Viewfinders Grand Prix
Viewfinders
at
Indian Dunes
Saturday June 1, 1974
By: Tom Corley
The Seventh Annual Viewfinder's Grand Prix is now history. For another year, one of the four remaining classics is over, as the action was hot and heavy again. It is really too bad that the only "classics" left are the Viewfinders, Four Aces, the OCMC Great Bear, and Hopetown. All four of these races are really more than just that, it is like a commune of motorcycling for thousands. And that is one thing that I will say that almost everyone did: have fun. The big GP's are really the most enjoyable races, as motocross riders, desert folk, and all other forms of motorcyclist make this one. In fact, one rider, Greg Humber, rides just the Viewfinders GP and Hopetown; and Greg used to be a top 125 Expert. These events are something special.
The feeling at a race like this is something else. Everybody is in the same frame of mind, go out and do good, but most of all, have fun while you're doing it. This year was no different, it was a truly special event with over 1,400 entries. And to make it special, the Viewfinders bend over backwards to make sure everything goes just right. They give the riders a good map of the course, neat participant pins, decals, and all sorts of goodies just for entering. As for the course, they promise a GP track and that is what they produce. It includes the International MX track, pavement, and trails. Add this to a lot of good ole desert sand and whoop-de-does and you have a complete Grand Prix track. Also, the Viewfinders have various trucks scouting the track to rescue stranded riders, and there is Rescue 3 for those needing medical care.
Danny LaPorte looked like he was going to be a clean cut winner in the 125-175 Expert class. Something happened to him, leaving Andy Kirker to win it.
Everything was perfect, and for the two days, they barely ran behind schedule, which is a minor miracle with 1,400 riders. Everybody that raced it said they liked it, but it tired them out. Happy but tired, that's Grand Prix racing. Speaking of racing, the results we obtained are strictly UNOFFICIAL, so these were the best we could do with so many riders participating. On Saturday, there were two biggies, the 125-175 Amateur-Expert race and the 250 Amateur-Expert race. In the 125-175 match, it looked as though it was going to be an easy win for Danny LaPorte as he was making his Penton Jackpiner fly. He looked like an ISDT rider the way he was ready for action. For a while, he had almost a 6 minute lead, then he didn't come by. Instead, it was Andy Kirker strutting his Yamaha in the first spot for that displacement bike.
Andy held on for the win in that class, with LaPorte coming back and ending up second. Never did find out what happened to Danny. In third was Dirt Bike Editor, Jim Connolly. Jim, riding his Hockies Bultaco, was looking good on the long track, as Jim is normally a scrambles man.
In the 100 end of the stick, the officials said that it was Larry Roseler taking the win on his Harley D. Baja. In fact, the officials believed that it was Larry, not Andy, who crossed the line first for the overall win in that combined race. But the actual winner will not be known until the lap sheets are gone over and things are checked out. Either way, Kirker took the 125-175 class while Roseler copped the lOOcc brass. The 125-175- Novice division had a few questions raised. It seemed that they have Jeff Haase winning the class on his Keil's Cycle Parts Yamaha, in second was the swift rider from the Rotorcycle Shop, George Viens. George, riding his fast Monark, really flew, and he might be awarded the win. Again, only time will tell.
The 250 Expert class had a few tricks up its sleeve. On lap one, it was Honda rider Mark Adent leading the pack. Hot behind Mark was ex-Kawasaki star Al Baker, and Wayne Cook. One rider who was thought to be one of the ones to beat for the win was Troy Hollis. Too bad Troy didn't even make it off the line as his swing arm bolt broke on his CZ. Maybe Sunday would bring better luck. As the race developed, it was Al Baker taking over the lead and stretching it out. As it was, Baker took the checkered way ahead of second place. And in second when the checkered fell was Tom Sawyer Honda rider Adent. Third was held on by Wayne Cook.
The trick in this class came in fourth place. Much to the amazement of the crowd, on lap one in about last place came the Pinapple Kid. Yes, John DeSoto came out of retirement to make it at this race. As you'll recall, he has ridden the Viewfinder's GP many a year, and this one would be no different. John had planned to rest up until the Summer AMA series started, but the bug got to him and Thursday he was out testing with the Dirt Bike folk, so Saturday he made it out to the GP. He was cooking, trying to make up for a bad first lap. In no time John went from the back of the pack right up to fourth. 1 pit y Al if John had had more time, as he can cook.
Ever wonder why men go racing? With sights like this, we were amazed that there were so many guys out on the track, as the pits were full of this type of spectating.
Sunday was started off with the Mini competition, with Bobby Jones winning it and a pair of Superbowl tickets. Pretty good, eh Bobby? The Powder Puffs had a real fine race going on, with Novice rider Lori Watson taking the win. Like the Great Bear, she had so much of a lead, she looked like she might have been down a lap and was making up time. But she wasn't, she was just on the gas. In winning her class, she beat out the top Amateur, Nancy Payne. Both girls were Honda-mounted.
The biggie on Sunday turned out to be the Open Expert class. Most everybody was betting on Jim Fishback, as they had seen him destroy the competition at the Great Bear. But the water proved to be too much for Fishback, as he was zapped by Tom Brooks on the last water crossing when Jim's bike flooded out on lap one. This was Fishback's fall from glory, as Brooks had the lead, and wanted to keep it. Tom was out wearing his Royal Helmets chest protector and his brother's shirt. So many thought it was Cordis. But it was Tom and he was gassin' it with A.C. Bakken gaining on him. I think A. C. might have passed him on one lap, but when they came around again, it was Brooks stretching out his lead. When the checkered fell, it was Brooks by a long margin. Bakken kept his Husky on the gas for second, with Henry Wesselman coasting into third.
