Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

~ 840 AT By Ron Schneiders ~ w Z W ..J o >o RED MOUNTAIN, CALIF., Nov. 1, 1970 - "Ride the trails of the legendary single-blanket jackass prospectors" advertised the Foothill Hawks for last year's 150 mile National Championship Enduro. And they did. All the way up through the Slate mountains practically to Death Valley. With some memorable trails and fearsome downhills, the run became almost an instant classic. So much so that this year the run attracted a record number of entrants. 840 rode and many more were turned away. The starting time had to be moved from 8 am to 7 am to be sure all riders finished before dark. The year the run was not a championship, was not 150 miles (nor even the advertised 100) and was not nearly as memorable. Rather than following the trails of the "single-blanket jackass prospectors", it followed "the trails of the Prospectors Motorcycle Club and the Greenhorners. Rather than memorable trails through the Slate mountains to Ballarat there were trails so worn that they reminded you of the Ponderosa. I~ was still a good run, an enjoyable run, but nowhere near a classic. The run started at Red Mountain, ran up Steamwell road a bit, got in back of the Lava mountains and then worked its way back to the pits on the PG&E Road. At this P"oint there was some confusion for many riders who thought they were coming into a known check. Not so. Riders were allowed five minutes to gas in the pits, but there wasn't even a speed change in the pits, let alone a check. Since the gas stop fell in the middle of 12 mph schedule, many riders were able to come in very hot. Although the arrangement was unusual, it was quite legal and quite clear from the instruction sheet. There was no lunch break this year, which tended to make the shqrt run seem even shorter. I had No. 95 and was finished by about 1 pm. Riders with early numbers were finished by 11 :30! Enduro riders are used ·to having a run take the better part of a day, but those guys got in so early they couldn't even decently eat lunch! The second loop ran right up the side of Red Mountain and went out towards Cuddleback. By and by it came back by way of Teamwell road. The toughest hill on the course was right within sight of JACKASS ENDURO the pits, on the flank of Red Mountain. Soft sand concealed boulders of truely impressive size, so those who elected to take a 50 mph run at the hill quite often provided spectacular entertainment for the pit crews. Rocks were the order of the day for much of the course and mile after mile of melon...ized chunks accounted for many rims and tires. Aside from the rocks, the chief challenge of the day was the schedul~. The terrain wasn't really so tough, but the schedules were fast enough so that no one was loafing on most of the course. (Exceptions were the first and fifth sections, which were pretty easy). There was one check in the 27 mph section which Referee Jay Adams figured would surely be a tie breaker because no one could go fast enough to zero it. But one person did. Marking on the course seemed to be very good; no one that I talked to reported any difficulty in foll~wing the course. The course mileages did not compare very well with my own, but this was to be expected because the layout crew used a front·wheel drive speedometer. Incidentally, it would be very nice if clubs though t to indicate the type of speedometer drive that was used on the instruction sheet. Riders should not have to outguess the layout crew on this question, and the difference is not always obvious by the five-mile check. On those checks that I asked for my time, the checker's watches were right on the minute. There was a report of an inaccurate watch on the check just before the pits, but I didn't ask for the time at that 'one so I can't confirm. it. Rescue Three was on hand to pull out the over-eager types and they had a full day of it with two broken bones and other assorted mishaps. It's sure the loot, while jack-o-Ianterns grinned down from truck tops. Many top riders competed in t~e event, including Gene Burcham and Bill Adams so the winner at this point is anybody's guess. 