Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

'" .... ..... ~ ~ w Z W ..J o > o "America's No. 1 weekly motorcycle newspaper. You'll always see it FIRST in Cycle News'" Publisher Charles Clayton Business Manager. . . . . Sharon Clayton General Manager Tom Culp Managing Editor John Bethea Assistant Editor. . . . . . . .. David Swift Circulation Manager Rheba Smith Circulation Ass't Marla Tarbet Production Mallagef Ed Drechsler Production Assistant Phil Stranske Advertising Assistant .. Barbara Richard Bookkeeper Dorothea Lang Bookkeeper Ass't. . Eleanor Duke Lab Technician Larry Groves Circulation Promotion Mgr.. Jim Brooks ON THE JACKASS NOT YOUR FAULT I wish to write a short commentary on the Foothill Hawks Jackass Enduro for two reasons. First to apologize to the last checker before the second loop's gas stop for the vemal abuse I gave him. Fatigue made me forget my manners. The second reason is to offer a sugg~tion. As most of the riders know this y ar's Jackass was very brutal for all bu t e very best. This is the sponsoring club's prerogative, but in light of current pressure and public opinion would it not be a wise move to prewarn the riders of the difficulties involved? The sponsors of the "Chick Enduro" advertise it as "the hard one" and you enter at your own risk. A rating scale of one to three or from very difficult to moderately difficult could be included in the advertisement. It's bad enough the "little guy" gets it from government, big business, etc. without having his fellow riders ruin what could be a pleasan t diversion by having a moderate run one year and an ordeal the following year. The riders who are not part of the sacred 43 or who have no access to the grapevine only realize their demise 30 miles from camp and limp home if nothing more serious happens. This is not a complaint against difficult runs only against not rating the run and giving the bulk of the riders a chance to make up their own minds. ALBERT NOURIAN San Diego, Calif. Friday night Nov. 5, our son Mark Dobbs was injured at EI Toro Raceway while riding in the 125 Expert class. We have heard that some of the boys whom were involved felt that they caused his injuries. Mark and we feel that these things happen and are a part of racing, and as fast as the riders are going there is not much of a chance to miss a rider who goes down in front of you; there was no way you could avoid it. We found it very heart warming that so many people are concerned and have offered their help in any way needed. Mark required an emergency operation and many pints of blood due to damage and loss of 30% of his liver. So many people have donated blood and offered their help it is unbelievable. When in some way all of these NAME'S THE GAME In your article on the Nov. 6, San Jose Indoor you stated quote "after waiting for Gerry Johnson to get his Harley Sprint going in the first regulation heat...dc" unquote, the name is Hal Johnson or Harold johnson, as it states on his card. The official results say Gerald Johnson, so I guess you got Gerald and Harold mixed up. RAND! JOHNSON Richmond, Calif. PAPA UNDER FIRE Your apparent claim that Super Joe is an example of "dehumanization" is unfair, unwarranted, and is not what I would call responsible reporting. I am not a chronic letter writer, however, I was very much impressed with Super Joe both by his style and his guts. I believe anyone who witnessed his jump will agree that it takes one hell of a lot of courage to pull off the feat he did. It just does not seem fair that one of your columnists should put him down, especially when the comments are the exact opposite of what actually occured. A. SAID Foster City, Calif. NEEDMORE The Family·Enduro-Poker Run at Red Rock Canyon on Nov. 14, sponsored by Journeyman·Smuggler Trailer Mfg. Co., was so successful it seems to point out the need for this type race in this area. The skilled desert riders are able to attend an event almost weekly that satisfies their needs but it is highly unusual for an event such as this where we can bring the wife and kids along and actually allow them to enter, ride and complete a course that is not beyond their capabilities. I am sure the sponsors were as flabbergasted as anyone else at the number of entries (1800) and the estimated attendance of almost 10,000. In spite of the vast and unexpected attendance, it appeared that everything went off smoothly, and the chance to win a bike-hauling travel trailer, along with a great number of lesser prizes, was a nice incentive. Understand a special thanks is in order to the Victors Motorcycle Club, and others, for their aid in staging this affair and the clean-up afterwards. R.F. TERRY p,ico givera ~aiif. ,- 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~. TELEX NO. 673-474 Subscription: 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 Published weekly except the first and last week of the calendar year by Cycle News, Inc., Post Office Box 498, Long Beach, California, also publishers of Cycle News East, and Dixie Cycle News. Second Class Postage paid at Long Beach, Calif. Editorial stories, cartoons, photos, etc. are welcome. Addressed, stamped envelope assures return of editorial matter. 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. "no good" and the soul purpose of this ari>itrary requirement for ..their school" was explained to me as being necessary to eliminate the "undesirable" element. My vehicle meets and exceeds most safety requirements, and is "box stock" with no "mods" whatsoever, therefore, I can only assume that I, a MCPO was the undesirable. Rest assured, had I not chosen to drive my motorcycle, but had taken my Cadillac. I surely would have been admitted. For only at Camp Pendleton, have I ever heard a motorcycle riding Master Chief called an ..undesirable..... GEORGE R. SPIDELL San Diego, Calif. with parts, tools and many personal effects. