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/125835
Bob Hosford ran away with the 350 Comhined class on a 325 Long Beach Honda. It seemed like he lapped everybody but the second place rider. Bay Area Bultaco teammate Ken Zahrt dominated the 500 Expert class on a similiar product in a way we wouldn't have thought possible for the young rider. He was truly impressive. The only two guys who could stay with Kenny were Precision Cycle's Tony Rogers (Mai) and Husqvama's Terry Clark. They were going some rapid, those three. It gave all us slow dudes a shining example to follow. Champagne time at Bay Area. The largest Old Timen' class in recorded history (and some of those guys go back quite a way) roared, putted, sped and wobbled around eiRh t times to th'e sound of gruntiilg, panting and wheezing. Except for John Maroney who belies his age (Cheated on his birth certificate, righ t?) and rode an orange Maico in front of all the Golden Agers from start to finish. As crack announcer Don Kempt commented after the grueling ordeal was over, "Somebody come down to the finish line and help these old timers push their bikes to the pits. And bring them a martini." A lot of foxy-looking daughters and patient wives did just that, getting the old man back to the truck before his heart attack. By the time things had settled out to a mild buzz in the heads of most of the onlookers and a lot of racers were· licking their wounds or bragging about their accomplishment, the Open class ran. Open everybody: Expert, Amateur and Novice on a mix of Triumphs and 501 Maicos. Jim Wilson, in his first ride on a Triumph, led the more experienced four-stroke pilots for several more laps, challenged by Terry Dorsch and John Hateley, until John finally got past and started building a small cushion. Hateley was taking Jim too much for gran ted, wheelying down the straight through town and back off to keep the race interesting. Jim actually managed to close the gap by the fmal lap. Terry seemed to fade a tad, no doubt preferring smoother tracks, as George Elliot finished flJ'st Amateur and Mike Fanucci, first Novice, both on the two-stroke things. Speedway star Mike Konle motored his British sled through the dirt consisten tly in third overall It was a veritable gas to see all the Pro and near-Pro racers out play-racing, obviously having a good time, and getting back to the roots of their professional careers. THINGS REMEMBERED: Preston Petty showed up, on his way back from winning the 125 class in Baja. He took Gen.e Cannaday's riding number in the Open Expert go. He's never missed a Hopetown GP, even when it was Corriganville. Mitch Mayes also came back from his Baja win to ....ide that class. They were both still a bit tired. John Rice was seemingly at the grid of every race he didn't ride, helping with a kind word or a hand for everyone from ovice to his fellow Experts. He still goes fast when he's going. And very, very smooth. . The Dirt Diggen were good PR men for themselves, managing to be competent, frrm and friendly all at the same time. The first turn crash in the 350 Combined class which was followed soon after by the second turn crash. It happened in a lot of other races, too, that just happened to be the flJ'St full even t of the day. The guaran teed unbreakable lever that broke. The girl with the blue eyes wearing the flower top and carrying the bottle of Spanada. Hopetown 1973. Long may it wave. Maybe you'll get to see yourself in the movie that Orville and Ollie's made of your race. • Results: THE UNOFFICIAL TOP THREE 350 NOV/AM/EX, 1. Bob Hosford (Hon); 2. Bryan Sreker (Bul); 3. M~tt Bilton (Bul). I Old Tlm.rs: 1. Bill Todd (Mal): 2. Jerry Will1ngham (Bul): 3. D. Carey (Vam). . 500 Am: 1. Will Harper (CZ): 2. Craig Adams (Hus): 3. Leonard Liston (Mai). Powder Puff: 1. Jeanene Turton (Bul); 2. Marcia Holley (Pen); 3. Janice Kline (Han). 500 Ex: 1. ken Zahrt (Bul); 2. Terry Clark (Hus); 3. Tony Rogers (Mai). Srdehacks: 1. Palfreyman/Gardner (Trl·Was~); 2. Saxlund/Shlrriff (Vam); 3. Ridyard/PlahOyskl (Vam). 500 NOV: 1. Russ Mortenson (Mai); 2. Steven Gordan (Hus); 3. Richard Kelsey (CZ). Open Nov/Am/Ex: 1. John Hateley (Tri); 2. Jim Wilson (Tri); 3. George Elliott (Mai). AMERICNS LARGEST MOTORCYCLE & ACCESSORy'SHOW , I A WORLD ROUNDUP OF THE NEWEST, MOST EXCITING BIKES & ACCESSORIES. 'Ai MODELS· OFF-THE-ROAD BIKES· SHOW BIKES· RACE BIKES· RARE ANTIQUES. SEE FANTASTIC NEW MOVIES ON THE GIANT SCREEN. PREMIERE BENElli 6.