Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

.... Ol ~ w Z W ..J U >- U IYIII I w. "America's No. 1 weekly motorcycle newspaper. You'll always see it FIRST in Cycle News!" IIVifi: WHO.S IN THE M.I.C.? Charles Clayton Publisher Editor Sharon Clayton Business Manager · . Tom Culp General Manager · John Bethea Assistant Editor · Rheba Smith Circulation Manager · Marla Tarbet Circulation Ass't . . lab Technician . . . · David Swift Ed Randell Jr. Production Manager · Dorothea Lang Bookkeeper · Eleanor Duke Bookkeeper Ass't · . Larry Groves Delivery .Marion Hatashita Typographer . Barbara Richard Receptionist Cycle News East, Dixie Cycle News, and National Advertising infonnation: Tom Culp, National Advertising Director. Cycle News (West), P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, California 90801. (213)' 427-7433 - L.A. 636-8844. TELEX NO. 673474 Subscription: One year 2nd class mail 2 years 2nd class mail 3 years 2nd class mail Single copy price . . .$9.00 · $15.00 · $18.00 · . $.30 Published weekly except the first and last week of the calendar year by Cycle News, Inc., Post Office Box 498, Long Beach, California, also publishers of Cycle News East, and Dixie Cycle News. Second Class Postage paid at Long Beach, Calif. Editorial stories, cartoons, photos, etc. are welcome. Addressed, stamped envelope assures return of editorial matter. Reprinting in whole or in part only by permission of the publ ishers. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon request. See S.R.D.S. ~=================== After reading "Industry Takes Hold" and seeing their budget and that California dealers etc. are not behind it I 00%, how about printing a list of dealers etc. that have joined so that we can bug the others to join? Between them and M.O.R.E. which all riders should join, maybe we will have some place to ride. ROBERTJ.BRANCH Santa Monica, Ca. Ok. Here are the associate (dealer) members of M.I.C. as of March 24, 1971: Cecil's Cycle Center, Escondido Vicker's Honda, Sacramento Tri City Cyde Cenler, Inc., Anaheim Yamaha of EI Monte, EI Monte Temple City Kawasaki, Temple City Honda of Gradena, Gardena International Motorcycle Inc., Canoga Park Three Star Sport Cycles, Los Angeles Power Research &. D..el. Co., Goleta LeBard and Underwood, Inc., La Habra World Cycles, Inc., Los Anples Bill Brownell Honda, Chico Boe's Cycle Mart, Oceanside RobL M.Law M/C Sis &. Svc., Anaheim Yamaha of Cucamonp, Cucamonga Suzuki City, Inglewood Dave Golden, San Francisco Dale's Modern Cycle, Inc., San Bernardino Honda of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Hemet Cycle Cenler, Hemet Ed's Cycle Shop, Los A"lelC\. Honcb Lemon Grove, Lemon Grove A &. A Motors, Redwood City Jack Baldwin M/C, Santa Monica Selby Motors, Redwood City Murwoe Moton, Inc., S~n Fnnc;isco Harry D. Wilson, In.c., Fresno Jim Barnes Cycle City, Fontana S &. L Yamaha, Hunti"lton Park Draco's Motorcycles, Santa Ana Bill Krause Enterprises, Inglewood Brooks Cyclery, San Jose R &. M Cycle, Boron Rick Schell's Sponcycles, Lafayette Yamaha of Montclair, Montclair R &. J Honda, Vallejo Don's Escondido Cycle Shop, Escondido Don's Cycle Sales, Ontario K &. R Motorspons, Pleasant Hill MotDrcycie Sport Center, Sacramento Triumph of Burbank, Burbank Cycle Unlimited, Burlinpme Hockies Motorcycles, Carson San Diego House of Honda, San Diego Ora"Ie County Cycle, Santa Ana Norm R~esj Inc., Paramount Tustin Honda, Tustin Honda of Monterey, Monterey Niquel Motorcyles, Laquana Niquel Kolbe Cycle Sales, Inc., Woodland Hills Jenkins Sports Center, Norwalk Ed Kretz &. Son Motorcycles, Monterey Park B &. 0 Motorcycle, Inc., Santa Cruz Hacienda Heights Honda, La Puente Harley Davidson Co. of EI Cajon, EI Cajon Foothill Motorcycle Center, Upland Powell Enterprises, Inco Alameda Steve Hurd Motorcycles, Montebello Honda of Pasadena, Pasadena MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN SET 1971 For those who did the Mammoth Mountain Motocross last year, I'm sure . you're permanendy hooked on this annual evenL 1 couldn't stand it any longer, so I wrote the High Sierra M.C. and asked them when it would be held this year. They wrote back with the decided date as June 19th and 20th, 1971. They asked that I spread the word, and said this year they planned to make it even better (is that possible?)