The San Jose Mile
THE SAN JOSE MILE
Jim Rice Wins After A Painful Mid-Race Injury
JIM RICE would not be denied his San Jose, even though it had been lengthened to a mile.
Running fourth in the main event of the 25-mile AMA National, he clipped the inside rail with his shoulder. The impact pulled his arm from its socket. From then on, limited to one hand, he survived challenges from Kenny Roberts, Rex Beauchamp, and Dick Mann. All took turns in 1st place after leader Gary Scott's Triumph let go.
Rice’s battle with Roberts resolved itself in the last turn. Rice (24) managed to hold the groove as Roberts (80y) applied too much power and slipped off.
Rice won his 2nd mile in a row, stopped off at victory circle to receive his trophy and then was trundled off in an ambulance for a look-see at his shoulder. It was all a matter-of-course to the BSA privateer, who has seen defeat only once in four years of racing at San Jose.
An extremely inspired ride was turned in by BSA factory rider Mann (1) shown in the “Rock Dave Aldana” position. He finished 3rd and rose to 7th in the point standings.
H-D factory rider Beauchamp (31) won 4th spot. Teammate Dave Sehl (16) was 13th, while Mark Brelsford (87) suffered mechanical ills and didn’t figure in the main event. The H-D team fared better in the Junior class; team rider Scott Brelsford (84y) took a first ahead of Rex Barratt (Triumph) and Jim Rawls (Yamaha).
A definite pattern is evolving in the national points tally. Yamaha’s up-andcomer Roberts has an excellent lead with 511 points, followed by Jim Rice (380) and Mark Brelsford (350). The surpriser is Eddie Mulder, whose star is rising as he stages his most serious attempt on the national circuit; he’s currently running 4th in the series, riding a Norton on the dirt tracks. .
You’ll note that the AMA is keeping a manufacturer’s tally this year. After
San Jose, Yamaha led with 704 points, mainly due to Roberts’ consistency. BSA and Triumph were a close 2nd and 3rd at 536 and 520. Harley-Davidson ran 4th with 445.
