A New Column For Dirt Riders, A Note On the Cycle World Show, And A European-Style Gp In the U.S.?
A NEW COLUMN FOR DIRT RIDERS, A NOTE ON THE CYCLE WORLD SHOW, AND A EUROPEAN-STYLE GP IN THE U.S.?
UP FRONT
FOR THE FIRST time, CYCLE WORLD contains a column for dirt riders, perhaps I should say serious dirt riders. It’s called “Crossed Up,” is written by Fernando Belair, and will contain everything from the latest motocross gossip, to analyses of new machines, to interviews with top riders. You’ll find it on page 98 of this issue.
The CYCLE WORLD show is again going to be held in the Los Angeles Sports Arena in April. But this year there are some significant changes. First off, there will be fewer custom bikes. We are making an all-out effort to get more manufacturers with more new models into the show. This year, we don’t think dirt riders will be disappointed. Also, bicycle manufacturers will be represented in force, and that’s a first.
As always, the Tridents custom car show will be downstairs. If you’re in the area, come up and see it. It’s definitely worth your while.
Now we have a Grand Prix proposal in this country from Long Beach, California and the course-to-be uses city streets downtown. This original proposal by the city council is for Formula One automobiles, but because cars and bikes are often raced on the same courses, I think it’s worth talking about in CYCLE WORLD.
In its favor, the 2.23-mile circuit doesn’t pass directly through the downtown section. Instead, it uses a newly constructed four-lane highway skirting the beach, the downtown sections, and circling the Sports Arena. The course is fairly complex, with 16 turns; 10 to the right and six to the left. In addition, there is a vertical variation of 31 feet between Shoreline Drive and Ocean Blvd. (both used as part of the course).
The average speed according to Dr. Guiseppe Baccagaluppi who laid out the course, should be in the 90 to
95-mph range. Baccagaluppi, incidentally, is the director of the Monza circuit near Milan, Italy, and is the chief safety consultant for the FIA Safety and Circuits Committee.
In spite of Baccagaluppi’s position and reputation, the course still must be approved and the first hurdle has already been passed. Tom Binford, president of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States, vouched for the safety of the circuit. And based on his recommendation, the FIA, the world governing body for auto racing, gave its approval.
This approval has cleared the way for a Formula 5000 (open-wheeled machines powered by V8 engines) test race next September 28. If everything goes well, there’s an excellent chance Long Beach will have a GP sanction.
At this point, it is impossible to speculate as to whether drivers will accept or reject the course. Afterall, the majority are European and they have a history of disliking circuits of similar concept. Still, Long Beach is going to use the latest safety equipment and its course does have adequate run-out areas at critical points. Perhaps that’s enough to swing sentiment.
If it happens, fans in the Los Angeles area are going to be treated to quite a spectacle. Only 15 or so countries in the world have the honor of hosting an event of equal magnitude.
And what of the owners of Ontario Motor Speedway? They control one of the most advanced racing facilities in the world and that facility is a mere 50 miles away. They’ve got to be asking themselves “Why not us?”
And what of the future? Will bikers be given a similar opportunity and would a race through town provide the shot in the arm our dwindling attendance at road races needs?
