Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

~ w Z W -J (,J > (,J aY111 I.w. "America's No. 1 weekly motorcycle newspaper. You'll always see it FIRST in Cycle News!" GROOVIN' Highway grooving in the state of Washington has been brought to my attention several times in the past as being a hazard or potential hazard to motorcyclists. I h·ave written Mr. V. L. ,Dorsey, P.E., Assistant Director of Highways for Maintenance in the state of Washington regarding this situation. In all fairness to Mr. Dorsey, he has been very co-operative and has made . every effort to satisfy me. In spite of this, he cannot concede that there is a problem. He has checked with the Assistant Chief of the Washington State Patrol and the Traffic Safety people and has found no report of a motorcycle being involed in an accident in .the vicinity of the grooved sections of paving. Still, I continue to get complaints concerning this particular situation. I have discussed this problem with Mr. Lewis Buchanan of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and have received splendid co-operation from him as well. The people in Washington that he has discussed this with are willing to take necessary action, if we can prove that there is, in reality, a hazard resulting from this type of highway grooving. If you or any of your readers are aware of an accident resulting from this situation, I would appreciate your contacting me at the American Motorcycle Association, P.O. Box 231 in Worthington, Ohio, 43085. I will need as many facts as possible, including date and time of accident and w!J.ether or not th ere was prop,erty damage or an injury serious enough to make a report to local law enforcement officers. The American Motorcycle Association is deeply concerned with the safety of all motorcyclists. If there is a problem in the state of Washington concerning highway grooving, let us find out about it and do something to correct it. I realize that highways in the state of Washington are' grooved in sections of roads that indicate a high accident rate. Ordinarily, these sections ate curved and would require a reduction in speed. When en<;ountering' a grooved 'section, the speed would be further reduced if the control of a motorcycle became unstable. If an accident did result there would not necessarily have to be enough physical damage to make a report to the Highway Patrol. If this has happened toyou, I would appreciate your informing me. Help us to make motorcycling a safer sport for all concerned. CHETWINTER AMA Legislative Director HE SHOULD KNOW I would like to make a correction on a very well done and completereport on the Ontario National. -, Kenny Roberts did not hole a piston due to a fuel starved engine, but due to a blown cylinder base gasket. His bike had over a half gallon of gasoline left with only a lIttle over one lap to go. We did extensive fuel consumption tests prior to the Ontario Week and had "calculated the number oune,eo per lap. An addition is due from your October 19th issue. In your Ontario Summary you list Dick Mann, Don Emde and Tom Rockwood as the only three to fmish both previous 200 mile nationals in the top ten. How could you overlook colorful Dave Smith on his Yamaha: ninth at Daytona, eighth at Talladega and now fifth at Ontario? DON VESCO San Diego, Calif. PLACE TO PIT , I have a good many acres of ground here, in Newberry Springs at the corner of Interstate 40 (old 66) and Fort Cady Rd. I have a one acre lake, plerity of water and a large space laid ou~ for camping. This place would make an ideal place for some M.C. to 'plan a -j Publ~her',. , .. '• .. : Charles Clayton Business Ma..nager ', Sharon Clayton General 'Manager Tom Culp Managing Editor ' John Bethea Assistant Editor David Swift Circula~ion Manager Rheba Smith Circulation Ass't Marla Tarbet Production Manager Ed Drechsler Production Assis~ant . , .. Phil Stranske Advertising Assistant .. Barbara Richard Bookkeeper . . . • .... .. Dorqtllea Lang Bookkeeper Ass't. . Eleanor Duke Lab Technician Larry Groves halfway check and pi~ stop for a long race. I am an old TT rider from the 30's and I could fIX up a good deal with some club that would be interested in contacting me. I would be able to supply'them with water and electric swimming and fIShing if they so desired. I wouli:i be more than happy to talk,to any'C1u'b who wowd be interested in contacting me in reg,ards to this matter. I would be happy if you could spread the word around to the cluGs you are in contact with. JOHN W. CROSS . P.O. Box 141 Newberry Springs, Ca. 92365 FOUL PLAY! At the Check Chase at the third gas pit at Vidal, all of the riders pushed their bikes across the highway. John McCowan, 735 Heavyweight Novice, Cycle News East, Dixie Cycle News, and National Advertising information: Tom Culp, National Advertising Director. '. Cycle News (West):P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, California 90801. (213) 427·7433 - L.A. 636-8844. . TELEX NO. 673-47,4 Sybscription: One year 2nd class mail 2 years 2nd class mail 3 years 2nd class mail Single copy price . . . ~ ~ · .