RACING REVIEW
CAROL SIMS
THE SMOOTH PAVEMENT of Cincinnati Gardens provided plenty of action for the growing crowd of short track enthusiasts in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tough competition was offered from many out-of-state riders such as Gary Nixon and former Grand National Champion Roger Reiman, riding for the first time since fracturing his leg in the 110-Mile National Road Race.
But this was to be a day of victory for Ohio and particularly for Ronnie Rail from Mansfield, Ohio.
The top three qualifiers were all riding Triumph Cubs; swiftest was Doug Showier from Parma, Ohio, fractions of a second ahead of Nixon and Rail. In the first heat race Myron Magorski (H-D) upset Showier for the win. Clifford Bell of Evansville, Indiana took the second heat followed closely by Al Gaskell of Utica, Michigan. Rail roared into action in the third event, thrilling the crowd with his near-horizontal cornering style and winning decisively. John Hery was victorious in the final heat race.
A consolation race for non-qualifiers proved to be a real thriller. At one point the race was stopped and restarted due to the number of downed bikes and riders littering the track. Dan Thomas of Middletown, Ohio, finally emerged from the melee to win.
The trophy dash for the six fastest qualifiers became a toe-to-toe duel between Rail and Showier. At the checkered flag Ronnie led by inches; Nixon came in third behind Showier. The first semi-feature again pitted Rail against Showier and once more Ronnie had the right combination. Nixon took the second semi handily.
The climax of the program was the 15lap feature race. After a bad start and a pile-up in the first turn, the race got underway with Nixon in the lead. When Rail slipped past Nixon to grab first place, it appeared to be all over but the shouting. Suddenly, however, Rail’s engine faltered, and Showier zipped past him!
Not to be beaten that easily, Rail reached down, replaced the high tension lead on his engine which had vibrated loose, and was soon back in the thick of things. In seconds he caught up with Showier and slid by him to regain the lead. That pesky wire was still giving him trouble, though. As Rail crossed the finish line he had one hand on the throttle and the other holding his high tension lead on the spark plug. That’s winning a race the hard way!
MIDWEST CHAMPIONSHIP HARE & HOUND
Beautiful 60-degree weather conditions and lots of sunshine brought more than 125 riders to the starting line for the 12th Annual Mid-West Championship Hare & Hound, sponsored by the Wabash Valley Motorcycle Club of Terre Haute, Indiana.
When the huge group took off around 11:00 a.m., forty-one miles of rough terrain awaited them. Most of the course, laid out across plowed fields and corn stubble, was rather dry and dusty. Only along a two-mile stretch of ditch near check number seven was mud encountered. But, after fighting their way over many fallen trees and brush in the woods along the Wabash River, those two miles seemed like twenty to the already exhausted riders.
Honda-mounted Allen Adams from Munde, Indiana, came out on top. He claimed the overall trophy with a time of one hour, 32 minutes and 30 seconds.
Eleven checks were set up to prevent the boys from “accidentally” taking a short cut. These checks were in constant contact with the starting and finishing points by two-way radio; thus scorers were able to keep track of the contestants at all times.
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Keyword for the day was safety, and club members were augmented in their efforts by the assistance of Indiana State Highway Patrolmen at all points where the course crossed a main thoroughfare. Next event on the Wabash Valley club’s agenda is their Iceberg Derby, which will undoubtedly be run under “real” winter conditions.
WILLOW SPRINGS HOSTS ACA “OPENERS”
The ACA’s season-opening “Openers” road races at the very fast Willow Springs course in Southern California were something to see. Dick Hammer was there with his Daytona ride, a Triumph 500 twin, and so was Buddy Parriott. Parriott was having his first outing on the Clarence Cysz Norton twin, which is to be his Daytona ride. In addition, there was the usual heavy entry of 250s and a whole gaggle of stockers for the increasingly popular production-bike race.
Highlights of the day’s racing would certainly include the performance of Walt Fulton, Jr. (a chip off the old block) on
a Suzuki X-6 Hustler. Young Fulton won the production-bike race overall, pushing into 2nd spot by main force, and then acquiring the lead when Alvin Griffith’s big Norton snapped its primary chain.
In the 250 race, there was the usual swarming ant-heap of Yamahas, with John Buckner’s usual lightning start placing him in the lead while the mob sorted itself out. Then, the entrant from something called “Team Cycle World” (Gordon Jennings, we think his name was) slipped into Buckner’s draft. While Jennings battled Buckner for the lead, unsuccessfully, Buddy Parriott (who had made a poor start and was last away from the grid) was carving his way through the pack at a ferocious rate. This rush carried him into the clear, past Jennings and right past a startled Buckner. In the tussle that ensued, Jennings lost his tow and dropped back into 3rd, where he finished, while Parriott’s momentum was checked by a real heartstopper of a 100-mph slide, letting Buckner snatch the lead again to win from Parriott by a few yards. All rode Yamaha’s, and it was the same machinery right down to 12th place.