512 riders finished, an indication of the relative ease of the. course. This year's Jackass was laid out and run by two fellows who have had almost no experience with endors, Jay Adams and Don SarsIow. They are tc) be congratulated for a run that was a lot of fun (if not spectacular) and very competently run. Considering that many old pros fail in that respect, it seems little short of miraculous that two relative beginners should succeed so well. Here's an interesting question: reassuring to see those rescue wagons out there on the course and know that , competent help is available if needed. Since Halloween was Saturday night, all the riders were asked to bring candy and whatnot for the kids. Lots of spooks and spacemen wandered from camper to van and back again collecting When any enduro can be counted on to draw 600 to 800 riders, why is it necessary for beginners to layout the course? And why are there only ten or so 'enduros per year in southern California? Could it be that tlrere are a lot of people who like to ride enduors but don't like to work....hurnm? Everything Perfect For Bakersfield Scrambles By Jack Light BAKERSFIELD, CALIF., Oct. 25, 1970 - Everything was beautiful; a perfect afternoon for excellent racing. The racing surface was fast; smooth, with a lot of traction available for the racers that "twist that grip". Superb handling of announcing by Digger Helm added to the happenings. One of the many highlights was the running of the Sweepstakes race after the regular racing. Elaine Smith, winner of the Powder Puff, was placed far ahead of the other expert winners in a handicap start. Ron Tobey, 125 Expert, was next in line with Tim Tomlinson, 250 Expert, placed ahead of Carroll Jackson, Open Expert winner. The first lap was even, almost as they started. The picture changed on the next two laps. Tobey had his "Shafter Yamaha" in first place, with all tbree men riders close at this point. Lap four came and Jackson made his move taking the lead with his Triumph. Tobey and Tomlinson fought it out for second place but Tomlinson just could not make up the distance on his Montesa. The finish: Jackson, Tobey, Tomlinson, and Miss Smith for the crossing parade. The distance between the riders was not very much and it was interesting to see this type of a race. With the huge spread of horsepower the actual finish was rather tight. The regular events were run in Heats, Semi Main, and Mains while some classes went the Moto system. Every class was hard fought, nobody taking all with the exception of a few. Don Andretta and his Kern Kart Hoclaka was one, victorious over ever hard charging Curt Lange (Kaw) in th.e 100 Am/Ex. These two were exchanging places with each other all day; every race was close and hard fought. Arid, Tobey earned his place in the sweeps by having everything his own way in the 125 Expert. The other positions did not come that easy. The large class of 250 Novices was a real crowd pleaser. Fred Wells managed to ward off Wayne Garrett's AJS which, in tum, broke up the combination of Ossa bikes of Wells and Howard Anderson. The last moto of the 250 Amateurs, was the race of the day as Tom Churck (Oss) barely nipped Rick Reed in a real dud to the finish. Reed, by reason of more accumulated points, was the overall winner. Tom Francisco looked real fine in taking third. Jim Maxwell had the 250 Expert well in hand until his Bultaco developed some ailment. Tim Tomlinson, Montesa rider from Fresno, quickly took advantage of the situation, and canie in th e victor. Maxwell took second followed by Rick Elissaras. The 500 Am/Ex. pitted Ron Keener (Yam) against John Bass (BSA), followed by Bob Young (Mon). These three went for broke every time out and really had the dirt flying. The Open Expert winner Jackson, continued his winIiing ways, a habit with him. "It always feels good to win" is a favorite saying of his, and he should be feeling really good by now. However, Don McKay gave tbe leader some anxious moments with his quickness. Rick Newby ran into a little slidy spot and lost some time, but managed to stay with them. Fourth, not far from the. winner, went to John Scantlan riding the huge Harley-Davidson of Tex Thrope. Anyone riding this machine on the TT Scrambles track has his work cut out for him. "BiR John" seems to thrive on it, though. The first four finishers were very close th.roughou~ the races and the crowd vOIced thelT approval every time. .. It is amazing how well the grrls TIde; they should not be ignored in this sport. After all, we call motorcycling a family sport and most of us like a f~y with girls in it... Elaine Smith tume~ .t on ~d Carol Randall and Nancy 0 Hara Just .-'!...... couldn't keep pace but all gave it a fine try.The Sprocket's track has never been for Elaine, but after today, she ~y have changed her mind..•now she I1kes it! _ The race was the Seventh Annual Benefit by the Bakersfield Sprockets with all the proceeds ~oing to" the Multiple Sclorosis Foundauon. (Results on page 22) ~

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