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
> :; .., ~ w Z W ...J U >- U By Bill Brokaw Photos by Annie Brokaw DENVER, COLO. July 4, 1971 - The Inter-AMA Viking Motocross series came to Denver and the locals had their day. Entered in the 250cc International class were three local riders, nine from England and Europe, and the balance of the 31 entries from all parts of the USA. The Boulder Ridgerunners hosted the event at their Coal Creek Raceway. The weather was clear and warm. The girl watching was superb. For intermission entertainment a house burned down within sigh t of the track. Dust was a severe problem since the Eastern side of the Rockies has had little rain in recent weeks. This seemed to make the riders starting efforts even more determined. With the snap of the Bungee cord it was up over the high jump, banging off one another and down around the off camber left sweeper to the roller coaster and out of sight of most spectarors. When the riders reappeared people soon started running as if there' had been a crash. But it was to gain better van tage since Denvers' own Gary Myers was in front on his Husky and charging hard. Gary Jones, Yamahas' ace, was on his heels and pressing for a pass. Myers lead held for 7 minutes. Jones passed but later fell. Rickman mounted Marty Tripes was awaiting his moment in a close third and after J ones fen he took the lead from Myers. Jones had recovered from his spill and was in third before he passed Myers on the last lap. Tripes, Jones and Myers had left fourth Winner of the first and third National motos. Doug Grant. goes high. ;. . ~ '\ p-.t.-.; .. . "_ Keit Fransn, Swedish Husky rider who won overall, holds the lead over DeWayne Jones. Mike Basi Winsl Mike says: -CA direct quote from Mike, himself!) I hadn't won a main event this year ... and then I switched to a Safetech Helmet ... and I won because: A) "I Gol a good slart" B) "I could see beller" C) "I could hear whal my engine was doing" Opening night at Ventura Fairgrounds, Mike Bast and his brother Steve went 1-2 in the Main using Safetech total coverage helmets. ~ • 5 I Fit ob • • ~ I .... ,." ...,-,.., 'HI5 MINNESOTA AVENUE PARAMOUNT. CAliFORNIA 90'23 (".) • Sa/etech Helmets are distributed throughout the west bv The Flanders Company, 340 S. FAIROAKS Pasadena, California 91005 , place Vlastirnil Vale~ (CZ) of Czechoslovakis in the dust, along with the other overseas riders. The spectators were stunned. After the put down the overseas boy, got in the flTst 250 moto they came back with blood in their eyes; probably blood shot from the dust. Out of the starting charge came Keith Fransn (Hus) of Sweden, Valek of Czech, Jim Pomeroy (Bul) from Yakima, Chris Horsfield (CZ) of England and Barry Higgins (CZ) from Schenectady, N.Y., in that order. The most notable developments of the race was Jan-Erik Saellquist (Hus) of Sweden when he decided that dust was not much different from mud in your eyeballs and charged from eighth to third_ Pomeroy dropped way back from the leaders. Fransn and his Husky, after finishing a third on the way back in the field in the first race was hitting the stride that would make him the overall winner of the day. The final race of the day had the Coloradans jumping for joy. Denvers' Maico riding Jim Wicks took the lead with Jan-Erik in hot pursuit. After a couple laps Wicks was passed and Jan-Erik looked inspired. A huge berm had developed on a tigh t left from th e years of racing at Coal Creek and Jan-Erik was using it in a wild fashion. It proved his undoing. In an explosion of dirt befitting the 4th of July he was down and Wicks was past. Bill Silverthorne (Hus) from Calif. nearly overtook him before he remounted. Jan-Erik started closing the gap on Wicks and the crowd went wild. Wicks b"ecame inspired by the prospect of this glamorous win and would give no quarter. That is the way it ended with Jim Wicks and Jan-Erik Saellquist far outpacing the rest of the field. When the points were tallied Keith Fransn had won.Saellquist was I 7 points behind for second and Wicks only two points down on Saellquist for third and flTst American. Marty Tripes was fourth and VaiastimiI Valek was fifth. Only 38 points separated the first five. The 500cc supporting class put on a good show with Lars Larson taking the win for Husqvama making it obvious what an experienced cool head can do. Colorado's John Meyer on another Husky was a few points behind Lars for second also with a consistent performance that is hard to beat. AJS mounted Doug Grant impressed the crowd with convincing wins in the first :J> , . , _ -..:'. ~~'"" 10, Jan-Erik. aellquist went down in the final mota but took second anyway. and third motos but tipped over on the first tum of the second moto which proved disastrous to his chances of a win. He finished third in points. (Results on page 28) INTERNATIONAL MOTOCROSS SERIES Since 1964, successful International Motocross events have been run in New Zealand. For some years, three overseas riders ch osen from England, Europe, U.S.A. etc. have been contracted to compete in the events. Such well known names as Jeff Smith, Dave Bickers, J.N. Roberts have all been successful candidates. However. as with all events of this nature an organizer for th e series is requited. Former organizer, Tim Gibbes can give anyone interested full details and support. Finance for organizing and running of the series is already available, together with possible sponsorships and proposed International rider prospects. Anyone - whether he lives within New Zealand - or outside of the country, in terested in becoming the professional organizer of further New Zealand International Motocross Series is invited" to contact the Secretary, Manawatu Orion Motor Cycle Club Inc., P.O. Box ~91. Paln;er,tonINw~ ew Zealand.