Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

."... ... o ,... - '" "'S:::::~ , u " o MJe : ·General Manager . C ' Advertising Manager Assistant Editor . ~ w Z W ..J U >- U ~~~!=~:; "American's No. 1 weekly motorcycle newspaper. You'll always ~ee it FI RST in Cycle News'" SNIVELER'S AWARD After careful evaluation of a mother's complaint concerning the number of trophies awarded in each class at Hopetown by the Dirt Diggers, a noticeable gloom descended over our club at the last meeting. Even though her son Stevie placed 9th in his class, and we gave trophies to 8 th place, we . hope that this is not the crux of her complaint. However, one does tend to wonder if your rider had placed 28th, that we might have a request for trophies to at least 28th place. . It is nice to see parents take an active interest in their young ones activities (a practice we Diggers heartily encourage), but we feel that the standard 10% trophies awarded for Grand Prix's should be maintained. In order to placate people who disagree with this standard method of awarding trophies, the Dirt Diggers have d~cided to inaugurate our First Annual Snivilers Trophy. This will be given each year to the rider who feels he MUST have a trophy, no matter what his finishing position. In order to qualify for this award, a rider must meet the following qualifications: 1. He must not finish in the top 10%. 2. He must have someone else write in his complaint for him. 3. He must know nothing about the enormous amount of work and money required to put on a Grand Prix. 4. He must assume that Digger trophies are cheap plastic trinkets retailing for 17 cents each max. 5. He must not be aware that many Grand Prix's (Hopetown included) end up in the red some years. 6. He must have more brazeness than a naked pickpocket. Better luck next year. RICK SIEMAN Dirt Diggers M.C. Circu lation Manager Lab Technician . Advertising Asst. Bookkeeper Bookkeeper Receptionist Delivery Charles Clayton Sharon Clayton . Tom Culp · . Tom Walsh · John Bethea · Rheba Smith · Diane Sosnoski · .. Ed Randell · Dorothea Lang Eleanor Duke · . Chris Pratt · Larry Groves IS THERE REALLY A. MARK RICK? Dave Swift's reporting of the AMA sanctioned motocross at Saddleback Park Nov. 22, (sponsored by the Stump Jumpers whom he forgot to mention) left a lot to be desired. If you watched the 125 Expert race the great John R. No.7 placed well behind the first place rider (X-4 Mark Rick) in both races. How's about credit where credit is due? MAX STONE Placentia, Calif. THE HORSES MOUTH It is our understanding that motorcycle racing may be discontinued at Santa Rosa. The horsemen have complained that the track has holes and is unsafe for horse racing. Also, the Fair states that the cost of returning the racing strip to a suitable condition for horses, after the cycle racing, is greater than the revenue derived from the cycles. We, in motorcycling, claim that first, cycle racing in no way makes the track unsuitable for horses; secondly, cost of reworking the track after cycle racing is assumed by the promoters. If extra work is done, the blame lies with the Fair. To substantiate our claim we point first to other horse tracks, particularly the California State Fairgrounds. A uto-motorcycle racing and Cycle News East, Dixie Cycle News, and National Advertising information: Tom Gulp. National Advertising Dir. Cycle News (West), P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, California 90801. (213) 427-7433 - L.A. 636-8844. TELEX NO. 673-474 Subscription: One year 2nd class mail Single copy price $7.50 $.25 WASHINGTON'S ACTIVIST CAN GIRLS RACE INDOORS? I am still at it - on July 13, I filed suit in the local U.S. District Court against the state under the 1871 Civil Rights- Act to eliminate the "helmet law". There have been three preliminary bearings witb the following results: 1. plaintiff's request for trial before a three-judge court was denied. 2. defendants' motion to dismiss the action was denied. My attorneys want to appeal the denial of the three-judge court. The usual hangup is money; the attorneys bave volunteered their time but must be paid for their out of pocket expenses for such items as printing the brief (the appeals court insists on printed briefs) and the expenses of going to San Francisco to argue the case. At some point in the future (to be determined) tbe case will go to trial at which point tbe absence of any basis for a defense will become apparent. I would appreciate the running of a notice for the purpose of soliciting funds for the case. JACK ZEKTZER 630811. 