Round Up

ROUND UP

JOE PARKHURST

TEN YEARS AGO,almost to the day, CYCLE WORLD's co-publisher (my wife B.J.) and I left Road & Track magazine to set off for Europe on a year-long spree of carefree fun and frolic. After we had our fling (it was worth every minute of it), we returned to Southern California and the publishing business. B.J. and I joined Pelzer Publishing Co., producing Karting World. Later, we took on our own project-CYCLE WORLD magazine.

Now, I’m happy to say, we are returning to Bond Publishing Co. and ROAD & TRACK. No, we are not giving up good old CYCLE WORLD. Parkhurst Publishing Co. and Bond Publishing Co. are to be divisions of a new company, to be called, quite naturally, Bond, Parkhurst & Bond, Inc. The other Bond in the Parkhurst sandwich is Mr. Bill Bond. His company joins the two publishing firms in the manner which has become fairly common these days. His firm is Datagraphics, a computerized printing firm in Phoenix, Ariz.

The new corporation represents a formidable combine in publishing. The addition of ROAD & TRACK and CAR LIFE magazines to CYCLE WORLD and DUNE BUGGIES magazines gives us a combined readership of close to three quarters of a million enthusiasts and makes our company far more competitive in the highly competitive field of special interest magazines.

The new company will affect our readers little, except in one very important way: the combined power of the four magazines will give us considerable editorial advantage. Of course, I must add (modestly) CYCLE WORLD already is in an enviable position in the world of motorcycling, as are the other publications in the Bond and Parkhurst combine. I think it will serve to make a good thing better, all to the benefit of our readers, which is the name of the game.

It also will be of considerable worth to our advertisers and other firms we do business with. It is often very difficult for a publisher our size to compete with the giants. We are, of course, not really giants

now, but just you wait. Our subscribers will soon reap the benefits of the computer age when we take some of the handwork out of keeping track of their movements and various locations.

One of the many things that will occur around the two respective company offices will be a fever of expansion and growth activity. Readers who have come to respect the editorial treatment and the integrity of the publications involved in the move, will find that whatever we do with new or acquired publications, they will be managed with the same respect for technical accuracy, editorial integrity and responsibility that ROAD & TRACK, CYCLE WORLD, DUNE BUGGIES, and CAR LIFE magazines have established and maintained.

We, the staff at Parkhurst Publishing, will not be responsible for or contribute to the excellent publications produced at Bond Publishing. The four magazines will retain their identities, and autonomy, and, naturally, their present staffs. You don’t change a good thing, at least not much. But we will be in an excellent position to amplify and expand our efforts. One thing I especially like about the new company: we become partners with some professional people 1 personally like very much. Like Jim Crow, editor of ROAD & TRACK and former editor of Karting World, when B.J. and I made up the whole staff ; Dean Batchelor, editorial director at Bond and a staff man from the days when we were fellow staff members; and Dave Black, managing editor, a midwesterner (I contributed heavily to making him a westerner); Bill Motta; the Bonds themselves; and a lot of other nice people. Though perhaps it sounds a bit hack, we will be one, even bigger, happy family.

AMERICAN MOTOCROSS TEAM

Something I have longed to see happen for quite some time is in the works. Kim Kimball, Montesa importer, has secured the full support of the Montesa factory in Big sendoff at LAX for our two prospective international motocross riders from Montesa Motors included, left to right, Ernest Conroy from Mayor Yorty's office; CW Publisher Parkhurst; Dick Smothers, doing his thing; rider Ron Nelson, receiving Los Angeles flags to wave abroad; racing driver Dan Gurney, representing Montesa; and rider John Desoto.

Spain and is sending Inter-Am series winners Ron Nelson and John DeSoto to Europe. The boys will contest the European motocross circuit for the 1969 season, which began at the time of this writing in late February. Kimball organized a large group of supporters, financial and otherwise, at the Los Angeles International Airport for a send-off. The party included Ernest Conroy from Los Angeles Mayor Yorty’s office, TV personality Dick Smothers, racer Dan Gurney (who is contributing heavily to the effort), Montesa factory executive Modesto Sole, the press and a lot of well-wishers.

Montesa is providing the machines, one 250 and one 360 for each, a mechanic, and additional help for the tour. Nelson and DeSoto hope to place high enough to be invited to compete in the top motocross grands prix. Most races in Europe are run on an invitational basis, much like the Inter-Am series.

CYCLE WORLD will keep our readers posted on their progress each month, partly through the efforts of Ron Nelson’s wife, who will send us occasional stories and pictures. C¥s illustrious roll of photographers and reporters in Europe, Volker Rauch in Germany, B.R. Nicholls in England, Carlo Perelli in Italy, Bengt Bjorklund in Scandanavia, and several others spotted here and there, will send details and action photographs of the boys as they battle their way about. It should make a fascinating story. Ron and John are two of motorcycling’s most attractive spokesmen. They are young, handsome, very well spoken, and they can ride.

Their task is not an easy one. They must run against the very best in the world, some with three times the experience of our two heroes. So it is hoped they will make up in enthusiasm what they lack in skill. They made a serious dent or two in the Europeans who toured the Inter-Am series; their experience has helped immeasurably to prepare them for their ordeal. Motocross in Europe is an every-weekend circus of riding and working that lasts into the Fall. It is one of the most rigorous athletic programs in the world. Riders must compete every weekend, traveling in between, while keeping machines and themselves fit. Sometimes they race both days of the weekend.

