Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

KNIEVEL'S MOTOCROSS TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, April 14, 1971 - "It's going to be the richest motocross purse in history - $10,000 guaranteed," says Evel Knievel, promoter of the First Annual Snake River Canyon Championship motocross set for May 22-23. "I've heard all these guys bitching about how motocross doesn't pay the money so I'm going to do something about it," the famed jumper adds. "The money is all guaranteed because it's coming out of my own pocket." The announcement came shortly after Tom Clark, director of racing for the AMA, had agreed to arrangements in making this one of the point runs for the upcoming Trans-AMA series. "The races will be run professionally," promises Knievel, "because they will be run by the AMA." . The two-day event will run the Juniors on Saturday for trophies and contingencies. "And when I say trophies, well, I'm trying right now to get a brand new car as one trophy," Evel adds. On Sunday the Seniors race for the $10,000 cash. "The course, which Clark just loves, will go right over the takeoff ramp for my Snake River Canyon Jump," Evel explains. "From the top o~ it, you can see the bottom of the Canyon - an unbelievable sight." Olympia Brewing Co., one of the sp6nsors for Knievel, will also be promoting the event and offering contingency, making this, financially, the biggest motocross race ever staged. And, with the AMA entered, this will not be one of those "half-way great" races, Knievel says, "We're going all the way." Swap-O-Rama Swings Apr. 30 After over 6,000 people learned that shopping and selling can be fun and profitable at Swap-O-Rama last month, the promoters and sponsor Cycle News yielded to the public's demands and announced a new date for the .next Swap"O-Rama, April 30 at the same place, Orange County Fairgrounds. More room, more time and more bargains for more people are promised by the co-promoters Vic Wilson, larry Huffman and Chuck & Sharon Clayton. "The only complaints we heard about the first Swap-O-Rama," says Huffman, "was that there· wasn't enough stuff on sale to supply everyone. We intend to take care of that this time." Swap·O,Rama will occupy the two' biggest buildings at the Fairgrounds, with individual swappers in the larger New Products Pavilion and dealer liquidation offerings in a building across the way. As in the first Swap-O-Rama there'll be a live radio broadcast from the Pavilion and this time coincides with the opening of Speedway racing at Orange County Fairgrounds. So plan on bringing your excess motorcycle gear to the Cycle Swap"meet and see the speedway, too. Facilities will be available for swappers who wish to see the races. Swap-O-Rama management will watch their wares during the speedway !:tours, Some people bought things they didn't even from 8 to 10:30p.m. need because they couldn't res'ist the bargain. Among the dealer offerings will be Speedway racing opens on same night" same bargains from Paul's Harley-Davidson place as Swap-O-Rama next Friday night, including many early and late, new and April 30. used H,D parts. Many new parts from the 1940's will be sold at liquidation M.l.e. DRIVE SUCCESSFUL SO prices and an H-D mechanic will be on hand to assist bu.yers with problems of FAR interchangeability, etc. LAS VEGAS, NEV., April 14,1971 K&N Motorcycles will have With over 500 out of approximately truckloads of knobby tires, chains, plugs 3,000 first line dealers joined already, and such other bargains as new the Motorcycle Industry Council is well compression releases for S1 O. along its way. New manufacturer and Hundreds of new helmets will be distributor membership has not kept liquidated by American Sports Co., pace, however, probably because few of including full-coverage models at less them know how to j,oin, what the dues than dealer cost, so get there early to and responsibilities are, etc. Ted Burke beat the dealers. J.T. Racing Imports of American Jawa is the new man in will have their neat motocross sox and charge of the manufacturer and anti-blister goodies like every dirt rider distributor membership drive. Please needs. Orange County (;ycle is trading write Ted at 38 Greenpoint Ave., Long new 350 or 400x18" knobby recaps for Island City, N.Y. 11101 if you have any $ 12 p'lus the old carcass, so bring your idea h ow he ·c.an help more worn out tires for trade. House of manufacturers .and distributors join Suzuki-Triumph and several other M.Le. de",lers will be liquidating tlleir Attention at the monthly MIC Board overstock of accessories, parts, helmets, meeting focussed on the Land Use luggage raCKS, etc. Also, several antique Gommittee and its battle with land collectors have said they plan to dispose closures. Preparation of a motorcyde of excess parts, handbooks, etc., where park study and a do's and don'ts manual they'll' be sure to get in to the hands of for trail riders was reported by outgoing enthusiasts who-will appreciate them. Cbainnan John Taylor of Yankee Private enterprise and free Motors. Policy and procedUre for competition will be in full swing from.5 deaUng with the numerous local p.m. until midnight at the ordinance problems was hammered out