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/125725
RECORD CROWD SEES SPEEDWA Y OPENER By Mike Capalite Photos by Dennis Greene COSTA MESA, CAL., April 30, 1971 Due to the arrangment of the program, it looks like the old feud between the 1970 Champion Steve Bast and 1971 Champion Rick Woods has been renewed as both riders looked like they were in top shape 3Jld riding top equipment. As both of them lined up on the 60 yard line in the handicap semi, the excitement could be felt in the packed stands as the crowd knew this would be the first 'resumed' battle of the season. It was, however, not the slam-bang fight for position that had ended the season last year as both riders were still a little cautious and running pretty even as Woods got the jump off the line and worked his way through the traffic with Bast right on his rear wheel all the way to take a one-two finish. The fans then began building up to the Handicap Main Event. As they pulled to the line with thre'e men, Woods, Bast and Sonny Nutter, setting on the 6.0-yard line. As the starting gate went up, Greg Haserot jumped to the lead with Gary Fishubm in second followed by john Fishburn, Woods, Nutter and Bast. As Woods moved up on john, Nutter was pressing him hard on the outside as john was holding it in tight and Rick couldn't get through. Nutter and Woods were side by side as Steve Bast came in under Woods to try it on the inside and the four of them were jockeying for position in the corner so close the fans were on their feet expecting someone to go down. Gary did taking Nutter with him. Nutter kept it running and was up and away again as Gary had taken over the lead from Haserot with only one lap to go. Woods and Bast were bearinJ( down OVER 10.000 TURN OUT SPEEDWA Y SEASON OPENER FOR By Larry Huffman COSTA MESA, CAL., April 30, 1971 It was stand-in-the-aisles-no-room-nowhere tonight as the largest crowd to witness a Class A race since World War 11 pured into the Orange County Fairgrounds stadium for the 1971 Speedway season opener. The spectator count reached 7500 with another estimated 3000 turned away at the front gate for lack of standing room. The only bad point of the night, at least from the point of view of the track announcer, yours truly, was the public address system. It went from lousy to worse before the evening was over. Promoter Harry Oxley is installing a new P.A. system this week. He's also bringing in an additional 3500 seats so he won't be forced to turn away all those fans again. Next race is at 8:15 this Friday night and every Friday night throuKh November. .. > :;: ~ w Z W ..J U > U Brian Crawford shows how to close the door though unintentionally Gresham pulls along Ort the inside trying to get past. and going down the back straight, Woods moved past Haserot. Coming out of the last corner, Gary Fishburn held the lead by a bike length and Bast copped the third place away from Haserot. This race made the Scratch Main seem a little anti-climatic. The action was limited to a one-lap battle for second place between Woods and Larry Shaw with Woods finally getting a wheel under him and then setting his sights for the lead Here is where the Rick Woods' fans were taken by surprise as Dave Gifford, recently arrived From England, held the lead. Dave had finished second to Rick in the heat and the Semi and it was expected that it would be the same in the main, no matter how hard Woods tried, he couldn't seem to make up ground on Gifford, who won with a huge ovation from the crowd From the looks of the crowd Friday night, a lot of the fans are looking into the prospects of a season ticket to as his leg cover the front wheel of Joe Fitzpatrick's bike. Meanwhile, Steve assure them of a seat every Friday niJ(ht_ The management apologized for the fact that so many were turned away and hopes are that more seating can be arranged for future races. Promoter Harry Oxley was doubly sick over the fact that the brand-new public address system proved to be worse than last year. Many fans expressed hopes that he would return to the speakers in the infield like last year so everyone will know what is happening. (Results on page 28) • .aJa Wins .again! Masterlinks Hare & Hound May2,1971 Trailbike Class 1st Greg Hawks - BJA 100 2nd Randy Milligan - BAJA 100 3rd Jim Sumners - BAJA 100 4th Larry Roesler - BAJA 100 5th Don Olglebi - BAJA 100 Shamrocks Enduro April 25, 1971 "Ai' Trailbike Class 1st Walt Baehr- BJA 100 "B" Trailbike Class 1st Greg Ekins - BAJA 100 2nd Tom Sawyer - BAJA 100 Englishman Dave Gifford holds off the challenge from Steve Bast, Rick Woods and Mike Konle. the HarleyDavidson outpBrformBrs