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/125722
Fr• • Sha"". Cau • • Cra.h 1 Higgins Bites Texas Dust By Dodie Stingley ARLINGTON, TEX., April 4, 1971 There is no joy in Higginsville tonight; the migh ty Barry was aced out - but, just in the Open class. A S1200 purse was the drawing card and the racing card was tilled with talent which included Barry Higgins, recent winner of the Winter-AMA series held in Florida. Today, the talented Floridian who will be competing for the United States this fall in Europe as a member of the AMXT, took the overall cash in the 250cc Expert class but had to settle (or third in the Open. Mike Johnson, a youthful red-haired ball of lightning riding a 400cc Maico, was back after a long winter of rest, but he was in fine shape and maybe better than last year, if that's possible. For four laps in the first Open moto, he blasted a trail ahead of Higgins and Ossa before finally being forced to second. Barry then poured on the throttle for the next seven laps until his coil fell off. J ohnspn then shot back into the lead and Husky mounted Ed Terrell took up second The second go again started with Johnson at the point and Higgins trailing. This time, however, Higgins powered into the lead after one and a halI tours of the course. It didn't last long, howev~r, as Johnson diced away for the next 10 laps and fmally repassed Barry and began extending a lead Turnabout is fair play and this time, as it happened to Higgins in the first moto, Johnson suffered mechanical ills as his chain snapped, allowing Barry to take first and the ever present Terrell again claiming second. Since the motos were reduced to two in number, but lengthened to 30 minutes each, Terrell laid claim to first overall by virtue of his pair of runner-up finishes. Johnson was awarded second and Higgins had to settle for third. The 250cc class, the class Higgins rode in the Winter-AMA series, was a different story, however. In this, Higgins overcame a second place start and caught Joe Rachel (Mon) midway around during the- second lap and went on to maintain the advantage while Rachel dropped to third and Dave Musick (Mai) took over the charge. The second moto was all Barry's as he got a great start and led all the way. Musick again took command as the chief competi tor and his yellow Maic0 finished right behind Higgins to take second overall. In other competition, Ole Finstad (Pen) just barely overcame a bad start in the first 125cc Expert moto. Dennis Latimer rode his Hodaka-powered Rickman 26 laps in first place before getting the Ole Axe near the end Finstad grabbed the early lead in the second and led throughout to take first overall. Fred Peck pushed his Bultaco to a pair of firsts to take the 125 Junior class while brother Richard (Bul) did likewise in the 250 class. Richard never trailed in either mo to. Tommy Ledford (Hus) won both Open Jr. mo tos to gamer that class. (Results on pal/e 22) Bill Kasson holds his 360cc to a slight advantage over Bob Howard on a Husky during one pen By Pete Szilagyi AUSTIN, TEX., April 4, 1971 - A trio of lovely young ladies, repute d to b e employees of a local topless club, were watching today's mo tocross from a remote section of Austin Motosport Park. As the Open class pack passed, the girls displayed their wares much the same way they do professionally. . Th~ display of flesh caused Gary Parker to crash and lose a couple of places. After receiving the checkered, some of the riders pulled a U-turn to return to the "Sirens" and make sure their eyes had not deceived them. The free showing didn't appear to shake up Jack O'Leary Jr., who handily won all three motos. Behind him, however, was some fast, close jockeying for position. Eventual second place winn.er was a "quick rebounding" Parker on a new 400 Suzuki. Sixteen year old Jack Hick's combined smooth and precise riding to take the 125cc Senior class on a shiny new Penton. Then, while the 250 Seniors idled their motors awaiting their start, Hicks collected his 125 checkered, hopped on his CZ, and decided to try this class. He was successful as he took first in this class as well, blowing the competition off the course again. (Results on page 22) . !2 .. Q. « ~ w Z w d t Senior Mota. Holbert Takes To NeW" Chappell Hill Course By Janet West CHAPPELL HILL, TEX., March 28, 1971 - Motocross races were held for the first time Sunday at Chappell Hill International Motocross Park, in Chappell Hill, Texas. The 1-1/8 -mile track is indeed international in design, and is expected to please the European riders who seem to have the opinion that most tracks in the United States are just not rough enough. Most of the gold was taken by Houston riders Sunday. Ricky Jones took the first place trophy in the 0-125cc Novice class, with Bill Greene, riding a CZ, close behind for second. The 0-125cc Expert class was topped by Steve Hackney, on a Penton, who was followed closely by Freddy Hanna, a riding teammate, also on a Penton. Mark Robinson, riding a Buitaco, took home first place trophy in the 250cc Novice class, edging out Robert Tuggle took first place in the first two heats with ease, but due to a crash in the third heat, he came in third. This put Robi in a tie with Ed Abbot, however, since Holbert had led both the first two heats, the tie was broken in his favor. The first heat of the 125cc Expert class was one of the most exciting in a long time. Bob Graham, who rode that heat despite an injured shoulder, battled with Steve Hackney for fITst place, ana won it. However, due to his shoulder, Graham was forced to drop out of the races. Speculations are still being made as to the outcome of that race had Graham been able to continue. o (Hu~). Greg Graham cinched first place money in the 250cc Expert class. Graham, on a CZ, and Rocky Timmons, also a CZ rider, fought for the first place . money both the first and second mota, with Graham managing to stay ahead. Collecting third place money was Robbie Esterlein, a newcomer to the Expert class. Again winning first, this time in the Open Novice class, was Dusty Lindley. However, in this race, John Johnston, riding a Maico, gave Lindley a bad time. John is hard to beat, and he was determined to get Lindley. Robi Holbert took to the new track well, to say the least, and came in for first in the Open Expert class. Holbert was wired to his 400cc Husky and the track, and with that sort of combination, he was unbeatable. 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