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/125831
Page 8 October 23,1973 \ Sand, sand, nothing but-sand then, appearing from behind a puckerbush, a vision of loveliness - a mirage, perhaps. Desert enduros do funny things to your mind. Pucker up, Honey! We're gonna have some fun CRC European Scrambles By The Shadow By Larry Langley RED MOUNTAiN, OCT. 14 CRC has picked up -the two 10C:>p family enduro concept, refmed It, and come up with a package which guarantees everyone who runs it a good time. The idea is to throw an easy first loop for the mini-cycles and Power Puffs, and then open up a more demanding second loop for other riders. It worked well for over 400 riders at the CRC Pucker Bunny Enduro. The first loop was as advertised: easy. I heard some complaining from some riders abou t being too easy but they tend ·to forget who the loop was laid out for. CRC had four checks on the loop to keep. everyone honest but the placing of three of them left a lot to be desired. A secret check is supposed to he just that. When riders are hiding behind bushes waiting for their number to come up, it takes something away from an enduro. I talked to CRC about it and they agree that it was a mistake and will try to hide them a little better . next time. That's one thing that's good about CRC, 'they are not afraid to take some constructive criticism and try to improve their events. A good number of mini-cycles tackled the first loop with most fmishing. There was one little blonde girl about 10 years old on a Yamaha Mini 80 doing quite well. I didn't see anyone babysitting her; she was on her own. The first loop made a big swing around the mountains, coming in at the Wagon Wheel Cafe (more commonly referred to as "Charlie's Place") and then branching down a canyon before criss-crossing the easy terrain a number of times to get the required mileage. Finally, the course crossed the railroad tracks right at Trona Road and headed down an easy trail into the pits where the Powder Puffs and Mini's ended their enduro. Waiting was the second loop which I didn't hear anyone call too easy or boring. CRC kicked up the schedule speeds which had everyone hustling to stay on time. The loop took off across the valley, up a sand canyon, made a big loop towards Red Mountain and then A slitht miscalculatil)n of force vecton, no doubt. back around to the sand hills. By this time, just about everyone was running late. There was one small very steep uphill which some riders underestimated and, consequently, ate it. After the uphill, came a fast ride before dropping down a twisty canyon which, naturally, contained the last check of the enduro. Talking to the checkers there, they said everyone was late. At that time only one rider was within one minute of his time. Down the canyon and out across the valley floor again to the pits marked the end of a good, fun ride. Plenty of smiling faces around. General consensus was that it was a good family enduro. I agree. I think CRC bas their stuff together. They still use those awful arrows but what they lack in quality, they make up in quantity. Every turn had a bunch. The marking was quite good and it was obvious they put a lot of work into the course. CRC, while being a so-called Upromoter" outfit, is not taking your money and running. The riders got their dollars' worth. The fmishing pins were well-done, featuring a pucker bunny and a carrot cactus. I'm looking forward to the next CRC enduro. • RED MOUNTAIN, CAL., OCT. 7 The California Racing Club kicked off its Fall Desert racing season in grand fashion, hosting a European Scrambles at Red Mountain. Despite the fact must of Southern California was suffering through anything but October weather...c1ouds, winds and rain...the CRC and its competitors were blessed with th~ perfect day as far as the desert goes. In fact, the whole program came off without a hitch: no injuries and nobody got lost. Incidently, it might be weU to point out that with the return of cool Fall weather, the CRC will return to its very active desert calendar. Desert enthusiasts should watch the calendar section of this paper for further inIormation. The fmal race of the afternoon, race three, had about all the excitement, as it involved all the Novice classes, plus the Expert and Intermediate rated riders. Finishing ,,,st overall in the event was Jim Sturgis (Hus), who also happened to "Now don't cry about it. A lot of kids were a few minutes late.