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/125818
inspired riding. Cal is so damn good, it's just a shame that he doesn't have the machinery to match his mountains of talent. We conducted a poll of folks in the know: "Fisher. Carruthers second no matter what. I don't think the Norton will finish." . " ixon. Roberts. Williams. That Norton will never break. Not after the Isle of Man IT," said another. "Calvin, too if he feels aggresive." "Kel Carruthers. Fisher and Nixon." "~ter Williams or Geoff Perry." Since we all agree so well, we'll let you draw your own victors. We tried sampling some of the less involved members of our staff, but all we got was "Marty Tripes," Pete Karsmakers." The other races will be interesting too. The same group of fast guys will- be candidates for the lightweight win. The thing to remember about the Combined race is that Kawasaki is struggling to break the dominance of Yamaha and Yamaha is fighting to retain their grip. The man who wins it is a good bet for the Nationa! win the next day. HOT DOG! RACES PRODUCTION In addition to the usual Junior and Novice wins, there will be a new firs t for AMA road racing: producti.on races. There are two races, a 350 for Juniors and Novices and an Open fOT Experts and Juniors. You can coun t on the usual group of hot Juniors and Novices disputing the lightweight event, and for a real battle in the Heavyweight. Yvon DuHamel will be riding a Kawasaki 903, like the one he just won on in Canada. Also Kawasaki mounted will be Stevie McLaughlin on a 903 and George Roche on a 750. BMW and Reg Pridmore may not sound like they're names in the same league with DuHamel and Z-l, but Reggie and that BMW are going to be very difficult to beat indeed, as anyone who has attended a local race can tell you. Butler and Smith have been developing that machine for a year and a half and their hour is at last come. Cook Neilson of ''Cycle'' magazine has entered and is tentatively accepted. (His acceptance hinges on his receiving his AMA Junior license). He'll ride his Ducati 750 and prove that not all editorial sorts are duffers. Yamaha is rumbling about entering on their 750's with a bunch of their Ro-fasters handling and passing. The Action Fours Honda will enter in the hands of Bob Endicott, bu t the machine will have to be backed off in displacement since its usual 57Occ's aren't legal according to the rules for thc' race. This will probably be the most in teresting race of the weekend, and Kawasaki will probably win since they have more time, money, and horsepower than anyone else, but BMW will be the challenger. M '" " 1 M .... '" -i SIDECARS, TOO In addition to the other events, there will be a sidecar exhibition on Sunday. The three wheeler race is usually a favorite of spectators, who love wa tching them slide around the demanding track. As you may be able to tell from the course map, the best place to watch if you like to get in close and watch the fast guys work, is tum six, seven and nine. The sheer speed isn't there, but because they are slowed down, you can get closer and also see more of what they're doing. The only grandstands are at the start-finish line, but up at the top of the track, turns six and seven, there are plen ty of shady hills to sit on and watch from. There is racing all day Saturday, the 28th, and Sunday. First race, a Novice heat, is at 10:30 on Saturday. Here's a schedule: FRIDAY, July 27 Practice all day for Novices, heavyweights, and Combined entries. Production classes practice for Juniors and Experts. SATURDAY, July 28 8:00-9:30 Practice 10:30 Two Novice 5 lap qualifying heats. 11 :30 Two Expert/Ju.nior 250 Combined 5 lap qualifying heats. 1:00 250cc Novice 50 milers 2:30 Expert/Junior 250 Combined 50 miler. 3:30 350cc Novice/Junior 10 lap (19 mile) production race. 4:00 750cc Expert/Junior 20 lap (38 mile) production race. SUNDAY. July 29 9:00-10:00 Practice for Experts, Juniors and Sidecars. 10:30 Two Junior 5 lap qualifying heats. 12:00 lst Expert 20 mile qualifying heat. 12:30 Second Expert 20 mile qualifying heat. 1 :00 Sidecar exhibition. 2:00 Expert mile Semi. 2 :.30 Junior 50 miler. 3:00 Foo-foo rah, hom blowing; and other bits of ceremony. 3:30 75 mile Expert Final (about an hour to an hour and a half long). If you are planing to go to Monterey, make your reservations now. A horrendous shortage of rooms and campsites over this particular weekend. That's because it's the place to be. We'll all be there. Shouldn't you? N > :; .., Ul ;J: w Z W ..J U > U Ken Roberts has become Yamaha's most outstanding all-rounder. He did well last vear and will want to pick up the points. Gary the FIVing Fish was fastest last vear, and therefore has to be considered as fairlv high on the "most likaiV to succeed" list. Peter Williams 1121 will ride the best handling motorcycle that vou·.. e..r seen. Since Daytona it's gouen faster, too. Here he follows Cal RaYborn at Brands Hatch, a course not unlika L/V'na Seca. LAGUNA SECA MONTEREY We predict that Reg Pridmore and his BMW will win the haavyweight Production event. That's about the safest prediction you can make for the weekend. . OFIRST AID ". LAKE BED' PARKING 1 MILE FROM 1rl CCuRSE - 19 MILES SMOOTH ASPHALT 30 FT IN WIDTH