Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

OPINION The Claiming .Game... And Why It Works -- By Charles Clayton When Robert Bailey paid $2,500 cash on the spot and took home a motorcycle that had just won $14,000 in an AMA road race, he was following an old and respected tradition in American - motorcycle racing called "keeping them honest." Essentially, motorcycle racing in this country gives everyone an equal chance to make his measure as a man in competition with other men. The machine, in AMA competition, is not as important as its rider or mechanic and to insure this the rules require that 200 copies of any given machine be available on the market to anyone who wants to buy. Further, to dissuade the rich from trying to purchase AMA racing glory with too many dollars worth of horsepower, every national caliber racing machine is arbitrarily valued at $2,500 and for sale to any fellow racer with that much cash. This attitude is the very foundation of AMA "Class C" (modified production) professional racing and to change it very much would result in the same dismal situation that European FIM-style'racing now finds itself in. There are still some relics from the past who believe that FIM road racin~, with its million-lira motorcycle one·offs was the way to go. Perhaps so, for them. But now that it has gone, we can see where it went: Maximum-money competition depleted the little manufacturers one by one and soon the whole thing was gobbled up by the really big spenders, the Japanese, and then they withdrew, leaving the European road racing scene in a shambles from which it is just beginning to recover, thanks, pointedly, to the adoption of some American Class C equipment rules. For the ,first time it becomes possible for a talented privateer like John Cooper to take the measure of the ,highly touted, millionaire sponsored Giacomo Agostini. And the crowd goes wild, for this is, not shallow, Ford V s. Cbevy competiqon. This is man against man at last. Which is more relevant sport? Further, -with modified production rules strictly enforced, new technology finds its way to ~e dealer's showroom quickly. The sooner the breed improves of the machines that I buy and ride. Until Bailey came up with tbe money to put where Wes Cooley's mouth is, there hadn't been a completed claim since someone forced the purchase of a winner on the old Daytona Beach course. He was ostracized for his efforts and to this day nobody seems willing to mention his name. Meanwhile the factory racing laboratories on wheels got more and more exotic as American distributors forgot about the claiming rule and apparently some of their European management never even heard of it. Finally the 1970 and 1971 Triumph and BSA factory Threes became so different from the showroom models as to be obvious. They were forced to sell their - winner to Bailey and then buy it back at a price that will probably never be disclosed. I hope that BSA Ltd. and everyone else profits from this exercise and I look forward to the AMA reaffirming the Class C claiming concept when the Competition Congress meets. the latest (Cont'd. from page 2) proceeded to knock every fin off CAL RA YBORN'S racer to hand out as souvenirs. * * * * * * When we dropped into ·the office last week, some of the editorial' staff waS giggling over a press release they had received from the Rainier Brewing Company. We're not out to poke fun at 'ern but in their release dated Oct. 22 regarding DICK BURLESON'S filing of entry for the Nov. 21 Trans-AMA at Puyallup, Wash., they mentioned he missed the intial three events because he is to represent America at the ISDT, "already underway at the Isle of Man off the coast of England." You mean they are running another one? .. ED.DIE MULDER kept very close track of his points all season. Results: Next year Eddie will wear his traditional number 12 again. Atta way, Squirrel! Don't overlook MARK BRELSFORD (7) or KEITH MASHBURN (19) either. Both keep their plates, too... * * * * * * JOHN COOPER may have won $20,000 (induding contingencies) at Ontario on his $2,500 bike, but he missed out on $100 from this newspaper because he didn't have a Cycle N.-s Stickie. Guess he really didn't expect to win. 'GEORGE JOHNSON'S new Rawhide Park is fmally "off and running" as he puts it. The park is located in Elsinore, Calif., two miles east of Highway 71 on Highway 74, then a quarter-mile south at Riverside Street. It will be open for dune buggies and bikes in six to eight weeks. Vandals have managed to wreck havoc on the place recently so it will take some doing to get it in order. * * * From The IFOA: New CB500 owners experiencing oily exhaust should request modified valve guides from their dealers. Also, dealers should be careful to check for stick valves before the machine is started to prevent possible damage. Finally, use extreme care when re-installing the oil pressure relief vlave cap or it might crack. Tighten from 7.2 to 100 foot·pounds. * * * ''Still More From The Same Guys: nere has been a change in the 750's connecting rods to "facilitate the manufacturing process". If the old ones are mixed with the new, vibration will cause problems. Check Honda Sef\'ice Bulletin 15Q No. ~ 1 for the ·comp.lete 24 . .. A.MX DISTRiCT ~i BULLE'TIN OCT. '71:'SPORTScoMMtrTEEO,CI\:7, 1971. " ~... _.... ~~.,. ... -SImi