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
o : ... ... '" M N ~ ~ i ~ w Dream Track Comes True Z After much debate, lots of hard work, some applied pressure, a few heartbreaks ~ and more hard work, The Motorcycle Riders Association (MRA) of Medford, ~ Oregon, finally got what they asked for - a lease on city land for their very own tJ motocross track. The story goes roughly like this: It seems the MRA, although based in that wonderland and motorcyclist's oasis to the north known as Oregon, were beginning to feel pressure to stop riding on the old stomping grounds known as "John's Peak." The officers of the club took it upon themselves to search for another more suitable riding area. This was more than two years ago. The club approached the country, city, Forest Service, B.L.M., in short, any public agency that might have some "dirt" available and received the usual "thanks, but no thanks" and closed door welcomes. Nota group of people to give up, however, the club acted as if they hadn't heard the public servants. The Jackson County Parks Department was the first to say "Well... let's try it." The area set aside was'rather small and fronted a recreational lake. After a few races it was apparent to all that this was not the place. . Next, the U.s. Forest Service graciously offered the club a motorcycle park. Joy Be!! Our own park... 1,200 aCres BIG, all kinds of neat terrain, and only thirty minutes from town. After some 1000 man-hours and $500, building trails, constructing toilets, and building a picnic area, the buble burst. Heartbreak number two. Heartbreak number three occurred when the county parks department offered the club a motocross track site on some land they were leasing from the Army. Again construction took place and was completed just in time for a General to say "No deal, the lease is for a rifle range only - no motorcycles until we renew the lease next year. " Although the members were war weary by this time, they decided to charge the city of Medford. I t seems the city had some land along the Rogue River that was not being used and that had motocross written all over it with a capital "M". It took more than a month but [mally the group was able to appear before the city fathers and, much to their surprise, the staff was instructed to draw up a lease! As can be anticipated by now the good times were about to end...The mayor vetoed the lease. Heartbreak number four. By this time the club was in no mood to forget it and the feathers really flew. Anybody who was anybody and everybody who would listen soon knew about the plight of the MRA. The next council meeting was historic because it was the first time a veto had ever been nullified. This time the club locked out the chance of another heartbreak. A two year lease which can only be broken by a significant hardship caused, and after public hearings on the matter, was signed. Penton - Hodaka - BSA"""III:fi"l1o._ Yamaha - Norton Husqvarna \\:ts~~:;~i~~.~ ~~I'Ec.T"T 0 R 5 , PAo,KING- aaw..Basqva..aa ClIoice .. ~\ MEDFO~D MOTOC~OS5,pA~K Med·lnternat.onal. 4790 Palm Allenue. l. Mesa, California 92041 Steen Hansen Molors. 3619 1091h Street, Edmonton 73. Alberta North HillcliDlb Begins Your mission-should you aeeept it-will be to e1111 (213) 475-4541 and tell whomever answers that you saw this ad an(l you now have an overwhelming desire to buy something at Valerians. The infamous J oUy Roger hill in south Seattle will be the site of the inaugural event of the 1971 summer series of AMA professional hillcliinbs in the Pacific Northwest. The series which begins March 21 in Seattle is to be waged on the toughest and steepest hills of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The Seattle hill located on the west slope of the Kent Valley, was the site of the 1964 National Championship and is rated as one of the nation's more challenging hills. The length of the awesome Jolly Roger hill is 440 feet to the crest while the slope is nearly vertical. The old adage that "what goes up must come down" often adds an e."tra thrill as men and machine claw at the earth for a grip on this impossible incline. The equipment for this event is sophis ticated and varied. Some riders prefer the early modd big-bore V-twins with high torque while others will ride the lighter imported hip;h RPM vertical twin cylinder machines. Special frames to adjust center of gravity are common and all machines are equipped with rear tire chains or cleats for better traction. The contestants will be vying for AMA national poin ts as well as a cash purse. Tom Hines of Seattle rates as the favorite for Sunday's climb. Hines holds the hill record at 10.42 seconds. Challenging for the Northwest crown will be veteran Lydian Aszenzi of Portland, Ore., winner of more pro hillclimbs than an yother active climber, and Boise, Idaho rider Louie Fenrs, the 1970 Northwest novice champion. lTORSTEN HALLMA~~~. RACING INC:~· 10673 West Pico Boulevard - at Overland Los Angeles, California 90064 - Telephone: (213) 475-4541 Sales - Service - Accessories - Parts - Motocross Leathers HUsaVARNA· JAWAlCZ· SUZUKI· PENTON· MZ • MONTESA • TRAIL-HOPPERS open monday through saturday U S. D ist. for T relleborg Motocross tires.. Torsten Hallman special design leathers & racing equipment. (714) 460·6234 (714) 460·1402 For dealer info. write or call: 5345 Timken St., La Mesa. Cal. 92041. Fehrs will be making his first ride as an expert. A full field of other West Coast riders should provide an exciting afternoon's entertainment. The Jolly Roger hill is located east of Interstate 5 on 216th South near the city of Kent, Wash. The climb is slated for a 1 p.rn. start. BETTER BEEZER SPARKS If you've had trouble keeping your 650 Beezer in tune, here is a new ignition kit that should help. According to the manufacturer this kit takes the wobble out of the points due to worn distributor bushings for exact timing, even at 9,000 RPM. It works with E.T. systems, battery ignition and Magnetos. The trick is a special double point seal which ends oil fouling of points and some special bearings. For $12.95 you receive: I timing side gasket, 2 special phosphur-bronze thrust washers, 2 special needle bearings to replace bronze distributor bearings, 1 special double·point seal and a lifetime p;uarantee with no mileage limit! Rand Co., 26679 W. Hills Dr., Inkster, Mich., 48141. Ph. (313) 565-3343. ~\ Jimichrome Shines SUddenly 7\ ~ I'-.. _ SI mi chrome a honer ':~ "CCleanl qulek a bunnr //1 OMPEnnON Tube 51 ,L.. _ \ iI Jf£ . Jo" II CHE~ICALS Can Sl.45 713 Elte. 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