Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

Dorsch Tops (orona Opener NN Q> co .., ::l ~ w Z w ... (,) >(,) By John Bethea CORONA, CAL., June 12, 1971 Anything was expected to happen at the opening night of professional half-mile at Corona Raceway and it did - from playing the National Anthem to a flagless pole to seeing two riders fall in the heat races and never finish and still make it to the semi. First year Expert Terry Dorsch gained all the laurels on opening night, from setting fastest qualifying time of 23.08 to winning the combined Jr/Ex. Main going away. The track, perhaps the fastest on the West Coast, is slightly u!>,graded on the front straigh t and the riders going into turn one do so uphill. The back straigh t has a 10 degree bank which makes for complete viewing from the ·stands. Into tum 3, the course drops off downhill, making for fast and difficult braking which resulted in several spills tonigh t. After setting fast time, Dorsch trounced a fine field of Juniors and Experts to take the fU'St qualifying heat in record time, 1:57.10, with Eddie Wirth grabbing second and Sonny Burres third. Jim Berry snagged the hopes of Lloyd Houchins and Ron Moore to do likewise in the second heat. In this race, Paul Bostrom held the pole position but went wide out of turn one on the first lap while leading but regained control and was running third on the back stretch. Then, in turn three, he went wide again and slid out into the wall. "During practice, I felt the brakes beginning to swell up," Bostrom said later, "so I loosened them up a bit. When I hit tum one, I had little braking but didn't think of it. So, when I hit the end of the backstretch, I suddenly realized I had no brakes so I frantically began downshjfting, but you saw what happened." It didn't hurt Paul very much, however, as in a rare occurrence he still made it to the semi. But, he wasn't the only one. Bob Bailey, after running second in the third qualifying heat after a restart, also went down on turn three and had to watch the remainder of the race from the sidelines. Yet, when the semi rolled INTER-AMA around, he also found himself on the back line next to Bostrom. One major reason for this is that the Semis were split into two divisions. In the first, Al Baker got a great start and led for two laps before Don Dudack caught him and went on to win with Baker second and Tom Sawyer third. In the next semi, Chuck Joyner led from start to finish with local favorite Ron Moore taking second and Bailey third, just missing the main. After Dorsch won the Trophy Dash going away, he streaked to the point of the Main and was never headed. Joyner, starting from the second line, was running fourth on lap one but had worked his way up to second by the seventh go but just couldn't catch the hasty Dorsch. Lloyd Houchins after swapping positions between second and fourth, finally settled for third. Scott Brelsford put it to the rest of the Novice class by winning his heat and Main with little contention. Steve Nichols, second Novice Heat winner, was relegated to second. The program was shortened due to a lack of Juniors and Experts, most of which were. in New England for the National Road Race so the final flag appeareC: at 9:35, a short but fine program for the more than 1000 spectators. . (Results on page 24) By Dave Brown APPLE VALLEY, CALIF., June 6, 1971 - It was another beautiful day for racing as 200 riders signed up for the motocross races at Deadman's Point. They planned an easy, early day with only 200 riders but that's when the problems started. Several riders had trouble on the starting line. As one got his running again, two more bikes would load-up and die. Several riders got too eager and found themselves tangled in the starting gate, and several riders received a backwards start for their over-eagerness. Once they finally got through the first moto, everything seemed to smooth out to the old Deadman's Point style; efficient and well-run. Terry Hogue brought out her Yamaha to again trounce the Powder Puff class. Patty Willmon got some lessons on speed from her husband, Jerry, to push her Yamaha into a solid second. In 125 Div. 11, there was some fast competition between S. Graham on his Puch and Jim Rich on his Suzuki. Jim was able to hold Graham back in the third moto, but the first two motos and the win went to Graham. The 100 Senior class was again won by "Mr. Senior" Frank Wilsford, Sr. on his Hodaka. Anybody who thinks the older generation is slow, hasn't seen Frank tum on his Hodaka. The 125 Senior went to "K. P." Lacher in Circle Again By David Swift With all the status-seeking National riders back East for A Big One, it was Mel Lacher Night at Ascot's Friday half-mile. Lacher was in sharp form as he vanquished every opponent in a rooster-tail of sod. Mel went into the first comer of the Junior-Expert Combined Main in a neat broadslide that wouldn't quit for the balance of the 10 laps. In the waning moments Lacher let up about the time fast-qualifier Lloyd Houchins decided to make a move. Houchins closed up most of the gap but time had run out; Mel wasn't worried a bit. MOTO-CROSS 4th ANNUAL VIKING INTERNATIONAL MOTOCROSS SERIES SERIES OPENER Slow Day at Deadman's JUNE 27th INDIAN DUNES PARK LOS ANGELES FIRECRACKER GRAND PRIX Eddie Wirth and Junior Ron Moore locked horns in the last few laps and Wirth found himself with his hands full. They took the white flag side·by-side and Eddie beat him to the first tum. By the time the last bend appeared, Ron was right next to him again and it was Throttle City all the way. At the last moment Wirth raised his hand and back off, giving third to the deserving Junior. The Trophy Dash was sort of a Mel Lacher Exhibition since Tim Wolf, the fast Junior Qualifier, couldn't make