Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

II) ~ ... o ,.. '" M ,; o Z ~ W Z ~ By Bob Sanford BROKEN ARROW, OKLA., Oct. 25, 1970 - Sweden and Husqvarna again ~ dominated Inter-Am motocross, with Arne Kring outclassing the rest of the field in an event featuring some of the best organization ever found on the circuit. Kring was head and shoulders above his competitors, as he easily won the first two heats and took a second in the final round, after falling on the fifth lap and coming up from next to last place. In point of fact, he probably could have won the third moto, but chose to thrill the 3000 plus fans with some close and spectacular racing with Husky teammate and third moto winner, Christer Hamrnargren. The pair actually crossed the finish line arm in arm, but track officials gave the win to Hammargren by a spoke width. • Surprise American standout was a consistent, Montesa mounted, Mike Runyard, who took two fifths and a sixth for top American honors, edging out American CZ hope, John DeSoto by just one point. Runyard was rather cryptic about his success, but one report had it that "Hippopotamus air",' acquired in Milwaukee, Wis., was at least partially responsible for his super-smooth effort. u Thrill of the day, however, came in the final heat, when DeSoto and British -CZ rider, Dave Bickers, jumped out ahead of the pack. Coming onto the front straight, Bikers held a slight edge over his American counterpart, but by the end of the fIrSt lap, DeSoto had taken the lead. Bickers was close behind, but the former Hawaiian champ rode like he's probably never ridden before. ("Once, 1 looked behind and no one was there," DeSoto said later. "And 1 got scared and started making lots of mistakes and slowing down. But then I saw David (Bickers) behind me and everything was alrigh t again. ") F or three laps he held the lead until Brickers was finally able to get around on lap number four. But DeSoto wasn't through yet. He repassed on lap five, the same go 'round where Kring crashed while trying to miss an already fallen, Dave Bickers. "It was absolutely my fault," Bickers said after the race. "I'm just glad it was Arne, otherwise I probably would have been hit." Meantime, Harnmargren was moving up and on lap six passed DeSoto for the lead. DeSoto remained in second place until the tenth lap, when Kring got by. From there on out, it was a riding exhibition presented by Kring and Hammargren. They'd make a point of coming down the front strail{ht side by Kring & Hammargren came across the finish line this way. but officials awarded the third moto victory to Hammargren. Roger DeCoster was off form. as a result of a leg injury sustained last week.(.__ 'EM! .0?1 I.1,1," <> ., T J'I(.o1 ..... ~(. IJTI U,,1 '10 .. 'c . n' . ·.. If.~ n.r;". side and dazzling the crowd by flying high over the two jumps in unison. DeSoto managed to hold down third place, until he was beaten to the checkered flag by inches by Brtish Husky rider', Rob Taylor. Belgian star and CZ factory rider, Roger DeCoster was on hand for the event but was more than slightly hampered by a leg injury, sustained while. riding last week's Inter-J\m in Ohio. He gamely rode the first moto and finished an admirable third without being able to put down his leK and he wound up in Dallas, Texas. Another plane to Tulsa. This time he deplaned in Kansas City. Finally, about 9 am Sunday, he arrived in Tulsa minus his baggage, boot$, helmet, etc. A mad s.crambles produced John DeSoto's leatllers and shirt, Mike Runyard's helmet and Tom Volin's socks. And after all that, he still turned in a creditable performance aboard his borrowed bike. Not enough can be said for the organization and track preparation. The Tulsa club has carved a very neat little for support. But after one lap of the second mo to, DeCoster retired for the day. Young Tim Hart from Torrance sewed up the number three American slot for Montesa, and in the process, demonstrated some flat track style broadslides, much to the delight of the crowd. American MX Team Captain, Russ Darnell, was also on hand, but retired with back problems after an eighth place fmish in the first moto. An humorous sidelight to Sunday's action was the problems encountered by French CZ rider, Jacques Vernier. A non-English speaker, Vernier somehow ended up in Atlanta, Ga., the site of this weekend's other Inter-Am event. The confusion was corrected and he was put on a plane for Tulsa. More confusion, track out of this woody section of Oklahoma farm land, and it's very apparent that thousands of man hours have gone into such thinKS as the all encompassing snow fence, the red light green light start system, the number plated flagmen positions, the sophisticated sound system and the tight but reasonable crowd control measures. If anything the course was narrow and somewhat tight. But all in -all it was excellent and a far cry from many of the poor but more well known so-called motocross courses. .1::LHLJQJICIJ;; ~.d1 And the promoters, Bob Johnson and Ken (sorry, old buddy, but I forgot your last name) were very decent, conscientious individuals. Hopefully, the below average size crowd still produced enough revenue to entice the two to do the same sort of thing next year. (Results on page 22)

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