The Dirtdiggers'grand Prix
THE DIRTDIGGERS'GRAND PRIX
DAN HUNT
They Fought And Switched in `66
CORRIGANVILLE, as this event was known until 1964, is about the only super-classic left on the Western calendar since the demise of Catalina and Big Bear. The event changed names when Bob Hope bought the property in 1965 . . . well, sort of changed, for the promoting club had already been naming the event after themselves as a hedge against land speculation.
One wondered whether “Corriganville” would see its eighth year. The trouble all began when the Dirtdiggers. an independent group of chaps in a like-minded district. gave the American Motorcycle Association in Columbus a rough dressing down for their decision to bar professional riders from sportsman events. They also castigated outgoing AMA executive secretary Lin Kuchler on general principle, alleging that he and the AMA had long neglected the lot of sportsman riders.
“Sheer impudence,” snorted Columbus and the ’Diggers suddenly became an exAMA club, particularly when the AMA learned that the club was going to run Corriganville jointly with the FIM-affiliated American Cycle Association. It should be explained that California is the only state in the union where AMA professionals may run in non-AM A events without being excommunicated for what the AMA feels (rather absurdly and monopolistically) is a “corrupt practice.” Thus, the Dirtdiggers’ strategy was clear: Pro riders could run at the Grand Prix by signing up under ACA sanction.
Although the boys back in Columbus made an attempt somewhat later to bring the club back into the fold and even offered a special professional sanction for the race, the Dirtdiggers had set their course. (District 37 benefited from the proceedings as the AMA later rushed through a rule allowing amateur class professionals to ride sportsman class events, this seeming to be an admission that those against barring pros might be half right.)
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the 'Diggers were too busy promoting the first money-paying ($2,000) international motocross ever to be held in the U.S. to care much about the AMA anymore. Excitement mounted when it was learned that three-time 250ec world champion Torsten Hallman would ride in both the 250 and 500 International classes. Entries flocked into these and other classes - more than 1,000 — and 317 sorrowful riders had to be turned back. The 'Diggers were happy, the ACA was happy. Bob Hope was happy and daughter Linda with her cinematic cohorts was set to grind it all down for the teevee. Why all the hoopdeedoo? The Dirtdiggers Grand Prix had become, with its 747 entries, the largest speed contest in the world. About 12,000 spectators attended and while this audience is small when compared to European motocross attendance figures, it is still quite respectable.
The course, albeit a shade fast, was as close to a European style scrambles as it had ever been. The main straight was shorter and slower this year, although still good for 75 mph or so. Housing tracts and one of those awful freeways made the course more compact, adding rougher sections and making spectating a dream. It would almost be a real rough scrambles if one were to shorten the straight even more and use more creek bed and sand wash instead.
Torsten the Swede, riding 250 and 360cc Husqvarnas. found the damp condition of the track to his liking. He was rarely pressed and even more rarely out of shape. In the 250 final. Bultaco rider Steve Scott gave Hallman a bad time for an odd lap. But. as the Swede runs five miles a day and Steve Scott doesn't, one can guess what happened in ensuing laps.
Therefore: $400 for the Swede; $250 for a happy Steve Scott; $150 for a steady Greevester. Preston Petty; $150 to Baja Run record holder Dave Ekins; $65 to John Rice; and $35 to Lloyd Lingelbach. Booby prize to Hallman's fast running teammate, Malcolm Smith, w’ho suffered plug problems.
In the sportsman (or should we say nonprofessional?) feature of that day, Steve Scott donned his 250 expert hat and diced with an AMA pro who must remain anonymous. Running third behind Scott and Anonymous was Keith Mashburn, riding a Mon tesa.
Absent for the big bore races Sunday were some professional AMA stars who. in the past, have become rather closely identified with the event, among them. Eddie Mulder. Although they had legal precedent on their side, their sponsors ordered them to bow out due to the nonAMA status of the race. So the expected clash between the AMA pistols and the world champion never came about.
Be that as it may, all was not lost and Triumph-Metisse rider Bud Ekins. who is his own sponsor and an international rough terrain rider in his own right, managed to keep Hallman in sight briefly during the opening moments of the first two 500cc rounds. Malcolm Smith was having plug problems again and disappeared rather quickly. Then it started raining lightly, which gave Hallman an even greater advantage. Ekins again followed Hallman home, while third place went to mudrunner Paul Hunt and his well-prepared Matchless G85.
The final round was in pouring rain and Hallman again won, but was actually pressed on by inspired Hunt during the latter part of the race. At one point. Hallman hobbled on the slimy adverse camber at the end of the straight and Hunt closed the gap to about five seconds. But Hunt became overexuberant on the next turn and lost what he had gained. Bud Ekins' throttle slides jammed, which put him out. Brother Dave Ekins finished third, followed by Malcolm Smith.
Overall, it was Hallman ($400), Paul Hunt ($250), and the rest were still being sorted out at press time. Unofficially, third went to Bud Ekins. fourth to Smith and fifth to Dave Ekins.
The next edition of "Corriganville” has been set for November 11 and 12. and the possibilities for this excellent dirt event are even greater, as the Swede has suggested that he'd like to bring along some of his fast-flying friends. If this happens, and if Bob Hope maintains his enthusiasm for all the motorcycles buzzing around his property. and ... if the AMA looks the other
way rnomenlaril\. we m~~' get o see one of th~s~ fabulous "~ ht-~f'~ races tn our own back yard.
