Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

.... .." '" ~ a.. c ... '" M ~ z ~ w Z W .J t.l >o Arne Kring was simply faster and smoother than anyone else, Sunday. ATLANTA INTER-AM CALLED 'RINKY-DINK' By Don Woods FARMER BELL'S PASTURE, GA., Oct. 25, 1970 - Some said that it set motocross back several years in the South; some just thought it was a rinky-dink operation. But, the racing was good in spite of the production. The estimated 2000 spectators that showed saw what lies in the future of International Motocross as the Suzuki of Sylvain Geboers blew everyone into the weeds. Despite this, he could not claim overall honors as he pulled out of the third moto with water in his carburetor. Even though the problem was corrected, he opted not to return to the course where a finish would have insured tITst place. liis reasons were not defined but an inkling was felt when he commented later while receiving his check, "It wasn't worth it." It was' hard to believe or conceive an event more poorly run. The FIM representative set the tone right from the beginning when he told the 250cc riders that the way they were chosen to ride either the Expert or Novice class was by how neatly they filled out their entry blanks. It really didn't matter, though, because our riders just haven't learned to ride in the mud caused by rain. The way the winners of the two classes were decided was by who could climb the big, muddy hill, lap after lap. Having no' single person in charge caused a late and confused start. American riders who sent in their $7.50 entry were asked to pay an additional $2 for insurance. Some riders just left while others disgustedly coughed up the amount. Then, the tITst International Moto got under way as the starter dropped the red flag, used because it was the only flag the starter was provided with by the promoters. Geboers and Bengt Aberg had a close race early in the moto but Sylvain pulled away as the heat drew to a close. When he received the Confederate Flag instead of a checkered at the finish, he was understandably confused; so was the crowd. To make it worse, the public address system was such that the only one who could hear the announcer was the announcer. After this race, the fun started as the 250 riders, trying their best, w~nt half-way around the course and came to the above mentioned "muddy hill". You have to give them credit, though. They wo.uld make attempt after attempt until they finally got over. If nothing else, the afternoon showed that while our riders may not be as experienced as the Europeans, they are determined. The 500 Jrs. fared a little better with more power to top the hill, but they, too, soon met with trouble as the hill became slicker. In their second heat, all the leaders were stalled on the hill on the last lap and the winner was decided by who made it over tITSt. The hill was removed from the course for the 125 riders and then Jim Law, driving more than 500 miles from Ohio, won all three motos and took home exactly nothing. There was no trophy, money or anything. The promo ters promised to send him a trophy in the "near future. n The second International heat again went ,to Geboers, although he had to race this time as Torsten Hallman took the lead at the start until he, too, had hill trouble. Californian Bob Grossi, who took top American in all three motos, had a fine race with Zane Kent, Jim Shotton and Al Settles, Jr. The final International moto was very puzzling. Geboers got off in second behind Aberg, passed him and got a commanding lead. Half-way through, his machine got its trouble and he retired for the day. This left Aberg with the lead until he got stuck in the mud three laps from the end. Jonsson took the lead and the final moto win with Aberg not appearing at the finish line where this reporter was stationed. This would have been enough to prevent Aberg from taking the overall win, but I later heard that two people had helped him out of the mud, which should have disqualified him. But, never the less, Aberg was declared the overall winner with Jonsson second. . I can't help but think of the Buffalo Springfield song in which they say, "There's something happening here, but what it is ain't exactly clear." (Results on page 22)

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