Continental Report
CONTINENTAL REPORT
B.R. NICHOLLS
GROUP STARTS FOR TT
Suddenly the Isle of Man TT seems very close. Already the British road racing season has started, highlighted by the ACU plan to change the traditional Isle of Man start. Instead of sending riders off in pairs at 10-second intervals, competitors will be sent off in groups of nine with 90-second intervals between groups. Although this will be for the senior race only it is difficult to understand the reason for it.
Some critics envisage carnage at the bottom of Bray Hill where timidity could be as dangerous as boldness in the fight for the right line.
Riders will be seeded as in previous years so that the fastest riders will be in the first groups. Agostini obviously will disappear into the blue. But for the remainder, riders of almost equal machinery and experience, three, four and even five riders may be indulging in a type of short circuit scratch over what essentially is a course for battling against the clock, not against other competitors. This could lead to a slowing of the pace, so that the fastest riders from the next group catch the one in front, and the possibility of groups dicing in such places as Bray Hill, Union Mills, Laurel Bank and Glen Helen is awesome, to say the least.
I am against the idea, and I think the organizers are out of touch with the enthusiasts. Spectators prefer to pick their vantage points and compare style and ability of the riders. This will not likely be possible where groups are involved. Neither will the amateur timekeeper be able to use his stopwatch to advantage. The whole essence of the TT is man and machine against the most difficult circuit in the world with time the deciding factor at the end of the race; group starts will only add to the problems of the competitor, though to what extent we will have to wait until June to find out.
BENELLI DROPS CHAMP CARRUTHERS
Kel Carruthers, the brilliant Australian world 250 road race champion who won the 1969 title on the four-cylinder Benelli, has been dropped by the Italian concern from their race plans for 1970. This, it is reported, has been brought about by internal troubles at the factory. This year all effort will be concentrated on Renzo Pasolini, and even he will have to rely on the 1969 model in the 350 class for the start of the season. For Carruthers it will mean joining the ever growing band of Yamaha riders in the 250 and 350 classes. Fortunately, Don Vesco has come to the rescue with machinery that the Aussie will ride for Don at Daytona and then be allowed to take to Europe for the championship series.
Having been shown by Phil Read in South Africa just what a threat the 350 Yammy will be in 1970, Agostini must have been doing some hard talking with Count Agusta about the need for a swift 350 this year. This inevitably gives rise to the usual discussions about the 350 MV Six, there being little doubt that something drastic must be done if Ago is to retain his 350 title.
SEASON OPENER IN SPAIN
The European road race season has already started with the meeting at Alicante, Spain. In the 50-cc class the Spanish Derbi concern took five out of the first six places, with victory going to Salvador Canellas. But the race of the day was the 250 class; this provided another all-Spanish victory when Santiago Herrero took his Ossa to a half second win over Kent Andersson (Yamaha), renewing the battle they had last year in the championships.
Surprise of this class, however, was the form of New Zealand rider Ginger Molloy and the speed of his works Bultaco that finished 3rd. Then, on the bigger model, he shot off into the lead of the 350 class and set the fastest lap of the day but an electrical fault slowed him. This let in the European hillclimb champion Walter Rungg (Aermacchi) who rode on to win with Molloy 2nd. If he continues to race as he did in Spain, Rungg will become as popular as his fellow countryman Fritz Peier, who rode the Egli Vincent so well in 1969. It looks as if Switzerland has found two stars to follow in the tracks of Fuigi Taveri.
To complete the day’s racing BMW machinery completely dominated the sidecar class; Georg Auerbacher won from Heinz Futhringhauser.
DAYTONA
At presstime it looks as if the road race of the year is going to be Daytona, for everything points to the world’s finest machines and riders being available, including Mike Hailwood on a Three. So, American enthusiasts, look forward to a real feast. With such prospects, who wants to bother coming to Europe to see racing?
DUNSTALL HONDA?
For those who like the Dunstall style and a four-cylinder engine, the ultimate is on its way. The next customizing project planned by Paul Dunstall is the Honda road burner. Ideas at the moment include the addition of a second Honda disc brake, alloy rims, redesigned tank and seat to give a more sleek look, different bars but not clip-ons, a new exhaust and a higher compression ratio. Sure sounds good to me.
TRIALS
Sammy Miller continues on his record breaking way. His latest victory came in the Hurst Cup trial held in Northern Ireland, his 13th win in the event. More significantly, it was a qualifying round toward the European trials championship which he virtually clinched at the event. The only man who can beat him now is Gordon Farley (Montesa), but his chance is small indeed. Sam would have to fail to score in the remaining three rounds while Farley would have to have to win them all. It was a sad day at the Hurst for Farley, who was well off form and could do no better than 11th. Miller (Bultaco) lost 91 marks and Malcolm Rathmell (Greeves) was 2nd with 106, just one point ahead of Lawrence Telling (Montesa), who takes over 2nd place in the championship table ahead of Farley.
From Northern Ireland, Farley and teammate Don Smith made the overnight dash to Brussels for the Lamborelle Trial. But they got scant reward for their trouble as Claude Vanstenagen (Bultaco), the Belgian champion, upheld the honor of his country with a one mark victory over Farley, who in turn was one ahead of Smith. And as the winner lost 54, it was indeed a tough battle.
A week later came the St. David’s Trial, the first round of the British championship for 1970. Miller made it abundantly clear that he aims to make it 12 titles in a row, for at his brilliant best he lost 24 marks to finish five ahead of Telling, who seems to improve with every outing. These two were well clear of 3rd man Dave Thorpe (Ossa) who lost 41. Gordon Farley was 4th with Mick Andrews (Ossa) 5th with 49. Yes, the same Mick Andrews that has been Stateside recently and is now finding form back in the hurly-burly.
Once again Farley and Smith made an overnight dash to the Continent, this time to Paris for the Clamart Trial. Here Farley turned the tables on Vanstenagen whom he beat handsomely with a loss of 15 to the 22 of the Belgian, with Smith on 26.
NEW BULTACO 175 TRIALER
Never one to sit on its laurels, the Bultaco concern is developing a 175-cc trials machine utilizing the five-speed Campera engine in a modified 125-cc frame. It is said to have an overall weight of about 150 pounds. With Miller having tried the new machine, I expect to see it given a real test of stamina in the hands of either Paul Dunkley or Geoff Chandler in the Scottish Six Days Trial, a sure way to prove any model. It is not intended to replace the Sherpa. The Bultaco competition shop must be a mad house for not only have they got the road racers motoring, but there is also motocross activity in the shape of a 400-cc engine being developed.
SUZUKI AT BELGIAN MX
The first outing at Lummen in Belgium for Joel Robert and Sylvain Geboers on their new Suzuki motocross machines was not impressive; they both packed up. But not before the Japanese 360s were proven to be very fast. With more time to sort out the problems (they arrived only three days previously) they will surely be very competitive. Competing on the usual two-leg system, reigning world champion Bengt Aberg (Husqvarna) won the moto from Roger DeCoster (CZ). But he could manage no better than 4th the second time out when DeCoster won, thereby taking overall victory and giving himself a good start to the 1970 season.
