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/125802
_.. -~ Burleson figured that he would get a master link from the next American to come along and he did. But the next American didn't arrive for 20 minutes. He lost 34 pain ts. Up until that time the Trophy Team had done very well with all riders remaining on gold, and staying within striking distance of the third place Italians. The team proved beyond shadow of doubt that last year's fourth place was no fluke and that the Americans were to be taken seriously. But the Six Days is just that and performance for five days earned us only the consolation prize. the Watling trophy which is awarded to the team that tries hardest. But doesn't make it. • u o '" 3: w z W ...J U >- U THE SILVER VASE If the performance of the Trophy Team was disappointing in the eleventh hour, the performance of our other teams was catastrophk almost from before the start. The Vase A team, on Huskies, was forced to find a replacemen t for J.N. Roberts two days before the start.J.N. didn't show up. He simply sen t a telegram saying for . Hpersonal reasons" he 'wouldn't be there. Friends said that he tried the new Husky 125 to which he was assigned for the Six Days effoIt and "couldn't get with it". He's used to a big bike. rt's a shame that he doesn't have. the versatility of Ron Bohn, Lars Larsson, Jake Fisher, Don Stover and Ed Schmidt all of whom were in the identic"al situation and managed to cope with it. All of them generally ride Husky 400s and all of them were assigned small bikes. A worthy replacement for him was found in Jeff Heininger. The Husky team then consisted of Rqn Bohn, Ed Schmi!1t, Jake Fisher and Jeff, whO' was riding a Monark. Only Ron Bohn finished. Ed Schmidt was aut the first day with Motoplat ignition failure. Jake went out on the last day only a few heartbreaking miles from the finish with what was thought to be broken rings. Jeff Heininger overcooked it, trying valian tIy to keep up with an Italian Trophy Team member on another Monark, and slammed his knee into a bridge abutment. He received a painful but not serious knee injury and retired on the third day while still on his gold. Ron Bohn won a gold medal and finished 24th in his class of 77 riders. The team finished 21st in its class of 26 teams. The Puch-mounted Vase B team fared somewhat better after starting much the same way. The Puch team originally consisted of Don Stover, Bob Grodzinski, Lars Larsson and Tom Clark, but Don Stover broke his foot in . practice before the event and was replaced by Jerry Pacholke. Only Lars and Pacholke survived: Lars with a gold, and the highest individual finish of any American (8th place in 125 class), and Jerry with a bronze. Lars was quite sick for several days during the trial with a painful stomach ailmen t which makes his performance nearly incredible. Bob Grodzinski and Tom Clark made 'it through to the last day when bike troubles put them out almost within The R.ussian team pulls into the pits for some en route R&R. (Rest and Repair.) sigh t of the finish line. Grodzinki's bike had been gradually deterioriating so his retirement came as no su.rprise. Clark was putting on a great performance and was expected to cap it with great road race but his exhaust pipe broke righ t near the head and with the engine sucking up dirt and water. it failed in a matter of miles. Don Stover, in spite of his broken foot, started the contest and rode three days until his forearm became swollen to about twice normal size. The combination of the two injuries finally put an end to what was one of the most heroic attempts of the trial. THE MANUFACTURERS The United States had two manufacturer's teams entered this year, a Husqvarna team and a Yankee team. Husqvarna did reasonably well with two of its three members finishing on gold: Carl Berggren and Frank Piasecki. Bill Kain, the third member, retired on the first day with a broken wheel. The Yankee story is an incredible tale of determination to succeed in spite of impossible odds. Barry Higgins was the first to succumb. On the second day Barry's engine would only run on one cylinder at the starl. After a few miles of running on one cylinder, Barry turned back. Shortly thereafter, it started running on both cylinders so be turned around again to resume the contest. Again, the cylinder quit. Barry was determined to make the nex t check and see if any thing could be done, bu t operation on one cylinder proved too much for the clutch, which also failed. . With only one cylinder and no clutch, Barry was forced to retire. David Eames managed to keep going until the fifth day when his engine blew both the head and base gaskets, putting an end to his effort. He was still on gold at the time. Charlie Vincen t had trouble 'If I'm ever reincarnate.d, I want to come back as a chain on a Six Days' motorcycle because nothing gets more loving care ·' and attentlon. -Bi'" Uht' u.s. Trophy Team l~'. .. enduro SEPT. 21 Ihru OCl6 This is a one-time introduc· tory offer conducted by PhoeniX Distributing Company. We're the aggres· slve new West Coast Distributor for Dalesman motorcycles. We have a handful of motocross, trials and enduro modelsIn the crate-that we're • in a hurry to get onto the tracks. So we're haVing an 8day S.UPER SALE! Our doors will open each of these sale days (except Saturday and Sunday) to the public from 10 am to 3 pm. YOU CAN SAVE $245 on each of these brand new Dalesmans. Featuring the famous 125 Sachs engines, as fast and reliable as ever, they're ready to race - and win! - 125 DALESMANS These are the same Dalesmans that have been setting new track records on the East Coast. All models are going for $650 each plus tax and registration (total. $691.50). OPEN TO THE PUBLIC REMEMBER, bring cash, check or money order with you. Don't miss it! Phoenix Distributing Company,4214 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, California 91602. For more info call (213) 980-0900. trials motocross