Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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,... o en cO ., c: i Fierce " Competition ~ Domi.nates AFM National ...J By Sam Mangalin VACAVILLE, CAL., May 23, 1971 The weather was hot, spectator attendance low, and the rider turn out only moderate, most of the southern riders opting to ride local events. But, what could potentially have been a disaster for the AFM and race promoter Floyd Busby, Weekend Racer Promotions, proved to be one of the finest day's of racing ever seen on the Vacaville road rouse as the top Northern California road racers vied for National points in both the Grand Prix and Production classes. With things getting off to a slow start, the course having had to be shortened due to bad track conditions, the pace quickly changed in the flI'St race with John Scarfue and Tom Cleghorn running 'away from the field in a side-by-side duel up until the last lap, when Cleghorn experienced mechanical difficulties on the back part of the course, leaving Scarfire to breeze home a country mile in front. With Scarfire and Cleghorn setting an early pace, the remainder of the day was filled with wheel to wheel racing and last lap decisions. Dave Scott had his usual way in the 250 Combined GP, taking and easy wiD once he broke clear of the field. Behind him were Jerry Gordon and Tom Clegh om, or Tom Cleghorn and Jerry Gordon; you can take your pick as these two riders held it together for the entire race before Gordon slipped inside Cleghorn in the final turn and out dragged him to the checker for second place. Scott took the win on his very rapid 125cc Dunsco special. In the 250 GP, it was again the same script.· The first lap had Summers, John Green and Jerry Greene. The half-way mark had J obn Green out in front, _ followed by Summers and Greene. The smooth riding Jerry was first at the checker with Summers being chased by John Green for second and third in that order. When the 500-0pen GP came to the line, no one knew what to expect, except that the odds on favorite was the Suzuki team of Grant and Baumann. Grant posted entry and, although limping badly with the use of a cane, let everyone know he has no thoughts of letting up on the oppostion as he took the win from a close friend, Baumann, on the final round. Baumann led from the second lap until the last lap, but there is only one that really matters. It's good to see Gran t back from such a terrible injury. The fans had a treat in store for them in the 350 GP event. Dick Hammer, former AMA National No. 16 and long time iron man of AMA road racing, came out of semi-retirement to zap the troops handily on his steadY Yamaha. He hasn't forgotten how! The wildman team of Hummer/Gulbranson hurled their H-D powered 'rig around the course with such ferocity, the outcome was never in doubt in the sidecar class, which was determined by overall finishing in two SIL8 Y M oroas E. T. CYCLE SALES 346 EI C.,millO, Redwood City (4151369-4112 Sales * Service custom work· all makes '2268 EI Camino Real Mountain View, Ca. 94040 (415) 964-6622 ""AphY CYCLES SUZUKI Mail Order SpccidliLing in competition equipment ALSO OSSA MAICO DKW 184 San Antonio Rd. Mt. View, Calif. 94040 941-7317 Stainless Steel Foot Pegs to fit all Bultacos By Chuck lIer ORONDO, WA., May 16, 1971 - An exceptional number of riders showed in the 14 year and under class with some spectacular riding ability turned in by Mike MacKenzie on a 125cc Rickman Metisse and Kevin DeWitt on a Yamaha. First place went to MacKenzie who really had his work cut out for him as DeWitt rode one of his best races to date; but the day was marred for DeWitt who had a second trophy well sewed up when he took a hard spill and was unable to finish all, three motos leaving that place to Conan Workman on his American Eagle. Kelly Abbott also showed true form as he led the 125cc riders with his finely-tuned DKW by getting off the line ahead of the large field and solidly blowing all competition in the first mota; however, the "Fleming plague" administered by Doyle Fleming's Penton attacked Abbott in the second and third mo to to give A.bbott a hard earned second