SWaP-O-Rama, wi.th doors open for by the committee and will be presented setup at noon. Swapper prices are $5 for to the state and district MIC dealer a booth. Buyer admission remain·s at $1 associations for local action. and ticketselJing has been streamlined to TURNING THE CORNER avoid the lines that queued up last time. uWe are just turning the comer in our campaign against ignorant motorcycle legislation," Deputy Chairman Chuck Clayton said, ticking off some cases where uwritten permission" laws have been temporarily blocked. "But we can't say we are winning until we start gaining ground," he warned. "Motorcycle recreation needs MORE room. to ride, not less. Clayton concluded that land use problems are going to get worse.. The MIC is now renting billboards on Highway 14 and Highway 15, the main entrances to the Mojave Desert, reading "Motorcycle riders, keep your desert clean & quiet." It is hoped that the message will be noted by the general public as welL Over 6.000 bargain hunters converged on the Liaison with the Sierra Club and first Cycle News Swap-O·Rarna last month. other conservationist organizations will Most found what they were looking for. On be sought this month by the trade April 30 even more bargains willI be offered, . It> N mbers are doing~us in ; I Guest Editorial . By Dick Ablefeld Here in Orange County, and no doubt in the heavily populated adjoining counties as well, a great cry and clamor can be heard from the off-the-road-rider. He feels he's been dealt an injustice, a below-the-belt punch, so to speak. Most of these people haven't taken the time to find out why they've been shut down. They'd rather fuss and gripe about the policy makers, not bothering to check out the statistics. True, very little is being done in their behalf. The few that are trying to open up riding areas, legally, run into all sorts of road blocks. Everything from completely disinterested policy makers to irate' neighbors cause much frustration, even among land owners who are willing to open their gates. Let's take a hard, statistical look at Orange County and see if we can come with at least some of the answers to this very vexing problem. For the past two decades Orange County has been dramatically changing from an agricultural community to one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation. In 1950 t\le- population stood at 203,906. By 1960,. it had increased 246% to 703,925 residents. Today, according to the 1970 census, Orange is the second most populated county in 'the state with 1,420,386 citizens, and growing. Six cities in California have experienced./populatif)n increases over 500% since the year 1960. The top five were in Orange County. Huntington Beach increased 905.5%, Tustin 938.5%, La Palma 1,399.8%, Fountain Valley 1,428.9%, and Cypress 1,652.1%. The total population increase for these five Orange County cities was almost 180,OQO. In 1970 alone, there were 45,000 new residents, 30,000 new homes built, 12,500 new jobs, and 64,00a new vehicles. This magnitude of growth in Orange County is rapidly using up the association. Il • .aJa Wins again!· Buzzards Hare Scrambles .... including a bigger bike auction. open land. Add to this the less-desirable effects! 7 smog alert days, 152 days when the smog level exceeded state health standards, and a 9.6% increase in crime (including stolen motorcycles) in the unincorporated area alone, plus an eleven square mile loss of open space to urban development, and you'll start to get some idea of what's happening. The responsibility for planning in this. kind of situation is an enormous one. The typical zoning map approach used by many cities and counties could never keep up with the pace. A new approach to planning is needed and possibly the establishment of a long range general planning program would belp. A planning program cannot st,and, however, solely on the merit of its .philosophy. One of its primary sources of support will have to be timely, geographically useful information. It should be established to provide this information (and this includes use of certain lands to off-the-road vehicles, and the recognition of such as being a wholesome sport practice'd by a large segment of the citizenry) to the county's elected officials. Orange County currently has one riding park (Saddleback). It also has a national forest open to riding five to six months a year, closing during fire season. As the population increases, so do the ranks of the already thousands of motorcycle and mini-bike riders. What's necess'ary, of course, is to get accurate statistical information on these needs to those responsible to the general planning program who have the capability of carefully analyzing and interpreting the information. Statistically, Orange County's growth pattern over the last ten years can be interpreted to have an impact on current trends, and may have an enormous effect on Orange County's future. If someone asks, "What happened to all the open land I used to ride on," you can answer statistically, "Man, you're living on it! 4/4n1 1st Trailbike 3rd Overall Mitch .Mayes - Baja HARLENIAVIOSON the Harley· Davidson oDtpsrformsrs '" C. « ~ w Z W ...J U > U

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