Victory Belongs To Harley-Davidson

Daytona 1968

Victory Belongs to Harley-Davidson

IVAN J. WAGAR

THE MOST prestigious motorcycle racing event on the North American Con-tinent has once again broken all pre-vious records to the extent that enthusiasts will discuss the 1968 Daytona week until the flag falls next year. Daytona played host to more than twice as many factory teams as will the Isle of Man this year-an indication of the amount of interest manufacturers devote to the toothsome red apple represented by the American market. Daytona also lured several truly first cabin foreign riders such as twice 250 world champion Phil Read of England, and his countrymen Rod Gould and Peter Williams. From Canada came the tigerish little French Canadian Yvon du Hamel and former grand prix rider Mike Duff. Also, Suzuki entered former Isle of Man winner Mitsuo Itoh to help test the 500s under U.S. racing conditions.

Sparked by the added interest of foreign competition, more than 17,000 fans paid $5 each to watch Sunday’s 200-mile classic. This was a larger crowd, by the way, than the one a few weeks earlier for the 24-hour sports car race. But if the crowd, factory interest and foreign riders swelled the record books, it was nothing compared to the speed increases over last year. Triumph, the previous year’s winner, found about 2 mph during the wintersort of a normal increase-but some 12 mph slower than not one, but two, other brands, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha.

Anyone close to the Harley-Davidson development program expected the 1967 one-lap qualifying record around the 2.5-mile oval, held by Fred Nix, at 140.23 mph, to be increased by at least a half-dozen mph. Several of the handsome H-Ds, in striking orange and black, lifted the record by 3-4 mph. Then Mike Duff went out on his little 350 Yamaha and, according to some of the perennial stopwatch boffins, turned in the fastest lap so far. Imagine the Oohs! Aahs! and Boos when it was announced that Duff had not tripped the fights and would have to try again. Actually, it was later reported that Mike’s recorder tape had become “lost.” On his second try, Duff was even faster, with the incredible speed of 147.347 mph. Not only did Mike break last year’s record by more than 7 mph, but he had increased his 1967 qualifying speed by a fantastic 14.5 mph, which also was on a 350 Yamaha. As if to prove Duff’s time was no fluke, du Hamel turned in a lap at 146.938 mph. By this time, everyone was more than a little shook up about the way things were going. Fortunately, Roger Reiman restored law and order by piloting his sleek H-D factory racer around at 149.080, thereby giving the Milwaukee factory the prize pole position again.

Few record books anywhere in the world show such enormous speed increases in one year. All told, eight H-Ds and two of the four Yamahas broke the old record. Phil Read fouled a plug during his run on the fourth Yamaha, and qualified in 75th spot at 110 mph. Skip Van Leeuwen, the TT ace, on the Woody Leone-prepared Triumph, was fastest of the British machines at 137.007 mph.

Among the factories that expended great amounts of time, energy and money, without a great deal of recognition from the time clocks, was BSA. More than 35 lb. fighter than previous Daytona Twins, the factory entries featured a nickel-plated Metisse-like frame, which actually was built at BSA. Such niceties as fixed rear spindle and chain adjusters at the swinging arm pivot showed the sincere thought and effort involved in the machine’s construction. Unfortunately, engine performance was not improved to the degree that was the chassis. Fastest of the BSA brigade was Englishman Tony Smith, at 131.617 mph. Riders Dickie Newell and Dick Mann both insisted that the BSAs were the best handling machines they have ever ridden.

Suzuki brought racing versions of the 500/Five, but suffered gearbox ratio/power band problems that plagued Yamaha last year. However, it is fairly certain Suzuki, like Yamaha, will find a way around the loss of a fifth gear. Despite various initial problems, Mitsuo Itoh managed to qualify at 134.188, very creditable for first time out.

An indication of how fast Daytona equipment has become can be gained from a study of Peter Williams’ performance in qualifying. Peter’s father designed the G50 Matchless engine, and Peter rides for Tom Arter, whose G50s are the fastest in England. In fact, until his crash in Germany halfway through the 1967 season, Peter was leading 500-cc world championship competition. When asked if his Daytona engine was a good one, Peter quickly announced, ‘Tom (Arter) has never built a bad one.” Williams qualified at 128.369, which he thought was good, and with an engine on par with the one he used in Europe last year. At Daytona, however, he was 32nd fastest qualifier.

Thus the hectic Thursday afternoon qualifying ended with many long faces. Many of the motorcycles present were faster than the year before, and had it been possible for some to turn back the clock 12 months, tilings would have been very different indeed.

