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/125719
0> " '" :. ,.. 0> ~ w Z W ...J U >(J The H-D Rich Thorwaldson certainly knows how to get his picture in the paper. Baj~ team, featuring Terry Clark, foreground. MARTINO 1st IN DESERT DRAG By Dave Swift LUCERNE VALLEY, CAL., March 21, 1971 ,- This week's Hare Scrambles terminated with the subtlety of a jackhammer as Larry Pfutzenreuter and Whitey Martino drag-raced the final miles of desert to a photo-finish. A t the drop of the banner, Pfutzenreuter got off well and was in the lead at the smokebomb. Careful not to blow a good thing, Larry began conserving his ride. At home check, Larry came bombing through with a determined Martino not far behind. Next came Ron Salzman, the first Amateur, and Rich Thorwaldson. Mitch Mayes was the first trailbike to finish the first loop, and he was running 13 tho About five miles from the check, "Pfutz" received a visit from !\1artino, one he wasn't expecting. At that moment, the chain on his trusty Bultaco jumped off the rear sprocket and the Number One rider disappeared into the dust. Pfutzenreuter wasted little time repairing his machine. "I caught him about two miles from the finish," Larry said later in the pits. "We were together all the way in." The result of this spectacular finish ended up going to Martino. As the two bikes neared the final check it became evident that the winner was going to be the last one to "chicken-out".There was no checkered flag or any other official-looking symbol. Both riders backed off the throttles at the frnal moment before endangering spectators and Whitey got to the car-pullers first. A lot of folks favoring Pfutzenreuter were openly bitter about the results. Larry, however, didn't seem to mind, since he was riding in a different class than Martino. As soon as the leaders finished, the Invaders, the host club, began waving everybody in, even if they had only completed their first loop. This was fair enough, for to allow them to tray another loop that would take them another three hours would be unfair to everyone, especially the rider. Casualties were running at a very high rate today, with several broken bones and two concussions being reported, not to mention all the machinery that was trashed. One kid managed to break his arm pit-racing. At sundown, at least a dozen riders were still waiting for tbe overburdened rescue units. From my tabulations, it looked as if Salzman maintained his position and when Thorwaldson had another one of his numerous flat tires, he was able to cruise in an easy third, first Amateur. John Thomas had a good 01' Triumph sled that he rode steadily to fourth overall and third Heavyweight. Mitch Mayes, riding high after Terry Clark stalled early in the race, moved up to seventh overall and first trailbike. Lf Clark has a threat for next year's crown, it's Mayes. Tom Sawyer, amateur, was the next trailbike and Jan Ditson was the first girl and seventh Expert. The Invaders laid out one of the finest courses yet seen at Soggy Dry Lake. The two loops were different, one being of flatter, full-bore stuff and the other featuring lots of rocks and sandy washes. The Boy Scouts of America were never a group to turn down the opportunity to make a buck. Troop 93 of Culver Palms stuck around after the race to clean up the desert after the racers' usual barrage of beer cans and the like. Well, at least as long as the litter in isn't channeled in the right direction some money will be. • ATIENTION DESERT RACERS ..- .- .. * . M .n • yo o4Sl~. :;;. . . * * • On Sunday, March 28 at Lucerne Valley, Bruce Brown will be filming the Victors' Hare and Hound desert race. This is the only desert race to be covered for his film on motorcycle c'ompetition, entitled: "On any Sunday" For additional race information contact the Victors Motorcycle Club or see Calendar listing in this issue. .aJa Wins again! Invadj!rs Hare Scrambles March 21,1971 1st Trailbike (Expert) Mitch Mayes-Baja 100 (10th overall) 2nd Tom Sawyer -Baja 100 (1st Jr.) (2 in a row) March 14, 1971 Chapparel's M.C. Enduro 1st A Trailbike (jave Ekins - Baja 100 the Harley- Davidson outpBr[ormBrs