Markel Takes 15-Mile National
MARKEL TAKES 15-MILE NATIONAL
JERRY WEST
BART MARKEL, popular Harley-Davidson rider from Flint, Michigan, came out on top at Heidelberg Raceway near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 15-mile National Championship dirt track race held June 10th.
Markel also had the day’s fastest time trial, turning the half-mile oval in 23.95 seconds.
National point standings are now locked in a threeway tie between Ralph White, San Diego, Calif., Dick Mann, El Sobrante, Calif, and Markel, each of whom have twelve points.
Markel, George Roeder, Ronnie Rail and Art Barda won their respective expert heat races, thus garnering front row starting positions in a field of twelve riders.
In the 15-Mile National, Markel got a nice jump off the line but Detroit’s Art Barda lead after the first trip around. At the end of lap two George Roeder of Monroeville, Ohio was ahead of the pack, but his fuel line vibrated loose, dropping him to last place.
For fifteen laps Ronnie Rail of Mansfield, Ohio lead the chase. Then, on lap 18, Markel took over and was never seriously challenged until the checkered flag was dropped.
Meanwhile, George Roeder displayed his spectacular riding ability by working his way through the pack from last to fourth place before being forced to retire due to mechanical difficulties with his H-D. When he pulled in after giving it all he had, the crowd cheered his fruitless efforts as if he had been the winner.
Final standings, as thirty-two laps became history, were, Markel; Rail; Mann; Barta; Dick Klamfoth; Groveport, Ohio; Jody Nicholas, Nashville, Tenn.; Darrell Dovel, Beaumont, Texas; Larry Palmgren, Denver, Colo.; Bates Molyneaux, Detroit, Mich.; Babe De May, Moline, 111.; Gary Nixon, Fort Worth, Texas, and Roeder.
Conspicuous by his absence was National Number One, Carroll Resweber, temporarily sidelined by a broken finger.
David Estep, Columbus, Ohio, took top honors in the eight-mile amateur final on his Harley-Davidson, leading Jim Varnes, Cochranville, Penna., across the finish line by a mere six feet, ahead of Duane Shadley. Each of these men had won their respective heats. Fourth was Ivan Newland of Houston, Texas.
Television cameras were rolling throughout the entire National meet, recording the action for nation-wide presentation on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” coverage that can only further enhance our fine sport. •
