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/125691
III ! SPEEDWA Y CHAMPIONSHIP NARROWS TO SIX '" By Mike Capalite Photos by Dennis Greene c. " COSTA MESA, CALIF., Sept. 18,1970 - Although the usual Friday night w program was changed for this one Z evening to allow time for the ~ elimination heat races for the Costa ~ Mesa Championships next week, the (.) fans were treated to just as much racing as usual. With the elimination of the Division Two and Division Three races for reasons of time, these races were replaced with six elimination heats to determine the last six riders to qualify for the championships next week. With the fu:st ten riders in the sixteenman program already qualfied by virtue of bein~ the top ten riders in the point standings, it meant that these were sudden-death races with only the winner VJ ~ in each getting a chance at next week's program. There was happiness in some camps and sadness in others as most of the second division and a few of the third division riders received their chance at the big one. When the dust had cleared and the eliminations were over, the six who had made it were; Dennis Gildehaus, Jim Gresham, Scott Autry, Jim Nicholson, Bruce Haserot and Harlan Bast. Steve Bast was the only 60-yard man to make it into the Handicap Main Event as Bill Cody and Sonny Nutter missed it in the heats while Rick Woods was bumped to the consolation event in his semi. From the back of the pack, Bast was the last man into the comer on the start which may have been to his advantage as Jim Nicholson and Chuck Tidwell c;:ollided in the first comer and spilled right in front of Stu Morley who was unable to avoid them and joined the pile-up. All this happened as Steve was storming into the comer trying to overcome his handicap, but quick thinking and instant refle~es on his part saved the fallen riders from possible injury as he deliberately laid his machine down into the dirt in a nice easy slide and stopped a few feet short of the tangle. After a few moments, when Chuck Tidwell regained his breath and his composure, the race was restarted. This time Nicholson and Tidwell again went into the comer side by side, but this time they left a healthy space between them as it seemed the spill had taught them respect for room to maneuver. With one lap to go Steve made his bid. He stormed around Fishburn and set his sights on Morley, as they headed down the straight for the checkered flag. Steve was giving it all it had, but Stu kept his position to take home the trophy and the kiss from the lovely trophy girl. In the scratch main, Larry Shaw took advantage of his pole position start to command the lead out of the first comer and hold it all the way despite repeated and determined bids by Sonny Nutter to change the outcome of the race. Rick Woods was able to get around John Fishburn to move into third, but this was the best he could do as Larry and Sonny were to far out front for him to catch as he finished third. Next week will be the championship with the top riders giving it their best, so make it a point to attend this one. race program that kept him from competing for the rest of the day. He will be on hand Friday night to defend his crown. When the top five rap about who could be a threat to them the names of Scott Autry, John Fishburn, and Jim Nicholson have to be those batted around the most. Scott Autry always does well on a big track ",nd today was n·o different. He won the Handicap Main Event and pushed Rick all the way· in the Scratch Main Event for second. John Fishburn, the EI Cajon speedway promoter, is a consistent threat and is currently in top form, a consistent front runner. Jimmy Nicholson IS on a hot comeback trail although he has been plagued with several spectacular crashes in the past few race meets. Jim had a very impressive win in the Scratch Consolation event. (Results on page 22) Full House: Best Action Story & Photos by Dennis Greene SAN GABRIEL, CALIF., September 20, 1970 - With the No. 1 spot in speedway on the block this coming Friday nigh t, all the big guns in class "AU were out in force this past Sunday in San Gabriel to put the final touches on their style and bikes. . Racing always seems to be at its best in front of a full house. It was at its best in front of the largest crowd ever to attend San Gabriel Speedway for a class "An event, with a full 21-event race program and several special events. In match race competition between Bill Cody and Rick Woods a head-to-head duel was in the offing, but it was not to be. Rick went into Turn 2 so hard that the rear wheel almost came around to meet the front wheel. At this point he knocked the plug wire off the spark plug with his knee and came to an uncalled for stop in the infield where he sat and watched Bill go to an easy win. 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