European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 10, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse Stories by Jim Coles Iii staff writers a photos by Pete Milia Short of Cash Long on ideas the Day in Butzbach promoted an International Motocross. Maybe you can t turn a sow s ear into a silk purse but you can turn dirt and noise the Butzbach Day. Like All by youth centers they needed Money to finance their activities. With imagination and hard work they turned Clouds of billowing dust and the blare of a Hundred motorcycles into $12,000. Members of 1st brigade 3rd army div . Earl Watkins area Day director the Hausen Oes motor sport club and local volunteers provided the muscle and time to build the ring and promote the first annual Day International Motocross. The track which is in the Center of 300 acres of army training area is As demanding As any in Europe with hard turns Good jumps and a straight away that allowed the bigger bikes to approach 90 Miles per hour. The racing machines which Bear Little resemblance to Street bikes were Riden by daring Young men who negotiated the Rock strewn Trail at Breakneck speeds. All classes of International Competition were represented in this sanctioned German motor sport ring championship Points race and the crowd loved it. Nearly 3,000 fans jammed the safety zones at track Side craned their necks to catch every detail and Admire the riders style on the High jump. Community support for the race according to Watkins built from initial scepticism to near total enthusiasm. This was echoed by col. Dale Vesser brigade commander who joined about 200 people at the top of the big jump. I was a Little dubious when Watkins first approached me on this. I did t know exactly what a Motocross entailed and my first concern was for the safety of the people involved. Watkins presented a Strong Case assured me safety would be Paramount and then explained that the profits would go to the other obvious signs of Community support were the numerous Volunteer helpers military vehicles and conces Sions provided by local civic groups. Even the Ever present maps were smiling and apparently enjoying them selves. Watkins got it. Col. Les Brownlee co of the 3rd in 36lh inf to head the group that collected the Gate Money. Said Brownlee i think it s just great that the Community is doing this for its Watkins said that the Cost of promoting a race is in the $1,500 Range and that it does t take an exceptional amount of work or time. The return for the investment is enormous he said. Hell be glad to share his experience. Contact him a Butzbach military 738. Scott Watkins shows his stuff you be got to Tia Little crazy to race out Watkins a Sophomore at the american High school in Frankfurt gets applause on Victory Lap race director Earl Watkins and his winning son a racing pro at age 16, without a Driver s Page 14 the stars and stripes double take Sidecar racing is one of the popular dirt racing events with europeans. Saturday september 10, 1977 hat we needed was local hero to Spur inter est said it. Col. Les Brownlee and Scott wat Kins is . Earl Watkins race director and proud father said " dads brag a lot and i m sure it shows that i m proud of him but Scotty definitely has what it takes to Scott Watkins apparently has quite a bit of it because he s number one in the Point standings in both 125 and 250cc stand Ings in the German motor sport ring and added to that Lead by winning his races in both classes at Butzbach. At 1, Watkins is a six year racing Veter an but his Loose open style resembles that of a 15-year pro. Professional is the word that Best de scribes Watkins and his ability has not gone unnoticed. I have a real Good Chance to go International. The Beta people an italian firm Are sponsoring me now. There is the possibility of an International tour next year but i Don t know yet Scott said. Scotty rides fast and smart but not carelessly. You be got be a Little crazy to race out Here but that does t mean dumb. The reason i win is that i ride fast and Don t Cut off As Early As some on the turns. To win in this sport you be got to be smarter than the an example of smart is his consistent performance in 125cc racing. According to the elder Watkins Scotty s Bike is a completely Stock Yamaha. It s not As fast As some of the modified jobs out Here but Scotty does t need that High top in Speed the Way he the Junior Watkins said i Felt i had to win today because All my friends were Here. If i had t won it would have been a but while Scotty likes to win he s a bit shy about publicity something his father said Scotty will have to get Over if he s going to be a big name racer. Watkins is a Sophomore at the american High school in Frankfurt. Besides his racing Scotty is interested in football and is trying out for fullback. Would he ride a motorcycle to school Are you kidding it s dangerous out there on the Street. Besides i Don t have a Driver s License according to the elder Walkins the Only hold up on Scotty s getting into International racing is his age. In Europe a person can t race in the senior circuits until he has a Driver s License. Scotty can t get his until next Scotty completed his heats Early in the afternoon and was relaxing in the giant carnival tent the Day had rented when someone asked him what he thought of Sidecar race that was going on. He replied those Guys have to be nuts. Especially the Guy on the car. I d never do anything like the stars and stripes Page 15
