Racing Review
RACING REVIEW
CAROL SIMS
The Meadowdale national road race will go into the history books as the race be tween Dick Mann, the pavement master, and Dick Hammer, the charger.
Hammer wanted this one and wanted it bad after being denied victory last year by a flat tire in the late laps. The Lakewood (Calif.) ace left little doubt as to his race plans when he went out for time trials and posted a quick lap of one minute and 37 seconds. The average speed for this attempt scaled in at an amazing 83.476 mph! The second fastest time was turned in by Daytona winner Roger Reiman at 81.702 mph.
Hammer was off the starting line like a bullet. At the end of the first lap it appeared to be all over for the rest of the star-studded field of top AMA racers, and by the ninth lap he had built up a 15-second lead on Dick Mann and was still increasing his speed.
Hammer and Mann continued to run away from the rest of the field that included '63 winner Jody Nicholas, 1964 250cc champ Larry Schafer and ’63 Daytona winner Ralph White. Hammer was way out in front by over 25 seconds when he zoomed into the pits with no gear shift lever on lap 20. Mann then came easing by to take the lead, with Nicholas, Schafer and White gunning to hold off the fast closing Gary Nixon and Mert Lawwill in the battle for second.
Nixon caught all three and moved into second on lap 43 and held it until he dropped out with a dead engine on lap 48. The pressure was also eased when Lawwill was forced to pit for gas on the 44th lap. Lawwill was the only rider in the top positions using one of the smaller tanks that made a gas stop necessary.
Mann kept cruising and building up a bigger lead, lapping rider after rider. Bart Markel passed Lawwill for fifth on the 54th lap and was working on Reiman when the checkered flag came out on the 66th.
At the finish Mann had his third straight road race and national championship win. The Northern California rider lapped the entire field at least once and in most cases twice with his Matchless NGK Special. Nicholas held off White by a matter of lengths with Reiman coming in for a distant fourth place finish. Mann averaged 81.462 miles per hour for the distance, breaking the old record by a wide margin.
Two-stroke riders gained revenge for the decisions they lost earlier in the year by dominating this year’s combined amateur/ expert lightweight race. The ring-dings served notice in time trials when they scored one-two-three with AÍ Gunter, Joe Scalzo and Dick Mann, all Yamahamounted, taking the three fastest qualification runs. Gunter rode the course so well
that he not only set a new lightweight record but also broke the big bike mark set in 1963.
At the start Mann leaped in front with Gunter running a distant second. Bart Markel, forced to swing wide to miss a fallen rider, collided with Dan Haaby on lap one. Both went down at close to 80 mph. Haaby was out with a dislocated shoulder and Markel walked away without a scratch. Haaby’s machine was completely demolished.
From all early indications it appeared that Mann was a sure winner until his clutch blew up in front of the pits. With The Champ out of the race it was all Gunter the rest of the way to victory lane. Larry Schafer had come from the back to challenge Buddy Elmore but was unable to catch the speeding Texan by checkered flag time.
Second year novice Mike Bonnell from Houston. Texas arrived late and was a post entry in the novice-only event that opened the Meadowdale meeting. Off the line Bonnell was still running late with little AÍ Hollingsworth, the three-time road race winner this year, out in front. Hollingsworth ran into mechanical troubles early in the race and was forced into the pits. Keith Nadler took over at this point to lead for one lap before another second year novice, Jim Anzalone, came up to grab the top spot.
Bonnell became the fourth rider to lead when he took over from Anzalone at the halfway mark. From then on to the finish it was a two-rider battle for the front with Bonnell holding on by less than three lengths to score the win.
Michigan’s John Zwerican and California’s Joe Scalzo teamed up to give the fans the best race of the Meadowdale meeting. The two ran tied together for 72 miles with first one and then the other in the lead. Zwerican was the master on the treacherous Meadowdale high bank with Scalzo the teacher on the many turns.
The two riders gave every indication that the race would be decided out of the final turn. Round after round and turn after turn they stayed together until Scalzo made his final bid for the win on the yellow flag lap. He pulled alongside, but his machine suddenly jumped out of gear.
This was the break Zwerican was waiting for as he poured it on to do the last lap and a half with a comfortable edge. Scalzo finally found the right slot and still came in for second, far ahead of third place rider Ed Moran, who had won the novice event at Daytona in ’63.
REIMAN TAKES SHORT TRACK TITLE
The most nerve-wracking start imaginable preceded the running of the 250cc Short Track National Championship at Santa Fe Speedway in Chicago, as first one, then another rider experienced last minute difficulties.
