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
Ba-ker-Harris Bag Marathon By Max P. Dawson GRAND JUNCTION, COLO., Sept. 26, 1971 - Consitent money·winners Ron Baker and Sandy Harris herded their hurrying Husky over 260 very rough miles to take home Open and overall honors in Western Colorado's fifth annual Eigh t-Hour Marathon near here today. Twen ty-two bikes started the desert race, hosted by The Desert Scramblers M.C., with only 16 fmishing. Most tearns aI ternated co-riders abou t every second or third lap. Fastest laps posted over the approximately 10-mile-long course were around 17Jh minutes, with the average running around 18-18Y2 minutes. Air speed indicators recorded average speeds of around 30 knots per hour, with allowance for landing and take-off time on the roller coaster course. Some riders couldn't get shut down in time to stay out of troubIe in the wild dry washes a.;d got separated from their bikes before returning to earth. A broken ankle and some cracked ribs were the worst oj the injuries, however. A lone Puch entry carried young Lynn Bemis ~nd Carl Koch to a first place in the 125 class, as they finished I Sandy Harris hangs on to his hopping Husky coming out of a deep wash in the desert hills under Western Colorado's Brookcliffs. This action came early in the first laps-of Western Colorado's Eight-Hour Marathon. which Harris and Baker won, after running second most of the day. 23 laps. The only Suzuki transported 13-year-olds Lonme Harris and Phil Rushin to a second place fmish in this class, as they completed 21 laps in their first dirt race. Hard-riding, high-flying partners Galen Clutter and Frank Rose brought their Maico through 26 laps to claim [11'st place honors in the 250 class. They dusted off the finish line only 15 minutes behind the big winners, Baker and Harris, who also posted 26 laps. Troph y collectors Mike Brown and Stan J ones ate up 25 laps with their Kawasaki to hang up second-place honors in the 250 class. Both Brown . and J ones have posted some impressive track and dirt wins over the past couple of years in this part o[ the wild and wooly West. Milt Cass and Gary Sutherland from Carbondale, Golo., led the pack most of the day, except for a short illness. Cass took a hard rap in the ribs from his handlebars as he came bucking out of a Godawful gully early in the race and finished the day with a mighty sore chest. Rugged Husky riders Gary Phillips and Ray Patton completed 23 laps, alongside Cass and Sutherland, and tied them [or second place in the Open class. All the boys really got after it today. Open winners Baker and Harris were never more than three and a half minu tes behind Cass and Sutherland uotiJ the Husky riders passed the Maico in the pits late in the race, according to Sandy Harris. Total purse for the event was around $2400, including contingencies. First place finishers in each class won 150; second places garnered $100; third places won 50; top overall team got an extra $100. Two Makos were entered and two finished, taking a fll'st place and a second. Seven Kawasakis started arrd seven finished, taking a second, a third, two fourths, two fifths and one sixth place. Huskies had a record of three starters and three finishers, taking home a first, the overall prize money, a second and a third. Six Yamahas began the race, with two finishers taking a fifth, a sixth, a ' seventh, an eighth, a ninth and a 10th place. One Montesa started the race, but did not finish, garnering an 11 th place. The only Puch entry did well, finishing with a first. One Suzuki and one Harley started, finishing with a second and a fou~th, respectively. I Husky, Mako and Kawasaki were the brands bringing home the top bacon in the whoop-dee-doo marathon held in the rugged and arid hills north of here in the shadow of the scenic Bookcliffs. (Results on page 32) ~ z ~ w Z w -' U >- U He.Really Hauls-- Sass By Charles COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO., Oct. 17, 1971 - In the shade of Pike's Peak, blasted by a stiff breeze that cooled your coffee quick and punctuated by the sonic booms of Air Force jets, the Dusters M.C. ran· off the top riders of Colorado for the State TT Championship. Best rider of the day, in this observer's opinion, was Bruce Sass of the Rink-A-Dinks racing team. Back in action after recovering from a recent injury, Bruce showed masterful \.lse of the front brake and slid the tricky hairpin the best. His quick Yamaha, too, really hauls Sass. He took the 125 Clayton Championship. AJtogether 130 riders competed for championship honors. A girl, Vickie Thompson, beat out the boys in the 175cc B class. Races were close and hard-fought in most classes on the brand-new, one-miJe, beautifully prepared track. The Dusters next IT will occur on Nov. 21 at the Rains Raceway, 2~ miles east of Academy Blvd. off Rwy. 24 near Colorado Springs. Call 303/596-5454 for details. The races are sanctioned by the SRA and pay money to class A riderS, trophies to sportsmen. (Results on page 32) Come to our 3rd IrirthdGy party. Or sign up for our free IrirthdGy drawing.Orlloth. At 8pm on Friday, November 12th, we're going to celebrate our third birthday. (Complete with cake, cookies, punch and other goodies.) At the same time, we're going to have a free drawing. (Complete with such prizes as a complete set of Bill Walters custom leathers, . a Bell Magnum helmet and a case of Torco oil.) So, come to our birthday party. (November 12th. Bpm.) Or come in and sign up for our free drawing. (Anytime between now and November 12th). Or both. Two Cyele Cit~, Ltd.