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/125693
INTER AMS BEGIN-IN EAST By Ed Cunningham ri o COPETOWN, ONTARIO, Oct. 4, 1970 - Before a crowd of 3000 spectators, ~ Torsten Hallman led the Husky team to ~ 1-2 wins in the Can-Am International w Motocross. Teammate Gunnar ...J Lindstrom took second overall ahead of ~ Germany's Willie Bauer on a Maico. CJ Norm Ritchens was Ilrst Canadian and first American rider, finishing fifth overall. Being the first event in the series, and split with the Elkhorn event, the Copetown Inter-Am attracted only four European resident riders, as Dave Bickers was missing due to injury and Lindstrom is now residing in America. Held on a hilly grass·covered terrain, the 'Big Five' put on a display df acrobatics and full power control, but did not altogether overshadow Norm Ritchens and Nick Hapta, duelling throughout for resident honors. In the first heat, Arne Kring blasted to a. lead over Hallman, Lindstrom, Bauer, and French CZ rider jacques Vernier. Nick Hapta led Ron jeckel, N.Y., leading American entry, while Canadian Doug Sehl made a return to the rough on a CZ. Kring consolidated his lead and looked good for a first overall. In the second heat, however, Kring ran out of sparks; a quick change to a spare existing in the head of his Husky for such emergencies failed to help. Hallman took over the lead from Bauer, Lindstrom, and Vernier, with Ritchens and Hapta giving a repeat display. Kring restarted three laps from the end and got credit for a 17th place. In the last heat, both Kring and Hallman put on a tremendous display of riding. Lindstrom fmished third and was impressive over the jump, with Bauer in close pursuit. Ritchens improved his standing by beating Vernier and collected first place North American prize of $150.00. The whole event was a display of Husky power, with Kring the moral winner. _ Tomeo Hallman combined a pair of seconds and a fim to snatch the overall win. By Jack Morgan ELKHORN, WISC., Octo. 4, 1970 - The fIrSt of the Inter-Am Series got off successfully today under beautiful skies. Bengt Aberg took the overall win at the expense of Ake johnson's' front forks which collapsed in the f1J'St moto while he was leading. He settled for sixth in that moto and second overall. john DeSoto was top American, fifth overall, and led a contingency of strong USA r'q.resentatives including' Billy Silverthorn, Mike Runyard, Tim Hart and Steve Mobbs. The track was dry and fast, "similar to the European courses I've ridden," says Russ Darnell, on hand and racing but not faring very well. "The factory neglected to send me. my 400cc to ride in the International class so Edison Dye re:,ted a 250cc Husky from Tom Bolen." Bolen,. in turn, rode the same machine in the 250cc support class and was the eventual winner with Ted Schaffer second. "Since the support class and the International class ran back to back," says Darndl, "this put me at a distinct disadvantage. Each time Bolen got his bike to me, the front row was already filled with riders and I was in last place each time the race started." Riders turned the tight one·mile course in less than two minutes and there were several mino! spills. Two riders were hospitalized, but without serious injury. . (Results on page 22) ., Althou~ _ Arne Kring won two of the three matos, he could only manage sixth overall". ......_----~-