Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

Page 33 October 2,1973 Scene: World ~) / Speedway By Peter White Bast Brothers Go Under American speedway aces, Steve and Mike Bast, have accepted terms to race in Australia and New Zealand this year. The rip-roaring Californian brothers have been negotiating with Sydney Showground promoter and managing director of Empire Speedway Pty Ltd, Mr. Owen Bateman, for a three month season Down Under and expect to leave L.A. sometime in November. They will race mainly at the Sydney Sbowground a vast, one-third-<>f·a·mile track only a few miles outside the heart of Australia's premier metropolis. However, they will . also compete in meetings at most other capital cities and several country provincial circuits. The, Bast brothers raced in Australasia two years ago as members of the touring American speedway team and on the strength of those performances, plus their current high standings at Californian race tracks, they've been invited back to take another lash at the big-track Aussie riders. This time around the boys know the conditions they will be facing and they should be able to adapt quickly. Showground promoter Owen Bateman said he expected them to give his local riders a good run for tbeir money and he was anxious to promote a future inter-change of riders between his country and the United States. "We already import American speedcar and production sedan car drivers during our main summer season and now we are turning our attention to the' motorcycles," said Mr. Bateman. (Cars and motorcycles run on the same programme Down Under.) "The Bast brothers should prove a popular attraction to our crowds and I sincerely hope they can adapt quickly to our big track after spending so much time on those tiny circuits they have in California," he said. Mr. Bateman has already contracted a British solo ·test team 'to tour both Australia and New Zealand about the same time as the Bast boys will be there...but it is unlikely they will clash. As two separate attractions, they will probably be in different parts of the country at different times. However, at the time of writing, Mr. Bateman had o b t a ined preliminary approval for several Polish riders, possibly includin-a the new World Champion Jerzy Szczakiel, to tour Australasia as well. If he obtains final permission it will be the first time in the history of the sport which originated in Australia back in 1921> - that riders from behind the Iron Curtain have raced Down Under. l~ the deal comes off, it is likely the Bast brothers will be pitted against them in a gala Stars and Stripes versus the Iron Curtain affair. The Bast brothers will also contest major championships in New South Wales and they are preparing special bikes for this purpose at their Californian workshop.. Their bikes will leave by ship in a few weeks and they will follow by air in November. • clear through the worst weather conditions. Top Gear goggles come with a basic, clear lens. But there are interchangable lenses available in smoke, green and amber. And when your not on the road but headed for the slopes, take them along. Top Gear goggles are perfect for skiing and snowmobiling too. Top Gear. Means what it says. Just a quick fogging up of your goggles can easily land you in a ditch. But that's a worry that need never cross your mind again. . Top Gear goggles will not, indeed cannot fog up. They're coated with Hydron, a new .plastic film that shakes off stearn, condensation, rain or vapor. The expansive, wrap-around lens piece give you a wide range of vision that remains The ooIyfog-free goggles. Member of MIC Hydron- is a trademark of the NatioNiI PI.. "t specifications subject to change without notice Development Corporation. CARROLL SHELBY ENT. .M)( 'IllES SIZE 4,50,,18 4,oax18 S,501<18 S,OOxl!1 3,50..21 HAS ALL THE NEW EAGLES IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DBN. • REG. PRICE SALE PRICE 26.95 22.95 2 .'5 25.95 26.95 THE WESTS ONLY LEGITIMATE FULL SERVICE DISTRlBUTOR OF GOODYEAR MOTORCYCLE TIRES lR 0< ROAD RAaNG, DESERT, Mi(,DIRT TRACK AND MUCH MUCH MORE 1695 159 17.95 18.95 I' "ALL TUBES REDUCED 30% ~ -------------McFadden at tile Newport Fwy : • YAMAHA/HUSQYARNA • Sales· Service· Parts' Accessories • ,ZlOOE.Mcfadden,Slnt,An"(7IC)55S-1511 GOOD1'YEAR WHOLESALE ONLY HAVE YOUR DEALER CALL US , (!; E;AGLE CONTACT "MITCH" MITCHENER ;042 PRINCETON DR. VENICE, CA. 90291 (213) 821-3436 ...•..........•••..........••........ I'll'.' ~ll'lS SlllllCl

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