Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

· ·".·.- ,.v.·.·.-"".- ·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.- ·.·.·.·.-•.•.•-.-.-•.•-,.-.-.-,rJ'•.•.•.•-.-..tl'••.-.-.r.-•.•-.-•.•.•- ·.-.·1.·.·' ·."" ·.-.·,.',.- - ·.-....,.·.·.·.·.· ••- -•.•- .. Desert Hotline -. (Abovel The Gringo started closer to the Pacific Ocean than many riders are used to - Rosarita Beach. (Below l Scenery was varied . Just 3.2 miles past the first check was the second but was missing one small item: the check crew. Since the section was fairly fast at the posted 24 mph a\'erage, it was bad luck for CRC 'for th e check crew not to show up . The next chec k was a secret check at the unknown finish at 17.8 mil es. This was the only valid check on the loop and th ere are a whole bunch of zeros. I really have no idea who won among the one loopers; results will have to wait until CRC scores everyone. The second loop used the same first II miles as the first and sure enough , there was the same check and sure enough the clock was still off. But shortly after , the trail split off and riders found themselves in a "special test " as the 24 mph average was ' extremely tough to keep on time. A check at the first possible 3.2 miles caught most riders late. There were on ly three zero scores with DMG Maico -rnou nred Garner Palenske leading the way with just 19 seconds lost. David Rogers (590 Hus) and Bob Prickett. a 125cc B rider tied for second overall with just 27 seconds lost. First C rider was DeVore Fortney who dropped I :87 for the 250 C win , a very good C score. After the check was the highlight of the loop, a 6 mph average section titled , "j erry's Freeway." It was 2.2 miles of rock climbing, low gear fun! It was also a " free" section as riders could arrive at th e end ea rly if they could. When th e section entered a really neat stream section, many of th e A riders thought th ey were warming up for the upcom ing T ecate 500 . The schedule all owed for three mil es of free section after the average changed 10 24 mph and sure enough th ere was a check right at 3.2 miles to see if the r iders were really timekeeping. Charly Brown (Mai) and his buddy SCOll weren't, they hit the check six and seven minutes early , respectively . Ouchl That's a lot of points at once. . All in all it was a fun enduro and a sceni c ride. Balentine zooms in for Invaders Saucer Run win By Joyce May RED MOUNTAIN, CA, MAR. 11 Bob Balentine kicked in his "afterburner" to overpower Bruce Ogilvie and take the AMA D-37 10th Annual Invaders Saucer Run overall win. Palenske nabs eRe Gringo Eoouro By Larry Langley ROSARITA BEACH, BAJA, MEX ., MAR. II Ca lifornia Racing Club returned to Baja, where the Gringo Enduro was born, after a four-year absence and over 400 family enduro . 18 riders ventured across the border to try their luck. The pits and starting area was located just outside of town on green rolling farmland , a bit different . from the usual desert locati ons . Saturda y night e x c i te m e nt was provided by Phat Phil and his carbide cannon , which also served to wake everyone up Sunday morning, tequilla hangover or not. A later than usual 9:00 a .rn , key time was welcomed by most . especially the late arriva ls who had to check in and buy their insurance before they could pick up their score card. The first loop was anywhere from 17 to 27 miles long according 10 th e schedule. As it turned out it was only 17.8 miles long. The loop was run entirely on dirt roads in the hills east of the Rosarita Beach which provided some very spectacular scenery for the family riders . The first check was located about II miles out and riders were somewhat surprised to find the check crew writing "real time" on their scorecards instead of flip card numbers. Apparently something went wrong with the flip card clock and they had 10 use a regular watch . Unfortunately the watch wasn 't accurate and the check was used for observation only. Chuck Miller also overpowered his archrival , Max Eddy , for the 250cc win , while veteran Jimmy Brown aced out number one "C" plate, Charlie Hamill. The weather for this anniversary Saucer Run was beautiful with white wispy clouds brushing across the blue, blue skies. Over the past ten years the weather for this annual event has ranged from wind blowing across Trona Road at speeds up to 40 mph, kicking up so much dust that the rider couldn't see the end of his fro nt fender , to rain in the lower a ltitudes changing to heavy snow higher in the mountains, to this very balmy spring day. As tradition has had it the Invaders race started its first of three starts right on time. The bomb run was a spooky one, however. The winter rains had been plentiful , causing the new spring desert gra55 to sprout up quite heavily hiding many of the otherwise visible rocks , This fact along with the fact that the run was particularly dusty made many of the "WFO" riders back off a bit on the throttle. Ogilvie hit the trail past the pink banner bomb in the lead with Brad Henson and Balentine in hot pursuit. In a narrow canyon not far past the bomb , Dave Wasden and Steve Eckardt collided. Wasden jumped back up and headed on down the trail , but Steve stayed down. His arm ha c' been severely broken (a compound fracture) along wi h several ribs. One of District 57's r owerful committeemen, Bob Tarte-r. came along and stopped 10 help the downed rider. The Invaders have been well-known for their extremely well-marked but very tough courses. This year's course was as tough as usual , but not marked . in the "pink blur" of the past. The injuries were quite high for the day . The trail wound around on the west side of Trona Road. passing under the railroad tracks, crossing the paved road leading to Garlock, and finally crossing Trona Road by Charlie's Place and heading back through the giant boulders towards the pits. It was the low crouched figure of Ogilvie clad in Yamaha's yellow and black that first crossed the tracks and headed through the waiting line of trucks. The easily distinguishable blue and white of KTM ace Balentine was visible only a few seconds behind. Both riders got exceptionally' short and sweet pits heading out onto the second loop long before the dust of rider number three was seen , Kevin Hasten was next for gas with Miller close behind . Kern Park , Cory Timms , and Ron Wright were next , followed by Amateur speedster Rich Zajic. The second loop led up into the mountains , moving across, up and down the ridges, and ultimately leading to the infamous Invader downhill. This hill has a reputation of causing hesitation in even the to ughest and most seasoned riders. But to Balent ine, who had moved into the lead , it was a chance for him to show his total enjoyment of the ride. He came over the top in a wheelie , not dropping the front end until he was at least a quarter of the way down . Balentine was first to take the checkered, followed ina very short 10 seconds by Ogilvie. Miller slid across the finish in the third overall spot , first 250cc followed by big Cory Timms who had ridden the super downhills of the second loop without the aid of a rear brakel Max Eddy took the checkered next followed by Bruce Jones . Rich Zajic and Senior ace Morris Norman . First "C" bike honors went to Barstow's Jimmy Brown who only recently returned from Arizona where he had been going to school for the past year. Only 10 to 15 seconds separated the first "C" spot and second "C" spot held by Charlie Hamill who has been spending his time lately racing buggies, Cliff Thomas took Trailbike honors one more time. Lee Elias and Gary Cha rt ers ; Sr. had a spectacular crash just short of the checkered. Elias h a d already crashed once with Ed Zarp off the start while Charters had gone down hard past the bomb. Now the two clipped handlebars with the finish in sight. Both finished, but Lee later found he had broken his wrist. Complete official results including Amateur , Novice , and Beginner classes will be in next week's issue . •

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