Racing Review
RACING REVIEW
ASCOT RENAISSANCE
Ascot Park in Gardena, for two decades the Mecca of West Coast halfmile flat track and TT racing, is putting on a new suit of clothes in a big way.
It has been taken over by a corporation which includes as its principals the owner of the Orange Julius chain, and J.C. Agajanian, promoter and Indy car sponsor.
First step of the corporation, L.A. International Raceways, was the complete renovation of the aging racing facility.
Agajanian, who is now president and general manager of the track, has brought 25,000 tons of “first-class” racing dirt to resurface and rebank the track.
The stands, parking lot, concessions and restroom facilities have been refurbished and expanded.
Rumor has it that even the sign outside is being replaced and will bear the name “J.C. Agajanian’s Ascot.”
$15,000 U.S. CUP MOTOCROSS
The first and largest of the American Motorcycle Association’s National Motocross Championships, Leisuretech’s U.S. Cup Series was held recently with a guaranteed $4000 purse per event plus contingencies, prizes and lap money which assured surpassing an estimated $15,000 total.
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Over six months of planning went into the three California locations (CalExpo in Sacramento, Saddleback Park near Los Angeles, and Carlsbad Raceway in San Diego). And, the nation’s top riders, like Gunnar Lindstrom, Dick Mann, Bill Silverthorne, Jim West, Gene Fetty, Billy Clements and Gene Cannady were featured.
In addition to having all the heavies of pro racing ride each Sunday, amateurs raced on Saturdays. In addition, Super Joe, who now holds the world’s jumping record at 144 ft., jumped both Saturday and Sunday at each site.
What’s more, each weekend had a cycle parts swap meet, a beauty pageant, motorcycle and accessory expositions, carnivals, live music, recreational vehicle shows, trials exhibitions, and road rider rallies.
July 8, Leisuretech will stage the first ever motocross in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. For information concerning rider sign-ups, write Leisuretech, Inc., P.O. Box 13369, Sacramento, Calif. 95813. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for entry and confirmation.
HELMET CERTIFICATION
All safety helmet models worn during American Motorcycle Association professional and amateur events must be certified by the Safety Helmet Countil of America, according to a joint announcement by the AMA and SHCA.
The SHCA program requires manufacturers to meet the Z90 standard for initial qualification, then agree to allow an independent laboratory to purchase random samples of their helmets from dealers for further testing to guarantee continued compliance.
The SHCA certification mark assures cyclists that a helmet model has met at least minimal standards of quality.
REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED
Seven professional competitors from across the country have been elected to represent the motorcycle racing profession at the American Motorcycle Association’s annual competition congress.
According to AMA bylaws, ballots were mailed to each rider in the top 20 who, in turn, voted for the four riders of their choice. The four riders receiving the highest number of votes are elected.
Representing the top 20 for 1972 are Dick Mann, Richmond, Calif.; Gene Romero, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Jim Odom, Union City, Calif.; and CW Assistant Editor, Jody Nicholas, Newport Beach, Calif.
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In addition a representative is elected from each of the three AMA regions. Ballots containing the names of the top 10 professional riders from each region were mailed to the professional competitors within that region.
Representing the eastern region will be Royal Sherbet, Largo, Fla. Neil Keen of St. Louis, Miss., will represent the central region, while Terry Dorsch of Granada Hills, Calif., will represent the western region.
DAYTONA CONTINGENCIES
In addition to the $30,000 purse offered at this year’s annual American Motorcycle Association-sanctioned Daytona 200, the following companies paid contingencies to the top finishers:
Bell Helmets, Long Beach, Calif., $1200; Champion Spark Plugs, Toledo, Ohio, $2950; Cycle News, Long Beach, Calif., $50; Blendzall Additives, Escalón, Calif., $100; Bates Leathers, Long Beach, Calif., $2100; NGK Spark Plugs, Los Angeles, Calif., $700; Goodyear Tires, Akron, Ohio, $325; Dunlop Tires, Buffalo, New York, $300; Motorcycle Weekly, Paramount, Calif., $250; S-K Tools, Chicago, 111., $200 and merchandise; and Mono-Track Wheels and Brake Systems, Costa Mesa, Calif., $600 in merchandise.
REMAINING AMA NATIONALS
June 4, Louden, N.H., Road Race, 110-mile, $25,000; June 10, Louisville, Ky., Vi-mile, 20-lap, 10,000; June 18, Indianapolis, Ind., Road Race, 125-mile, 20,000; June 25, Columbus, Ohio, V^-mile, 20-lap, 12,000.
July 2, San Jose, Calif., VYmile, 20-lap, 10,000; July 9, Salem, Ore., V5-mile, 20-lap, 12,000; July 15, Castle Rock, Wash., TT, 25-lap, 12,000; July 23, Monterey, Calif., Road Race, 125-mile, 20,000; July 29, Woodbury L.I., N.Y., VYmile, 20-lap, 15,000.
Aug. 5, Homewood, 111., One Mile, 25-lap, 12,000; Aug. 11, Maywood, 111., Short Track, 25-lap, 12,000; Aug. 13, Peoria, 111., TT, 25-lap, 12,000; Aug. 26, Indianapolis, Ind., One Mile, 25-lap, 12,000.
Sept. 3, Talladega, Ala., Road Race, 200-mile, 21,500; Sept. 9, Arlington Hts., 111., One Mile, 25-lap, 15,000; Sept. 17, Nazareth, Penn., 1-1/8-mile, 2 5-lap, 12,000; Sept. 23, Gardena, Calif., V^-mile, 20-lap, 10,000.
Oct. 1, Ontario, Calif., Road Race, 250-mile, 53,100. [Ö]
