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/126052
Bernie and his Bu' take l.onghorJ:l us. Tria's round three By 'J ay Decker DALLAS, TEX., MAY 29 The slick, muddy rock sections didn't seem to upset Bernie Schreiber and his Bultaco much in his first National Championship (Above I Lane Leavitt displays the latest in warm weether apparel. (Below) Mexican motocross in the road race infield. Trials win. Bernie seemed to be right on and having a blast with a smile on his face most all day. Bernie had 63.6 points for a tITSt. Lane Leavitt rode to a strong second only 3.8 points behind Bernie (67.4). Lane looked very smooth and tireless, but . we don't see how because this was a tough trials. Don Sweet and his new Montesa looked like they just floated over some of the rock sections to place third (74.7). Incidentally, Don had the lowest single loop score of 17 points. Really super! The Honda team of Mark Eggar (86.6) and Marland Whaley (87.7) were fourth and fifth respectively. Last year's Longhorn winner, Bob Hopkins brought his Yamaha in for a sixth (104.6). Michigan's Terry Cheney (114.8) 'squ eezed Joe Gugiemelli (115.8) by one point to take a seventh. Gary laPlante (119.6) and John McWilliams (126.4) have been doing their homework and it shows as they rounded out the top 10. With a tornado zapping Dallas the Wednesday before, severe weather warnings and rain all week, we were really getting concerned. But as in the two previous Texas Nationals, we were blessed With great weather. Expecting dry weather the sections were laid out accordingly. But the rain and mud made the scores about twice what they would have been. The sections were very tough and demanding but all were safe as National Trial's Steward Mike McCabe . gave them his a K stamp of inspection the day before. There were 16 sections (three rides each) and a relatively short loop due to the small piece of land this trials was laid out on. It's small but quality. Many good comments were made about the organization and . quality of this trials. The riders said ' m any of the sections were of International caliber. Trialsmaster Eddy Kessler and his assistants deserve a real pat on the back! Time was tight on this round, five hours plus one hour penalty . The riders started out one minute apart beginning at 10:01. Louisiana's Keith Covington was the only rider to finish all three loops with no time penalty po ints.sThe time penalty poin ts were a factor in some finishing positions. There were 60 riders competing with four no-shows. Ten of the 60 riders were support class, with three of them finishing, and 45 finishers in all. Support class winners were Jim Valere, Carl Hopkins and Dennis Meacham respectively. Good show! Two riders were disqualified for being over-time one for'changing motorcycles. N.T.T.A. member Bob Meadows handcrafted the belt buckles given to the top ten places. The buckles were N.T.T.A. emblems with "76" and the finishing place on them. Thanks again. Bob! All finishers were given N.T.T.A. Club emblem medals. Congratulations to the winners and a thanks from the N.T.T.A. for everyone who attended, particularly those who worked, observed, and made the event possible. N.T.T.A. would like to invite everyone to come back anytime. Y'all come back. Y'hear! • ana Resu lts • 1. Bernie Schreiber 63.6. 2 . Lane Leavitt 67.4. 3. Don Sweet 74.7.4. Mark Eggar 86 .6 . 5. Marland Whaley 8 7.7. 6. Bob HOPkins 104.6. 7. Terry Cheney 114.8. 8. Joe Gugllemelll 115.8. 9. Gary LaPlante 119.6. 10. John McWilliams 126.4. 11. BoD 36 Nickelsen 127.1. 12. Steve Darrow 131.4. 13. Jack Stites 140.7. 14. Greg Ruoff 145.0. 15. Bill Blythe 152.4.