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/125743
.... ell J.N., CLARK GRAB DUAL DESERT WINS ",' . Q. '" ~ w Z W ..J U >U By Dick Wright CALIFORNIA CITY, CAL., Sept. 5, 1971 - The first race of the day for the AmateurfExperts was the Open Class, on the tight choppy 10-mHe course of the Gripster'. It was 8 a.m. and there was such a haze that the dust didn't clear away and you couldn't see thirty feet in front of you. But the big bikes were getting with it and who should lead it tllrough the pits after the first loop but J . . Roberts on his Husky. Second man in was a big guy who has been com;ng on strong lately, Bill Bogner on a well-tuned C-Z. Next came Rkh Thorwaldson on his Suzuki. These three left the rest of the pack and that's the way it finished, Robert, Bogner, and Thorwaldson. First Amateur went to Bob Kusekl who was looking good. The 250 AmfEx. go was a wild affair. After the first loop the first man through was Larry Pfutzenretuer on his Bultaco. Next cam Jeff Wright on his 125 Rickman, then came the pack, but after that everything broke loose. Pfutz did a big endo, and Wright took over the lead when he lost the wire off his coil and dropped out. Cordis Brooks came through in the lead on his 125cc Carabela, and ne was able to hold the lead all the way for a big win. Second man through was Rick Shirey, on a Yamaha, Jerry Kindervoge1 (Kaw) was next, followed by Jerome Ruzicka (AJS). The IOO's went offat 10:00 a.m. and Terry Clark on a Baja did his thing ag.un taking the win with Mitch Mayes picking up the second spot, Larry King, No. 127, was the first Amateur on a hot Rickman. After the lunch break the AmfEx. An overly enthusiastic Gripster flags Tim Clodr. who was top Amateur Heavyweight if> the Stump Jumpers' bash. group moved over to the Stump Jumper's course. The starting area to the smoke bomb was like a drag race on a six-lane fire road. The 500 AmfEx's. went off and the top man in the desert, J.N. Roberts, grabbed an early lead and held it all the way for the win. This time Rich Thorwaldson got a better start and took second. Tom Muto was able to move up to third and Bill Bogner took fourth on (Results on the C.Z. Agajn, Bob Kusekl took first Amateur wIDch made for a very good day for mm. Next up was the 250's and the fltst man to the smoke bomb was Jeff Wright (Ric). Wright had a good lead through the pits and Pfurzenretuer was running second. Wright was having bad luck as he seized it up going out on the second loop and Pfurz took over the lead and held it all the way for the mn. page 28) Sidehacks in the desert. Ralph Whitney and John Jacobson won the Stump-Jump leg while Ralph's youngsters Tom and Pete took second on a Greeves rig. NOYICES: TWO FOR GILBE T By Alice Rhea CALIFORNIA CITY, CAL., Sept. 5, 1971 - There wasn't a breath of ill to stir the dust that hung like fog over the valley and around the course as the Novice Trailbikes cranked up for tne Stump Jumpers' side of the Dual European Scrambles. Dust was so thick around the home check that nobody knew where anybody else was. Looked like Bob Rutten (Hod) took first place, followed by Garry Charters (Hod). Bob Gilbert, a 250 Novice, came flying past the bomb on his almost-brand-new Bultaco and went into those broad flat whoop-dee-doos so fast and ou t of shape that we guessed he was either a stunt man putting on a show or his throttle was stuck wide open and he couldn't fmd the brakes. "That's the last we'll see of that guy!" one spectator exclaimed. But around he came ag.un, looking in better snape and out in front and went on to take first. Second place Jim Freman (Oss) and third place Mike Gibson (Bul), also did some interesting tricks for the spectators. Back at the home check we watched 500 Novice Terry Talley (Hus) take first followed by Rex Coday (Hus) and Don Dunning (Suz). Trail Novice Jeff Fries, riding a 90cc Suzuki held a heated battl.e with Rudy Abele (H-D). Rudy got by Jeff in a comer but did an endo and tore off hU silencer and rear fender brace and called it quits. Jeff came on to take first overall and also got his last transfer ride. Guess well be seeing Jeff line up mth the AmfEx. Trws in a couple of weeks. After Jeff came C. Mullet (Yam), J. Davis (Ric) and Gale Tyler (Hod), although not necessarily in that order. Gilbert took first place for the second time today in the Gripsters' 250 Novice race, also getting the last transfer ride he needed. Bob is pretty happy with his Bultaco and with his leg, which some other motorcycle racer broke for him while he was watching the race at Bay Mare last year. "I'm just glad they didn't make that race on lap longer," Bob said. "I don't think 1 could have made it around ag.un." Hot on Bob's heels came M. Kotrba (Aus) and a short time later T. Martin (BuI). Clyde Utton (Hus), got his first 500 Novice win. . Everybody had a great ride and got so hot and tired they were cross-eyed. We all enjoyed the .free snow cone the Stump Jumpers gave to everybody who signed up for their race. That was nice, felIas; good, too. A very special thanks to Morty Gomez of the Gripsters and Bud O'Connor of the Stump Jumpers for their valuable assutance. I really couldn't have gotten the results without them, short of throwing ~ cans at the Novices and knocking them down to get their names. Members of both clubs were most helpful and cooperative. (Results on page 28) "You heard me right. buddy. Two bits or your card doesn't get markec"" Bob Gilbert won both Novice Lightweight events today. Fatality' Mars Enduro Run RED MOUNTAIN, CAL., Sept. 5, 1971 - Darwin McGill, an enduro rider from the Central California area, died during the San Bernardino enduro today. Darwin was a resident of Arroyo Grande, Calif. McGill was riding the third loop of the very tough run when he crashed on a l'ocky hill. There were two reports of the acciden t, one m.un taining tha t he collided with another rider, the other thaI he simply fell off the bike, apparently unconscious. Rescue 3 removed him to Ridgecrest hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Two of IDS four children were at the race with him. He is survived by his mfe, Glenda, and their four children. Services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 8, in Modesto, Calif. Pete Ball and Tim Amerall were McGill's teammates in this enduro, but neither were riding with him at the time of the accident. Tim Amera11, cOl1lfl1enting on the event said, "It was very bot. Darwin started the third loop about eight m;nutes late and m;ght have been trying to make up time. It was a very tough race for us. We're used to the Northern enduros, but we had been enjoying it up to that point." He also said that although they were all classed as novices that Darwin was a good rider.