a run with a line that's very long such as the Barstow run, some of the lightweights split with the big b!>ys and the stewards couldn't catch them because all the numbers were the same color. This will stop all this, is also necessary because in 1971 desert novices will be on a separate line from the Amateurs and Experts, and will save the District money when you transfer. You will need only one changed panel on your plate to show your classification whereas before you receive three each time. The Competition meeting this month was a buy one and our personal knowledge of the sport was increased by beinK involved in the re-checking of European scrambles lap check sheets. We learned how to fmd a poor soul who ends up listed '" '" c. wrong in the results when some of the checks missed him. It gives the eyeballs a going over looking at all those figures! When that business was settled, the Committee was a little weary but the Sidehack Association inadvertently broke the group up as their rule changes were read and we came across the workding '" ... fixed kneeler troughs are permitted..... Poor Harry Whalen tried to explain to us solo riding infedels what it meant but we were already howling away as to what we though it meant. We hate to spoil it by drawing pictures but for some scramblers who have never seen a desert race it can be a long, long way between pit stops or a friendly bush! Next month nominations are opened for people to fill the District jobs and once again we wish it were kosher to make comments in print as to people to elect or at least nominate but it ain't. We will however say this, all the past and present Committees have workeg and done the best they could in spjte of occasional upheavels internally and "Politics" but we can say honestly there's not a man currently in office that we wouldn't like to see in again. This committee has been growled at a couple of times this season but only, in every case of dissent, because they upheld the right that is theirs: to make and enforce the rules of competit.ion. There are also some other representatives from clubs who would d" equally well as stewards and should be given a chance should they wish to serve. The current Competition Committee is a good group even if one of them does refuse to do anything Saturday mornings until he's watched Bugs Bunny on TV and we only have two out of the seven who dig scrambles or motocross. The desert people bend over backwards to make sure they fully understand the problem should they have to make a decision regarding scrambles. For you motocross riders, especially in the Senior divisions we'll get all "Walter Winchelish" and hand you a hot flash. One of your number who is very good indeed but who has been a little fed up with his current (or by now it may be past) sponsor has been spending a lot of time playing with another brand of bike, with the understanding he can ride it, really wring it out until he's throughly familiar with it and they'll make any and all changes he needs or wishes. That's the kind of offer no rider can tum down especially if he really has talent but his sponsor doesn't keep his equipment up to par, and the rider knows he can do better if only..... LONG BEACH, CALIF., Sept. 9, 1970 -Several California professional Motocross riders are in the process of forming an association for the purpose of promoting the interests of all Motocross riders and fans in order to built the sport of Motocross racing, professional and amateur to one of major importance. The steering committee for the proposed association includes such well known riders as John DeSoto, Tim Hart, Jim West and Jim Wilson. In order to achieve these goals the association will, among other things, develop recommendations based on the opinions of Motocross riders and fans throughout California. These recommendations will cover such areas as: TRack layout, track marking, spectator comfort and safety, rider safety, methods of awarding trophies and prize money, methods of scoring, etc. As these recommendations are developed and approved by the association, they will be disseminated to association members and to interested penons upon request. It is contemplated that membership in the association will be limited to persons residing in California who have a professional interest in Motocross rac~g. However, the association believes that the opinions of all persons interested in Motocross are important, whether they be riders, promoters, distributors or fans. They therefore request that all such persons send a post card or letter to: 1135 Temple, Long Beach, Calif: 90804. The letter should inc.lude your name, address, phone number and .whatever comments, or criticism you have concerning the sport of Motocross. What the association needs right now are your ideas and an indication of your interest, or lack of it. It is hoped that whatever recommendations are adopted will be truly represent~tive of the thinking of all who enjoy motocross be they rider or spectator. America's Only International Grand Prix Sanctioned by F.l.M. Rain or NOVEMBE NO DUSTIII S~il' 1st ('.cafi.1 f. be all.ulc"') TV COVERAGE BY ABC's WIDE WORLD Of SPORTS Class.s fo •• co.f.sf.,,: J25cc IIafiou' (u.s. rillers ".'" 250cc II.fiou' 500cc II.,iol.' (J'lior) 500ce S.li,r '.f.ruf;ou' 10 f.,.,.als) RIDERS: Get,.ur eafr, ;a f.r "is bi"esf e,e.f al" sfar .1 TV. FOR ENTRY INFORMATION CALL OR WRITt:: Inter-Am 4790 Palm Ave., La Mesa, Calif., 92041 (714) 460-1281 PRE EN'TRIES ONLY. Limited to 51 riders per National Class, to be selected. Plus the top 27 Western States riders will be selected to compete in the Senior 500cc International Elfope's Top· World Champions Competing Against America's Top Motocross Racers!