Racing Review
RACING REVIEW
PIKES PEAK SNOW RUN
JIM BENSBERG
Nestled in the heart of the Rockies is Pikes Peak, one of the five highest peaks in Colorado and scene of the most unique motorcycle event held anywhere. Staged annually on the first day of the New Year regardless of weather, the Pikes Peak Snow Run is probably a more trying event than most riders will ever attempt.
The major force working against the competitors is nature itself. This year, riders had to contend with 10-degree alpine weather coupled with 10-20 mph winds. This roughly adds up to about 20-degrees below zero, considering the chill factor. Now 20 below is extremely cold but is really not bothersome until you consider the fact that this event covers a vertical rise of over 3000 feet (11,000-14,110 ft.). The bitter cold combined with the variably thin atmosphere tends to play havoc with one’s throat, nose and especially ears. Consider also that this was a relatively “mild” day. Perennial participants can remember when it has been much colder and snowing at the same time.
More than 230 riders braved the cold this year to start from Glen Cove and race a course distance of approximately seven miles to the summit. Prior to the start most racers were seen huddled in their vans or trucks striving desperately to keep warm and prepare themselves for the run. Extensive use of down parkas and related cold weather gear is employed for the express purpose of “surviving” the event.
Last year’s winner, Scott Harris, turned in a repeat performance, scrambling to the summit ahead of everyone. An explanation of the start is in order, as the very nature of the race is derived from it. Everybody starts at once and scrambles to the top. First man (or woman) to the summit is the winner and class winners are also designated. Imagine 2 or 300 determined motorcyclists jamming elbow to handlebar into a snow packed, mountain highway hairpin corner. By now it should be apparent why annual competitors are considered slightly addled by their peers.
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The Snow Run originated sometime in the ’20s and initially the course was much longer and more treacherous. Often riders had to push their bikes through deep snow drifts and just finishing required a major effort. The event has since been altered but run every year in succession save for interrupting war periods.
The really unique thing about this race, though, is that anyone can enter, regardless of experience, and have virtually an equal chance of winning. Last year a local enthusiast mounted a stock 350 Kawasaki Triple and, accompanied by his wife, finished well up in the standings.
If you have ever wanted to compete in a totally unique and trying event, the Pikes Peak Snow Run should fulfill that desire. Be forewarned, though, as many have rued the day they tried the Peak unprepared.
PIKES PEAK SNOW RUN RESULTS
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ISDT QUALIFICATION METHOD
1. Trophy Team and the Vase “A” team selection will be based on total past individual rider performance as well as performance in the 1972 ISDT.
2. Vase “B” team selection will be based on total performance on an individual level. Vase “B” team selection will not be based on brand of machine.
3. Manufacturers teams will consist of three riders per team. Team selection will be the responsibility of the manufacturers.
4. Manufacturers teams will be selec-
ted on the basis of how their team performs against other manufacturers teams competing in 1973 qualifying events for a team spot on the 1973 United States ISDT team.
5. Six manufacturers teams will be granted entry if possible. The number of manufacturers teams will be determined by the total number of American Team Members.
6. In order to qualify all riders must meet the following qualifications:
a. Intent to compete for a starting position on the 1973 ISDT team must be stated in writing to the Amateur Department of the AMA before April 1, 1973.
b. All riders must earn at least one gold or silver medal in the qualifying events.
c. Further grading will be based on individual performance and bonus point accumulation on special tests during 1973 qualifying events.
7. Members of the manufacturers teams that did not qualify for a manufacturers team position will be eligible to compete on an individual basis for a
starting position on one of the club' teams.
8. Club team No. 1 will consist of alternates from the Trophy Team and VAse "A" Team.
9. Remainder of club teams will consist of independent riders subject to the above qualifications.
10. The 1973 qualifying events will also help determine selection for the 1974 Trophy and Vase teams.
Remaining dates and sponsoring clubs of the 1973 two-day qualifying trials are listed below. Location and entry information may be obtained by writing to these clubs. Additional quali fying trials, if any, will be announced. May 12-13, Motorcycle Activitie Club, P.O. Box 652, McMinnville, 0 97128.
