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/146679
• Martin's BSA matches a rigidframed 1947 BSA B34 engine and frame with a 1953 A7 gearbox. Like many of the pre-'65 bikes at the AHRMA Nationals, it was built by Dick Mann. "It's about typical of what really good British riders were riding in about 1953-55," Martin says. ''I'm not a vintage bike collector, but I really enjqy riding this bike. The big bangers are the epitome of the sport." The BSA was the first pre-'65/preunit trials bike Dick Mann built for himself. The fact that he sold it happened almost by accident. "Dick told me he wanted too much money for it and he'd rather have me as a friend," Martin said. "I told him if he didn't sell me the bike he'd lose me as a friend. That was really the beginning of the big four-stroke class." Martin enjoyed the event, but added that it "was a little on the hard side for vintage motorcycles." "I didn't see any destroyed motorcycles, so I guess it was really good," he concluded. Dick Mann's Matchless DNF, allowing Mike O'Brien to cruise to the Premier Heavyweight Advanced class win on his 500cc Ariel. . "I did poorly, but I had a good time," Mann said. ''I'm not a trials rider but I really enjoy the bikes and the sport." Mann is continually buying, restoring and selling steeds for the Heavyweight class. "The bikes will always be my favorites," he explains. "I've been interested in trials bikes since I began riding in '49." Leading the way on the Modern Classic pre-'75 bikes was Master class rider Larry Varnell. Varnell, representing southern California's Plonkers Trials Club, came from behind to edge PITS President and event organizer Mike Fenner. Riding a 1974 Bultaco 250 Sherpa T, Varnell overcame bike problems to best the Honda TLl25-mounted Fenner. "In the first section I went over a large log and somehow bent the (left S&W) shock shaft or turned something loose inside," Varnell said. "I ended up with rigid (rear) suspension for the rest of the trial." Varnell, a 1989 AHRMA National Champion, was able to guide the Bultaco through the toughest lines of the event for a 1-4-3 score. Fenner's 13-7 lap totals left him three points back. Varnell's son Steven, also took first place in the non.:vintage Junior Advanced class that was running concurrently with the AHRMA National. Steven guided his Fantic 305 to a 36-point win. In the Modern Bike Master class, Alan Jess won by a large margin on his monoshocked TY Yamaha. (N Results IUGID PItEM HIW AnV: I. Ken Dodge (Mat). IUGID PItEM HIW INT: I. Steve Martin (BSA). PItEM HIW ADV: I. Steve Meyer (Ari). PItEM HIW INT: 1. DendI johnson (Tri); 2. Mike O'Brien (Mat); 3. Fred Mark (R-E). PItEM LIW AnV: I. Derek Belvoir (BSA); 2. Mike Atkins (BSA); 3. Ernie Stair (BSA); 4. john Geer (Gre); 5. Doyle Cook (Gre). PItEM LIW INT: I. Carl Donndson (BSA); 2. Lynn Boyner; 3. Ron McCabe (Tri); 4. jim Cameron (BSA). MOD CLASSIC MSTR: I. Larry Varnell (Bul); 2. Mike Fenner (Han); 3. Paul Olliges; 4. jim Winter (Han); 5. Craig Klesh. MOD CLASSIC ADV: I. Terry Wiggins (Bul); 2. jim Parler (Yam); 3. je££ Naif (Han); 4. Kent Reinhard (Bul); 5. Ed Gaylord (Suz). MOD CLASSIC INT: I. Derrell johnson (Bul); 2. Richard Kane; 3. john Wheeler; 4. jon Scudder; 5. jeramie Tremain. MOD BIC MSTR: I. Alan jesse (Yam); 2. Rob Tufford (Yam); 3. Bruce Monigham. Jll ADV: I. Steven Varnell (Fan); 2. j~ssie Smith. Jll INT: I. jeremy Appell (Man); 2. Malcolm Walker (Fan). Jll BEG: I. Greg Erwin; 2. Melissa Fenner (Yam); 3. Adam Kowalaylc (Yam). On good#! rn deserves another~.. 1992 MOTORCYCLE MADNESS ON PRIME NETWORK (WGP denotes World Grand Prix; AMA denotes AMA National Road Race Series) , AlrDate Apri/30 May 7 May 14 May21 May 28 June 4 June 11 June 14' June 18 June 25 July 2 July 9 EventNenue, WGP-Japon WGP - Australia WGP - Malaysia WGP-Spoin AMA - Laguna Seca WGP-Italy AMA - Laguna Seca WGP - Germany WGP-Europe AMA - Charlotte AMA - Charlotte WGP - Germany Air Date July 16 July 19July 23 July 30 Aug. 2Aug. 6 Aug. 13. Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 EventNenue AMA - Brainard, MN WGP-France WGP-Holland AMA - Brainard, MN WGP - United Kingdom AMA - Louden, NH WGP - Hungary AMA - Louden, NH WGP-France AMA - Road America AMA - Road America AMA-Mid Ohio - AlrDate . EventNenue Sept. 24 WGP - United Kingdom Oct. I AMA- Mid Ohio Oct.B WGP-Brazil Oct. 15 WGP-TBA Oct. 22 WGP - South Africa Oct. 29 AMA - Texa~ World Nov.S AMA - Texas World Nav.12 WGP - Season Review -This event;s broadcast same day delayed. Other events are broadcast time delayed. O>eck Iocol ~stings fo< _ ~mes and dales in)'OUr area. # HONDA Corne ride with us. Prime Network Is distributed to regional sports nef1M:>rks: Home Sports Entertolnment, Sunshine Network. Prime Sports Network (PSNJ - Rocky Mountoln, PSN· Mictwest, PSN· Upper Midwest, PSN ·/ntermountoin lM9st. Prime TIcket Network. KBL Sports Nef1M:>rk, Prime Sports Norfflwest. SportSouth, Madison Square Gorden, Home Team Sports, ProAm Sports System, New EnglandSports Network, Empire Sports Network THE MORE YOU KNOW THE BETTER IT GETS for A Motor~le RiderCourse Near You, Call: 17M!~7:!:!!·F~!~'~ (all 101 I IIHI 'n,. \h-l1lhlT'hip Ifllorlllaliofl 1011": 800 AIDA JOIN AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION Southern California Harley-Davidson Dealers 77~~JldS7&'R. MAY COMPANY & MUSIC PLUS (213) 480·3232· (714) 740·2000 Box Office (818) 968·6444 I SlicTrac (714) 533-4444 33