Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

First Sprocket Bash Of Year Stirs Talk By Jack Light ~ w Z W ..J U >U BAKERSFIELD, CAL.,Jan. 24,1971The Bakersfield Sprockets M.C. really "put everything together" this S\.lnday for their first T.T. Scrambles race of 1971. If this day's events is a preview of things to come this year, the Sprocket's Park course will be the talk of the motorcycle racers from far and wide. Thc track surface was well prepared, smooth and very fast; it seemed a little too quick for many not well prcpared with proper traction, or perhaps too much of the "go for broke" attitude was present. The competition was fantastic, with some of the better riders from all parts of California here to do their thing. The Sprockets have 10 more races scheduled here this season, and everyone, riders and spectators alike are eagerly looking for more of the action. Over 160 riders werc he,re to compete, and after the heats and semi-mains were run, the little guys and their 50cc machines started the 16 main events. Bill Ritchey and Kirby Schropshire had a real duel going, with wheel to wheel racing, until Kirby unloaded in the sweeper, allowing Bill to cross the finish line with room to spare on his Suzuki. Mike Leming looked real sharp in placing second with his Yamaha, followed by Rod Salmon and his Suzuki for third spot. The pretty riders were next up, and these girls in the Powder Puff class, are real hot shoes. They play for keeps once on the track. Elaine Smith and Carol Randall used every skill they had to cross the line first for the checkered. These two were evenly matched with Elaine having just a little more of everything to edge out Carol by a small margin. The other half of the "RaCing Smith Girls," Brenda, was busy holding off the charge of Pam Bales. The first three girls were riding Yarnaha bikes, with Pam riding a real neat looking Zundapp-Metisse. The 125 Expert pitted Kyle Lessley and Curt Lange together. These two fine Elaine Smith (31 B) and Carol Randall top the Powder Puff competitors. riders showed the fastest way around the course, finishing real close. Gary Walker had everything going his way today, in the 175/200 combined Nov/Am., winning both the heat and main without too much difficulty, tooling his Bultaco in fine style. Vince Foster (BuI) took second place honors. The 250 Novices put on .. real crowd-pleaser, with Randy Griffith (Oss), Bill Payne (C-Z) and Phil Kloer (Yam) riding like tomorrow would never come unless they won the race. Tomorrow will come for Griffith, the victor, but rest assl.lTed all these looked like winners out thae today. The 250 Amateurs continued in the same manner, with another Ossa with Mike Hagoski aboard winning this event over Dennis Lyons and Richard Garcia on Bultacos. The 250 Experts were something else to witness. This large class lost two front runners early in the race, but there was plenty of talent left to keep everyone out of their seats. °Ron Tobey, riding his new Shafter Yamaha 250, proved how he was able to dominate the 125 Experts in years past, with the smaller bike, in taking today's main in the larger class. The transition seemingly was made with little differrice. He had to really pour it on to get ahead and stay ahead of Guy Smith and his super quick Montesa. Jim Maxwell (Bul) can never be counted out of any race until the final second, and today was no exception; he was righ t in the middle of everything all day. Tim Tomlinson also had his Mon tesa in con ten tion. These four riders had the dirt flying, each looking for the right time to make the move for victory. The 350-360 Experts was another large class with some of the best riders aro\.llld taking part. Joe Brown (Yam) was ab)e to hold off Tim Thomas' Montesa (back in active competition after his injury last year), Jim Conway (Bul) and Lannie Mays and his C-Z kept things going, never letting Brown breathe easy until the final wave of the checkered flag. The "Hero" of the day had to be John Scantlin for his unbelievable control and super-skill in bringing his huge H-D Sportster into the victory circle in the Open Expert class. You had better believe that he had his hands full of machinery with the H-D, and the rest of the field did not make it any easier for him either. The rest of the parade was all Triumph with Carroll Jackson on Scantlin's rear wheel, followed by the two Custom Egnineering bikes ridden by Jeff Johnson (winner of the heat) and Rick Newby. Jim Lynch, Jim McCraken, Darrell McCaully (BSA) and Midge Griffith (Nor) made up one of the finest Expert classes seen here in some time. . (Results on page 18) Cont.;ffee Urges Long Beacll I,slr;cl;ons LONG BEACH, CAL., Feb. I, 1971 A meeting of the Ordinance Committee of the Long Beach City Council voted unanimously to recommend that the city pass a law making off-road riding illegal. The "without owner's wirtten permission" joke was tacked on, but few if any property owners are going to risk .being held liable by giving such permission. Only one witness spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance. Chuck Clayton, publisher of Cycle News, pointed out that the Council would be creating an enforcement problem and in effect outla~nll: a lel(itimate form of recreation, since there would be no place in the city where citizens could ride off the road without breaking the law. One witness spoike in favor of the proposal. Noise was cited as the chief reason for wan ting to ban motorcycles from the open fields, abandoned right-of-ways and vacant hillsides of the city. Unless strong opposition is presen ted, the Council will probably pass the ordinance at their regular meeting this Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. in the City Hall at 205 W. Broadway. While they last! Full color reproductions of original oil paintings of the top 10 National riders plus Fred Nix. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • ORDER YOURS NOW . • WHILE THIS LIMITED PRINTING LASTS. • • 22"x28" $3 50ea 0 • • Spicily rider and size. • Mall c hIe k or money or der t 0: • • • • • • • • OGene Romero • 0 oCal Rayborn Bart Marke I • • oChuck Palmgren • oOlckM"ann oGary Nilan • • 0 • 9"xJ2" $J • •0 50ea • • oMertLawwlll. : • • Mark Brelsf... d DUffY Palmgren 0 ROll Grant National Rider Pies %Cycle News 2499 Cerritos Aye., 0 Long Beach, Ca. 90806 Fred Nil • NAME • • • • • ADDRESS • CITY • • • STATE' ZIP--: I •• ~ ••• ~~ •••••••••••••••• ~~~,~----------~-~------- ~

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