Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND OFFERS $21,600 IN PURSES ',wa Passes He'.e' law, $JOO/30-Da, Pe.a", Se' 250 Intermediate winner B. Henderson gets a chase from runner-up J. Volkman. HART STOPS DESOTO Photos by Gary Schmythe GARDENA, CAL., May 13, 1971 Tim Hart finally put the damper on John DeSoto's Ascot streak, but Maico has little to fret now that Hart in on Cooper Motors' list. It was a Maico sweep in the 500 class with Hart, DeSoto and Bob Hosford taking the honors. Rickman mates Bruce Baron ar.d Jeff Wright continued their weekly duel and this week it was Jeff's turn for the win. Mike Garrett geared his Penton to the third spot. John the Hawauan always manages to pull in at least one win per nigh t so he made the 250's no sweat. Quick Dannie Hockie pulled into the next position on an Ossa. (Results on page 26) AscotRiderPa tGosch SuccuIllbsTolnjuries Services were held this weekend for -' He was taken to Gardena Memori.. Ascot rider Pat Gosch who died last Hospital where heroic efforts were made Monday, May 10', of injuries received to save his life. He had suffered while practicing at Ascot Friday extensive brain damage and lay in a evening, April 30. coma for 10 days before finally succumbing to massive injuries. Gosch crashed very hard on the Gosch is survived by his wife, Gloria straightaway at Ascot while riding a and two children. All are living in his borrowed N orton. He carries No. 47J. home town of Omaha, Nebraska. Since the beginning of the year, the AMA's professional racing program has been marked by an increase in purse size. An example of such increases are the purses being offered at four half-mile events in the East over Memorial Day Weekend. May 28-31, professional motorcycle racers will be competing for a combined purse of $21,600. The first event, May 28, is a $15,000 night race to be held on the Roosevelt Park half-mile horse track, Long Island, New York. Roosevelt Park is a unique track with a rubber base covered with sand. Although no bikes have raced here before, Larry Palmgren, u.nder the supervision of AMA Professional Racing Director Tom Clark, has tested the track. Both have ju.dged it to be an outstanding and safe track for mo torcy cles. Additional information for this race may be obtained through promoter Daon Brymer, Trojan Enterprises, 1540 West 9th Street, Long Beach, California, 90813. Phone 213/435-1013. The second event, wonh $1,200 is Saturday night, May 29, at East Windsor Speedway, Hightstown, New Jersey. It is a tight half-mile specialty course where several East coast riders dominate the racing action. In fact, during the 1969 season Larry Palmgren did not fail to win a heat race, semi, or Expert feature event on this track. Information may be obtained by contacting Al Wilcox, 22 Vermont Street, Trenton, New Jersey; 08638. Phone 609/394-8645. On Memorial Day, the racing scene will move to Reading Fairground, Reading, Pennsylvania, for a $3000 half-mile race. Additional information may be obtained through RSCA, Reading Fairground, Reading, Pa. 19605. The final event is a $2,400 half-mile race at York Interstate Fairground, York, Pennsylvania. The event is promoted by the York M/C and additional information may be obtained by writing them at 2333 Whiteford Road, York, Pennsylvania, 17402 or phone 717/854-3214. With no National Championship motorcycle events being sanctioned for the Memorial Day Weekend, it is assured that some of the Nation's top stars from each coast will be in attendance. Beginning July I, 1971, Iowa motorcyclists will be compelled to wear helmets, reports Chet Winters of the AMA quoting from an article appearing in the Fort Dodge Messenger on May 7. The reasons apparently coincide with safety. However, Mike M. Cellers, the state's safety commissioner was not clear as to how safety was involved with his first major act in his new position. Section 321.192 gives him the power u to impose restrictions in issuing drivers licenses whenever there appears good cause." The act sets a fine of $1 00 and/or 30 days in jail for failure to wear a helmet. According to 'Win ters, the only area in which failure to wear a helmet comes into the scene is with riders who are struck by flying objects. In this respect, a report from New York states that in 1967, of the 5184 motorcycle accidents in the state, only four were caused by matter entering the rider's eye. Motorcycle fatilities in Iowa last year totaled only 41, and tnus far this year, only seven have occurred. Winters, as a spokesman for the AMA, believes this action by the state safety commissioner is·unconstitutional. He suggests state residents to immediately write or wire their disapproval to Gov. Robert Ray, State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa. In other areas: Connecticut's House of