Round Up

ROUND UP

JOE PARKHURST

WEBCO ALWAYS seems to be involved with things near the center of activity in motorcycling. Recently, they were part of a plan, put together by Sandy Greenblat of Marin Motor Sports in San Raphel, Calif., to honor our new AMA National No. 1, Mark Brelsford. An official “Mark Brelsford Night” was held at a major hotel in San Raphel. Representatives of all forms of the press were invited, as well as local TV stations.

Mark was honored with speeches, including one from California Senator Gregorio, trophies, money (from Bell helmets and the AMA), and the presence of many old friends from the area. These included past AMA Grand National Champions Mert Lawwill, Dick Mann and, reaching way back, Joe Leonard, now retired to driving cars. Speaking of Leonard, I was struck by the fact that Joe Leonard is a big man. Physically big, I mean.

Even Leonard remarked that the three No. Is looked like they came from the polio ward in a hospital. I guess it took more bulk and muscle to handle those big old bikes back in the earlier days. I think motorcycle racing has advanced to a sport requiring more finesse and skill than it did when Leonard was the No. 1 rider.

It was a grand night. Brelsford beamed and blushed endlessly as one after another of his old sponsors and friends took the microphone and told of Mark’s earlier days. The press was receptive to the entire evening. It was great to see a fine, young professional like Brelsford receiving the attention he so well deserves. The part I enjoyed most was seeing Dick Mann and Mert Lawwill give Mark the coveted solid steel (about 1-in. thick) No. 1 plate. As Mann described it, carrying that number plate around for a season is one of the heaviest responsibilities any rider has.

"LEARN TO RIDE" PROGRAM

Last Summer, in Denver, Colo., more than 500 people attended a free motorcycle riding and safety clinic at the Jefferson County Stadium. The clinic was sponsored by Yamaha International and local Yamaha dealers.

Among the reasons the event was such a success was the attendance of so many leading public figures. Among them were Cordell Smith, Colorado Coordinator of Highway Safety and recent appointee to President Nixon’s Safety Advisory Committee; Robert O’Connell, Regional Administrator for the Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Colorado State Senator Don McManus, and Police Chief Earl C. Towne, who is also the past president of the Colorado Police Chief Association. More than 50 instructors were involved in the two-day clinic. Motorcycles were provided by Yamaha. The “Learn To Ride Safety Program,” as it was called, dealt with such subjects as orientation to motorcycling, familiarization with motorcycles, learning controls and safety features, proper dress, and certification, and it included a supervised riding session as part of the program.

Yamaha’s efforts were supported by the Colorado Safety Association, Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles, The American Motorcycle Association, the Lakewood (Colorado) Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Police Department, Denver Community College and the Jefferson County School District. You can’t do any better than that!

Yamaha has carried the program even farther now and is promoting future seminars all over the country. If you are interested in this excellent area of public relations and in a very worthwhile cause, contact them at 6600 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620, or see your nearest Yamaha dealer.

Yamaha advertises that “Motorcycle Safety Pays Dividends” and that “Yamaha Is Concerned.” They are willing to prove the statement any time. Their concentrated, 12-hour program is endorsed by the National Safety Council.

THE AMA AND POLITICS

One of the more interesting aspects of the “new” American Motorcycle Association is its Political Frontiers Team. Bill Low is in charge of the team, assisted by the AMA’s Legislative Director, Gene Wirwan. The primary target is to work from within the AMA as a legislative team on behalf of members of the association. Needless to say, their efforts are beneficial to every motorcycle rider in the country.

The AMA recently published a booklet which a number of people might find interesting. It covers most of the problems and challenges facing the average, everyday rider and what he as an individual or as a club member can do to make certain his voice is heard in legislative areas that concern him and his machine.

Chapters are: Politicians are like people, politics and the law, political geography, your role in politics, expand your influence, selecting a candidate to support, recruiting a candidate, political persuasion, getting your votes cast and counted, getting the job done, and finally one titled, “you can make the difference.”

The scope of the information is evident in the titles. It is becoming more and more important for motorcyclists to become political activists. Write the AMA at Box 141, Westerville, OH 43081, for a copy of this useful booklet. Then make use of it.