Pepperell
PEPPERELL
International Motocross:
A Fantastic Spectacle on U.S. Soil
IVAN J. WAGAR
MOST PEOPLE probably never have heard of Pepperell, Mass. It’s not very big, even by small town standards, and it’s nicely hidden away in a New England maple forest. To motorcycle race enthusiasts from throughout Eastern U.S. and Canada, Pepperell, on a Sunday in October, is the place to be. They flock to Pepperell in droves, along with many non-motorcycle types, to see the fantastic spectacle of international motocross.
It had been a whole year since European riders last visited Pepperell, and the eager anticipation on friendly New England faces seemed to confirm the interval had been too long. The fans have their own local heroes, who enjoy fan loyalty that surprises many a California rider, but, once a year, the locals share apparently limitless enthusiasm with a band of foreigners.
The foreign invasion began only two years ago, when Torsten Hallman, then 2 5 0-cc World Motocross Champion, stopped by on a solo tour. Last year, Hallman gathered up a couple of fellow Swedes, plus the dynamic CZ team of Joel Robert, Roger de Coster and Dave Bickers, causing staid New Englanders and conservative Canadians to blow their minds.
Despite many hangups, the 1968 event—the opening round of the InterAm motocross series—was a lot of fun. The Husqvarna team picked up 10 crates of brand new machines late Friday, and, missing Saturday’s practice, managed to turn up race day morning to break in the bikes. Not to be outdone by the Swedes, the CZ team fought all day Saturday with New York customs officials, and the motorcycles eventually arrived in the Pepperell area at midnight Saturday.
Activity in the CZ camp was hectic, to say the least. While other teams and private entries sorted out the equipment during the last practice period, the CZ boys frantically twisted wrenches in an effort to get on the circuit before it was closed for racing. And, while the riders were not happy about putting the bikes together so quickly, there were deep sighs of relief from team manager Stan Cerny and Joel’s mechanic, “Big Victor” Lahita, who became so popular with the fans last year. When Victor wants to line up the wheels, he simply picks up the machine, turns it upside down, and places it on the ground, much the same way as handling a bicycle. Though there’s a language barrier (Victor is Czechoslovakian and speaks little English), there is no doubt about what is going on in his mind. The smile on Victor’s face, and in his eyes, tells the story. If Victor is not smiling, it’s time to go for coffee.
Joel Robert, who two weeks before Pepperell had regained the 250-cc world title from Torsten Hallman, was, as ever, the extrovert. All of Joel’s non-racing time was spent eyeing the girls, and pulling tricks on his teammates. Last year’s most spectacular motocross rider, Roger de Coster, like Joel, speaks English, along with four or five other languages. With an ever-present prankish glint in his eye, Roger speaks and acts like any American college athlete.
Third member, everyone’s favorite, is Dave Bickers. After 10 years of motocross combat, Dave has decided to make this year his last, and limit his riding to occasional international meetings. His U.S. fans will be glad to know he plans to make at least two more tours of North America. This year, CZ added a fourth team member, Vlastimil Valek, the official Jawa factory rider in Europe (Jawa and CZ each have separate factory teams in Europe). Probably because of his limited knowledge of English, Valek seems almost out of place among his outgoing three teammates. His personality, however, may change as he travels westward with Joel. It is truly a pleasure to be near CZ team members on race day, as it is obvious, even to novice fans, that they love to race.
By contrast, the Husqvarna team is all business, probably because of team leader Hallman’s quiet nature and his professional attitude toward motorcycling. The most extroverted member of the team is Torlief Hansen. Tall, with long, blond hair, young Hansen is a brute of a lad, on or off the circuit. Hansen is, in every respect, what one would expect a Swedish motocross rider to be. By the time racing finished, Hansen had led every race, at some point, but his do-or-die riding does little to insure a high tally in finishing results. It is possible that Hansen will dethrone de Coster as the most spectacular rider by the end of the eight-race series.
Husqvarna’s first-string 500 class rider is Bengt Aberg. Bengt is small in stature, compared to Hansen and Hallman, but in Europe he is regarded as de Coster’s rival for the title of being crossed up in the wrong place at the wrong time. At Pepperell, Aberg must have decided to lay off the fancy stuff and get on with the job of winning. And, while he was, by U.S. standards, a pretty good circus act, he has not, as yet, shaken Roger from the pedestal.
