Cycle Round Up
CYCLE ROUND UP
LEONARD AT DAYTONA
BY JOE PARKHURST
Three-time Grand National Champion, Joe Leonard, has informed CYCLE WORLD that he again expects to be Harley mounted for the forthcoming AMA Daytona. Though missing last year’s initial go over the new road race course, Leonard finished second in 1961 National point standings to Carroll Resweber, as he did the year before.
Leonard, former Daytona winner whose skill at road racing makes him a threat every time out, stated that the old beach course at Daytona was one of the most demanding he had ever ridden due to severe buffeting against the tank while tucked in close for the 100 mph-plus sections of rough sand.
RAPID GREEVES RIDER IDENTIFIED
Last month’s CYCLE WORLD color cover of a Greeves rider rounding a dandy turn at the Rams MC hare and hound has been identified, as we knew he would be. His name is Gary Conrad and he is just out of the Army . . . and apparently enjoying it. Sorry we didn’t recognize you as you went by, Gary.
POPULATION EXPLOSION
Recently revealed statistics show the world’s motorcycle population for 1960 was 21,441,800 (up 1,800,000 from 1959). The figures for 1961 are not yet available. Europe’s total registration was 18,724,000, the Asian Continent was second with 1,399,800, North and South America combined, 921,300, Africa had 239,000 and the Pacific Ocean countries 157,300.
Japan’s cycle population has risen in 12 years from one cycle for every 450 persons, to one for every 22 persons. These amazing figures reflect the fantastic growth in popularity of motorcycles around the world.
BSA’S NEW ENGINE
One of the most significant develop-
ments this year are the new BSA 650cc and 500cc Star engines. BSA claims a considerable saving in weight due to a new innovation for large displacement engines, that of unit construction of the engine and gear box.-
This practice is common to small bike applications, especially the 50cc to 250cc two-stroke category. The interesting new unit certainly looks handsome and uncluttered for one of its size and power. We predict other British manufacturers will follow suit in time. On page 47 of this issue, R. B. Nicholls, CYCLE WORLD’S new English correspondent, goes into further detail on the new machines in his column “New From England”.
MORE DAYTONA MUSINGS
Troy Lee, 1960 Springfield 50-Mile National Champion who has been inactive of late, is talking about making the trek to Daytona, but keeps mum on the subject of returning to flattrack racing.
One face that will be sorely missed at the 200-miler this year is that of National Number 5, Johnny Gibson. Gibson, recovered from injuries sustained late in the season at Ascot Park, Gardena, Calif., has announced that his equipment is up for sale, indicative of retirement plans which
will sadden his many fans.
IT'S NICE TO SEE . . .
It’s-nice-to-see-it-department. Not all of the substantial backing of riders is being concentrated on the top name riders these days. Witness the entry of Dickie Newell in the 100 mile amateur event at the forthcoming AMA Daytona this year. Newell was almost unbeatable as a novice in 1961; Daytona will be his first important event as an amateur. He is being sponsored by Milne Brothers of Pasadena, California, and will be riding a Honda 250.
THE BERLINERS IN BOLOGNA
The picture below is of the Berliner Brothers, Michael Berliner on the left and Joseph Berliner on the right. The scene was during a recent visit to the Ducati
factory in Bologna, Italy. The gentleman in the center is Fabbio Taglioni, Chief Engineer for Ducati-Meccanica. The visit was occasioned by the running of the New Ducati 250cc OHC “Scrambler” in a 5000 mile test, soon to be reviewed in CYCLE WORLD.
REIMAN RETURNS FOR DAYTONA
Daytona’s defending 200-mile motorcycle champion will be back for this Daytona to try to make it two in a row, with an assist from Uncle Sam (our relative). Roger Reiman, stationed at Peoria, 111., will receive a 15-day furlough to enable him to make the race on March 4th. Last year he rode a tremendous race to first place after trailing only in the first lap before he set out to take the next 99 at a winning speed of 69.25 mph, and $3,750 in prize money.
A hydraulic specialist stationed with the 169th Air Force Fighter Squadron, Reiman expects to be at Daytona in advance of the big race to practice and tune up. We hope that his long absence will not have cost him a second victory.
