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/125826
Page 5 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith: 1 have been advised that the County of Los A ngeles is presently holding in trust 165,975.23 as a result of Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Fees. 1 have also asked our Department of ParRS and Recreation to seriously consider pwnning such' a facility within the County of Los Angeles. Since these funds are being held in trust for a specinl reason, they cannot be used for any other purpo'Se. J thank you for taking the time to make such excellent suggestions and comments, and 1 look forward to contributing my efforts to this specific recreational need. BAXTER WARD $12 Participation CZ, Too Ever since Roger DeCoster won his third consecutive title Suzuki advertisemen 15 read "F irst rider to win the 500cc Crown three. consecutive times". This is not true. Offhand I can recall at least one super-man by the name of Paul Fredrichs of E. Germany. He won the 500 Crown in '66, '67, and '68, all on a CZ. Get on the stick, Suzuki!! . ANTHONY J. CRUZ , Pico Rivera, Calif. Here is a list of world 500 champs since 1952: 1952 Victor Leloup, Belgium (FN). 1953 Auguste Mingels, Belgium (FN). 1954 Auguste Mingels, Belgium (FN). 1955 john Draper, England (BSA). 1956 Les. Archer, England (Norton). 1957 Bill Nilsson, Sweden (AjS). 1958 Rene Baeten, Belgium (FN). 1959 Sten Lundin, Sweden (Monark). 1960 Bill Nilsson, Sweden (Husqvarna). 1961 Sten Lundin, Sweden (Mo7l/lrk). 1962 Rolf Tibblin, Sweden (Husqvarna). 1963 Rolf Tibblin, Sweden (Husqvarna). 1964 jeff Smith, England (BSA). 1965 jeff Smith, England (BSA). 1966 Paul Friedrichs, E. Ger..JCZ); 1967 Paul Friedrichs, E. Ger. (CZ). 1968 Paul Friedrichs, E. Ger. (CZ). 1969 Bengt Aberg, Swed. (Husqvarna). 1970 Bengt Aberg, Swed. (Husqvar7l4)...Ed. ' The F1M Greets America! On the occasion of the 48th International Six Days Trial, classic even t in the annual calendar of motor cycle sport, I send my warm greetings to all foUowers, of motorcycle spcxt in America. This is an historic occasion. It is the first time that the FIM has entrusted the promotion of this great event to any country outside the Con,tinent of Europe: I t is a display of the confidence which the FlM has in the ability of the American Motorcycle Association to promote an event ",hich, with justificatiGn, is frequently referred to as "The Olympics of Motor Cycle Sport." The Federation Internationale Motocycliste, which has governed motorcycle sport since 1904, is comprise.d of more than 50 nations (including the British Commonwealth) spanning the world. Many of those nations will be represented by national teams in your Six Days Trial and I feel sure .that you will see an International display of sportsmanship and comradeship which will bear comparison with any other In ternational event, including the Olympic Games. All of us in the Council of the FIM would like to be with you on this great occasion. Unfortunately, for varied reasons, this cannot be so. You have my assurance, however, that America and its motorcycle sport will be very much in our thoughts from September 17 to September 22 as the best trials ride,IS in the world fight out their great sporting con test. We in the FIM appreciate that your country of America has much to contribute to our sport. We have already seen the enthusiasm of your a representative to the FIM and the fresh ou t100k which they bripg to our discussions. On 'behalf of the' FIM, which really means the whole world of motorcycle sport, I wish the AMA every success in their promotion of the Six Days Trial. I wish the competi tors' a successful and enjoyable stay in America and I send to alI spectators my warm personal greetings and a warm welcome to the first-ever FIM event to be held in America. DON NICOLAS RODIL DEL VALLE Presiden t, FIM Timeless Puss I thought the latest Motocross Cat was rather amusing but dated. The las, time "Hastevarna" was copied was 1970 when they won tIle 50~c World Championship. This is also the last year (1970) a European Manufacturer won a world title in motocross. Since 1970 in the 250 class and 1971 in the 506 cl:tSs, the Suzukis, ,and now Yamahas, have managed to win the titles. So let's keep the record straight and give credit where credit is due! T. KONYA RedondQ Beach, Calif. All Motocross Cat is supposed to be is "rather amusing ..... Ed. In regard to Commissioner Bloomer's remarks in Voices Of The West in September 4 Cycle News: I submit that the AMA does not want rank-and-file participation - all the organiza tion desires from them is their dues. If participation by the ordinary ,a u es-payers were desired this industry-dominated group would permit them to vote according to the classic formula of one man: one vote. DOUG RICHMOND Oakland, Calif. Participation by the grass roots member is beginning to occur. At present the 112 man can vote for two cwss A members every year. It is our belief that the candidates for this office should be persons not involved in the industry, just riders like the voters themselves: We hope that competent persons with an adequate knowledge of business can be found to offer themselves for these positions... Ed. A Question Of Loyalties? After reading, and then in disbelief re-reading, the account of the Ensenada 300, I was appalled and totally baffled at the coverage or more apdy, non-coverage ot many of the significan t ' aspects of the race. Watkins and Martella, both of who are Distric t 37 desert races, rode a strong race throughout, fmished a well deserved first place, and helonged as the feature point of the story, not a throw-away at the end. Also, could it posSibly have been an ovenight to exclude any mention at alr of Colbert and Ho~ay, who, with Glory and Credit some of' the fastest lap times officiaDy I would like to thank Cycle News for'·.. :, p'Osted, rode their 360 Y~a into the picture and article about the ACA ' ,d)iI:d place? Had their names not Willow Springs Road Race held on ,appeared', in the results column (with August 26, 1973. ' one misspelled), most interested readers Far too often the rider gets all the would have been totally un~ware of glory and most of the credit for 'good the,ir presence in the race "(and their shows ,and the tuner remains finisli).