Two new Husqvarna riders for the U.S. series are Swede Chris Hammargren, a junior factory rider in Europe, and Pierre Karsmaker, the Dutch sand specialist. To round out the Husky team at an even half-dozen, Gunnar Lindstrom was added to the roster for Pepperell. Gunnar is not new to West Coast race fans. Early this year he spent considerable time in Los Angeles and San Diego, and did a great deal of riding with J. N. Roberts and other western riders. Lindstrom could vie with de Coster for the college boy title; his manners and proficiency in English are superb. Although Lindstrom has ridden for the Husky factory in Swedish international races, he decided not to go on the title chase and become a grand prix rider. At Pepperell, Gunnar rode out-ofthe-box, loaned Huskies, and at this point he is not sure how many of the races in the series he will take part in, but he will stay in this country after the series to work for Husqvarna importer John Penton.
Bultacos long have been considered a good choice for weekend racers, but few people have taken them as a serious threat in big time, professional motocross. This year, however, Cemoto East has shown its share of imagination by following up the successful Sammy Miller tour by bringing over Belgium’s Marcel Wierz to ride the series. Though he, too, has a problem with English, if a person can drop in a few words of German, Spanish or French, he will talk all day. Marcel’s second place at Pepperell against the best motocross riders in the world speaks highly for both Bultaco and the rider—especially in view of the fact that Marcel used a standard Bultaco out of the crate, made slight changes to bars and foot pegs, and went out and did the deed.
Cemoto’s neighbor, Yankee Motor Corp., apparently got wind of the Wierz plan next door and promptly flew in factory rider Mick Andrews of England. Mick’s long hair and Prince Valiant countenance might at first seem more appropriate in a London discotheque, but he quickly showed everyone that not only is he one of the greatest trials riders, but also a mighty fine motocross rider. Yankee’s other entry for Pepperell was an equally wise decision; Dick Mann. There are not sufficient superlatives in Webster’s book to describe Mann. Dick finished as best American rider at Pepperell, an incredible feat, considering he is in contention for the title of best road racer, best TT rider and best one-miler and half-miler in the country.
Pepperell organizers let Dick run under his familiar Number 2, and it was very gratifying to see him finish ahead of several European aces, who have been riding motocross all year while Dick has been doing the AMA Nationals circuit, with no time to practice for motocross competition. Both Mann and Andrews used the new, full 250-cc barrels on their otherwise standard Ossas. The larger cylinders soon will be available for all 230-cc Ossa machines.
Canada was well represented by Dave Sehl (Triumph Métissé), Seppo Makinen (Greeves), and that man, Yvon du Hamel (CZ). The Canadians could not quite cut it, though, against such formidable opposition. Young Sehl, son of a racing father, was eliminated from the results when he threw a chain in the last leg of the 500-cc race. Du Hamel proved his versatility by running consistently all day; not so bad, considering he is Canadian half-mile champ, Canadian ice racing champ and winner of the 250 class of the most famous race in the U.S.
The U.S. was well represented by Eastern riders selected through a series of elimination races. Two outstanding Americans, in terms of ability and potential, were Bill Silverthorn and Bill Thomas on Husqvarnas. Both Bills went to Europe halfway through the 1968 season, and have returned very much improved riders. While in Europe, they give credit to Torsten Hallman and Pierre Karsmaker for the success of their trip. Hallman helped the young Americans with entries and negotiations with organizers. Karsmaker, who lived only two miles from their headquarters in Holland, practiced with them regularly. There is no doubt that Silverthorn and Thomas have benefited from their sojourn to the lion’s den. There still is a lack of speed, but both riders now have developed the classic motocross style necessary to become really first class riders.
There was a moan of disappointment from the Glen Vincent fans, as he retired in the last leg suffering from internal pain, result of a crash two weeks earlier. Before his retirement, however, Glen proved he could blow off Czechoslovakian star Valek—without much trouble.
