Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

DESERT· CLASH GOES TO PfUTZENRUETER ~ ~. ~ ~ By John Bethea BARSTOW, CALIF." Feb. 14, 1971 Z Larry pfutzenreuter blasted his 250 ~ Bultaco to an overall win today in the U Checkpoint M.C.'s desert Hare & ~ Hound, becoming the first lightweight to win overall this year. The incredible performance, however, came when Terry Clark, the 15-year-old Harley-Davidson 100 Baja bombshell, pulled into the pits a few minutes after Pfutzenreuter in fourth overall. This may not seem as astounding when one realized that he has done this sort of thing in the past, but after a 10 minute delay at the start? pfutzenreuter led almost throughout, but in the early stages it appeared that Tom Poteet was going to be a big problem and obstacle to Larry's first desert win of the year. At the drop of the banner, Larry and Tom led the charge toward the smoke bomb, and Poteet held the slight advantage. While 'Poteet went charging up the rocky mole-hill upon which the bomb was burning, Larry stayed to the lowlands and quickly gained the point while Poteet maneuvered out of his slight error. As the race progressed and the flat desert lands settled the dust of the stampeding machines; an observer could Whitey Martino drinks to a second place finish. clearly see the tint part of the 40-mile loop was a fast one. Driving in a straight line pas the bomb and out to the first running check, the course then turned diagonally to the right for another long straight across flat land. Reaching the foothills, the course again turned to the right along the base of the hills and gradually progressed into the rough "back section". After 25 minutes, the race was still visible to the crowd on a vantage point near the bomb, but now the interest was focused on the novices, charging their way over, around, throllgh, etc., the bomb, scaring spectators and riders alike. They, too, scattered in a cloud of dust and continued their pursuit of the experts and Juniors. . Approximately one hour and five minutes after the start, Pfutzenreuter came rolling into the pits after the first 40 mile loop, found the check, and sped away. Moments later came Whitey Martino, who stopped and cleaned his goggles and was heard to mutter, "Neat, this course is really neat." Then, he also headed on, followed closely by Jack Knebel (Gre). As the rider procession began to grow, no sign could be seen of Poteet. He had, unknown to many spectators, seized his engine about 15 miles out and -.s out of the race. By the time the first loop was being completed, the race was pretty much decided. Pfu tzenreu ter was leadin~ and he led all the way with Martino (Hus) second. Knebel was forced out after 5 miles of the second tour of the loo!:, with a flat tire and Tom Muto (Hus) then took over third. All this enabled Terry Clark, still moving up through the ranks, to cop fourth overall and first trailbike, followed quickly by Wes Anderson (Bul) second lightweight and fifth overall. Mitch Mayes made the H-D Baja combo successful again with his seventh overall and second trailbike finish. First novice in the pits was Skeeter Wade on a 250 Ossa while the first Trailbike Novice was Steve Goldberg on a Hodaka. Mike Mulconery, as eighth overall on his Husky, was top Junior Heavyweight followed by AI Nunnally (Mai) in second and 12th overall. Except for a delay at the start, the race was run very efficien tly and few riders, if any, had any harsh criticism with the course or the Checkpoint M.C. It seems th e Checkpoint M.C., as a new desert group, is really new at this sport. Look, even a new novice knows that a club:s fust race has to be bad but his club just didn't know that. So, they will probably aplogize to you personally for such a neat race if you call them up and voice your opinion. Come to think of it, it was run in some new territory, too. (Results on page 26) Third place Tom Muto (6) had to hold off the late charger Trailbike Expert Terry Oark. GJ?i4t8ilent... 7(r}n~de. L . _ Tom Poteet appears to be in the lead. He was until he climbed the smoke-bomb hill and lost it to Larry. _______ ~ I ,.. " . ".~. 'I';'.' '..I ...., ... :...--' 'olD"

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