Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

• M ~ N - l:ii ~ g .z ~ w Z w ~ t.> >t.> Is a Kawasaki 500 too peaky to reach the peak? by Scott Heidbrink IRVINE, CAL., Nov. 19, 1972 - Today was Saddleback's monthly hillclimb, and due to the recen t heavy downpour, the hill was as tacky as bubble gum, there was too much traction for most of the riders that are used to the usual fair grab on this hill, but today, even the little bikes could really go flying up the Matterhorn. Everybody seemed to really like this condition, they liked it so well, and so many topped it, that Vic Wilson said that the competitors should look for some TT-style jumps in the hill next time they use it, so beware. To speed up the climb, the bikes 50-250 were started at the bottom, the 250-500's started at 250 feet, and the Opens started at 300 feet. It doesn't sound too hard, until you consider that the hill is only 650 feet high. After the eliminations at 300 feet, the stop was moved up to 400 feet, then It was Neal's best. Gary Parsons could really fly his Maico up the slopes, even after he dominated his class, he held on for the try at the overall win, but just couldn't put the torgue to climb the monster. Gene Paquette was aboard a very interesting Husky, he runs an 18 inch front riIrl, lowered forks, lowered and extended swing arm, and has more torque than a lot of ·tractors. He dominated his class very easily. Bill Correll and Ron Staffel battled out the 650 win on their Triumphs, with Bill edging out Ron by getting better blasts off the logs. The battle for the overall win was in the 750 class. Last month's winner, Jim Ellenberger encountered trouble getting off the line, without too much wheelspin, and Neal Mackel's big Triumph just didn't seem able to make as much momentum up the hill, as it did Did he make it? that could climb the steet.> rock wall adjacent to the climb, in two minutes, well, some boy did it in one, and took home five big ones. Then, he decided to let them try to run (on foot) up the Matterhorn from extended it until somebody topped it, because he was laughing too hard to stop the festivities. But let me tell you, there is nothing funnier than seeing forty boys trying to run up a sheer cliff, because when one gets hIgher than the _~d :,!~~~,fi!~~ !!!~" ~!!!!",D~.!~!.1~!.!!~e~m. !!"<~!!m~ ,., ~d runs of the day. Gee, they only had to climb 200 feet up, but it is almost straight upI' The competition was hot all day, and only a handful of riders made it to th.e fourth leveL With only eight going·all the way to the top level. Of those eight, two Were 250's, one 360, one 400, one 500, a 650, and two 750's. Most of these machines were burning some pretty heavy mixtures of exotic fuels. The 250's of Doug Hall and eal Mackel were the first to ever do so good from such a high level on this hill, with Doug coming out altead by clintbing up to about 615 feet up the slop, bettering between John Bjorkman and Don Robinson, with John being the only one with the power to top the mighty slope from the fifth log! While waiting for the trophy's, Neal Mackel could be seen throwing peanuts at John's big 750 'climber, Sore loser? No,just in fun. Speaking of fun, Vic Wilson got loose with his money this weekend. Saturday, John Bjorkman and Alice Hundall topped the hill, so what you say, they were doing it together. They were the first to do this feat, but the Sizemore brothers have been trying on their CZ for a while now. Also, Vic decided to give away five dollars to the first kid Come dance with me. you've seen the hill, about half the way up, there is a limestone ledge, with lIttle traction for much more than sha,rp fmgemails or toenails. Vic put a two minute time limiJ on the action, but he Those aren't insects, they"re the spectators. pull them down. Even some of the Saddleback employees trying their luck at it, wonder how much Vic is paying them for their services?

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