Almost as if in answer to the motocross rider’s prayer, rain began to fall on Friday evening. It continued through Saturday and stopped during the night, leaving the circuit tacky and completely dust free. The only complaint from the European riders was the large number of stones present in the otherwise excellent surface. One photographer, trying for spectacular rear shots, saw the lens of his $500 camera disintegrate before his eyes. While rocks and stones provided a hazard for some, the traction afforded by the sufficiently damp loam proved a boon for the more aggressive types. Pepperell is not the best circuit for trick riders such as de Coster, but it is a good motocross circuit and does sort the men from the boys.
Pepperell’s six race program divided the 250 and 500 classes into three 20-minute legs, with a 20-minute break between races. The absence of a bunch of silly supporting races was a good idea. It’s nice for Joe Whatsit to have a chance to race his 50-cc Thingus in front of all those fans once a year, but it is only a nuisance for the people who come to see racing. It’s much better to present 20 min. of no racing and good public address commentary.
The festivities began when the riders were paraded before the spectators on the main straight. Flag bearers, waving the national emblems of each of the competing countries, were followed by riders of the nationality represented. The emphasis on the international importance of the event was truly a moving sight, as riders from more than six nations faced the main grandstand to be introduced.
It was obvious from the start of the first 250 race that the starter-cwra-referee, Les Beach, would not brook any hanky-panky on the start line. In a show that outdoes the guy in the lavender suit at Watkins Glen, ol’ Les just keeps them there until they are all shaped up, baby. Les doesn’t drop the flag, rather he raises it from the ground, does a Mexican hat dance, yells like a war-crazed Shoshone, and that’s the start. The hard core European riders managed to overlook all the goings on and got off the mark well, but some of the American riders were somewhat taken aback by this grand display of talent, and lost out.
PEPPERELL INTERNATIONAL MOTOCROSS
From the drop (raise) of the flag, Bickers, despite threats of forthcoming retirement, and Robert were obviously the men to beat. John Desoto, the muscular Montesa-mounted Hawaiian ace, who had won all eight races at a Grafton qualifying event a month earlier, was not in the fray. Apparently he found the damp, tacky condition not to his liking.
Later, in the 500 races, teammate Ron Nelson suffered the same fate. Neither rider is used to very rough muddy going, and it was obvious at Pepperell that both riders will have to wait for the drier conditions in the western part of the series.
Throughout the 250 races it became apparent that both Barry Higgins and Dick Mann could hold their own among most of the European riders. Dick and Barry, in fact, had a race-long duel with Roger de Coster and, while not as consistent, both were a match for Valek. In the last 250 leg, Mann finished two lengths behind Valek. At the end of the day’s racing, CZ officials expressed a strong desire to sign up an American rider for the grand prix series in Europe next year; however, they will wait until the end of the series to make a decision.
Unfortunately, at the end of the last 250 race, Torsten Hallman ticked the snow fence with the tip of his handlebar at something near 80 mph. The United Ambulance Service, which does such an excellent job of caring for injured riders in the New England races, took Hallman off to the hospital with a painful shoulder and rib cage. Fortunately, injuries were limited to a broken rib and a chipped shoulder blade. Torsten hopes to be fit for the four West Coast rounds in the series.
The 500 races proved as exciting as the 250 legs, and, because the events were alternated, spectators had a chance to see which riders were concentrating on which class. Bengt Aberg and his backup man, Hammargren, cooled it in the 250 class, but went like gang busters on their larger Husqvarnas to pulverize the opposition. Valek was the highest placed CZ rider with his 3rd place on overall points. Fourth place went to Ron Jeckel, a fine rider who is not able to practice as much as some of his rivals. Ron rode a Bultaco in the first two legs, but changed to his 360 Greeves for the last event of the day. Canada’s blond Seppo Makinen rode very well to ace out Bill Silverthorn for 5th spot.
Promoter Bob Hicks and a handful of loyal, hardworking followers, like longtime racers Dick Bettencourt and Joe Bolger, worked very hard to make Pepperell a success. And all the while, they were forced to buck the wrath of the AMA. Nevertheless, some 8000 spectators left the races with' completely boggled minds. It is certain that when the Europeans return to New England next year, those same faces will be there with a bunch of friends to share the thrills of international motocross. [Q]