Parriott had no problems at all in the Buckner, Jennings and Parriott dice away. big-bike race. His Norton fired instantly when the flag dropped, and he immediately zipped into a lead that was not to be challenged seriously for the duration of the race. Hammer and his Triumph flew away from everyone else to take second, but could not make a dent on Parriott’s lead. Neither could the several KR HDs present do anything about Hammer.
In the day’s 350 event, it was Eric Dahlstrom on the Precision Machining Honda, followed home at a respectful distance by a flock of other modified Honda Super Hawks and one lonely (and virtually stock) 350 Ducati in 4th .
Another Honda, this time a 160, won the mixed-displacement event for the middlin’-little stuff, and there was a mixed bag of Honda, Tohatsu and Yamaha getting class-win trophies in the program opener for wee-ones.
YAMAHA SETS THE PACE
All professional riders will be affected, at least indirectly, by Yamaha International’s new racing team set-up. In order to assure themselves of top-notch competitors on the AMA National road race circuit, Yamaha is offering a cool $500 per race, plus all winnings and expenses, to riders of their choice. “Expenses” does not mean just a gasoline credit card, either; it includes first-rate accommodations, air travel to each event, and a bonus for winning.
Yamaha realizes that this can be counted as a legitimate part of their advertising budget; a budget large enough to absorb such fees without crippling the company financially. In fact, these fees, if spread over the total number of motorcycles Yamaha can reasonably expect to sell as a result of a successful racing program, would not amount to more than a few cents per unit. By paying their riders well, they will probably get the best. It is not generosity; just good business.
NEW JAPAN ROAD RACE COURSE
Located picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Japan, a new track has been completed that looks like a road racer’s dream. The 3.75-mile Fisco circuit features sweeping S-type bends, a hairpin turn, and a mile-long, 100-foot-wide straightaway in front of the grandstands.
First test sessions were held in late December under the sponsorship of the Motorcycling Federation of Japan (MFJ), and participating factory riders declared the new Fisco course to be the best, in many respects, they had ever ridden.
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AMA COMPETITION RIDERS POINT STANDINGS
5 Points for 1st place; 3 Points for 2nd place; 2 Points for 3rd place; 1 Point for 4th place. National Cham pionships are won in actual competition and not from these points. No differential between heats, semis, dashes and final points. No points for consolations. These points are from January 1 to December 20, 1965; there were 2230 Competition Licenses issued in 1965, 1302 Novices, 527 Amateurs and 401 Experts.
DRY CREEK TRIAL
A sudden snowfall in the mountains north of Yakima, Washington buried the Dry Creek Trial location and sent the organizers into a last minute frenzy. With 24 hours to go, members of the AMSaffiliated Trial & Error club laid out an eight-section course and were ready in time for the 54 starters.
In order to best use the premium hours of winter daylight, the event was started in two places at once. The Under-125s started on the muddy slopes that made up sections one and two, and the Over-125s went to the rocky, sandy island which comprised sections five through eight.
Section 1 took a heavy toll of the small bikes and was “cleaned” by only two riders in that class. Six of the 24 Over125 riders cleaned that section later in the day. Section 2 was a steep muddy climb which threatened to be nasty but proved to be the opposite when a warm sun dried it out. Only three riders lost marks here. Section 3 consisted of a short descent into a shallow creek, a ride along the creek for about 60 feet and an exit up and over large boulders.
A narrow path down a ridge, which was actually the dredged-out bottom of an immediately adjacent canal, comprised the fourth section. A mistake here cost dearly, since there was no place to dab or foot. Section five was a stretch of slippery, cobblestone-like river bed.
Overall winner Jerry Yount was the only man to clean section 6 — a nice little ride up a short hill, across some wet leaves,
down the rock-strewn hill and into a sharp right turn. The first half of number seven was almost too easy and led into a tight 180° uphill turn on loose gravel that none escaped. Those who dabbed usually got away with only one mark, and pointed out the value of walking the section first.
The final section, number eight, started on loose rocks and led directly onto a sandy path through clumps of sage. A log across the path stopped a few of the lowclearance models, but most riders made it through without difficulty to the finish.
