Jack Pine Enduro
JACK PINE ENDURO
DAVE EVANS
AFTER two days and 538 miles of rough going through Michigan's swamps, woods, rivers, gravel pits and sand, the finish of the 36th annual Jack Pine Enduro was decided, strangely enough, by a matter of seconds, with John Wright of Runny-mede, New Jersey declared the victor aboard his Triumph Tiger Cub. Initial checks showed that Wright and last year's winner, Lew Atkinson, also Triumph mounted, had tied for first place in the endurance run classic, but an emergency check system, in which seconds lost are counted, gave the win and the coveted Cow Bell to Wright. It was his fourth Jack Pine try. Atkinson, though missing out on the top prize, still wound up as Senior Champion and winner of the "first day" trophy.
New interest was added to the country’s oldest enduro with the addition of a “buddy class” to the usual classes run in the past. It was a real pleasure to watch the winning husband and wife team of Leroy and Luella Winters charge through the brush and slog through the sand with feet on the pegs all the way! They looked about as casual as though taking a Sunday ride, instead of completing 500 grueling miles off the road. It is especially interesting to note that of the 5 buddy teams who finished the entire distance ... 4 were coed combinations. And who says that women have no place in “racing?!”
The attrition among the sidecar classes was overwhelming, though, with only two of the side-hack rigs managing to finish the distance.
The largest turnout ever for a Jack Pine started in the event, with groups of riders being flagged off into the beautiful Michian dawn at one minute intervals. Of the 465 starters from 22 states and Canada, 179 finished, and 23 makes of machines were represented.
John Penton, sporting the famous red, white and blue crash helmet which the U.S. government gives to Americans who participate in foreign competition, ran into difficulties along the way and could only finish 11th in his class on a BMW. John is over the pond right now as a guest of the BMW factory in recognition of his fine enduro record in the states. He will participate as a factory rider in the 6-Days trial, thus the American team helmet. It is a great honor (both the helmet and the factory berth) which he richly deserves. In the real spirit of competition, he is giving up an offered 6-week tour of Europe “on” BMW, in favor of catching a plane right back to the U.S. for a nick-of-time start in the Cayuta 150-mile enduro. John really wants the enduro championship badly.
Other unbelievable performances were put in the Powder Puff category. That some male-type riders can’t stand the gaff is understandable . . . but that a frail-type female should make the entire distance is unthinkable. Three of the 8 gals entered did finish, though, with Karol Noss losing only 62 points. Not many men can claim that good a ride!
Good planning by enduro chairmen and pathfinders alike, plus a fine assist by the weatherman, made for a trouble-free and enjoyable run ... if a bit tough . . . which it should be. •
GRAND CHAMPION - John F. Wright, Runnemede, N.J.. Triumph, 979.39 pts. BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION - Charles Thiakos, Rock Falls, Ill., Triumph, 970 LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION - Charles Stahl, Toledo, Ohio, H-D, 976 MEDIIJMWEIGHT CHAMPION - Wm. C. Baird, Sterling, Ill., Triumph, 977 LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION - Meldon Mull, Lansing, Mich., Triumph, 958 HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION - Charles Lehmann, Toledo, Ohio, H-D, 958 SIDECAR CHAMPION - Ralph Johnson, Waterman, Ill., H-D, 858 - Keight Simpson, Leland, Ill., passenger SENIOR CHAMPION - Lewis Atkinson, Columbus, Ohio, Triumph, 979.614 POWDER PUFF CLASS - Karol Noss, Jackson, Mich., Triumph, 938 BUDDY CLASS - Leroy and Luella Winters, Ft. Smith, Ark., Triumph, 929 CLUB TEAM - Competition Riders Assn., Brecksville, Ohio, 930 DEALER TEAM - College Bike Shop, E. Lansing, Mich., 929
