Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

GI Talk. to Cooper anti ,.ff.rl•• u o ~ w Z W ...J U >U by Dave Schoonmaker Only a week ago the Americans and the Europeans met at the Race of the Year, and now in a few short days the duel will be restaged at Ontario for the U.S.A.'s "race of the year." The Mallory Park race, while a good one, did not leave us any immediate evidence for a favorite for Ontario. Of course, Jamo Saarinen won Mallory Park, but that was on the water·cooled Yamaha which he has become very familiar with. At On tario he will be riding an AI Godin air-cooled Yamaha, and while he has to figure as a fron t runner it's obvious that he has alot of adjusting to do, to a new bike and a new course. Yvon DuHammel, Cal Rayborn, Paul Smart are all people who will figure high in the standings. But, one of the most importan t circumstances created by the Mallory Park race is the whereabouts of the Triumph-BSA team. At Mallory Park, Ray- Pickerell's gearbox 'seized while running in tigh t formation with teammates Percy Tait and Tony Jefferies. All three of them crashed, sustainmg enough damage to remove them from the race. Pickerell suffered a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a broken ankle, plenty enough to sideline him for the rest of the season. Tait had enough broken bones to sit out the rest of the sc ason also. Jefferies came through with no major injuries to himself and is the only rider besides John Cooper available out of the Tri·BSA team. The crash was the crowning blow to a less than fantastic season of BSA·Triumph endeavours. Their support of the team had been minimal, bu t now is almost non-existent. Cooper andJefferies were faced with the problem of making their own ways across the Atlantic. Recognizing a nice potential, Roxy Rockwood picked up on Tony and John and gave them the assistance they needed to come. We were lucky enough to head the trio off on their journeys about L.A. and got to have a few words with all three. We were a little apprehensive about meeting with top English riders dropped into the very foreign ground of Southern California, but were pleasantly suprised by both. t JEFFERIES Tony Jefferies is a really amiable fellow and, upon first meeting, one would never guess th at he is one of the . top road racers in the world toda·y. Unexpectedly, he is not especially short and is of average build. He carries himself smoothly and one almost doesn't notice his presence. Tony is excited by the prospect of Ontario and by the whole prospect of America. He has wanted to come here for some time and has even offered his sponsors to pay his own way. When asked what he though t of Southern California, he was hesitant to respond mentioning that he'd only been here 24 hours, but it was obvious that he was taking everything in. Tony rates the Americans and Europeans as equals on roadracing courses, and it was encouraging to see a European taking so much interest in America and AMA roadracing. Tony has his ideas about who is going to win at Ontario but, like any rider, isn't going to play sportscaster. His respect for J arno Saarinen is pretty intense, and he commented, "I think you'll be rather surprised by Saaiinen. Of course, Mike Hailwood is something close to an unmatchable great, but if anyone comes close it is Saarinen."Jefferiessaid he has high hopes that Saarinen will break, in ajocular manner, that is. Tony admits that his Triumph is down on power to the Kawasakis and John Cooper leads Paul Smart who just nipped him on the last lap. Suzukis but feels that his bike is perfectly competitive due to its great handling and reliability. Tony is really happy to be riding what he is, especially after giving a Kawasaki a try in France about a month ago. His description of the handling was rather lurid and his final comment was, "and [ crashed it soundly." When asked about Yvon DuHammel, Tony said, "In England, Yvon is described as a brave man." He commented that there were some special connotations to the phrase, but didn't go any farther than that. He still claims to have a huge amount of respect for Yvon just for riding "the thing." Tony seems to feel that the frame work performed on Smart's Kawasaki was successful, after watching him at Mallory, and he can't understand why the other Kawasakis aren't similarly framed. Tony definitely figures himself in the results and feels the length of the race will be to his benefit. "I'm not a quick starter like some of the Americans, but in a race such as this one, it (the length) can definitely prove ...- .........- - - - to my benefit." Tony is just fresh from a win at the Hutchinson 100 in England, big effort for Ontario and didn't go to seemed almost to make a short study of and has to figure as a top contender at Daytona, he at first related it to a each person in the place. Ontario. . matter of sponsorship and then said, The first question I posed to John did not prove to be a wise one at all; the "And it is awfully hard to resist, taking COOPER all that money again, isn't it?" subjec t of particular riders and their John Cooper has been roadracing After a little goading from Jefferies, assorted possibilities at Ontario. Cooper's motorcycles for over 15 years. While reply was, UNo comment, as that would Cooper got a little into the way he likes not old by any means, he is without a be a rather foolish thing for me to say, to ride a race. John isn't particularly doubt the old man of road racing. In his wouldn't it?" I began to realize that it interested in leading at the beginning of time he has undoubtedly been would not be John's manner to talk of a race and actually prefers to foUow interviewed more times than he would someone. "Afterall, it only matters who such things. care to try to remember. John answers The conversation drifted around to is leading at the end." He very much questions concisely, almost abruptly, is who Cooper found to be the most likes the method of starting used by the quick to point out absurd questions, exciting newcomer to racing in his time. AMA, the live engine. "The BSA is not and qucikly draws the conversation in To most people's suprise his answer was as easy. to start as the two·strokers." the way he intends. This is not to say Barry Sheene, bu t hearing Cooper say it The use of waves is fine with John too, that he is impolite or even could almost convince one that Sheene lIS it makes it easier to work through the . condescending, just very business like. would be World Champion next year~ pack. As strictly a roadracer, Cooper is He is a professional and he has been When he says something, it falls as a very impressed by American riding around. He has often been called quiet fact. styles. "They ride the bloody things but that word connotates, at·a-Ioss for Cooper finds no comparison for righ t off the track without ever turning words and Cooper is not. He doesn't Ontario. He commented that in some off the throttle, and just put a foot talk more than is necessary and when he ways it resembled English tracks in its down and go like this (motioning to a does he has condensed his though t in to twistiness, but in an overall way, not at crossed-up position)." a brief phrase. all. He likes the course or more I asked John Cooper about the rumor He is fascinating just to watch, as he properly, finds it to his advantage. He that he is considering re tiring from is constantly taking everything around feels that his BSA is very competitive at racing. He said, "I would appreciate it him in. In the car he looked out the' very much if you would publicize that, Ontario, and that he is at an advantage windows and watched while he listened as I could use some more financial because he is able to learn courses to the conversation. In ~e restaurant he easily. When asked why he is making a support." MONARCH r..q -1i..q1t. PLASTIC FENDERS . •:.qO~..q( Ask your dealer for ~ ~-9 SCRAMBLER MOTORCYCLES lBOl W. Burbank Blvd. Burbank. Calif. B49-5907 or B45-8738 Ex. 7 UIITZ CYCLE PARK ~ i . SO¢ Gen. Adm. $3 bike. 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