The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 39

Thursday, June 22, 1978 Philadelphia Inquirer S-D Lease or Buy ce Equipment Mears: From victory lane to a back seat By INFORMATION 426-4722 ATLANTIC REFRIGERATION 539 I. THOMPSON ST. like) this for 10 years or more," he said. "I guess I was just in the right place at the right time." But, for this week at least, there's no right place and no right time for Rick Mears, spectator. PA.

191M this season? "I talked to several people," he said, "but no one offered me the opportunity to drive first-class equipment like this." Would he be willing to listen if anybody had an offer? "At this point, I can't answer that. I'd have to see, if and when the time comes," he said, picking his words slowly and carefully. There are hundreds make that thousands of racing drivers who are confident that they have the tal cramps ent, and ability to race wheel-to-wheel with the likes of A. J. Foyt, the Un ser brothers, Gordon Johncock, Mario ranro) said.

"It's just part of the deal I made with (team owner) Roger (Penske). There are some races I run and some I don't. This is one that I don't." Mears, 26, of California, cut his racing teeth in off-road events such as the Baja 1,000 in Mexico before placing eighth in his USAC debut in the 1976 California 500. Now he is in a uniaue position. He is an understudy, if you will, for Mario An-dretti, the international superstar who is challenging for the world championship.

As such, Mears drives in only those USAC races which Andretti must miss due to his commitments to the Formula One Grand Prix schedules. That is why he has driven in only four of this year's seven races (the one exception was Indianapolis where Penske fielded three cars). Mears signed a one-year contract with Penske Racing, a team that also features Tom Sneva, the defending USCA national champion and winner of last year's Schaefer 500. There is, he says, an option clause for another year. Did any other USAC team approach him with an offer to drive By Bill Simmons Inquirer Auto Editor LONG POND, Pa.

Rick Mears has learned a lot in this his first full season on the United States Auto Club's Championship Trail, He learned very early what it is like to drive a really competitive race car with a fifth-place finish in the season opener at Phoenix. Two months later, he discovered the unparalleled thrill of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 at more than 200 miles per hour in his first try. Two weeks ago, he found he could race with the big guys on this national championship circuit by finishing second in a 150-mile road race in Canada. Last week, he tasted victory for the first time in a 150-miler at Milwaukee. This week, Rick Mears is learning something else, something that does not make him too happy.

He learning how to be a spectator for Sunday's eighth annual Schaefer 500 and the activities leading up to this second jewel in the Triple Crown of auto racing. "Sure I'm disappointed, I wish I was running," Mears said yesterday Andretti and Johnny Rutherford. Mears is one of the few who has proven he can. He is, however, unimpressed by his victory at Milwaukee. "I don't really feel like I won that race," said Mears, whose Gould Penske-Cosworth crawled across the finish line at about 25 miles per hour after virtually running out of fuel in the closing laps.

"I'm the same driver I was two years ago," he said. "I think I could have done this well then in the right kind of equipment. I haven't changed a bit except that maybe I have a little more confidence. "Some guys try for (an opportunity Rick Mears on the sidelines now as he walked through the Pocono International Raceway garage area, looking almost wistfully at the hustle and bustle of the various teams as they prepared for today's 1 p.m. time trials.

"I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining because I'm not," he Buy 2pcrs of ECnrp? shoes and got a free qusrtTkes Knapp's rugged glass vacuum thermos, a $7.98 value, is yours absolutely free when you buy two pairs of Knapp shoes. Select from over 3,000 pairs of men's dress, work, casual and safety shoes. All with Knapp's Criticism grows in Pocono's 'spinach patch' patented built-in heel to toe Cushioned Comfort insole and famous Knapp quality. In sizes 7 to 14, to EEE. EXTRA FREE GIFT: Just present this ad with-your purchase of 2 pairs of shoes, and we'll give you anextrafreegift 24.

Offer applies to first-quality, current styles only. Slippers, canvas and rubber footwear excluded. Made In America KNAPP The more for the money shoe it's up in the middle of nowhere," said Carter. He saved his most vicious criticism for the City of Brotherly Love. "You have to rape someone in Philadelphia before you draw anyone's attention," he said.

Johnny Rutherford, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion and winner of the 1974 Schaefer 500 established himself as a favorite to win the role position when time trials start at 1 p.m. today with a fast lap of 188.363 in yesterday's practice. The only other driver to approach that speed was Danny Ongais, who has started from the pole in four of this year's seven races. Ongais was clocked at 188.158. tice session at Phoenix, also said he was being harassed.

