Racing Review
RACING REVIEW
CAROL SIMS
SHORT TRACK NATIONAL TO NIXON
TRIUMPH'S NUMBER ONE Tiger, Gary Nixon, scored his first national victory of the year at Santa Fe Park outside Chicago in the annual running of the short track championships. This was the third win on the national trail for the Baltimore rider; Nixon also won the short track title at Santa Fe back in '63 and was the Sacramento 20-mile national winner last year.
Pressed hard by Ronnie Rail and George Roeder, Nixon led all but one of the 25 laps on the fast quarter-mile that hosts weekly racing for midwest riders during the summer months. Nixon jumped into the lead off the starting line and led the first two laps before Rail edged him across the line for lap three. From then on it was Nixon by one to two bike lengths. The three front-running riders crossed the finish line in close single file formation with John Tibben a distant fourth and Dan Haaby fifth.
The race for sixth between Mert Lawwill and Bart Markel caught most of the crowd's attention. Lawwill was edged off the track on the first turn of the first lap but then came on fast to pick off rider after rider until he caught Bart for the last point-paying position. The two Harley aces rode wheel to wheel with first one and then the other holding the position. Markel's engine finally missed a beat late in the race and Lawwill moved in for sixth place in the final rundown.
Oklahoma's Fred Nix was the fastest qualifier with a one-lap tour at 16.16. He received a huge trophy, larger than most national winners receive, just prior to race time. Three heat races and two semi-mains were held to determine which twelve riders would make up the national final. The heats were run in inverted style, with the fastest riders starting in the back in staggered order.
A full program of combined novice/ amateur racing was also held with the feature going to Illinois' Dan Welty. California's Paul Conserriere came from way back to finish a closing second in his first attempt at short track racing. Welty is the leading midwest amateur this year in short track and half-mile racing.
Roger Reiman, 1964 Santa Fe winner, was on hand for the first time since his spill at Des Moines. Watching from the infield, his leg in a cast, Reiman confirmed that he will be out of action for the rest of the year.
25-LAP SHORT TRACK NATIONAL 1. GARY NIXON, Baltimore, Md Triumph 2. RONNIE RALL, Mansfield, Ohio H D 3. GEORGE ROEDER, Monroeville, Ohio H-D 4. JOHN TIBBEN, Villa Park, III H-D 5. DAN HAABY, Gardena, Calif H-D 6. MERT LAWWILL, San Francisco, Calif H-D 7. BART MARKEL, Flint, Mich H-D 8. EDDIE MULDER, Burbank, Calif Triumph 9. BENNIE BOWDEN, Kalamazoo, Mich H-D 10. EDDIE WIRTH, Manhattan Beach, Calif. . Triumph Time: 6:51.11 10-LAP NOVICE/AMATEUR FINAL 1. DAN WELTY, Deer Creek, III H-D 2. PAUL CONSERRIERE, Hacienda Hts., Calif. Yamaha 3. ROBERT WINTERS, Fort Smith, Ark H-D 4. BILL O'BRIEN, Waukegan, III H-D 5. CARL ONSTOTT, Kankakee, III Honda 6. GARY NELSON, Kenosha, Wise Honda 7. JOHN MYERS, Lisle, III Bultaco 8. NORM BERGQUIST, Elburn, III H-D Time: 2:48.38
NATIONAL TT SCRAMBLES
A bright sun, a beautifully prepared race track and plenty of riding talent — this was the setting for the two-day National Championship TT Scrambles at Prado Park, California. Saturday's lightweight events were highlighted by the performances of Steve Scott (a brand new father) and DeWayne Keeter in the 250cc Expert final. Scott led all the way, but almost lost it when he slid into the marbles at the edge of the track, recovering just in time to beat out his rival at the flag.
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Sunday found the big bore machines battling through the turns and over the jump, some riders cornering feet-up around the tight, black groove. The 500cc Expert Main was a show of professional skill by veteran Jim Hunter. Never putting a wheel in the wrong place, Hunter stretched his lead throughout the race. Just when he appeared to have it made, the fire went out in his magneto and, as he coasted across the finish line, Dan Kelly nipped by for first place.
Riders in the Open Expert main event formed a train-like procession that few were able to break away from. Leader Dallas Baker fought off the advances of Bill Manley, Skip Van Leeuwen and Bill Riley, all of whom managed to get up front at various times. Strongest challenger was Van Leeuwen, but try as he might, Baker reached the checkered flag first.
The sidecars were, as always, an exciting proposition. These homebuilt units seem to be crossed up most of the time, even on the straightaways, and spectators were unanimous in their approval of the goingson. Television cameras filmed both days' proceedings, even mounting a camera on one of the bikes for a rider's eye view.
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WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Just up the Frazer River from Vancouver, British Columbia, the village of Port Coquitlam marks the entrance to the 1.8mile Westwood road racing circuit, scene of the 1965 Western Canadian Championship.
Practice started on race day at 9 AM and activity in the pits was dedicated to greeting old friends, meeting new ones, and an occasional bit of tuning. As the morning wore on, a few "Yank" riders were dismayed to find that an eight-day waiting period is required for insurance approval of new CMA competition licenses, and it appeared that they would be forced to sit out the meet as spectators. Fortunately, after much discussion between Canadian Motorcycle Association officials, Pabatco's Henry Koepke, Tony Murphy and the crew from Yamaha International, the situation was alleviated somewhat. New licensees were allowed to ride, albeit without insurance.
