Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

. SUPER SQUIRT II III • ~ E "We're goin' down to the Honda shop, tell you what we',. gonna do. We're gonna borrow his hose and try to get rid of that goo." - apologies to the Beach Boys. 'what's actually there are two different things. Once you set a knobby tire down in that deep red sand and work up a sweat, you realize that the Panhandle may be more subtle than other areas, but demanding nonetheless. The nature of the land, i.e.-fields arranged like an ou trageously difficult crossword puzzle, posed difficulties for the Track and Trail Club of Amarillo, organizers of the "Boll." Over twenty farmers had to be contacted for permission to cross their Iand_ The response was overwhelmingly favorable, many even took down fences. Over 400 riders headed out into the "Big County" (Chamber of Commerce lingo) via the city's streets. A large number of Memphisites either going to or coming from church stopped off to watch the start. Many seemed disappointed that the riders didn't snake off the line in a cloud of burning rubber. The riders' leisurely jaunt down the pavemen t didn't last long, and the trail dropped down into a sandwash that was a portent of things to come. One gent aboard a 450 Husky was so relaxed after the initial mile that he forgot he was riding a motorcycle and stuck his nose in the sand like a rooting hog. Mostly, the 113-mile route had alternating easy and diffiuclt sections. The riders traveled down dirt roads for a while, then they'd go off into a sandwash or river botton, back on the road, back again to the boonies. The Red River, which "flows" about fifteen miles to the sou th of Memphis, was used to good advantage. Yes, the same Red River Valley Gene Autry used to sing about, but the winter rains haven't come yet so the grand waterway is but a mere red trickle. By far the best opportunity to view the riders and their progress, or lack thereof, came at the Red River Bridge at EsteJline, Texas. The scene was very reminiscent of Barstow-to-VeRas. as a large contingent of gawkers and/or well-wishers milled around good-naturedly waiting for the riders to come through. AMA Rep Ted Kelderman entertained them with long wheelies on his OSSA. (It was the first time I'd ever seen an AMA employee actually ride a motorcycle. Stylish, too.) As the haggard riders began appearing, the crowd cheered and moved closer to the course, which soon began to resemble a motocross track complete with berms, as the riders put on a little show for the folks. Since the course wasn't as treacherous as some others on the National enduro circuit, the riders could concentrate on pinpoint time-keeping instead of merely trying to stay alive. The Pen tons, Jack and Tom, showed the large contingent of Texas enduro·maniacs some spiffy riding by losing only three and one points, respectively. Jack remarked that the second half of the course, which was considerably more demanding than the first half, was the only thing that kept Tom from "Acing the whole damn thing." Overall "B" winner David Barclay led a Yamaha onslaught of the Open class, losing only ten poin 15. A t the trophy presentation he announced that his victory was dimmed somewhat by the fact that his son's bike "burnt plumb to the ground" while Dad was out winning his trophy. To Barclay goes the Cycle News TeJl-It-Like-It·Is Award. Long sandwashes and sections of hard whoopdies thinned out poorly prepared riders fairly early, but there were still lots of fmishers aboard slightly less than perfect enduro mounts; some trials bikes, a Honda twin or two, 125 Yamaha motocrossers, and at least one old Kawasaki Bushmaster 90. A poll of the riders indicated that most felt the "BoU" was easier than they expected, but the type of terrain they encountered was unexpected. Unanimously, they voted it a ufun" rUD. As the sun slowly set in the Western sky, you'd think ~lemphis would be tired of motorcycles. Not so. A Harley Hog got stuck in the mud and five pickup trucks appeared simultaneously to render aid. Everybody had to get into the~L • Results: Overall 8: David Barclay (Yam). Overall A: Jack Penton (Pen). Overall: Tom Penton (Pen) Father/Son Junior: 1. Lynn and John Terry: 2. Jackie Hooper-Greg Boyd; 3. Bob Lewisis-Kirk S-Iagle. Father/Son Senior: 1. I.J. and Mike Towell (Suz·Suz): 2. Harley and Ben Abbott (Hus·Yam); 3. Bob and Dale Towell (Hon-Suz). 100 B: 1. Bill Pando (Pen); 2. Fred Brown (Pen). 100 A: 1. Don Holeman (Pen); 2. James Reynolds (Hon): 3. E.W. Brian (Pen). 200 B: 1. Bob Powers (Pen); 2. George McMahan (HOn): 3. Robert Daniel (Pen). 200 A: 1. Tom Penton (Pen); 2. Vern Street; 3. Bill Uzell (Pen). 250 B: 1. Mike Thompson: 2. Craig vogel (055): 3. Dennis Noonan (055). 250 A: 1. Jack Penton (Pen); 2. Mike Lewis (Pen); 3. Alvin Sharp (Hon). Open B: 1. David Barclay (Yam); 2. Ronnie Witte (Yam); 3. Richie Gradner (Vam). Open A: 1. Tom Covington; 2. Tommie Damron (Han); 3 ..Gerald O·Brien (Yam). Yamaha has revolutionized cable lubrication. Our new Power Cable Injector is a real lubrication breakthrough. Completely cleans and lubes, I clutch, throttle and brake I i:=CIIIII cablesinoneeasystep.Clean, : hi • quick and efficient, it fits all I .&4-:~. motorcycle cables. Check 't:~ your Yamaha dealer for a "I demonstration. You have to I see it in action to believe it. ~ Your nearest Yamaha dealer .......iOiiiiO.... is in the Yellow Pages. 'I" ( . . . . .YAMAHA PAIlS DI5'IRBITORS, INC. ( ; " I' 'flbl" l'",;.,.~", '; •. A"Ml ,- It, PI:,. { ' .. I Xk-1O Mike Lewis came ower from Oklahoma to get gassed by Mn. Lewis. HusqlJl1rntl Molo-cross School Desert Riders-Noviees. Any brand bike. Storag8-rentals awilable. Coach Rolf Tibblin! One week sessions $145.00. Enroll now. HUSQwrna Training Center, 4935 Mercury SI., San Diego, Calif. 92111. Phone: 714·292-0670. WANTED Motorcycle route salesman with existing routes in Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia to represent Torsten Hallman Racing. Contact: Chuck Ramage, Torsten Hallman Racing, S34S Timken St., Suite L, laMesa, Ca. 92041 for complete details. All inquiries held in strict confidence. 9

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