Frequently the high speed dash around the oval does not provide a true indication of what will happen when the 3.81-mile road circuit is used. A machine and rider capable of a highly competitive top gear performance on the oval are not necessarily quick through the infield. This year, however, it was obvious from practice lap times that Harley-Davidson and Yamaha were the teams to beat anywhere on the circuit. The H-Ds were handling very well. Some of the factory men, more noted for their performances on dirt tracks, had adapted to small clip-on bars, and were charging through the infield section faster than established road race riders of other teams. H-D’s new combustion chamber design permitted a more tractable power band, allowing the riders to accelerate more smoothly from deeper in the turns, and with machines well banked over. This was the secret of Triumph’s wins in 1966 and 1967. The previous H-Ds, however, came on the cam very sharply, which meant that it was mandatory for the rider to crank the machine nearly upright before starting to drive hard from the turn. Meanwhile, time was lost at the most critical part of the circuit, the initial exit from a turn, which greatly affects performance on the following straight.

The Yamaha 350s were similarly affected last year when the power band was a bit too narrow for the gap in gearbox ratios. As long as the rider had the machine nearly vertical, and could maintain a good head of steam in a gear, he was in no difficulty, but changing gears while banked over was a tricky task because of the abruptness of gear changes. This year, the Yamaha 350s performed very well under initial acceleration, and were able to exit from turns smoothly and quickly.

This year it was Suzuki’s turn to have an unfavorable gearbox/power band situation on the 500s. And riders Ron Grant, Dick Hammer and Mitsuo Itoh lost considerable time trying to get back on power and away from the apex of turns smoothly. However, it is the first time Suzuki had entered the 500, and it is fairly certain that Itoh, who is a factory engineer, will sort out the problem, now that he has conducted his on-the-bike research. Certainly one of the most creditable rides of the whole Daytona week was Ron Grant’s eventual 5th place in the 200-miler on a very difficult to ride machine.

EXPERT QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. Roger Reiman....... H-D, +149.080 2. Mike Duff.............. Yam., 147.347 3. Yvon du Hamel..... Yam., 146.938 4. Mert Lawwill......... .. H-D, 144.974 5. Dan Haaby............ .. H-D, 144.741 6. Calvin Rayborn..... .. H-D, 144.531 7. Bart Markel........... .. H-D, 144.092 8. Fred Nix................ .. H-D, 143.540 9. Walter Fulton........ .. H-D, 142.970 10. Jack McNairy........ .. H-D, 141.464 11. Art Baumann......... Yam., 137.007 12. Skip Van Leeuwen ...Tri., 135.931 13. Gary Nixon........... ...Tri., 135.501 14. Rod Gould............ ...Tri., 135.135 15. Chuck Palmgren .... ...Tri.,' 134.912 16. Gerald Seguin........ .. H-D, 134.348 17. Mitsuo Itoh........... ..Suz., 134.288 18. Buddy Elmore....... ...Tri., 134.248 19. James Odom.......... ...Tri., 133.175 20. Dick Hammer........ ..Suz., 133.037 +: Record Old Record set in 1967 by Fred Nix (H-D) at 140.230 mph.

So, on the grid for the 200-mile race were a Harley-Davidson, a pair of very out of place Yamahas, then the remainder of the H-D factory team. There was a hole in 14th spot where Rod Gould had qualified the factory Triumph, but he was a non-starter as he had crashed his Kawasaki in the 250 race the day before. Various attempts were made to give the ride to Dick Hammer. AMA rules, however, specifically state that post entries cannot be accepted after Thursday noon. To make the switch more difficult, there is another rule that says a rider must ride the machine he has qualified. Dick had qualified a Suzuki 500 in 20th place, with a speed of 133.037 mph, but wanted to switch to Gould’s Triumph. Two minutes before the start, Hammer pushed the Triumph onto the rear of the grid, and started the race. The outcome was that Hammer’s unofficial 8th place was taken away, and his competition license was withdrawn for six months. However, all but 15 days was suspended on condition he abide by all AMA rules. This is the reason for the severity of the action: Though the Clerk of the Course had given Hammer permission to go to the grid, the AMA’s Directory of Competition had previously told Hammer he could not ride any machine other than the one he had qualified. It was unfortunate, however, that Hammer was allowed to ride the whole 200 miles without being black flagged.

