Race Watch
RACE WATCH
Yamaha Gets A New Racing Manager, Trophy Des Nations Team Selected And The AMA's Regional Series Schedule
D. Randy Riggs
SHICK MOVES ON, CLARK MOVES IN
Peter Shick has been a familiar face around the racing circles for some five years, directing racing efforts for Yamaha. He’s now decided to move on to a new post as District Manager for motorized products, turning over the position of National Racing Manager to Ken Clark.
While under Shick’s direction, Yamaha captured a number of titles and championships including the AMA 250 National Motocross title in 1972 with Gary Jones, the AMA Open title in 1973 with Pierre Karsmakers, the 1974 250 title with Pierre again, this time disallowed by the AMA, the Open Class 1975 title with Jim Weinert and the 125 Championship in 1976 with Bob Hannah. Yamaha won the AMA’s Grand National title with Ken Roberts in 1973 and 1974, plus four straight manufacturer’s championships.
Shick also produced a successful International Six Days Trials Team which carted home three gold medals.
Clark is no stranger to racing, his career spanning a 22-year period when his riding endeavors included road race, TT and scrambles competition. Ken first joined Yamaha in 1973 when he helped sign the Dutch star Pierre Karsmakers. He left Yamaha in 1974 and returned in January of this year. Expect to see Ken popping up at most of the events where Yamaha factory team members are competing.
KARSMAKERS HAPPY
Pierre Karsmakers was out practicing on a warm afternoon in February at Saddleback Park, turning in a few leisurely 20minute motos, working himself back into shape for the upcoming busy season. In his van as he reflected on the past and looked toward the future, Pierre obviously was more than happy to be báck wearing Yamaha colors. “The nice thing about riding Yamaha this year is that the production bikes we use for practice and the works bikes are so similar. At Honda I would have to ride the CRs for practice and they are very much different than the RCs we raped. That was like having no practice at all.”
Pierre had just returned from Japan on a testing trip, the first hard riding he had done since breaking his toe at the Anaheim Stadium event in December. “I like to get back into condition slowly, work up to speed gradually and not spend too much time on the bike. It’s no good if you get all your muscles sore and stiff, then you can’t ride right.”
Yamaha will send Karsmakers to Europe for the 500 GP events, the Super Series and the Trans-AMA in the states, more than enough to keep him busy . . . and smiling.
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TROPHY DES NATIONS TEAM ALREADY?
Four of the best motocross racers in the United States have been selected to represent the U.S. in the 1977 Motocross des Nations and Trophée des Nations, based upon their performance in the 1976 AMA National Championship Motocross circuit. Professional Motocross Manager Mike DiPrete named Tony DiStefano, Kent Howerton, Gary Semics and Jim Weinert to the team.
In a switch move, the AMA has announced the selection at a very early date. In the past, team selection has been a lastminute process dictated in part by financial support from manufacturers. This year the selection was simplified by going with the two top riders from the AMA’s 250-cc and 500-cc National Championship Motocross Series. If successful, the system will continue to be used.
It’s interesting to note that for the first time both events have been given World Championship status from the FIM. Because of this move, the winning teams will gain world titles for their home countries. The Motocross des Nations is contested on 500-cc equipment and the Trophée des Nations is for 250-cc machines.
France will host the Motocross des Nations on September 4th and Holland will be the site for the Trophée des Nations September 11.
Gary Semics is the only rider with no previous experience in the events. He rides a factory Kawasaki as does Weinert. DiStefano will be aboard a Suzuki and Howerton does his job aboard a Husky.
Naturally, financial support from manufacturers is the backbone of the effort, but the AMA is going to assist in that department in any way they can, since there is no doubt that these four riders will admirably represent the U.S. team colors.
TRIALS AND HONDA, EUROPEAN STYLE
Trials master Sammy Miller made headlines a couple years back when he made his big switch from Bultaco to Honda. Miller, instrumental in developing works models of Honda’s Trials machine, now heads the factory European effort. The machine has been a good one, but has lacked a top class rider in the World Championship chase. The problem ceased to be a problem when Rob Shepherd parted company with Montesa at the end of 1976.
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Miller then signed Shepherd who promptly made a fairy tale start of the season with three national trials wins in succession. The latest works model is a short stroke 306-cc version, fitted with a decompressor to give characteristics much like a two-stroke. The long stroke version will also be ridden at certain events, depending upon rider preference.
This year’s world championship series will be the toughest yet and will give none but the works riders a chance of winning, since every single round of the championship will count. It will place a premium on consistency and one off day or machine failure could cost a rider the title.
Bultaco will make a multi-national attack with the Finn, Vesterinen, holder of the title, Frenchman Charles Coutard and British rider Martin Lampkin, holder of the title in 1975. Their main challenge will come from Montessa’s Malcolm Rathmell and Honda’s Shepherd.
HANG TEN/BEL-RAY U.S. GRAND PRIX
On Sunday, June 19th, the best motocross riders in the world will be at Carlsbad, California for the annual running of the U.S.G.P. On one of the better natural terrain courses in the United States, riders like Heikki Mikkola and Roger DeCoster will be going tooth and nail to gain valuable world championship points. Gerritt Wolsink will be trying for his fourth consecutive U.S. Grand Prix and many of the spectators will be going for Sue Brookings, the official Miss Hang Ten/Bel-Ray for 1977. Check it all out on June 19th. Tickets available through Ticketron. 151
