Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

. ~ 11. o ,... 0> M tl o ~ w ! Z !!!!ft, W ...J U >- U "American's No. 1 weekly motorcycle newspaper. You'll always see it FIRST in Cycle News'" Cycle News East, Dixie Cycle News, and NatiOf18l Advertising information: Tom Culp. National Advertising Dir. Publisher Charles Clayton Business Manager . . . . . Sharon Clayton General Manager Tom Culp Advertising Manager Tom Walsh Ed itor "'" Bob Sanford Assistant Editor John Bethea Circulation Manager Rheba Smith Art 0 irector LiIi Lak ich Lab Technician Diane Sosnoski Advertising Asst Bruce Braly Bookkeeper . . . . . . . .. Dorothea Lang Bookkeeper Eleanor Duke Receptionist Chris Pratt Circulation Asst. . Dorothy Apple Delivery .. . . . . . . . Larry Groves Cycle News (West), P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, California 90801. (213) 427·7433 - L.A. 636-8844. Subscription: One y.r 2nd class mail Single copy price $7.50 $.25 Published weekly except the first and last week of the calendar year by Cycle News, Inc., Post Office Box 498, Long Beach, California, also publishers of Cycle News East, and Dixie Cycle News. Second Class Postage paid at Long Beach, Calif. Editorial stories, cartoons, photos, etc. are welcome. Write for information. Addressed, stamped envelo~ assures return of editorial matter. Reprinting in whole or in part only be permission of the publishers. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon request. It s.o.s. I am writing this letttt in the hope that maybe someone will listen. I recently went to my favorite riding spot, an area just above the little town of Little Rock. I couldn't believe it. It was like a dump, a real garbage heap. Papers, cans, old tires, even junk bike parts. It was a horrible, stinking mess. No wondtt the state wants to close down the area. And even worse, some of the othtt riders there were continuing the process. Came time to leave, they threw their trash by the bushes or small ravines, or simply left it as it lay when they had discarded it. Oh, is it disgusting. Another point I would like to discuss is our conduct. It wouldn't be so bad if riders and local inhabitants just left each other alone. Maybe if this were so we could all learn to tolttate each othtt. But no, there are always the clowns, the idiots who get their kick making banzai runs on someone's outhouse, or buzzing up and down the streets of the town with a screaming two-stroke. We all know who they are. The self-proclaimed Mr. America.Joe dirt rider, Mr. Bitchen. divided among the- remaining 50 (approximately) clubs. 2. Some clubs that put on Grand Prix events this year have few if any desert riders, yet it is obvious that they will do well in this poll. 3. The Desert Foxes prefer to have desert races put on by desttt riders, using each club's point standing as the basis of eligtbility. 4. We also feel that races should be limited to one ptt club ptt year so that the maximum number of clubs get a chance. 5. If races are awarded to clubs on the basis of popularity, new clubs will nevtt have a chance to put on a race. It settns obvious to us jthat this ''poll'' idea is mere\y a gimmick used by the District 37 "establishment" to keep the races (read entry fees) divided-up amongst the big ruling clubs. BOB LEWIS (President) Desert Foxes Hopes for Wi." •• ell I wish to thank all those people who helped me at the SaddIeback Scrambles where I crashed in the first 250 Expert voice. He's got to make himself look masculine, so he'll go into town, open pipes and all, and wheelie allover the place, make like Mr. Motocross all OVtt someone's front yard and generally make a nuisance of himself. This type of person gets attention alright. But it's not the kind we need. This is just the kind of excuse that is needed to get an area shut down faster than anything short of a fire·bombing riot. Motorcycling has entered into a new phase of its history. No longtt is it possible to hide out in the vast reaches of the desert to escape civilization as it has been for yean past. We must learn to live peacefully with our neighbors, to tolerate each other. And the time to act is now. This is within our grasp, and we must take the initiative, if motorcycling is to remain. On the other hand we can continue as we have and like the dinosaur and the dodo bird, become but a memory. As I close this letter, I would like to make a suggestion. A clean up campaign would be most helpful in improving our image. t feel that many motorcycle clubs, especially those devoted to dirt riding, can be most helpful in organizing such a campaign. If anyone agrees with such a plan please write me a letttt. RICHARD CONTl,A 5225 Selmaraine Dr. Culver City, Calif. 90230 DrislricI 37 'oil Open letter to Jack Hurley, Dist. 37 Sports Committee Chairman: You recently sent our club a letttt requesting us to list the 10 most popular events of the past two years. You pointed out that there are more clubs than events and implied that this ''Popularity contest" may be used as a means of selecting the clubs which will be allowed to put on races in 1971. The Desttt Foxes decline to vqte for the following reasons: 1. There is a rumor that the top ten clubs selected by this poll will be allowed to put on two races each. This will consume 20 of the 33 (excluding Grand Prix) races leavinp; 13 races to be moto (not Novice). Since I did lose consciousness, I was not aware of the actions of either the ambulance attendants or those who realized I needed assistance. Lattt that afternoon, I did go to the hospital and received x-rays. The spill in which I "just got the wind knocked out" of me was diagnosed as a cracked spinal vtttabrae and, as well as a broken nose. Thanks again to all of the people who did help, and I just hope that I can get my "wind" back in time 'to ride Hopetown. "Fhank you, KARL WILSON Apple Valley, Calif. 