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/126415
, , Guest Edtorial (Continuedfrom page') r Gordon Hoyt took ov~r the presidency of the SCTA last year. He believes that car drivers and motorcyclists should be equal, that Speed Week needs both, that rules are for people, not vice versa, and that management is accountable to its constitutents. He was frustrated by SCTA's inability to control its own meet. This was the right climate for a change for motorcyclists at the Salt Flats, and it was made. Motorcycles may 'be equal to the cars now, but the game remains different. Cars have about half the number of classes that bikes do: Cars get first place trophies in their classes, as well as record trophies. Motorcycles' get only record trophies. Hoyt explains that the cost would be prohibitive. Besides the greater number of classes and the faster rate of record setting (44 for bikes in '78 vs. 23 for cars), industry support has been mostly lacking for the motorcycle trophies. Most of the car drivers are from California and thus are directly ~epre sented on the SCTA board. Most of the motorcyclists that run at Bonneville are not from California and thus not directly represented. But everyone who runs at Bonneville must join Bonneville Nationals, Inc., the administrative corporation for Speed Week which came out of SCTA's Bonneville committee. Hoyt explains that logistics maxe direct representation by out-of-state BNI members impossib1e, but that input from them is encouraged. A meeting at Speed Week is planned. Current Board member Ken Davis is the only motorcyclists that's ever been on the SCTA Board of Directors. Is this important? Hoyt thinks not. The car people are aware of the motorcyclists' needs and responsive to them. And Yale Camp may go on the board. What about acceptance of SCTA records for motorcylces? BN I is national. If there is any problem, something may be worked out with the National Hot Rod Association's branch, the National Motorcycle Racing Association. But NMRA is in its infancy. While willing to help if needed, NHRA president 'Wally Parks doesn't want to poach on the AMA's territory. He suggest that there have changes in the AMA recently; maybe they will be more willing to work with the SCTA in the future. What is the outlook for motorcycling at the Salt Flats now? The change could be a big boost for biltes. Class rules will be much the same this year - there's no time to change them now - but in the future they'll be free to go with the state of the art. And the riders will have a voice in their own destiny. Old Bonneville hand Warner Riley predicts that if the change is administered well, it will increase participation by motorcycles_ Dorde Woodruff A MACHINE FOR EVERY PLEASURE Bultaco Is Still The Best Buy Available! Observed Trials Short Track \ Astro 250 ••,946.00 Motocross Sherpa T 350 ••,8.0.00 Woods, Trails or Desert ~ ~ Frontera 250 ••,776.00 Frontera 370 ••,845.00 Street Punang 250 ••,745.00 Punang 370 ••,795.00 Metralla 250 ••,667.00 Europ,ean Quality & Bultaco's Price We offer you the most for your dollar! Bultaco International LTD. P.O.Box 22S7 f ,-,VT~ft 001 A'. Virginia Beach, VA 2!J452 804/463-2751 . ID'JO ~---------------======~====================::::I ~~~Sk;pAksland depends on the Lee"- Po_ the tough ones like the mein Short Track event on June 6 Je' to win at Santa Fe. dominated the Daytona Short Track Series on March ~ lOusing the LecfnNt Po_TJe' LECTRON1F~lSYSTEMS.INC 11OO _ _.T.... _ _ " ' " .pplalion chloris _ _ .v..... on request. or cal our _ ~ c.a. Sorva Contei': Phono: lIlIII2fi6.I414. 31