Competition Eto
COMPETITION ETO
U.S. SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Excitement for a spectator at speedway races is almost a cumulative thing; the fever pitch of the previous week’s events is never really forgotten and bang...here it is, another night at speedway. This carries on season long until October when it’s again time for the United States Championship. But this is a championship that is decided in one night’s racing, not at all like Trans-AMA’s or the AMA’s Grand National title. A guy can win regularly all season and finish as low as 15 th in the runoffs...but that hasn’t happened yet. Instead, the top runners of the year have characteristically done well in the finals, and this year was no exception.
Mike Bast has literally had a stranglehold on SRA racing in 1973 at each major track; only a few have managed to put the smooth rider in the midst of their roostertail. He has taken handicap and scratch mains time after time, and carted off the California State title early in the summer. Could he be beaten for the Number One spot at Costa Mesa? Or could the Huntington Beach Rocket, Rick Woods, retain his title? Then there was always the chance of the long shot, the unexpected surprise.
And Larry Shaw looked like he might be that unexpected surprise. He wound up holding off the Steve half of the Bast win machine in the first event of the evening.
But where was the heart of the crowd? They were going with the likes of Mike Curoso, Danny Becker and defending champ Woods. But Woods ended his first ride of the night with a slide out and no points; any hopes he had of retaining his title were ended right there.
Mike Bast rode as he had all season, being nearly invicible; yet one man made him do some following in one race. And that man was Don Cullum, the only rider to take a point away from Mike all night.
Still, in the end it was Mike who reigned as the new U.S. champion. His score wasn’t perfect, but he outrode 14 of the nation's top speedway riders, quite a feat considering all the odds. A brilliant Mike Curoso wound up in the 2nd slot, with "Lightning" Larry Shaw just barely capturing 3rd.
D. RANDY RIGGS
How about the fans? Well, they went wild as usual, their only disappointment being having to wait until April to watch Speedway again.
Over the years one of my pet peeves has been the flagman that pays attention to everything but what he’s supposed to pay attention to. You know, gawking at the pit poppies, seeing if red ants really duke it out with black ants and so on. I had a picture mailed to me this month that really illustrates the worst possible example of a flagman...he’s asleep.
Having not been there, I really don’t know how boring the race was. But I do know that at one time I was the victim of a dimwit flagman during a short track race. I got hurt because the guy had decided to start a conversation with the ambulance attendant; I unfortunately got in on the tail end of that conversation, thanks to the friendly flagman.
The point I’m trying to make is this: If you’re a rider, look over the flagman
situation before you head out on the course. If things look a little sketchy, complain to the track officials. Better yet, bop sleeping beauty on the side of the head. It just might keep you out of plaster.
* * *
Yamaha is experimenting with a “Monoshock” trials bike. Mick Andrews has not been given the go-ahead to ride it in competition, however.
* * *
Yvon duHamel’s $28,000 paycheck at the Ontario National was the largest of the ’73 season. No doubt snowmobiles will occupy his time during the winter. >
* * *
(Continued on page 96)
Continued from page 71
Gene Romero has signed with the factory Yamaha racing team.
* * *
As we go to press I have heard some very disturbing news. It seems as though one of our major off-road events, the Mint 400, has been cancelled due to the present fuel crisis. Where this can lead is anybody’s guess; but if the situation gets much worse, all of our competition events will be in great jeopardy. This can mean a complete curtailment of all and any competition and recreational motorcycling activities, a thought that crosses my eyes. Unfortunately, with our lead time being what it is, things could look a whole lot different by the time you read this. Still in all, it’s something to think about. ^
MID OHIO TRANS-AMA
Mid-Ohio Motocross Park is located between Cleveland and Columbus right in the center of some of Ohio’s most scenic farm lands. Rolling hills and groves of trees made a perfect setting for a weekend of World Championship Motocross.