· anonymous. 'For the r-ccord, the Honda The reporter, Alice Rhea, qunpletely 500 I ride is owned and meticulously neglected any ·mention of the lengthy prepared by Ron Scrima' of Exhibition' dispute regarding the fact that'the team Engineering. . of Johnson and M'ason used a, third rider It -is interesting to note that th'e bike to coDect sec~nd place money. ..J..s a is Jour years old and has been matter of fact, distribution t!he successfully ,raced for three. seasons. motorcycle pnze money WllS officially held up at the trophy presentation for (Dave Bu'rchards ~ode it ,before lI\yself.,) The bike has never ONF'ed, nGl' has the close to two houn whie the legal aad bottom end ever been taken apart! It is moral implications of the use of a third' one' 'of the best examples supporting rider' (who had not been reported to, or production bike road racing. as the cleared by the race officials, as part of cheapest form of road racing in the' that team), were hotly debated. I feel it country today! was the reporter's responsibility to FRED H. WALT-I II inform the readers, contrary to what San Marino, Calif. was stated in her story, that there is no rule allowing a third rider or driver in Money, Honey the B.R.A. race rules. The decision in Please reprint the attached letter this case was made by Bill Mart~, race from Los Angeles County Supervisor director, based on "preceden t from Baxter Ward. The funds he mentions other association'8 races." ". Were derived from ORV registrations It is amazing to me that Mrs. Rhea, ("green stickies"). who is supposedly for the desert riders It is still up to us all to make our and the honest continuation of this ORV park desires known. If you live in sport, would not find this ruling Los Angeles County, write to your unorthodox and therefore lend her supervisor (his ]lame and address should loyalties and editorial space to the riders be available from your local League of who "went by the book." It would Women Voters or the phone book). appear that Mrs. Rhea was more Simply ask him to please support the intrigued with her own experiences in. a planning of an ORV facility in Los race car (a most difficult place from Angeles County. which to report a motorcycle race), and If you live in an incorporated city in the "hum.an interest" aspects of one Los Angeles County write to your city get·off (unfortunate, but commonplace councilman and ask him' to see that in desert racing) than an, honest and money derived from ORV registrations competen t coverage of this exciting Baja is set aside in a special fund for ORV race. FRAN BLOCK parks. , MR. & MRS. CHARLES A. SMITH Pit Crew Al tadena, Calif. Colbert and Holladay .\mtriC;I·s No. I Weekly Motorcycle Newspaper Sharon Clayton; Publisher Tom Culp; General Manager Edna Mewton; Secretary to Publishe.r Too Rafferty; Managing Editor Catherine Lampton; Art Director Art Friedman; Editor John D. Ulrich; Calendar & Controversy Howie Fowler; Adv~rtising Manager Wendy Blanton; Advc:rtisin.8 Assistant Rheba Smith; Circulation Manager Cheryl Steinberg; Circula cion Assistan t Roslaind Plut; Production Assistant Hector Aguilera; Lab Technician Marion Hatashita; Typographer Mel'vin Phelps; Assistant Typrographer Dave Crowe; Collection Manager Grace Camp; Accounting Manager Twila Wheeler; Acoounting Assistant Chris Koibet; Accounting Assistant 5,queeky Nesbitt; Services & Support Michael Colikas; Services & Support Dav Pauli; Services & Support Jeannie Dunivan; Reception'ist National Advertising Director; 'Tom Cti:l p West: P.O, Box 498. Long Beach. CA 90801. (213) 427-7133: LA 636-8844. Telex No. 673-474. East-Dixie: 4190 First Ave.• Tucker. Georgia. (404) '934:7850. Central: 118 West 6th St.• Austin. Texas. (512) 476·7571. Subscription One year, second,class mail, 112.50 2 years, second class mail, S22,.50 3 years•.second class mail. $30.00 Single copy price., 50 ¢ . . 6, Published weekly except for the first and last week o,f the calendar year by Cycle N~ws. Inc., Post Office Box 498, Long Beach, California. Second class postage paidat Long Beach, CA. Editorial stories. cartoons-, ph010S.- etc. are' welcome. Addressed, stamped envelope assures return of editorial matter. Reprinting in whole or part only by permission of the publishers. A.dvertising r~res and,.circulation information will be senif 'u.P.0n .request. 'See S.R.p.S. Copyrighl Cycl~ N'ClY,S: Inc.• 1973. All nghts reserved. • ~> ~ INSID·E ': ~ .8 Road Racing Tale of a drag racer Trials .' 10 '. .' Burning Bernie Technical 11 International MX •... 114,,38 End of a season, start of an era Local MX .16,24,31,39,40 Desert ..' 18 North .. I , • • • • • • • • • • • • 20 Opinion ........•..... 24 Every day has its dog National 26 They have lots of problems in Atlanta Enduro Test 30 32 Water powered Speedway 34 Around the oval around the world National MX 36 The battle of New Orleans Cartoon 37 The man who loved Ca:t racing Hassles .41 Big bummer from the BLM COVER: Doug Grant on a berm at Spillway Park. From a photo by Steve French/Brooks Institute.