The 250-and-under riders assembled on the grid at 1 P.M. Bump-starting their machines, they roared up the 8% grade and into the right-hand "carousel" of the clockwise circuit. First away was Californian Tony Murphy. His Yamaha fired immediately and he led Honda-mounted Canadian Tim Coopey into the first turn by 50 yards. Bill Thompson (Yamaha) and Scotty Brown (Ducati) were close behind.
Turn two is a flat, 80-degree left-hander that reaches the crest of a hill abruptly, then sweeps through a downhill reversecamber right. Murphy's style was quite spectacular in this section, his knee clearing the pavement by scant inches. At least four riders fell off there during practice. The course continues out of turn three onto the slightly uphill back straightaway, then down to a hairpin, around a hard right, uphill, then through the fast "ess" and back to the starting point — a most demanding circuit.
Officials decided to combine the separately scheduled Unlimited Championship event with the Grand Prix for lack of over-500cc entries, and riders pushed their mounts from the paddock for the 30-lap all-displacement G.P.
Murphy was again first away with Brown and Coopey right behind, followed by a pack of Nortons. After a few laps the race settled down and the large displacement machines took over the lead. On lap 18 Murphy began to turn it on. He quickly picked off third spot and was gaining rapidly on the Dominator of Ken Molyneux. In turn two, Murphy was just 20 feet behind when hard-pressed Molyneux dropped it. With no place to go, Murphy went down too. Neither rider was injured, but Murphy's Yamaha was unable to restart. Molyneux got up and finished fourth.
G.P. victory went to 650 Norton rider Don Matheson, who took the Unlimited Championship as well. Andy DeLuca (750 Norton) and Garry Meed (650 Norton) took second and third. Though out of the running, Murphy set a course record in his near-victorious attempt at a clean sweep.
SANTA BARBARA ROAD RACES
The AFM has been running motorcycles at the Santa Barbara, California sports car races, twice a year for five years and have become a regular fixture. The CYCLE WORLD team of Wagar and Jennings (305 Honda and 250 Yamaha) pulled away from the field in the Saturday 10-lap feature for all classes including some 750ccs. A good team tussle lasted for most of the race until Jennings broke his gear lever on a course marker; Wagar went on to win overall. Dave Hetzler (Yamaha) finished second overall with Mike Sutherland (650 Triumph) third.
Sunday was a "run-off-and hide" for Tony Murphy (Yamaha) after John Buckner (Yamaha) retired. Second, after an excellent ride was Art Bauman (Honda 350); Dave Hetzler brought his Yamaha into third place overall for a second in class, with Gordon Jennings third in class. John Graber won the 125 race on a water-cooled, six-speed Bultaco which proved very fast. The 175 class, as usual, went to Ralph Le Clercq (Ducati) with the 50 class being won by Jim Wulzen on a beautifully prepared Honda CR-110.
FOUR-STATE CHAMPS
Dick Sexton and Triumph rider Denny Adler of Sioux Falls, South Dakota are loaded down with the fruits of victory. All those trophies signify the TT Scrambles Championship of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota, won at Sioux City, Iowa on a Bonneville TT-120.
TIGHT AMA POINT BATTLE
After sixteen National Championship races, AMA point standings are closer than ever, and the battle may not be decided until the last event on the 1965 calender, the Sacramento (Calif.) 20-Miler. Two former Grand National Champions, Bart Markel and Dick Mann, are engrossed in the first place fight, with continuing harassment from Gary Nixon, Mert Lawwill and Ralph White. The standings,
WANT TO GO ROAD RACING?
Latest goal of the Los Angeles area chapter of the American Federation of Motorcyclists is to inaugurate a "school" for new riders in road racing. Would-be competitors are invited to attend open membership meetings and find out further details.
The AFM also has need for non-competing motorcyclists to assist in the staging of their Grand Prix-type events. Benefits included with membership are free admission to events and insurance coverage at all races. Interested parties should contact AFM, 4093 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, California 91602.
LIVELY SENIOR CITIZEN
Age is no deterrent when it comes to racing motorcycles. If you don't agree, take a look at the ever-growing collection of trophies garnered in enduros by Mike Van Damme of Prophetstown, Illinois, on a BSA.
Despite riding in the senior class, Mike is always right in there with the younger fellows, doing a good job and thoroughly enjoying himself. He's especially proud of the trophy he holds, signifying Senior Class Championship in the Little Burr Enduro.
TONY WOODMAN BROUGHT HOME FROM IRELAND
American racer Tony Woodman, who crashed while leading one of Ireland's largest motorcvcle races, the North West 200, has been brought home and is now in the Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation, 400 East 34th Street, New York City. He is partially paralyzed, his vision and hearing are impaired and he is expected to remain in the hospital for some time.
Previous to this race he had almost won the Austrian Grand Prix, leading it to the last lap and also proving outstanding in several other races. Some European motorcycle authorities stated that his achievements have shown the most promise of any American motorcycle road racer to date.
He has received letters from British wellwishers who were aware of his accident and would also appreciate hearing from his American fans.
ONLY THE NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED
Riders and fans who had bemoaned the passing of the annual Corriganville Grand Prix scrambles when the 1100-acre property was sold, will be pleased to know that the sixth annual event is to be held on schedule, November 20 and 21. Encompassing the only remaining rough scrambles course in Southern California, the picturesque western town was purchased by Bob Hope, renamed Hopetown, and will once again play host to an expected 500 riders and 10,000 spectators for the classic event.
The sponsoring Dirtdiggers M.C. are accepting limited mail entries for a $5.00 fee before the November 1 deadline. Contact Don Kemp, 1817 Dewey St., Santa Monica, Calif., phone EX. 21258, for further information. •