This fourth race of the Trans-AMA series was promoted by Rick Case, America's largest motorcycle dealer. To say the race was "promoted" is probably an understatement. Seven top radio stations, three network television stations and three major newspapers brought 41,000 to watch Roger DeCoster zap the pack once again.
At the drop of the gate for the 500 International, DeCoster (Suzuki) showed the pack his back as he led ÎŒL the first lap. Heikki Mikkc^| (Husqvarna) lived up to his name, “The Flying Finn” in the second lap as he passed DeCoster in the air over a nasty double jump. Mikkola’s lead was short lived though, as a seizure put him out in lap five. The top three position switched back and forth between Sylvain Geboers (Suzuki) and Torleif Hansen with Maico’s Adolf Weil and Yamaha’s Pierre Karsmakers close behind. At the flag, DeCoster had shot to 1st as Sylvain dropped to 6th. Hansen held 2nd and Adolf Weil was in 3rd. Jim Weinert was the first American, in 7th, aboard a Kawasaki, with Jim Pomeroy on a Bultaco in 8th place.
Roger DeCoster oh, so smooth, on his way first.
(Continued on page 98)
Continued from page 96
Brad Lackey (Kawasaki) had to play catch-up all day.
In the second moto again DeCoster pulled the pack, this time chased by Maico’s Willi Bauer, and Gerrit Wolsink, Pomeroy on Bultaco and Hakan far behind as they battled for the lead. In the fourth lap, DeCoster bungled and Bauër motored by on the inside. Pomeroy passed Wolsink for 3rd momentarily until Hakan Andersson did them both in in one blast and set his sights on Roger and Willi. Hakan, screaming > his monoshocker, passed DeCoster, and on the last lap, using a slower rider to run interference, zapped Bauer for 1st.
Kalevi Vehkonen (Montesa) motors by Bob Wright's CCM on the inside.
By virtue of his 1st and 3rd finishes, DeCoster took the overall win, but both he and Hakan Andersson had a first in a moto to their credit.
500cc RE SUL TS
1. Roger DeCoster.................Suz
2. Willi Bauer.................... Mai
3. Pierre Karsmakers ............. Yam
4. Hakan Andersson ............. Yam
5. Adolf Weil .................... Mai
6. Jim Pomeroy .................. Bui
7. Torleif Hansen.................Kaw
8. Werner Schutz ................. Mai
10. Tim Hart .................... Yam
There wasn’t any way the 250 Support riders could upstage the action in the Open class, but young Billy Grossi and Rich Eierstedt were giving it a try. Billy jumped his factory Kawasaki out to a big lead at the start of the first 15-min. moto and began stretching it. Behind him,Eierstedt was giving chase as Tom Rapp, Barry Higgins and Ron Self fought for 3rd. J.F.K. stadium winner John Borg was having his problems with 30-year-old Gary Bailey. It looked like Billy was going to have a clear run at the moto win when he slid out on a turn > Yamaha's Tarao Suzuki (33) puts it to the ground and to his teammate, Hakan Andersson,
(Continued on page 102)
Continued from page 99
and let Rich Eierstedt get his Honda by. Billy took three laps to move back up on Rich, and when he did it was the last turn before the finish. Billy took to the inside line, which put him into good position for the double jump. He kept the throttle dialed on and sailed past Rich to take the flag first.
John Borg took to the lead in the second 250 moto, but he tired out quickly, turning the lead over to Rich, who wasn’t followed too far behind by Grossi. This time though Billy waited^ slide out in a turn too late in the moü Before he could catch back up with Rich again the moto was over. John Borg took 2nd on his Yamaha, followed by Ron Pomeroy.
The situation didn’t improve for Grossi in the final moto, either. He was away in 1st closely pursued by Rich, who wouldn’t let up the pressure. On the second lap Rich passed him, but on the following lap Billy was out front again. It was beginning to look like Billy would finally hold his position when, yup, he slid out again as Rich motored his way on home for the overall win. Ron Pomeroy put his Bultaco in 2nd and Grossi had to be content with a 3rd
