Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

NAr-rIONAL PAPERS I This column generally addresses itself to building up riders and the other people involved in AMA Grand National Cham- 10 pionship/Winston Pro Series racing. This one is an exception. For most of the year, perhaps longer, a controversy has been going on regarding rule changes involving engine size. The last major change of any magnitude came about back in 1969 when it was voted to allow 750cc "across the board." Prior to that time, if you had a side-valve engine, it was 750; anything else was limited to 500cc. At the time the new ruling came in, there were some unhappy people.' There were also people that predicted all sorts of bloody happenings: riders would be injured by the dozens, bikes would be too fast, etc. The people who had 750cc sidevalve engines went back to the drawing boards and came up with a new 750cc engine. The people who had 500s switched to 650cc engines and also went to the boards and came up with 750s. It appears now, that the people who have 750cc engines want no change of any type. The group tbat wants to change the rules to 500cc want a total switch from 750 to 5OOcc. Yet a third line of thinking is that by simply putting restrictor plates in carbs everybody can race, both sizes, and be happy and competitive. The pair of questions that keep coming up: Does racing sell motorcycles? Or do motorcycles sell racing? We might add: Is it necessary to involve the sale of either for the good of racing? What is good for racing? What draws large crowds to major events? What makes for good close side-byside racing? 750s? 500s? None of the above? It appears that Harley-Davidson wants to keep the 750cc rule. At least two of the four major Japanese brands, Honda and Yamaha, indicate they want to go racing on dirt if the rules are changed to 500cc. Both sides look to the AMA for rules and rule changes. All five companies have a member on the Board of Trustees, the group that has the final say for all rules. The moto of the AMA, "Dedicated to the Advancement of the Sport of Motorcycling," is a worthy and puresounding moto, to say the least. So what is best for the sport of motorcycling? The rules have changed over the years., It used. to be that a company had to build a minimum 200 units in order to qualify to go racing. Now the number is 25. Not every year, just 25 at some time to gain approval. This has created a constant cry tbat new Harley dirt trackers are not available to every Expert or Junior who would like to buy one. When they are available, it is often stated that the price is too high. On the other side', the cost of a 750cc Yamaha road racer is $10,000· plus and always seem to arrive minutes before the Daytona Speedweek opens. Again, availability, cost. So, there is no argument that the cost and availability of the current 750cc racers is not acceptable. It has been stated from the Harley side that any of the Japanese com· panies can easily afford to create and build 750cc machines. This is probably a true statement. But cannot AMF, the conglomerate giant that owns H·D, also easily afford to build 500cc machines? The key issue, it seems, should be that if professional racing is going to grow, some changes and improvements are in store. How best can the AMA make it inexpensive to start a professional racing venture by rider, tuner and sponsor? We are down to one brand in each type of racing at present, and the rules state that one must ride five types of events to make money, get a National Number, attempt to become the Grand National Champion. Things will remain at a standstill/ standoff until both sides give up some of what they have or do not have, at present. Has any other major racing organization in the U.S. continued to race under the S;lme engine rules they had 10 years ago? The majority of the major cycle racing events at present find the price of a ticket anywhere from eight to 15 dollars. Some are higber. That is a respectable price for any event: football, basketball, baseball, etc. If motorcycle racing wants to play in the big boys' circle with admission prices like this, they have to offer the u)timate in entertainment. Many individualS involved in cycle racing fail or refuse to recognize that professional motorcycle racing today has to be a "show-business" type event. It is no longer a gathering of the clan for an afternoon session of bench racing, with a race thrown in, to see old friends. If, indeed, the top end of cycle racing is in some type of trouble, or as I feel, at a standstill, what can we do to make it better so higher purses and larger crowds will become a fact soon? We hear that the non-National professional events cannot draw Expert entries. We hear that too many Novice and ~ Junior riders are showing up for events, taking up too much time and track. Where are the Experts? They are not entering National races ill any large numbers. So the problem is not hazy with regards to number of Experts, the class that people are asked to pay a top dollar to see. Yes, you can ask the Experts and get a different answer from each one. But you will get answers. The majority of people inside of_ motorcycling probably do want to see a lot of brand mix. If I were a talented rider, I guess I would to. 1 saw motocross start as a takeoff from what we used to call scrambles for trophies to many salaried factory team rider positions for some good dollars. Right now, there are only two dirt track factory team riders and one factory road racer on full time payrolls. Three riders are not very many in any book. If Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and 106FM ~W&utiC I Courtesy of ........-t~(·ll GOO_/yEAR ~ uniVERSITY STEREO SCOTT U~ (ij ~~castnt~ WHO WANT YOU Te FOR THE ENTIRE S ANAHEIM STADIUMI 1.~~i3~ The last race In the $100.000 AMA/T~ 2. C8St11l WORLD SPf.EDWAYG 3.. 1980 MOTORCYCLE SHOW . AWl SANCTIONED The first public showing of all the 19 autographs, all the IaIest aceesset machines you can't even buy ... al . .. And. on Sl.ftdaV. eRe WU'lm For 1I1bma11on AmatElU' EMlt'1t neither GET GREAT SPEED 1, At all ~'lKIlEINIr outlets 2. By calling (714) 535-3151 10:00 G Master Charge and VISO ~ 3, At the Anaheim Convention EVEIYSU SEE TEAM HONDA compete wIltllhe MOTOCROSS natlon'. belt ~ cross racers In ttle IaIt SUperc:rou - r 01 thl. decadel IPICIAL UClWlEllIND HOlB.IATII AVAIIAIII AT ·D8l....... ~ . THE .... ATTHEPAM· 0fRCIAL . . CAlI.: (7.C) 7. . . . ~ -~, .... .;. .. _, ..... IANDIlGO 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9, 10, Mark Barnett - SUZUKI Mike Bell - YAMAHA Goylon Moiser ~ KAW Jim Weinert - KAWf

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