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
Afgan Hound Updates Kenney Dear Followers, AMXT Project 1971 is progressing like a healthy babe, but not without the unexpected. My pop, Bryan Kenney, raced once in Sweden and twice in France since you heaid from me a week ago. During this same duration he made the sports page photo section in Stockholm, showing him on the ground with John Banks shortly after being knocked sideways at the starting gate by a third rider at the Swedish GP. In France he made the TV screen while being carried away from the track on a stretcher, and then three days la ter he came through with an exciting duel for first place with Chris Horsfield at an international meeting in the northern part of France, winning the first round, and despite gearbox troubles, managing a fourth overall for the day. The Sweidsh GP is one of those things the AMXT will have to remember with a bit of humor. Bryan first heard he was to ride after running into a Swedish rider the weekend before. A quick change of plans, and he strapped the Husky on the little Peugeot and drove thirty- some hours to Sweden, leaving me at home with the old lady. Determined to put on a good show, he tuned into the track conditions, enjoyed a healthy warm supper, and spent the night in a quiet hotel. After morning practice, he felt like the Grand Prix might go all right, considering that he was 'u one little spot on the map that had come a I . way on pretty much a shoestring. At the start on the first moto, an unreno flipped his bike at the starting gate, causi ,.ic,s came back to get me for an international race in France. Early in the second moto he missed the brake pedal while approaching a two-story jump, sailed over the crest in third gear and landed upside-down at the base on the other side. That was it for the day. The rear section of the frame was crushed in, the seat smashed, and the bike generally twisted up. Myoid man was pretty twisted up too, and he rode off in the ambulance [or X-Rays and 24 hour observation. Fortunately, he pulled through with nothing bUL an empty stomach. Out the next morning, only a matLer of hours remained before it was necessary to drive off to the Sunday race. We managed to straighten the bike out with a blacksmith's pipe-bending tools, but it looked like one race to take it easy and spare the old man. And with an attitude like that, wouldn't you know that the old boy worked right out front,..of the pack and, after a crowd-pleasing battle, wowthe first leg of the motocross! Second gear went under before the heat w over, causing him much difficulty during the nex 0 motos, but he still came through with a f r the day. t is the month of May. Soon this weekend ere, we will be in Italy for two races almost back, and then reLurn near the English . for a big race the 6th of June. Be listening. ou know it, Barry Higgins and Bob Grossi ver here for our big campaign from July 25th mber 12th. -- Snowflake (Continued from page 4) contract on the spot. Brad was invited to the CZ factory recently to compete against the best riders from approximately 30 countries, and proved that American riders are tops, by winning a full ride. Never to my knowledge has an American rider had a manufacturer's contract I to participate in the World's Championship. Brad is our man in Europe and I am very proud of him. He is eagerly awaiting the arrival of his close buddy, Bob Grossi, so that they can continue some of their famous Northern California duels, this time of 'course on foreign soil with the stars and stripes waving overhead along with the flags from th e 0 th er participan 15 countries. To recap, I would like to see the 'ioIlowing happen soon: ' Behind every Race Proven SUZUKI STREET MACHINE, there i. a Race Winning SUZUKI COMPETITION MACHINE. AFM Road Race On May 23, 1971 at Vacaville, Calif., Ron Grant and Art Baumann dominated the 500cc GP, taking First and Second Place on their SUZUKI T-500R's. The same development that goes into our winning Road Racers is passed on to the T-500R TITAN and all of the other winning SUZUKI street machines. ~ I.. A.) The next official American team should be decided on merit, by either a P9int system or by eliminations. B.) The next official American team should participate in Grand Prix races, and not local races as Bryan Kenney is doing now. There is just as good competition at home as what he is racing against now. C.) Longer motos for American riders. I would recommend the actual European system which is two forty minute motos plus 2 LAPS. Local clubs and track owners should also devise a better starting method; like what is being used in Europe. D.) If there are excessive entries, the Novice and Amateurs should run on Saturday and the Experts and Professionals on Sunday. Promoters will find that they wiIl get larger gates to off-set the added expenses, and most importan t, will be preparing many good American riders to actually compete against the best. The sport is definitely becoming more professional. The Olympia Beer $10,000 race in Twin Falls, Idaho, and the new AMA series' prove this. I just hope Lhat the clubs, track owners, and promoters can help the talented become truly professional, which is being good enough to truly compete against Europe's best. TED MOORE STAN CERNY American-J awa ORSTEN HALLMAIt~~ RACING INC.-;:~~ยท u.s. Dirt. for Trelleborg_Motocross tires. Torsten Hallman special design leathers & racing equipment. (714) 460-6234 (714) 460-1402 For dealer info. write or call: 5345 Timken St.. La Mesa. Cal. 92041. MotoCross . Oak Creek Ranch, May 23, 1971 - Russ Darnell, America's top Motocrosser trounced the opposition with his SUZUKI 400R CYCLONE. The same machine that you can buy at your local dealer, along with all the other outstanding SUZUKI'S. Built to take on the country. Suzuki built to take on the cOUl1tr}t Su:wki Motor Corporation, SonIa Fe Springs, California 90670 . c: ... :I ~ w Z W ...J (.) >(.)