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking Jim Coughlin (Bell), Jim Newman U & J Motors, Portland), f:rnie Pico (leathers) and those great guys at Webco for supplying replacement items as soon as they heard of the robbery. For the information of eagle.eyed readers, the bikes have frames numbered 042 and 3392 and an appropriate reward is offered for information that leads to the recovery of any of the stolen equipment. MIKE JACKSON General Mgr. Norton Villiers Corp. FUTURE MX CHAMPS? GRooVEYI It make the cockels of your heart a bit warmer to know that by picking our I'm the "very cooperative and efficient lady Ram". Considering the harrassment you took from "one of the most obnoxious drunks", I think your write up on the Rams Hare & Hound is the best of the year. DEE ELAM RamsM.C. MAMMOUTH MOUTH VOICES OF THE WEST motorcycle people are united we will have the organization we need to properly promote our sport. We wish to thank all of these wonderful people who have done so much. MR. & MRS. L.T. DOBBS A WORD FOR THE CROSS(ERS) Just returned from the Bishop M.C. Motocross (October 3 I). I just want to thank the Bishop M.C. for one of the best races I've been too. They were extremely well organized and they have a fantastic course. It was a little cold but that was the only detering factor. All else was superb. Anyone from L.A. looking for a good ricle - take in the next Bishop race. You won't regret it. DAVE BROWN Alhambra, Calif. TRY AND TOP THIS Dear Chief Whittet, After twenty-five years of. service, and attaining the grade of Master Chief, the final insult has been received. Denied entrance to a military base as an "undesirable" ... Traveling up Interstate 5 toward Los Angeles, and finding at 0800 that I needed gasoline, I pulled into a base to purchase same, exercising what I assumed to be a privilege granted to traveling service men. Upon reaching the sentry point, I was told to check with the Sgt. of the Guard, upon so doing, identifying myself as a Navy Master Chief, my duly accredited and current California Driver's license, displaying my 11 th Naval District Base sticker, and assuring the SgL that my vehicle was indeed insured by Government Employee's Ins. Co., I was informed "regretfully," that I could not enter the base. When asking why, I was told that I had not attended their base: "drivers instruction schoo." and therefore could not enter. Explaining I only wanted to go to the PX and buy some gasoline was of no avail. CNO (Z-57) uses the terms abrasive and demeaning, these are mild to the consternation I felt at this time... State of Calif. licensing inspection "no good", 11 th Naval Dist. Security Guard Safety Inspection, "no good" II th, Naval Dist. Decal ,"no &~", Insurance, e,ompar;ay entry as the winnin~ entry you have contributed greatly (?) to the making of two fu ture world mo tocro~s champions. I plan on taking the 500 class, while my brother will dial in on the 250 class. Although there is no doubt that we will make it, we thank you for your contribution. TERRY AND JOHN HANDELIN San Francisco, Calif. That's all we ask - that you remember we helped you when you needed it the most. By the w~y, which of you is "I"? Also, we thank you for correctly remembering our n~me... Ed. OUT FOR AWHILE Bill Ladd, CMC No. 322, has developed a serious heart infection and will be hospitalized for four-to-six weeks. Righ t now our big problem is morale. Any cards or letters would greatly be appreciated. Please mail to: Bill Ladd, Rrn. No. 607, Mercy Hospital, San Diego, Calif. 92103. THE LADD FAMILY GOOD SHOW Re Husky ad, back over, Nov. 23rd issue: Big Deal! So Malcolm Smith and Gunnar Nillson took the Baja 1000 with an "Out·of·the-crate" 400cc Husky (complete with engine change, 8-speed, big gas tank and lighting equipment); I think the real challenge would e to win Baja with a Husky still in the crate. WAYNE LEGGETT Orange, Calif. PUT IT IN THE BOOK The undersigned executives of Caesars Palace have this day remeasured the distance covered by Evel Knievel in his motorcycle jump over the Roman Fountains in front of Caesars Palace on December 31, 1968 and reaffum that the distance covered was 144 feet. six inches from takeoff ramp to receiving ramp. It is the understanding of this hotel that this feat represents a world record. GEORGE KING, Public Relations RA Y MOORE, Engineering Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Nev. CALLING ALL BIKES!! Doug Grant, our AJS "works" rider, had his van stolen recently whilst in Tacoma for the Trans·AMA motocross. He ,lost, ~oth St~rmer ~ikes._t?~ether As a member of the Bishop M.C. I've taken upon myself to thank everyone that made our 3rd Moto-X a success. The many compliments received help us realize how much our efforts to put on a good race are appreciated. Hope to see all of you again - maybe in the spring for an equally good, if not better race. BOB MALMSTROM Bishop M.C. IT'S STOCK There has been some speculation at a couple of the races, as to what type engine is in "little Shoe No. 13's" machine. It is not a 70cc or Steens Hodaka 100cc set into a Mini Enduro frame. It is a 60cc, the same as it came with. No more has been done to it then what the other "little shoes", have done to theirs and probably less than others. MILDRED BRUNO Los Angeles, Calif. A HUN FROM THE HUNS Atten tion!! This is to announce the winner of the 100's M.C. $100 Gift Certificate. The drawing was held at the club's last meeting. The winner was Woody Schamel. Thanks to all of you who participated. 100's M.C. WHERE TO LOOK Purchased CN, dated Nov. 2, 1971, Vol. VIII Number 42, to see how we placed in M.X. at Indian Dunes on Oct. 24Read article page 8 titled Watkins Shows His Stuff but turned to page 28, as instructed for results but could not find. Could you clear this matter for us or are we blind? LON PETERSON, 10,125 Sr. JOHN STROUB, 002,125 Jr. VON PETERSON, 27v, 125 Jr. Very seldom, if ever, does Indian Dunes supply results in time to accompany the report from John Grout... Ed. WEIRD PROBLEM I have a weird problem. I live in La Habra Heigh ts, a rural area in the hills above La Habra and Whittier. I ride in th is open field called Hacienda Park, which is not really a park but an open field. It is public property, horses, picnicers and just plain loafers can go there with no .problem. But when I go there the police are on me Ii ke a rash! What I can't understand is why I need written permission to ride on public property. Noh one riders need it, wh y just bike riders? The cops tell me it's not public property, it's private and I need written permission from the county. Fine, I get permission but the .Jf/''J'F (!i' '.!9.Pf'Jr" ~,;

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