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/125712
M Blackwell Stuns'Em By John Grout , VALENCIA, CAL., Jan. 30-31, 1971 Mark Blackwell, riding out of Scuderia Cycles in Redondo Beach, launched himself into a near orbital attitude as he put a rocket-fast Husky past 19 Indian Dunes combatants - five of them on the last lap of Ihe final heat - to emerge as the overall winner of today's motocross event for Open Sr. The 17-year-old Husky racer, who had displayed more zap than ~ihe secondary coil a t the Boulder Dam Power Plan I in winning both of his first two heals from the wild ones, found the last 'go-around to be a horse of a different Irot. As a matter of fact, Blackwell's steed could probably have been compared to a jackass which had sat down and made up his mind for the rest of the day. The young man dwelt at the starting line for such a length of time that the rest of the entrants had almost hung a lap on him before his piston decided to go up and down by itself. He was straddling the most inactive hunk of non-activity in the -history of mock-ups. Meanwhile, back at the front a real ding-dong of a battle was being waged by Jim West, Bryar Holcomb, Eddie Cole and John Rice at about the time that Blackwell got his running equipment stuffed into first gear, but he was still deep in the woods. Upon reaching the third turn, Blackwell and Sonny Nutter decided to test th e area for roominess. And, after Blackwell had picked himself up from the ground, he still had 19 racers somewhere out in front of him. Yet, here's where the volcano blew its lid. Like a bug-bombed hornet, Mark's Husky had an exposed stinger and it was closing ground at an awesome pace. As the riders roared into the final lap, Blackwell had moved into the fourth slot and as he flew down the front shoot for the last time, he was traveling with such quickness that it was not only difficult to watch him it was nearly impossible to see him. Heading toward the pits and the checkered flag, the Husky mounted racer had gained second spot and that was all she wrote. Blackwell was the day's overall winner, while the next positions went to West and Rice. Three grand-slams were scored during the afternoon. One of them fell to Bultaco rider Tom Rapp who collecled three straighl victories from anolher Bultaco slider named "Brother" Dave Rodgers. during the contests for the 250 Sr. crown. While Danny Sanchez turned three 100 Jr. wins over a group which included Rocky Morrison and 10-year-old DOltn'l LaPorte, the other perfect score was in the Powder Puff divisiol\ where Joan Wilson was the vic lor over Joyce Soyka and Cherry Stoclon. Steve Nutter defeated tough field of 125 Jrs. which included, among others, John Hrynkiewicz, Ray Byers, Rick Salmon. Danny Wade and Chris Brooke. The 250 Jrs. were turned aside by a high-flying CZ rider named Mark Abbatoye. Among other top riders in this division were Wayne Sullivan on a Monlesa and Bullaco mounted Doug Pattison. In the Open Jr. affair, Glen Lane (Mai). Bob Kahe (Hus). Jeff Robertson (Hus) and Leonard Fraser (CZ) waged a torrid battle with Kane and Lane finally corning out on top. Dave Rodgers, after overcoming much trouble, was not to be denied an important victory in the 125 Sr. class. Scott Hoffee and Joe Bonnello finished behind Rodgers. Feb. 7 will be Sand Scrambles Day at the Dunes while Feb. 14 and 21 will be devoted 10 all classes of mota racing. 0 '"> '" Q. ~ w Z w -' U >- U John Rice finds the going rough. Roberts Winner By Ron Szilagyi JOHANNESBURG, CAL., Jan. 31, 1971 - Beyond our massive complex of freeways lies the Mojave Desert, a vast expanse of shifting sand and rock. N earl y every weekend a group of motorcyclists gather, and on a prescribed COUIlie, spend a few hours dashing over that rock and sand witli points and trophies their goal. The 4 Aces M.C. chose the area just west of Johannesburg (a popular location), for their club's hare 'n hound. The race was 90 miles long (two 45 mile loops). In a hare 'n hound you never cover the same ground twice and dust is always a problem. The seven miles to the smokebomb was fast with a few rocky washes which led to a massive ditch and off into a super sandwash. MONROE -- If Not Disqualified The checks were well manned and usually just before or just after a major contortion of the course. After