Racing Review
RACING REVIEW
CAROL SIMS
THE SIBERIAN CHAMPION
SIBERIA, a place most Russians try to stay away from, is hardly where one would expect to find an avid motorcycle racer like Boris Samorodov. But like Brer Rabbit, who was perfectly comfortable in the forbidding briar patch, Boris finds the frozen landscape around his home in Ufa, USSR (near the Siberian border) ideal for enjoying his favorite kind of motorcycling, Ice Racing.
Boris first came to our attention when he won the world’s first Ice Racing Championship (CW May ’63). When he ended up 4th in 1964 World Speedway Championships as well, we decided it was time to get in touch with this remarkable racer, and he sent us the following letter in reply (translated from Russian by Michael Morosoff ) :
“Dear Miss Carol Sims!
My apology for slightly belated answer on your letter. I was out of town for some time. But, as Russian proverb said, better later than never.
Happy New Year to you and let me wish you be in good health and your magazine further prosperity. 1 am glad your magazine is introducing American reader with development and progress of motorsport in Soviet Union.
1 would like to tell you few words about myself. I like very much motorcycle sport to which I belong for 15 years. My main favored sport is racing on icy road and especially racing on speedway. Right now 1 am hard working to prepare myself for future contest on ice in Europe. In this contest besides Soviet Union will take part sportsmen from Sweden, Finland, Social Republic of Czechoslovakia, Social Republic of Yugoslavia and others.
My friends and 1 would like to see your sportsmen on our speedways. We like to know what types and what kind of motorcycle sport are developing in your country.
It is pleasure to send you these pictures. One of these shows me with my sportsfriends: No. 12 Uri Dudorin from Ufa, prize winner of first contest in Europe for motorcycle race on icy road, and No. 8 Vsevolod Nerytov from Moscow.
With sport greeting Your
BORIS SAMORODOV Ufa, USSR”
Yes, as the old American saying goes, “It matters not what a man’s creed is, but what his speed is.”
SURTEES, LEONARD SCORE ON FOUR WHEELS
Motorcyclists the world over join in an understandable feeling of pride at the accomplishments of England’s John Surtees. He has made racing history by becoming the first man ever to win the World Championship on both two wheels and four.
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Driving a Ferrari, he finished second to American Dan Gurney (Brabham) in the final race at Mexico City, and wound up overall world’s champion by one point over reigning champ Jim Clark. It was a bitter blow for Clark, who led the race for most of the way, dropping out on the last lap.
Seven times a world motorcycle champ, Surtees first rode a factory Norton ten years ago. In 1956 he began riding for MV Agusta and won his first world’s championship — then followed up with 500cc titles in 1958, 1959 and 1960. He added the 350cc championship in 1958, 1959 and 1960.
Closer to home, consider the first full season on four wheels of Joe Leonard, three-time Grand National Motorcycle Champion and winner of more Nationals than any other rider in history. Signed as a teammate of A. J. Foyt and Len Sutton on the Dodge factory stock car team, he finished a strong fifth in national point standings and was named USAC “Rookie of the Year.”
Holder of the DuQuoin, Illinois track record on two wheels, he established a motor racing “first” by setting a new four-wheel mark in winning the ’64 100mile stock car race there. He also led the Springfield 100-miler until the 98th lap when he ran out of gas.
Trying his hand at championship cars late in the season, Leonard finished the year with a solid fifth at Phoenix, and plans to devote more time to the USAC big car division in ’65.
CINCO DE MAYO CHAMPIONSHIP
Along the banks of the sleepy Rio Grande River in south Texas, the first Cinco de Mayo International Championship Enduro takes place Sunday, May 2. The sponsoring club, Citrus Valley M.C. of San Juan, Texas, promises a unique ride and spectacular scenery en route.
Approximately half of the 175-mile run will be routed through Old Mexico, with riders twice crossing the U.S.-Mexico border by ferry over the Rio Grande. Included in the Mexico portion is the Marte Gomez Dam canyon (a smaller version of the Grand Canyon), while the U.S. side offers sand, cactus and numerous gravel pits.
Plenty of trophies, including one for the women’s class, await the hardy finishers. For further information, contact Citrus Valley M.C., P.O. Box 906, San Juan, Texas.
