Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

-----------------------~----,-----.,-------" ... -·---·-T- .... ----~ finish and endoed off the tracks! Luckiy Harry wasn't seriously injured, but he wasn't wallting too well and decided enough was enough. Another 0-57 11 rider, Jay Tunis, blew the engine in his 500cc Honda thumper just 25 miles out. Something about how four·strokes don't like to run without oil or such. The 11 bad luck syndrome struck down Grant Palenske (Mai) when his bike seized and wouldn't restart Saturday. He had company though, his brother Gamer also broke almost in the same spotl Both were gathering wood for an all night fire when club member Fred Germain arrived and got them both out. The II jinx continued into Sunday when Mike Adams (Mai) lost his axle nut and finally limped out to the main highway. What made Mike mad was the knowledge that he probably didn't tighten the nut down after adjusting the chain at lunch. There was still one II rider left, but the 1980 Tecate double whammy got him just six meager miles before the fin'ish when Jerry Count's XR·200 en· gine gave up the ghost. Jerry had hit the last check 52 minutes late. He' knew the way into the finish was a cake· walk down the railroad tracks and didn't figure to hour out, but fate de· cided otherwise. One of the Dempsey brothers finally happened by and towed him in but he had houred out by then. Jerry reportedly still trophied as only one 200cc class bike finished, an incredible fifth overall by Paul Eddy (Yam) who dropped 245 points. "Billy Goat" Dan McKinney took first 250cc honors, 10th overall on his Husky. In fact it was a Husky sweep, eight out of the top 10 were on the Swedish marque. First Senior was Ron Fry (Yam) dropping just 451 points. Ron's tough, believe me. Other moments to remember: Mag 7's magnificent lunches served up by the best crew ever put forth on our planet for such purposes. Let me de· scribe how they treat you when you pull in. Two members of Mag· 7 meet you as you push your bike away from the gas truck, one takes your bike while the other takes your gear and hands you a clean, wet towel to clean up with. The lovely ladies take your order on how you want your sandwich, what do you want to drink, etc. Then they lead you over to the fire and find a chair for you to sit down, relax and rest those weary bones. Ahhhhh ..... ! For many, it was down the road back to the finish for one reason or another. For the dwindling few remain· ing, it was time to hit the trail. Los Ancianos said to be sure and give Coors beer a plug for donating 57 cases of the cool stuff for the riders. One of the biggest mistakes the club made-.was to toughen the course up Sunday afternoon after the riders were already exhausted. Even Malcolm complained about a 50 mile stretch of treacherous rocks that had to be negotiated in first gear, at a 50 mph average! This seciton alone was burned into the survivors' minds. So while the 1980 Tecate 500 went down in the history books as one of the toughest ever, it was also a lesson to the club. I'm confident they have learned from it, too. Next year's enduro will be a worthwhile event. It's easy to condemn the Los Ancianos but we must remember the tremendous amount of time and money the members put into the event. The 10' gistics are overwhelming. One small mistake or detail can ruin everything. • Results 1. Bob Popiel tHus! 43; 2. Malcolm Smiltl IHus) 125; 3. Chip HoweIllHus! 205; 4. A.C. Bakken IHus! 212; 5. P8uI Eddy !Yom' 245; 6. W"""" _ lHusI 307; 7. Glen Warren (Hual 308; 8. Mike Honey IVoml 328; 9. Jolwl Stillman (Hus!334; 10. Den McKinney (Hus!395; 11. Steve 8arttey IHuaI435; 12. 80b Davidson IVam) 436; 13. Ron Fry tVam1451; ISundaV only) Rick nnget tHuall39. . .. _-_ .... ......... a. .. , _ ..... 1-0 0.. « April 27, 1980 Come to the biggest Superbike Endurance .~~ill race Honda's Freddie Teamin America. Featuring Spencer, Ron Pierce, Steve Mclaughlin and Jeff Haney. With Dave Aldana, Wes Cooley, David Emde, Harry Klinzmann, Reg Pridmore, Dennis Smith and other top riders. Plus a vintage motorcycle' race, an accessory show and racing films. Adults $5· Kids $2 9:00 AM Gates open 10:00 AM Vintage race 11:00 AM Main event (rain or shine) EHQ ~ OllrAIIIO '-HOUR • UIIAIICf CIASS'C The Ontario Motor Speedway (Interstate 10 at the Haven exit) POWERJET Remarkable new carburetor designed to BOOST ENGINE RESPONSE • DEVELOl'£lI PARTlCULARl.Y FOR FUEL AEOUIREMEN11I FOR TWO-STROKE ENGINES • GREATER FUEL ECONOMY ... ~~~~'=n': rNteril'lQ. IKlory l. .lS !\a.... snown • SMOOTHER ACCELERATION ... bene' engine res&)OnM uno... ,apt(! aceelerallon oeman6474 LECTRON :UEL SYSTEMS, INC. 1800 Stephenson Highway, Troy, Michigan 48084 11

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