Also, as the 2-min. board went out, Walt Fulton and Mert Lawwill both ran into mechanical bothers with their factory HarleyDavidsons. When it appeared as though Mert would pull onto the grass verge of the infield, the engine started to chime properly, and he eased up to the outside of the front row. Although Mert was somewhat out of position, no one would argue the point, because it was a good bet that he would not be in anyone’s way when the flag went dowm. Fulton, however, appeared to be having more serious trouble and, with the grid already cleared of mechanics, had pulled onto the grass with the rear of the tank lifted, and a mechanic furiously changing a plug. But all was well as the starting flag dropped. Albeit a few seconds late of the mark, and in the grass to boot, Walt slithered away after the pack.

It was almost embarrassing to watch Duff and du Hamel, hampered by small engines and only four-speed transmissions, struggle to get the Yamahas off the line as the pack roared away.

Be the end of Lap 1, which is completed on the 2.5-mile oval, four of the thundering Harley-Davidsons crossed the line in diamond formation, only feet apart. The lead riders were Lawwill, Nix, Markel and Rayborn. About 1 sec. behind the front group came Reiman and the Yamahas. Youthful Jack McNairy had his older conventional H-D up with the second batch. Phil Read, who had started in 75th spot, was flying by the field, and passed 10 riders going into the infield at the end of the first lap to put him among the front 10 runners. On the second tour, threetime winner and fastest qualifier Reiman came through in front to pick up the $25 lap money. On the banking during Lap 3, Raybom led by 150 ft., as the next seven followed in single file, but less than 1.5 sec. separated the front eight machines. At the end of Lap 4, it was Rayborn, Reiman, Nix, Lawwill, du Hamel, Markel, Baumann, Read, Nixon, Duff and Elmore. Read had passed 67 riders in 11 miles.

Except for Reiman coming through in front at the end of Lap 5, when Rayborn semi-crashed at turn one, Calvin Rayborn was never headed. By Lap 6, he had settled down to the job at hand, and got with it in a most methodical manner. Cal’s leathers, which had not been worn much in practice, began to stretch from the high wind pressures on the banking, and as the race progressed he began to look more and more like the Michelin Man. Cal also had trouble with his helmet lifting during practice, but Bell fitted a spoiler to counteract the lifting forces. Mert Lawwill had experienced the same problem in practice, and though a spoiler was tried, it was not effective enough, and Mert moved it a further 0.5 in. on the helmet, just before the start of the race. Unfortunately, the new position was unsatisfactory, and Mert pulled in on Lap 17 with his helmet almost off his head, losing a lap to the leaders as everything was readjusted.

Walt Fulton was really doing a job with his factory H-D, making up the time he had lost at the start, but crashed heavily at turn one on Lap 10, breaking a collarbone. By Lap 12, Read had pulled into 3rd place, and was scrapping with Nix for 2nd. First year Expert Baumann and du Hamel were right with Read as the three Yamahas steadily lost ground to the flying Rayborn. Cal was 1 min. ahead of last year’s winner, Nixon, and on Lap 14 had lapped Bobby Winters, fastest of the BSA riders. Despite losing ground to the leader at an alarming rate, Nixon had lapped the fastest Matchless rider, Peter Williams, by the 20th tour.

There was an exciting moment for Buddy Elmore on Lap 21 as he picked it up and braked down the slip road at turn one, but continued without crashing. Then a similar thing happened to du Hamel on Lap 25, and he rejoined the fray, some 10 sec. poorer. There was a good scrap going on between Hammer and Baumann, who had lost his tow from Read, which lasted from Lap 20 until the fuel stops at mid-distance.

Rayborn pitted for fuel on his 27 th lap and pulled back into the race a scant 3.5 sec. in front of 2nd place Read, who had not gone in for fuel at that point. Then drama unfolded on the next time around as Nix, who lay 3rd, crashed on the approach to the first turn. Nix, uninjured, blamed the incident on a faulty rear brake. Now it was Yamaha’s turn to experience trouble: Read was running badly on one cylinder as he left turn one the 29 th time through. Read’s pit stop lasted for five laps, as mechanics frantically changed plugs, and Phil frantically tried to explain a bad throttle cable which had come loose from the slide.

Denny Adler crashed his Triunph into the steel guard rail leaving his pit stop, but continued with a shaking up. Jimmy Odom’s consistent ride was paying off, and by Lap 35 he had forced his way into 9th spot. Ralph White retired the Norm Lee Triumph on the 37th lap with a faulty gearbox. Nixon and du Hamel were having a good battle for 2nd place and, despite being almost 2 sec. a lap faster than last year, Gary was only 3 sec. ahead of Rayborn on Lap 39. In less than 40 laps Cal had lapped all but 2nd and 3rd place.

