Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Spark Plug sponsored event marked the eighth stop on the 12 event schedule of the World Championship Observed Trials ~ries. Seven exhausting hours after beginning a grueling ride through the spectacular scenery of the Watkins Glen area in south· central New York State Burgat and Coutard were dead even with each losing 47 marks. The tie-breaker was the number of clean rides .- rides where a rider loses no marks in 'a section - and the tally was in SWM rider Burgat's favor over Coutard and his Montesa. Three-time World' Champion Yrjo Vesterinen of Finland was ten marks off the winning score in third, piloting his Bultaco to a 57. Spaniard Jamie Subira, on a Fantic, finished one mark off Vesterinen's pace while defending World Champion Ulf Karlson of Sweden rode his Montesa to a score of 62 The best U.S. ride belonged to 1980 World Champion Bernie. Schreiber. He finished eighth with a 71 mark loss on his Italjet. Montesa sponsored Curt Comer finished 1Sth and took the top spot in the AMA/NATC National run in conjunction with the world round. A strong spectator contingent converged on Clute Park in Watkins Glen to observe the masters of two· wheeled ballet perfonn their sophisticated moves. Rain the night before did little to dampen the enthusiasm of anyone. The 14 sections on the course were ridden three times and offered a breathtaking array of challenges for the riders. Rock ledges, waterfalls. running water, mud, loose rock and just about anything else needed to test the best in the world was to be found in abundance. It was virgin territory, so much so that workers had gone onto the course to scrub the moss off rocks in areas where the competitors were to be confronted with no other route through a particular section. Unfortunately, a mishap did mar the event somewhat. Englishman Martin Lampkin, the 1975 World Champion, crashed hard on section three in the third loop breaking two ribs, injuring his back and knocking out some teeth. Lampkin was climbing a steep. ledge just after a muddy section when he apparently bobbled and the bike began to go over backwards. Lampkin became entangled with the bike and tumbled off the ledge. After a shoTt stay in the hospital he left for home. . Burgat, 19-year-old and on his first visit to the U.S., was thrilled with his win. "There was a great selection of sections." he said through an interpreter. "The sections were long with no time to relax in the middle. In Europe the sections featur.e two or three challenges in diem, but here mosl were challenging all the way." Rain the night before and occasional showers during the event made the course tougher according to Coutard. "I think it was a tricky event for the International riders and very difficult for your National' riders," said Coutard afterwards. "I 'was very surprised with all the big waterfalls." Coutard won both the U.S. and Canadian championship rounds in 1977. The International riders took to the course last so there would be no unfair trail deterioration. The trail between sections was sometimes as hard as the sections themselves and many spectators pitched in a hand more than once to get a competitor on his way. Among the magic tricks that brought spectators alwe was one by Schreiber on the sixth section of the second loop. This was a steep waterfall climb with a 180 degree turn at the top. Schreiber hit the top, balanced (Ctmtintud to page 22) Guess who's got Preston Petty Products? PRESTONP TV Look who's back and running Preston Petty Products-Preston himself. The man who revolutionized the off-road Industry with his plastic .creations is once again Clesignlng. creating and selling his own products. All the goodies that dirt riders grew up with are still available-along with some exciting new products. That's not all. If your dealer doesn't have what you need, you can buy directly from the source-Preston Petty. There's nO back orders. nollassle and no delays. We manufacture It-we sell it. We're back to stay. The Hoieshot Number. Plate "The Holeshot is my first new product in six years. You can still rea4 ttle numbers when it's covered with muddy water, and the 'air that flows through the holes help cool the suspension parts and the motor. It's available in white, btack or yellow for $12.15 Available Mid June IF YOU HElD SOMETHING ASAP, HERE'S HOW TO ORDER: w. accept Master Charge and VIsa credit card on:Iers on our 24-hour, 74y toll free order line. From california caR (8OO)~7777 (all for operator 303). From anywhere ..... cell (800)824-7888 (all for operator 303). If your dad. uncle or friend won't let you UlI4l their card, mall a CIIIhler'a ct)eck or money order. W• .-0 accept perlIClNI checlc.. but must allow up to 3 - u for !he check to clear your bank. PIelIae Include $1 pet' order for poe1age and fondling. ---lI1UIt ---Ill... ,.....--Preston Petty Products TIoe 11II _ _ (81UI) TIoe LT. _ _ (IlII.I8) \ P.Q Box 4158, Scottsdale, AZ, 85258 wlcKi-T QUPRDDUCTSoo:n:':r ~:o:,r P.O. BOX 1 BS2 • PLEASANTON. CA 945SS • SAFE • SECURE • CONVENIENT MotorcycleCarrie, . . . . W •••rlt_k .Ioyd. • •r ....k,CA ••S. . a.3-84s-ena LONG BEACH YAMAHA

• Cover