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
- o ,.. Ol ~ W Z ~ ~ U , MAICO MacKENZIE TOO MUCH • By Charles lIer WENATCHEE, WASH., March 7,1971 - Action was centered at Daroga Park as the racing season opened and 57 riders braved the elements of snow and temperatures in the lower 30's. However, spectators supporting their favorite riders and curious onlookers numbered about 250 persons. The Daroga Park Motocross course, which is one mile in length, was in good condition with plenty ofroom except in some corners where there appeared to be some motorcycle congestion at times. Each class of machines had their own superb riders. However, the closest race of the day was between Conan Workman riding an Ameri, an Eagle and Kevin DeWitt riding a Yamaha. These fellows rode th e tough course like professional riders all day long. The Yamaha proved enough extra power to take all three heats and Mr. DeWitt claimed the first place trophy with second honors going to Workman. Both rode in the 14·years-and·Under class, but showed extreme potential in races to come. Fifteen riders entered the 125cc class with the field full of Yamahas and Hod akas. This could have been anyone's race as machines and riders were quite equal. Larry Bossen took the first heat, but was plagued apparently with gear problems the rest of the day. Bossen gave up his first place spot to Harry Taylo'r riding a Hodaka. Taylor squeezed by Bossen's Yamaha for the first position in the next two heats and captured first place trophy, with Bossen finishing in the number two spot. Both riders were pushed all day by a Penton ridden by Jim Fleming who trophied third. In the 175cc class, Mike Ellinger on a Penton, proved too strong for hard pushing Rick Tarver on a Yarnaha and Greg Zodro on a Yamaha. Ellinger really LEAVITT OVERWHELMS PITS TRIALS had his work cut out for him as Tarver took first in the first heat, with Zodro and Ellinger in order. Ellinger's riding skill put him out in front in the next two heats with Tarver and Zodro pushing all the way. The final outcome Ellinger lst, Tarver 2 nd, and Zodro 3rd. The 250 class was led all day by hard riding Bob Derry on his new Maico. But his lead was contested by Jerry Prey on a Yamaha. Bert Barker and Dave Lewis pushed the leaders hard but had to settle for third and fourth. In the open class, it was Husqvarna all the way with the first four places going to Husky riders Mike Claphan, Mike Welch, Lloyd Hashburger and Ron Burger. Hard riding "Iron Man" Joe MacKenzie on a Maico took fifth. Claphan, Welch, and Hashburger had the course almost to themselves most of the day giving the crOwd lessons on "How it's done". Burger's Husky and MacKenzie's ~1aico were ever present to pose a threat if any of the leaders missed a gear or crashed in a corner. This class showed good speed on the rough Daroga Park course along with the capable handling ability of the riders on the 'big machines'. High whe!,lies. long jumps, and alot of tough competition was the order of the day for these riders. They had to work for the trophies that they won. MacKenzie's durability proved too much for the other riders as he rode his 400cc Maico to victory in the 10 minute Grand Prix. Both Joe and Maico stayed in very close proximity of each other as he hit a few high spots in the rough area of the course. This colorful rider really enjoys motocross.' He is the new Maico dealer in this area. Generally, the season opener was full of fun for everyone. The Daroga Park course is tough and gives riders a lot to ride. Spectator conveniences are available and lots of room to park. Come and try this course this season. COLISEUM CYCLE MAIL and ORDER ACCESSORY CO. ~KAWASAKI _ ~ MOTORCYCLES 3958 E. 14th ST., OAKLAND, CAL. (415) 534·5461 94601 Cow rrail Y ..r a a EllOUID SNOCIETS n 2 TOOTH CZ Counter Sprockets $9.25 Cal. res. add 5% sales ti... C&M SPECIALTIES-P.O. BOX 717 MOUNTAIN VIEW CALIF. 94040 Skiver, Baker Take Indoor Trophies By Linda Fleming Photo by Owen Williams MONROE, WASI·I., March 14, 1971 The last race of the season brought a huge crowd to watch Randy Skiver (I-Ion) and Steve Baker (Yam) battle it out for the high point trophy, 250cc class. Before race time today Skiver led by one point. Silenceiell over the entire arena as the P.A. system bleared out the "200 I Space Odessey" theme song announcing the 250cc Expert A Main. This is the race everyone is waiting for. They are so anxious to get under way that Skiver and Baker both jump the flag. Put them back? The other riders say no, so all riders to the line again. The flag is dropped. In the first corner Skiver is put down. Restart! This time Baker, in second place clipped the back wheel of racing companion George Leonard (Yam) who is in fi-rst place. He wen t down and Leonard lost his chain causing the race to again be restarted. By this time the crowd is becoming very tense. Will this race ever be completed? Finally they get under way and Baker takes the lead from Leonard out of the first tum while Leonard keeps the rest of the pack back. He was a little over zealous in his effort and received the black flag. By this time Skiver has lost too much ground and finished second. They are tied, now they must grudge race it off. Baker led for two laps and then went down. That's racing! A total