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/125813
fRefafeafjJ«;jJ ,... " i6' N ,.... 0- en ~ ~ o FAIR WARNING: Cycle News will ~, closed for two weeks over the holidays. The next issue that you find will-be our gigantic end·of·the-year issue. After that you won't get a paper for two weeks while we vacation. We will be closed from December 20 until January 3. Calling us in that time will get you nothing. * * * * * * The Spanish Derbi factory is getting out of road racing. They have four manufacturer's World road racing titles to' their credit and their riders have five individual titles. Their ace racer, Angel Nieto, is going to race Morbidellis. Barry Briggs, four times world speedway champ, has retired. * * * has stated that they will MV Agusta not participate in the Isle of Mann TT if the same course is used as has been in the past. * * * Will the TRI-STATE TRAVELETTES please contact Georgia Gehring, Box 5, Star Route, Carmel Valley, California 93924. * * * * T WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE RACEDAY (done to the rhythm of 'Twas the Night Befor~ Christmas) 'Twas the night before raceda y And a.ll through the house There was bending of wrenches From hubby to spouse. The children were tucked All snug in their beds While visions of trophying Danced in their heads. ~The van in the driveway Was ready to go The leathers were polished The helmets aglow. Ma in her coveralls and pa in his jeans Had just ~ettled down To work on the mach ines. When from inside the engine There arose such. a clatter He pulled off the head To see what was the matteL The light from the dropcord On the new porished head Showed nothing the matter But the engine was dead. When'what to his wondering Eyes should appear But a busted up crank And worn out main gear. He knew in .. moment He must find the trick To keep his scoot running So rapid and quick. "My spanner, my sockets Put the light over here Wife quit your bitchin' Now hand me a beer". He spoke not a word But went straight to his work Repaired the trouble And turned with a jerk, And laying his Coors can Aside at his feet Exclaimed with great pride "I'll never be beat". They heard him yell As he drove out of sight "Tomorrow I'll be first" And they knew he was right, For whenever he raced He raced with his. heart But on'Sunday morning The bike wouldn't start. -By Addison Randall & Terry B. Raye w Z W ...J () >- () * NATIONAL NUMBER ONE WEATHER REPORT: Mark says the weather is nice in Hawaii. * * * MADE IN GREENLAND, NO DOUBT: The "Los Angeles Times" listed Ake Jonsson as winning the TransAMA on a "Mexico". Wait until Carabela hears about this. * * * * * ~ THE MAN WITH THE SKINT KNEES: We were chatting with some PR types ilt Kawasaki and they confirmed that Paul Smart has not been re-contracted to race for them so you can look for the man with the skin t knees on something else next year. Ducati comes to mind as the most likely, but' one shouldn't rule out Suzuki. Suzu\<-is aren't exactly famed for their excellent handling in road racing form, and they migh t benefit from some of the thought that Paul brought to Kawasaki. It was Smart that braugh t the Seeley frames to Kawasaki - although it didn't seem to have a tremendous edge over the more conventional frame developed' by Kevin Cameron and piloted by Cliff Carr. * * IF YOU LOST YOUR BIKE AT BARSTOW-TO-VEGAS: A Yamaha was fou nd. If it is yours you can have it back by calling Alice Rhea at 714/549-3464 and telling her the serial number_ . iHE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I IS DA BIKER AND YOU IS DA BIKIE: The recen t cold spell in the Los Angeles area brings out the real motorcyclists. You see them out on their machines, happily touring or trailing, while their Jess dedicated coun terparts complain abou t the weather and ask how they can do it. * * * The other th'ing that is taking LA riders by'surprise is the ice - as the managing editor Will testify. * * * Riding a Kawasaki 903 in deep )Ilud is a gas. * * * Brad Lackey instructs in riding technique. Why· is Lori smiling? Brad Lackey picked up a check for $5000 from happy sponsor, Kawasaki Motor Corp. All you have to do to get that kind of bread is pick up the Number One plate in Open class motocross, finishing sixth in the TransAMA series