18th N.E. Seattle, Wash. 98115 Recently I noticed in advertisement on !be opening of Indoor Shorttrack on December 19, at the Long Beach Arena. I was wondering if they will have a Powder Puff class and if not would it be possible for a girl to ride in the Novice class? Thank you. THERESA MARTIN Long Beach, Calif. PLEASE, WE'RE BLUSHING I have been a dirt rider for only 6 months. In this time I have read a number of publications and have found Cycle News to be so superior there is no comparison. Your news is up to date with S.O.B. STORY I am only 15 years old. 1 pay for all my motorcycle racing by working hard. I am sorry that I finished the Barstow to Las Vegas Race. You must have been jealous, to steal my Torque Eng. Pipe and Filtron off my motorcycle parked in back of the Lucerne Motel Sat. night. I hope you enjoy the parts. However, I think you should be very careful when you walk out the front door. Your mother might run out from underneath the porch and bite you. PAT GREEN Woodland Hills, Ca. I'm a single girl who purchased a bike in February. Ever since then I have. faithfully read your paper and have enjoyed it for its content and personal touch coverage. I have bu t one grips that may remind you of the Women's Lib theory but it's not intended to do so. I would really like to know why so little news is published concerning girls and women in the motorcycle circles. I presume that your majority of readers are men, and I can understand that most of your paper is dedicated to the man's interest and point of. view. As I said before, I am single and enjoy dirt riding to the utmost. But it's hard for a girl to learn about bikes. I would like to know of any classes or instructions on bike care and maintenance. How about some information on clubs that are sympathetic to the beginning bike rider? I think that all women, bike riders or not. would appreciate a little of your time and space for their interest and information. ANNE McLARNEY Garden Grove, Cal. thoroughbred horse racing were held on that track for almost twenty years. In 1963 the horsemen made an attempt to eliminate the autos and cyles at the State Fair. An open meeting was held complete with representatives of all groups and their attorneys. Under questioning, the official veterinarian for the horsemen stated that some tracks (Vallejo for example) had more injuries than Sacramento and other tracks where auto·motorcycle racing was permitted. Also, no proof was given that the chemical, calcium chloride, was injurious to the horses. It was conclusively found that the complaints of the horsemen were not valid and motorized racing was given the green light to continue. These findings are on record and the sports editors of the Sacramento Bee, Union, and others, will verify same. Our track man, John Soares, has spent the better portion of his life around dirt tracks. He has made a study of dirt as a part of his business. Mr. Soares attempted to advise the Fair track man after the cycle race, however the advice was refused. In fact, the opposite of our suggestions was employed. You can understand that our hands were tied as we could not go over bis bead. As a result, motorcycle racing was not ltiven a fair trial. In conclusion.,. we nave given the Santa Rosa area a Championship Professional Sporting Event, the largest in this area. We bave handled our event in a professional manner, paid our bills, and given the North State taxpayers good entertainment. Therefore, give us the date we request, pennit our man, John Soares, to work the track this way. If we fail to improve conditions, "fire us". BOB BARKHIMER President, Bob Barkhimer Assciates, Inc. You should get in touch with the Powder Puff Association c/o Diane ConnoUy, 206 Via Pasqual, Redondo Beach, Calif.. 90277, Interested persons wishing to help can write their legislator or the Sonoma County Fair, P.O: Box 1451, Santa Rosa.. Calif., 95403 WOMEN'S INTEREST _211'3'£4717 eet Published weekly except the first and last week of the calendar year by Cycle News, Inc., Post Office Box 498, Long Beach, California, also publishers of Cycle News East. and Dixie Cycle News. Second Class Postage paid at Long Beach, Calif. Editorial stories, cartoons. photos. etc. are welcome. Write for information. Addressed, stamped envelope assures return of editorial matter. Reprinting in whole or in part only be permission of the publishers. