Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

'". . i' Q. M 8i a; c '" '" til ~ W Z W ...J () r () He's only Number Two, but then it's the· first -time he's tried. I could have made the Main where 1 should have done well. Mark Brelsford clidn't even make it to the heal races out of qualifying. I was really Jazzed; I thought things were really beginning to break· my way and I might be able to pick up a few points. "When you're on the circuit and doing goo.... it seems everything is neat...you really enjoy it. But the minute it starts going bad, then it starts getting depressing. Was I glad to get back home from that trip ... a bad trip. Gary's no longer bitter about the season, just a bit saddened. "I could just see that Number one plate fade away. Of course, I was still trying but lu~k is involved in to a lot. It's bound to happen once in awhile. Mark had his trpubles at the starl of the year, like with the bikes not being available. I was having mine then." It's over, though, and Scott is not one to live on the past. "I just signed . with Triumph as the third member of the team," he explains exci tedly. "The word is that the Triumphs have had a boost of about five horsepower for the clirt trackers. That'll make it more than competitive against those Harleys. "But, there's a lot more road races and that won't help my chances at winning the title ...it may even hurt me. I'm not the greatest road racer, you know." A smile creeps across his face. "There was this time out at Ontario that Bugsy got m~. I'd say that it was the old man playing games with me. I respect Bugsy, so when he went out to practice I wanted to get out there with him so I could ge t a Ii ttle race time wi th him and pick up a few little pointers. "So, I tried to catch up to him and I was really running hard and all of a sudden I started gaining ground on him. Well, this really jazzed me up, 'cause here I was going as fast, and faster, than Bugsy at Ontario. Wow, r must really be in the hunt. Gary is now shaking his head back and forth as he talks, grinning all the while. "So, I caught up to him and all of a sudden I realized he was playing games with me. Evidently, he wasn't braking nearly as hard as he could into the turns and I passed him pretty easy. I realized that wasn't doing me a"y good, being in front of him, so I thought as we came out of turns 18 and 19 that I'd just sweep a little bit higb and trick him into passing me again. "Well, 1 went a little bit high and Bugsy didn't pass me. In the meantime, r started looking back and then missed half the tum and proceeded to falloff. And on the. slowest part of the track at that! "So, when Bugsy went by and looked back, I just waved him on. There 1 stood, feeling like a complete idiot. It really tore me up - my pride." He heaves a confessional sigh of relief then exposes himself even further. "I was like a complete novice ...wasn't watching what I was doing and fen off." For a young man, second best in the country, it's difficult to admit you've got a lot La learn. Admits Gary, "I think Cal Rayborn is naturally the fastest roaa racer in America. I follow him - wen, not very often. You can't learn very much when the only time you can watch him is when he's passing you. He goes so fast and smooth that is's just unbelievable. Road racing: "There is much more racing as far as the riders ability and track ability...much more than I ever imagined. I've got a lot to learn next year. An awfullot... " • Gary Scott leading the Ascot Gold Cup, followed by fello~ rooki K.C. Brintnall Photo ---~_._-.........,

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