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/125718
i B'OWERS-PATRICK TEAM TO BEAT IN MINT 400 RACE ~ li; LAS VEGAS, NEV. - Phil Bowers and CO; N '@ .. =< ~ w Z ~ ~ u Mike Patrick will return to try for their third consecutive Mint "400" Del Webb Desert Rally motorcycle victory March 21, but they won't predict another win. "Y ou can't go up there wi th the idea of winning again," said Bowers, a 30-year old school teach in Chino, Calif. "We'll just do as well as we can and hope for the best." Bowers pointed out that this year's Mint "400" motorcycle field is the toughest yet, featuring factory teams from Yamaha, Husqvarna and Bultaco, plus a large factory-supported Kawasaki contingent. The one-day motorcycle event March 21 is more than a prelude to the two-day race for four-wheel vehicles March 22·23. It is the richest off-road motorcycle race in the world, according to Mint "400" director Mel Larson, carrying a $14,050 purse and more than ,BLUE BOOK OUT The 19th edition of the official Motorcycle & Scooter Blue Book published by Hap Jones is now available. This is the only price book recognized by the entire motorcycle industry dealers, man ufacturers, distributors - as authentic and is compiled with their assitance. The Blue Book gives complete infonnation on all current year models as well as listing the average trade-in and retail prices for all major used moto~cycles and scooters for a seven year period., The prices are compiled from the actual sales records of leading dealers throughout the United States. . The Blue Book is available only to authorized motorcycle and scooter dealers, financial and banking institutions, and insurance companies. The price is $2 and requests must be made on a firm's letterhead. Write to Motorcycle & Scooter Blue Book, P.O. Box 3068, San Francisco, Cal., 94119. $6,000 in manufacturers awards. Riders who hope for the $ 7,000 guaran teed first place money could do worse than tune in on the race plan of Bowers and Patrick. "We are just now starting to build our Yamaha 360 for the race," Bowers said. "It will be just like the desert race bikes we have 1 built before, with the exception that It will have a light if we have to run in the dark." "We hope to finish before the sun goes down like we did last year. Running after dark, especially if you don't have a light, can cost you a lot of time. " Jim Martino and Malcolm Smith, who finished second 12 minutes behind Bowers and Patrick, may have lost the race when Martino had to slow down after dark, Bowers said, because he had no light. Bowers' teammate, Patrick, is a 29-year-old motorcycle dealer in Corona. He purchased his agency, Bowers said, with money he won last year at the Mint "400". The most successful motorcycle team in desert racing capped its two Mint "400" wins with a victory last November in the Mexican 1000. Motorcycle racers - so far nearly 100 are entered - will speed eight times around a 50-mile course carved out of Southern Nevada wilderness between the Charleston and Sheep Mountain ranges. The up-and-down terrain is deeply etched with dry washes and studded with thick brush. It is considered one of the most treachemus and demanding courses in th e world. Still, according to Bowers, it is one of the safest in the world for cross-country motorcycle racers. "1'0 tell the truth," Bowers said, "the Mexican 1000 isn't any fun unless you get to La Paz, the finish line. Mike and 1 belong to a club which puts on the annual Barstow-to·Las Vegas run, and this year we had 2,000 riders. "1' was working the third checkpoint, about halfway between the start and the finish. Only 400 riders came by me. We were picking up guys all over the desert all night. • Mike Patrick approaches the Mint ;·'400" finish line to win the richest motorcycle purse in history. Patrick and co-rider Phil Bowers took home $6,400.00 in thei.r second Mint "400" win in two years. This year's Mint "400", set for March 21st, will offer an even larger purse. The Speedway Racing Assn. will hold its general meeting April 7 at 135 W. Union in Pasadena. Riders wishing to retain their numbers must join the association on or before the general meeting Circle Seriou "At the Mint '400', you're never very far from the finish line, and it's not usually difficult to find astranded rider. If you get in trouble, somebody's usually there, and everybody speaks the same language." Race director, Larson, added that entries for both the cycle race and the four·wheel event are still being accepted and will be right up to close of registration the day before each race. Race information requests should be directed to Mint "400", Mint Hotel, Las Vegas, Nev. 89101. QUIET ENDURO SRAMEETING unavoidable pavement, and should prove to be an interesting ride for expert and novice alike, as the club will make every effort to avoid bottlenecks and virtually impassable sections. They hope to award the trophies the day of the enduro, by ussing the system of scoring outlined on page 17 of the Feb. 16th Cycle News. The $5 mail entry closes March 28th - post entry $10.00. For info or entry blanks, write to' Ridgerunners M.C., P.O. Box 121, East Santa Cruz, Calif. 95060. With all the emphasis these days on quiet motorcycles, how about a quiet enduro? The Ridgerunners M.C. of Santa Cruz, Calif., will present their first annual "April Fools Enduro" this April 4th, start and finish near Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz. All machines entered must be completely street legal, with mufflers and spark a.p-esters, as well as the usual stop light, horn, mirror. etc. The run will cover approximately' 120 miles - mostly dirt trails with some 17TH ANNUAL Wild with Motorcycle ;;r:t--"- ;i, Weekend April 10th & 11th Boise puts it 811 toglIther for the GI'8lItlIst Show in the U.S.A.! SpooilOi.t by OWYHEE MOTORCYCLE CLUB P. O. Box 733 - Boise, ldoho 83701 PhoM 1-208-344-"41 or 1·208-345-2975 for InfortMtion American Jawa Ltd., factory distributor for Barum tires, has in stock the 400 x 18 - 6 ply DESERT KNOBBY. Also available the Barum MX the finest motocross tire anywhere. Bsrum used by series riders like John DeSoto, winner of both days racing at the Elsinore Grand Prix, using the NEW Barum Universal Trials S 22. See your Jawa-CZ dealer today Call (213) 838-7349 for the dealer nearest you SATURDAY 7:30 A.M. SATURDAY 1,00 P.M. SATURDAY 8:00 P.M. SUNOAY 9:00A.M. SUNDAY 1:00 P.M. 50 Mi.. H. . Sa."bl... 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