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/125752
WINDOVER, UTAH, TOV • 8, 1971 The Honda Hawk, attempting to set a world land speed record, has had a brief setback after showing its potential Sunday. The streamlined machine hit some soft salt while making a high-speed run today and went into a power slide which couldn't be corrected. The mechanics are preparing the machine again with hopes at bettering the record of 265 mph set last year by Harley-Davidson. Sunday, the Hawk covered the mile strip in one direction at a blistering clip of 285 mph. This is not a record, however, since it went in only one direction and two runs are required for the mark. Earlier, the streamliner had low-speed handling problems but those have been corrected. AMA official on hand and reporter for €ycle News, Bruce Flanders, commented today that if the Honda Hawk is going to set a land speed record he believes it will occur within the next few days. • PRICE THIRTY CENTS America's largest and most complete weekly motorcycle newspaper FIM' ACCEPTS RULE FOR 750 ROAD RA ERS WORTHINGTON, 0., Oct. 30, 1971 The Federation Internationale Motocycliste, the world governing body for the sport of motorcycle road racing rules entitled "Formula 750" during the final session of the 1971 F.I.M. World Congress, the AMA reported today. Formula 750, developed and proposed by England's Auto-Cycle Union and the AMA, is based on the kind of racing for large, modified production machines up to 750cc's that has evolved in the United States on such circuits as Daytona, Talladega and Ontario. England adopted the Formula on a national level during 1971, then joined with the United States to seek world recognition for 1972. The F.1.M.'s adoption of Formula 750 will permit international events to be sanctioned for the class beginning Jan. 1972. ACU delegate Nevill Goss, commented that he expects Formula 750 to be enthusiastically received by Western European countries during 1972. Goss said, "~expect Germany and Ita:ly to hold some meetings, and possibly th e Scandinavian nations as well. n Russ March, Executive Director of the AMA, foresees a great increase in manufacturer interest as well. March stated, "By receiving world status, Formula 750 becomes the type of motorcycle racing that practically every nation cao. become involved in. "For example, we already see indications of Italian manufacturers en tering these even ts that have long been supported by British, American and Japanese manufacturers. At least three Italian factories are developing bikes acceptable and competitive for this Formula." It is the combined opinion of the AMA and ACU delegates that w,orld recognition of Formula 750 places the motorcycle sport on the threshold of previously unthought-of acceptance, prestige and growth throughout orth America, England and Europe. Inside Cycle News: Malcolm Smith tops Baja bikers... K & N mentor Malcolm Smith did not surprise very many Baja 1000 fans last week as he again won the world's longest race. Parnelli Jones, however got most of the headlines when he shattered the winning time by more than anyone expected ...See page 6. Jackass Enduro takes its toll... 750cc YAMAHA FOUR Photo Courtesy Motor Cycle News The 18th Tokyo Motor Show opened October 30 and the big hit was this Yamaha, Part Honda, part Suzuki, the four-cylinder, water~cooled two stroke GL 750 also features fuel injection, twin disc brakes on the front, and a dumb·looking exhaust pipe that BSA dropped two years ago. The factory claims 70 hp at 7,000 rpm. Weight is 451 pounds. Kawasaki revealed the final entry to their stable of thress - a 250. Claimed output is 32 hp at 8,000 rpm. Honda was there with the usual array but conspicuously absent was their elusive 250 two-stroke prototype racer. The annual 125-Mile Jackass Enduro had 750 entries but the number that actually finished was startlingly low - 200. As usual, the ones who did well seemed to like it and those that didn't do well didn't - except for perhaps, Bob Steffan...See page 10. World champ filially wins a moto in America... Joel Robert has been having some bad luck competing in the Trans-AMA circuit recently, but Sunday he finally got things together on his Suzuki and pulled out a win during one International Moto in Missouri. Finland's Heikki Mikkola continued to dominate the series, however,' and won another overall. ..See page 26. "Awe. Ne-w-spaper CiCLBNEWS a-I99 CEil i