The Firecracker

THE FIRECRACKER

Bailey and Nelson Star Against The Europeans At Saddleback

IVAN J. WAGAR

LAST YEAR, Husqvarna importer Edison Dye hit on a plan to bring some of the European motocross stars to Saddleback Park for a race on the 4th of July. The event was called the “Firecracker,” an appropriate title, as the European specialists gave an explosive display in the art of motocross.

This year Mr. Dye flew in Torsten Hallman, four times world champion; Arne Kring, surprise winner of the first two 5 00-cc motocrosses for world championship points; Frans Sigmans, the Dutch sand specialist who is capable of finishing in the top three in a world championship race; and English Husqvarna star Allan Clough. Also in attendance were the two American Eagle entries, Dave Smith and Roy Jordon from England. A very formidable lineup.

Despite the Husqvarna heavy artillery, our own Gary Bailey romped home with the 250 laurels on his Greeves, and Ron Nelson, aboard a Maico for the first time, finished 2nd behind Kring in the 500 category.

Throughout the day enthusiasm was at fever pitch as it became apparent to regular motocross fans that our riders were quickly getting the hang of this new sport. The first 250 leg saw Bill Silverthorne out front from the first lap. Unfortunately Bill was wearing a light blue sweater like the Swedes, and there was a moan from the crowd of 5000 to the effect that we were being tromped again. Young Bill rode like a champion during his precise, calculated tours until joined by the gangly Bailey. Until twothirds distance these two fine riders put on a great show of riding talent. Then came third man in the current world championship table, Arne Kring, going like a bomb after a late start. At the finish Kring had stacked up 10 seconds on Silverthorne and Bailey. A further half minute down was the English star, Allan Clough.

In the second 250 leg, drama struck at the end of Lap 1. Kring and Clough had cleared the field and looked set to put a pair of Husqvarnas in the winners circle. But, approaching the start-finish hill at the completion of the first tour, they bumped together. Both riders were thrown and killed their engines. The entire field went by as they coasted back downhill to restart. Bailey saw his chance and never looked back, as Kring put on a tremendous display of high speed control, passing everything in sight. The young Swede came within inches of course markers and other riders as he fought to make up lost time. At the flag, however, it was Bailey, with Kring in 3rd place. Overall victory went to Bailey on corrected time. The young Greeves ace never made a wrong move, and completely deserved the victory.

The 500 race was expected to be a foreign 1-2-3, but Ron Nelson, fresh from his European tour and mounted on a new Maico 360, proved more than a match for the latest Husqvarnas. Throughout the first 500 leg Nelson snapped at the heels of Swedish star Kring, while the opposition faded further to the rear. There was no race, in fact, as Kring had the edge on Nelson, and no one else was in contention. In the early laps Nelson caught, passed and ran away from Clough in his pursuit of Kring.

The second 500 leg was a surprise as English dark horses Smith and Jordon put their American Eagles into 2nd and 3rd, behind Kring and in front of the flying Nelson. The Englishmen were out of luck, however, as their bad placings in the first leg put them out of contention, and Nelson finished 2nd overall to Kring. Third in 500 standings went to young Greeves star Jim Wilson, who is due to join Bailey in a short trip to Europe before the next Inter-Am series. If Europe helps these two young riders as much as it did Silverthorne and Nelson, we can expect some excitement in Inter-Am this year.

Torsten Hallman did not ride the Firecracker, and has not been available for comment. Torsten, who does not figure in this year’s title chase, was passed by doctors before making this trip. His back has been injured several times, and apparently still is giving trouble.

Dutch star Sigmans is rated as one of the best in the world, but he did not figure in the 250 class at all, and managed only 4th in the 500, behind two American riders. Clough did not score in the first eight of the 500 class but did manage a 4th behind Tom Rapp in the 250. In fact, only two foreign riders scored in the first eight of the 250 race. Stig Pettersson, younger brother of Suzuki factory rider Olle, looked competitive, but did not show up in the overall results. In the 500 class, things were much the same, with two foreign riders in the first eight places.

Although motocross is a young man’s game, it was good to see Walt Axthelm buzzing his shiny blue BSA Metisse among the horde of two-strokes, and looking good on his ride to 6th place.

The tide is slowly turning. Our riders

are learning the trade, and learning it well. With a little more experience, riders like Gene Fetty, Bill Silverthorne, who is a long way from his peak, Lonny Peterson, Tim Hart, John Hately, John Kenyon, and several more will be there to take on the Roberts and Geboers.

250 CC

1. GARY BAILEY .............Greeves

2. ARNE KRING ............Husqvarna

3. TOM RAPP ................. Bultaco

4. ALLAN CLOUGH..........Husqvarna

5. BILL SILVERTHORNE .....Husqvarna

6. LONNY PETERSON............Eagle

7. BILL THOMAS ............Husqvarna

8. AL BAKER .................Yamaha

500 CC

1. ARNE KRING ............Husqvarna

2. RON NELSON ............... Maico

3. JIM WILSON................Greeves

4. FRANS SIGMANS .........Husqvarna

5. TIM HART .................Montesa

6. WALT AXTHELM ..............BSA

7. DAVE SMITH .................Eagle

8. GENE FETTY.............Husqvarna