All manner of late race action was provided as Rayborn caught Read on the 50th lap. Read, of course, was 5 laps down on Rayborn, but did not miss the chance to have a bash with the leader. For two laps these two fine riders exchanged places several times a lap, until a frantic Harley-Davidson pit crew hung out a large, heavily chalked sign which said simply, “COOL IT!” Rayborn was the last of the seven factory Harleys, and there was everything to be lost and nothing to be gained by having the scrap continue. Nixon had already retired his Triumph from 2nd place, with the usual Lucas trouble, and the Yamahas of du Hamel and Baumann were lying 2nd and 3rd in the race. Had Read caused Rayborn to do something foolish, the race would have been handed to the two Yamahas. Rayborn, however, eased off the pace and let Read pull away. Cal’s leg, injured when he slid down on the 5th lap as he was lapping a tail ender, had cramped to the extent that he had to be lifted from his machine at the finish.

Thus Calvin Rayborp the modest gentleman from San Diego, Calif., became the first man to average more than 100 mph for the Daytona 200 race. And it could not happen to a more deserving rider. Cal, while competitive in other forms of motorcycle racing, prefers road racing with clip-on bars to any other type. At Daytona, with both knees out, Rayborn probably looked more like Hailwood than any other rider in the world could, particularly when he was running with Read. The scene was reminiscent of the Isle of Man, rather than Daytona. The long awaited battle of AMA vs. Europe has been fought and the colonials looked pretty good against the continentals. Most outstanding, apart from Rayborn, were Art Baumann and Yvon du Hamel. Art, in his first year as an AMA Expert, ran with a world champion and looked damned good doing it. Yvon is the most successful Canadian rider at Daytona since the great Billy Mathews of the 1950 era. In addition to prize money for his win on Saturday and a 2nd on Sunday, Yvon gathered up $1000 from Yamaha International in bonus money. Any Yamaha rider who wins a 250 AMA National earns $500, and a 350 win means $1000, with $500 to 2nd place.

DAYTONA 200-MILE (3.81-mile course)

1. Calvin Rayborn, San Diego, Calif......H-D 2. Yvon du Hamel, Montreal, Canada .. Yam. 3. Art Baumann, San Francisco, Calif. .Yam. 4. Jack McNairy, Albuquerque, N.M.....H-D 5. Ron Grant, Brisbane, Calif................Suz. 6. Buddy Elmore, El Paso, Tex...............Tri. 7. James Odom, Fremont, Calif..............Tri. 8. Peter Williams, Great Britain .............Mat. 9. M. Itoh, Hamamatsu, Japan ...............Suz. 10. G. Romero, San Louis Obispo, Calif. .Mat. 11. Phil Read, Great Britain ..................Yam. 12. Robert Winters, Ft. Smith, Ark.........BSA 13. Terrence Knott, Spring House, Pa......Tri. 14. Jim Pegram, Reynoldsburg, Ohio ......H-D 15. M. Heinemann, Daytona Beach, Fla. . H-D 16. Doug Showier, Cleveland, Ohio ..........Tri. 17. Warren Sherwood, Cornwall, N.Y......BSA 18. Perry Caudle, Jacksonville, Fla..........BSA 19. Gary Nixon, Baltimore, Md................Tri. 20. Roger Bates, Williamston, Mich.........BSA Time: 1 hr., 58 min., 58.29 sec. Average speed: 101.29 mph (record) Lap Leaders: Mert Lawwill 1; Roger Reiman 2; Calvin Rayborn 3-4; Reiman 5; Rayborn 6-53. Old Daytona 200 record was set in 1967 by Gary Nixon (Triumph) at 98.227 mph.

250 CC COMBINED

Among the 250 ranks, during practice, it was again obvious that Yamaha would be the team to beat. Having finished seven or eight out of the top 10 for the past four years, the almost invincible Yamahas have forced two other factories into retirement. Dark horse in the 250 race was Kawasaki. The company had rented the Speedway for three days prior to race week, brought factory technicians from Japan and employed Bill Bastian, the former Suzuki race mechanic. Last year Bill prepared Dick Hammer’s 250, the fastest machine in the race. During practice, however, the Kawasakis did not appear to be a threat to Yamaha, but race day proved the team had been sandbagging. Reliability was not a problem this year, and riders Gould, White and Fulton were turning in smooth, quick laps, just outside of Yamaha times. Gould was badly shaken up on the fast left-hand turn three during a windy Thursday practice session. He had consistently amazed his teammates and other riders by going through flat in top, but a sharp gust of wind caused Rod to unicycle into the infield at over 120 mph. Somehow he managed to escape with facial cuts and a badly bruised body, and still was able to ride on Saturday.

