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/125736
Gifford Leads Cal-Ex Locals ,... N > "S -, By Bruce C. Young SACRAMENTO, CALIF., July 9,1971 - The gentleman of the evening, Dave Gifford, was unbeatable from either the 40 yard line or the scratch line all night. His only hassle came from local rider Butch Corder in the Scratch Semi Final when Dave had to completely change his racing tactics to pass on the final lap to take the lead. The top local rider of the night was Sacramento's own Mike Rooney, who won his Handicap Heat to a standing ovation of the crowd. He went on to finish second in both the Handicap Semi final and the Handicap Main Event. Little Les Chankey got a lot of bad breaks and was unable to win as many races as he has in the past three weeks, but he still put together a few wins anyway. The locals seemed to do much better this evening by winning almost all the early races. Even the first-timers who were trying their luck st speedway came out in the winning circle. The match race tonight was set up and run by two top local riders, Joe Henry of Vickers Honda and Carl Cranke of Cycle Speed R&D. They started off close to each other but after one lap Joe stretched the lead out to take the win. The good sportsman award should be given to North Hollywood's Chuck Hatcher who loaned Dave Gifford his bike after Dave's machine gave up while leading the Handicap Semi-final. Good show, Chuck. (Results on page 28) ~ w Z W ...J U >- U Dave Gifford lit.) and Les Chenkey go hard at Sacramenlo's speedway. SRA MEETS IN SACTO SACRAMENTO, CAL., July 7, 1971 The Speedway Racing Association held its first meeting in Northern California tonigh t after the sport had its health y kickoff recently with th e regular Friday nigh t even ts at Cal Expo. On hand was SRA President Pete Palmer, who explained what future plans were in store for the Al Lauer events as well as other interesting facts to better understand all sides of the sport. A total of 30 en th usiastic riders attended with future meetings and participants sought. Herrmann Nips Burres a t Sidewinder's Pro TT By N. A. Williams CASTLE ROCK, WASH., July 3, 1971 - Ed Herrmann appeared to be in a good position to win tonight's Expert Pro TT Main Event, even when he was dicing away with Sonny Burres for the lead. But Burres, who spilled twice the nigh t before during the Oregon Sidewinders' TT, fought back from a poor start and was third in the early "oing. After passing Charlie Thielke (Tri) to take over second, Burres managed to take first on lap four, but Herrmann rallied back and regained the point half-a·lap later. Chuck Joyner had been back of the pack to this point, but was now. charging up, picking off riders. Meanwhile, Bill Elder (Tri) was running fourth watching the battle for the lead and suddenly caugh t an opening himself and he took over third. As Elder moved, so did Burres and Sonny picked off the point to eventually win. Herrmann was .-----------.I I I sonn" 1 t1 kenyon's cycles 1 9UL.T~C:O Sales servIce parts I I ~ I -E 1 0 I ·; ~ ~~.~ SPECIALIST 2594 Middlefield Road Mt. View, California 94040 1 1 1 1 I 1----------(415) 961-4399 second, Elder third and Thielke fourth. Joyner had moved up to sixth when the checkered appeared, not enough ground to pick off Squire Tomasie (Tri) however. The win capped a fine night for Burres, who also won the Trophy Dash. In their usual battle for the Junior Main win, Gary Kapus (Yam) and Randy Scott (Tri) faced off. Kapus took the early lead but Scott jumped out quickly and held on to win. Kapus continued to be pressured and this time Tony Perella (Nor) passed him to take second; Kapus finished third with Don Lipp (Yam) fourth. As the end of the Novice Main drew near, Jim Einarsson (H-D) and Eric Warner (Bul) got locked in a tight duel for the lead with the rest of the pack close behind and waiting for any mistake. Both riders rode well, however, and Einarsson held on to win with Warner second. (Results on page 24) Trio Ties in Senior Vie By Mike and Chuck Anderson SANTA MARIA, CAL., July 4, 1971 Former AMXT competitor Russ Darnell and Mike David, both riding Suzukis, both wound up in a tie with Maico riding Gary Chaplin while battling for the overall win in the Open Senior Motocross class at Spillway Park. Each rider took a 1st, 2 nd and 3 rd. John Grossini (Hus) churned his way to the overall win in the 250cc Senior class, the same position Greg Higgins (Bul) fmished with in the 125cc Senior. Of note was Mike Anderson's performance in the 250cc Junior class. Mounted on an AJS, Anderson tallied enough poin ts to win overall while riding with a silencer, the only winner of the day to do so. (Results on page 28) AJS->ilenced rider Mike Anderson at Spillway Park. Bay Areas Mike David lied Russ Darnell and Gary Chaplin for firsl al Spillway. GDDse Lf/hdS Witll Bf/hg # MOST ENTHUSIASTIC DEALER SELBY MOTORS A good place to buy a grea t motorcycle 346 EI Camino, Redwood City (415) 369-4112 By Jerry Shipman GOOSE HOLLOW, ORE., July 5, 1971 - The Fourth of July was officially over Sunday, bUI today the fireworks really exploded during the Grand Opening at the Goose. After long weeks of blood, sweal and tears everyone finally gOI things together with the lack of waler the one small hitch. However, after getting a second water pump repaired and finding another water hole, all ran so smoothly it even amazed Father Goose, promoter Fred Harris. Bob Lead\ (71) has tight squeeze. The track is over three-quarters of a mile long consisting of one giant, blind jump, one smaller downhill ju.mp, a series of off-camber hairpins, curves and a series of whoop-de-do's through trees and rough stuff. The best race of the day was the Open class between Bob Leach, Bill Cook and Rick Poulin. Leach has a curious habit of backing off then playing catch-up. In the third moto he let Poulin pass him but this time couldn't catch the Ossa. The 250 class was a Leach benefit with Bob taking all three motos, but not after Don Shaberg of Tillamook Cycle Shop threatened him before tiring. Rick Burgett (CZ) of Portland and Dan Zlack of Spanaway, Wash. (Oss), finished behind Bob. Burgett also finished second on a Yamaha in the 125 Expert class, ending a fme day. Bill Ehren placed first in that race on a Kawasaki, with Ken Buirley, Penton rounding out third place. During the Open rac.:, Bill Meuslin's 450 Ducati R{f endoed off the giant jump, bending the bike quite a bit, and bruising his ego, but a gift certificate at trophy presentation from the Cycle Haus of Salem helped him heal a little better. (Results on page 28)