Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

WRmN' AROUND If Ed Clark were president, I probably wouLdn't have to take this space away from the fun and spon of motorcycle merriment to ~tion politics. But every biker knows that government is too much into our lives, and that's what Mr. Clark, the candidate of the Libertarian Party, is all against. With the big election approaching, one need not choose either the peanut farmer who appointed Joan Claybrook or the actor who fornicated California. Ignoring Mr. Anderson, who reeks of more-of-the-same-only worse, we are left with Ed Clark. Not a bad choice, for there is no hope of his election, so there's no risk of losing a good man. I'll vote Libertarian this November. Several facts impel this decision, not the least being that the Party represents only one percent of the American voters. As a motorcyclist, I identify with one-percent. If Ed Clark could be believed, he would phase the government out of every area of our lives that is none of its business. That would still leave plenty to occupy the military, politicians, police, judges and bureaucrats, some of them, anyway. But we'd be spared the spectacle of Washington meddling in matters it knows nothing about. Uke, for instance, motorcycle manufacturing. You know that HarleyDavidlion, our sole surviving U.S. brand, is facing extinction at the hands of the federal Environmental Protection Agency simply because it sounds like a motorcycle. The motorcycle enthusiasts of America are fed up and many won't even vote in the presidential election. But I shall, in order to be counted as one more citizen who is concerned with his own sovereignty. Charles Clayton THE NATIONAL PAPERS Once again we are nearing the end of another chapter in AMA Grand National championship/ Winston Pro racing with the final two events slated for California: The San Jose Mile on Sept. 21 and the Ascot Half Mile on Oct. 4. And again, the two promoters have won their gamble that the Grand National title will be decided at one of their tracks. This has been some seasonl All four of the TT winners this year ,were surpriSe winners. The same for both of the~ational Short Track events. Late in the season, half of the 14 Naiional wir,mers were first time major winners in '80. Now, it's coming down to Randy Goss of Michigan, Hank Scott and Gary Scott of Ohio, Mike Kidd from Texas and the lone Californian, Ricky Graham. At the end of August, neither Goss nor Gary Scott had won a National. Goes is also the only one of the contenders never to win a mile not yet, anyway. Being consistent has paid off for Goss, Graham, Kidd and Gary Scott and has kept them in the hunt, apparently down to the not-so-bitter end. Hank Scott has not been consistent but has been the big winner this season with five victories. In 1979, California hosted six National dirt track races. To date, we have not had a single rider that won any of these a year ago come up winner in the Golden West state in 'SO. A year ago, it was another of those head-to-head battles for the title between Steve Eklund and Jay Springsteen. Now, late in the season, their combined total National points would not rank them in the top three! Steve Morehead won the San Jose Mile last September, and Randy Goss won the final Ascot Half Mile National. To date, Morehead has not come close to winning a mile nor has Goss come close to winning a half rrnle. Again this year year, both Winston and the AMA promoters will post point funds to the top riders. The top 15 share $125.000 from Winston while the top 20 djvide up over $35,000 additional dollars out of the AMA fund. If a rider can move one or two, or more, places up the ladder in the final two events, it can mean thousands of extra bonus dollars. It has been a year of the "Big Gamble.' Mike Kidd came to Ascot for the mid-season TT with his trusty Triumph 750cc twin. At the last rrnnute he opted for his Honda 500cc single - and won. Not only won but won his first major TT. Later, Hank Scott loses his Sacramento and San Jose winning miler. Yet, he buys another Harley from an unknown Expert and goes out and wins his third mile of the year at DuQuoin. Young Scott Parker, who had never come close to winning a National Shon Track, took over the empty factory H-D saddle from Jay Springsteen and guided the 250cc single into the ClUcago winner's circle. Earlier in the year, at Houston, RonnieJones, riding in his second year on the circuit, passed and re-passed Kenny Roberts about nine times to win the event. Later on he did about the same thing at Chicago and won the TT. Ricky Graham, who had come close to winning IUs first National several times in recent seasons, finally won his first and ran faster than any other rider, past or present, had ever run. He averaged over 100mpb in winning the Indy mile! The night before, Terry Poovey, another rider who has come up with many ways not to win this year, held off Gary Scott to win his only National in '80. The point is, nobody pre-selected any of these riders to win which means that the Winston Pro Series is indeed loaded with talent this year and just about any rider who qualifies for the final at any given race can come up a winner, or loser. O.ne of the National promoters recently stated to me, "What we need is another Kenny Roberts." I'm not so sure. Is it really interesting to go to a race (road race?) and know rhat one rid~r is going to win unless he experiences mechanical troubles? Is it worthwlUle to go to a djrt track (mile or half mile) and figure Jay Springsteen is going to win if he has no troubles? In the final two events, at leas~ five riders will have a shot at the title. It is just possible that none of the five will win either event - that tends to make it perhaps even more interesting, doesn't it? Roxy Rockwood o 00 0') ..... with cooperation from the VICTOR McLAGLEN MOTOR CORPS PRESENTS: THE 2nd ANNUAL BARSTOW to VEGAS Motorcycle Road Ride and Poker Run OPEN to ALL Motorcydl.ts!! Saturday. November 29. 1980 $3.00 Donation per rider Prof'1tS to go to the Pbantom Duck of the Desert Legal Fund SUPER PRIZES! 1st $100.00 CASH! 2nd $ 7&.00 CASHI 3rd $ 50.00 CASH I 4th - 8th - Cycle News Jackets 9th -12th - Cycle News Vests 13th - 15th - Cycle News T-Shirts Watch CYCLE NEWS for more details or call the CYCLE NEWS office at (213) 427-7433 Hand Washable Stay Soft Othman Distributing Co. Box 356 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 18051 544-61 B1 -Riding -Racing • Street GLOVES Dealer Inquiries Invited 3

• Cover