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/125814
~ '" w Z W ...J U ~ by Dennis Pe terson "Think I'U throw the scoot in the truck and motor out to the desert," went the old saying. But something has changed. Try this one: "Think I'll throw the scoot into the truck and motor over to the cycle park." Ycch! The off.highway areas of Califomia are now patrolled by "Desert Rangers," wh ose purpose is to can tro I off-highway public land users. Or is it to control erosion? I've forgotten. At any rate, the B.L.M. controls what we own: our laild. It has been four years since the last desert race in CaJifomia, the memorable 23rd Annual Check Chase! Five thousand eager souls lined up siJen tJy, as if in prayer to the orange fireball that rose in the east over Parker, i\xizona. The needle hit a nine on the Rich ter scale when the banner dropped. Ah, but this is history now, and in four years of abstinence the desert has been a quiet scene. But now ... friends again, Hey, where'd they say the race was? Oh, yea, Soggy Dry Lake, Oh, well, better than nothin!, Think I'U cruise the camp area and look up some old familiar faces. A C,H,P Cop! right here in the desert. What? Oh, its the sponsoring club's un.iform. Clever, heh·heh, Well, I'll check the run to the bomb. N at too bad, fourth gear so far",clunk. Ouch! Genug@/%%* Ooohwee, A rock, Why isn't there any lime on that thing? Must be a bunch of squids in charge here, Hmmm. What does it say here? "Rock No. 1989735: If damaged or moved please drop in any mail box. Postage guaranteed, B,L.M." Well, ferchrisake, I can't haul that big mother back to camp, I'll just kinda' turn it over and "Oh, hi there, nice race you guys got he re.)l Mrnmutter...Where'my gonna find a mailbox out here? Mmmumble, Well, the banner is up. Got the fuel on, everything is ready. BARROM! TrelJeborg? Hot damn, best start I ever got, What's that green thing up there? My God! It's George Walker on a 60 I Kawasaki. Looks like he's half asleep. There's J,N. hookin' it, and Larry Poofenwhoofer. MMMmmmm, love that dust. Peg it! There is the first check, Wow, it is really crowded, What's that hose he stuck up the exhaust? Gad, it's a CHP spot check. , guess I'm O,K., but I wish he hadn't put that little sticky over my goggJes, Anyway, "m rolling again, Who's THE S.L.M.M.C. IS PLEASED TD PRESENT, LET ME MAKE THIS 'PERFECTLY CLEAR, IT'S FIRST ANNUAL HARE AND HOUND. Rocks, trees, bushes, hills, strip mines...no obstacle overlooked. Trail novices go all the way. Sniveler stay home. B.L.M. cards, green stickies and silencer required. Finisher pins and 20%, trophies. Wow! A desert race! With real motorcycles. Wow! Lessee here, damn, where'd I put my gloves, Hot damn, a Desert· Race. HHonee, where's my heJmet?" Geez, my kidney belt shrank! Ah, the desert, Checkers, Shamrocks, Sled Riders! Boy, it'll be good to see old that on the 590 Husky? A.C. Bakken! Last time r tried to zapp him I got off on my ear, Easy does it - Whoop, wowee, genug@/%&*! Roc k No ... drop in .. ,postage guaranteed. Ugh, I'll pick it up later. Must be riding over my head, It has been a while ...better slow down. Hey, there's Tom Brooks on that same old Deek he used back in '72, Oh well, its a big bike course. Yeah, right. Can't miss the ribbon. Red, white and blue biodegradable plastic. Don't /r -" ~--~, ':.>JJia (lID 1 :i 0 '~ . ~. SALES SEPVICE Welding Porting Accessories --~ .B AY AREA BULTACO . Inc. * * 1:J!:>2 Cenlmela, W. Los Angeles Corner of Sanla Monica Blvd. & Celltinela Open ~ see too much out here on the second loop though, hmmm .. : Here comes the finish. Better get the front end up, Ah, cross it up a little, What the bell is that siren? A ticket? Fer what? All 1... Better tum in my tank card. What does it say here? HNixon in 'SO?" Here's my finisher's pin. Ga dang! A Red Dots pin it ain't. A picture of the Governor shaking hands with Smokey the Bear. Sheesh! Well, there's always next year, Maybe I'll run the gas pit. am to 6 pm Mon. thru Sat. IXl :-'I leakProof Fork Seals Guaranteed 1 Year. Gorman Pressure-Balanced UA72-1; Ceriani, R.E.H., Betor (Bullaco), Montesa, Metal Profile, Ducati, Puch, Greeves'and Dalesman. $14.75 per set. UA72-2; CZ, AJS and most Telesco. $14.75 per set. UA72-3; Husky. $16.50 per set. UA 72-4; Maico. $13.75 per set. Exclusive Dealerships Available. International Cycle House 4212 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood. California 91602 Phone (213) 769-8020 .r •••• I ••••••••• ~ ••• I ••• II ••••••• I ••• ~ a Mike Patrick's YAMAHA of CORONA 213 826- 7856 1101 E. 6th St. - Corona (714) 735-7721 •••• 11 •• 11 •••••••••••••••• ••••••••••• DO YOU HAVE 1.": "''''~ ~., a~· ~ ...:-·"1••••• \~ ... P.O. Box 444, Cypress CA. 90630 (714) 827·7427 COMPETITION MANAGER MOTO~CVCLEWHEEL.S DESIGNED. BUILT AND REPAIRED SEND 25( rOR LA 1 ALO(,! ********.****.********* « « « .. « « « .. « « « « « « « « « « « .. « « « « « « « « « .. « .. « .. « « .. . oil .. « ... • trw CAPABIUTY? .. .. Let's have an American World Champion. Jo'in the American Motocross Team a'nd receive this beautiful multi~color team patch for a 55 (or more contribution to .American Motocross Team, Box 3276. Hollywood, California. * * '* « . .. • • « « *., * *." * * * ... ~ Come work (and grow) with us, not for us, but with us, as part owner. If you are willing, capable, and bondable, we will train and back you in a cycle related, route distribution program. Earn a good living, status, and part ownership, calling on cycle dealers in your own area (hDme every night). BE READY FOR SPRING RUSH QUALIFICATIONS AND REFERENCES TO: CYCLE NEWS P.O. BOX 498-Y LONG BEACH, CA. 90801