Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

Cycle News 1977 06 15

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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; (Continuedfrom j,age 25) • ~ While it might have been easy for IIIlI Sweet, it was not - for dozens of E rr- 0') ~ ~ lr.l ~ 11) ~ ~ ~ 42 National ·class riders, and definitely not for the Support class riders. One rider who wished ' to remain anonymous said, "I thought all of Michigan was flat , but when I carne up on Section 1I , 1 thought 1 was entered in a hillclimb ." Bernie Schreiber, who entered the trial ranked fifth in ~orld .charnpionship point standings , suffered a painful injury just after the start of the second loop . The young Californian, who rides glove- less, had a fingernail tom off of his right hand, but rode on despite being in obvious pain. Many used to describe Mick Andrews as ageless, but most observers at this trial shook their heads as the veteran rider dabbed here and there, picking up 57 m arkers in the process which drepped. him well -d own from the top 10 For Juan Manuel Soler the trial almost ended as q u ickly as it had begun. Soler crashed heavily in the fir st section of the opening loo p. He recovered from his accident sufficien tly to place 10th in the final tally and earn one champ ionship point. When asked about his accident Soler simply responded, "Bad, very bad.", Debbie Evans, the young California lass . Yamaha mounted like Andrews, finished the trial with a score of 155 . That point total put her out of any chance for National points, but was an accomplishment in itself. . Her fellow competitors congratulated her and she beamed as she graciously accepted the accolades. For winner Coutard it was not an uneventful day. "I lost my chaiilTtJ.i;t before the fourth section on the second loop and my sp are links were the wrong size. I found the thrown links just a few meters back down the trail bu t they were too bent to use. Just when 1 had all but resigned inyself. to the fact that I would not finish , along carne R athmell and he gave me what 1 needed, ,,' said a tired Coutard.. He concluded with, "Somedays you are justJu9tyl':'-' _ Martin Lampkin, fresh off a breather following his second co nsecu tive Scot- . tish Six Days Trial victory, moved into a tie for the World Championship lead with ·R a thin ell. " I'm right glad that Griffitts doesn't have an FIM license as I thus picked up third place points rather than fourth tally. 1 thought it was an enjoyable trial , but you know I got a "5" and that is something I've avoided for two years in a row in the Scottish," said Martin. The end result of the American round was to move the point standings even closer with Rathmell and Lampkin now sharing the top spot at 60 points each while defending champion Yrjo Vesterinen remains only a shadow away with 56 points. Ulf Karlsson holds fourth in the tally with 55 points while Coutard's win jumped him to fif o th place ahead of Bernie Schreiber 56 and 54 points, respectively. Credit to the entire MOTA organization for what most called an excellent trial. And without a doubt most of that credit should go to Course Marshall Ray Hatfield for his tireless work for countless hours leading into the event. Clerk of the Course Dick De Bolt tied it all together and "hats off' to him as well . • Results pending license ru ling Wor ld Champiooahip cIasa: 1. Charles Coutard IBuli • 23.9; 2. Marland Whaley (Hon) 31.6; 3. Martin Lampkin IBuli 35: 4. Mark Eggar IHon) 35; 5. Don Sweet IMon) 39 .8; 6. Lane L _ IBuli 40: 7. U~ Karlsson IMon) 40.2; 8 . Malcol m Rath mall (Mon) 44.3; 9. Yrjo Vaetarineo 18ull; 10. Juan Manuel Soler (Bull 48.6; WhaIoy wino NATC cI_. Netional : 1. Marland Whaley IHonl; 2. Mik. G _ IMon); 3. Don Sweet IMon); 4 . Lane Leavitt IBull: 5. Barni. Schreiber IBul): 8. Curt Comer IKew); 7. Tom McKinney ' IMon); 8. J ack Sti_ IBul); 9. William Burganar IBull; 10. G. laPlant. IKawI. Senior cIasa: Bob NicI

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