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/126293
THE J.978 montts3's ARE ON THE WA Y Smokin' to a distant third overall is Dunlap Pro Jay Haroutunian. Hey, Mom, how'd I do for my first enduro? I kinda' had a hard time seein', Va know? enduros this year . "I could have gone faster but my Uncle Tom rides like a slugl" he was heard to comment later on after his nap . Uncle Tom Schappert had carried son Keith, age seven, on his bike's gas tank and wasn 't able to maintain his usual blazing speed. At the other end of the age scale, Old Timer Bob Keys scored first overall with .07 seconds - no zeros on this run. Jess Gallo, Dick Silvis and Bob Kelly were the other top finishers in the Old Timer's class. First -time enduro rider Al Botelho, a young 53 year-old hot shoe , learned the rudiments of time keeping in a 20minute briefing period the morning of the event, and went on to score with 8.77 minutes. The leader of the 12 and unders was Toby Craig with two points. Dan Lopez ca me in with three, Mike Johnson had fi ve and Bob McGowan seven. Of all the lovely ladies who rode the event , Shirley Sutliff d id best .with a score of} .29, followed by. Barb Baird with a two . Susan Poor finished with three points and Irene Cooper was fourth , with 4.67 . Beginners Wayne Osborne, with 1.50 , Ed Linville, with 1.68 , Tom Carney , with 2.21 and Larry Cronister, with 2 .37, were the leaders in their group . Some ' 318 potential riders were turned away from this once-a -year family enduro because the Forest Service set a 450 rider limit. The only event of its kind in Northern Cal ifornia 's AMA District 36 , the Training Wheels attracted people who are ordinarily ignored - wives, girl friends , children and first-time enduroers. Due to red tape a t th e national AMA level, the event was non -sanctioned, a fact which did not detract from the pure fun th e run provided . The first riders left the start at 7:30 under a 12 mph speed average_ The tight tra il was slippery wi th ea rly morning frost and a few riders nearly went over in places where the course skirted steep d ropoffs. The California Enduro Riders Association had taken the precaution of posting safet y men at th ese danger spots and any possible accident was averted. After a few m iles of trail, the course dropped down to a logging road where the speed was upped to 18 mph. All averages were ' posted as problems in mathematics; for instance the equation 2x7·6 + 10 = ? Just like back in fifth gradel The speed change signs were usually surrounded by crowds of people counting fingers and toes , jabbing at computers and scribbling numbers in the dirt . The speed average above would, of course, be 20 mph . .. uh, I think . Maybe 16 mph? Most of the course consisted of roads and old railway rights of way overgrown , with young pine - very easy, pleasant riding. The gas check was at 43 miles . The riders go t a 20 minute break and free soda . The only complaint heard was that there was a little too much road, but most agreed that the road was appropriate when the abilities and endurance of five-vear-olds, 53 ·yearolds and 14-year-old hot shoes were taken into consideration. The happy finishers picked up a pin and a bit of good news at the day's end: it looks like there will be three family enduros in 1978 . Look out for Lance Schappert! The 1978 Montesa Motocross machines are on the way. 250's arrive in February and 360's in March. If you want one of the finest production machines available - see your Montesa dealer now, as these first shipments will go fast! You also may be surprised how little a quality race machine from Spain will cost! 1978250/360 VB Motocrossers .38mmCarb. • Latest "Marzocchi" Forks • New Lighter Frame . ' Rear Set Handlebars • Heavy D,-ty Spokes • Betor Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks (360 VB) • Updated Exhaust System • Anti-Fade Rear Brakes • Padded Cross Bar Handlebars And Much More Flowers' bloom at DuniapMX By Carol Johnson DUNLAP, CA , DEC . 4 Du nlap, known for being a rough and challenging track , had no exceptions Sunday. New changes and perfect track preparation made for tight motocross . For the first 125c c Pro moto , Dennis Brand (Suz) was first off the line with Tim Worth (Suz) hot on his tail. In m inutes the two had pulled away from Viva Dist. Co. 10625 Vanowen, Burbank, CA 91505 213-766-6101 Spec's subject to change 31