the sandwash, it was wide open to the mountains, up and over - if you didn't lose momentum. The first loop was very fast if you didn't get run over by a dune buggy. There were several in the area. Fortunately the road crossing were all well marked with danger signs. Home check was about halfway through the gas pit area and easy to overlook if you had swung wide to clear the dust. [It is possible that J.N. Roberts missed this check and will be disqualified...Ed.] The second loop was a bit nasty rock and mountain, with steep, narrow up's and down's. Passing was largely dependent upon fear. The au thor ended up on a pile of rocks as did many (Continued from page 11) of the circumstances. Finally, at the checkered flag, it was Pomeroy, first in his class. The only ones he didn't pass were Poulin and Mu tch and they didn't matter since they were 250 riders. Bevaart was second overall followed by Husky rider Bob Cooper. In for fourth was California-transplant John Maynard, John did all sorts of neat tricks, big power slides, etc., with that super-powerful new Maico, but seemed to lose time in the one tight section through the woods. ,There were some complaints about one or two up-necessary hazards bu t on the whole the track was an enomious gas to ride, at least for me, and the Bothell Stumpjumpers deserve congratulations for putting it all togeth er. Even th e weath er cooperated by holding off the rain until after the trophy presentation. (Results on page 18) Buffalo Breath Moto-X Jersey BROWN HEADS STANDINGS, Robert Brown accumulated 97 points during 1970 and took first place in the Sportsman Riders Association Point Standings for Class "A" rider in Utah. Of the 5 7 competitors for the number one spot, Jon Henry's 75 total was closest to Brown. Mel Kimball was third with 69 and Eric Gray tied Randy Skinner as each picked up 65. Complete final standings on page 18. CASE OF THE HOBBS. Remember Rick Norris, t1,at "Real Racer" mentioned in last issue? Well, the ACA reported Thursday that they had made a mistake. The winner of the 500cc Intermediate class at Saddlcback on Jan. 24 was not orris, as reported. Actually, it was Rick Hobbs riding a Yamaha and he does have a '71 ACA Hcense. I MAN I MACHINE and 250(('5 PROOf Of STAMINA As worn by De Coster, Bickers, DeSoto, Lackey and other top riders. Choice of Red, White, Orange, Black, Dark Green, Light Green & Gold. All with white collar & rubber buttons. Ideal shop or team jersey. Finest import quality. Sizes M, L, XL. - The utmost in protection & comfort. Send $12.95 plus 5% tax to: Buffalo Breath Motocross 905 E. 19th St. Santa Ana, Calif. 92706 Dealers: Liberal Discount Granted! SRA others. A swollen knee and a super dose of wrist paralysis was the result. J.N. Roberts (Husky) along with his troop of photographers who are shooting a heavy-duty desert flick about good, clean - pardon the dust desert motorcyclists, seemed to fly over the course. (The photographers literally flew, via helicopter). J.N. won easily, beating Rich Thorwaldson (Rickman) who came in second. We. Anderson was 3rd overall and first 250. Racing under the new rules for the frrst time, Terry Clark on a 100cc Harley Davidson finished 4th overall and lst Trailbike. Mike Patrict (Yam) was 5th followed by Larry Pfutzenrueter. Tom Brooks was second Trailbike on a Hodaka and Wayne Cook was lst 125 (Yam). (Just before press time, Cycle News received an anonymous phone call. A chaming female voice which didn't sound at all like a motorcyclist infonned us that Desert Daisys had finished one, two, and three among the gals entered in the Trailbike class. They were Jan Ditsen, Patty Clagg and Mary Brooks in that order. Our lady caller said the gals really liked the new starting arrangement which was partially responsible for them having a close race amonp; themselves for the entire 90 miles... Ed.] Under the new rules, the Experts and Amateurs went off first whIle the Novices waited. They left 15 min. later. 873 riders signed up - and I must have ate the dust of everyone of them couldn't see much beyond the front Lire, bu t I managed to come in abou t 384th. My 125 Sach's enduro was made for the second loop - a good trail ride. Enjoyed the whole event - it's a good thing J.N.'s photograph"rs were therewherever the helicopter went - it was certainly endo time.