Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

HANG TEN U.s. GlAND PRIX INTEINATIONAL MOTOCROSS ... and that's a mouthful by John Huetter Photo by Dave Schoonmaker The Carlsbad Trans-AMA is an important race, perhaps the most important of the Trans-AMA series. The reason does not lie only in the money being offered, or the number and caJibe'r of European riders en tered, or the happy effect of Hang Ten's money. It is important because the conduct and performance of this year's motocross at Carlsbad will determine whether the first real, no-nonsense U.s. Grand Prix remains on the fIM motocross calendar for 1973. Baron Von Essen, the FlM rep from Sweden, will be here to view this one and his recommendation to the FIM should finalize a first in the history of mororsports: an international motocross Grand Prix in the U.S. that will actually count toward the World Title. That distinction, despite so many uses and abuses of the term, is what makes an event a true Grand Prix, whether in motocross of Formula One racing. If an event counts toward the World Championship, it's a Grand Prix. What you will see at Carisbad this November Fifth will be a full dress rehearsal, including almost all of the actors likely to be contesting the points round in 1973. The spectator can expect, in addition to a chance to see his heroes and the heroes of thousands live and in action a course that is challenge suited 'to World Motocross champions. It is not flat. It is not dry and skatey. It is not short. It reminds you more of the tracks you've seen pictures of, laid outside some town in Belguim with ",; unpronounceable name. There is, of course, The Downhill that everybody talks about. It is long and, at speed, the straight shot gets pretty exciting. There will for sure be spectators packed three deep along both sides. After riding the track, though, the parts ~at seem to be really tricky, demandmg the utmost from bike and rider are the two off-camber uphill/downhill turns toward the east end .of the track. There is an uphill and a blind dropoff on one of the, with fast straights leading in and out of both. This is where you will see the best riders in the world doing what they do a best: race skillfully under difficult conditions. If you are a racer yourself and want to see technique, those are the places to be. If you appreciate the best rider in the world doing their thing well, those are the places to be. Maybe not as spectacular as the big hill but very, very interesting. The course also incorporates a proper quota of mudholes, water jumps and pretty efficien t use of the natural terrain, including rocks and bushes. It is a course that should prove demanding of machine as well as man; laid out to be very fast. The surface of the Carlsbad track was being very conscien tiously prepared as we rode it. I t is basically the same California adobe soil local riders know too well. There is sufficient loam in the lower reaches of the bowl in which the track lies to take deep discing and stay soft, hut the big hill will get slick anti cobby as the day goes on, with six long motos being run on it. There are not too many rocks on the track itself, however, to get churned up during the racing. Look for potholes to develop as riders bounce up and down the hills which will. fprce changing lines for a lot of them. The short, quick straights and big hill will favor a bi.J!;e that has the horses and can get them to the ground. Throttle response is important, as always, but could be critical in the races for the comers. There is plenty of room to pass on the wide course and we discovered at least two good lines through all the comers, the pros will be able to find a few more. DeCoster, for example, always seems to find lines that nobody else knows are there. Trippe-Cox' (in the form of Mr. Trippe himself) assures that there will be expanded parking and plenty of it; plenty of portable green houses so you won't have to stand in line; and enough food and drink to keep you happy if you don't bring your own picnic. One dynamite spectator spot, if you can get there early enough, is the first turn after the starl. I t's a hard left downhill for the short start straigh t. It > gomg to be very tigh t in there. There will 'not be a road race at Carlsbad that Sun:lay. tj o Vl ;:: W Z W -J U >- U -. The Carlsbad International course is full-size with big downhills, bumpy uphills and lots of them. Spectating near the track is good but the course is a full 1.7 miles Jang. : TIRED 0'; GETTING RAPEDl I ~l}8~~~SkY&~~ Santa Ana, Ca. 92707 " ! CARLSBAD GRAND (714) 549,1380 OMPHIJION M8to-X - ~RODU~tington YClE PRIX /< " 7241 Orangethorpe Buena Park. CA 90621 ,: Frame lowered$32.95 (Vam*HuskY*Suz). Forks turned ••..$15.00 (Yam·Husky) I Free Fork Protectors with Turn Forks I ._ • ',~ Iii • • •• ~ MEANS MAlGO (also Penton & Monerk) (714 521-2420 Desert Enduro , 16612 Beach Blvd. Beach. Calif (714) 847-2202 J••• ••, •• ,~ "SIl"" S.'SDea'er" "He, Mr. We carryall types of insurance coverage - garage liability·fire - theft & dealer bonds S.II Up r. 251 JOHN •• MAYNARD INS. 3441 ........ Ave., L.A., Ca. .

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