Charity Newsies 10-Miler To Markel
CHARITY NEWSIES 10-MILER TO MARKEL
BEFORE a record-breaking throng of 18,000 fans, Bart Markel won the 19th annual Charity Newsies 10-Mile National Championship dirt track event at Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus.
Now second in AMA national standings with 22 points, Markel also clocked fast qualifying time of the day over the halfmile oval (27.61) aboard his HarleyDavidson. Only six points separate the Flint, Michigan rider from current point leader, Dick Mann of El Sobrante, California, who finished third in the 10-Miler.
Carroll Resweber, National Number One, still sporting a bandage on his recently injured right hand, turned back Markel in their heat race and wound up second in the final.
At the start of the feature, Markel rocketed off the line well ahead of the other front row riders, and was never threatened throughout the entire 20 laps. Many spirited battles were taking place for all the other positions, however, and a multilap tussle for second spot involving Resweber (H-D), Mann (Matchless) and Bates Molyneaux (H-D) had the fans roaring their approval. Resweber eventually gained the advantage, Mann settled down into third, and a four-way struggle for fourth place ensued between Molyneaux, Jerry Runge (BSA), Dick Klamfoth (BSA) and Darrell Dovel (Triumph). On the 15th lap, Klamfoth and Runge pulled away to stage their own private war, which wasn’t settled until the last lap when Klamfoth finally nosed ahead to stay.
Meanwhile, Markel was steadily increasing his pace, riding as if the whole pack were just about to pass him. He turned the 20 laps in 9 minutes, 17.50 seconds, receiving the checkered flag as second place Resweber rounded the far turn.
Preliminary expert heat races went to Resweber, George Roeder and Mann. Pete Andriot, H-D rider from'Cincinnati, took the 10-lap expert consolation ahead of BSA-mounted Jody Nicholas of Nashville, Tenn., but it wasn’t an easy task, as Jody challenged strongly throughout.
Duane Shadley, fast-rising young Harley rider from Des Moines, romped to victory in the 8-Mile Amateur feature after a bitterly-fought duel with Columbus’ pride and joy, Dave Estep, also H-D mounted. It wasn’t until the final lap that Shadley managed to pull in front for good, and both boys rode hard, if perhaps a trifle out of shape, over the entire distance. Early leader Jerry Ashcroft (BSA) held onto his advantage for three laps before losing it and winding up in the fence. Uninjured, he remounted and finished 8th.
Estep had earlier clocked fastest amateur qualifying time — 28.50 — and won the first heat; other preliminary events went to Larry Martin (H-D) and Ashcroft. Two amateur riders, Ross Woodward and Peter Haupt, unloaded in the third heat race and were taken to the hospital. Although badly bruised and shaken up, their injuries were not considered serious.
With many important Nationals yet to be run, the Expert point race gains steadily in intensity. Though Mann is ahead of Markel by six points (28-22) his lead is a most precarious one, for an outright win is worth nine points. Third place Ralph White has 17 markers, and tied for fourth with 16 each are Daytona winner, Don Burnett, and 4-time Grand National Champ, Carroll Resweber. •
RESULTS: 10-MILE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Bart Markel, Flint, Mich. H-D 2. Carroll Resweber, Cedarburg, Wise. H-D 3. Dick Mann, El Sobrante, Calif. Match. 4. Dick Klamfoth, Groveport, Ohio BSA 5. Jerry Runge, St. Charles, III. BSA 6. Darrell Dovel, Beaumont, Tex. Tri. 7. Tony Murguia, Key West, Fla. H-D 8. John Tibben, Chicago, III. H-D 9. Bates Molyneaux, Detroit, Mich. H-D 10. George Roeder, Monroeville, Ohio H-D 11. Ronnie Rail, Mansfield, Ohio H-D 12. Gary Nixon, Ft. Worth, Tex. Tri. Time: 9:17.50
8-MILE AMATEUR FINAL
1. Duane Shadley, Des Moines, Iowa H-D 2. Dave Estep, Columbus, Ohio H-D 3. Curt Zeiter, Mansfield, Ohio H-D 4. John Stuart, Crystal Lake, III. BSA 5. Thad Coleman, Dayton, Ky. H-D 6. Marshall Lamm, Richmond, Va. H-D 7. Dale Norlund, Venice, Calif. H-D 8. Jerry Ashcraft, Detroit, Mich. BSA 9. Larry Martin, Kenosha, Wise H-D Time: 7:45.00