! Now, if I can just wait until then. DEBBIE SANDERS Mill Valley, Ca. AMXTOFFER Dear Larry Ulrich: Really appreciate the terrific offer you made in your recent letter - to have Cycle News send your contributor's check to the American Moto-Cross Team! Chuck Clayton is one of the original supporters of the A.M.x.T. and while he was happy about your offer, it will foul up their bookkeeping to do it that way - so he'll have to send the check on to you for you to forward to the Team. You, as an individual, making an appeal to -the contributors to Cycle News in behalf 0 f this T earn effort to make an American World Cbampion is the kind of enthusiastic support that bas brought the Team effort this far. Now, with all the added interest we're experiencing, we're sure it is going to be a success. Bryan Kenney is off to Europe soon, with Barry Higgins and Bob Grossi to join him for at least four Grand Prix. The A.M.A. has already set this up for these three to represent American in these Grand Prix. Thank you very much for your continued support! KIM KIMBALL # COMPETITION CONSEQUENCES I have just had the unfortunate sad experience of losing a good friend, Albert Odsen (814), San Gabriel, Calif. by an accident during a desert motorcycle evenL Whatever actually caused the accident is immaterial, the fact is it happened. I myself ride·in mount in the Sunday events, luckily I have come back with nothing more than a few scratches and bruises (as we all venture as it does get frustrating when phoney movies are released which show the motorcycle bums, the wild ones, and not show that these people, the racers, their families and friends, are "real" people from every profession. The opening sounds tremendous and just from your article I could visualize Mert Lawwill amidst city sounds, then wham... the roar of that Harley and the picture of Mert in one of his famous slides. The excitement, sounds and skill should have the audience anxiously waiting for more! Before I became a member of the Hunter clan, I too felt that anyone riding a motorcycle was one of the Hells Angel type, but 1 soon changed my mind after meeting so many good people in the sport. They love and enjoy life, and I'm sure, are the envy of many. And so, thank you Bruce Brown, Mert Lawwill, Steve McQueen and the many others involved in this project, for trying where many bave failed...1 know you will succeed. GINNY HUNTER La Habra, Cal. VOICES OF THE WEST get). This past week I have been with his wife consoling her when I could (there is not much of anything anyone can do at a time like this), the hours seem like days, the days are nightmares which keep getting worse. AI died on Wed n ..day, three days after the accident. He died doing something he loved to do, however, I do want to make one point. We ride and love it while we are out th ere on the course, out of sight of the pits. What of the loved ones back at the finish waiting and hoping (praying) to see you corning out of the dust to the finish line, maybe not first or second but corning in to finish O.K. Is passing just one more rider that important? Should those who love you have to wait a lifetime for you? Mrs. Odsen and I wish to thank all of the people who helped Al get to the hospital and who did all they could to make the best of an unfortunate tragedy. Anyone wishing to make a contribution could do so by sending it to: Boys RepubliC, Patton Drive, Chino, Calif. Mrs. Odsen requests this in lieu of flowers. DON LEWIS Arcadia, Calif. MIRAMAR CLOSED I wish to extend a most heartfelt thank you to all the guys who have expansion chambers and ride in the Miramar area in San Diego, Calif. You alone are responSlble for the closure of the Miramar area for riding. In spite of a City Council member's efforts, the complain ts about your noise and lack of consideration for the rights of others has forced this closure to all cylists. I still have a place to ride, but a lot of decent people and their children do not, now. I want everyone to know the expansion chamber, without some irresponsible rider, will not bother anyone. So I hope you know where I wish you had your expansion chambers - sideways. Don't ride at Miramar or you will get a ticket. . VICTOR A CONAWAY Vice-Chairman ORVI THREE MONTHS TO GO i have just read the latest Cycle News edition and would like to pass my appreciation on to Bruce Brown for the forthcoming picture on motorcycle racing and the people involved in the sport. I have often wished I had the talent and the money to produce such a WHAT HAPPENED TO MX? I'm wondering, what ever happened to Moto-Cross? Today I attended an A.M.A. points race at Irwindale Raceway. Wow! It was a mess. The track had far too little useable room to pass safely, BIG rocks, dangerous metal stakes, trash piles Uust off the track) and worst of all far too many riders in each moto (30 plus). Then there was the way they ran the races. The seniors were first (all 3 motos) that made everyone super tired. Then the juniors started the same. By that time the track was junk(er). Where was Dick Camp? Irwindale should stick to drag racing and the Jackrabbits should stick to desert! It was a real joke. Ask the guy that