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
... '" ~ Q. « !!! w Z ~ ~ (.J Experts Stage CMC Hit By John Shedd CARLSBAD, CAL., April' 11, 1971 For the past few weeks, CMC number 28, Bill Clements has really been getting it together. He is faster and SDltlother. The name of the game is "Catch me. if you can"; and when trying Clements there aren't many who can. In the fmt 250 Expert moto, Dave Smith wheeled his Maico into the lead at the drop of the flag with Clements closing in. Smith couldn't hold off the Husky and Clements took over the lead on the first lap. Once out'in front he flew from jump to jump and ricotheted from corner to corner widening the gap; no one could close. Tilson Shumate overtook Smith and beat him out for second. Dieg Gualda brough t his CZ to the front of the pack in the second leg, and once again Clements had to come from behind to take over the lead. He shot under Gualda on the last turn of the fIrSt lap widening the gap lap after lap. In the final leg it was again Smith and his yellow Maico leading. This time he was able to hold off Clements for two laps; but whet). Bill took over the lead, he became untouchable. Mike Cram, CMC's number one, spurred his Maico into the lead in the first turn, but out of the second turn it was Clements out in front and movin' on. Pat deBenedetti got a bad start, but one by one he picked off the riders between him and Clements. By lap two he was in second pla!=e but he was way behind Clements who had wasted no time in buildiDg up a big lead. This' time fortune was not on Bill's side. Coming down from the uphill section he lost. his counter-shaft sprocket which left him with only one gear: neutral. Pat hurled his red Maico into the lead and made easy work of winning the first moto. The second 500 Expert moto was the only race of the day for Clements that he didn't have to come from behind, and to make up for it he dropped it in the hairpin. deBenedetti almost went down with him, as he was close behind, but he only clipped the fallen bike and moved into the lead. F or several laps it was a wheel to wheel duel. Twice on the bil1 iumu Bill sailed high pul1ing alongside Pat in the air but Pat was fIrSt each time to get. his wheel back down on the ground where it could do some good and he held his lead. On the next to the last lap Pat cut a little too close to the snow fencing and hit his hand on a support post. On the downhill he took his hand from the ban and gave it a shake to ease the pain and Bill snapped up the lead and went on to win the second leg. In the final leg neither Pat nor Bill got a very good start. Rich Norgaard was out in front, and Mike Cram was close behind. Pat moved up into second with Bill right behind the pair swapped places a .couple of times and then Pat pulled into the lead. Bill was putting up a tremendous chase but he lost it on the downhill and and Pat went on to win the moto and the.class. One of the better races of the day was the second leg of the 125 Expert class. Bill Urban, who had won the first Pat deBenodetti 1191 has his hands full attempting to hold off Bill Clements. Pat won the 500cc class and Bill the 250·s. When he wants to be, Bill Clements can really be s09Ctacular. moto, got a super bad start, and on the nex t to the last lap he had worked his way into second place and closed the lead Jim Beachamp had built up. Urban made a bid for the lead at almost every comer and jump and each time Beachamp closed the door. Urban pushed hard hoping Beachamp would make a mistake but he didn't, and he won the moto with Urban in his dust. The last leg was play time for Urban. He took the lead at the start and from then on no one cam~ close. Next week the CMC will be at Saddleback Park and it looks like the man to beat there will be Bill Clements. The best this country has to offer will have their work cut out for them if they plan to play "Catch me if you can." (Results on page 22) ~~ J.\t'It'IOUt'ICIt'IG Exciting First Issue on sale April 15! I Devoted completely to the Off- Road Rider DIRT BIKE: I , is the First Publication of its kind in the Field! $25 The 125 Jr. Div. I gets off the line. J. Hill (886) takes on S. Sutter (318) in a personal duel. They finished 2nd and 3rd respectivelv. WIN FROM (Aj/~ has actual Dyno !leadings on test Bikes brings in depth coverage of Motocross, Desert, Scrllmbles, Trials, Trail Riding! FIT THIS brings Expert Advice, TeehniclIl Tips, Shootoutsl First Issue: An Interview with Whitey MlIrtino at your newsstand for 71i' orwith our Special Offer ••..--... First Issue: Motocross Shootoutl CZ/ Husky I Maico Comparison lind more tests, and more tips, lind more races. Be sure you get every issue, On SlIle April 15 lit your favorite newsstand, or subscribe now lind save one third! Special introductory offer: Six Issues for only Three DoUlIrsl Send cheek or money order to: DIRT BIKE Hi-Torque Publications, Inc. Box 154' Encino, California 91316 TO THIS and win your class in any Mota Cross, T.T., or Enduro that is held on the West Coast and reported in Cycle News or Motor Cycle Weekly. g (~ I~ HANDLES BETTER QUIETER t -