Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

HEARTBREAK DAY AT PORTERVILLE By Jack Light PORTERVILLE, CAL., March 14, 1971 - This day will be remembered for a' long time to come, at least for a dozen riders who were very close to victories yet, through mishaps, were eliminated from competition. Many leaders were victims of the old miserable "Bad Luck Lucifer", with victory within sight, had to be entered in the record book, as a did not finish, ·'DNF". The series of accidents started with JIM RICE - S.F. Rider Of Year In a recent presentation in the Powder Puff girls, and seemed to continue through all classes including the Open Experts, who had their share of bad luck. Nany O'Hara and Pam Bales had their machines running wheel to wheel, with the lead changing many times, then disaster struck during the fInal quarter lap. Nancy was making her move on the outside, to take Pam, and from aU indications, a sligh t contact was made, and Nancy lost control in the high speed sweeper, and crashed hard, sustaining a serious leg injury. These girls are real racers, and when on the track, they are giving their all. The surgeon, with the use of "Erector-Set" pieces of metal, has Nancy on the road to recovery, and this great competitor will be back among them in the future. Pam and her Zundapp-Rickman went on to victory followed by Elaine Smith, and Brenda Smith on their Yamaha bikes. All of these girls deserve the plaudits of everyone for their devotion they have for this sport, even with the dangers present. Hank McCaulley and his crew had the track in ['elject condition. The surface was well prepared and is very fast, tricky with tight twisty corners and the long sweeper-straigh t. Some of th e riders do not take all this into consideration and often times get into San ~ ~ YWIfA of COIOHA SAN DIEGO SUZUKI 1101 E. 6th St. - Corona (114) 135-1!~ __ FACTORY AUTHORIZED SALE & SERVICE •..........•........................• iCONlEV250/360 . : TIS : Down Pipes - $49.95 ~~. :E MOTORS : 1049 w. MissiO:1, Pcmona. Cal. : 91766 714-629-864'2 . . : • •...............................•.... Motorcycles W.s,.i.s,er Spor' C,cle Guy R. Louis (114) Rickman. Metlsse 893-1051 7574 Westminster A.... Westminst. Ca. ~ his rear tire and, also, losing his chain in the weird happenings of the;. day. Tracy Bright, always one to look for the advantage, managed to bring hiS l3ultaco in for fIrst in the 250 Expert Class. Jeff Johnson followed Tracy through the traffIc and had the Custom Engineering Suzuki in the second place slot. These two riders never give up and are always in contention in every race. Terry West and Jerry Langley made the 360 Jumor a Montesa sweep, fInishing first and second on these beautiful bikes. The racing Keener brothers, Jim and Ron, did not show too much "brotherly love" in the 360 Expert Main. These Keeners know only one way to race... fast and furious, even when racing against each other. These two had the dirt flying from their Yamaha bikes from start to fimsh, much to the crowd's delight. To the rest of the field on the track, just the opposite feelings, no doubt, were felt. Mike Mitchell. riding a perfectly prepared Maico out of Stacey's of Morro Bay, had everything his own way. 1\1ike rode a flawless race, never losing a second with unnecessary slides or lost motion. These two had the right combination to take the 650 Novice event, "~Iitchell and Maico." James Reed riding a BSA had to settle for a well deserved second. Following in the pattern of the day. plague many of the riders, continued in 0 the Open Expert ranks. Rick :"ewb; had his Custom Engin_"rin~ Triumph leading the pack with victori near, lost it in the tight Esses turn. E"er alert Carroll Jackson twisted the grip a little hard and shot into the lead. bringing his Triumph in for first place with room to spare;:. This d"y was "one of those days" and as the saying goes, "you can't ~\':!l them ,,1I". One thing is certain. though. everyone will be back for the nex! Portencj]]e Spinners T.T. Scrambles. this is a "tough" tr.ack to master...b ut they keep trying. (Results on page 26) o. Mike Patrick's trouble, which they cannot get out oJ easily. Don Andreatta and his "Kern Kart Hoda1

• Cover