P118
50 Years Ago May 19, 1966
Our feature story 50 years ago was about the first AMA Professional race in
California since 1958, and it took place at Carlsbad Raceway. It was a road
race and Cal Rayborn topped the heavyweight class and Dick Hammer won
the small-bore division… We covered Gary Contrad's win at the Hilltoppers
Scrambles in California… The Barstow MC held its first hare scrambles event.
Bob Belt was the big winner… We talked about the plans of motorcycle racing
returning to Riverside International Speedway.
40 Years Ago May 18, 1976
We featured a photo from the Belgian Easter Trophy motocross that showed
Gaston Rahier leading Roger DeCoster and Harry Everts into the first turn…
We tested some of the hottest motocross shocks in the business: S&W, Boge/
Mulholland, Curnutt, Works Performance and Fox Shox. We liked the Works
Performance the best… We covered the Belgian 250cc MX GP that Heikki Mik-
kola won; Jim Pomeroy was fifth overall… Gary Jones scored an upset win at
the 250cc National MX at Lake Whitney—Kent Howerton country.
20 Years Ago May 15, 1996
Hangtown Motocross made front the page of Cycle News 20 years ago. It was
round two of the National MX Series and Jeremy McGrath came away with
the 250cc-class victory, and local boy Steve Lamson topped the 125cc class,
again… We ran a featured story titled "The Golden Years" that focused on
motocross racing in Southern California… We also ran a story that talked about
two-strokes and their possible demise in off-road because of stricter emis-
sions… Steve Hatch won the Clarksburg GNCC in West Virginia.
30 Years Ago May 21, 1986
A Henny Ray Abrams' photo of Wayne Gardner was pictured on the cover 30
years ago after the Australian won the Spanish 500cc GP opener… We were on
hand when Randy Goss won his fifth Ascot Half Mile… Rick Johnson clinched
the AMA/Nippondenso Supercross at Arizona's Sun Devil Stadium; Johnson
took the win that night, as did Willie Surratt in the 125cc class… Kevin Hines
won the Pine Barons National Enduro in New
Jersey… Scot Harden and Garth Sweetland
teamed up to win the Duralube Las Vegas 300.
LOOKING BACK
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