Fast qualifier Darrel Dovel had the clutch apart on his Sprint as the others lined up, and worked furiously to repair it while the introductions began. Dick Mann’s machine wouldn’t start, then spluttered badly, and several hurried trips were made to the pits for plug changes. Bart Marke! also scooted in and out of
the pits several times. Carburetor troubles plagued Dick Hammer, and much pushing and frantic mechanical work took place before the machine finally fired.
All twelve finalists eventually got their bikes going at once, about 15 minutes after the original lineup, but riders were obviously tense after the many delays.
Roger Reiman (Sprint), winner of more Santa Fe races this year than any other rider, shot into the lead at the start ahead of Hammer and Mann. A frightening distraction occurred on lap two, however, when Ronnie Rail bounced off the front straightaway wall and into Mike Powell. Powell lost control and laid down his machine, sliding toward a group of riders and pitmen who (for some reason) were allowed to line the inside of the rapid quarter - mile course. One man, rider Russ Whittinghill, was struck and injured.
Instead of being black-flagged and restarted, as would seem reasonable under the circumstances, the race continued. Whittinghill, examined and found to be suffering a fractured leg, was placed in an ambulance.
Reiman and Hammer led Mert Lawwill, Dovel and Gary Nixon after two tours; Mann dropped out on lap 3. Lawwill got around Hammer for second place on lap 7 and Dovel retired, moving Bennie Bowden to fifth behind Nixon.
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By the 10th lap the ambulance prepared to cross the track and the nowabolished "hold position" flag (see Racing Review, March 1964) was never more conspicuous by its absence, ihe field roared on under the red "danger on course” flag which allows full-bore racing. complete with passing. Riders were turning the oval in a little over 16 seconds. fairly well strung out. and the race would be over in only 2'/2 minutes.
Nevertheless, the ambulance took off. barely making it across the track between the time the last place man passed and leader Reiman came barrelling along. It was far too close for comfort, and needlessly endangered ;m entire field of cham-
pionship calibre riders. Bart Markcl added to the confusion by unloading a few seconds later, hut was quickly up and out of harm’s way.
Reiman still led Lawwill at the 12 lap mark, but Nixon had nosed Hammer out of third place and was closing on the leaders. Then came Bowden, Rail. Eddie Mulder (on Nixon's other Triumph Cub) and Bill Taylor. Nixon experienced me-
chanical difficulties with five laps to go and dropped to the rear, while Lawwill narrowed Reiman's gap. The final circuits were real rousers. with the outcome in doubt right down to the checker. Lawwill was determined to capture his first national, hut an equally determined Reiman held on. squeaking through for the narrowest of victories and briefly taking over the national point lead. Behind the first two came Hammer. Bowden. Rail. Mulder. Paul Pfeifer and Nixon.
A banzai-type Amateur/Novice 10lapper preceded the National event, with novice rider Billy O’Brien coming hack from a first lap. five-man spill to win wire-to-wire over amateurs Dave Stout and Dan Haaby.
LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD AT JACK PINE
While most of the citizens of the U.S. fought traffic jams on crowded highways over the Labor Day weekend. 494 enduro enthusiasts from all parts of the country matched their motorcycle riding skills against the many natural hazards of the 500-mile Jack Pine Run near Lansing. Michigan. Although not a national this year, the entry list was the largest on record, and because of a relatively dry fall season, almost half of the huge field managed to find its way to the paved streets of Lansing, after two rough days of sand trails, stream crossings and bottomless Michigan peat bogs.
Surprise winner was a 20-year-old tool and die apprentice, Roger Kussmaul. riding a new Triumph Tiger Cub with a high entry number of #100. Roger left the starting line one hour and forty minutes after the first quartet, and by the time he got to the rough sections the terrain was really torn up. However, the slim high school grad made easy work of his trip and came up with the lowest score ever recorded in the Jack Pine run — 994. The new champ is also the youngest to ever win it. and the first local rider in 28 years to wear the cow-bell — the symbol slipped over the winner’s neck when his score is announced — and he must wear this same cow-bell in next year's event.
GRAND PRIX AT WILLOW SPRINGS
Road Races staged by the American Federation of Motorcyclists have been the best-kept secret in the world of twowheeled competition. Apart from AFM club members, and a few of their friends, no one ever hears about an AFM race until after it has been held, and even then the information is rather scanty. This is not a very happy situation for anyone, for without more spectator support the AFM cannot continue to hold their races indefinitely; and race fans are missing some of the best road racing this country has to offer. Because (apart from certain safety rules) there are no restrictions on the equipment except that gasoline fuel must he used, the spectator will see “real” racing machines in action. The AFM races are a gathering spot for every Manx Norton, G-50 Matchless and AJS7R along the west coast, and there have been Honda “fours” and Yamaha RD-56 Grand Prix racing machines in attendance as well. Also, the rules permit such bikes as the Norton Atlas. Triumph Bonneville. Harley-Davidson Sportster (or 45inch flathead. for that matter) to compete. The race program is broken down into classes, by displacement, and anything 500cc or over goes into the “main event”.