The 250 Suzukis appeared not to be up to the task. The factory-built TR 250 “production” racers were not much faster than last year’s locally converted X6s. However, the structurally stronger double loop TR frame gave better handling than the gussiedup street frames. Unfortunately, good handling does not mean that much at Daytona. On circuits such as Loudon and Indianapolis, where handling is important, and with more time to sort out the engines, the Suzukis will undoubtedly give a much better account of themselves. Suzuki did have a formidable rider lineup with Ron Grant, Cal Rayborn, Dick Hammer and Mitsuo Itoh.

The four qualifying heats were as hot and furious as any red-blooded spectator ever could hope to witness. Things started happening in the first heat as Nixon took command on the first lap around the oval. But as Gary braked into turn one, Don Vesco, on a standard, very old TD-1, challenged the lead. Then, recovering from a slow start, Ralph White slipped his factory Kawasaki'past Vesco and went after Nixon. As White and Nixon went onto the oval, it became apparent that Kawasaki had been faking it in practice, because White did not give away more than two lengths during the more than 2-mile trip around the banking. Through the infield, there was nothing in it as the Yamaha had an edge in some spots, and the Kawasaki was quicker in others. Then, as he accelerated hard from the second turn, Ralph lost the front wheels, much the same way Gould had in practice, and crashed heavily, but without serious injury, on the outside of the turn. Behind the leaders, Ron Pierce and Don Twigg put on a fine show to finish 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Art Baumann, in Ins first Expert year, had an easier time of it in the second heat as he brought one of the official team Yamahas home in front. However, Walt Fulton’s Kawasaki was really on the boil, which meant Art had no time whatever to ease up. There were cheers all around as Bobby Winters, 250 winner in 1966, forced the twice world champion into 4th place.

The third heat was an easy win for Mike Duff, who was followed in by Dickie Newell (Yamaha) and Mitsuo Itoh (Suzuki). This was the slow heat of the series at 98.255 mph.

Yvon du Hamel really rocked the troops in the final heat. Riding a standard TD-1, but with a borrowed factory engine, Yvon blazed to a new five-lap heat record of 99.258 mph, to take pole position on the grid. The battle was between Rod Gould (Kawasaki) and Cal Rayborn (Suzuki) for 2nd place. Rayborn slowed slightly near the end, and Gould finished a comfortable 2nd. Frank Camillieri, who won his heat last year, finished 4th.

As the flag fell to start the 100-mile final, du Hamel went away like a jet, but in the infield on the first lap, he was joined by CYCLE WORLD Associate Editor Mike Duff and last year’s victor Gary Nixon. For the next 10 laps, these three riders put on a terrific display with the lead changing 11 times. Bobby Winters was having a great dice with Phil Read for 4th spot. Rod Gould held his Kawasaki in 6th place until Lap 8, when Dickie Newell edged past. For the next three laps, Pulton, who had been drafting Newell, and Gould engaged in a spirited dice. Then Gould again crashed on turn three, but with more serious injuries this time. At the hospital, later, it was determined that his suspected fractured ankle was severely sprained and, though he was released that night, he definitely would not be a starter in the 200-miler.

By Lap 11, the leaders had spread out. Du Hamel, barring trouble, appeared to have it in the bag. Duff also seemed to have the edge on Nixon. Then the rain started. And Daytona is probably one of the world’s worst circuits in the wet; the close-textured surface does not permit adequate runoff. A heavy coating of oil and rubber made things especially bad in the first few laps after the rain started to fall. Then, on the approach to turn one, Gary lost it and walked away. Next to go was Duff, on the exit from the same turn.

Obviously du Hamel’s ice racing experience stood him in good stead because the harder it rained the more he pulled away from the field. The Winters/Read battle continued, and everyone thought Bobby’s 5-sec. lead would disappear in the wet. But, on the contrary, the harder it rained, the farther Bobby pulled away from a man who has raced thousands of miles in the wet. By Lap 16, it was raining so hard that lap scorers could not see the machines, and the race was stopped. The brave little du Hamel, on the Trev Deeley Yamaha, had 34 sec. in hand when the flag fell. Winters also handily beat Read for 2nd spot. The perennial Dickie Newell stayed on his wheels, as usual, to take 4th. Despite a spill, brilliant young Ron Pierce followed Newell home for the best Amaeteur performance. Ron Grant managed 6th on the first Suzuki in, and former Bultaco rider Jess Thomas did a magnificent job to bring a private Kawasaki into 7th, just beating Amateur big bike winner Ray Hempstead.