It is Kimball’s ambition, and one shared by many, to see Americans rank high in international motorcycling. He strongly wants to see Ron and John cut a swath across the Eastern block nations especially, spreading the good word for freedom and democracy. Kimball is a sincere patriot and he puts his money where his mouth is. The motocross tour makes its way through each of the western European nations, then goes to Yugoslavia, Russia, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany as well.

Continued on page 6

Continued from page 4

The communists and captive countries use motorcycling as a political sales tool. And we must grudgingly admit that they are often pretty good at it. The Czech CZ factory makes one of the best motocross bikes in the world, and hires the best riders. East Germany’s Paul Friederichs has been a leading contender for world honors, as has Russia’s Victor Arbekov. So it’s good that we have a chance to do a selling job for the USA.

What Kimball is trying to do is expensive, to put it mildly. Many people already have put money into it ; they need more. No contribution will be refused. This is the first time a European factory has put forth the effort to support an American team all the way. Americans have been going over tor years: Bud Ekins, Vern Hancock, Nick Nicholson, Hoppy Hopkins, Dick Mann, Paul Hunt, Billy Silverthorne, Bryan Kenney, to name but a few. They all have done well, made friends, had fun, and learned a lot. It is not the time or place to speculate on the ability of any of the riders who have made their way to Europe. We have the men with the skill and strength, we are short only in the area of experience.

A safety helmet designed for business or pleasure Full time protection for the dirt, track or Street. Approved by the Snell Foundation. Accepted by all major racing associations. Meets USASI Z90.1 specifications. Available in full or partial coverage with a complete line of accessories. The price tag makes it today's best helmet buy. See your motorcycle dealer, speed shop or auto parts store.

Team Montesa will gather a wealth of experience. It might take another season, maybe even two. to prove their abilities. The lnter-Am series next fall will certainly be interesting.

A first step had to be made. We owe Montesa and Kimball a vote of thanks, and our support. No American will ever be a world champion on a motorcycle without such effort. Maybe having an American motocross world champion doesn't mean much to some of our readers, but to those who want to see our sport rank high in the world’s esteem, and to see an American up there with the best, support your motocross team.

NEW CYCLE WORLD MODEL

The fabulous 250-cc Honda six-cylinder grand prix machine has arrived at last, joining the illustrious assembly of CYCLE WORLD Models. Tarquinio Provini, the Italian road racing champion who retired to the business of producing the Protar models in Italy, talked world champion Mike Hailwood, Honda factory rider at the time, into leaving the incredible Six in Provini’s garage for a week between races. Provini spent endless hours making precise patterns trom the Honda for his most perfect model. It is without question the finest yet, and certainly one of the most interesting.

Our example, pictured nearby, was built by DUNE BUGGIES magazine’s ace modeler and contributor, Don Emmons. Don has built some of the finest car and buggy models ever seen, many from “scratch” (model builder’s term for miniatures built without using the preshaped and thought-out plastic kits, or by using component elements from many different kits from various makers). The Protar kit was a snap, according to Emmons, who fails as a judge oí what is really easy by dint of his superb abilities and profound skills. It should be a suitable challenge for the above-average modeler, and a fascinating addition to the modeler’s collection.

Continued on page 6

Continued from page 6

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COUNCIL

A highly effective organization previously mentioned in Round Up (CW, March ’69), the Motorcycle Safety Council, a team of executives in the motorcycle industry, is now working in cooperation with the Universal Underwriters Insurance Co. and the American Driver and Traffic Safety Educators Association. They plan to formulate a two-hour long training segment on the coexistence of twoand four-wheeled vehicles on the highways.

It was brought to the attention of many that, in a very high percentage of motorcycle/car accidents, the automobile was at fault. Feeling that a program designed to create an awareness oí two-wheeled vehicles would be appropriate, the groups have developed a 35-mm film and a printed two-hour lecture that can be utilitized in driver training programs. The lecture points out to the four-wheeled vehicle operator the six most common conflicts between the two vehicles in traffic situations.

The complete program was presented to the ADTSFA Annual Convention recently and was received with great enthusiasm. The film and printed matter

will be available soon to schools across the country at a cost ot about SI. I he material is usable by any instructor, regardless of whether or not he has had motorcycle experience. I he program may be obtained through the Motorcycle Safety Council. R.O. Box 2b4, Gardena. CA 90246.

At American Driver and Safety Educators annual convention were, from left: Matt

Matsuoka of American Honda; Joe Hope of BSA, who is Safety Council president; Jack Burgan, Los Angeles driving instructor; Dr. Duane Johnson of Northern Illinois University; Jim Blackmore, New York State schools; Bob Elliot and Vice President Thornton Cooke of Universal Underwriters Insurance; and Leroy Dunne, driver training expert from New York.

MORE MERGERS

Hot on the heels of my news concerning the Bond. Parkhurst & Bond joint effort, comes the news that long-time motorcycle ace and industry leader John Steen has joined his firm, Steen's, Inc., with that of the giant Suburban Cías Co. Steen’s has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Suburban. The two will continue to operate autonomously, with no personnel changes other than additions to accommodate growth. Steen's is a bit older than GW, starting from a meager beginning 12 years ago. The entrance of Suburban will bring fresh capital for product development and the like in a fast growing market.

Steen’s efforts at present consist of the manufacture of Taco minibikes and distribution of Rickman Metisse motorcycles and components, Steen chemical lubricants, Ceriani suspension system, Maguía controls, and many other parts related to the minibike and go-kart fields. Steen tells us that though no external changes will be apparent to the average customer, the ultimate result will favorably affect him, by providing a wider variety of items, shipment from larger stocks, and even faster service. Personally, the whole thing makes me very happy for John Steen and the landmark company he heads. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. fÖl