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/125755
Hart, Schutz Share Ontario Turkey tCross By Pere Szilagyi ONTARIO, CAL., Nov. 25, 1971 Suppose they gave a Thanksgiving Day Motocross at Ontario Motor Speedway and nobody came? A good turnout of name riders raced in two classes for a $3000 purse in front of sparsely occupied grandstands. Many watchers left early to go home and chow down when it became apparent that the show would last far longer than the promised 2 p.m. finale. Among the hardier spectators were John DeSoto, Bryan Kenney, and Texas racer-motopreneur Bill Kasson. In a convincing testimonial to the durability of European riders, Werner Schutz raced for a total of two houn aboard his 250 and 400 Makos. Werner finished first overall in the Open class and third in the 250's. A third moto spill that bent his shifter prevented him from winning all three 250 races. Tim Hart scored top loot with a trio of ~econds behind Schutz and DeWayne J ones. Hart led Schutz for 17 minutes of the second moto, but couldn't maintain the advantage when the speedy German made his move. Peter Lamppu (Mon), Ron Stockman (CZ), and DeWayne Jones (Yam) swapped places behind the leaders. Jim O'Neal enjoyed a slight lead in the race for fourth with Lamppu in the middle moto. As the pair approached the small jump, O'Neal's top triple clamp broke and his forks separated from the rest of the machine. Both riders went down in a jarring crash, but Lamppu was able to remount and pick up the position.. O'Neal was badly shaken by the sudden spill and the sight of his dismembered motorcycle. On each tour, the remainder of the 250 pack nervously eyed the broken Rickman lying alongside the track. DeWayne Jones, inspired by a good start, led the third moto almost all the way. Hart's Malco pushed Jones early in the heat to offer token resistance to the Yamaha rider's position after Schutz bowed out suddenly in a cloud of dust. Bryar Holcomb had a good shot at the leaders on the first moto until his motor soured. Ron DeSoto rode most of the second heat with a flat tire. Tim Hart was also scheduled to compete in the Open class, but his scooter quit running in the premier moto. If Tim had been able to continue with the same verve he displayed in the 250's, the big bore outcome would have been even more uncertain. Tore Jonsson, Mark Blackwell, and Schutz each won a moto. ·Blackwell, top Americanto date in the Trans-AMAs,roo~ an impressive second moto. Schutz c '" ~ w Z w ~ u >u Tim Hart, 250cc winner, lets it fly. real challenge lay behind him in a rapidly-approaching Tore Jonsson, Werner scooted to a 10-second lead and his Malco teammate eventually forced Black to accept third. Ontario Motor Speedway plans to make the Thanksgiving Day motocross an annual event. Starting in 1972 it will be the final event in a four-race point series. There will also probably be a '72 Trans-AMA at OMS. I[ the promoters plan to have a successful motocross season next year, they will have to solicit and train scorers before the races start. RESULTS 250 Tim Hart DeWayne Jones Werner Schutz Peter Lamppu ~~E~tockman ~:~ce8Ii~~~~1 T ore Jonsson MI~Runyard DeWayne Jones, second in the 250cc class, leads eventual winner Tim Hart (7) around the turn. Mark Blackwell l621 is being chased by Jim Cooke 1941 in Open c~;tion. _. '" ,..: u made an attempt to pass Mark's Husky on the final moto. Schutz made an attempt to pass Mark's Husky on the final lap, but quickly decided to settle for second rather than chance a mistake that would allow third place Mike Runyard past. Bryar Holcomb rode in Blackwell's shadow for several laps, but crashed to adminster the coup de grace to a dsiappointing afternoon. Tore Jonsson won the third moto handily, displaying the same equanirni ty that carried Schutz and Blackwell to their victories. Blackwell appeared- to be ready to challenge Schutz's lead in the first race. Mark soon learned that the Werner Schutz holds off a charge. .... Gary Harris Mai Yam Mat Moo CZ Mal ~~f Mon Hus