250-CC AMATEUR-EXPERT

1. Yvon du Hamel, Montreal, Canada .. Yam. 2. Robert Winters, Ft. Smith, Ark.......Yam. 3. Phil Read, Great Britain ..................Yam. 4. Dick Newell, So. El Monte, Calif.....Yam. 5. Ron Pierce, Bakersfield, Calif..........Yam. 6. Ron Grant, Brisbane, Calif................Suz. 7. Jess Thomas, New York, N.Y...........Kaw. 8. R. Hempstead, St. Petersburg, Fla. ...Yam. 9. Frank Camillieri, Chelsea, Mass.......Yam. 10. Walter Fulton III, Orange, Calif........Kaw. 11. Don Vesco, San Diego, Calif............Yam. 12. Buddy Elmore, El Paso, Tex............Yam. 13. James Varnes, Vincentown, N.J......Yam. 14. Peter Williams, Great Britain ............Kaw. 15. Ronald Muir, Dowell, III....................Suz. 16. Ralph White, Torrence, Calif............Kaw. 17. David Sullivan, New York, N.Y.......Yam. 18. Jim Anderson, Arlington, Tex.........Yam. 19. James Anzalone, Arlington, Mass......Ben. 20. Perry Caudle, Jacksonville, Fla........Yam. Time: 34 min., 46 sec. Speed: 96.253 mph

Race halted after 57.15 miles (15 laps) because of rain and high winds at the discretion of AMA officials as defined in the 1968 AMA rule book.

100-MILE AMATEUR

From practice form it was obvious that young Bill Lyons on the Precision Machining Honda would be the man to beat. The PM 450 has won the last two AMA Amateur National road races, and Lyons displays all of the smooth, aggressive style that has made former PM rider Art Baumann so great. Young Tommy Rockwood was among the smoothest and fastest practicers on a Team Hanson G50 Matchless. However, a crash on turn three at over 100 mph resulted in a pair of very sore hands and, with less than 24 hours to heal, put paid to Tommy’s chances of any really serious challenge during the race.

Another polished rider was Ray Hempstead on one of the 1967 factory BSAs. Expert BSA race mechanic Herbie Neas had sorted out the reliability problems during the year and, while the machine was still in the 128-mph qualifying bracket, the young Floridian was doing a beautiful job.

And that is the way it was on race day. Harley-Davidson riders held the front three qualifying positions, with Art Ninci on the pole at 133.590 mph. But qualifying is on the oval for Amateurs as well as Experts, and Hempstead and Lyons were faster through the infield. Despite a cold non-Florida-like day, with strong, gusty and unpredictable winds, 5th qualifier Hempstead really motored to catch and pass Ninci on Lap 4. Then, on Lap 6, Lyons, who had qualified 14th fastest, caught Hempstead and, for the remaining 21 laps, spectators were treated to a repeat of last year’s Fulton/Odom Amateur duel. For several laps the riders were shoulder to shoulder into the hairy first turn and seldom were more than a length apart anywhere on the circuit. Although it was Lyons’ first AMA road race, he made no mistakes in pulling out a 9-sec. lead at half distance. And it would only have taken a bobble for Hempstead to challange, because that was the largest gap between the leaders during the race. At the finish flag, partly due to Lyons easing off slightly, Hempstead had closed the gap to 5 sec. Lyons lapped all but the first five finishers on his way to a new Amateur record of 94.140 mph. One of the best rides of the day was put in by young California star Dave Smith, who brought his oversize Yamaha TD-1 into 9th place.

