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
By Jack Light BAKERSFIELD, CAL., Feb. 14, 1971 - A beautiful, spring-like day greeted riders and spectators for the Valentine's Day Bakersfield Sprocket's IT·s"crambles. A large field of entries came from southern, central and northern California. Sprocket's Park was again prepared to perfection, thanks mainly to the efforts of Clarence Maxwell, from the "Grader·Expert class" who handles his big piece of machinery better than most people push a lawn mower. The fast pace of the afternoon's program matched the fast and exciting races, from the little 50cc hornets to the large caliber Open Expert bikes. Trophies were awarded, and those who had many miles to travel were on their way elU"ly in the day. . The Suzuki! of Bill Ritchey and Rod Just the same way. Salmon dominated the 50cc class with The 125 Juruors found Don Andretta Kirk Lessley tooling his Yamaha for and his "K;ern Kart Hodaka" third. These little fellows realJy put on a unbeat~le. Vmce Foster (Yamaha) made hIS move halfway ~hrough the race fine show, and this wonderful sport of motorcycle racing has a tremendous aod ca~e fr<;>m back m the pack to future with youngsters like these out work hIS way .mto second s[lo~. . there learning the business. Expert nders m the combmed Elaine Smith fresh from victory two 100/12.5 go-around, found Jack Jones weeks ago, decided to go again and this (Suzuki), Art L~nge (Bultaco), and Kyle she did, handily winning the Powder Lessley (Suzuki) the front runner. The Puff race, edging out Nancy O'Hara, Carol Randall and sister Brenda Smith. Th e girls aJJ rode 125 Yamaha motorcycles. The 100 Novices were divided into two diVISions, with Dareen Penrod taking Division I on his Hodaka, and Bill Johnson winning Division 11 on his Suzuki. The 125 Novices, also divided into two groups due to the large number of entrants, provided some of the better races of the day. John Hargrove managed to survive the hard charges of Mark lves, finishing less than a bike's length between them. Division Two continued in the same Polished competitors Tim (49) Thomas manner, with Paul Cates and Dan Dias and Ron Keener took 2nd and 3rd to both riding Yamahas to th e limit, racing Jack Jones in the 350·500 Expert go. wheel to wheel throughout and finishing Sprockets TT Spectacular in Itl Richard (47) Garcia takes the inside to, overcome the powerful drive of Carroll Heiland in the 250 Jr. Main event. Garcia emerged the winner with Heiland 2nd, both riding Buls. 61 F Randy Griffith came in 3rd. low numbers indicate the skill they have, and it was pu t to good use today. The combined 175-200 Jr. class only had three riders, but they really put on a show. At one time or another all three held the lead. The final lap it was Jerry Williams winning over hard riding Gary Walker and Art Carter from Ventura, all on BuJtacos. The 250 Novices were divided into two with Fred Lewis (Yam), StanJey Fisher (CZ), and David Arrambide (Ossa). Fast and extremely close was the 250 Jr. race, with Richard Garcia taking a well deserved first on his BuJtaco. Carroll Heiland . (Bul) and Randy Griffith (Ossa) saw to it that he had to 5gb t for it. The 250 Expert class had a rider who experienced' hard luck aIJ day long. Danny Hockie (IX) riding out of Hockies of Torrance let his Ossa run dry, and before he could top up the tank he had lost his first place position ill the heat. The Main Event wasn't kind to Danny either, when he was a victim of "closeness" and lost control in the short left-hander. Even with all the . problems, Danny said "this is a keen track, and I will be back for all of them this year!" Jim Keener (Bul), Guy Smith (Montesa), Rich Periera (Bul) and Ron Tobey (Yam) finished in that order, and one had to see this class in action to believe it. The 350/500 Novice featured the "Maico-Twins" corlorfully attired in their red and orange jerseys. Gary Chaplin and Mike Mitchell riding for Stacy's Motorcycles of Morro Bay, finished one-two. The 350.500 Experts had three of the best around in the first slots. Jack J ones riding a Maico, edged out the Montesa of Tim Thomas and Ron Keener's Yamaha. These three looked real polished, with their skill and perfect racing motorcycles. Open Experts provided an opportunity for Rick Newby to ride the "Custom Engineering" Triumph in for victories in the Heat and the Main. The Open Experts had a large entry again and the talents shown is what makes an Expert. These riders haodle the big bikes with seemingly little effort, letting power do the work, and the dirt flies from start to finish, much to the crowd's deJigh t. (Results on page 20) racers, riders & readers... SUBSCRIBE find what you want SUBSCRIBE TO CYCLE NEWS CYCLE NEWS WEST (1 yr.) . 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