Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

n BIKES IN MEXICAN 1000 I ~ ... .... ~ Z I III Z III ..J ~ <.J Parnelli Jones set a torrid pace up to the third check-point, here in Santa Ynez, but lost time later due to mechanical problem. For the first time ever, a sidehack was entered in the race, and believe it or not, the Triumph powe,red machine fmished. The peristent and super durable team of Danielsen and Franco made it down the coast in slightly more than 36 hours, which included a brief nap break and over 100 miles of riding on a flat tire. All told, - 18 of the original 35 motorcycle entries finished the race. As I write this report our single engine aircraft is bouncing along some Steve Hurd on a 12,5cc D.K.W. was flfSt in the under 250cc class, followed by the D.K.W. team of Gene Cannady and Max Switzer. The former record- holders, Preston and Bergquist, were entered this year on a L25cc Bultaco, but a collapsed wheel at the second check point forced their retirement. The all girl team of Sammie Dunn and Sandy Termain was forced out at the third check point because of engine problems with their 350 Honda. 5000 feet above the middle of Baja. Below there is nothing but barren rocky mountains, occasionally traversed by a dry creek bed. But directly beneath is a 'very long dust-brown ribbon, winding its way toward the horizons. From here it looks smooth, almost pleasant. But three days ago, nearly 300 vehicles were bouncing over that same ribbon, trying to conquer it, trying to be flfSt to La Paz. But now, for another year, things are serene. The land goes back to the farmers and cattle. The invaders leave; Suddenly, we are over Santa Ynez and I get the feeling of a war correspondent, just returning from the front lines. Sammy Dunn checks out the starter's watch. • . - --.- • .... ~ • I ; • " It of :e of N Scores of Mel\!ca" sp~tQl"$ gath!!,"ed at tile finish line to ctleer the contestants. For me, as well as for a number of other people, this annual Norra functions was a five day bummer; occasionally sprinkled with something worthwhile. Oh, there was a great deal of pre and post race excitement, all right, but the number and degree of idiocies, both intentional and otherwise, prevented any good feelings I might have about the race. For starters, there was absolutely no radio communication between check points. Breakdowns? Miscalculations? Oh, you'll learn about it in a few days. Norra claimed that they couldn't get the necessary permission from the Mexican government, which very well could be true. But even assuming it is, d-oes it justify the unbelievably dangerous conditions created for the sake of the almigh ty dollar? I suppose that what it boils down to is a ma tter of philosphical opinion. There are those that believe that Nona's responSIbility simply entrails collecting entry fees, starting the race, ending it, and then distributing the prize money. They seem to be saying that this is the ultimate mechanical challenge; a race with nature, where your life is in your own hands. In a way, I agree with that. But 1 also think that N orra has a moral responsibility to provide minimal safety precautions. For instance, a Pacific Coast Honda support vehicle, with two teenagers, got lost and stuck in the sand some 240 miles north of La Paz. They were off the beaten track, but, it was learned four days later, a support plane for the Saab team spotted tbem, noted ~heir desperate situation and reported it to two different Norra officials in La Purisima. As near as can be determined, it was never reported in La Paz. Furthermore, Norra President, Ed Pearlman, refused to make the P.A. system at the official banquet available for inquiry about the two. Fortunately, the pair was found safe and happy four days after they disappeared. But no thanks to race officials. . And there were other incidents: Abandoned check points before the end of the race; Norra officials exiting La Paz en masse, thus making themselves (Please tum to pg. 24)

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