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/126492
Southern Cailfornla·Arizona·Southern Nevada· Southern C.llfornla·Arizona.Southern Nev.da. Southern C.llfornl.·Arl.... Western hotline 200 participate In European road ride o By Pat Owens (j) SAN DIEGO. CA. SEPT. 28 00 ~ CN~ CN 1-0 15 o .... o U Brattin Motors in San Diego was the location for the start of an all European Road Ride. The majority of the motorcycles were BMWs with Triumphs, BSAs and and ;"ortoDS rehPresedsntingost\EngMland G . a lew Itali an ran ,m y oto UZZIS. There were approximately 150 motorcycles present. Many of the bikes were carrying passengers along with a few sidecars which brought the number of people participating in the event to well over 200. Traffic control was never a problem because only a few selected riders knew the route and the location of the barbecued beef picnic a nd the trophy presentation. Riders left in groups of about 20. five to 10 minutes apart. After a very scenic 50-mile ride with one gas stop, the finish was at El Monte County Park which had lots of parking and shaded picnic tables. After a very good lunch of barbecued beef, beans, and drinks. trophies were presented. The trophy for the oldest bike was presented to John Gelles for his 1955 Swiss Army Condor. Mel Porter was awarded the oldest rider trophy. The young= rider also received a trophy. Ralph Kindrick of Eureka. CA. riding a 1971 BSA Rocket 5. won the trophy for the furthest distance traveled. Ralph's motorcycle has a Vetter fairing complete with a Cycle News decal and he found out about the event reading Cycle News. He is a member of both the AMA and the Motorcycle Owners. Riders. and Enthusiasts Organization of California. Ralph is also a bronze and silver legislative supporter of the AMA. Hileman takes Inaugural PRRO Phoenix road race By Kris Aaron PHOENIX, AZ, SEPT. 28 MotOrcycle road racing made its debut in Phoenix; if not with a bang, then a loud thump. Fortythree racers put in an 20 appearance at Phoenix International Raceway for the inaugural event. organized by the Phoenix Road Racing Organization. Sunny weather and the necessity of sharing tbe track with a spons car club contributed to tbe enjoyment of both riders and spectators at having - .fin4lly - a local road race. For years Phoenix has been notorious for having beautiful weather, open desert and little or no motorcycle racing of any sort. PRRO is doing its best to change the situation. Dominating the GP class was Ed Hileman on his 1200cc BaiD monoshock Suzuki. While battling for first place against two unlikely competitors, Ontario veteran Hileman entertained the crowd by pulling wheelies a la King Ken down the main straight and through the turns. Hot on Hileman's rear wheel was Jim O'Niel, riding a TZl!50. Due to the number of entries, all GP bikes were run together. making for an interesting moment or two as the little TZ challenged the Suzuki Goliath. "If I'd had a berm I could have won," said third place rider John Sanchez, "Mr. Motocross. Coming all the way from Baton Rouge. LA, Sanchez diced at the front of the pack on a 465cc Yamaha MX. Sanchez swears the MX is perfectly stock; says he only changed the tires (to a set of slicks) and the main jet. The Yamaha looked stock, with its long, yellow-booted forks and high suspension. Hileman was shocked [Q his shons to see a dirt bike trying to pass him! Super Street saw fierce competition between Mike Williams on a Suzuki 1000, Pat Palmer riding a Ducati and orm Benedum on a 400 Hawk. Benedurn is a California road race veterean who placed third in the sixhour endurance race at Brainerd, MN, in August. The loudest applause at trophy time was for Mark Samuelson, who took second in the 550cc Super Street class on an ancient BSA 500 single. One hairpin turn, one decreasing and one increasing radius, wide sweepers and a tight track made for an interesting day of racing. A total lack of injuries and incidents left everyone with a good taste and ready for the next PRRO race. Results SUPER STREET 410:'. Norm _ u m IHon); 2. Micl< Frew IVom'; 3. Mort< MelDon CHonI. 550: ,. Bob Semler IHon); 2. M",k Samuelson IBSAI. 750: ,. Tad Gabbert ISuzl; 2. Kevin Eliot IHon!; 3. Mike Champlin CKawI. OPEN: , . Miko Wil.". ISuzl; 2. Pot Polmer IDueI; 3. Grog Wink IKawI. GRAND PRIX ALL: ,. Ed Hileman ISuzl; 2. Jim O'Nioi IVom); 3. John Slwlchoz IVoml. BOX STOCK 410: 1. Kent Witzons IVoml; 2. Scott LooIVoml. 550: 1. Will ~mon ISUll. 750: ,. o..id _oISUll; 2. R.J. WittiHonl; 3. Tom ~lK_). OPEN:'. Jol1 Smith IDuel. Western Dragblke! champions named UTICA. NY. SEPT. 26 Kawasaki powered motorcycles captured six of eight Eliminator Number One plates in the Dragbike! West Coast Champion- ship Series points competition, with Harley Davidson and Suzuki taking one each. The competition, totalling points for racers in the Dragbike! Carlsbad. CAS E NO.IMO AMA Winston Pro Grand Na . AMA/Castrol Formula 1 Champion, Yamah RICHARD AMA/Castrol Novice Champion, Yamaha THAD WOLFF