$9.00 · $15.00 · $18.00 . . $.30 and they arrived about an hour before the start. "This is what I call a real trooper." ~NVADER VICKIE SERVES 'EM RIGHT Just returned from Oak Creek moto-x where in spite of horrible weather the turnout of riders and spectators was terrific, and great racing was the order of the day . The last race of the day (prior to the Team Race) was the final heat of the 125,Jrs. They were on the line waiting for the flag when out of nowhere came three "shoes"?? on Dig bikes and took off in front of them. These big bike riders evidentally thought they were such great riders they could justjractice in front of the 125 Jrs. - 0 course they were completely inconsiderate of the dust they were leaving in the faces '~'races Published weekly except' tHe firs~ and ' last week of the calendar year by Cycle Nl!)iVs,lnc., Post Office BOl( 498, Long I:leach, California, also publishers of Cycle News East, and Dixie Cycle News. Secpnct Class PoSta~ paid at Long Beach, Calif. Editorial stories, cartoons, photos, etc. are welcome. Addressed stamped envelope assures return of editorial maner. Reprinting in whole or in part only' by permission of the publishers. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon request. See S.R.D.S. MUST THANKS On September 5, 197'1, at Red Mountain Enduro, held by the San Bernardino M.C., my brother' Darwin , McGill was killed in an accident. Our family would like to convey our most deepest thanks to those riders who tried ,to help my brother. ,We don't know who they all are, but some riders stayed with him and Dennis Adams, (the other rider that was injured in the collison), and who though seriously injured himself tried to help him. . ' Others were bringing 'up water to him and also to Tom Burke and the Rescue 3 team who brought him out; to the man who went back after his bike and to the man who kept it at his home and to the S.BM.C. for their beautiful flowers and warm letters of sympathy. Thank you and God bless ¥ou all: • . --~ MRS. YVONNE BALL The Darwin McGill Family Modesto, Calif. EMULATE "OAS" VOICES OF, TB·E WE.ST also jumped 'off and pushed across. But Cookie, 7351'. Heavyweight dog Expert~ did not jump off the bike and cross Oil foot like all of the other riders. Cookie should be disqualified and lose half of his 'p oints. If the dog Cookie had not finished so well and beaten John McCowan by a nose, I would not have brought this matter up. WES ANDERSON SR. Los Angeles, Calif. RACE GREAT, TROPHIES.•. ? BUT This is just a note to let you know that I am very disappointed with the race the Checker M.C. sponsored on' Oct. 23 from Indio to blue-water. The race-course was well though t out and hard enough; this 1 have no gripe abou t. The sponsorinll: club just totally blew it in the trophy presentation part. The 1st place overall up to the lOth place overall got the exact same cheap trophy, if that's the definition of this thing they , gave them. The only difference is the fll'st place finish got a contingency award, six or eight spark plugs, WOW! You should have seen the look of total despair on the faces of men getting trophies. Their "chip and dip' dish" didn't have enough writing on it to fill a thimble. No race or place of finisli was even on it. One fellow broke the' dish off and Idled the plaque with a beer can, "Hell, I've found a IlSt: for th~. dang thing." . My only hope in writing this letter is in the hope you might print this and let the Checkers M.C. know I am very disappointed to say the very lellSt. LARRy PENTON LakeWood, Calif. CHECK CHASE OR BUST: Delbert Pragncll, who is a member of the Invaders M.C., set out around 8 o'clock Friday night for the race. His journey· took him as far as Riverside where 'his truck blew up on the freew,.y, but' bound and determin!,d to race the Check Chase he took his bike with his number plate and faced it toward the oncoming traffic with his riding gear and gas cans' and proceeded to thumb his way to the race. :Around 6 o'clock Saturday morning, one kind soul who also was going to. the race picked him up of the front running 125's. Well, it took less than one lap and the, two front running 125 Jrs. caught up with one of th~ "super heroes" on a 400 Maico, and the ding-a-ling succeeded in bouncing back and forth across the tracK. and woulqn't let the 125 Jrs. pass. Finally the two leaders stayed on his a- so tight he unloaded pretty hard right in the path of the No.2 125 Jr. who crashed into him. After another lap the flagman got the "super heroes" off the track and the race was restarted. 