"Maybe it's because it's the Schaefer 500 and I'm driving the Bud-weiser Special that I'm being harassed," he said without elaborating. "Pancho's had a -rough time of it and he's obviously teed off," said Dr. Mattioli, referring to the fact that Carter has placed 24th, 15th and 21st in three races since his return to Indy-car competition. "You know, if a guy wins a race, the track is beautiful. If things aren't going well for him, it's lousy." Carter wasn't satisfied with castigating the raceway.

He took shots at the Pocono Mountains resort area, too. "This is the most expensive place we go to motels and food and POCONO, From 1-D Mattioli or USAC or anybody else said." The truth undoubtedly lies somewhere between the two extremes. The tunnel turn is bumpy anyone can see the cars bob and weave as they skim through at 150 miles per hour. Johnny Parsons son of the 1950 Indianapolis 500 winner and Carter's half brother, said the second turn was a problem, but he put it in perspective, which Pancho seemed unable to do. "Sure, it's rough through there," Parsons said.

"I try to come' in high and go out high to straighten it out as much as possible over the bumps. If you don't, you can't be sure which way you'll be headed. But it's just part of the environment in which we'll have to race. And it isn't going to be worse for any one driver. We all have to go through there." Mario Andretti, who has led more laps than any other driver in the seven previous Schaefer 500-miie races, said there is a very thin line where he can get through with relative smoothness.

"If you vary more than six inches, you'll either be bouncing up and down or wiggling side to side," said the former three-time national champion and 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner. Carter, who walks with a pronounced limp as a result of a horrendous crash last December in a prac PHILADELPHIA, i701 Roosevelt Tel. 3.114070, Wed. 9:30 to 9:00. Sat.

to 5:30. KINK OF PRUSSIA, 744 West DeKalb Pike. Route 2(12. Tel. 265-7133.

CHERRY HII-LlNew Jersev). 2123 Marlton Pike (Route 7(1) Opposite Garden State Race Track. Tel. B.MM4. SPRINtiFIEUXIJelaware County), Baltimore Pike.

Tel. 544-Hi(il. To have a shoe salesman visit vou, call the above numbers. Over size 12, add $1.00. 9:30 to 5:30.

Wed, 9:30 to 9:00. i ream Kaisai are Bicycle competition postponed by rain iMff Meanwhile, Otto Wenz the personable head of the United States Cycling Federation, promises that attendance, which was a pathetic 1,500 fane tn Ananinrr ri nt- mill ninfr tin 1UIIO Uil uyt-mug lllglll, Will JJlt-IN. UJ. 'Tf 1IFQ Pnrt rF itic frin Knrrinninn I VI PW1 3 )wA By Gordon Forbes Inquirer Staff Writer TREXLERTON, thunderstorm rolled through this small bicycle capital In the rolling farmlancte, washing out last night's Junior World Championship competition but not Carl Leusenkamp's persistent optimism. While the rains turned the paths to the Trexlerton Velodrome into so many mud gullies, Leusenkamp was almost predicting that two of the United States sprint riders would make it to the round of 18 in today's sprints.

"The setup for sprints is excellent for our team," said the American sprint coach. "There are not very many sprinters (36 entries from 30 countries, including three from the United States). Most of the rides will be with three riders instead of four, which would be used if there were a great many sprinters. "And the second round is two-up (two riders) instead of the normal three. And after the first round, 11 riders come back for repechages and that goes two-up." Leusenkamp's thinking was understandable.

The fewer riders, the ea said Wenz of the small turnout. "I understand, though, that the last niqht is sold out and that Thursday night should be very good." Wenz also said that the junior cyclists could use more print and electronic coverage as well as a promotional boost from "big business and industry." There are no designated interpreters and no interview area at the outdoor velodrome. Most of the space in the cramped home-straight press box is taken up by an organ. The actual press room is located in the Goodwill Fire Co. No.

1, about 250 yards from the track. It has one phone. The head coach of the U. S. team, a former Polish coach, Eddie Bory-senicz, said he didn't speak good enough English to be interviewed.

Dagemar Richter, coach of the East German team, addressed another reporter as if he was an intruder into the team's infield location. "No English spoken here," snapped Richter, in near-perfect English. Associated Press Roberto Bettega celebrates after Italy's early goal 1978 PARAMOUNT PlCTURlS CORPORATION. ALL RitjHlS HI St PVf Maud, Argentina in World Cup final i 3 mi QCffifMg sier it is to plot and execute strategy in the sprints in which sudden moves and acceleration are the keys to winning over the distance. The American sprinters are Mark Gorski of Chicago, Adam Deutsch of San Jose, and Pat McDo-nough, 16, of Montrose, Calif.