TOTAL PERFORMANCE
Managing a weary smile, Jim Arrington of Mobile, Ala. holds huge symbol of victory in 6th Annual “Confederate 24” Marathon Run. He covered 823 miles on his BMW during 24-hour grind. Sixty-five contestants clocked 17,838 total miles.
WHEN IS AN AMATEUR NOT AN AMATEUR?
Trying to explain the intricacies of professional AMA motorcycle racing to a neophyte fan would be far simpler if it weren’t for the inevitable question, “But why do they call them Amateurs if they’re professionals?” Though me answer is undoubtedly locked in some long-forgotten tradition, any dictionary emphasizes the present day misuse of the term.
Novice and Expert classifications are straightforward enough. Webster terms a novice, “One who is new to the circumstances, work, etc. in which he is placed; a beginner.” An expert is defined as, “A person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field; a specialist; authority; trained by practice.”
But ponder upon the definition of amateur (the italics are ours); “One who cultivates any study or art or other activity for personal pleasure instead of professionally or for gain; an athlete who has never competed for money; a superficial or unskilled worker; dabbler.”
Further searching through the dictionary (that “dabbler” did it) turned up several possible substitutes, most logical of which seems to be: “Junior — Of more recent appointment or admission; of lower rank or standing;, a student who is in the next to final year of a course of study; noting or pertaining to the class or year next below that of the senior.”
Seem appropriate? It’s worth thinking about a better choice of words, now that our sport is moving up. Superficial, unskilled dabblers, arise!
AND NOW HE'S AN EXPERT
Moving up to the Expert ranks for 1965 competition, Ed Moran of Farmingdale, N.J. has accumulated this vast array of trophies en route. Mounted on a BSA Hornet, he shines in both scrambles and road racing, a good measure of his outstanding versatility.
HILL & GULLY CROSS COUNTRY
Cloudy skies and cool breezes welcomed Pacific Northwest riders to the 5th Annual Hill & Gully Cross Country race. Run again on the slopes of the Horse Heaven Hills (near Kiowa, Washington), the event fielded 284 riders, 41 more than last time and up 106 from the year before. Action started in two waves with the 250-and-over bikes away first and the under 250s off the line a minute later.
One hundred-fifty riders finished the sandy 120-mile event which wound over undeveloped sagebrush hills and gullies, with rock and gravel pits tossed in to trap the unwary. All finishers received trophies, and well deserved they were.
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Ken Habeck dropped a bomb on the 500cc camp when he took second overall on his Greeves Challenger; only the 750cc Norton of Darwin Beard could stay ahead.
LADYLIKE RACER IN A MANLY SPORT
Seldom does a rider have four enthusiastic children in attendance at every race, and rarer still is the occasion when the children are cheering for their racer mother. Such is the case, however, at California AFM and ACA road races whenever Lori Manly rides.
In addition to caring for Kay (13), Bill Jr. (11), Rita (9) and Bryan (7), the comely brunette works as a saleswoman and secretary for her husband Bill at their Foreign Automotive Triumph/ Honda dealership in Santa Rosa, Calif., and she still finds time in her busy schedule for weekend competition.
Lori’s racing career began in 1962 when she purchased a Honda 125cc Benly from another lady racer, Mary McGee. After successfully demonstrating her ability in AFM practice sessions, she caused more than a few lifted eyebrows by winning the first race she entered at Riverside Raceway, followed by five tardy males. Lori rode the Benly throughout 1963 (“Ride one race and you’re hooked,” she claims), but as the competition became swifter, she switched to a Honda CR-93 125cc factory racer for ’64. In the first event of the season, while dicing with the front-runners, her machine fell prey to a broken crankshaft. Awaiting repairs, she missed several races.
Ready in time for the ACA professional go at Willow Springs, Lori started 34th on the line. Riding much of the race without benefit of second gear, she still managed to take second place in the 125cc class. Other creditable performances include class wins in the two AFM 100mile production races held at Cotati (Calif.), mounted on a Honda 50cc.
The only other girl now competing in AFM events is Peggie Scott, a statuesque
blonde who recently wed professional AMA racer Steve Scott. Lori expresses the hope that more women will try their hand at the sport, eventually having a class of their own. “If a woman has the ability and interest,” maintains Mrs. Manly, “she will certainly enjoy road racing.”
