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/125730
.. C ::I .., ~ w Z W B C Cycle Town Lakeport, cal. ..J U > U B & S Cycte Sales Ukiah, cal. Bishop Cycle Center Bishop, Cal. Coleman Bros. Stockton, Cal. Cycle Center Stores Centerville, Cal. Cycle Imports San Jose, Cal. Cycle Sport Center Tulare, Cal. Cycle Supply San Mateo, Cal. D & T Automotive Sacramento, Cal. Foreign Automotive Santa Rosa, Cal. Fresno Cycle Fresno, cal. Gene's Automotive Loomis, Cal. Import Cycles Keyes, Cal. J.K. Cycle Inn Richmond, Cal. Marin Motorsports San Rafael, cal. Moore & Sons Santa Cruz, Cal. Nelson Bros. Oakland, Cal. S & T Sportcycles LaFayette, Cal. Tom Davis San Luis Obispo, Cal. Checkered Flag Salt Lake City, Utah Clarks Cycle Center Carson City, Nev. Sportsman Cycles Las Vegas, Nev. Klusmeyer, Tharp Top ·Memorial RR By John Blanton GREEN VALLEY, TEX., May 30,1971 - Pulling an ever increasing lead over the remainder of the Open class bikes in the feature race of the day was West Texas J.C. Klusmeyer on a 750cc Norton. K1usmeyer had run second to Mike Kidd in the heat race, but Mike pulled in midway through the fealure, leaving the field to J.C. Mike was on the Triumph formerly ridden by Rusty Bradley, and J.C. was riding the former Bennje Hardwick mount in this race dedicated to the memory of the two Texas racers. J ody Delgado had finished third in the heal on a Honda Four, but he, too, was a non· finisher in the feature, and Robert Lee took second on a BSA, and Jet Tharp bumped his Yamaha up a class and took third in the Open. Terry Kiraly and Mike McAdams on a Kawasaki 500 and a Suzuki 500 respectively were non-starters in the Open Final due to a garish accident that occurred in the warm·up lap prior to the start of the race. Turn two of the course is a very sharp right-hander by the pits and there is a slip road which leads down the pit row and to the starting line. Someone wanted to go right, and someone wanted to go straight, and the result was that two very expensive motorcycles were dumped at high speed in the midst of a surprised group of riders. One bike slid to a stop down the slip road, but the other one and the two riders impacted heavily into the haybales protecting the massive fence posts located at the juncture. No serious damage was done, but the two were unwilling to continue. After running deep in the field in his heat, Jet Tharp won the 250cc Final just ahead of Mike Odem,. who had a slow start but was gaining steadily on Tharp. Mike would have caught the Brownwood rider had the race lasted a few more laps, but, unfortunately for Mike, it did noL Both were on Yamahas, but third place Jim Cox was on one of the many beautifully-prepared Ducatis that are now beginrung to grace the road courses of Texas. They seem to be very smooth-handling bikes and sound to run all day. They have gotten into the hands of some very capable riders in the persons of Cox, Tommy Hall and Jerry Brust, and they certainly fill in those gaps Left when the two-stroke twins get so strung out on the course, as they are prone to do. Will Johnny Bryant never grow up? Apparen t1y not, and never will he stop winning races on that sharp little IELSOI'S ./C RErA'R OSSA P~~!S Service 2362 3rd St. Riverside, Ca. Mail Order Service (714) 686-3383 YAMAHA SrORTCYCLES NEW & USED SALES Parts-Accessories-Service Financing-Insurance MASTER CHARGE-BANKAMERICARD Discount to Ascot Racers GENE H. MYERS 4151 Redondo Beach Blvd., Lawndale, Ca. (213) 542·4047 Yamaha. There was no staying with him the danger of the situation and, in the 125cc heat and final, and the probably, the world itself. His presence only contest was for the also-ran cause no end of consternation to "positions. Bryant had pulled such a group of riders, who overtook him good lead in the final that when he went swiftly under the trees on the approach down the slip road at tum two midway to the east bridge. through the race he probably caused Here is 50 of the most dangerous little stir with second place John Miller yards in Texas racing. At eighty miles (H-D). John's Harley does not have the per hour riders bank hard to the right as steam of the twin, and it is certain that the bike drops in to the dip just before he does nQt show the form on the slick_,....;;th;;.e .bridge heaves into view through the . J.C. Kusmever (561 and Robert E. Lee (541. and rough Green Valley course that he showed in that fantastic duel with Humberto Marin in Monterrey, Mex., last month. Jim Lutz was third in the final aboard Edward Green's classic number 26 Suzuki Incredible David Watkins is back racing again and winning, in the 250cc heat over Odem. David, as you may not know, had an artificial leg; his left leg is amputated above the knee, and he wins road races and nat track races! Two years ago he broke the stump of his left leg in a crash at Manor Downs, and before it was completely well, he suffered another break there in a fail while dismounting from a pickup on a muddy road. It had been decided then that he would not continue racing, but he is back now, and it is good to see him out on the course again. During the 250cc heat there occurred one of those gruesome episodes which we thought we had long since eluded in motorcycle sport. Some overgrown trees. If you have guessed wrong Iiere character flipped completely out and you can hjt the side of the bridge. ripped off a racing mount, a production Missing that, you might wind up in the four-cyclinder Honda, and rode it onto creek, if you get by the trees. As one the course. As officials and pit crewmen Ducati rider got by and got the bridge shouted instruction to head him off, get safely lined up, he twisted his body half him out or knock him down, he rode in way around on the seat, bike still pursuit of the real racers. cranked way over to the right, and with Sans helmet and leathers, he churned one free hand indicated that singularly around the course, oblivious to the low level of esteem and admiration. threats of officials, the pleas of friends, Bravissimo! Presently the race stopped, and the l%er-encountered the course blocked at the starting line. He dumped the bike r~ elillug there, injuring himself slightly. He'was carried away, catatonic, on a stretcher, staring blankly at the sky, the universe turning inside out in his nllnd. (Results on page 28) 1321 E. _ _ Fll.LfIlTOII CAlIF. (114 W. III' &S~:REP MAlCOS",,, BUT '119' ~ .. Most Pownl .. MAleC ... .. .. . .. COOPER MOTORS .. .. .... .. -, . llII StuUI-... fro. 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