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/125847
Eyes on the ground ahead, Bernie Schreiber zeroes in on first A.T.A. poinu win of the season. Jeff Koskie (Suz) charges gully climb Section Two. The other guys are saying, "Do I have to ride that?" Schreiber snaps Whaley winning streak By Chris Ostlind AGUANGA. CA L. , F EB. 10 Marland Whaley took time out from his early season bid to wrap up another ATA Number One plate on his Montesa to show everybody that he was indeed human. He finished today 's SCfAsponsored trial in "only" second place after a tack-sharp perfor- 10 mance by Bultaco's Bernie Schreiber. Bernie ended up the day with 34 points lost, winning the trial on the strength of his second loop score of only two points ! Bernie's other three loops came to a 17-6·9 total which left Marland with just too much ground to make up. Marland's loop scores of 17·7-7 -7 weren't all that shabby in themselves but when y o u are used to hearing of Marland as winner and suddenly, he's not, you tend to think of that as a bad day for him. . Bernie, on the other hand, is getting better in every trial. He seems to struggle with slow starts at every event but if he 's within five points of the leaders after the first loop, Bernie figures in final results. While Bernie and Marland were doing it, the other Expert riders were also putting ou t some tricky riding. Steve Graham, who opened a few eyes at the Saddleback International Trial, was knocking on Whaley's door for second after three loops. If he hadn't totally blown a few sections, he could have put a serious wedge in the ATA points race. Steve's total. was 45, enough for third, just two poin ts ahead of Mark Eggar, (the Cotton rider), who was doing . a four loep shuffle of 20-4-16-7 for a final of 47 . Popping out fifth place was "EI Misterioso,' Martin Belair, with 48 points. Then there was King Squid Andre Plouffe, who apparently feels it his solid duty to go about playing junior earth mover. Trouble is, his output is usually directed into the face of some " friend ." More than one trialer came in with his shirt pockets filled with dirt. It 's great fun till someone catches a rock in the mug and loses teeth. Every inch of fork travel geU used up dropping into sand wash. Gustav Hermelin far outclassed the Amateur riders w ith a total of 29 points , compared to his nearest rival, Jeff Fish, with a 42 . Next were Jeff Richards and Tom Hascher who both had 43's, the tie breaker being Jeff's 20 cleans to Tom's 19. Fifth place was Ms. Evans. The lousiest jobs at a trial are handled by the ladies. Whether they're wives , daughters, or girl friends, they usually end up with the scorekeeping, section checking, and food supplying for those dusty funky dudes who are doing the trial. They sit out there trial after trial and somehow manage to keep smiling. Today the weather was just fantastic so the: women were rewarded in a sense, but the ultimate downer job of totalling the scores for 135 anxious riders was given to Mrs. Bass and her few brave friends. There must have been close to twice that many people knocking on the _ trailer door trying to find out how they did. This can drive a person to the edge no matter how pleasant they are in "real life." Thanks, ladies. We do know you're out there. The loop itse lf was set in typical SoCai terrain : dry, dusty, and dotted with nasty, aggressive " Spanish Dagger" plants. "EI Misterioso" slid in with a partially raw claw and let it be known that the loop was fast, sometimes dangerous, and not quite the advertised 17 miles in length. (Ed. note - 11.5 miles, actual.] Butterfield Country is a really neat place. Somebody has spent a lot of bucks in making the place interesting to more than wild burros and squirrels. There's a lake to fish in , swimming pools, and fine camping facilities (Not to mention hot running water and heated heads! - Ed.], With its ideal location between L:A. and San Diego, chances are the trialers will be back. • Results EX : 1. Bernie SChrelber-34. 2 . Marland Whaley-38. 3 . Steve Graham--45 . 4. Mark E;gar-47. 5. Martin Belalr-48. AM: 1. Gust,lV Hermelln-29. 2. Jeff Flsh-42. 3. Jeff Rlchards-43/20 ct. 4. Tom Hascher--43/19 er, 5. Debbie EV,Ins-44. NOV: 1. Mark BuCky-17. 2. R ick T lll ill-18 . 3. Matt Prllchard-25/18 er , 4 . Robert Hoerber-25116 er, S. Robert Odiorne-25114 er, KIDS "AU : 1. RillY Luna, Jr .-16. KIDS "S": 1. M ike Stone-So 2. Herb Krouch-12 . 3. Mike uuxen-15.