All set for the new season on her completely rebuilt machine, Lori’s femininity has suffered not one whit from her participation in a sport generally thought to be for men only.
AMA RIDERS DENIED USGP RIDES
Two very important road races will be held on the Daytona International Speedway course a week apart — the FIMsanctioned United States Grand Prix on March 21, and the AMA 200-Mile National Championship on March 28. Spectators can enjoy them both, but riders will have to choose one or the other.
We asked the AMA for an official statement of policy on the matter, and received the following answer, reproduced here in its entirety:
“The following is my reply to your letter of January 12th in which you inquired about the AMA policy regarding participation of AMA entries in the U.S. Grand Prix events which will be held the week prior to the AMA Daytona International Speedway events. Since this letter is to be used as an official statement of AMA policy I am requesting that the letter be used in its entirety and that you do not use separate parts of this letter as part of a magazine editorial regarding the U.S. Grand Prix events and the AMA Daytona events.
It will be the policy of the AMA to reject entries for the AMA Daytona International Speedway events for riders who compete in the U.S. Grand Prix events at Daytona the weekend prior to the AMA events.
This is not an exclusive AMA policy of rule enforcement, but is actually the identical policy which it would be necessary for the FIM to follow regarding the entry of European FIM International License Holders in the AMA events. I am, therefore, answering your question with another question — Why will the FIM not permit European FIM International License Holders to compete in the AMA events scheduled to be held on March 26th, 27th and 28th?
If there appears to be a confliction between the U.S. Grand Prix event and the AMA events, please keep it in mind that promoter Bill France requested a change in the U.S. Grand Prix dates after the AMA March 22nd through 28th dates had been confirmed by the AMA. Mr. France was aware, at the time he requested the change in the U.S. Grand Prix dates, that the AMA request for affiliation with the FIM had been rejected and since the AMA is not affiliated with the FIM there is no basis for an exchange of riders between the two events.
The AMA recognizes the fact that the FIM has rules which must be enforced and we therefore feel that it is only appropriate that the FIM show the same respect for AMA rules. 1 am certain that Major Goode, Secretary-General of the FIM would show this courtesy and respect for AMA rules and 1 seriously question whether the FIM would endorse the efforts of any promoter or associated affiliate with the FIM to jeopardize the cordial relations which presently exist between the FIM and the AMA and the officers of these Associations.
Sincerely,
LIN KUCHLER Executive Secretary American Motorcycle Assn. Columbus, Ohio
SPROCKETS BENEFIT RACE
Last year, the Sprockets M.C. of Bakersfield, California gave $1,411 to the March of Dimes, total proceeds from their annual charity scrambles. Aiming much higher for ’65, they expect to donate an even greater amount to the Muscular Dystrophy fund. Additionally, a drawing will decide winners of helmets, oil, a couple of 50cc bikes and other goodies.
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Probably the fastest, slidiest scrambles course in California, the Sprockets track is a ball for riders and spectators alike. Contestants are expected from Northern and Southern portions of the state in addition to such Bakersfield stalwarts as Sid Payne, Clark White, Dave Palmer and Jeff Sperry. The date: April 11.
A BAD DAY ON PIKES PEAK
Towering over the town of Manitou Springs, Colorado, its summit obscured by an icy overcast, Pikes Peak loomed as a formidable opponent for sixty-seven shivering motorcyclists on New Year’s Day. Since 1935 the grueling annual event has been held, pitting riders against the extremes of cold, wind, snow and ice as they struggle toward the top.
This year’s run was particularly rough. Rapidly falling snow obliterated the entire seven-mile route, winds of gale magnitude swept the icy 14,100-ft. summit, and temperatures ranged from 18 above zero at the start to zero at the finish.
Special traction-plus machines are required to do well in this form of competition. Most are scramblers, with huge knobby tires fitted front and rear, and every ounce of unnecessary weight removed. But many road bikes, without special equipment, were among those waved off by the starter at 11:00 AM. Into the first sweeping righthander they slid, spraying powdered snow and gravel high in the air behind them. As the wily ones made their way upward, the ill-prepared soon drifted back to the start, stopped by lack of traction, icy goggles or other hazards.
