Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125709
,.. en o N . " ...., ~ w Z W ..J U >- U Ascot Season Finale GARDENA, CALIF., Dec. 27, 1970 Jim Rice returned to his National Circuit form today and dominated an impressive field of competitors vying for the State's Half Mile Championship at Ascot Park. From start to finish it was Rice, winner of six AMA Nationals this past season, holding off the hard-charging Number One plater for '71, Gene Ro.mero. For the first'six laps of the 15-lapper, Romero tailgated the healthy BSA of Rice's but at the half-way point, he began concentrating on holding down second as Rice's lead increased. When Rice began to let off on the gas in the late stages Romero made a fmal drive to catch up; in vain;"however, as Rice still held a comfortable lead when the checkered fell. Overall, the race was fairly well consistent. Eddie Mulder maintained third all the way and Cal Rayborn, the world's fastest man on two-wheels, held fourth until the 13th lap when Tom Rockwood took that position over. Rockwood made a fme showing after starting off poorly. He was sixth on lap two and dropped to seventh on the next lap but regained his composure and repassed Eddie Wirth several ovals later. By the 10th lap he had moved into fifth to set up his catching of Rayborn. Rice came nO,where near dominating his earlier heat race as he had to battle from fifth plac.e all the way to first in the five-lap go, passing Lloyd Houchins in the final tum of the last lap. Romero found his way directly to the Expert Main via a second heat flag-to-flag win over Mulder, as did Rayborn in the third against Sonny Burres. Season high-point man In the Amateur division, John Hatdey, came up against a tough competitor in Don Emde and the result was one of the finest races of the day. For nine of the ten laps, Emde, who picks up an Expert rating next year as well as a National Number, controlled the pack despite Hateley's hard charging. But the final lap spelled doom as Hatdey took advantage when Emde missed the groove and went on to win. AI Kenyon was third. Hatdey rode a magnificent race as he was forced to recover from 'a poor start which had him running fifth 20% through the race. He skipped up to fourth on lap four and really caugh t hold on the fifth when he blasted into second. The State TT Novice winner here two weeks earlier, Kenny Roberts, returned from the North country and won the honors in today's 880-yarder. Gary Scott provided the only stiff competition for Roberts but he was forced out of contention with engine troubles, leaving second place to Loyal Penn followed by Scott Brelsford. The races had originall y been scheduled for Dec. 20, but the pre-Christmas rain caused .. week's postponement which resulted, apparently, in the disappearance of many of' the expected .lop riders including Dave Aldana, Don Castro, Mert Lawwill and Mark Brelsford. Threats of rain also cut down today's attendance. (Results on page 21) ,..:....",;=:----, After winning the Novice Main, Ken Roberts plays around . .Lol41 U&I ........ ..l ...... , I' .... -, ..-..... ~t.-.' •• ,. I 'L• • • • Determination is etched on face of Expert winner Jim Rice. Cal Rayborn speeds down backstretch (above) and on to (below).