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/125834
SRA Riverside Grand Prix Some even carne 10 race BURAK TUNING SCHOOL Learn how to tune bikes from the BURAK TUNIN'G SCHOOL for a profitable career or hobby. , This is where it all begins - the 10 yard dash to the bikes. 100-125 Beginnen hot foot it to the machinery. By Lou Whitney Photos by Dale Coats & Marcia Holley RIVERSIDE, CAL., NOV. 3 & 4 It's almost inconceivable that so many riders could show up at a racing event and w.orry so little about the race as the 1300 SRA riders did on a summer-like day at Riverside International Raceway. They 'came in all sorts of chariots, bringing an even greater assortme.nt of motorcycles and near-moto!cycles , ranging from factory replicas (and maybe/even factory bikes) to an ancient 600cc Matchless single that was reminiscent of Catalina days. You could almost see the glisten of tears in the eyes of the over-40 contingent as the thunderer had all it could do to clear the jump at the finish line. If this seems unusual, you're righ t, but that was that kind of weekend. Oddly enough, the racing wasn't the center of attraction (until it was your tum on the line), but rather the picnic atmosphere that seemed to permeate the atmosphere_ Mama and the kids basked in the sunshine, watched the big looking jumps from the safety of the pits, where anyone starting his scooter immediately brought down fury from everyone including his neighbors and friends. The special motocross section, a new and expanding section of the SRA course, was jammed with people either plain watching or drinking some sort of refreshment and watching the other gender of spectator. To appreciate the course, the logical thing to do was race in it, so the trusty Su-zook managed to find the start line for the Open Beginner class (big timers). Many tried to prop up their scooters on stakes, etc., but had to walk back and pick them up in a minute as the sharpened sticks sank into the water-soaked ground. The dust seemed pretty well controlled on Sunday, but some. of Saturday's events could have been better. My neigh'bor on the line was pondermg his fate in the run to the line as he had at least 15 inches of waistline over all of us. He must have been sandbagging as he was nearly first to his bike when the banner dropped Otd Faithful started on the third kick as usual and I had the chance to see the rear extremities-of an unimaginable group of leathers, Levis, cords, pig tails, parts falling off, and worn down knobs heading for certain disaster in the first turn about two hundred yards down the pike. When I got there, the corner was clean and except for one or two who had lost sparks (great mechanics like me) the pack was nearly out of sight. Unchagrined and dauntless in my devotion, I pushed on to see what lay over the hill, and 10, there was a left sweeper and a double jump and a fantastic opportunity to catch the pack in a daring cross-country manuever thaI would have done justice to Gen. Patton. But what was this? A man sitting on a barrel with a pencil in his hand. Discretion became the better part of valor so down the course I went. As it turned out, the nine spotters had accounted for about 35 would-be winners turned out to pasture for illegal troop 'movements across unfriendly lines. The course led my screaming scooter (It was tired.) through a concrete culvert, around the comer and back over the hill toward the pits. The course was outlined with hay bales, barrels, barricades, streamers, and natural obstacles. Winding through the back country on a 50 foot wide course was fun. There were several double jumps with alert flagmen, TT terrain with broad sweepers, and a patch of asphalt. The course exited to the road racing track for a half mile and then took us right into the pits where I fell off waving to my many fans. Bruised but not broken, I charged through the pit section and was about to really start racing when this hill with wall-to-wall people on it came into view. Now those of you who have ever Been to a race know that there is only one reason why throngs congregate at a spot, and its not to cheer you on! Sure enough, I cleared the jump, had 50 feet to make a hard left and go. down another hill, had 100 feet to make a hard right and go over another jump. In the in terest of good journalism, you understand, I went through the section very slowly so that I could grasp what it was all about. It was here that the leader zapped me and landed about halfway down the hill. Oh well! The infield sec'tion exited to the pavement for a delightful run through the auto "track's esses and straigh taw ay , then 'in to the turn 9 sweeper and down"the drag strip toward the Champion bridge. Another crowd of people watched as Beginner racers tried to stop a 300 pound scooter with Don Greeley ran first part of the way in the 76-200 Beginner class, eventually finished second on his 125 Yamaha. knobbies at 70 MPH on the asphalt, make a hard right up an embankment, looking like a cross between Yvon DuHamel and Joel Robert, while waving at his girl at the same time. The results were often...interesting. This was also the finish line and after seven 5.2 mile loops the checkered flag came ou t, finish pins were handed around, and everyone went back to the leisure time activity that best suited him. In the meantime, SRA compiled results and handed out some pretty trophies to 20% of the starters. , Oddly enough, this was the only time I he¥d complaints all weekend as some riders (or parents) couldn't understand why it took 3-4 hours to publish results of a multi-class race with 150 riders in il. I t was obvious that these folks never had to do scoring before. It was the only time I have ever seen an event with that many riders scored and trophies handed out the same day. Some other racing organizations could take note. , The ones who broke looked forward to the next time; the ones who trophied gloated. the fans watched everything, everyone agreed that the organIzatIOn was superb. Th'e weather was groovy, what else is there? Ron Vince/lette of SRA invited BLM, MORE, CORL, COR VA, and the Sierra Club to se t up a boo th in the infield area to explain their position on public land and OR V use to riders and friends. In the case of CORL, MORE, and COR VA, it was a chance to spiel their wares to a mostly unaligned group of OR V owners and boost their· membership. Oddly enough, BLM and COR VA were the only ones to show up. The reps from BLM came into an obviously hostile imvironment and did a good job of listening to the c.ompl,!ints as they tried to defend their actlons. Hats off to them for coming and to Ron for inviting them, but I wonder where the other groups spent the weekend? • Under the tunnel and over the jumps to a finishing pin they go. Dig on the different styles. BURAK BYE-PRODUCTS 15170 Rayf11er st. van ca ~1768 . . SILllll elliS t>l\lllllS Slolll c\lp' 1Il0p' flf l ly-Pp,1Il \10 ISaSSOn) I 63~~:~1 ... Maflulacluflllg 117 FaUNl AIN WAY, ANAHEIM, CA, 92806 ......•...........•.......•.•.....•.. J Collins & Son 1265 E. Lincoln Anaheim (714) 535·5000 Motorcyc.les , Hodaka' 111u,t."UeUM ~~~~~Sport Cycle ~a~~~~~: Maleo GUY R. LOUIS (714) 893·7057 7219 Westminster Ave., Westminster, Ca. nOAM ReEVES ttOrtDA Now Carries Levi's 15745 Lakewood Blvd., Paramount, Ca 213 531-1225 INTERNATIONAL CAFE RACERS ASSOCfATION Join now the world wide organization for cafe racing enthusiasts. Receive pin, 1 yea r subscription "The Ton" newspaper, accessory catalog, tech Sheets, & all the latest info. Send $5.00 to: .t.C.R.A .• Box 73, Houston. Texas 77002 Busqvarna Klocker's SALES & SERVICE 6624 Atlantic, Bell, Ca. (213) 581-3983 NEW' DODGE' USED VAN -TRUCKS 4.4'. - CONVERSIONS Leasing Available. Most Makes Call For APpointment & Ask for Marv Sigman 86R or John Knowtes 0-37 Dependable Dodge 21514 Rosco.SI. Canoga Pk. Ca. 91304 213-883·9060, (LA) 213-873-4095 GREEVES- OSSA -HODAKA CARABELA - STEEN Sales & Service Nick Nicholson Motors 11573 Vanowen Street No. Hollywood, Ca. (213) 764-8674 Find it fast in the Cycle News Dealer and Services Directory 23