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/125696
VER WINS AT PUYALLUP By Kevin Hill· John McGillivray prepares to pass, on his way to victory in Open Production class. McGillivray Takes Two At Vacaville Road Race By Bill Spencer • VACAVILLE, CALIF., Oct. 25,1970Bakersfield's John McGillivray dazzled the assembly at the AFM road races at Vaca Valley Raceway on a BSA Rocket Three by riding to victories in both the Open G.P. class and the big. bore production. His competition in the Open G.P. came in the small form of Kenny Roberts riding a Kawasaki Three. Roberts, better known at \lalf·mile dirt tracks, went by the Rocket Three on the opening lap straight just like a jet. Close behind was Jim Deehan on another Kawasaki Triple. Roberts slowed it down from the first lap and McGillivray kept up a constant 1:34:00 minute lap time for' the remainder of the 10·lap feature. Deehan finished ten seconds back but won his class and gained some points in doing so. Roberts f~ished third with Art Chambers close m for fourth and a second in class. This beat up race circuit is very demanding on the riders as the macadem base is busting up badly and chuck holes are prominent. Each deviation in the track surface is outlined in white and at speed it resembles a very colorful scene. Whereas the track surface is not the greatest, the speeds are still quite fast and what with no other road racing facilities available it remains the only place to run. In the 0 pen Production run, McGillivray had little trouble after lap two when he got by the 350 Honda of Alan Barbie. Barbie beld on to second overall for the distance with a very respectable ride. He was called to the impound area though as someone evidently disagreed with his class. An outstanding job was done by Nick Theroux on a SuzukL He was late off the line after the LeMans type start and it took him only three laps to get back into the thick of it. When the checkered fell he was second. Former Scottish Champion Dave Scott took home more brass than anybody else as the AFM business manager was second in the ?Oc~ G.P. right behind Tom Cleghorn; frrst m the 250 G.P. and first in the 350 G.P. Scotty had just returned from the FlM Congress meeting. (Results on page 22) Torsten Hallman Racing, Inc. West Coast 01 st. lor PENTON Motorcycles PUYALLUP, WASH., Oct. 18, 1970 A potent force in Northwest motocross racing emerged. this weekend when Clark Marshall, owner of Puyallup Raceway Park, and. the Seafair City MC teamed up to put on a super-successful event that featured a match race between Eastern and Western Washington riders. The Seafair City people handled the mecha'lies of the race itself while Clark Marshall, well-known drag-racing promoter, provided the publicity and course. And what a great job he did on both! The publicity consisted of full TV, radio, and press coverage on a scale equivalent to that for a major auto race. The race was not kept a deep, dark secr~t, known only to enthusiasts, and the public was actually invited to attend. The quantity of advertising was matched only by the quality of the race course itself. Carved out on a rolling, grassy meadow near the drag racing facility, this course has got to be tne best in the Northwest and possibly the entire West Coast. Its got super traction, a fast, bumpy surface, is completely visible from the two large grandstands, and is an absolute gas to ride. More than 1300 paying spectators turned out on a day of intermittent rain showers to see the Northwest's top riders compete for cash and trophies. In the Open Senior class Randy Skiver topped' a talented field to bring home the gold on his Maico. In doing so he held off a strong bid by Bob Mutch, who fInished second, and Norm Kopp, taking third. There were some good duels in this class with no rider enjoying a clear advantage. Gordy Ochs was a surprise winner in the 250 Senior class when he outpaced a speedy group of challengers led by Easterner Jim Pomeroy. Coming up fast at all times was Greg Heitman for a th.ird overall in his performance this year as a Senior rider. The 125 Senior class was dominated by riders from East of the Cascades as Norm Kopp and Rick Poulin earned first and second spots respectively. These two were usually way out front but a ferocious battle was being waged back in the pack for third and fourth place with Buck Murphy coming out on top in that duel for an overall third and Jim Noble in for fourth over Pat Marinacci and Brian Barthrop. The best race of the day came when all the regular races were finished and a special East vs. West race was run, pitting the three best riders from the East side of the mountains in each class against the same from the West. They all went off together and it was really amazing to see how close the racing was in this bunch of super-stars. On this fast course the big bikes were able to use their power and eventually stretched out a lead over the 125's but not without a good tussle. At the drop of the checkered Ilag it was obvious that the West had accomplished the overall win when the first three riders to cross were from the West. Gordy Ochs led the parade with Doug Munson and Randy Skiver making up the balance. As though it were planned that way, Jim Pomeroy, Rick Poulin, and Norm Kopp, all from the East, came across in a second parade to pick up fourth through sixth. The West team had the power this time but, maybe next time? The spectators really grooved on the team race and are sure Clark Marshall will keep that in mind for the next race, which is set for the weekend of Nov. 7 and 8. It seems to me I heard someone say the Duodenum Motocross Team is faster than the Northwest Motocross Team. Hrnmm. Only one way to fmd out. (Results on page 22) ~ ., ., '" l1. o ,... Cl M ~ z ~ w z ~ ~ (j I ••._ Torsten Hallman special design leathers & racing equipment U.S. Dlst. Ill' Trelleborg Moto-Cross tires For dealer Info. write or call 5345 Tlmken St., La Mesa, Cal. 92041 (114) 460-1402 JUST LIrE A MOTOCROSS OAr CRffr RANCH YAMAHA SPORTCYClfS LOOKING FOR EXTRA HORSEPOWER? Have your BULTACO Dyno Tuned by ... ....Steve's BULTACO 7627 Van Nuys Blvd. 780..s300 NEW & USED SALES Parts-Accessories-Service Financin9-lnsurance MASTER CHARGE·BANKAMERICARD Discount to Ascot Racers GENE H. MYERS 4151 Redondo Beach Blvd., Lawndale, Ca.. (213) 542-4047 Penton - Hodaka - BSA Yamaha - Norton Husqvarna 250 & 360 CZ MOTOCROSS IN STOCK 5938 Pacific Blvd. Huntington Park, Ca. 90255 )