Rider talent in the AFM is of a very high level. These lads road race a lot, and they have become quite practiced at the art. Not only that, but as most of the racing is done at one circuit. Willow Springs (near Rosamond. Calif., about 75 miles from Los Angeles), most of the riders know' the 2Vi-mile course intimately. As a consequence, much of the riding is of the “hairy-edge" variety.
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At the most recent AFM race, which was one of the last counting toward their points championship, a handful of spectators (who must have sent spies to ferret out the race dates) saw some of the finest motorcycle racing this country has ever had. Virtually every race was hotly contested. from beginning to end with the lead changing hands frequently and even the back-markers battling furiously to gain an extra position. As always happens when the struggle becomes really ferocious. several riders fell spectacularly — fortunately without serious injury.
Now. something is being done about the lack of attendance. Wes Cooley. Fearless Leader of the AFM. is promoting a professional race for all the local road racing lads. Actually, the sanction for the race is being issued by the ACA. (American Cycling Association), because the AFM cannot legally hold professional road races under their present charter, but the rules, the equipment, and the riders will he mostly AFM. However, anyone holding a competition license from the AMA. AAMRR, or any other recognized racing club, is invited to come out and join in the fun. There will be prizes, both money and merchandise with a guaranteed total purse of $1500. And give-away goodies include such items as tw'o Yamaha Trailmasters.
For a change, some effort is being made to inform people that a race meet is to be held, on November 7 and 8. and this should have a good effect on attendance. Of course, the racing show offered by the AFM’s riders and equipment will do the most for attendance after the fans have been lured out to see this race. If the AMA "hot dogs" make an appearance, the racing will be even better — the efforts of the professionals trying to beat the “amateurs" should he most entertaining. The better AFM riders have showm themselves to be equal to many front-ranking AMA experts, and the two groups, mixed together, could put on a fantastic race. And. of course, it would be most interesting to see what the best AMA Class-C equipment (particularly the Harley-Davidson 45) could do against the AFM's Manx Nortons.
All classes will be represented: the little bikes (50cc. I25cc. 175cc and 250cc) are scheduled for Saturday. Nov. 7. and the big machines (350cc. 500cc and Open) go on Sunday. Nov. 8. For further information and entry blanks, contact W. S. Coolev. 145-B Whiting St.. Fullerton. Oil if.
SPERRY’S MICKEY MOUSE EARS RULED DANGEROUS
One of the most absurd rulings to come along has deprived expert rider Jeff Sperry of his famed Mickey Mouse ears. Latest official AMA Referee's Bulletin declares in part. “Effective immediately, no decorative attachments on riders' safety helmets will be permitted, for example Mickey Mouse ears or horns."
Ruling out sharp metal horns is understandable. naturally, but Sperry's small, flexible fiberglass ears can hardly be considered a hazard. They have become his trademark over the past years, and he has competed at hundreds of race meets without incident, including Nationals. To state at this late date that the ears are “dangerous” because they limit other riders' vision is ridiculous, especially since no other rider has ever complained.
In the photo Sperry is shown with members of the Palo Alto (Calif.) Boys Club, just one group of young fans that will be disappointed by the new rule. It seems a shame to rob our race programs of sorely needed color and showmanship w'hen so many really dangerous elements could be modified or eliminated (such as poor track conditions, insufficient flags and flagmen, or that accident just waiting to happen — the first turn picket fence at Peoria with dozens of spectators crowded against it).
BOB SKIBSTED FATALLY INJURED
Hopes for a "perfect” year at Ascot Park in Gardena. California were tragically shattered by an accident that took the life of Boh Skibsted. expert No. 57X. A consistent and popular main-eventer, enjoying his best season to date, he succumbed to injuries received in a foiir-man spill during the running of a closely contended expert final.
Under the guidance of his father, a former racer. Boh was able to get an early start in the sport of his choice. Beginning with scrambles at the age of 14 (he was considered the best 2()0cc scrambler in Southern California a few years ago), he soon turned his attention to professional T.T.s and flattrack. competing as a novice at the old Gardena quarter-mile.
He had been a familiar Ascot figure since 1959 and. on his immaculately prepared Harley-Davidson. was constantly improving his skills. A third-year expert at 24. Skibsted's abilities were respected by his fellow riders and fans alike; and he had not yet reached his peak.
To his wife Penny, and family, we extend our deepest sympathy. Though future lineups at Ascot will be the poorer for his loss, none who knew Bob Skibsted will forget. •
