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/126466
. THE NATIONAL ,PAPERS o . 00 0") ...-4 It looked like a total deadlock/ loss just a few months ago, but where there is a will, apparently there is also a way. After much talk about running 500cc singles in dirt competition this year against restricted 750s, the idea was dropped, or at least tucked away, swept under the rug, or forgotten about. But not by everybody. The mark of a good promoter is to promote something that interests paymg spectaton. It looks like we still have some of those around. I was informed last week that J.C. Agajanian will host a 500cc Invitational at both of his National half miles at Ascot in May and October. I also undentand that Don Brymer will do the same at hisJuly 5 National half nule at Topeka, KS. What is a 500cc Invitational? (1.) The rider must be invited by the promoter (2.) The rider has to be an Expert or a Junior (3.) It has to be a 500cc four-stroke single cylinder and any brand that fits this qualifies. It also means that an Expert, if invited, can enter both the National (on his 750cc?) and also compete in the Invitational on a 500cc. The first round, on Saturday night, May 10 at Ascot, will be officially sponsored by American Honda. To date we have seen numerous Honda and Yamaha 500cc singles running at Houston and Ascot. Some ran last season at the San Jose mile in the Invitational Junior event as well. Honda has Mickey Fay and Jeff Haney under a contract and Yamaha has Rick Hocking and Jim Filice. Honda has Freddie Spencer as well. With Honda and Yamaha both floating numerous 500s around this year and hiring tuners such as Mert Lawwill (Yamaha) and Jerry Griffith (Honda) to keep them going it shows that they are serious about the whole thing. What went through my II!ind when I first heard about it was that Ascot was the home for many years for the BSA 500 Gold Star. Long after they stopped making money at other tracks they were still doing well in Gardena. The end came at Ascot for the Gold Stars at the Fall National in '69 - but three of them qualified for the fmal and one was edged out of third place out of the last turn. The point is that several California tuners loved their Gold Stars like a son - and still have them setting around. The Gold Star had years of development behind it and I have often wondered if Honda or Yamaha ever took the. time to check out all the research that has gone into them? It sure would save a lot of time. Now just suppose that one or more of those fast Ascot Gold Stars is brought out of the mothballs for May 10 and ridden by a proven Expert or Junior? I don't think it is too far-fetched. Most of the fast riders today did not have a chance to ever race one of them. It was proven that they were fast and handled well, perhaps better than any other brand or model from the mid· 50s through the end of the 60s. More than one rider jumped off of a Harley or a Triumph and immediately (Continued to page 19) ...... .... M 0.. < CCESSORY DEPARTMENT SPECIAL. -T~O.,A A~'- B MAIL ORDER Effective sales Oat. AprI16 - AprI23 Official YAMAHA Competition Support Dealer 10% Courtesy Discount Extended To All AMA. CRC, CMC. SRA. AFM Cardholders . T-SHIRTS Redw/white silk screen (58. prices good with euh or chllCk only) Reg. MIKE BELLIMALCOLM SMITH) Pants $119.95 $ 99.95 BILL WALTERS Nylon Leathers METZELER450lt18 Knobbies $ 61.20 BELL MOTO STAR III ..........................•114.95 YAMAHA Kidney Belts $ 19.95 YAMAHA MX Boots $119.95 SCOTI Goggles 1S9 $ 15.95 AliA T If''\ ~AMP. "'#/1 ""#"'1 size SALE $ 89.95 $ 79.95 _M_ • 52.95 $ 99.95 $ 11.95 ~ .99.95 $ 11.95 2420 Narbonne Ave.• Lomite, CA 90717 (Torrance/South Bay Area) (213) 534-2311 .. SALE PRICES GOOD WITH THIS COUPON ONLY * qU8nt. __ 5 __ __ L_ ~~!4lI• XL_ Amt. Ene. - CA .... edd "'" tax Send to: CYCLE NEWS Prod. Oept.32W15 P.O. Bolt 498. Long Beech. CA 90801 (213) 427-7433 17