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ASCOT RECAP
After the engines are stilled at Ascot Park in November, there is inevitably a period of “post-season letdown.” Riders are tired; machines are tired; fans are tired. But in a few weeks the enthusiasm returns. There is much mulling-over of lessons learned the year just past, and concrete preparations begin for the upcoming Southerrt California flattrack season.
In retrospect, 1965 was the most successful in Ascot history; highest-ever purses averaged $2000 per meet for the J. C. Agajanian-promoted events, rider participation was at an all-time high, and the racing couldn’t have been closer.
Sammy Tanner proved once more that he is undisputed master of the rapid halfmile, winning the season championship on C. R. Axtell’s BSA for the fourth time in as many years. His toughest competition came from first year expert Dan Haaby, who finished 750 points behind Tanner’s 2529-point total in the final standings, aboard Gary Bray’s BSA. But Dick Hammer, Cal Rayborn, Guy Louis and Blackie Bruce were always in their wailing, as were Mert Lawwill, Neil Keen and Eddie Wirth.
The hard-fought battle for amateur supremacy went down to the wire. Eddie Hammond had roared up to snatch the point lead away from Jim Nicholson late in the season, but not until the next-tolast race did he clinch the title. Chuck Jones, ever-persistent, wound up third in the yellow-plate standings.
Johnny Isaacs was a runaway novice division winner after early point leader Clemmie Jackson lost his life at midseason in a tragic, multi-rider spill. Isaacs’ form improved steadily all year, and he held a substantial margin of points over second place Ron Kruseman in final placings.
Now attention focuses on the season upcoming, and the opening Ascot halfmile event is slated for Friday night, April 1. Vast supplies of midnight oil will be expended before that time, you can be sure!
FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS
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AAMRR OVERSEAS RIDER FUND
The AAMRR (Association of American Motorcycle Road Racers, Inc.), a MICUS affiliate, has announced the establishment of an “Overseas Rider Fund” to provide financial assistance for its member riders to compete in events abroad.
The fund was initiated with a contribution of $50.00 by the AAMRR club, and those interested in helping to put American motorcyclists on the International roster are invited to send their contributions, regardless of size, to the AAMRR Overseas Rider Fund, 111 42nd Street, Union City, New Jersey.
HE KEEPS ON ROLLING ALONG
Riding his privately owned 250cc Montesa Sports, Carlos Rocamora of Spain has won the FIM’s coveted 250cc European Cup “d’Endurance.” Overall performance in three grueling marathon races — the 6-Hour Race at Monza, Italy, the 24Hour Race at Barcelona, Spain and the 500-Miles Race at Castle Combe, England — determines the recipient of the annual award.
Rocamora’s point lead was gained by winning at Barcelona and finishing in runnerup position at Castle Combe. Second place in the race for the cup went to Jose Busquéis, also Montesa-mounted.
DICK MANN TO HAWAII
Dick Mann, Grand National Champion for 1964 and wearer of the Number Two number plate in 1965, is moving to Hawaii! After ten years of rugged AMA competition in flattrack, TT, short track and road racing, to say nothing of scrambles, trials and cross-country events, Mann is .taking over a new position — he is to be Service Manager of Dick Mann Suzuki in Honolulu.
Although he expects to ride Daytona and possibly one or two other races on the mainland in ’66, Dick will not follow the National Trail as he has for the past decade.
The indomitable courage and spirit of this man, only racer in modern times to take the National Championship on selftuned and self-sponsored machines, will be sorely missed from National lineups in the future. His all-around talent and determination have inspired admiration and respect throughout his long career. But Dick has more than proved his point as far as racing is concerned, and we wish him success and prosperity in his new venture. Aloha, Bugs!
