Ama Stars To England?
AMA STARS TO ENGLAND?
IVAN J. WAGAR
THE ENGLISH WEEKLY, Motor Cycle News, in the June 4 edition carried a headline which announced the possibility of three of America’s best racing at Mallory Park in September. The riders are to be Calvin Rayborn, Ron Grant and Art Baumann, and, if the plan is successful, this would mark the first time that top AMA riders have tried their hand in Europe.
Several Americans have gone to Europe during the past 20 years, but none of them had served his time in the fierce struggle of AMA competition. Indeed, they seemed to flee to foreign shores to avoid confrontation with the hot shoe crowd. Now, for the first time since Gary Nixon went to Japan and cleaned house, it appears there is hope for us to see if there really is an ability barrier. In addition to satisfying the curiosity of a lot of people on both sides of the Atlantic, the tour would surely make for better U.S./world relations.
CYCLE WORLD for many years has claimed that American riders have the necessary ingredients. The original
TEAM CYCLE WORLD was our effort to prove to the world that, despite nitwits in the American Motorcycle Association and the Federation Internationale Motorcyclist who continue to be at odds with one another, our top riders are good. A year before TCW, Bob Hansen, the ever-enthusiastic Racine, Wis. sponsor, planned to visit Brands Hatch with racer Jody Nicholas. Unfortunately, National No. 58 went into the U.S. Navy to become a pilot, and that was the end of that plan.
The latest scheme is being instigated by California’s new Motor Cycle Weekly newspaper. Both Gavin Trippe, editorial director of MCW, and Rod Gould, who is a major share holder, have been trying very hard to finalize plans with Chris Lowe, secretary for a racing circuit combine in England. If everything falls into place, the riders could ride the Mallory Park Race of the Year and two other short circuit meetings; at least one would be at the famed Brands Hatch venue. The decision to skip the long, difficult-to-learn circuits, like the Isle of Man, is a wise one. All of the three riders are quick to learn new courses, and, providing they can get in a full day’s practice before the race, they should be in good shape to meet the scratchers we keep hearing about in the legendary tales.
Calvin hopes to take his HarleyDavidson KR for the Race of the Year-a good choice. Calvin is extremely intimate with the machine, and it has enough horsepower to see off Agostini on a rider’s circuit. Both Grant and Baumann expect to take their 500-cc Daytona Suzukis for the big bore class. Grant will take his 250-cc Suzuki for the lightweight category, while Calvin and Baumann are trying to persuade Kawasaki to lend the Daytona 250s. All of the above mentioned brands and riders fall into the contracted agreements they have been riding under this year in AMA road races. The fact that the English tour would take place after the AMA road race season should sidestep any equipment problems. In fact, the AMA road race calendar is so ridiculously small that we wonder why anyone worries about it in the first place.
CYCLE WORLD has already promised a goodly sum to help support the riders in this venture, and may yet see the old TEAM CYCLE WORLD dream bear fruit. Many people will question the choice of riders, as they did before, but that cannot be a consideration at this point. It is true that Jody and Ron Pierce should be included, and even Dick Mann and Yvon du Hamel. However, this could be the beginning of an exchange program and eventually everyone will have his chance. We have seen Phil Read, a double World Champion, at Daytona. Now it is time to see Calvin, the guy who did it to Read, go to Mallory and put it to them.
Rod Gould, who has been to the past two Daytona races, made the following comment in the MCW article: “Rayborn is as good as any racer in Europe and Baumann and Grant are capable of keeping up with him.” While these may be rather strong words, they sum up the situation as it really is. Rod Gould will not win a popularity contest for his statement, but he is to be congratulated for his honesty. Rod is, after all, the first rider to go back home and give Americans credit for being good. ;q]
