Jim Hunter

JIM HUNTER

THE TIMEWORN ADAGE, “Life begins at 40,” has been bandied about so much

that it has almost lost its meaning, but in the case of ace California scrambler Jim Hunter, it takes on new significance. Now forty, Hunter is currently head man in the high-pressure scrambles competition of Southern California, fastest in the country.

Beginning with field meets in 1948, Texas-born Hunter progressed to Class C flattrack in 1952, winding up the season as 6th ranked novice in the nation. His outstanding performance that year came at the Culver City quarter-mile oval when, in a progressive program combining novices, amateurs and experts, he won his heat race, finished 3rd in the Trophy Dash and 4th in the Main Event on a Harley-Davidson. He turned amateur in 1953 and competed with success at tracks throughout California until 1956 when, at 32, he took up trailing as a form of relaxation.

Always interested in more than one facet of the sport, Hunter has been a drag race enthusiast and Bonneville Speed Trials entrant for the past 12 years. Riding C. B. Clausen’s powerful H-D “Brute” streamliner, he has come within one run of joining the exclusive 200-Mile-An-Hour Club on several occasions, and clocked a sizzling one-way time of 224 mph in 1958. In addition, he has held strip records at Santa Ana (136.85 on his Harley drag bike in 1956), Pomona, Paradise Mesa and Bakersfield (138.48 mph in 1957).

Turning his attention to scrambles in 1959 he became, in words of friendly competitor Don Spargur, “a point-happy fanatic.” Riding BSA, Jim was 5th overall in So. Calif, scrambles in 1960, 3rd overall in 1961 and ’62, 2nd overall in 1963 with 18 Main Events to his credit, and currently leads both 500cc and Open Expert divisions in point standings. Additionally, he took the Pacific Southwest Scrambles Championship in 1962-63, has won the North/South Championship three years in a row, was high point man overall in the 1963 East/West Scrambles at Hutchinson, Kansas, and 500cc class winner in the 1962 and '63 Calif. State Championships.

Employed as Service Manager for Norm Reeves’ BSA shop. Jim and his former wife are parents of two girls, Linda (8) and Jamie (6). As far as the future is concerned, Hunter presently has two goals — to become Number One in California scrambles racing, and to join the 200-MileAn-Hour Club in Bonneville competition. For an optimistic man who regularly trounces hotshot riders half his age, this doesn't seem too much to ask. •