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/125727
TT Scrambles... Speedway Style N N " :. co By Jack Light BAKERSFIELD, CAL., May 2, 1971 More than 171 racers were here today to wind up the regular day races for awhile. The Sprocket's Park will return to Scramhles under the lights, May 22, to start the summer schedule. Warm, dry weather kept the track crew busy all day, keeping the surface in fine condition. Dust was held to a minimum in the racing area, the most amount being raised by the frequent trips of the water truck in and out of the parking .... Cl ~' > .. :; ~ W Z W ..J U > U area. , .... .. .. " •• , ~ " -w"'" ~"'~ •• ' : •• : ~; '. It's a special kind of world ... a mixture of skill and courage, sound and fury, pure joy and excitement. It's an experience to share. See the four challenging events that "turn on" the ~ . amateur motorcyclist. J ~ ... :' ~ . .. rldOf two wheels IN COLOR DAY Thursday, May 27 STATION KHJ T.V. TIME 9:30 p.m. CHANNEL Channel 9 Many of the 17 main events resembled Speedway Racing, with the "full-locks" through the long sweeper. The 250 Amateurs went out on a drier track, and the traction was not as good as usual. Russ Barnett (Bul), Randy Griffith (Oss), and Dennis Lyons (BuI), mastered this condition with a fantastic showing of fine riding "Speedway Style" which quickly gained favor of the large spectator crowd. This main started just as spectacular, with a six rider crash righ t off the line. No one ex,perienced difficulty with body or bike, and all came back for the restart, to provide some of the greatest thrills of the day. The 250 'Experts continued in the same manner, with rooster tails thrown all the way. Tim Tomlinson had his Montesa in for a strong third position, behind Tracy Bright and Jim Keener riding Bultacos, Tim had to go high, and over tbe berm, dropping two positions, and out of the running. Joe Brown tooled his Yarnaha in for the position .vacated with the high ride. The 500 Amateurs had races within a race. Jerry Langley and Bob Young getting the best out of their Montesa bikes, raced wheel to wheel for the coveted first slot, Jerry managed a little more when needed to take first. Back in the field, Lyle Moore (Bul), and Art Carter (H-D) had their own thing going. The spectators didn't know which race to watch. These two changed positions frequently, see sawing back and forth with Lyle winning this battle for overall third. Jack J ones and Suzuld teamed up for "twin-wins". Jack finds that carrying home two trophies doesn't unbalance him; one in each hand - equalizes the weight of the gold. Victorious by a large margin in the 100 Am/Ex. combined on his little machine, he proved he is just as at home on the new Suzuki 400 in the 500 Expert class. By making a few modifications, Jack was able to keep both wheels on the ground today. Always a threat, Ron Keener kept the pressure on all the way, riding his Yamaha, with Harvey Baker and his Maico righ t in there waiting for the golden opportunity. The 200 Novice, and the 200 Amateur was all Bridgestone in the win column, with Stan Sanderson taking the Novice and Terry Dixon winning the Amateur. The Novices looked Uke the "F,our-Horsemen" throughout their race, never any farther apart than a wheel's length. No one had it sewed up until Stan spurted ahead when within sigh t of the checkered flag. To top off a fine day of racing, the Open Experts provided the frosting. Nine of the best were here and their great styles, once again, clearly indicated the meaning of Open Expert. Rick Newby had the Custom Engineering Triumph in good position from the start with Carroll Jackson, Triumph, Jeff J ohoson on another Custom-Triumph in hot pursuit, not to mention John Scantlin and his "Huge-Harley". These bikes had the dirt flying, and the ground shaking from start to finish. This main also had races within a race. Motorcycle racers never seem to give up, no matter the position, everyone goes just as hard. This is one thing that makes a T.T. Scrambles... the greatest! (Results on page 26) Unbeaten Smith Wins .Two; Brought to You By Yamaha And These' Yamaha Dealers 100ce Flat Traekers get ready to dumo the clutch. Hurls Invitation, DALES MODERN CYCLE San Bernardino BERT'S MOTOCRYCLES Azusa K & N MOTORCYCLES Rriverside YAMAHA OF FONTANA Fontana JENKINS SPORTS CENTER Norwalk LEMAR CYCLE CENTRE Orange By Art Loya Photo by Eddie Smith SOUTH GATE, CAL., May 13, 1971 Chris Smith finding little competition in winning both the 250ec 'IT and F.T. Main Events for the second week in-a-row at Trojan Speedway Thursday night, stood in the winner's circle and openly hurled an invitation to all 250cc class riders to challenge him at the Sou th Gate oval. For the third time this season, Smith and his Montesa were unbeatable in main event action in the combined Flat Track and 'IT motorcycle racing program. "He's one of the best riders in our Trojan Renegade Club right now, and in a year or so, he'll be one of the best in any circuit." This is the way Rene Armenta, track president, evaluates Smith after a brilliant performance in defeating Bultaco mounted, Mike Clarke, who also happens to be an explosive performer, in both main events. In winning, Smith's tactics were simple and direct. He sped after the lead as soon as starter, Bob Schoeman, dropped the green £lag. Earlier, Smith easily sped to victory in his heat race, and it should have been obvious but only a handful of the fans took the hint of what was in store for them. Ano!J:ler. cnttstanding youngster Ch~llenge developing in to a stellar performer is Bob Sanders who makes it a habit of winning his events at the starting line. Sanders and his Kawasaki had the best winning record of the evening with wins in the Senior 100 'IT heat, 100 F.T. heat, 125 F.T. heat, 100 'IT and 125 F.T. trophy dashes, 100 'IT and 125 F.T. Main Events. And yet, not taking anything away from Sanders, one of the highlights of the 25-event card was Marvin Heemsbergen's win over Sanders in the 100 F.T. Main. In this event, Sanders led from the start, but was closely followed by Heemsbergen and his Kawasaki. Meeting every challenge as the pair broadslided their machines around the tight 1/5-mile clay oval, Sanders still displayed his winning confidence. but perhaps this time just a bit of over confidence as Heemsbergen slipped by Sanders in the fmal 100 yards from the checkered for one of the most exciting events of the evening. Tom Doty, a fter chasing Sanders across the finish line in most events, fmally put all his efforts together and came up with a win in the 100 'IT Semi-:\lain, and bounced right back with a hard won victory on his Honda over Bob Byars also Honda mounted i!J the 125 'IT Main. . (R~lllts qn pAge 28) v .J ....