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/125734
M TMIA Converts MX Tracie to ST By Janis Randall JUNCTION CITY, ORE., June 26,1971 - This track is quite similar to Asbury Park in Albany, Ore., but is a little smaller. The club that puts these short track races on is the Territorial Motocross Racing Association. They put on great motocrosses in the winter to help subsidize the summer races. This track is located about 20 miles north of Eugne, Ore., and runs on a bi-weekly schedule until late August. This gives Eugene area riders an excellent short track on a weekly basis. Practice opened tonight at 7 o'clock and riders found the track cushiony in turns 3 and 4 and a groove track in tum 1 and 2. This unusual condition resulted in numerous embarrassing spills, but this condition improved by the time the main events were fun. Of interest to many, is that the wheel stand contest paid $50 to the winner, Tom Harmon on his Bultaco, but he had to earn it with a trip into the boonies after running the length of the straighaway and part of the first turn. Tom later went on to a third in the 200 B Main Event. Bill Oliver started his series of run-away wins in a come from behind fashion, in the 100 Main, winning also the 250 Trophy Dash and A Main. The 250 class provided some fantastic racing with a lot of spills from front running riders. In the A Main John Schoonover was leading by a mile when he slid out, turning the lead over to Bill Oliver and his potent Suzuki who went on to win. But, in the meantime, front runners Mike Bailey and Charles Andrews, both Ossa mounted, were forced out due to falls. Second place fell to Jack Heater with Mike Hubbs close behind, both Bultaco mounted. The Main was led by Richard Schoonover, John's brother, until passed by both Leon Medeiros, and Russell Johnson. Medeiros, riding an antiquated but extremely fast 250 Honda wen t on to a startling win with Johnson and Schoonover falling into the four stroke wake. The C Main was led by Craig Randall on another antiquated by extremely fast 250 Honda, riding incidentally, out of the same shop as Medeiros, (Honda of Eugene, owned by former national number 4 Gene Thiessen), until he slid out causing a restart. Bryce Knabe won on a Yamaha, fonowed by Randall. The Open class went to Jimmy Tallman and his Triumph, who has not lost a race at Ben ton-Lane this year. Charles Standeford, riding an unfamiliar Maico took second in front of his friend Jack Davenport, on a CZ. Both these riders ordinarily ride BSA Goldstars, but gave them up for the reliability of their two-strokes. The Open B Main found a 40 inch Yamaha ridden by Doug Hamblin, being pressured by yet another 250 Honda, ridden by Tom Montgomery. This was Tom's fITSt race in over a year and it looked as th ough he hasn't lost his touch, especially considering the cc disadvan tage 0 f 400. An interesting note concerns an Open class Semi Main. The third place rider fell and was hit by a following rider. A by-stander rushed onto the track and was hit by another rider, and two more riders fell avoiding th e confusion. This is a sad reminder to keep off the track even if you mean well. (Results on page 28) SACRAMENTO CANCELLED MILE The American Motorcycle Association sanctioned 25-lap one-mile dirt track National Championship scheduled Sept. 19 at Sacramento, Calif., has been cancelled. > '"5 .., ~ w Z W ...J U > U BURRES TOPS S EWINDERS' TT By N. A. Williams CLACKAMAS, ORE., June 25,1971 The track looked in good condition at the Sidewinders' Pro IT, but broke up badly as the 51 riders tried for a share of the $1200 purse. The track crew worked hard before the race and during the races they worked between events - smoothing out ruts and so forth. Even though the track was rough some good times were turned in, wi th Sonny Burres (Tri) clocking a 15.63 and Bill Elder stopped the clock at 15.66. In one of the Expert semis, Jane Potter went down at the top of the hill and his bike caught fire. It flamed brightly for a few minutes but was put out with little damage being done. Ed Herrmann (Tri) had the lead and was looking good in the Expert Trophy Dash when he hit a bad spot in the track and crashed. This let the win go to Burres. Ed tried hard again in the main but Jimmy Jones' (Tri) got out into the lead at the start and held it all the way. Ed was in second most of the time but Burres moved in front of him for a lap or two near the half-way mark. Mark Williams (Tri) was back in the pack until the last lap. He moved up and around both Burres and Herrmann to take FORMER TT CHAMP CLARK WHITE DIES Clark White, Jr., 1961 National IT Champion and a consistent big track winner from 1957 to 1964, died of a cardiac arrest in San Louis Obispo, Calif., onJune 27 at the age of 36. White's number 77 and blue/white colors were a familiar sight in the winner's circle on the Pacific Coast and National major IT race scenes up until the start of 1965 when a back injury from a fITst of the year event caused his retirement. The handsome, husky White was a J .C. Agajanian favorite and crowd pleaser as he held many track records at one time, including the Ascot 100-lap Championship. His farm boy strength and stamina made him particularly effective on dirt tracks. He had many exciting wheel to wheel battles with the outstanding riders of that time, such as Dick Dorrstein, Dick Hammer, Jack O'Brien, Skip Van Leeuwen, etc. He was included with top riders Sid Payne and Don Palmer as a trio referred _to as "The Bakersfield Bomb Sq uad ". WhIte was a cotton rancher during his riding times. In 1970 he moved to San Luis Obispo and became a mobile home park developer. Survivors include his wife, Roma, and three teenagers. Contributions are being made in his name to the Heart Fund. second at the flag. The Junior Trophy Dash went to Mike McCall (Tri) but Mike had trouble in the Main and took third. The winner of the Main was Randy Scott, who had gone down with his Triumph in time trials and did not make the Dash. The Novice Dash winner was Mike Thompson on his Yamaha. Mike's number 17q has been around most of the races and this week he also placed well in the Main. Mike finished second with Ron Olson (Kaw) fmishing in first place. Bob Block (Yam) finished third in this, his second class Crace. (Results on page 28) New desert demonstration rides: FOR Suzuki 400 MX; BSA 500 MX; AJS Stormers; Montesa Cappras SUZUKI CITY 728 So LaBr.., Inglewood, Calif. 90301 1 674-1431 213) ) Hodaka Montesa Greeves Motorcycles HODAIlA-.ILlTY see your local HODAKA dealer Distributed by Tiger Distributing 653 W. Broadway, Glendale, Ca. 91204 .... lII~eIf, ~~r~::nSport Guy R. Louis Cycle (4) 893-1051 7574 Westminster Ave., Westminster, Ca. ' Mike Patrick's It .. 8) ..... YWHA of COIOIA 1101 E. 6th St. - Corona ... --- ... (4) 13~1121 • .aJa Wins a ain! Hilltoppers Hare Scrambles June 20. 1971 100cc Class 1st Terry Clark - BAJA 100 (8th Overall) J r····· ..... Mail Order Blank·········: ~ D & S Motorcycle Carriers 3332 Reta St .• La Crescenta. Calif. 91214 Dealer Inquiry Invited (213) 248·2837 or (213) 248-2850 : : : : 1. Mounts to (rame, not flimsy bumpers 2. Cars, trucks, motor homes, trailers, campers 3. 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