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/126280
; II • ~ E r-- Czechs e checkmate ... ISDT, . weatlier '" decimates American efforts l' 0') ~ ~ 00 C'I I-< V ..0 v 0.. v en M Gold Medalists Tom Penton and Dick Burleson ply their trade in Czecho, Penton took top American honors with Burleson copping !lis Gold on Day Six. . ~ SE PTE",,6~ By Gary Van Voorhis Photos by Boyd Reynolds and Van Voorhis POVAZKA BYSTRICA. CZECHOSLOVAKIA .. SEPT. 5·10 -In direct contrast to last year's Austrian ISD'T in which Americans earned 29 Gold, two Silver and two Bronze medals. The Czechoslovakian version of the "Olympics of motorcycling" left American riders scrapping to finish 6 '. . Lulled mto a sense of security .by four days of excellen~ weath~r and dema?dmg bu.t not killer trails: t~e American contingent and the maJonty. of other entrants wer.e not r~~dy for the w.eather and trail conditions of Dar FIve. h . n our case t e 25 Gold . three Silver and four Bronze medals we held at the . . b egmmng 0 f D ay F'ive p Iurnrneted to one Gold. five Silver and five Bronze by the end of the day. Miserable cold and wet weather compounded by deteriorating trails led all to agree that these were the worst ISDT conditions they had ridden in . The American contingent finished Day Six led by Tom Penton and Dick Burleson on Gold. Tallying Silver medals were Jack Penton. Gary Younkins. Rod Bush. Carl Cranke and Mike, Rosso . Ted Leimbach led the Bronze medalists and took "rookie" honors followed by Kevin La Voie, Mark Deyo, Bob Popiel and Billy Uhl. There were 25 retirements. The jawa mounted Czechoslovakian World Trophy and Silver Vase teams proved the masters of their home country 'and took both awards over their rivals . the East Germans. Those two teams were the only ones to finish the ISDT without a retirement . The Czechs led the World Trophy Team competition from the beginnmg followed by West Germany for the initial three days and East Germany for the final three. Behind them the competition shuffled around looking for some balance of order. Prior to opening day both the Italian and West German entries had made FIM jury approved changes in their World Trophy Team riders replacing seasoned team veterans with I bt id c u earn n ers. On Day One the Italian replacement was observed recelVlng outside assistance and penalized 300 points for the rules infraction. This penalty was appealed by the Italian Jury member on Day Two with such vigor that the decision of the jury. as a whole. was then to exclude the rider. In retaliation. the entire Italian World Trophy Team withdrew at the start on Day Three. Although the withdrawal gesture was said to be unanimous. it was a known fact that some of 'the riders wished to continue as individuals. The Penton USA mounted World Trophy Team of Tom and Jack Penton, Dane Leimbach. Frank Gallo. Gary Younkins and Kevin LaVoie bounced from fourth on Day One to fifth on Day Two and then down to seventh on Day Three after the loss of teamster Frank Gallo. Day Four provided no change in the standings I