Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

CAL RA fBORN STARS AT QUESTOR GRAND PRIX these circumstances so I asked a few of the riders what they thought was the dIStinction. Dave Aldana said. "In one you don't fall off." The other half of Team Mexican said "in an Exhibition you don't go balls-out." Another racer who was standing behind Burrito said wryly, "!t's a race where you don't get paid if you win." I said I thought I understood, but when the starter's flag dropped and 01' Roxy Rockwood started telling it like it was happening, I realized that I didn't. It looked just like it was a race. And if it had been a race, former AMA National Number One Cal Rayborn, riding an itsy-bitsy 250cc Yamaha rather than his normal big iron, would have won. FolJowing hiro was Ralph White on a Kawasaki and Kel Carruthers, the down·under lad, on another Yamaha. Waiting for a big bike, were you? In 4th spot came National No. I, Gene Romero on a Triumph triple. But of course it wasn't a race, so really everybody tied with about a half-a-Iap spread. By Ron Schneiders Fancy that little Yamaha beating all those big three bangers around that super dooper course! But in October they're going to take out a couple of the turns and make the 3.2 mile circuit a 2.6 mile course, according to the latest scuttlebutt. Ostensibly, the reason is tire wear. That rough-textured surface with all those turns is murder on tires and present day bike tires wouldn't last 200 miles, or at least that's the current thinking. It is a little doubtful whether the riders could last through 200 miles of that course, either. Will the shorter but faster course work in favor of the big bikes? At this point it's anybody's guess but we'lJ find out in October. And just maybe we'lJ see Dick Mann do it to the kids again. He didn't make it to the Exhibition yesterday but he's not likely to miss the National. For all of you who don't get to watch Daytona because it's 3,000 miles away, here's a tip: Ontario's the new big one and for OIice it's right in your own back yard. Cal Rayborn on a Yamaha leads Ralph White on a Kawasaki down the 130 mph straightaway on the exciting nevv Ontario Speedway road race course. ONTARIO, CAL., March 28,1971 While the Automobile Grand Prix was the main event today, of far more interest to motarcycle fans was an exhibition race staged by many of the world's best pavement racers. The exhibition was fairly short, but what it lacked in length it more than made up for in racing quality. Most of the serious road racing marques were represented including BSA-Triumph, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha. Riding the bikes were Gene Romero, Dave Aldana, Don Castro, Tom Rockwood, Don Emde, Kel Carruthers, Cal Rayborn and a dozen other stars. The idea of the exhibition was to promote interest in the forthcoming 200 mile National to be held at the Ontario Motor Raceway in October. Most auto fans have never seen top quality motorcycle road racing before, but judging from the response there migh t be quite a few more fans popping in for the big road raceS in the future. Facing the riders was the toughest racing course this side of the Isle of to the tight schedule, the motorcycle Man. Only about three and one half racers only had about three laps practice miles long, it links an astounding 19 before their "exhibition." Hardly turns wi th a 160 mph straigh t and a sufficient to learn the course. But sweeper that looks like it was borrowed already most of those whom I talked to from one of those walJ-of-death had decided that they liked it, calling it tan ks... b lawn up to rna nster size. I in the parlance of the day, "a rider's asked Gene Romero how the course course." compared to Daytona. "It's a bunch I was a little pu~zled abyut how an tougher," he said, shaking his head. Due exhibition differed from a race under • .aJa Wins . , again. TBB OUTBIDBB The OUTRIDER· is a unique new concept in the retailing of motorcycle accessories, equipment and apparel. Here now, for the first time, is a full service Helmets. goggles and gloves. Leathers and riding boots. All styles. colors and sizes. Tires, tube, and batteries (all department-store installed on our premises). Windshields, luggage carriers, handlebars and mirrors. type operation designed and equipped specifically for you. the motorcycle rider Saddlebags. shocks and special fork assemblies. Tools. spray paints, custom and enthusiast. So, come on over - we want you. Come see for yourself. Over seats and gas tanks and many other items you're wanting. Open 9 am to 6 pm 1.000 popular (and not so popular) daily (to 9 pm Thurs.l and 10 am to 6 pm Saturdays. . 'accessories only" items to choose from. 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