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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125757
THORWALDSON BAGS ANOTHER DESERT WIN By Alice Rhea N RED ROCK CANYON, CAL., Dec. 12, u 1971 - It isn't always too blasted hot in ~ the desert; sometimes it is terrible 11' windy or miserable cold. And miserable ~ cold it was for Prospectors' Hare ~ Scrambles today. w Leading the race at the smoke bomb d was none other than George Walker >- (Kaw) followed by ace motocrosser (.) Doug Grant (AJS), Gene Smith (Til') and Rich Thorwaldson (Suz). First lightweight was Jeff Wright and his new 175Puch. Thor got it on and by the end of the Hrst loop he was leading the pack. Gene Cannady (Yam) had moved up to second place and Tom Muto (Hus) was third, followed by J.N. Roberts (Hus) who was closing the gap rapidly. There was one nasty·bad road' crossing about three miles past the smoke bomb, but the area was liberally doused with lime and papered with arrows. In addition, there were two red·nosed Prospectors standing out there, shivering and waving big yellow flags. They did a good job there nobody fell off on that road crossing. It was a real riders' course with a little of everything. A lot of flat desert, up· and down-hills and sand washes. Rocks weren't as plentiful as they could have been, but I did not hear any complaints about this small oversight on the part of the club. The course was well marked and the Prospectors were especially generous with the lime and arrows at danger spots. And lest we forget that it is winter, some clever person had sprinkled a little snow in the shady places on the course. With Cannady right on his rear wheel, ThorwaJdson carne thundering down the pit road and blasted right by the finish. Prospectors managed to flag them Jan Ditson was first girl again. down, but Grant went roaring on by. He was originally counted third overall, but may have been disqualified due to a mix-up on his number plate. Seems he was wearing a Novice desert plate when as an Expert motocrosser he should have an Expert desert plate. Doug also had lost his tank card, but his helmet had most of the checks. At any rate, Doug did run a good race. Next to cross the finish line was Mike Patrick (Yam) followed by J.N. Roberts (Hus). J.N. had ridden the last quarter of the race with only one footpeg, which tends to slow one down a bit. Jeff Wrigh t was grinning ear-to-ear as he took the checkered flag as fust lightweight. Tom Ruddy, Jeff's tuner, seems to have all the little problems conquered and Jeff is enthusiastic about his new Puch. I'm sure everyone will be happy to hear Whitey Martino (Hus) is back in the thick of things. He finished right behind Jeff Wrigh t today. Second ligh tweigh t was Larry Pfutzenreuter (Bul). He and Bill Bogner (CZ) locked handlebars and went tumbling through the tulies together, bu t they helped each other up and after a quick dust-off, decided neither had any serious wounds. GeorKe Walker, as happy as usual, George Walker only managed an eighth overall today. If you read the story on him two weeks ago, you will remember that he hinted he was going to push himself on December 19. the last race. Let's watch him. followed Fitz into the Hnish area with third lightweight Steve "Slowpoke" Ellsworth (Bul) right behind him. First Amateur was Leroy Davis. Second was Jim Sovie (Kaw). Third Amateur was Forrest Wright (Hus). George Eggleston (Bul) was fust 250 Amateur and second in that class was taken by Bill Carr. First Trail bike was Mitch Mayes (H-D) and Jan Ditson (Ric) was first finishing 186th overall or girl, thereabouts. The first oldtimer was Dick Bowers (Bul) although he may lose the honor if he continues to refuse to tell us how old he is. A.C. Bakken (Hus) was first Novice, followed by Novices Eddy Sanches (Hus) and Jim Thomas (AJS). First 250 Novice was Rusty Kay (CZ) at 114th overall, and Lucky Merrit (BuI) and Rick Jones (Bul) took second and third. Looks like Randy Crawford (Hod) was first Trail Novice. We looked and looked for a girl Novice, but couldn't find one, If I missed you, whoever you are, I'm sorry, but next time would you please write "girt" on your entry form, tank card and any other piece of paper the club gives you? The Prospectors received many compliments on a run that reflected a .,,-":'!"\,-- Rich Thorwaldson whoops it up a bit. lot of hard work. Some called it one of the better runs of the year. Myself, I could have used a little heat! Many thanks to Bob and Maggie Gilbert and all the other Prospectors for their cheerful cooperation and assistance. New lightweight champ Larry Pfuzenreuter tanglt:d with Bill Bogner somewhere out thar, but they both got up. OVERALL Rich Thorwaldson Gene Cannady Doug Grant Mike Patrick J.N. Roberts Jeff Wright Whitey Martino Larry Pfutzenreuter George Walker Steve Ellsworth HVYWEIGHT AMA. Leroy Davis Jim Sovle Forrest Wrigh t LTWEIGHT AMA. George Eggleston Bill earr 400 360 410 360 420 175 400 250 350 250 KaW Hus Bul Suz Yam AJ5 Vam Hus Puch Hus Bul Kaw Bul HVYWEIGHT NOV. A.C. Bakken Eddie Sanches Jim Thomas LTWEIGHT NOV. Rusty Kay LuCky Merrit Rick Jones TRAIL EXPERT Mitch Mayes Don Ogilvie Jim Sumners TRAIL NOV. Randy Crawford FIRST GIRL Jan Ditson Hu H AJ CZ Bu Bu HHHH RI