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/125806
LEAVITT · BULTACO SWEEP M.O.T.A. li NORTH AMERICAN ~ TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP ~ Fifth place was captured' by Canadian John Ranger with 196 points and the most talked about bog-wheeler there, U!.e 250 Kawasaki. EverYOlle seemed to take great interest in the lime-gold creations that Canadian Trials Champion, John Jones had built using a new 25'Occ Kawasaki piston-port engine and an abundance of Sammy Miller equipment, including the frame. Jones was also riding one of these surprising Kaws which according to Ranger had dead stock engines and stock Kaw forks. He said that they were hoping to get the gearing changed and add a larger flywheel but hadn't worked it out yet. The Kawasakis were impressive and seem to have tremendous potenuai. The top ten positions were round'ed out by three Bultacos and an Ossa. Doug Gawne from Michigan took seventh and with five points more was Len Thompson of New York on his 250 Ossa. Michigan's Dick Debolt was ri'inth with ...J Many of the sections were reversed for U Sunday to provide 21 different sections >U each day. Closing times were established for the sections by dete~mining average lap times, so time was a small factor but yet Important. On each lap the Windsor Motorcycle Club tallied uP the score at the starting point so everyone could keep track of the event. This, along with MOTA's initiative to have such an event, made'it thoroughly enjoyable, because it came off without a snag. Leavitt described the event as "a very neat, challenging tr1als - the best I've ridden in quite some time.' The 40-plus riders all seemed to fnjoy the event, and even though it was suPposed to be experts only, anyone could enter. It was extremely difficult though, and those who finished really earned the title of expert. The entries from all over the country made this first North American Championship a success. The J 3rd place Don Sweet climbing no. 21, Story and Photos By Jeff Harrison PORT HURON, MI., Sept. 23-24 - Bultaco's three man team led by California's Lane Leavitt completely dominated the competition today by taking first, second and sixth, as well ll.s the manufacturers team award in this very difficult trials. Bob Nickelson of Colorado placed second and Bob Tyson also from California was sixth. All three were riding the new 350 Bultaco, and ga,ve a very convincing display of pcwer and skill. Leavitt was the leader right from the start and maintained his low score totallng only 95 points for the 2 days or 147 sections. Nickelson accumulated 122 points and then the totals started to rise. Third place Don Sweet from Yankee riding an M.A.R, Ossa had 161 points, but close behind was MOTA's own top rider, 16-year-oldBobHopkins, who took fourth with 170 points. Bob deserves a lot of credit· for superb effort and desire, because early Saturday he broke a bone in his left hand but continued to compete, hardly being able to hold on to the handlebar and never using the clutch. He rode between sections one-handed and that was no easy feat in itself. At the end of th,e first day, Hopkins had been third with 86 points and Sw~et was fourth with 87. It was inspiring to see Hopkins ride and stay so cJose to Sweet. Body English aplenty in No. I. Leavill and Nickelson put dOUble-whammy on new Kaw. 270 points and Mike Markley came from Indiana to take tenth with 288 points. Also worth noting was eleventh place man Mike McCabe who came all the way from Tulsa, Oklahoma and had 289 points. The top lightweight rider was Mike Konners who was riding a new Penton 125 trials. Mike accumulated 388 points to best second 'place Gene Mutter from Michigan on a new 123cc Montesa with 416 points. Needless to say, the lightweighis had their share of trouble getting through some of the sections, which were the same for both classes. The award for the best combination light!heavyweight went to Mike Konners (Pen) and Dick Debolt (350 Bul). Bultacos dominated the entire event placing seven out of the top ten overall. The contest had an appropriate English environment, due mostly to the heavy overcast both days and an occasional bit of drizzle Saturday afternoon and evening. It was just enough to make the difficult rock sections just a little slippery and thus treacherous. The grounds were excellent for trials with all natural sections and plenty of rocks. event Is scheduled to happen agiUn next year and hopefully there will be more competitors. These two days of competition are bound to give the Michigan Ontario Trials Association a reputation for good organization and great trials. They deserve bothl RESULTS: Overall: 1. L. Leavitt, 95, (350 Bul); 2. B, Nickelson. 122. (350 Bul); 3. D. Sweet, 161, (250 Oss)';. 4. B. Hopkins 170, (250 Bul); 5. J. Ranger, 196, (250 Kaw); 6. B, Tyson, 206, (350 Bul); 7. D, Gawne, 232, (350 Bul); 8. L. Thompson, 237, (250 OSS); 9. D, Debolt, 270, (350 Bul); 10. M, Markley, 288, (250 Bul) Lightweight: 1. M. Konners, 388, (125 Pen); 2. G, Mutter, 416, (125 Mon) Best Light/Heavy Combination: M. Konners (Pen) and D. Debolt (Bul)