it to the line and Houchins suffered electrical problems in the first comer. Ch uck Hart and Lacher diced for a round and before the Norton rider dialed it on and split. Scott Brelsford appeared to the Novice favorite after he creamed everyone in his heat. He had a five-second lead after the 111'st lap. When it came time for the Main, Steve Nichols got the best start while Brelsford had to elbow his way to the second spot. Nichols did a brilliant job of keeping the door closed and Scott was getting furious. With two laps to go Brelsford overdid it, going wide and squirrelly. He lost several bike-lengths, and ultimately, the race. Gary Caldwell mosied home an easy third. (Results on page 24) Mathis on his Yamaha, who had a fun day. He was the' only 125 Senior so he was able to play all day. The first 250 race saw a real battle between R. Burns and K. Graham, both Ossa-mounted. Graham won the f11'st and third mo to with Burns pushing all the way. In the second moto Graham was leading when his bars came loose. By the time he got them up and going again, Bums was gone for the win, and the overall brass. Graham held for fifth in that moto and second for the day. The second division of 250's ended in a three way tie for fU'St, with none of the winner receiving a fU'St place moto win. Consistency is still the name of the game. Bob Martin on his Ossa, B. Wilkerson on his Ossa and Jim Powers aboard his Bul shared the win. The 250 Senior class was undoubtedly the fastest of the day as Jerry Willmon captured it on his CZ. Dave Boydstun pushed Jerry part of the way on his Maico while winning the 250 Intermediate class. There will not be a race on June 20, It will be postponed until June 27th. (Results on page 24) Troy To Smith By Art Loya SOUTH GATE, CAL., June 10,1971 Chris Smith, 19, of Alta Loma, who has been making like a Gene Romero lately, won the 250 F.T. Main at Trojan Speedway over one of the toughest fields to show this season. Another Senior, Danny Corbett, garnered a spot in the winner's circle with Smith, by turning back another strong contingent of top riders in the 250 TT Main Event. Smith, a Montesa rider, needing all the tricks in the book to defeat Jeff Sexton (Mai) of Upland, pressured both Smith and Corbett to the last lap in both events. Although only sixteen years old, Sexton made a big impression on all the hot-shoes. Following Sexton, who was second in the TT Main,was Hopkins (Bul), third and Scott (Bul), and Rick Isbell (Ossa), fourth and fifth. A $300 purse was divided among the Seniors. From the turnout of riders, a large purse appears to be the answer to providing fans with great shows. Whittier's Bob Sanders won most everything he entered, scoring wins in the 100 TT, 100 F.T. and 125 F.T. Main Events not to even mention the 100 TT, lOP F.T. and 125 F.T. trophy dashes. He rode a potent Kawasaki. Only in the 125 TT Main, was it tum-about for Sanders as this time around, Sanders chased his only competitor, Tom Doty (Hon), across the finish line and at the same time found out what it is like to taste his opponent's smoke. (Results on page 24) Cerritos to Opel C,de Pari JUle 19 fe.,.,i., f.rope's Top .i"ers * Jeff Smith * Dave Bickers England England England Sweden .Sweden Sweden - * Stuart Nunn * Keit Fransn * Krister Lindblom * Jan-Erick Saellquist AMA & FIM SANCTIONED LICENSES REQUIRED PRACTICE: RACING: BSA CZ CZ Husqvarna Husqvarna Husqvarna CLASSES: 250cc INTERNATIONAL 500cc National 9:00 am 1:00 pm CERRITOS, CAL., June 10, 1971 This city will be opening a 40-acre Cycle Park on June 19, states Robert Meyer, Superintendent of Parks. The park will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.rn. every day during the summer, and on weekends all year around. Located on the east side of Bloomfield Avenue, just north of Del Amo Boulevard, the park will have a low admission charged to each rider per day. Cerritos Cycle Park was conceived by the Cerritos City Council, and was laid out by Robert Meyer, who has been an old desert racer for many years, and Mark Rickels, En~neerinl!: Associate. It UL-T== MAIL PRE·SALE TICKETS '$4.00 TICKETS AT TRACK $5.00 ORDER BIG BORE 360ee to 410ee, 100ee to 133ee DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 5 north towards Bakersfield to Hwy 125. The track entrance is 2 miles off Hwy 126. 3% gal Sherpa S-T/PurSang tanks & skid plates CUSTOM ENGINE WORK STOCK BULTACO PARTS SPEED EQUIPMENT WRITE FOR FREE PRICE LIST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: INTER·AMERICAN RACING 4790 Palm Avenue La Mesa, California 92041 (714) 460·1281 Jan La Rue "Home of the fastest dirt bike in the USA" Call or write for details - mail order O.K. PUMFREY BULTACO 21819 Sherman Way, Canoga Park (213) 887 -7696 should be noted that members of the city staff as well as members of the City Council and Planning Commission are cycle riders. The park will provide a 3/4 mile motocross course plus a small TT type track. The park will be supervised by old pro Enduro and Desert riders who will be available to give riding and cycle set-up tips. It is hoped that a monthly moto-x competition can be set up for the local hot shoes. At the present time, the Cycle Park will be limited to cycles of 125cc displacement or less. This may be increased to 250cc at a later date. A few 0 f the rules that will be enforced are: 1) All cycles must have mufflers; 2) All riders must wear shoes and helmets; and 3) NO PIT RACING. .. Most Powerful .. MAleC .. .. .. COOPER MOTORS .. .. West 01 Mississippi 110 E. Santa Anita A••• Burbank, Ca. 91502 .. CllI . CIt :z:: : :I !!: . ~ CIQ ~~\ ji.michrome Sinnes Suddenly " E :'\.he oL<-_ \ ~ /I' . 51 ml chrome i. a hon.y CI ... s quick as a bunny OMPETITION Tub. S1 CHEMICALS Can ».45 713 Est•• St....t Iowa Falls. Iowa 50126

• Cover