Racing Review
RACING REVIEW
FIRST DOUBLE JUMP
Two young Phoenix cyclists have successfully executed the world's first double-motorcycle jump, thereby establishing a new distance record. Gary Davis, 20, and Rex Blackwell, 18, passed within three feet of each other in mid-air at Mel Larson's Phoenix Dragway, in an unprecedented display of motorcycles in flight.
Starting from opposite ends of a double-ramp setup, Davis and Blackwell sped down the long dragstrip toward each other, vaulted from their respective take-off ramps, brushed by each other in mid-flight, and landed on the opposite ramps. Davis' jump measured 103 ft., 3 in., bettering by 3 in. the 103-ft. record jump of Evel Knievel. Blackwell, who experienced mechanical problems with his motorcycle just prior to the record leap, soared for a distance of 92 ft., 5 in.
The crowd was treated to a bonus when Davis and Blackwell, dissatisfied with their initial effort, decided to jump again—in an attempt to reach their goal of 107 ft.—thus bettering the singlejump world record of 105 ft. set by another Phoenix cyclist, Gary Wells.
Marking the touch-down point of each of the cyclists were members of the Maricopa County Sheriffs Department. Verifying and certifying the distances was Rick Lynch of Motor Sports, International, the governing body which sanctions such records. Lynch declared the jump a new record—a world record for double-motorcycle jumps.
BSA/TRIUMPH RACING PLANS
In a joint announcement, Denis McCormack, president, and E.W. (Pete) Colman, vice president, stated "...The directors of The Birmingham Small Arms Company have adopted a new policy for 1972 and hope to encourage more private entries in professional competition. We will continue to make tuning information available as it is developed in our Racing Department. We also have a supply of parts in production for our three-cylinder BSA and Triumph road race models. Triumph and BSA dealers will soon be in a position to sell AMA-approved frames, forks, tanks and brakes, as well as other special racing parts which do not require AMA approval.
"Cams, valves, valve springs, gears, sprockets and technical booklets covering the preparation of BSA/Triumph models for all types of competition are also being produced. The booklet may be obtained by writing direct to our National Technical Center, P.O. Box 275, Duarte, CA 91010.
"We will not field racing teams during the 1972 season; however, it is expected that Dick Mann will be racing BSA motorcycles and that Gene Romero will continue to ride Triumphs.
"Contingency awards will be paid to any rider of a Triumph, BSA or Rickman motorcycle who places first, second or third in any Professional National Championship. We will also pay a bonus of $10,000 to any rider winning the Grand National Championship scoring all points while riding a Triumph, BSA, or Rickman."
(Continued on page 48)
Continued from page 46
U.S. MOTOCROSS CUP SERIES
Motocross is an appealing spectator sport with growing attendance at every event. Thanks to Leisuretech, motocross will receive some big-time promotion this year including radio and television coverage and the added convenience of Ticketron sales to all events. Ticketron handles the majority of major California sporting events, but this is a first for motorcycling.
The first Leisuretech promotion, billed as the United States Cup Series, takes place in May and consists of three events. All will follow a similar format and will consist of the top 100 riders in the United States plus 400 others for each two-day event.
Sign-ups will be held on Saturday of each event at 7:00 a.m. Races will commence at 9:00 a.m The Grand Finale will be on Sunday. Races will start at noon. Between practice and the race there will be a statewide beauty contest and if this doesn't excite you, Super Joe Einhorn will be jumping cars both days. Super Joe, incidentally, recently bettered Evil Knievel's record with a jump of 144 feet.
The May races will offer a basic $4000 per event purse.
A fourth event, with all the pomp and pagentry of the Olympic games will be held July 8, at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Only the top 40, 250cc riders in the world will be allowed to compete for a $10,000 purse. It should be quite a show.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
May 13-14, Cal Expo, Sacramento, Calif., United States Cup MX Championships & Cycle Fair, $4000 purse.
May 2 0-21, Los Angeles, Calif., United States Cup MX Championships & Cycle Fair, $4000 purse.
May 27-28, Carlsbad, San Diego, Calif., United States Cup MX Championships & Cycle Fair (also includes championship drags), $4000 purse.
July 8, Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, Calif., INTER-AMA 250cc MX, $ 10,000 purse.
Aug. 26-27, Cal Expo, Sacramento, Calif., 2nd Annual State Fair MX & Off-Road Race, $4000 purse.
Sept. 24, South Bay Speedway, San Diego, Calif., 1/2-Mile Flat Track, $ 1200 purse.
Dates Below Flexible—Oct. l-Dec.3
Cycle Sport Park, Elouston, Texas, TRANS-AMA MX, $12,000 purse.
Carlsbad, San Diego, Calif., TRANSAMA MX, $20,000 purse.
Cal Expo, Sacramento, Calif., TRANS-AMA MX, $15,000 purse.
Los Angeles, Calif., TRANS-AMA MX, $25,000 purse.
