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/125824
September 4, 1973 Page 26 By Dick Wright STODDARD WELLS, CA~., AUG. 26 Before the drop of the banner for the start of the first of hyo laps over the thirty-eight mile course, every one had agreed it was anyone's race because of the rough course of rocky bad lands, rocky hills, and the rocky starting area. The Barstow MC tried to do the best they could with the area, but at the last minute they had to change 'their starting area, so they started on a rocky volcano bed. Mark Adent was able to go fast enough, stay out of trouble at the start, keep from geeting a flat tire, and fight off a hard charge from Brian Brecker to come in for the overall win on his 250 DKW. The banner for the AmateurIExpert dropped at 9:00 AM. A good start was necessary as the dust is very powdery. Tom Smith had a hot trail on the left and grabbed the lead a half mile from the first hill. At the same time, Art Knopp, running about ruth, got a flat tire putting him out of shape at top and making him Cordis Brooks as they crossed on two trails. Tbey both took a header. Smith did a couple of tank slappers as he hit the hill, held on and wheelied over the hill, Bre ker also was thrown sideways by a couple of rocks as bit the hill under power running second, Aden t was running abou t six tho A few minu tes la ter the fIrst riders with flats and other troubles started ~oming back. First was Tom Smith witb a loose gas tank. Next in was Larry Pfutzenreuter with a flat tire, "I just barely got between Knapp and Cordis when they were doing their codos, it was close." Meanwhile the banner had dropped for the Novices, and Robert Balen tine bombed over the bill looking very much in command of the race. Tbe first fIve made the hill, then one rider bounced off and everyone started going everywhere, up the sides of hills, bouncing over rocks where you never expected a bike to be. The word came back that Breker, Mitch Mayes, and Aden t were baving a go for the lead. Mayes, the pre-race favorite if he didn't have any problems, was in fact have a couple. He got a bad start and had to work his way up. Trying to put the pass on Breker, he did a step-off at speed and had to call it a day. After that it was Breker and Adent. That's the way they came through the pits, Jack Knebel was third. Ou t on the second loop the two young tigers were racing bar-to-bar on the desert floor. There were no spectators watching them. This is desert racing at its best. Breker had the lead in this close duel, and as Adent told it later "Breker took the wrong trail, and it gave me just wbat I was looking for. I got on the main trail. I just held it on and got the lead." Adent brought his DKW in for the win, his third overall win this year. Breker was second, Jeck Knebel on a CZ was third on a flat tire. A young charger from Las Vegas, Scot Harden, was - fourth and Bill Saltzman took a well earned fifth. Troy HoJJis took first on a CZ. After 'that things got'a little mixed up at the finisb line, as some riders rmishing the second loop and some were still on the fIrst. Also, the club had a secret check, and it seems some riders "cut out" a hill, but our list shows Tim Ralpb first 250 Amateur on a Honda. First 100 Amateur was Ron Cobb on a Hodaka. First 100 Expert went to Bruce Ogilive on an H-D. First 175 Expert to Jeff Jeffries on a Yamaha, and fIrst 175 Amateur to Ron Hulst on a But We will have to wait for the fmal checks to be rechecked to know for sure. Robert Balentine put bis program together and brought his big Yamaha in for first Novice. He had it all tbe way. First 150 Novice went to Paul Hillmuth on a Husky, first 100 Novice went to Daviej Pearson on a Hodaka, and first 125 Novice went to Mike Eckardt on a Bultaco. Gene Stoop and his Barstow MC did the best they could with having to cbange the entire lay'out -one week before the race. Hope tbey have better luck with the powers-that-be next year.• Mark Adent out lasted Mayes, out coursed Breker, and out rode everyone else. Therefore, he won. Adent Wins Hare &rarnbles Results: O~rall: 1. Mark Adent 250 Ex· (OKW); 2. Bnan Breker 500 Ex (Bul); 3. Jack Kneble 500 Ex (CZ); 4. Harden 250 Ex (Hus); 5. Bill Saltzman 500 Ex tHus); 6. Troy Hollis 500 Am (CZ); 7. Oon Orewitz 500 Ex (Vam); 8. John Doe; 9. Terry Davis 500 Ex (Vam~; 10. ~~~nE~~; 11. John Doe; 12. Dave La rack 250 175 175 100 100 500 250 100 125 Amateur: 1. Tim RalOh (Hon). Expert: 1. Jeff JeffrIes (Vam). Amateur: 1. Ron Holst (Bul). Exoert: 1. Bruce Ogelvie (H-O). Amateur: 1. Ron Cobb (Hod) Novice: 1. Robert Balentine (Yam). Novice: 1. Paul Hillmuth (Hus). Novice: 1. Oavid Pearson (Hod). Nov;ce: 1. Mike Erl(ardt (Bul). The rocky course was the spoiler for some people. With all those people behind you, you can do a wheelie.