100-MILE AMATEUR (3.81 -mile course)

1. Bill Lyons, San Francisco, Calif........Hon. 2. Ray Hempstead, St. Petersburg, Fla. .BSA 3. Art Ninci, Kansas City, Mo................H-D 4. Larry Darr, Mansfield, Ohio ..............H-D 5. James Anzalone, Arlington, Mass.......Tri. 6. Richard Neb, Belleville, III................Hon. 7. Gordon Razee, No. Kingstown, R.l. ...Tri. 8. Jim Ashmore, Newhall, Calif.............H-D 9. Dave Smith, Lakewood, Calif..........Yam. 10. Lee Patterson, Fresno, Calif..............H-D 11. Larry Koup, Steelton, Pa...................BSA 12. Mike Anderson, Freeport, III.............Mat. 13. Lee Roy Terry, San Antonio, Tex.....H-D 14. David Bloom, Ann Arbor, Mich..........Tri. 15. Larry Peterson, New Windsor, III.......H-D Time: 1 hr., 4 min., 43.71 sec. Speed 94.140 mph (record)

78-MILE NOVICE 250

A young University of Florida engineering student, and son of a famous Harley-Davidson dealer in St. Augustine, did the deed on, of all things, a Harley Sprint. Don Hollingsworth didn’t even show up at the Speedway until Wednesday, because he was busy with exams, and managed only 10 practice laps before he arrived at the grid for the big one. His machine was a 1967 Harley-Davidson Sprint CR, which older brother AÍ had carefully fettled, and fitted with a whopping 38-mm carburetor. While the majority of the competitors have been psyched out by Asiatic two-stroke Twins, the Hollingsworth clan remains faithful to the H-D brand, and the family pitched in to give Don a hand. In the opening laps of the race, David Townsley (Yamaha TD-1) showed a definite edge over Hollingsworth, but both riders clearly were head and shoulders above all others in the race. Hollingsworth slowly and steadily gained confidence as the race progressed, and in a style more akin to an expert, he became faster to the point where Townsley started to become ragged.

The 21-year-old Hollingsworth continued the pressure until Townsley became so desperate that he lost time through braking too late. From three-quarters distance on, there was no doubt who the winner would be, and Hollingsworth never hobbled on his way to a win. The victory broke Walt Fulton’s 1966 record of 89.11, with a speed of 92.983 mph. That, by the way, is less than 2 mph down on the Amateur big bike record.

78.70-MILE NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP

1. D. Hollingsworth, St.Augustine, Fla. . H-D 2. David Townsley, Matairie, La..........Yam. 3. William Pew, Wayne, Pa...................Yam. 4. Duane Santee, Beloit, Ohio .............Yam. 5. Nick Weiss, Nashville, Tenn.............Yam. 6. John Cooper, Niagara Falls, Can........H-D 7. Dennis Poneleit, Satasota, Fla...........H-D 8. Frank Wooding, Woods Hole, Mass. . Yam. 9. Robert Lindsey, Pittsburgh, Pa........Yam. 10. William Hinson, Jacksonville, Fla.....Hon. 11. Wade Killen, Milwaukee, Wis.............H-D 12. Wendell Tisdale, Rogers, Ark............ Due. 13. Walter Finnegan, Gibsonia, Pa...........Bui. 14. H. Heitzman, Evansville, Ind.............Suz. 15. M. Kavanagh, Brampton, Ont., Can. ..Gre. Time: 50 min., 47.047 sec. Average Speed: 92.982 mph (record) Old record set in 1966 by Walter Fulton (Suzuki) at 89.122 mph

SPORTSMAN LIGHTWEIGHT

Often overlooked by Daytona race fans, the Wednesday Sportsman Lightweight races frequently produce some very fine competition. Among the more outstanding rides was the 100-cc win by Harry Taylor, the diminutive Hodaka rider. Harry, on one of the new five-speed Hodakas, was competing at Daytona for his third year on the small 1.63-mile Sportsman course. Finally, his third-time effort was the one that really counted. After a good dice with Rusty Bradley on a very quick Yamaha Twin, Harry put the Hodaka in front spot, riding like a champ.

A pair of Kawasaki 120s completely dominated the 125 class for a very convincing victory. Mike Bruso and Joe Finan really tore up the opposition on their modified Road Runners.

In the following Class 3 race, a pair of 175 Bridgestones pulled a similar stunt. Mike Garrett and Dave Brown pulled off a Bridgestone 1-2 that looked almost too easy to be true.

Doug Libby showed more style in winning the 250 race over the regular 3.81mile course than did many of the Experts. The first three places went to Yamaha riders, as David Townsley and Mike Cone followed Libby to the checkered flag.