Valley's November Zlst scrambles date' rias be8n Chlln98d tram a. Tlh to II 'Rbugh SCrambles. ,. . .f I -The -The -The -The HUltoppers hilve cancelled their December 19th Moto-X. \... Sidewinders have cancelled their December 19th Hare Scrambles. , Stumpjumpers haye been granted Moto-X on November 21st. ~ body of the Sports Committee voted overwhelmingly to uphold the existing rules on 'late results. ' -Three District 37 clubs. Pasadena. Checkpofnt. and the 100's have joined the C.M.I.C. -For 1972 the first Sunday of each month will be an open date with no point events for the desert .qr'!ly. NOMI NAT IONS; President: Mike Hinshaw - Buzzards Jim HonBter - Cactus Cats - DecHned. Vlce.Presldent: Jim Honeter - Cactus Cats Jack Hurley - Spokebenders Dick Gilman - Victors - Declined sam Crooks - Dirt Diggers - Declined. Secretary·T reasurer: Roy McElroy - Spokebenders Recording Secretary: Ron Schneiders - Red Dots - Declined Diane Connolly - Powder Puff - Declined Maureen Lee Jeanne Allen - End Does Competition Committee: Tom Center - Shamrocks . Jack Froellch - Buzzards Ed Farrell - Desert Sam Crooks - Dirt Diggers Ralph Garrett - Viewfinders Mike Brooks - Cactus Cats - Declined Tex Myers - Boosters Larry Haley Dick Kouns - Jackrabbits - Declined Bob Hayes Gary Herwlck - Simi 'Valley - Declined Jerome Ruzicka - ARMC - Declined Jim Honeter - Cactus Cats Ron Hall - So. Cal. Diane ConnoUy - Powder Puff 'Dick Camp - So. Cal. Gary Weber - Side Hack l John Townsend - 5tumpjumpers George Curry - Desert Turtles Dick Gilman - Victors COMPETITION COMMlTI:.EE OCT.14,1971 -The referee for District 37 fO&; 1972 will be sam Crooks. -The latest revision of the Endu'to rules for 1972 was accepted. -Terry L. Talley, desert heavyweight No. 202, has been suspended for the rest of 1971 and the first three months of 1972 for loaning his competition card to another person who used It to enter a race. - I t was the unanimous decision of all committee men and officers present that all clubs with late results wUl get 2nd choice for a 1972 date providing there are dates left after all other clubs have piCked their dates. The following clubs are on the late list: Pasadena, Lost Coyotes. sandblasters. Invaders. Viewfinders. Chargers. A.R.M.C., Red Dots, Gripsters. and the Bushmaster. W ririn' Around ......._-.,••••••".".' 't By Cbarles C1aJtoD """''''~~,.............",...... ,, , ,, ,.,.,••••••,,,.,,',,, .. HEY, WANT TO RIDE someplace even have prepared neat little maps of different this weekend? Then get a map the special motorcycle trails there, and head for your nearest NatiorulI' which they'll give you free. Forest. These lairs of Smokey Bear are Foresters usually charge a small fee marked appropriately in green on state fOT overnight camping, but for a day's road maps. When you get there, fIrst use, the cost is nothing. All they ask is thing, pay a visit to the Ranger Station. that riders stay on existing trails, be Most Rangers are pretty hip to bikes carefuf about fIre and not gas it too these days, and all are generally quite much in the camping areas. helpful when you ask about good riding F or great trail riding fun and trails in their bailiwick. The Los Padres satisfying sigh t-seeing I recommend the National Forest Rangers in California National Forest trails throughout the U.S. They are ours, we pay for them with our taxes, and it is surprising how much motorcycle riding the Forests can accommodate. There are 10 commonsense techniques to keep in mind any time you're trail riding and for my own sake as well as other trail riders, I'll run through them briefly here: I. Ride with rundown. a buddy. 2. Don't speed into anything * TAB * ON THE you can't see your way clea.: through. 3. * KEEPING Give hikers, horses and other vehicles INDUSTRY: Corporation papers for the Honda Owners Assn. were approved by the right of way. 4. Be considerate of the State of California recently; the campers and oth,er people. 5. Don't Assn. is bei.ng aided by the International mess up the ecology, even a little. 6. Four Owners Assn. while setting up its Don't bum native wood, bring your program and services...AMXT Benefit own firewood. 7. Ride as quietly as runs occur every once in awhile and the possible. 8. Help anyone who looks like most recent was a production by RON he needs it. 9. Police up your own litter TURNER and GEORGE SPOHRER of and as much of other peoples' as you Jacksonville, Fla., in which they raised $1000 for the '72 fund. Other can carry. 10. Ride only approved trails. promoters interested in sponsoring WITH THE BIG BARSTOW-TOsimilar AMXT events should contact VEGAS race coming up this RON ARNONE at 213/663-8258 or Thanksgiving weekend, I rode out to the write AMXT, Box 3278, Los Angeles; little settlement near Yenno, Calif. Calif., 90028_.The AMA is presently where the world's biggest race considering opening two regional offices traditionally starts, to see if I could be to aid the home-base at Worthington, O. of any help to the locals. The owner of The first would be located on the West a local gas station infonned me that last Coast and the second in Atlanta, Ga ....5eems as though Jan. 28·29 will be year overnigh t campers stole and burned Houston National time in the up a lot of lumber that Yenno Astrodome; a $10,000 TT of Friday and store-owners had better