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/125798
'" N ~ "" ,.. GENNAI HOLDS· OFF All' CHALLENGERS N by K. C. Brintnall LOS ANGELES, CAL., Aug. 26, 1972 Ill' - Professional short track returned to the Southern California area tonight as ~ the Challengers Cup Indoor Motorcycle en Race (as the program referred to it) was ~ presented at ·the L. A. Sports Arena. w The crowd was sparse but enthusiastic Z as they waited to see how national short W ..J track favorite Steve Hernandez would U fare against the local contenders. > U Two time National Speedway Champion Rick Woods chose this evening to try his hand at short track, and was accompanied by his fan club, who brought along a banner proclaiming his' prowess and their affection. Although his style in the turns was more reminiscent. of speedway than short track, Woods managed to take a third in his heat to qualify for a spot in the Semi bu t missed ou t on garnering a spot in the Main. It was rumored that Alaska's hottest short .track racer would be competing in tonight's race, but none of the qualifiers were riding a Husky ... The heat races were fast and the ntimerou.s spills on the first tum brought shouts of encouragement and . disappointment from the crowd as some of the heats had to be restarted as many as four times. While some of the racers benefited by the restarts, they proved to be Steve Hernandez' downfall as he lost it after his race had been restarted for the third. time and dropped out of con ten tion. After the fourth heat, a new game was introduced called "Do a wheelie down the back straigh t because you just qualified for the Semi but lose it on turn three and slide into the hay bales." '" .;!tI .. ::«,. .I" . -.. . - Gennai (gOY) kept his cool, rode hot•. took the Dash and Main of the Challengers' Cup Indoor Short Track. Even though it didn't look like that much fun, it must be a great game because several of the riders tried it. In the first Semi, John Gennai (Bul) sneaked up from the rear of the pack to challenge Tom Horton (Mon) for the lead, but the checkered flag came out before Gennai had a chance to pass. Rick Hocking (Bul) led for most of th~ second Semi, but John Hateley (Bul) grabbed the lead on the ninth lap and Hocking had to settle for second. The third Semi saw Mike Renslow (Bul) take the lead on the first lap and hold on to it the whole way. Top Ascot Novice john Gennai won the four lap Trophy Dash with the skill of a seasoned rider and hustled his ,; Not e,rerybody had Gennai's luck, styf;and skill as most of the heats featured this kind of skid-crash·bump action, requiring'up . .. '~ .;t) ..~... trophy and champagne back into the pits to get ready for the Main. Gennai seemed to have the winning combination in the Main, as he jumped to an early lead when the starter's flag dropped and was up front the whole way. Behind nim a fierce battle for· second was being waged between Rick Hocking and John Hateley: With just to' four restarts. •• Cool your HOT BOX witll HRL I Clutch (TRANS.) Lulte TORSTEN HALLMAN••~.J I RA~IIG INC. ;: y ,\\~ ELMET HOUSE JOE SMITH RACES .,.0 WI'" That's why NHRA Indy Nationals champ Joe Smith insists on Venolia Forged Pistons for al/ his racing bikes. For other selective buyers Ii ke Joe we make bike pistons for STREET...TRAIL ... DIRT and MOTORCROSS. ALL SIZES-BORES FROM 2%H'UP Featuring exclusive Venolia design and all the basic performance characteristics we build into our bigger automotive pistons. Trust a professional like Joe Smith to make the right choice! Send $1.00 for iiill'IIJt FORGED RACING PISTONS 2160 Cherry Industrial Circle Long Beach, calif. 9080s' (213) 636-9329 531-8463 "All we do is fhink a little smaller. but we give you just as much!" u.s. Dist. Jdr Trelleborg Motocross. tires Torsten' Hallman special design leathers & racing equipment. (714) 460-6234 (714) 460·1402 • DEALERS SEND FOR CATALOG. 12010 W..PICO BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 90064 For dealer info. PHON E (213) 479-4383 Timke,; St .. La M..... Cal. 92041. Busqva..na Klocker's SALES & SERVICE 6624 Atlllntic, Bell, Cli. (213) 581-3983 write or call: 5345 CHROMOLV CZ FRAME: 121b5 LIGHTER 5TRONGER ••.$350 4 MORE H.P. FOR YOUR 250, write: GRAND PRIX CYCLES CZ 2450 EI Climino Real SlInta CllInI, Cli. 95051 MAICO