P158
50
Years Ago
OCTOBER 27, 1970
LOOKING BACK
We predicted what 1981 had in store for the motorcycle industry. One of
our guest experts said, "don't look for bikes to do in the eighties what they
did in the seventies." Another said, "I am optimistic and looking forward
to an outstanding year."... The Trans-USA MX Championship came
down to the wire at Road Atlanta. Kent Howerton ended up retaining
the number-one plate by just two points over Broc Glover... Marland
Whaley clinched his fifth AMA National Observed Trials Championship in
Colorado.
40
Years Ago
OCTOBER 22, 1980
We pictured Cal Rayborn squeezed into his Harley-Davidson-powered
streamliner at the Bonneville Salt Flats on the cover of Cycle News 50
years ago. He piloted the machine to a new world motorcycle speed
record of 265.492 mph... The Inter-Am Motocross Championship visited
Linnville, Ohio, but scoring issues put a damper on the event. No one
knew who actually won, but Ake Jonsson appeared to cross the finish
line first... Jeff Smith won the Trans-AMA Motocross at Unadilla; the top
American was Peter Lamppu... We tested the 125cc Puch Motocross.
(Left) Kent Howerton was
featured in this ad for Hi-Point
Racing handlebars in 1980.
Dan Smith won the Wendover AMA Hare
& Hound National 30 years ago.
