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/125714
SANDY SCRAMBLE A' THE DUNES By John A. Grout Photographer Mick Ryan INDIAN DUNES PARK, VALENCIA, CAL., Feb. 7, 1971 - Dave Rodgers, astride a roaring Bultaco from Steve's Van Nuys cycle shoPt grabbed a pair of wins at Sunday's Indian Dunes sand scrambles, but before the young ra~er was able to get back to the pits, .one of the victories was erased from the record books. While enjoying a comfortable lead in the 125 Senior event - an actual minute and twenty second runaway with only four laps remaining - Rodgers stopped to pick up a charming damsel who was hitching a ride from the side of the track, and the only thing that it cost the gallant Van Nuys afterburner was the official win. He won instead, a disqualification! So, with the days of chivalry having gone to a final resting place along with Sir Gawain, Suzuki-mounted Paul McDaniel from San ta Barbara w.as moved into the top spot. However, in the 250 Senior event, Rodgers took the dragon by the tail, and in a combined effort which had seen him racing full-bore for an hour and a half, the young man really hung it on Doug Grant (AJS), Tommy Rapp (Bul) and Rick Shirey (Yam). As Sir Dave ripped past the checkered flag he was 56 seconds in the lead - some kind of victory for a rn.an who had competed in two of the Dunes' lengthy sand scrambles in just one d.ay of racing. In the Open Senior brawl, Jimmy West put an AJS into the early lead over a top-notch field which among others, included Whitey Martino, Russ Darnell, Billy Payne, Dave Garber and the guy who once again decided to camp at the starting line - Mark Blackwell. West continued to hold the entries at some distance until he unloaded from his rn.achine in a real fork-snapper along the back chute. Upon re-mounting, he discovered something had punched a hole in his gas tank, and his fuel held r------I~-------. YAMAHA ou t for just one more lap. At this stage, John Rice was on the front end, blasting Husky-mounted Martino and Joel Witte, who was riding a C-Z, with a good half of the reservation's sandpile, when...along came Blackwell! All eyes were watching the Scuderia-tuned Husky, as Mark had fmally located its high gear. At almost a ~':irr~~~sp~~ ~:~tU~rai~~t,til~c~':'~ IRWINDALE RACEWAY PRESENTS THE 2nd ANNUAL * u. S. FUEL 'GAS MOTORCYCLE NATIONALS Yamaha-Sach's- 9008 Sierra Ave. Hodaka-Maico- Fontana Calif. SAT. &SUN. FEB. 20-21 (714) 822-2252 HUSQVARNA Distributed by Med-International 4190 Palm Ave" La Mesa, Calif. 92103 RAIN DATE: FEB. 27-28 ( TWO BIG DAYS SATURDAY ••... 11 :00 A.M..•. QUALIFYING & TIME TRIALS 4:00 P.M. .. RECORD RUNS 5:00 P.M.... SECURE SUNDAY 9:00 A.M .. QUALIFYING 10:00 A.M .. CLASS ELiMS. 12:00 Noon. DOOR PRIZE DRAWING 1:00 P.M. . BEGIN ELIMINATIONS 5:00 P.M. . SECURE ~ Jimichrome ::l..A $hines Suddenly '\:h(c 1; \ ~. I Simichr.... is a honey Ie.. s quiek as a bunny /i OMPETITION Tube S1 CHEMICALS Can 53.45 . . 713 Estes Street Iowa Falls. Iowa 50126 ALL THE NATION'S FASTEST DRAG SIKES RACING FOR MORE THAN $6500.00. SACHS HUSKY parts & accessories BMW Specialties 411 West Whittier Blvd. Montebello, Calif. 90640 (213) 724-9474 ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ONE DAY SERVICE HOI\bA * SUZUKI All Models In Stock : ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. .. everything for both dirt & street nder .- .. Huge Inventory • .. parts & accessories .. ,. 9735 LONG BEACH BLVD ,. ,. SOUTH GATE, CALIF. ,. (2131 564·5666 ,. ,. ***************** _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ~___ _ _ _ ...J MOTORCYCLES THAT GO FROM 0 TO J65 MPH IN ONLY TWO CITY SLOCKS. GAS BIKES! FIfEL BIKES! ***************** : lL ~ ::i i ... !!£ ~ went sailing by the other racers. w At the event's end - having stopped d once for a re-fuel job - Mark was a . > minute and ftfty-six seconds in front of U Darnell, Martino and Witte. The Open Juniors were completely dominated by Husqvarna racer Bob Kane, who does his riding out of S&S Engineering in orthridge. The 22-year-old Kane, who has been actively competing for only five months, turned back a strong field which included Yarn.aha-mounted Jim Ridosh; Jack Blackwell on a Husky and Art Bortle, who was also on a Husky. The 250 Juniors were tow.roped by a Bultaco cannonball named Jon Miller. Following the winner across the final line were Montesa-mounted Wayne Sullivan and Frank Giardina on a Yarn.aha. The 100 Juniors were led throughout by Suzuki rider, Bob Schwartz, as he played a game of hide and seek with Hod.aka-mounted Jack Toutant, Don Eide, also on a Hodaka, and Yarn.ah.a racer, Chet Whelchel. (Results on page 20) 0; fONTANA Pa~~ - Se~il:: ~ '" f STREET BIKES! SPECIAL DOOR' PRIZE COYOTE MINI-BIKE COURTESY l. A. AREA KAWASAKI DEALER ASSOC. ADMI5SION. 53.0u c~n UM (, PIT PERMIT: 51.00, JUNIORS 6·12 51.00, UNDER 6: FREE IRWINDALE RACEWAY. 1 2 MILE S. OF FOOTHILL BLVD. ON IRWINDALE AVE. FOR MORE INFORMATION PHONE (213) 969-1214 OR 969-1619