Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

'B.B.onConcrete Short Track Barry Briggs grabs the inside track while Bill Cody ~ries the outside When I penned my first column for you last month, I tried to explain my love of motorcycle racing with the words, "Just give me a bike, lead me to a track and I'U have a go." Well, I've been having a go here in the States just recently, and although not as successful as I would have liked, I reckon the experienc~ I have picked up will eventually help me get among the prizes. What with grass track, sand track, ice racing and conventional speedway back home in Britain and throughout Europe, I guess I'm pretty !>andy at adapting to different circuits and styles by now. But none of this counted for much when it came to the States. And I sadly have to admit that I wasn't exactly at my best when I tried my hand for the first time on the American concrete short circuits. They demand a· totally different technique from anything I've used before, and I must confess that I was completely baffled about how to go about things for a while. By the end of my second meeting, however, I was really beginning to get the hang of things, and once I've managed to master the two major stumbling blocks - the limitations of an ultra-short track and the unfamiliar concrete surface - I reckon I'U be able to wind on the throttle with the best of 'em! My first outing on concrete was at Long Beach, California. I had quite a lot of mechanical trouble during practise, and it wasn't until my actual qualifying heat of the tournament that I started to learn the best, quickest and only way to get around on concrete - get to the inside line, (where rubber from tyres gives a certain amount of grip) and stay put, no matter how fast or slow you go. On the British speedway tracks . there's always a lot of overtaking on the outside. I made the fatal mistake of trying this at Long Beach - and by the time I'd realised my mistake, all the other riders had slipped through on the inside. On such a small track, there was no chance of making up lost ground, and all in all, I was disappointed with my showing. Still, I managed to learn a thing or two. My next port of call was Madison Square Garden, again for a concrete session. I was mounted on a standard American machines no fancy trimmings or special handlebars - and I made a point of taking time out to study some of the American boys in practise. Straightway, I realised the main hang-up that was going to pose problems: all your riders sit tight in the saddle around the comers, whereas on the bigger 500cc machines back home (on grass, sand or speedway), I've always stood up. So I made up my mind to keep seated; in fact, I was 100 per cent determined to keep my rear end plastered firmly to the saddle. So what happens? Every time I get into a little trouble or sense a slight loss of control, I automatically stood up! As soon as I shifted weight completely from the back wheel, I went totally out cf control. And on a bone-hard, unfamiliar track surrounded by umpteen eager, experienced riders, I didn't exactly feel on top of the world! Anyway, practise went reasonably well (with Briggo putting on a harum-scarum show that seemed to amuse everybody except me!) and I clocked one of the fastest times. By the time we got to the actual qualifying heats, I was starting to get the feel (which must be the right word!) of this strange sit-tigh t-in-the-saddle routine, although I was a bit irritated by severe bouts of cramp in the tops of my legs, brough t about by riding in what was to me an unnatural position. My fast practise time gave me a front row position for my heat - but this was soon changed. On the start, it was alleged that 1 had rolled over the line fore the off, so I was relegated to the third row. I know for a fact that I didn't roll, but what's the point of arguing? In any event, I got the distinct feeling that instead of just starting the race, the starter was inclined to 'bait' the riders. Anyway, I don't want to start critizing American officialdom, so let's move on. After two false starts and crashes galore, the race finally got underway at the third attempt. This time, only one rider fell - me! I managed to pick up the machine, quickly remounted and tore after th pack. Whilst trying to get the last qualifying spot, I crashed within .-- -- '._~ .. OJ Mike Patrick's 10 YWHA of COIOIA . 1101 E. 6th St. - Corona (114) 135-1121 ' .. ) rolling distance of the finish. But American audiences appear to like a trier, and from the cheers and deafening ovation, anyone would have thought I had won the race! By Barry Briggs Anyway, my early efforts on concrete have been more than worthwhile in terms of experience, and I'm sure I'll be more competitive next time out. My biggest problem right now is having to forget the four·lap-dash style I'm used to in speedway. I have to realise that I have mu ch, much more time for overtaking. As Keith Mashburn said to my sponsor, Norman McDonald: "N ow you have 'him sitting down, all you have to do is calm him down!", which I thought was a really classic "mash y" quote. The main purpose oj my last American trip was a short track meeting at the Houston Astrodome - and this turned out to be the biggest disappointment of all. Not because of unfamiliar tracks, strange surfaces, unusual riding technjques or mechanical problems. No, this time, the fly in the ointment was an old-fashioned, unwelcome dose of 'flu! I really trained hard for the Houston meeting. I had run myself silly, exercising, training, swimming, dieting, the lot - only to find that I arrived in Los Angeles from New York with a fever that kept me bedridden for three days prior to the event. I just couldn't believe it. I did OK in practise, notching the third fastest time. But I was in no physical or psychological state to capitalise on this, and bowed out of the contest in the qualifying rounds. The ironic thing is that a couple of days later, I felt on top of the world! Still, there's no point crying over spilt milk - these things happen and one has to learn to accept them. I've been racing long enough never to look over my shoulder - only to look forward. And I can tell you that I'm looking forward to an awful lot of things on future Stateside visits. Soon 111 tell you about the two short track meetings at Daytona, another at JacRsonville (where I'm also hoping to race my new 650cc Yamaha on their half-mile track). And I've made up my mind that the next time I pack my bags for him, I'm going to take some trophy or other with me! • .aJa wins again! Orange Co. M.e. - 2/2/71 Hare Scrambles 1st Trailbike Expert Terry Clark - Baja 100 (12th overall) . 2nd Jim Sumners - Baja 100 1st Trailbike Junior Rodney Roderick - Baja 100 Sw~pstakes Winner High Mountain Enduro - 2/14/71 Dave Ekins - Baja 100 0-125 A Class 2nd Jack Krizman - Baja 100 3rd Leo Fedewa - Baja 100 Gold Rush Enduro - 2/7/71 A Trailbike Class 1st Jack Krizman -Baja 100 2nd Walt Baehr - Baja 100 3rd Dave Ekins - Baja 100 CERO ENDURO A/Trailbike Class 1st Walt Baehr - Baja 100 the BarleyDavidson I/AI/l£Y·OAVIOSOll r.JIm erfOrmBI:1 ,... '" CO; ~ ~ ::; ~ w z w d ~

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