sign up of 163 riders competed in the program, breaking all records for the season. The 125cc' class high point trophy was taken by Steve Baker. He had a substantial led in this class even before today. The mini class was won by Mike Thompson and Lynn Mintyala took the over mini. An added attraction to today's racing was the very impressive performance by the Seattle Cossacks, a motorcycle stunt and drill team. during an intermission. All Harley·Davidson riders, this group has been performing for 30 years, in parades. fairs, at races, elC. Ten members strong, they range in age from 30 to 50 plus. To top off the day's program, after the high point trophy presentation the rid ers presen ted a very surprised Shoreline Lions Club with a plaque showing their appreciation for a great season of racing. (Results on page 26) Bell Bags Undisputed Indoor Series Lead By Lyn Lyon HOLLISTER, CAL., March 14, 1971 Lane Leavitt continued his winning ways in the trial held by San Jose PITS at the Harris Ranch in Hollister. Leavitt lost only 7 points over the course of 3 laps of 10 sections. All th e riders rode the same sections, although 3 were modified with easier entries for the Band C Novices and the Ladies. Even though only 51 riders entered, all but the very best found the sections challenging with plenty of loose soil, adverse cambers, tight turns, sharp drops, and a bit of mud and some rocks to make things in teresting. The trial was preceeded by the usual PITS campout at which a fine time was had by all. And the rain was cooperative and held off until the trial was over. The competition was close in the Expert class wi th Paul Olliges and Richard Hood close behind Leavitt with 10 and 11 points respectively. Bob Bertucci was the Amateur class winner with 33 points and Robert Woods took A Novi.ce with 55 points. Harold Rasmussen was the course marshall and did an excellent job in organizing a very fine and enjoyable event. (Results on page 26) Steve Baker 142wl held off Randy Skiver lor two laps in the 250cc tie-breaking "run-off" belor. falling during indoor races at Monroe, Wash. Tim Bell is the current leader through two-third of the Reno, Nev. indoor short track series. 'llIIE6CABlE' Sale U.S. Distributor Prices and information on request Orangevale Distributors 9198 Greenback Lane Orangevale, Ca. 95662 (916) 988-4725 aM Molor NEW BULTACO DEALER SST - Mini Trials Access. - Parts & Ser. All makes and models. 17 Main Martinez cal. 415 229-0754 RENO, NEV., March 13, 1971 - Sun Valley, Nevada speed merchant Tim Bell is the undisputed leader for the Nevada 1ndoor Short Track Championship following his sizzling main event victory at the Washoe County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The 22-year·old Bell, who races in the 100cc Novice division, racked up his fifth consecutive main event victory in as many starts to break a three·month-old deadlock with Woodland, Calif. rider John Vance who suffered his first defeat of the year. Homer Hybrager of Sparks, Nev., paved the way for Bell's rise to the top upsetting Vance in the 200cc Junior competition. Lady Luck also got credit for an assist. Bell, who is active in the Nevada National Guard, was on stand·by the day of the race, following concern by public officials over a demonstration scheduled at the same time in Las Vegas. When a call for lhe National Guard failed to materialize, Bell's unit was released. Bell rushed to the Fairgrounds to register getting in under the deadline by a scant eight minutes. I n winning the feature Bell toppled Reno riders Monty Martin and John Munson who followed in that order. Hybarger's victory was a wire-to-wire performance with the outcome never in doubt. The 36·year-old Hybarger daylighted second place finisher Jim Cults of Stockton, Calif., and Rjck BUI."!=IC:C sales service parts .-, Rheingaos of Air Oaks, Calif. Vance failed to threaten. Nevada riders enjoyed their best day of the year over their strong California rivals. John Perry of Reno grabbed his first main even t of the year in the 100cc Junior class beating Rich MacMurray of Reno. Dorothy Smalley of Reno ran off with the women's 100cc Novice Main. Sparks riders who crashed the winner's circle included Butch Renovich in the 250cc Novice Main and Dave Brant who captured the 250cc Junior Main. Trailing Renovich across the finish line were Pat Van Meter of Reno and Bill Duvall of Carson City. Trailing Brant were Reno's Lon Murphy and Dennis Tomberlin of Half Moon Bay, Calif. Sacramento, Calif. rider Ken Wood continued his domination over 125cc Novice rivals winning the main over Reno riders Bob Martin and Bob Hermesky. Ron Kole of Pacifica, Calif., edged Bill Daane of Sparks to take the 200cc Novice feature. Ron's brother Jerry finished third. The 250cc Expert bracket has been dominated by California riders from the start and this week was no exception. Mike O'Brien of Danville, Calif. won his second straight main event defeating class point leader Steve Pestonj of Sacramen to. Three more races are scheduled in the winter·spring series, the next on Saturday night, March 27. sonn~ kenyon's . . cycle IQo ...... -,.. ~. SPECIALIST 2594 Middlefield Road Mt. View, California 94040 (415) 961-4399 MOST ENTHUSIASTIC DEALER SELBY MOTORS 346 EI CAmino. Redwood City (415) 36'....112