crashed in 500 jr. DAN MURPHY No. 662 Granada Hills, Cal. GIVIN' ACE CREDIT Many thanks to Ernie Alexander and George Conrad, promoters of A.C.E. events for the good work done on the new Indian Dunes Motocross course. Since the opening of Indian Dunes, a powder puff class has been developed. Unlike other course the "Dunes" stresses the importance on the female participation. Also 50% trophies are given at each race. JOYCE SOYKA Be MAXINE SMITH End Does M.C. FOUR YEARS BEHIND In your March 14 article abo~t the race at Indian Dunes, you mentioned 10 year old Danny La Porte. For several weeks now they have been saying he is 10 years old on the loud speaker at Indian Dunes. Actually he is 14 year old Danny La Porte. His size may fool you, but just watch him at the races - he really knows how to handle his Rickman. This past month he's gotten not lower than 3n1 place at all the top races in the 100cc Jr. class. GEORGIA LA PORTE Torrance, Cal. OK. Correction noted - just let us know when he turns 1S... Ed. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM We attended the Jackrabbit Motocross held at Irwindale Raceway Sunday, March 28, and enjoyed the new track as far as the challenge presented to the riders. However, as the race progressed, we notice several important items lacking. 1) The absence of a back-up ambulance caused excessive delays. We realize the attendants arrived on the scene as soon as humanly possible, but with better communication they could have save some pretty valuable time. 2) Lack of knowledgeable flagmen. It was apparent to us that a few of the flagmen were more in terested in the race itself than in their responsibility to the club and riders. Lack of flags was also apparen t and "waving of arms" just didn't make it. 3) One other appalling fact was that 3 of the riders who were injured should not have been allowed on the track in the first place, due to their "condition". Thank goodness they didn't hurt anyone else. Hey fellas, we truly enjoyed the race, but because our guys were racing, too, made our concern for a safe race much greater. A little constructive criticism may make your next race all the better. KATHY MARTIN TAMMY HEACOCK HELP OUR STAY CLEAN ENVIRONMENT I very much appreciate the help your paper has done for the motorcyclists. Many people think that motorcyclists are ragged, unclean and ride choppers. Your paper's many articles help the biker understand the problem that is facing us. There have been a few television programs about motorcyclists and motorcycles and I think it is doing us a lot of good. NOISE. That is one of our biggest problems, as I am sure everybody, motorcyclists and non-motorcyclists alike know. Many places are coming out wi th expansion chamber silencers, which really helps us bikers. One person I think that is doing the most in trying to stop this noise problem is Bob Bailey. His company makes expansion chamber silencers and his own creation, "the PEACE PIPE". This expansion chamber-silencer set up is really the greatest! It may cost a couple of bucks more, but it may very well save our deserts and riding lands. Those who make silencers and especially you, Bob Bailey, keep up the good work! The other problem is TRASH. There's not a lot people in congress or city officials can do about this, only the person who uses the land. So please help and do your part, keep the deserts and park lands clean. Do this and try to keep th e noise down and out of residential areas. You won't only be doing yourself a favor, but the motorcyclists that do their part and that deserve to use the public lands. I am only thirteen years old, and would like to grow up in a clean world full of bikes. MIKE THATCHER Diamond Bar, Calif. TRACK DOWN PERRIS Please tell me where I can send away for information to join the Perris Riders Assn. and how much it costs. MIKE PENHALL Long Beach, Cal. Entry forms can be picked up at the Perris Track or can be obtained by writing the association at P.O. Box 371, Perris, Cal., 92370. The cost is $10 per year unless you are a student, which is $6. The association requests you specify if you are a student or not... Ed. FOUND - AND LOST I've got two problems. l'emaps one of your readers can help with them. First, I found a straw hat ncar my pits at the Mint 400. I think that it's Jack Perkins'. Whoever owns it, definitely misses it for it has about ten finisher badges pinned on. My other problem is my partner lost two Maico wheels and tires out of his brown and white Chev. truck (with Montana plates). There is a S50 reward. By the way, how did everyone like the world's longest and roughest moto-cross course? RICK MILLER 1328 Del Mar No. 17 Las Vegas, Nev. 89109

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