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/125715
Thorwaldson Flies Across Desert ",,' .s:; ~ . ::;: ~ w Z W ...J (,) >- (,) By Dick Wright LUCERNE VALLEY, CAL., Feb. 21, 1971 - Rich Thorwaldson overcame all obstacles to win The Orange County M.C.'s hare scrambles this Sunday. And some of those obstacles were rather formidable. For instance there was a pile of rocks that came up a little too soon with predicable results, a throttle ' cable which obsorbed a bit too much dirt and broke, and choking dust to be fought while lapping the novices on the second loop. According to schedule, the two loop, eighty mile course was to start at 10 a.m. But a combination of factors delayed the start until almost 10:30. The club chose to use a Le Mans start and, further complicating matters, to face the riders backwards. The riders got nervous at the delay caused by clearing the start area and someone jumped the gun. Thirty more went with him and they didn't quite until they reached the smoke bomb. When they returned there was another check and the countdown resumed. They got off right the second time and 20 minutes later the novices were started. The fmt man to the bomb on the real start was Mike Patrick, the man who does it right with a Yamaha. Thorwaldson on his quiet blue Rickman was second and Bill Bogner was third. AlAVRICK Soon afterward. Thorwaldson managed to get by Patrick and take the lead. By the time they reached the pits, Thorwaldaon had about a one minute lead, but second place man was no longer Patrick; the noble Yamaha blew its tire and Patrick came limping in on a flat. In his place (second that is) was Larry Pfutzenreuter riding a fast BuI. None of this phased Bogner; he was still grimly hanging on to third. By the way, Mike Patrick was not unique with his tire troubles. -Wall to wall rocks cost many riders their air cushion ride. On the second loop th'e course was much more choppy and powdery because of the many riders who had already passed. Where it crossed a dry lake, conditions were hazardous in the extrme. The dust would billow up like baby powder and completely obscure the terrain, which, because it was fairly flat, was moving by at a goodly rate. Dust or no dust, Thorwaldson wasn't going to be denied this win. He held it on all the way and even increased his lead over Pfutzenreuter to two minutes. Still clinging to third was Bogner while in fourth was Bill Fiant. First Junior was in fifth overall Bill Saltzman tooling a Husky. And right behind him comes George Zuber on an AJS, motivated no . doubt by the offer of a free Stormer for an overalI win in the desert. Close but not quite. Ten:y Clark was a little off his stride today, and could only manage a 12 th overall on his giant.killing Baja. Second trailbike in was Jim Sumners also on a Baja. Rodney Roderick was the first Junior trailbike while Mike Johnson was second. t'irst 125 was Ken Buckspan, a Junior, riding a Bultaco. First Novice was BiIl Carr on a 250 Husky. He was folIowed by Tom Clodt who won flJ'st open novice. Starting the novices behind the Experts seems to work okay. The new color system used for the District 37 number plates makes it very easy to know each rider's class and the Orange County M.C. helped even further by putting each rider's name and class on his tank card to help in the scoring. Talking to Rich Thorwaldson after the race, he remarked "That was sure some race. On the last loop, each time I turned the throttle off it stayed on and when I wanted to tum it on, I really had to pull hard. I never knew what was coming next." Rubbing his bloodied hands, he said convincingly, '" was sure glad to see the fmish lines." (Results on page 22) MOTOCROSS MODEL $32.01 pair Dalar inqulrla. Invltad PlIo.: ca15) 82~261 IIOdel $34.00 pair DeIWla •• travel w/60·90 praeruslve'y $29.95:~: sprln,. Sprln, Rallo. from 65t to 125t In stoek Shoeks eome with 78 t as standard spa.. sprln,s sa.OO pair. Complate rabuild kits 55.00 aa. lW E&~nsIOlls 53.00 pr. Suls 11.50 pair P1aase speelfy mot.-eyela make & model. IIoulIl type requlrad. Eye at ueh and .- aye and clavi. Iype. Now In stoek the .. w • ....vrlek· 5·way adjustable heavy duty shocks, rabulldabla lustrous chrome sprln,s, 11\;· or 12lA" lu,th avallabla. Cantar to canter of ayas 3\;· Iraval. Wa Pay Posta,. on Prapald Orders. Callf.-nla Ifasldenls add 5'" for sales tax NOW......NEW ADDED WARRANTy...... If the saal falls on any IIAVRICK unll within 90 days from dala of purchase wa will raplaca tbe seal frea, P.S. Does anybody alsa do this? MAVRICK DOES IT AGAIN Talla advanta,a 01 the basi buy of the year. SPOOL HUBS, 40 hola with 5/8· bearln,s Included. Bast alloy with chrome like finish. • $10· : on IIIls Introductory offer, Tom Clodt, first Open Novice. DESERT Me H&H THIS SUNDAY Due to a goof on the part of Cycle News, the Desert M.C.'s Hare & Hound was omitted from the Calendar until this week. The run goes as scheduled Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. with two 45 mile loops. Starting area is limed from the town of Lucerne Valley. Barry Bubar, No. 14 desert rider on a Triumph tells us he was "raked over the coals" by his club because the event wasn't listed in our Calendar. It wasn't Barry's fault guys. We lost it. ' the**** Rich Thorwaldson picked up his first desert win for '71. ***team THE BEST RIDERS ON THE FASTEST BIKES. Road Racing JIYIS WRITE FOR COMPlETE ~ SPECS AND PRICES ~ ..JAWA LtD. E••I: 185 EXPRESS STREET. PLAINVIEW, L.I., N.Y. 13137 We.l: 3745 OVERLAND AVENUE. LOS ANGELES. CALIF. 11B03 ACA Willow Springs - 2/14 Calif. resldants add 5'" sales tas. TAINLESS STEEL SPOKES IN STOCK NOW Deal., Inquirlas Invited IIAVR,cr NOATH AlIlftlCAN IMPORTS U- CIrn GertID, P.O. Box N Mtjave, Cal ,f. 93501 175cc Jr. Grand Prix 1st Greg Comstock Motocross Carlsbad - 1/31 100cc Jr. 1st Ken Zahrt 2nd David Zahrt Indian Dunes - 2/14 125cc Novice 1st Jim Hale 3rd Rob Youn~ PUMFREY BULTACO 21819 Sherman Way, Canoga Pa'rk (213) 887-7696 YAMAHA SrOITCYCLfS NEW & USED SALES Parts-Accessories·Service ~f\::..::~ INC. Financing-Insurance MASTER CHARGE-BANKAMERICARD Discount to Ascot Racers GENE H. MYERS 4151 Redondo Beach Blvd., Lawndale, Ca. (213) 542-4047 • . . - MDT1lICYCl£ OF IIl1DIATlOIW. PIES". 8651 B"".,.I7/ B~, LOll A"g.a, Califonr.i4 9000~ • N0nn01ldJ/3-8f58