AMA NATIONAL NUMBERS FOR 1966 NEW NO. RIDER CITY, STATE (S) 1 BART MARKEL . Flint, Michigan 2 DICK MANN Crockett, California 3 ALBERT GUNTER . .. . Alhambra, California * 5 LARRY PALMGREN Freehold, New Jersey * 6 LARRY SCHAFER Arlington, Virginia 7 SAMMY TANNER . . . Long Beach, California 8 BENNIE BOWDEN. .. . Kalamazoo, Michigan 9 GARY NIXON Baltimore, Maryland 10 NEIL KEEN Pasadena, California 11 EARL WIDMAN St. Louis, Missouri 12 EDDIE MULDER Burbank, California 13 BUD BUDSCHAT Seattle, Washington 14 JIM HAYES Kingsport, Tennessee 15 RALPH WHITE Torrance, California 16 DICK HAMMER Lakewood, California 17 DON HOWELL Canton, Illinois 18 MERT LAWWILL. San Francisco, California 19 WARREN SHERWOOD. Cornwall, New Jersey 20 JIMMIE ODELL Kansas City, Kansas 21 DEVON WENGER Goshen, Indiana 22 DAN HAABY Gardena, California 23 DAVE BOSTROM Daly City, California 24 JACK O'BRIEN .. . Los Angeles, California * 25 CAL RAYBORN Spring Villey, California * 26 JEROME BAER Appleton, Wisconsin 27 ELLIOTT SCHULTZ . . South Gate, California * 28 JIM NICHOLSON Newhall, California * 29 HERB BELLINGER Muscatine, Iowa 30 JIM KOPLINSKI . . . . Milwaukee, Wisconsin 31 DON TWIGG Hagerstown, Maryland 32 SID PAYNE Bakersfield, California 33 BOB BAILEY Anaheim, California 34 CAL JANISCH Janesville, Wisconsin 35 ROBERT DELIE Green Bay, Wisconsin 36 JIM FLATTER Vancouver, Washington * 37 MEL LACHER San Diego, California * 38 CHUCK PALMGREN. .. . Freehold, New Jersey 39 DUANE BUCHANAN Pekin, Illinois 40 DAN RUGGLES Peoria, Illinois * 41 DOUG SHOWLER Parma, Ohio 42 DAN NEALEIGH Rossburg, Ohio 43 MIKE POWELL Polo, Illinois 44 THOMAS HElL Dayton, Ohio 45 DARREL DOVEL Waukegan, Illinois 46 JOE EVANS Bloomington, Illinois 47 DUANE SHADLEY Oskaloosa, Iowa * 48 JAMES CORPE Washington, Illinois 49 AL WILCOX Trenton, New Jersey 50 TONY MURGUIA Key West, Florida 51 BABE DE MAY Moline, Illinois 52 RONNIE RALL Mansfield, Ohio 53 ERNEST SMITH Martinez, California 54 ALLEN SMITH Springfield, Illinois 55 ROGER REIMAN ewanee, Illinois 56 ANSON HOLLEY . . Baton Rouge, Louisiana 57 CARL WILLIAMSON. Mill Hall, Pennsylvania 58 JODY NICHOLAS Nashville, Tennessee 59 SKIP VAN LEEUWEN. . Lakewood, California 60 JOHN TIBBEN Villa Park, Illinois 61 DAVE STOUT Flint, Michigan 62 DICK TAYLOR Kirkland, Washington 63 DAVE PALMER . .. . Bakersfield, California 64 WILLIAM LLOYD. .. Langley Park, Virginia * 65 AL GASKILL Utica, Michigan 66 GARY HALL Westerville, Ohio 67 GLEN ADAMS Portland, Oregon * 68 DON KELLY Albuquerque, New Mexico 69 SONNY BURRES Portland, Oregon 70 JAKE BODIMER St. Louis, Missouri * 71 DAN WETY Deer Creek, Illinois 72 SAM SATTERLEY . .. . Bellflower, California * 73 SID CARLSON Seattle, Washington 74 BILL HAAST Miami, Florida 75 JIM CHALLINGSWORTH. . St. Marys, Penn. 76 DICK DORRESTEYN.. .San Pablo, California * 77 CHRIS DRAAYER Salt Lake City, Utah * 78 THOMAS ROWE Coopersburg, Penn. 79 BUDDY ELMORE El Paso, Texas 80 EMIL AHOLA Tacoma, Washington 81 TED HElL Dayton, Ohio 82 ROBERT BERLIN . . Mt. Clemens, Michigan 83 GEORGE MONTGOMERY. .. .Glenmont, Md. 84 LARRY WILLIAMSON Urbana, Illinois 85 JOE MESSAROS Fairborn, Ohio 86 HAROLD HAMMOND . .. . Detroit, Michigan 87 LARRY BEALL Abilene, Texas 88 JACK SIMMONS Artesia, California 89 TOM ROSE Peoria, Illinois 90 TED DAVIS Ponca City, Oklahoma 91 ROLAND HALL . .. . Kennewick, Washington 92 GEORGE BARTLE Detroit, Michigan 93 W. 1. RUFNER Ft. Worth, Texas 94 GEORGE ROEDER Monroeville, Ohio 95 FRED NIX Lawton, Oklahoma 96 ART BARDA Lemont, Illinois 97 TOM ALLEN Athens, Georgia 98 ROBERT SHOLLY Camp Hill, Penn. 99 DAVE ESTEP Orient, Ohio