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon request. pertinent information such as coming even IS and very in teresting race recaps. Your articles are informative and interesting. Your editorials are timely, thought-provoking and unbiased. I am so pleased with the job Cycle News is doing, 1 would be happy to do my small bit in advertising for you, by displaying banners or posters in my welding shop, as I do considerable work on bikes. DAN McKINNEY Orange, Calif. Gosh, thanks Dan. We are sending you one of our stickers and a poster, for your shop...ed. WANT A MECHANIC? I have been trying to secure employment as a motorcycle mechanic for several months without any success. Since my experience has been limited to working on my own machines I can understand why dealers would be hesitant to hire would-be mecbanics. My question, which no dealer whom I've questioned can answer, is; where can I get shop experience that Will render me an experienced and employable mechanic? I am willing to relocate anywhere in the United States to receive whatever training available. Any information you can send me will be greatly appreciated. RAY RICHTER 316 SE Waverly Ave. Bartlesville, Okla. 74003 You might try taking the M/C mechanic course at a trade school like Los Angeles Trade Tech, or perhaps a dealer reading this will give you a chance to "earn while you learn .....ed. HOW'S ART BAUMANN? I have seen nothing in some time about Art Baumann. Is he healing well and if he is still convalescing where might we send a get well card. TODD KNOWLES Boise, Idaho We are happy to report that Art Baumann has recovered nicely and will be back on the racine cir.cuil: soon...ed. You may race in the sportsman class at Long Beach indoors, but the AMA does not yet permit women to race professionally - Bring your 125 on December 19... ed. HIGHER FEES FOR NONS? After just completing our first club event and noting the large number of unaffiliated riders, we are wondering if riders who cannot show a club membership card at signup should be admitted only at a bigher cost. I have noted some of these same non-club members at many races I have attended. Looks as though they like to ride but don't wan t to help with the responsibility of putting on a race. JIM GRAYSOM Reno, Nev. Dear Second Class Citizen:· ...Or that is the way it seems after Mayor Curron, Councilmen Morrow, Landt and Councilwoman Cobb attempted to railroad a law that would prohibit off-road vehicles in San Diego. Mayor Curron displayed his closeminded attitude when police inspector William Garlington was allowed to present a very biased anti-motorcycle oratory and urge the adoption of the ordinance. After which Mayor Curron called for a vote by the council before hearing any opposition. But before the mayor's gavel could rap a closure a member of O.R.V.I. jumped to his feet and demanded to be heard on the grounds that the floor had been opened for d.iscussion. These kind of tactics were not expected by the caliber of people we thought were in office in.8an Diejto. The argument was then waged that the city of San Diego had a golden opportunity to set an example of cooperation, foresight and good planning that could be used in other cities across the U.S. It was also brough t to their attention that the Los Angeles Police were unhappy with the results of the same law. Why be a copycat government and make the same mistake? The only reason this ordinance was not permanently set into law at this time is because of O.R.V J. Led by chairman Charles Winters, O.R.V.I. has three weeks to present the to the city council an alternative ordinance. O.R.V.I.'s attorney will be working wittJ the city attorney for a solution that will not kill the sport in San Diego. Support- O.R.VJ. by staying away from residential areas. If you have an expansion chamber get a legal muffler or silencer. VICTOR A. CON AWAY Vice Chairman Off Road Vehicle Institute 7345 Broadway Lemon Grove, Calif. 92045 NOISE DEMO OFF Anabeim city officials cancelled the noise demonstration scheduled for the proposed Upson Downs Cycle Park in that city Saturday. Lack of adequate insurance was given as the reason for the cancellation. No date has been set for rescheduling the demonstration which was to prove that silencer-equipiC'd motorbikes and minis could operate at Upson Downs without annoyance to neighbon. "c.

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