American Motocross Team In Europe

AMERICAN MOTOCROSS Team in Europe

Plagued By The Usual First-Season Problems, Ron Nelson And John DeSoto Begin An Exciting Apprenticeship.

THE AMERICAN MOTOCROSS team of Ron Nelson and John DeSoto, riding factory Montesas, has not exactly stunned the European “circus.” But this fact is no surprise, nor is it a big disappointment. To expect them to place high early in the season would have as much reason behind it as asking enduro champ Bill Baird to blow off the regulars on his first time out in an Expert main at Ascot.

But the pair have been received well, and, in spite of not making the result sheets at the Spanish GP, were asked back for the next year. And they were signed for another Spanish race this year. This is unusual. European racing promoters have soured on American entries in the past few years, because of the plethora of Yankees who have gone over with little or no experience and passed themselves off as stars. Naturally, when they fail to do well, or even look like they are trying, another black mark is scored for our country. But Ron and John are real triers. They are brave, fast, and spectacular. And the crowds dig it.

The boys are now signed for 19 races, and, where start money is given, it averages about $150 per man. The trend in Europe lately has been to give prize money only, so Nelson and DeSoto are not guaranteed financial security for the entire season.

Each rider has a 250and 500-cc class machine. They sometimes must split up to travel to different bookings, John accompanied by a Spanish mechanic, and Ron by his wife and baby. At the Spanish GP, they ran into another Californian, Steve Scott, who has a Bultaco factory ride but was not allowed to compete in the GP because of pettifoggery between trade and club interests. Ron and John’s backers had more political horsepower.

At the Hants Grand National in England, DeSoto was plagued with carburetion trouble, while Nelson suffered some rather frightening handling problems. Ron entered a meeting at Soucelles, France, a few days later and was running in 6th place when he crashed. He met another American at Soucelles who has been competing in Europe for several years-Bryan Kenney, who was riding Norton Manx with Les Archer, then a Cheney-Triumph, and lately a pair of CZs. Kenney managed an 8th overall at that meet.

Earlier, at a 500 Inter event at Jonzac, France, Ron managed a 10th overall, and John, about 13th. (European motocross starts usually number from 30 to 50 riders).

At the Austrian GP, Nelson reported that the handling of the Montesas was much improved after he and John visited the factory competition shop and shocked the personnel there by having the frames sawed in half to add extra length. The team is still suffering from a shortage of tools and sprockets.

As if mechanical bothers aren’t enough, Ron and John have to bear up under the usual trouble from grumpy customs officials, who treat each racer’s caravan as if it were the kingpin of an international smuggling operation.

But every competitor has to live with these and other upsets. As soon as the Americans acclimatize themselves and their machinery to the pressures of European championship motocross riding, they are bound to make a dent in the higher placings, well before the end of the season.