Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

~..oo-~..oo-~-~-~' w-w-w-w-w-w.. . . .-~". #f$:~-~~:~~~~#~~~#~:~~-~~-~~~~:~#~:~~:~### ,; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CRe MX ~r,::~:. Hendricks on still another fast Superfun MX ;; By John Grout from the catitol • • The current fuel shonage is having an impact on everything we do. The Congress extended great power to the Presiden t to establish whatever con trois he feels are necessary to meet this crisis. One of the first things the President pointed to was fuel used for recreation. Tha t could elimina te all forms of motorsports. Along with this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is cracking down on noise pollution. Winois has passed anti-noise regu'lations so strict that they may close down all forms of vehicular racing and motorsports. Oregon almost did likewise, but backed off and is still considering the matter. There has never been so much of a need for everyone involved in all forms of motorsports to band together into a united fron t against this threat. We are being singled .out as the group to attack primarily because we are disorganized. The government may point to the number of support vehicles used in the pursuit of our sport, but this is no greater than the number of private vehicles used to transport persons to the coliseums, stadiums, bowling alleys, theaters, golf courses, etc. One element of motorsports that has never organized, except for sanctioning, is racetrack operations. We have been working with several to help develop the Motorsports Association of California, a new organization from which we can draw added strength. We in tum will lend our support to that organization in times of need. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is pushing states into compliance with the National Highway Safety Act of 1966. That act requires states to enact a mandatory helmet law . . A subsequent act allows the Federal Government to withhold a state's highway funds if the state does not comply. That's why 46 states have helmet laws. In California, the Feds haven't been successful since this state contribu.tes more funds to the Federal Government than it gets back. The end of 1974 is the date for compliance. We are going to have a fight on our hands this coming year. The various state agencies are sparing no expense in their bid to push the law through. To combat the legisla tion we are going to need all the financial help. we can get. Our only source of financing is membership fees and occasional benefits. Anything you can do will be appreciated, even if it is just to convince one of your friends that he should belong to M.O.R.E. '# VALENClA, CAL., DEC. 7 Led by a number of the sport's top riders, and despite the rather bone-rattling cold weather, a good field of contestants was on hand for tonight's motocross program on the high-speed International track at Indian Dunes Park. Rick Mercier (Open Mai), Ken Zahrt (25il BuI) and Jeff Wright (125 DKW) scored overall victories in the three riding divisions for the high-flying Expe)'(s. However, among others who looked good - and might have won the whole affair, if it hadn't been for a few problems with their running gear during the three motos - were Jeff Blix (Yam), who did beat the swift Zahrt in his final heat race; Tom Simpson, straddling a rocket-like Revell-tuned Maico; Joe Root (Bul), Tom Zahnter (Hon) and I Zahrt was an overall victor against the combined classes in both of the first two motos, before dropping the final encounter to a charged-up Blix. Both were racing 250cc machinery. Victory amongst a large group of minicyclists went to Honda mounted Bobby Jones, who won the final two heat events for the youngsters. Second went to Ron Morrison and Greg Toyama was third. The Mini clan is getting in some practice for the fourth annual "World Mini Grand Prix," a two-day classic scheduled for January 5 and 6, on the same International course. Rich Kawana, after dropping the first moto, came rolling right back aboard his Honda to grab rather easy wins in the remaining heats, gaining the overall against 125 Beginners in Division One. Greg Perolio (Hon) had a somewhat more difficult session against Divison Two racers, before defeating Mike Lewis (Hon) and top Powder Puffer Janice Kline, who also was campaigning \l Honda. #' By Tom Corley ORANGE, CAL., DEC. 8 The excellent preparation for the T AMA f' aI d £ ransm e prove perlect for the Superfun Motocross at Saddleback Park Saturday. The track was a scaled down one compared to when the best ·crossers in the world romped around on it. There was little chance of the Superfun racers doin' high-speed.over.thechrome-moly handlebar eats 'cause there was no banzai hill. Bob Quintin has toppled the Minis and 125's on his XR-75 and 125 Elsinore at the Orange Bowl of Motocross. He was doin' his thing again at Saddleback today and whipped the Mini Beginners. Second place was Mike Johns on a Honda. Quintin beat the 125 Novice class over Bill Noble racing a Pen ton and Mike Freeman moun ted on a Honda. #' = _ :; g o::t< l' 01 ....-i 00" >~ ;:l ~ ~ RIDDEN BY • No Ariz. smog regs WASHINGTON, D.C., DEC. 3 The Environmental Protection Agency today announced the Arizona Transportation Control Plan for the Phoenix-Tucson Interstate Region. There were no restrictions or limitations placed on the registration or usage of motorcycles. In announcing the final plan, the EPA stated: "The proposed restrictions on motorcycle registration met considerable opposition at the public hearings. Also, motorcycle industry spokesmen pres~nted testimony to the effect that emission standards are necessary and that EPA should set them. EPA currently anticipates that such standards will be established in time for the 1976 model year. In view of this, EPA has re-evaluated this measure and has determined that it is not reasonbale at this time." #' 19

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