Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

TalS FRIDAY THE GENE ROMERO CHALLENGE The start of the next to last Inter·AMA. Fighting for the lead are Keith Franzen (7), Christer Lindblom (Jl. Steward Nunn (15) and VlastimilValek. Bickers Bags Biggie Bash!!!! By Charles Clayton LINVILLE, OillO, July 25, 1971 Reporting a motocross is like reviewing improvisational theater. The promoter produces a show, AMA directs and stage manages it and the riders are like actors ad·libbing their lines. The curtain went up on this week's Inter·AMA at beautiful Honda Hills, about 30 miles east of Columbus, Ohio. On opening night before the show, camped-out fans turned the Honda hillsides into a miniature city, lit up brigh ter than neighboring Linville. The spotlight focussed on the first supporting moto, starring Lars Larsson and his silver Husky. Lars trumpeted to a masterful win, followed hard by Gary Jones on his factory Yamaha. Gary Bailey on a new factory prototype Bultaco 350 was third. Lars did it again in the second Open moto, but Jones didn't come around trouble on the back stretch. Bailey agajn took an easy third, this time behind hot·hauling Gordon Bowden of Pennsylvania on a Sprite. With two wins to hjs credit, Lars stroked it in the third Open moto, finishing behind Bowden, who might have been unbeatable that moto in any case, so swift was his passage. Bailey was running second until a flat rear tire put him jn back. But, th.e feature show was the 250cc class, headed in the first two motos by easy·ridin~ Dave Bickers (CZ). Although the endmg was known by the curtain of the second moto, the third act, Jike a good play, held the most· excitement. Mark Blackwell of Hawthorne, Calif., took a starrjng lead, sending up a cheer that could he heard in the third balcony. Gunnar Lindstrom, who had followed Bickers in the first two acts, took over the point at halfway, not without difficulty, but soon coasted to a stop with a dead Husky. Blackwell had the lead again and made the best of it. He flat fled from Bickers, Keith Fransn and VIastimel Valek, who were having their own 3·way match far behind. Back in the pack, America's favorite Jim Weinert (Maj) was working his way up from a consistently bad start, gaining several places nearly every time around. Weinert didn't shut off For anything, and when he gets those AMA starts perfected, he'll be the one to beat. Also starring in the Inter·AMA extravaganza were Wayman Priddy of Texas, who fmished 9th behind a flock of Europeans and Norm Richens of Canada who took an overall 3rd in the Open class. West led the second 250 through half the heat until dropping out. Tore Jonsson got off on his face. Next and last Inter·AMA of the 'Series is this Sunday at Unadilla, .Y. It was moved there from Bridgehampton, Long Island at the last moment. (Results on page 28) At Midnight, Thursday, Gene Romero's suspension is lifted. At the TT National at Ascot on Saturday night, Gene was awarded his S200 check, despite the fact he was unable to ride. Gene, the sportsman he is, apologized to the fans for his absence at the TT and the previous night's Yamaha Gold Cup Half·Mile, and said that he will be at Ascot on Friday night. "I was aiming to win both nights," he said, "but I will be here next Friday, and anyone who beats me can take the purse money and my $200 check. But I am aiming to take it all!" With Gene will be most of the top National stars including Gold Cup winner, Jody Nicholas, and top National Dirt Rider, Dave Sehl, who is flying out a new factory Harley engine for the race. Be there for only $2.95 or $2.45 if you show your National ticket stub. . 1/2 MILE DIRT TRACK. TBE MOST SPECTACULAR SBOW IN L.A. ASCOTPARK,GARDENA TRIPPE. COX PROMOTION CALL 1213) 531·0479 or (213) 321·16101<" Illfo. IH6th Sl FIRST HEATS START 8.00 p. • Sanctioned by the AMA .aJa Wins again! Tom Laurion (95) faces off with Lars Larsson. DeSoto to Head Dunes $$ MX SAUGUS, CAL., July 26, 1971 - Many of tlLe top motocross riders in the United States are expected to be on the starting line for this weekend's Uuly 31 and Aug. 1) warfare on the Indian Dunes' obstacle course, says track promotion man John Grout. Walt James, general manager of the track, has doubled this week's purse money for the Senior-elass competitors in an effort to attract spectacular talent. Heading a fine list of entrants for Sunday's progrant will be John DeSoto, the "Flying Hawaiian." DeSoto has as yet to be defeated at Indian Dunes since he began riding his Suzuki 400. Some of the other riders, all of whom would like to nail DeSoto, are: Scott Hoffee, one of the Can·Am Motocross series leaders; Tom Rapp, the sensational young Bultaco rider who came within a snapped chain of whipping the European Experts four weeks ago at Indian Dunes; Tim Hart who has, in recen t weeks, been one of the most serious threats to the DeSoto domination; and Billy Clements, a Husky racer who' almost beat DeSoto in the Elsinore Grand Prix. Heading Saturday's AII·J unior events, will be 16·year·old Joe Granatelli from Northridge, a young rider who, along with his famous S.T.P. Bonanza Special, was recen tly responsible for winning nine of nine motocrosses at Indian Dunes. Racing gets underway both days at 9:30 a.m. H.B.T.Y. Motor sport double agent Gordon' Jennings turned 40 July 23. He even admi tted it. Hilltopper's M.C. European Scrambles July 25,1971 100 Expert/Junior Class .... 1st - Mitch Mayes - BAJA 100 '2nd - Terry Clark - BAJA 100 4th - Rich Mark - BAJA 100 the HarleyDavidson _ _ _~~~ou!!-'tllerformB~ '" ." '" "- .... '" M .,;, " U

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