1I0wi., O.r Hor. Allow me to extend my sinctte appreciation and congratulations for the excellent coverage you gave our National Speedway Championship last September 25th in Cycle News. On behalf of our entire staff, we commend you for the exceptional coverage you have afforded speedway racing throughout the year and the great photographic coverage on the Championship. I am sure speedway racing fans throughout the United States join me in' offering our sinctte thanks. HARRY OXLEY Promoter of Costa Mesa Speedway '.re.'s Offer n••iI We would like to thank each and everyone of you for your kindness. There aren't words to express what's in our hearts. We do want everyone to know that Don loved bikes and racing was his life. We want to thank all the clubs that sent flowtts and collected money. The money will be sent to Orthopedic Hospital as a memorial gift P> Don's name. MR. & MRS. DICK HILL and Family Young Don Hill was killed at a desert race on Oct. 20...ed. San Bernardino vs. BLM RIVERSIDE, CAUF. - A new San Bernardino County ordinance, related to motorcycles and othtt off road vehicles, has resulted in a confrontation between Bureau of Land Management officials and the county. The new ordinance prohibits vehicular travel on public or private lands without the written consent of the owntt or custodian. Additionally,.the ordinance requiring LATE BULLETIN RIVERSIDE, CALIF., Oct. 5, 1970 - BLM District Managtt, Jack Wilson, told Cycle News shortly before press deadline today, that the San Bernardino County Attorney's office, as well as County Under·Sheriff, Kendall Stone, both agreed that the new ordinance does not, in fact, apply to BLM lands. According to Wilson, Stone said that the Shttiff's department would only concern themselves with BLM land on a "react" basis, presumably. upon receipt of complaillts, ovtt such things as noise and dust. Wilson again reiterated that BLM lands in San Bernardino are presently open to motorcycle riding. Maps defining these areas should be available in the near future and will be printed in Cycle News. . spark arresters and state·legal mufflers on all vehicles operated within the county. For the past two weekends, the County Sheriff's department has been issuing warnings and 'a mimeographed copy of the new law to motorcyclists using the county's more popular riding areas, such as Phelan and El Mirage. "The offictt 1 spo1r.e to," one ridtt who was warned reports, "said that he was sympathetic to our cause because he owned several bikes and a jeep. But he was only doing his job - enforcing the law. I asked if there wtte any open lands in San Bernardino County and he said none - there is no public land in the county." A spokesman for the Shefiff's department said this week that his office has interpreted the ordinance to include "state, county and federal lands", including that administtted by the BLM. Meanwhile, BLM officials claim that the county does not have jurisdiction over their lands, and, at present, are trying to "work out the problem." According to BLM District Managtt, Jack Wilson of the Rivttside office, "all BLM lands in San Bernardino are open, as far as we're concerned." However, he advises that motorcyclists intttested in riding on San Bernardino BLM land stop by the office and obtain written permission, until the matter is resolved. Wilson says he expects to have "something more definite" by next week, at which time it will be reported in Cycle News. Howevtt, until spch time, it settns advisable for riders to stay out of the county or get the necessary written permission. H-D After Speed Record BONNEVILLE, UTAH, Sept. 30, 1970 - The world motorcycle speed record of 251.924 MPH set htte by .Don Vesco on a twin-engine 350 Yamaha two weeks ago will be challenged for the first time by the Harley-Davidson factory beginning Tuesday, it was announced today. Cal Rayborn has been named as the driver of the machine, which will be built using Dennis Manning's shell that tried the Salt Flats during Speed Week a month ~. Details as to the types and size of H.D. engines to be used are not available at this time. The Salt Flats are currently being used by the Blue F~e, a bUta!?-e burning rocket car. Champion Spark Plugs has rented the flats for a SiX week penod, as the Blue Flame attempts to set the land speed record. MORE Enduro Postponed FRAZIER PARK, CAUF., Octobtt 4,1970 - The Conejo Trail Riders wtte regretfully forced to postpone their Benefit Enduro for MORE due to the extreme fire dangtt existing in Southern California forests. It was not known until late Friday evening that the run would have to be postponed, but an attempt was made-to notify as many people as possible. For those who drove up and wtte unable to ride, the C.T.R.A. expresses its regrets for your inconvenience. The MORE Benefit enduro will be held. It is tentatively scheduled for Novembtt 8th. All those whose entries have been accepted will be notified by mail of the new plans. As of this time all entries are filled and no new entries will be accepted. Final Nights At Ascot "GARDENA, CALIFOR. - Friday and Saturday night, Octobtt 9·10, finds the half milers and IT riders in night action for the last time this year at Ascot Park. On Saturday, some of the country's top IT Expttts will be on hand for the night-time fmale of the monthly series. The series will continue, on a once a month basis, but will revert to a daytime schedule during November and Decembtt. Afttt Friday night's closing half·mile event, the ridtts will return sometime during Novttnbtt or Decemhtt for the California State Championship race. For the fIrSt time, this race will be run during daylight hours. Ascot's IT course will be changed afttt this Saturday night's steeplechase event. It will be a pttmanent change from the course that has been used since 1959. Two Riders Killed I NORTHRIDGE, CALIF., Sept. 30, 1970 - Funeralsttvices were held for the young twosome killed in a duel with a 74-car Southern Pacific freight train at the Roscoe Street crossing about 2 a.m. last Sunday. The two were Marianne Cattt, 17, of Canoga Park, who was riding with William Koscis, 20, or Woodland Hills. Koscis, an art student at Pittce College, was driving his motorcycle and both were returning from a party here. The train enginett said that it appeared that Koscis was trying to beat the train at the crossing. In so doing he drove into the crossing barricade as it lowtted. Then, it appeared that Koscis was trying to drag his damaged cycle from the path of the oncoming train. Miss Cater had been thrown from the back seat clear of the crossing. But she ran back and tried to help him drag his cycle off the tracks as the train bore down and killed them both.

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