Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

Troy 50-Lapper Smith, Sanders Lead Troy's Best By Art Loya Photo by Eddie Smith SOmH GATE. CAL., April 29, 1971 Chris Smith may not be another Gene Romero, but he will have to do at Trojan peedway after his brilliant back-to-back wins in the 250 TT and FT Main Events in the comhed TT and Flat Track motorcycle racing speedfest Thursday nigh t. It wasn't that the rest of the field was that bad. it was just that Smith and his Montesa were that good in his return to the South Gate oval after a brief absence of competition on the ruth-miler. To Smith, a 19-year-old speedster who is determined to make the big-time, both wins were a magnificent personal achievement after turning back the challenges of top rider, Mike Arrambide and his hot Ossa mount in the TT Main, and then came back to hold off Bultaco mounted Mike Clarke in the Flat Track Main, a~ well as having to beat out Arrambikde at;ld Bob Byars (Ossa) to tum the track. At the start of the 250 FT Main, a nasty looking crash involving Arrambide and Byars, brought a spine-tingling few second to the fans as both riders a t the end of the back straight collided. Both riders and bikes rolled one-on top of the other, but fortunately no one was injured and both riders after a brief hold-up, restarted the main. Giving some indication of what was in store for main event time, Smith scored another big win in the special even ts, one a TT and the other a Fla t Track even t that were both run backwards (clockwise). Smith's winning style still was the same in the TT event, ALVISO but a photo finish with Byars in the FT event ruined a clean sweep for the popular hotshoe after working his way from the back of the pack. Bob Sanders, although far from his best effon, was still hot enough to out-run his best competition to score wins in the 100 TT, 100 and 125 FT Main Events. Sanders and his Kawasaki were out-jumped at the staning line by Roy Widener (Kaw), but Widener's lead was short lived as Sanders brushed past him before the first lap and in tum was followed by Byars (Han) and Tom Doty (Han) to the checkered flag in the TT event. John Heemsbergen (lGiw) was Sanders strongest challenger in both FT mains, but lacked horsepower to overhaul the £lash. Steve Young turned in the evening's biggest upset as a Junior by defeating top Senior riders Sanders (Kaw), Doty (Han) and Byars (Han) in the 125 TT Main Event. In doing his thing, Young bolted into the Senior class. Earlier, Young also out-dueled Allen Swett somH GATE, CAL., May 2, 1971 Two dozen bikes started the 50-lap main event at Trojan Speedway with 19 bikes finishing. All further 50-lap races will be combined for the ftrst Sunday of every month, as the specators and rides alike enjoyed this type of racing. Danny Hockie (Ossa) and John Carboney (Kaw) showed their riding skill by winning the mains. Look for these two boys to be back in the next 50-lapper_ New rider Gary Tanner (Maico) took first Jr. overall so this is one rider to watch for in future races. (Results on page 28) fAMILIES fUED AT SALINAS HILLCUM. (Ctoninued from page 14) (Kaw) for the win in the 125 TT heat event. Sponsored by H & 0 Enterprises, Young will b.e a threat to watch for the balance of the season. Trophy Dash wins were chalked ul? by Byars (Kaw) 100 TT; Young (Yam) 125 TT; Smith (Mon) 250 TT; Sanders (Kaw) 100 F1:; and Mark Revels (Kaw) 125 FT. (Results on page 28) By Gary Deaton GONZALES, CAL~ April 25,1971 The Salinas Ramblers had something less than a spectacular turnout this year with a total of 21 riders showing up for their annual hillcli t11 b, held on the Rianda Ranch in Gonzales. The best time up the 300 foot hill went to Keith Roessler with a time of 7.92 seconds on his 1950 Indian. He also won the 259 Expert class on his Ossa. The fact that he was the only one in that class helped. It was also a family day; Ray Rianda Jr. took first in the 400 Novice class on his Maico al)d his son Alan won the 125 Novice class on his Bultaco. Between Roy Erlenbach and his son, Chuck took first in the 100 Nov. class on his Hodaka and Roy took fourth on his Harley-Davidson. James Brindos of San Jose, in addition to winning the 650 Nov. class on his BSA, won the wheelie contest riding his Honda 100. The same Honda took second in the 100 Nov. class. Although the competition wasn't any thing to write home about, all the riders did have a good time with each man getting six runs at the hill. Everyone who entered got a trophy, making the day's efforts not entirely wasted. (Results on page 28) • .aJa Wins again! Invaders Hare Scrambles March 21, 1971 1st Trailbike (Expert) Mitch Mayes-Baja 100 (10th overall) 2nd Tom Sawyer -Baja 100 (1st Jr.) (2 in a row) John Gennai could dhly manage a third 250cc Expert position at Alviso, Calif., despite his spectacular style. of them and went on to win easily with Foster second. Foster had it somewhat better in the 500 main though with a cool win over Ken Dalla and Randy Bailey. It was Filmer and Foster racing for the lead in the early laps but Craig dropped out and Dalla inherited second. Bailey's Montesa was pulling Dalla's Honda toward the end but it was too late and they finished second and third respectively to the Jack Lancaster Bandido with Foster astride. The 650 Expert go was an easy affair for Bill Landsborough and his BSA with second a real thriller for the fans as Bill Flett and Jerry Chadim dueled for the entire distance. Flett was awarded the second place trophy in one of the closest 40-inch battles of the year. San Francisco's George Soloman won his first race in the 250 Novice class with a decisive lead over Steve Adams and Chuck Andrews. John Taylor was an impressive eitor in the 250 Junior Main over Bob Doran who seems to be riding the same COZ at all th e races. Owen Galway came out second best for on of a few races in the 100 Jr. Main . with the win going to Steve Langston who seems to be following Owen most of the time. A nice turn around as both riders are quite spectacular to watch, especially for their youth. (Results on page 28) March 14, 1971 Chapparel's M.e. Enduro 1st A Trailbike Dave Ekins - Baja 100 the BarleyDavidson ~~ outpBr[OnIJBrS ..... Ol > '" ::; ~ w Z W ..J U >- U

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