1 don't know who the "hero" was on the 400, but I sincerely hope his bike got bent up good and he has enough , aches and pains to last· him for several weeks. Considering that he had a nice head . start and was on a 400 machine and that two 125 J rs. caugh t him and worried him into crashing, maybe his humiliation will be so great he)1 never show up at another race -, hopefullY that is. L. G. BlrJPUNGMEIER _ " Ridgecr,~t, Calif. HAR(DllEV GRE~YES My friend, Bob Hershey, and I have a disagreement as to what bike Mert La_ill is riding at the end of the movie, "On'"Any' Sunday". I lay it is a Harley-Davidson, he Ays it is a Greeves, ,who is right? JEFF ROBERTSON IN oodland HDIs, Calif. Actu~ly, it is. "Harteeves". It's lOt. Harley tank with the rest Greeves. Tie 10es to the winner...Ed. FIRST AND LAST IN ONE . The Sacramento Chapter of the American Federation of Motorcyclist is about to put on its lll'St road race in some seven years. The race will be the AFM'slast pointS race of th,e season so we expect a large turnout. It will be held at Vaca Valley Raceway on November 7th with .sign·ups at 8:00, practice at 9:30 and the first race at noon. We will run all classes for trophies including sidecars and Northern California's Ill'St Thumper race for I 26cc to Open. JEFF FULWEILER' Pres. AFM Sacramento, Calif." This is in reponse to Greg Goldsmiths' response to my letter of Sept. 28 your advertising? ·Mr. Where's Goldsmith - for months, we were assailed with a pink and red poster advertising "On Any Sunday" - the rider was depicted in many shades' of red and pink - and, although he looked like he was bouncing off a Chinese gong" (instead of the usual berm) we, in the far reaches of the Costa Mesa-Newp-ort area - had el)ough time, through advance advertising,' ..iid publicity, 't(1 r plan t\' ,see the p;t'1'u'te'Y. .,: ...... Anyway, thank the Olympia Brewmg Co. for me, and tell them I'm plartning on changing from my usual milK baths to beer - if that will help! ,. ADELE 'SALIN SKY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF During what YFars I've been riding, one thing which f've come to detest is, a snivelling letter in Cycle News. It therefore embarrasses me to fInd that sucI\. letter was written on my behalf by a person I know. Her intentions were good, but she wasn't VerY suave in her actions. 'I think your paper as a general rule does an excellent job of covering race events. 'And the Four Aces put on an excellen trace. JAMES HALL, 109x Los Coyotes M.C. a TO A HUSBAND OF A PPer: I'm sorry that I'm.only human and that I have faults like a quick temper. Yes,. true, I cOitlJ:'1ai!1ed. Haven't you ' ever been mad? I m just 'ge~ng ,over a" broken foot and that was my fIrst race since I've had it out of the cast. I felt I had a good chance' for a win. I was mad at myself for doing something stupid like leaving the line..:·But instead of. complaining to mystlf I could only .. think to complain to Dicit Camp. What I thought Was unfair was the two lap moto. OK, there were only two girls on the line, I was off looking .for a' glove and the other girl was helping an injured rider. Protest was just a word .that came up be.cause someOne said , there had' to be at least th,ree: laps in a moto, not because the starter didn't wait for me, that's not the name of 'the ,game. Like I said ;'t was due to my own miscalculation. I figured 1 had at least ten minutes while the other moto was going on. I think that it's neat that the clubs let the girls ride in our o}"n class. (Which is something the. desert girls don't get.) I love to. ride and I want things to be good. The Endoes M.C. will be giving a race 'soon, and I am sure we will hear .about all the baddies we do. I also'don't think David Swift should be put down. H;e's only trying to help. NANCY PAYNE ·918m

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