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/125828
October 2, 1973 Page 36 MIC tells GOy't.: WORLD'S LARGEST SUBSCRIPTION G.P. 11% TROPHIES (DUCK_'S) Limited Entries Starting Now Thru October 1,1973 Starting in Signal Hill, California Gas Check in Atlanta, Georgia Finish at ~~CENTRAL Entry: $8.00 pir Year (25 Issues) $14.00 For 2 Years, But ONLY $20.00 For Three Years. Send Check or Money Order To: A Division of CYCLE NEWS, INC. ~~CENTRAL P.O. BOX 13245, Dept. FREEBIE AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 Entry Must Include: Name, Address, City, State, And ZIP CODE. ~-------------------------------.., ENTRY BLANK: NAME - - - - - - - - - - - ' - - - ADDRESS-----------C I T Y - - - - - - - STATE - - - CYCLE NEWS CENTRAL (1 yr) 8.00 ZIP CODE--CYCLE NEWS CENTRAL (2 yrs) 14.00 CYCLE NEWS CENTRAL (3 yrs) 20.00 This is a Renewal Please Bill Me 1 ENCLOSE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ~-------------------------------~ ACCESSORY SALE REG. PRICE SALE PRICE TIE DOWNS.. .. .. .. .. $8.95 $5.95 N:G.K. STD. 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CALIF. 90717 (213) 534-2311 , We failed a test we never took Representatives of the Motorcycle Industry Council appeared today before the Subcommittee on Health and Enviro'nment of the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. The Committee is currently holding oversight hearings on the effects on the nation by the 1970 Clean Air Act as it is being administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Stuart Philip Ross, Legal Counsel for the MIC, reviewed in testimony the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Transportation Control Plans with regard to use and registration restrictions on motorcycles. Mr. Ross emphasized the adverse economic effect of such restrictions upon the motorcycle indus try and dire consequences for the national fuel crisis and the traffic congestion problems facing our metropolitan areas. Mr. Ross summed up testimony by stating: "The Motorcycle Industry Council states again on behalf of its members that it pledges itself to work, to meet reasonable emission standards proposed for motorcycles within a reasonable amount of time, and we request that these standards be proposed." "However, we also request that this Subcommittee consider an amendment to the Clean Air Act prohibiting EPA from restricting registration and use of motor vehicles unless emission standards have been established for the particular motor vehicle and the motor vehicle has failed to meet the· standards - or, in the alternative, unless standards have been established for all motor vehicles and met by all, and the ambient level is still not being reached. In the latter case, across-the-board use restrictions would be appropriate. The present motorcycle proposal is, however, invidiously discriminatory against on"e tmotor vehicle'." "The motorcycle industry in tends to retain its positive image. We believe that working together with government we can attain clean air J reduce noise and solve other problems of public concern. The situation we find ourselves in now necessitates, however, this Committee's earnest consideration. We have in effect been told we failed a test we never took, and we do not believe Congress intended this. We welcome the challenge of that test and only ask that basic precepts of fairness and due process be made available to all 'motor vehkles'." Promoters Grand Prix Riders' Association. The idea had been nourished and ram·rodded by GP winner Gemt Wolsink, an educated articulate Dutchman who had agreed to act.as a leader/coordinator for a group whkh didn't officially exist until today. After several hours of clil!cussion, a Board of Governors of the GPRA was announced at a special dinner given by Champion Spark Plug, for all the riders attendant for the Motocross des Nations. The official representatives of the motocross GP riders are Hakan Andersson (Swed.), john Banks (GB), Frans Sigmans (Neth.), Sylvain Geboers (Belg.) and Gerrit Wolsink, continuing his role as primary coordinator.. There was, however, a surprisingly light turnout of riders for the organizational meeting, possibly due to the fact that some riders hadn't arrived in town yet. The Russians were resident in the same, hotel as the meeting and celebrating dinner bu t were not allowed to attend. Also noticeably absen t were this year's American Grand Prix competitors jim Pomeroy and Brad Lackey. Both were no-shows as of late Friday night and it was anticipated that Brad would miss the Motocross des Nations altogether. Americans Mike Hartwig and john DeSoto sat in on the meeting, unfortunately only as observers though john has actually earned World Championship points in the U.S. Grand Prix. Even . though only 25% of the potential members were represented in the formation of the GPRA, the group included a hard-core and significantly both 1973 World Champions. Both DeCoster and Andersson were forces behind the realization of such a rider-based group as the auto Formula One drivers have had for three years or more. Of. the absent riders, many were known to be strongly in favor of a GPRA including Heikki Mikkola, Kalevi Vehkonen, jim Pomeroy and joel Robert. The initial goals of the GPRA are simple and straight forward: A) To act together to ensure basically safe courses for Grand Prix motocross_ The speed and caliber of the 1970's GP rider do not permit trees in the middle of downhill straigh ts, for example, and there are many flat-out disastrous courses in Europe. B) To coerce organizers and promoters, in cooperation with the FlM, to abide by FIM rules for motocross. Everyone promoting World Championships is bound to abide by FIM regulations anyhow but amazingly, many ignore them. Eventually, the GPRA plans to work for minimum purses in Grand Prix events and guaran teed start money for all GP riders. Unbelievably, many riders travel hundreds or thousands of miles, receive no start money (or about $5) and compete for a $3-400 total purse. (Pomeroy, for example, received no appearance money for Spain this year.) take note Triumph Factory Closes Grand Prix Motocross Riders' Association Formed By John Huetter It all started in the snows of Austria in the early spring. The event was supposed to have been a 500cc World Championship but LONDON, SEPT. 14 almost every Western country rider walked away from the 'start gate, refusing to ride in three-foot deep snowdrifts on a course less than bike-width across. The key figure in that nearly unprecedented Grand Prix riders' walkout was Roger DeCoster, World Champion in that class for now three years in a row. About three other "name" motocrossers approached him asking if he would ride. Roger replied, "1 will do what the other riders want to do." The implication was that nobody should take advantage of the situation even though it was one that generally favors DeCoster, for instance. The result of that first move some mon ths ago was realized today in this small Swiss village as riders from both 250cc and 500cc classes, including new 250 World Champion, Hakan Andersson, came together to form the . Plans to close one of the factories producing Triumph motorycles in England early in 1974 were announced here today by the Directors of Norton Villier Triumph. Production of motorcycles and spare parts in the plant at Meriden will continue during the next several months to meet continuing high demand throughout the world for Triumph motorcycles. The company's two other factories at Birmingham and Wolverhampton are unaffected by the action and have sufficient production capacity to meet future Triumph requir~ments, it was noted by Or. Felix Kalinski, president of BSA, Inc. and Triumph Motorcycles Incorporated, the firm's United States subsidiaries. The closing follows several years of financial losses in the motorcycle business of The Birmingham Small Arms Company, Ltd. It is aimed at achieving economies by concentrating production at the two remaining plants and thereby establishing a healthy base for the sound future development of the British motorcycle industry, Or. Kalinski said.