"All of our riders have bettered their times from the selection races," Leusenkamp said. "They've demonstrated their ability to handle the bike well, which for juniors is very difficult. I would expect at least two of our riders to make, it to the (round of) 18, certainly to the second round. Then it's possible to get to the top eight. And the top eight, it's like getting a medal." Gorski, whose best individual sprint time of 1 minute 11.07 seconds is impressive enough, will face Hisao Takata of Japan and Gary Chase of Trinidad in his series, Deutsch is paired with Derek Osborne of Australia and Fu-Hsiang of the Republic of China while McDonough faces John Vanzederveld cf The Netherlands the scoring in the 22d minute, taking a return pass from Daniel Passarella to slide the ball under keeper Ramon Quiroga from the middle of the penalty area.

Shortly afterward, Leo-pildo Luque and Orscar Ortiz each hit the post from the same close-in spot on the left, but Alberto Tarantinl made it 2-0 when he headed in a corner kick in the 43d minute. Argentina still needed two more goals, however, even if it held Peru scoreless, but it got them less than a minute apart in 5 minutes past half-time. First, a free kick from the rieht was headed by Kempes in the left side of the area to Daniel Ber-toni in the center, who sent it right back to Kempes for an open shot. Then Tarantini headed a ball from the right side of the area to Luque, w'io landed inside the goal after diving to head the ball in from inches out. After that, the Peruvians collapsed, fou'ing freauently.

The last two goals came on a header by substitute Rene Houseman after Kempes had dribbled clear on the left and crossed, and on a low shot by Luque after he ha dribbled through into the center of the area. Brazil was kept on the defensive for much of its match with Poland, but the hard-attacking Poles' only goal came just before halftime when Grzeeorz Lato slid in a ball that two Brazilian defenders had failed to clear. That gial balanced off the one that Brazi' got on a curling free kick by N'elirhT in the 13th minute, but Roberto got two more goa's for Brazil in tr-e seend half, knocking home the rebound of a shot off the post by Jorge Mendonica in the 60th minute and volleying home a long pass from midfield 4 minutes later. WORt CUP. From 1-D second half, running much harder than they had before, winning balls in midfield that they had been conceding to Italy in the first half, and pressing in on attack.

In the 50th minute, Italian keeper Dino Zoff barely tipped a header by Johan Neeskens over the bar, but 2 minutes later he couldn't reach a shot from outside the penalty area by Brandts that went just under the bar to even the score. The second Dutch goal came in the 77th minute, Haan striking a Ion? shot from outside the penalty area that hit right post and rebounded the length of the goal line into the left side of the net. After thai, liie Duicii iuuk a 'caiii from Italy's earlier mistake of failing to press its advantage. If anything, the Dutch increased the pressure over the last 10 minutes, with Rob Rensenbrink having three close misses, once shooting just wide and twice forcing Zoff into diffcu't saves. Brazil appeared to have gamed the edge in Group with its win over Poland, which reouired the Argentinians to score at least four goals against Peru to advance.

After some earlv scares, Argentina ran away easily, however. In the 13th minute, Peru's Juan Munante broke through cleanlv from the right, but his shot past Areen'in-ian keeper Ubaldo Filliol hit the left post and bounced out. Th-ee t'h-utes later, the other Peruvian winger, Juan Oblitas, sot wtfe of the far p-'st frm an equally open position on the left. After tftose misses, however, the Peruvians slowed, and Argentina took control. Mario Kempes opened Test drive a Peugeot at these area dealers: Leusenkamp says he can sense what kind of tactical race is planned by a foreign rider according to his country.

"Trinidad not very strong but quick," he recited. "Russia generally not so quick but strong and fast. Italy and France quick and fast and real dangerous. The Eastern European countries are not so much tactical riders as they are very strong and fit riders. If you find one with those qualities and tactics, you've got an instant world champion." Today's competition, starting at 9 a.m.

because of last night's washout, includes one final, the individual pursuit in which East Germany's Axel Grosser is favored to win a second gold for his country. There will be four rounds in the kilo sprint, two rounds in 4.000-meter pursuit and two rounds in the points race, in which riders sprint for points and double points. The evening events start at 7:30. PENNSYLVANIA Ambler West German Motor Imports Berhlehem Pike Dager Rd. (215) 643-3322 Devon Carson-Perm, Inc.

2 14 W. Lancaster Ave. (215) 687-1500 Pottstown Berman-Graves inc. 2148 E. HiSh St.

(215) 327-1100 NEW JERSEY Runnemede Auto HiMise Continental, Inc. 341) E. Clements Bridge Rd. (609) 939-3911 Feasterville Hampton Auto Imports, Inc. 200 W.

Street RJ. (215) 355-8500 Philadelphia Fred's Foreign Car Service Inc. 208 E. Mt. Airy Ave.

(215) 247-4533 John Stout 5139N. 5th Street (215) 324-2454 No one builds cars the way we build cars..