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/125816
.... THESE BOOTS WEREI'T MADE FOR·WALKIIG. '" i .... '" COl o > ~ .., ~ w Z W ...J C,) >C,) Tom Casey at the controls of the winning 570 Honda. He shared steering dulY with Bob Endicott. Neither went much faster than the competition, but they didn't fall or break. Going ~O Miles at Sears Point by Art Friedman SEARS POINT, CAL., july I - jim Dickenson, honcho from Action Fours, was explaining to the TV cameras about the preparation of his 570 Honda which was to be ridden by Bob Endicott and Tom Casey. "It's pretty much showroom stock. The only modifications made are for reliability. That way the customer who comes into our shop knows that he is getting the best possible machine." uWell," inquired the television reporter, "what about the tires?" Dickenson played his role of Team Manager to the hilt. "We replace the Slock tires wi th special road racing tires. The stock tires aren't safe at the speeds that these machines will go in a race. We install road racing tires purely for safety reasons. " It sounded like a line before the race, but afterwards when the Action Fours 500-tumed-570 Honda had walked way wi th the Sears Point 250 Mile Production race, it made more sense. They did it running reliable machinery and not riding as hard as they migh t have. Several. other bikes were running similar lap times, but they aU had.to stop for long pit stops because of mechanical difficul ties or crashes. The worst crash occurred on the first lap and involved at least four bikes. It was bardly the way to start a long race, particularly for Alan Engel who punctured a lung and possibly broke his back. Endicott took the lead on the second lap and never relinquished it, even during pit stops. There were several second place riders, but it only counts at the flag, and there it was (unofficially as of yet) the BMW 750 of Ed Unini and jerry Pels. They had held second early in the race and were even thought to be leading for a while, but they were even tually passed by a 500 Honda ridden by john Green. However, the Honda gave up the ghost. only five laps from home. There were several Hondas around that had opened up crankshaft inspection holes in their cases. The 250 class was all the property of Suzuki. Larry Koop and teammate Bob Roberts fought with Phil Franks and Pat Hennan who were riding a Ron Grant Prepared Suzzy. The contest was decided in the second hour when Hennan crashed and lost several laps getting things straight. ' The S uzukis were graced wi th pi t work of Ron Grant. Grant, who almost won the National held here a few years ago, had intended to ride until the Friday nigh t preceding. Be happened to talk to one of the promoters of one of the National road races who was aghast to hear that one of his . go-fast crowd-makers would be out taking chances just for fun. Ron was dissuaded. On Saturday, Ed Unini won the lightweight and heavyweight GP events aboard a pair of Hondas. The course is a long (two and half mile). winding thing with steep climbs and drops and plen ty of bumps. Some riders, particularly those on the larger machinery, felt that it was too demanding for a long race. But it is a true road racing course with plenty of turns and very little straigbt sections. A fast machine doesn't have that much advantage. Good handling and a competent chauffer are the prerequisites for success. The flagging was the best that I've ever seeD at an amateur race in California. lhe same can be said for the medical facilities. The officials were noteworthy for their lack of tact. There should be genuine AFM results in a few days or weeks. Ed Unini had a successful weekend, winning both GP e""n1$ on his Hondas and finishing second in the 250 mil.... They were made for the roughest kind of motocross and enduro action. • Available in black with Yamaha yellow racing stripe on back. Also with yellow shin guard. They feature 100% genuine leather. Six buckle full adjustment, padded front shin guard and inside double-duty leather padding around the ankle. Flat MX race sole or Vibram·Lug sole. Half sizes available in all MX boots. See these superb off·road boots and the entire collection of accessories, specialty items, apparel and genuine parts now at your nearest Yamaha dealer. OYAlWII PARTS DIS1RIIUTOIS, tIC. a subSidiary of Yamaha International Corporation. 6610 Orangethorpe Avenue. Bueno Pork. California 90620