Representatives have voted 133 to 20 in favor of repealing that state's current Helmet Law. MINI RIDER DISMISSED TORRANCE, CAL., April 28, 1971 Tom Cosgrove, cited recently for creating a disturbance while riding a mini bike near his motorcycle dealership, had his case dismissed today because the prose.cu lion could not come up with a complaint. Municipal Judge Thomas Fredericks made the ruling when Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Nikola Mikulicich was unable to produce proof that Cosgrove, owner of Pacific Coast Honda, had in fact made a disturbance by creating "noise, dust, or exhaust 'fumes" as the county ordiance stipulates. Homeowners Association Seeles Closure of Corona Raceway By Elaine Jones Residents across the Freeway from Corona Raceway banded together and were able to persuade the District Attorney of Riverside to issue an injunction against Raceway owners, Felice and Laura Lipari. The injunction forbids night and Sunday racing. As of today, Sunday racing will be allowed but the motorcycles, midgets and super-stocks have been eleiminated. The District AHomey, Bymn Morton, acted on the recommendation of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. The Homeowners appeared before them Monday morning en masse, protesting loudly, and demanding immediate action which they got. Tuesday found them before the Riverside City Council where they weren't so successful. The Raceway IS located in Corona and the Homeowners live in an unincorporated area of Riverside so there was really nothing the Council could do. At the Council Meeting they were also met with some opposition, because, although they worked fast, the word got out and the camps were pretty much equally div.ided. John Sotelo was the only Councilman to come to the defense of the track and he has since been attacked and accused of having a closed mind. The homeowners claim noise is the beef and even though the Liparis have made silencers mandatory and are making arrangements to have accoustical walling installed, they are still dissatisfied. Judging from the statements made at a homeowners meeting it appears the only thing that will satisfy them is the complete closure of the facility. Harry Reinard, the man who chaired the meeting, stated "that anything short of the Astrodome would be unacceptable." He received applause. Other comments: "They cannot exist with just Saturday afternoon racing." "We are after super-stocks, midgets and· motorcycles. " <'If they donate their track for mini-bikes only, we might drop everything." "Too bad it didn't include the Adventist Sabbath. We could have stopped Saturday racing too." This was met with laughter and applause. Besides tl:t.e track racing they are planning to oppose the continuance of the Liparis use permit for their Cycle Park. They have not complained 'about the park but since there are a few residences behind the track, they feel they have to stick together. This writer has been attacked on the radio because [ attended the homeowners meeting; according to them, uninvited. The fact is the flyer they sent around, requested people from the La Sierra area of which 1 am a resident. It did not state you had to be on their side. [ was asked to debate with them which I declined stating [ was there as a member of the press and therefore an impartial observer. When told what paper, the response was definitely negative. Any of you who have raced on the Corona track know how fabulous it is and the same holds true for the park. The Lipari's need our help if they want to hold on and we must write letter to District Attorney Byron Morton, City Hall, Riverside, California. Supervisor Jones, Riverside, California and the Corona City Council voicing our support~ Isn't it worth a rew minutes to have years of pleasure? If these people can reach their goal it will be the start of shut downs of all our tracks! Cet involved! The Benefit Motocross for slain police officers, Christianson and Teel will still be held at Corona on May 23rd and silencers are mandatory. DKW(SACHS)fOOT PEG $19 .95 1035 Cast 5teel - 5ame as Our CZ Pess Which are Sold by the Factory Buffalo Breath Motocross EXCLUSIVE JAWA-CZ DEALER 2120 Concord Ave. Concord, Calif. 94520 (415)687-9300 DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED ......... Mail Order Blank····· . : D & S Motorcycle Carriers : 3332 Reta St., La Crescenta, Calif. 91214 Dealer Inquiry Invited (213) 248-2837 or (213) 248·2850 · 1. Mounts to frame, not flimsy bumpers 2. Cars, trucks, motor homes, trailers, campers 3. Front or rear, 350 lb. cap., 4'Ioadin ramp $45.00 Money order, add 5% tax in Calif. • Name : Address City • State, Zip _ _ _ _ I •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••. III N > '" ::E ~ w Z W ...J U > U

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