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/125866
Victory to Superbowl By J ohn Huetter LOS ANGEU:S, CAL.,JUNE 22 It was advertised, promoted, and presented not as a serious motocross race but as a spectacle something that was designed to appeal to and attract the non-race fan. It had all the atmosphere of a circus with a ringmaster, clowns, sideshows, hawkers, celebrity guests and all the commercialism of 20th century Los Angeles: which, unfortunately may be the salient sign of success for a money-making effort in our times. The spectacle was billed the "Superbowl of Motocross" and the involvement of the beer and cigarette companies, in addition to the boots and leathers types, indicated that they were convinced that their name would get seen by several tens of thousands of people. The format was to invite, pay for, or otherwise cajole a selection of non-U.S. riders to compete against a selection of U.S. riders in three 25-minute motos on an artificial track built inside the Los Angeles Coliseum, more often the site of football body-crunching. Added attractions included three 15-minute motos for a nominal 500 class and the final moto of a Southern California High School elimination championship. When Marty Smith of Team Honda, was allowed to ride the high school race, the ou t c 0 me of that one was foreordained. That's Ron Pomeroy. understand? Not J im. Ron. Fast little bugger in his own right . Skyshots by night must have been the secret to winning the last moto - in both 250 and 500 dasses. Ji m Weinert buckles up for safety while letting the lady from "Oui" in on the secrets of stadi um motocross. The best th ing. Falta and DeCoster going t o wor k on an art ificial course that held up very well. John Stas iefski spent all week bu ilding Bryar Holcomb the fastest 360 Bul in town. Bryar appeared t o have the 500 win nailed until the gearbox went to lunc h. Th ere was a lot of hoopla in troducing "celebrities." The presentation having to do with motorcycling was Rolf Tibblin's receiving the Motorsportsman of the Year award which I hope helps to get his private bill through congress to keep ' him in the U.S. And there was a lot of screaming and yelling about things, most of which insulted the intelligence of a motocross enthusiast, all of which assaulted the eardrums, and some of which had to do with racing. In the midst of this (I always thought sports announcing was supposed to enhance the understanding of a sports even t; not become a function unto itself.) was enough misinfor m atio n about the riders, their machines, and their accomplishments to give t he fan who wasn't up to date or somebody who knew nothing abo ut them in the first place the impression that they were now informed. Struggling to the surface and doing so solely on the basis of their inherent excellence in the sport, were several really fine motocross racers who gave performances that should have satisfied anyone with enough knowledge an d who cared enough to watch. They were really good - the very best in some cases. As predicted, the overall winner of the 250 International class was top Czech rider and contender for the 250 World Championship, Jaroslav Falta: boyish, modest, and very, very fast. The GP CZ that was flown over had motor and probably handling over any other 250 on the course and Falta passed into the lead in the first jog after the start straight in both the first two 250 motos and stayed there until the checkered flag came out assuring him the overall win. In the third moto, two-time "Superb owl" winner Marty Tripes (Hus) got the holeshot with Falta buried back in the pack. Tripes was tied with Tony DiStefano going into the last moto for "First American" honors, a term accepting the fact that a non-U.S. rider would win this race overall. There was just enough overseas talent to ensure that. Tony is rapidly endangering his privateer status but mentioned in the pits, after it was all over, that he still kind of preferred his homebuilt 400 CZ to all the factory trick stuff. "Hard to get parts for 'em," he confided. If there was little doubt that Falta would win it, there was very little question who the favorite of the crowd was. A Belgian gentleman by the name of Roger DeCoster, who also happens to be current World 500 Motocross Champion was there, as promised. and knowing that he would be second overall after a third in the first rnoto, decided to show the 47,000 paying seatholders who was really the baaaddest dude in this motocross game, just in case this was the only motocross they had ever seen or would ever see. Roger was riding a very ratty-sounding RH Suzuki that appeared to be last year's model, the one that Joel and Gaston couldn't ride. After looking smooth and unruffled and strong in the first two rnotos, Roger came from abou t third place at the start of the last round to the lead with confidence but not ease. The last international moto, which is what it really came down to for spectating some good motocross, almost made up the price of admission. Tripes, DiStefano, DeCoster, and Falta broke out in front all together after the first lap, Falta getting a rotten start and Continued on page 26 Staten spectacular support st ar By Cha rles Clayton 6 Works Hondaman Rex Staten got