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
Page 41 October 2, 1973 "power of positive thinking". Reverend Ike calls it "money power". Stu Morley calls it "creative thinking". You have the power to shape your own life, he says. Use your imagination, and you can control your destiny. Think it, and it will happen. "j ust imagine what you wan t your life to be like. You .can create what will happen in your world. I have been doing it consciously for a year. Subconsciously, for several years." Now he has their attention. He continues to talk. "When you are on that line, and the gate is about to go up,just tell yourself, 'I have already won this race. The only reason I am here is to see how I am going to do it.' I can even show you how to draw numbers for positions in a scratch race. There is a method to it .. all." Madness? Hardly. Many of the younger riders improved quickly after some sessions with Morley, .and some of the older guys moved back on the yardage marke.rs after a couple of classes with the philosopher-rider. After the talk, the riders walk their machines out to a pylon-marked track similar in size to the one at Costa Mesa. The class begins in earnest. Morley sets up their bikes to suit the individual rider. Handlebar size, footpeg size and shape, how to worlr, th.e throttle and when are all basic lessons. Then for the harder parts. They learn how to get the bike sideways so they can slide through turns. They learn how much tension to exert on each part of their body during the races. They are taught the best ways of coming out of the gates, and which groove is the best to ride in. . Soon, they are sliding and battling each other in mock competition. The improvement is usually evident after only a few hours of instruction. The riders are proud when they leave the track, and the professor is happy. They have a full day of instruction at high speed, something they can get nowhere else. They kick up some dust, gain a new insight into the machines, and get a new appreciation for the sport. And they learn to respect Stu Morley. After the practice, they sit down for a talk session about what mistakes they made and how to improve. And they make plans to meet back at El Mirage next week for more of the same. When it is allover, the time is for partying. Refreshments are broken out, and some of the riders who brought dirt bikes take off for a few hOllrs of fun in the sun. " The professor kicks back. "I love having the classes out here. Fresh air, great company. It's a lot of fun. " All present agree wi th Morley. The people are good, the weather is fine, and just maybe that kid popping wheelies after class on his 501 Maico is the future world champion of speedway. _ .. Morley demollsbatws the sideways stretch for a student. Slide~uts Handlebars are carefully adjusted to suit the rider. are common while learning, but injuries are rare. • Professor Stu Morley conducts dasses at EI Mirage dry lake. •