First to the top of the mountain was Bill Sechler on a 250cc Greeves. He completed the run in 15 minutes, averaging nearly 30 mph en route. Class winners included: 650cc “A,” Joe Coniff (Triumph); 650cc “B,” Garry Bensbury; 500cc, Bobby Martin; 250cc “A,” Dean Towle (Greeves); 250cc “B,” Norman Reichardt (Bultaco), lOOcc, Bob Reichardt (Yamaha).
Immediately after the running of the race, a tragic note was struck. One of the area’s most popular and respected competitors, 46-year-old Emil Petrelli, succumbed to a heart attack after reaching the top on his special supercharged 125cc Parilia (Letters, CW March 1965). Our sympathies to his wife Dixie, and son Terry. His loss will be keenly felt.
REIMAN SET TO DEFEND TITLE
Not only did Roger Reiman wind up as the nation’s overall high point AMA rider in 1964, he took the Santa Fe Short Track Season Championship as well. Shown accepting the trophy from track announcer Bob Baugh at the Santa Fe “Banquet of Champions,” Reiman will undoubtedly be on hand to defend his hard-won title when the every-Wednesdaynight season begins May 5. The diminutive south Chicago oval is located at 91st and Wolf Road in Willow Springs, Illinois.
ACTIVE CLUB HAS SUCCESSFUL SEASON
For many years, the Fort Sutter Motorcycle Club of Sacramento, California, has been noted for its active sponsorship of motorcycle racing events. It was organized in 1934, and became a charter member of the AMA in 1936.
Promoting Sportsman Lightweight races is one of the major activities of this Club, and during 1964, more than 1,100 lightweight cycle riders participated in 13 race events. They were held at Three Star Raceway on alternate Saturday nights from May to October, with riders coming from 81 different Northern California and Nevada cities to compete for trophies.
Three Star Raceway, constructed in late 1959, has three separate ovals within one arena. The outer track was specially designed for lightweight motorcycle racing. The surface is decomposed granite which not only insures maximum safety to riders, but serves as added traction for good performance.
Trophies are presented to winners of each main event, with additional high point season trophies awarded at the end of the racing year. Every rider who qualifies for the main event in his class earn points based on the Moto-Cross point scoring system, an incentive to return time and again in quest of the coveted points. Winners of the high point season trophies for the 1964 racing season were:
50cc Class CAM MINCH, Red Bluff, Cal. 90cc Class DOUG BARRETT, Pleasant Hill, Cal. 125cc Class GEORGE CARTER, North Highlands, Cal. 200cc Novice Class JIM ROOAER, Sacramento, Cal. 200cc Expert Class DAVE VEFFREDO, Jr., Chico, Cal. 250cc Novice Class BILL DIXON, Sacramento, Cat. 250cc Expert Class GEORGE McCARTY, Red Bluff, Cal.
Fort Sutter M. C. is justly proud of two of its members who won high point season trophies, George Carter in the 125cc Class and I6-V2 year old Jim Rodaer in the 200cc Novice Class. The Perpetual High Point Trophy was taken by 17-year-old Doug Barrett of Pleasant Hill, who won by a slim margin. The competition for this coveted award was keen up to the last race, and walking off with the season trophy for the 90cc Class and the Perpetual High Point Season Trophy was quite an accomplishment for this lad.
Spectator attendance at Three Star Raceway during 1964 increased to the point that the seating must be expanded, and plans include the addition of more bleachers before the racing season starts in May.
For 28 years, Fort Sutter M.C. has held its Annual Cross Country Race event at Colfax; however, this area is in line with a new dam project and is no longer available. A new racing site near lone has been located, and the 29th Annual event will be held on May 20.
The Sacramento County Parks and Recreation Department has realized the need for squirreling grounds for cycle riders, and has set aside an area along the American River within easy reach of town where beginners and riders may practice. The hilly terrain proved ideal for English Trials, and each year, Fort Sutter M.C. holds one event on these premises for non-racing enthusiasts. Last year a trial T.T. Race event for lightweights was held at Three Star Raceway which proved successful, and at least two are planned for this year.
A total of 18 events are on the agenda for 1965, including the 29th Annual Cross Country Race near lone, 13 Sportsman Lightweight Races and two T.T. Lightweight Races at Three Star Raceway, one Lightweight Road Race and one English Trials. These events will start in May and run through November.
