Round Up

ROUND UP

JOE PARKHURST

NOT LONG AGO Bond Publishing, home of Road & Track and Car Life magazines and a division of Bond, Parkhurst & Bond (or BPB as we fondly call it), bought the life's work of one of Europe's leading motoring photographers, Kurt Worner. The fantastic collection of automobile and motorcycle photographs dates back to the early 30's and contains some extremely precious and irreplaceable shots. While browsing the other day, I came across this shot of a 1936 BMW "Schneekrad," or "Snowmobile" if you will. Like I keep hearing—there ain't nothing new under the sun.

NATIONAL SAFETY CHIEF

Prominent among the spectators at Daytona and a rider in the famed Alligator Enduro held during the Day tona speed orgy, was Doug Thoms, Director of the National Highway Safety Bureau. Doug is the Director of t he governmental organization most concerned with motorcycle safety legis lation, a pretty powerful spot to be in, and one that will affect each and every one of us motorcycle riders. I don't know many government officials very well, but I can say with authority that Doug is a grand fellow and an excellent motorcyclist.

Mr. Thorns recently addressed the first annual rneeting of the Motorcycle Industry Council in Washington D.C., stressing the need for close cooperation between the National Highway Safety Bureau, related governmental bodies and the MIC. He commended the indus try for taking positive steps of unifica tion so that work with agencies, such as the NHSB, can be accomplished more efficiently.

Another major highlight of the meet ing was the development of preliminary plans for state motorcycle associations in each of the 50 states. Special guests included motorcycle dealer principals who are acting as presidents of already existing state associations in 10 states. These special dealer guests were instru mental in working on a special commit tee to get a state association program underway. The general plan is that each state association will work directly with governmental agencies within its own state. At the same time, a close coordi nation would exist between each state organization and the national body, the Motorcycle Industry Council. Motor cycling, indeed, is coming of age.

JOHNSON ROAD RALLY

Obviously, I'm a chain thinker. While on the subject of motorcycle dealers... whatever happened to the William John son Memorial Road Sports Rally? In 1963 and again in 1964, Johnson Motors, distributors of Triumph motor cycles, and the Greater Los Angeles Triumph Dealers Association, got to gether with others in the motorcycle industry in Southern California (home of about 80 percent of the industry) and organized a road run for fun. I was a member of the organizational commit tee, along with several prominent Tri umph dealers and members of the Jomo Company. The run itself was a revival of an old event called the "Slacks Run." In effect, it was simply an easy 190-mile road rally with low average speeds that ended at a huge party. It was a ball. It received fantastic publicity. Movie and

TV personalities rode in it, as did almost every single individual in the motorcycle industry. It was fast becoming the social occasion of the year.

Various personalities from the mo torcycle fraternity showed up with the latest bikes. Customized machines abounded. The start was at the Old Johnson Motors "Flower Shop" in Pasa dena. After a pleasant day's ride through the mountains and desert, it ended in a foothill suburb with a huge party, trophy presentation and dancing. Scoring was handled by enduro ace Buck Smith and other members of the Shamrocks MC. Hell, it even had an AMA sanction! Then AMA Director Lin Kuchier was the official starter the first year. J.C. Agajanian, czar of Ascot, performed the chore in `64. Entries were limited to about 500, and many were turned away.

Trophies were awarded for the seri ous competitors who could be distin guished by their intent riding styles, from the rest of us who were out for motorcycling's "Easter Parade." It was a great event and is sorely missed by many. When Jomo President Wilbur Cedar died, the event died with him. The event was organized by Don Brown, an executive of the firm at the time and an old time motorcyclist, as a tribute to the late William Johnson, founder of the firm, and one of the real pioneers of motorcycling.

Why, you ask, am I telling you all this? Well, I'd like to organize the event again! Sometime in October this year, with any and all Southern California motorcycle dealers taking part. Give it a new name and a meaning with a wider and larger scope. Involve more people, make it the social occasion of the year. Also, I'm trying to determine whether anyone is really reading this column.