May 19-20, Pacific Northwest Trails Assn., P.O. Box 131, Weston, OR 97886.
June 23-24, Sunland Shamrocks, P.O. Box 515, Sunland,CA 91040. July 7-8, South Jersey Enduro Rid ers, P.O. Box 573, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060.
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BLM RACE PERMIT QUESTION
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the El Cajon Valley Motorcycle Club and the American Motorcycle Association recently announced agreement on the settlement of damages resulting from a race conducted by the club on BLM lands. The agreement was announced jointly by J.R. Penny, BLM California state director; Chick Dimond, president of the El Cajon Valley Motorcycle Club; and officials of the American Motorcycle Association.
Following negotiating sessions arranged by the AMA, the club agreed:
—To pay the required recreation use fee of $224 for the race held on public lands in the Yuha Desert west of El Centro on Dec. 3, 1972.
—To rehabilitate the desert surface on lands that were damaged by the race to the satisfaction of the Riverside District Manager of the BLM.
—To comply with BLM special land use permit requirements in future races as a condition of the club’s being restored to good standing.
The BLM California State Office agreed:
—Not to bring suit against the club, District 38 of the American Motorcycle Association, or the American Motorcycle Association for the use fees and damage to the land and resources for the Dec. 3 race.
—To restore the club to good standing for future races on public domain lands under the Bureau’s jurisdiction.
The BLM had been preparing to file suit against the club in the wake of the race which was run on a 20-mile course near Plaster City. According to the BLM, the racing motorcycles cut some eight miles of new trail, a total of about nine acres, in previously undisturbed areas covered by a thin crust known as desert pavement.
The BLM, lacking arrest and citation authority to enforce its off-road vehicle regulations, had sought a temporary restraining order in federal court to prohibit the race but was unsuccessful.
The race had been sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association, which subsequently was instrumental in negotiations which led to the settlement.
AMA SANCTIONED SPEEDWAY
For the first time since World War II, the American Motorcycle Association, in conjunction with the Federation Internationale Motocyliste (FIM), will sanction speedway races.
Four races will comprise the East Coast Invitational Speedway Championship and will match the top AMA dirt > track racers against the top American and world speedway riders. The first race will take place at Holiday Downs in Atlanta, Ga. The remaining three events in the series will be run in Ormond Beach, Fla. All are evening races scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
Rick Woods, current U.S. Speedway Champion, and Steve and Mike Bast, both former U.S. Speedway Champions, will be racing in the events. Also in contention for the Speedway Championship title will be Bill Cody, the high point rider for the 1972 California season; Bert Harkins, a Scottish speedway rider; and Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger, both of whom hold four World Speedway Championship titles apiece. Mauger is the current World Speedway Champion. Dave Aldana, one of the top AMA dirt track riders, will also be racing the speedway events.
HOCKING INDOOR LEADER
A capacity crowd of nearly 10,000 people jammed Detroit’s famed Cobo Arena to watch California sensation Rick Hocking stretch his lead in the Indoor Short Track Championship Series. The event was the $6000 Kawasaki Kup, the fifth in a series of seven races to determine the nation’s best indoor motorcycle short tracker.
Hocking, a Fremont, Calif., star who advanced to the AMA Junior rider division on Jan. 1, came into Cobo with an 85-point lead over fellow California Junior John Gennai. The pair had swapped the point lead throughout the series, but Gennai twice jumped the starting line in his semi-final race and started far back at the penalty line. He battled back for a 4th place finish, one short of a transfer to the main event and a shot at Rick Hocking. Hocking responded by romping to easy wins in his heat, semi, the trophy dash, and the Kawasaki Kup championship race. Pat McCaul fought off a series of challengers to take 2nd place, moving him from 5th to 3rd in the point race. Former Grand National Champion Gary Nixon was 3rd at Detroit.
Kawasaki paid an extra $200 award to the winner of a special “B” program, Randy Johnson of Detroit, for winning on a Kawasaki,
This win puts Rick Hocking in the indoor series driver’s seat, with a lead of 235 points and only two races remaining, at Madison Square Garden and the San Francisco Cow Palace.
RESULTS
