Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

~o.r~.~ Irom thecipitol MOTORCYCLISTS FACE MAJOR CRISIS By this time next year, dirt-riding in California may only be something we talk about! It all depends upon whether you think enough of your sport to write a simple letter. MECHANICAL PARK PLAN Assemblyman Leo Ryan has introduced AB 578 which will require registration and identification plates for all off-road vehicles at a fee of $11 CYCLE NEWS SWEETENS THE A.M.A. CONTINGENCY POT BY $2,100 Cycle News, publishers of the three leading motorcycle newspapers in America, is posting contingency monies for the winners of all twenty-one A.M.A. national championship races on the 1971 calendar. To be eligible for an additional $100.00 cash per national, all the winner has to do is present verification by any A.M.A. official that the new Cycle News sticker was prominently displayed on his motorcycle throughout the race. A total of $2,100 may be won. Cycle News stickers are white high quality vinyl material with red lettering and are available free by enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope to CYCLE NEWS CONTINGENCY FUND, Box 498, Long Beach, California 90801. Kel Carruthers collect the f"rrst $100 Cycle News contingency award by winning the Atlanta National Championship road race April 25, with a Cycle News sticker f"rrmly attached. We hope th'at this contingency plan will be copied by other publications, which are presently getting a free ride for their advertising by sticking their decals on racers' machines without permission every two years. The proceeds will be distnbuted between the DMV and for the development of mechanical parks at state, county, and city level. This, in itself, is not so bad. However, AB578 will prohibit the sale or operation of an off-road vehicle (includes motorcycles and motor-drive cycles) which produce a noise-level in excess of 72 DBA, which is so quiet the industry can't even attain it! And, if that won't stop you altogether, AB 578 goes on to prohibit the operation of any off-road vehicle on state or coullty lands, until the state or county erects a designated sign stating that such use is authorized. And you can well imagine when they will get around to erecting signs! ANOTHER PLAN Senator Gregorio has introduced SB 508 which imposes a 5% sales tax upon off-road motorcycle tire to build motorcyle and mini-bike parks. While the intent is good, we feel that the amount of taxes collected would not cover th e cost 0 f administration, let alone build any parks! MORE PLANS In contrast to these two Bills, we have sponsored legislation introduced by Assemblyman Chappie as AB 2342. This Bill also establishes an off-road vehicle registration and identification program. It differs from AB 578 in several ways: 1. Our Bill establishes a fee of ten dollars every two years. 2. Our Bill specifies that the DMV will adminster the program based upon actual cost, not to exceed $5. 3. Our Bill specifies that motorcycle and mo tor-driven cycle fees will be maintained separate from other off-road vehicle (snowmobile, dune-buggy, jeep, and ATV) fees. 4. Our Bill provides that 50% of the remaining fees will be allocated to State Parks and Recreation for large motorcycle recreation areas. The remaining 50% will be allocated to cities, counties, and special (park) districts to develop motorcycle and mini-bike riding areas. 5. Our Bill does not establish noise controls. 6. Our Bill does not prohibit use of public lands. RIGHT ON! At our request, Assemblyman Chappie has introduced AB 2340 which will iriclude Motorcycle Education in the Driver Education programs conducted in high schools. Again at our request, Assemblyman Dent has introduced AB 2787 which prohibits the use of unmarked cables, ropes, chains, wires, and other neckbreakers as barriers to roads, trails, and natural accesses to land. This Bill has long been sought by MORE to put an end to needless and senseless maiming and decapitation 0 f motorcyclists and other recreation seekers. WRITE ON! While you are slttmg here reading this, the organizations which oppose motorcycling are busily writing letters to your representatives in support of AB 578 which will run us off the public lands. Are you going to sit back and let this happen or are you willing to write a simple letter? The time for a showdown has come! We must stand up and be counted just to show our legislators how many concerned motorcyclists there are in California. Using the MORE Legislative Guide, write a letter to y01!l" Assemblyman and ~o voW" Senator. The letters can be iden'tical, but write to both. Tell them that you want them to vote in favor of AB 2340, in favor of AB 2342, and in favor of AB 2787. Tell them to vote against AB 578 and SB 508. If you care to do so, breifly explain in your own words what these Bills mean to you and why they should vote as you have instructed. Or, you can tell them to get in touch with your lobbyist (Russ Sanford) and he will explain your position as a motorcyclist .. If you don't yet have a MORE Legislative Guide, send a large (4"x9"), self-addressed, stamped envelope to M.O.R.E., P.O. Box 26062, Sacramento, CA 95826. LARGEST ALL-JUNIOR MOTOCROSS MAY 16 Coming to Bay Mare race track near Camarillo, Calif. on May 16 is the biggest all-Junior motocross event in history. Not only will all finishers receive trophies, but there will be prizes and trophies awarded totalling $2,500. Two classes will be offered: Novices are th ose wh 0 have never raced, or raced firve or less races within California. Juniors are riders with 6 or more races. No professionals will be allowed. There are three classes: 125, 250 and Open. Bay Mare is' one of the finest motocross racing and spectating facilities in the west, located on Hwy. 118 between Somis Rd. and Moorpark. Oh yes, ther'll be a minibike race too, for riders under 14 years of age. HOSAKA BENEFIT RACE MAY 2 A IT race for the benefit of injured Ascot regular Wayne Hosaka will be hosted by the Hi-Boots M.C. at South Bay Speedway near San Diego, Calif. May 2. Prizes and merchandise awards by more companies than we have room to list will sweeten the taste of victory. And three otorcycles will be among the prizes. It's for a good guy, so make it to South Bay this Sunday. SWAP-O-RAMA THIS FRIDAY Load up your bushel baskets with all those parts that have been gathering cobwebs in the garage and bring 'em to the Orange County Fairgrounds this Friday night for the Cycle News Swap-O-Rama. Setup hours are from noon to 5 and then the doors open to buyers. Chances are you'll take the baskets home full, but it won't be with your same old junk...it'll probably be somebody else's junk, which just happens to be exactly what you've been looking for! LAST SAT. RENO INDOOR THIS Saturday night, May 1 is the date for the f"mal race in the Reno, Nevada winter-spring series of the Nevada State Indoor Motorcycle Point Championship. The action will take place inside the Pavilion at the Washoe County Fairgrou nds. Sign up will be from 4-6 p.m.; practice from 5-6:30 p.m., and the first heat scheduled for 7 :30 p.m. Two Nevada riders and three California riders lead the pack for the overall poin t championship. .:) ........J:!- .JC <31 ..It, I ...... vl~ • J MOTOCROSS - r;; ok . > :< ~ w Z W ..J o > o

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