for the day and Fleming the 'big one' for the class. One of the new faces and a welcome rider at Daroga Park was Ron Pomeroy from Yakima riding a 175 Yamaha. Pomeroy was in true form as he led Rick Tarver and Greg Zodrow's Yamahas in the first and second motos. Due to mechanical difficulties there were only three remaining bikes in the 175 class for the third moto so they ran with the 'big ones'. This is how Pomeroy got off bad as he was bumped hard by one of the larger machines, but COLISEUM CYCLE MAIL and -Mail Order APAIR s•••, le.,o. C,eles 2594 Middlefield Rd. Mt. VifNI, Ca. 94040 415-961-4399 ORDER ACCESSOBY Co. ~KAWASAKI _ ~ MOTORCYCLES 39S8 E. 14th ST., OAKLAND, CAL. (415) 534·5461 94601 lultaeo fl,."eel '.IIer Fits all current production Bultacos except Sherpa 100-$6.95 Cal. res. add 5% sales tax C & M SPECIAL TIES - P.O, Box 717 Mountain View, California 94040 did pull the first for his class. Rick Tarver rode a strong second for the day with a steadily improving youngster, Greg Zodrow, turning an easy third. Larry Bossen saw the checkered flag .first in all three motos of the 250 class after figh ting off the super fast starts of Bob Derry and talents of J erry Prey and Dan Lakey. OPQl class riders had plent)' of opportunity today as a continual fust place rider Mike Claphan traveled to Puyallup, Wash., for the day. The motos were routed over the longest track course available, 1.4 miles, and gave ample time for the power and speed of the big ones to show their stuff. Jon Wadkins on a 360 Yamaha, has steadily improved since jumping to the big class and is fast becoming one of the better riders in the area. He frequently rides two classes - which is no small accomplishment upder the tough Daroga Park track conditions - and is a very good competitor, administered a cruel "coup de grace" to outstanding riders such as Mike Welch on a 400 Husky. Welch just plain had a bad day from tire problems to crashes but finished second for the day. lIer seized his machine during some hot racing with 'iron man' Joe MacKenzie and didn't finish the first moto but was able to stave him off for a third position in the second and third. . It was a cool, windy day for the final motocross race of the spring series with total points accumulated by riders going towards trophies for the series. Also trophies for today's race winners we{e presented. Apparently due to weather conditions spectator numbers were down as compared with previous races here; however, a large turn out of riders showed and among them several new faces and new winners. (Results on page 24) OOL- Heat Dispersant Pipes, Barrels, Cases, Brake Hubs. Will not wash off Orangevale O-istributors 9198 Greenback Lane Orangevale, Ca. 95662 (916) 988-4725 SALES SERVICE REPAIRS $10.95 OeolM InqUiries I.,,,it.:l fantastic job in the Open Production and Open GP events riding the same production 750 Honda 4, and with western bars, street tires and all! Hewould hang up everything imaginable going through. turn nine and onto the front strigh t. Much credit must go to the AFM and Weekend Racer Promotions for pulling things together, and to the riders who gave it all for a very exciting day, and fitting performance for a National event. It's too bad the ACA and AFM races had to conflict with each other, for who knows what could have happened had the north met the south under such spirited conditions. (Results on page 24) Daroga Spring MX Series Ends MOST ENTHUSIASTIC DEALER Now at heats. The McNeal/Crabb team scared everyone for a few minutes when they skidded off the track as they entered the front straigh t, running head long in to the steel guardrail. McN eal hit a two foot diameter retalning pole head fust and was knocked unconscious for a few moments but is alright. The four cylinder 750 Hondas are quite popular among the sidecar buffs, and to stand behind the starting line when a bunch of them light up is to enjoy a sight and souJld here to fore known only among the dragsier set. Unbelievable! The Production races were as hotly contested, if not more so, as were. the GP events. Rod Schoenlank did a A& A MOTORS iPforlOii) . S 10% ~~~~:d.R1~;~i~:u~;Yo~1t~::;~:~ice • ~