The American hopes rested with CZ rider Brad Lackey of Nothern California.
In the second mota, Lackey got the lead into turn one and held off some of Europe's best. Photo by Jim Brooks.
By John Bethea
CARLSBAD, CAL., Sept. ,19, 1971 - Bob Grossi was visably
upset. "Jeez, I wish I could race in this one!" His eyes scanned
the program which had broken down the purse; $1,800 for first
overall. That's what he had won at Evel Knievel's biggie last
spring. But Bob was hindred by a cast and he couldn't race; he
wasn't the only one.
.
Many of the Europeans, notably Joel Robert and Roger
DeCoster, had hoped to jump the Atlantic for a starting position
on the line for the first United States Grand Prix Motocross here
at Carlsbad Raceway, but contract agreements made early in the
year were unbreakable. So, they and many more didn't show.
Those that did show, however, displayed all the tenacity of
Dave Bickers' apparently surprising statement, "When I ride over
here, I try harder. Over in Europe it's a big game, and it's a lot of
fun." But today, Bickers indeed did try harder.
In the first moto, while Sylvain Geboers continually failed to
find a way around the leading Torlief Hansen, Bickers was
charging up through the ranks after a very poor start; so poor, in
fact, that he was running 17th on lap three. He finished a
creditable fifth, took a third in the second, and ended the day
with a second to finish third overall.
"I'm getting too bloody old for this," he joked at the finish
line while dousing himself with a cup of water. He'd said this
often in the past but never really meant it. Today, the fatigue
showed on the 17-year veteran, but he still wasn't really pushed
as some of the fellows were, especially with the water hole a
third of the way around the course.
(Please turn to page 6)
Triumphant in the lst U.s. Grand Prix is Sylvain Geboers. Belgian Suzuki star.
CiCLENEWS
2499 Cai i llUsAve.
~hoto
by Jim Brooks.
Ne-.rspaper