SPORTSMAN LIGHTWEIGHT ROAD RACES

CLASS 7 (1.63-mile course, 10 laps)

1. Harry A. Taylor, Athena, Ore.............Hod. 2. Rusty Bradley, Dallas, Tex................Yam. 3. David Pettyjohn, Dalton, Ga...............Brg. Time: 15 min., 44.13 sec. Speed: 62.152 mpht

CLASS 2 ( 1.63-mile course, 15 laps)

1. Mike Bruso, Titusville, Fla..................Kaw. 2. Joseph Finan, Tampa, Fla..................Kaw. 3. Joe Deruytter, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla..... H-D Time: 24 min., 14.01 sec. Speed: 60.5777 mpht

CLASS 3 ( 1.63-mile course, 15 laps)

1. Mike Garrett, Dalton, Ga.....................Brg. 2. Dave Brown, Sarasota, Fla................... Brg. 3. Mike Kidd, Hurst, Tex......................... Bui. Time: 22 min., 16.08 sec. Speed: 65.879 mpht

CLASS 4 (Combined with Class 3)

1. Gary Fisher, Parkesburg, Pa..................Tri. 2. Larry Manor, Muncie, Ind..................Due. 3. James Carroll, Savannah, Ga..............Yam.

CLASS 5 (3.81 -mile course, 10 laps)

1. Douglas Libby, Detroit, Mich............Yam. 2. David Townsley, New Orleans, La.....Yam. 3. Mike Cone, Sherman, Tex.................Yam. Time: 24 min., 29.73 sec. Speed: 90.111 mpht t: Record

ALLIGATOR ENDURANCE RUN

Overall High Points Man

Dave Knutson, Valparaiso, Ind................Bui.

EXPERTS CLASSA

Lightweights (200 cc)

1. John Penton, Amherst, Ohio ...............Pen. 2. Leroy Winters, Fort Smith, Ark..........Pen. 3. Bob Agans, Galesburg, III.....................Tri.

Medium Weights (201-350 cc)

1. Ray Kussmaul, Lansing, Mich..............Bul. 2. Dick Andrae, Urbana, III.....................Hus. 3. Neil Forsyth, Trenton, N.J..................Gre.

Light-Heavyweights (351-600 cc)

1. William Baird, Sterling, III....................Tri. 2. Gordon Potter, Webster, N.Y...............Tri. 3. Dwight Stutler, Groveport, Ohio .........Mai.

Heavyweights (over 601 cc)

1. Benny Bootle, Greenville, S. C.............Tri. 2. Thomas Roberson, Atlanta, Ga...........Nor. 3. Dean Potter, Peoria, III........................H-D

NOVICE CLASS B

Bantam Weight (100 cc)

1. Roy Bellande, Biloxi, Miss...................Sac. 2. Charley Alber, Indianapolis, Ind..........Sac. 3. Jerry Galloway, Ft. Smith, Ark...........Brg.

Lightweight (101 cc-200 cc)

1. Ralph Haslage, Amherst, Ohio .............Pen. 2. Mike Winters, Ft. Smith, Ark..............Sac. 3. Lamar Harris, New Paris, Ind..............Hon.

Medium Weight (201 cc-250 cc)

1. G. Fulleman, Morristown, N.J..............Tri. 2. Jere Furr, Austell, Ga..........................Bui. 3. Don Smith, Athens, Ohio ....................Gre.

Light-Heavyweight (251 cc-to 500 cc)

1. Bruce Sutton, Columbus, Ohio ............Mai. 2. Don Fries, Belleville, III......................Hon. 3. M. Elliot, Powder Springs, Ga.............Hon.

Heavyweight (Over 501 cc)

1. Jim Harris, Mussel Shoals, Ala.............Nor. 2. Bobby Pendley, Decatur, Ga................Tri. 3. Leon Dube, Nashua, N.H......................Tri.

SHORT TRACK RESULTS

Friday

1. Darrel Dovel, Chigaco, III....................H-D 2. Dick Mann, Schenectady, N.Y.............Ossa 3. Gary Nixon, Baltimore, Md..................Tri.

Saturday

1. Sammy Tanner, Wilmington, Calif........Tri. 2. Ronnie Rail, Mansfield, Ohio ..............Ben. 3. Elliot Schultz, No. Long Beach, Calif. Yam.

AMA NATIONAL POINTS

1. Calvin Rayborn, San Diego, Calif.......101 2. Yvon du Hamel, Montreal Canada ........91 3. Art Baumann, San Francisco, Calif.......82 4. Jack McNairy, Albuquerque, N.M........74 5. Ron Grant, Brisbane, Calif...................67 6. Buddy Elmore, El Paso, Tex.................61 7. James Odom, Fremont, Calif................56 8. Peter Williams, Great Britain ................52 9. M. Itoh, Hamamatsu, Japan ..................49 10. G. Romero, San Luis Obispo, Calif.......46