World Championship Motocross

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MOTOCROSS

GAVIN TRIPPE

WITH ONLY ONE MORE round to go in each class, both the 250cc and 500cc World Motocross championships were won, and when the 500 series had its last round in West Germany, only fourth place was changed.

In the 250cc class, Sweden’s Torsten Hallman has confounded the experts by winning his third 250 title on the Husqvarna after having been absent from the Circus for two years. Hallman won the title in ’62 and '63 but then decided to study for an engineering degree, as he

realized that motocross won’t keep him going forever. While he still competed in the two following years, the championship played second fiddle to his education. He got his degree and this year staged a comeback during one of the fiercest seasons ever. Not a bad show, for most

riders only stay at the top for two years

and no one has even won more than two titles in the 250 or 500 classes before!

In the 500 class, Britain’s Jeff Smith, who has also held the championship

twice, hoped he could make his hat trick this year. But teething troubles on his $15,000 titanium-framed BSA caused several retirements early in the season.

Last month, Jeff was involved in a multi-bike pile-up, breaking his wrist and collarbone. The tragic part about this pile-up was the death of his teammate, Jerry Scott, who broke his neck. Jerry was a very popular rider and a regular competitor in the World Title series. He was 27 years old and was a member of the British team that won the Motocross des Nations last year.

The man who won the 500 crown this year was East German army officer Paul Friedrichs on a CZ. There is no doubt that he is THE best, having won his title with a maximum score of eight wins.

Typical of his wins was the one in Luxembourg when he won his seventh GP of the year on a tortuous circuit with several ridiculous climbs where it was impossible to pass. It was a case of first away, first home, as there were clouds of billowing dust with which to contend, the riders behind the leader having to grope their way around, mouths and eyes clogged by the leader's “smoke.”

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Friedrichs led the first race from start to finish, making the most of the clear view. He was chased hard for four laps by Chris Horsfield (GB) on an elderly CZ that eventually broke a foot rest (and his heart) just as he was drawing a bead on his man. Despite stopping to fit a new peg, he still finished a game 14th. After Horsfield's exit, Czech Josef Hrebecek took over second place behind the flying Friedrichs.

A magnificent sight among the hordes of 360 two-strokes was former world champion Sten Lundin (Sweden) on his faithful old 500 Lito, as he demonstrated his old prowess by beating Dave Bickers (GB), works CZ, into third place.

Swede Jan Johansson had the clean screen in the second race and headed off Friedrichs to the flag, after Paul had motored through the murk to make sure of first place on aggregate performance. It was the old ex-champs who stirred things up in third and fifth places — Bill Nilsson (Sweden), bombing round to complete his first GP this year on the 360 Husqvarna and Sten Lundin, once again to the fore behind Zdenek Polanka on a CZ, who was fourth.

Overall positions were hastily worked out with Paul Friedrichs coming out tops, Jan Johansson next, then Sten Lundin and Bill Nilsson beating Valstimil Valek on aggregate time.

With one more round to go, it looked as if Rolf Tibblin, of Sweden, would be runner up to Friedrichs with Jeff Smith next. Dave Bickers was only one point in front of Valek, so the battle for fourth place went on to the bitter end.

When the final 500cc round in West Germany came up, the verdict went to Valek after a very close race. The first race was won by Valek, who led Russian Victor Arbekov (in his first 500cc GP ride) and Bickers to the line. In the second heat, Bickers rode desperately, for he had not only to win that heat but make up a time deficit in order to win overall. Win the race he did, but not fast enough, so Arbekov, second in the heat, was first overall, while Valek was second and Bickers was third.

Thus, in final point standings, Bickers dropped down to fifth and Valek moved up to fourth.