uses for. So a $10,000 Short Track on Saturday. everybody is hereby urged to bring Both events at night...Meanwh i1e, the plenty of firewood with you this time. AMA has applied to the FIM for Or see me in the Cycle News van. I'll permission to host the ISOT event in have extra fagots for you. two years...CHET WINTER of the AMA Also, traffic was so jammed up near has his hands full of all types of anti-motorcycle legislation but he is still the start that nobody could get near the keeping his head (and ours) above restaurants and gas stations for hours, water. He reports that the AMA will and pit crews had a rough time getting donate $2500 for cou~ costs for out to meet their racers at the checks. fighting the helmet law in Massachusetts There will be police officers to handle if and when ij; .reaches the Federal . this situation Saturday morning and Courts. with 2,500 racers, plus spectators, pit To date, the CMIC is Carrying a 50% crews, media reporters and all the rest average enrollment of the dealerships in converging on this little 2-lane offramp,. the area, says HARRY WHALEN. Also, the organization has been 'making some the cops are bound to be a little bit headway on cyde parks at Cajon harassed and uptight. Please cooperate Summit, Elsinore and San Di811o ...Work with them, even if it means hiking an is progressing on membership drives, extra mile. Be nice, be considerate and price fixing case, legislation, land use, . enjoy the biggest spectacle in racing, public relations, safety, licensing, thanks to the San Gabriel M.C. and the business restrictions and many other nice people of Yermo, Calif. fields - kinda busy ... RvQ9P sClram By Maureen Lee Well, I'm back in the "big house" again with my sawbones trying to make me look more shapely again, or at least capable of sitting on a bike again. There is no truth to the rumor that I was caught with my suit of annor down! Fact is, I couJd use it when that needle approaches. I see from last week's paper that our favorite critic of District 37, Ron Schneiders, is back at it again. Unfortunately Ron doesn't know the whole story of tryinlt to keep our district as a functioning unit. It's work and a t times it can get downrigh t irritating when the squabbles break out. Ron pointed out what happened over the penalized club being allowed on the date board against the vote of the body of the sports committee. He obviously didn'.t like the idea of democracy going out the win~w, so ,tg sp~. However, be didn't offer a.!!y.suggestioDll as to what the conimittee could nave-done as an alternaiiv~. The rolliall vote also didn't please Iiiin but it'S the oniy-w,ay we bave to inMire that no o~ bUt ihe properly aeated ddegates_ ~.te:"VJSiJon.Me. ahyayi wekome.~(COlll,l1litt~e ~'"tinp- but o/!- ; hand~,?iily yQtC; _ some of the guests .will ge1,prried aw,,¥. and r¥se t,bCir paws too aDd. handS are hard enough 10 cOUnt lei alone recogn,izing'if their owners are'l~ delegrates. Anyway, so much for that, or mayDe just one thing, any time you don't like the way District ~ 1 is ~unning, then campaign"run for office and help. It's been done before. , The date board is no doubt finalized by now. From what I understand the Elsinore Grand Prix is no l\1ore. I sure don't blame the Gripsters for giving under the weight of that one. For the years that it existed it was:without par in this country and last year Wall just the living end in more ways,than one. If you mourn its passing like [ do, just think if maybe as a rider or spectatoT you did something that made it just.a bittle bit harder for the Gripsters 'and the International Radio Crew to run the event, and I'm not excluding myself from the soul searching either. ' IT scrambles dates have picked up over what they were on the board this year, which should bring some happy smiles. The motocross is down and we know one reason. Most of the tracks are owned by private promoters who also throw events of their own. If you haye checked the rental fees of some of these, there is no way a club, using our District rules for entry and gate fees can break even. So although District riders patronize these outlaw events which are hurting their own district they snivel when the distric.t point runs drop off. It's a situation that will bear looking into. The AMA has a ruling barring riders from competing in outlaw events. This does not pertain to professional events as a professional is entitled to earn his money where he can_ But, should this rule be invoked it would force the rider to make the choice as to riding outlaw or AMA even¥. N ow before people get uppity about it let me say this. There's no way anyone can convince me that the CMC or the ACA are oudaw event throwers. However, if one is to believe some of the situations riders have run into at recent motocTosses, such as advertising 20 minute motos with the riders getting no where near that much track time, etc., or advertised purses that don't reach tile.liini,t advertised, then watch out. If you get shafted it's your fault if you go back for more. If a district club pulls a no no they get smacked by the Competition Committee. So think about this a littl.e. Well, here comes the nurse with the cold hands again, so I'd better split! . '" l - .Cll ... ai ~ z ~ w Z W ...J U > U

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