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/125713
Easy Rider J.N. Lopes Home To Early Desert Win # • ,... '" cD ~ w Z W ...J U > U By Ron Szilagyi LUCERNE, CAL., Feb. 7, 1971 - In desert racing the element of danger is always present, but so is a broad spectrum of freedom and self gratification. The rider is essentially alone, on an immense obstacle course, but trying to cover the measured distance faster than that chap just ahead or just behind. In this week's event, the Sled Riders' European Scrambles, J.N. Roberts geared for 80 mph-plus, simply walked away from Rich Thorwaldson, his closest rival in the 500 Expert class. J.N. has to be my hero: with cool and sheer deliberation, he never appears to be out of shape, over his head, or out of control. J.N. was so far out front at the fmish - he could of loaded up and been on the pavement before Rich arrived. That's fast, man! Needless to say JoN. liked the course. In third was Phil Maillous (Hus). Phil, not having a 1971 District card, rode pie-plate Expert. Mike Mulconery (Hus) worked up from seventh to pass Phil but that only lasted about a lap. Phil retook the third spot and Whitey Gregory (AJS) also passed Mike to pick up fourth. Mike fmally finished fUth. Tom Clodt (Hus) on the first lap of the 500 Novice was a bit shaken when he was mistaken for a lump practicing the course, and not scored at check one. Thank goodness for backup score keepers. Tom was so far out front he caught everyone by surprise. He kept up his lead for an easy win. In second, Travis· Curris (Hus) who had been chasing Woody Schamel (Hus) from the start, ambushed him at check No.2 on the last lap, when Woody got hung up in traffic. Paul Crawford (Hus) made it four top to bottom - for Husky. Just before check No.2 there was a sandy off camber up hill, all resting on a highly fractured rock out-croping. Open desert on either side of check No.1 and check No. 2 made for quite a fast course. But the up hill leading to check No.2 took its toll of Novices, especially the 250 Novices. The 250 Experts and Amateurs went hot and heavy the entire race. Mike Patrick (Yam) in the lead but Bill Friant (Hus) and John Coots (Hus) were right in there. Wes Anderson Jr. (Bul) was just ahead of Tom Poteet (Bul). The second loop found Poteet out front, Patrick second and Wes Anderson third. On the next lap Mike was still out front, Poteet (riding with one foot rest, brake pedal anti LH peg incapacitated semi·incapacitated) was in second and third, momentarily, was Wes. When his primary chain broke Phil Bowers moved into third. Glen Lukens (Hod) managed to beat Dennis Griffin (Ric) in the second lap of the 100cc Novice class. Jeff Parker (Hod) also beat Dennis to the home check to take second. Dennis was third. In the 100cc Am/Expert class Mitch Mayes and Jim Summers, both on Harleys, settled into 1st and 2nd. But not to be, Hodaka's contingent, Cordis Brooks and 1st Amateur Dean Dailey, followed. Randy Milligan, also on a BREAIIN' LOOSE ALL OVER THE BEACH In the special of the day, Saturday's Sweepstakes winner was B. Hansen (Yam). What a difference a day can ma:ke! Sunday found things super-fast for motos and for once they didn't water things down, Mark Dobbs (Sachs) took full command, making it a clean sweep with three wins. Fresh from the hospital, R. Bellamy (Yam) had quite a day with three wins. So went the 125 Novice Division A. Jim Hobbs (Mai) and Gary Wells (Hus) bad a real thiltg going in tbe 250 Novice, and only the third and final moto could tell the tale, for both had a win and a second. Hobbs found the right line, crossed the line first for the win, Wells second and third went to M. Chokany (C·Z). Open Novice.'s Mike Stoner (Mai) and Paul Mahnke (B ul) pu t on a heckava fight in this one, and waiting for one of them to make that small mistake was Bob Madden (C-Z) in third. Stoner finally cracked it on, getting the win. Sto,:,er, the older half of the Niguel Racmg Team, the younger being Mark Dobbs, between them picked up eight wins for tbe days. (Results on page 20) • Typical of the action at the Beach. By Gary Schmythe .aJa HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA., Feb. 7, 1971 Like a hand of five card stud, Huntington Racing Assn. drew another pair this weekend with back to back motos. Both Saturday's and Sunday's motos found very large turnout. The theme song of Saturday seemed to be "How can I lose?" as D. De Amico (Hod) found the way to the winner's circle. B. Hansen (Yam) found the right combination for a well deserved win in the 125 Novice. Open and 250 Novices all got off the line in one great bunch, Jim Hobbs (Mai) going for the win. All of the Experts were run together, and after the dust bad settled down, it was J.L. Siebrandt (Greeves) way out in front. -= Wins again! Hodaka, had been 2nd but dropped back to fifth by the finish. In all, a fun - but demanding course. The trash - it found ·its way into the van, and out of the desert, leaving just that - desert. And since the sidehacks didn't come out - everyone was free to go home by 2:00 p.m. (Results on page 20) • • • • SOUTH-LYN 1-17-71 San Bernardino MIC Hare & Hound 100cc Trail Bike Class First Place - Terry Clark Expert Fourth - Jim Sumners • • • • • . 9735 LONG BEACH BLVD. • • SOUTH GATE, CALIF. • • (213) 564-5666 • ***************** JOHN DESOTO 'SUPER PANTS' ths BarlsyDavidson - ~=.I OUtpBrfOrIlJBrS