Houston: No Place For Drugstore Cowboys

NO PLACE FOR DRUGSTORE COWBOYS

HOUSTON

GAMEL PRO SERIES

D. Randy Riggs

HOUSTON RACING is a coaxer, a rouser of both fan and participant alike, and more times than not, astonishingly unpredictable. It has no real correlation or even direct relationship to any other racing on the National trail, except that it pays those all-important National points and a fair chunk of change to those in the victory ring.

What happens in the overwhelming confines of the Astrodome when the two-wheelers take over does not neces sarily portend the happenings of the season yet to be used. Though there are regular exceptions, such as Kenny Roberts, winners in the Dome are not likely to put a spell on the other riders again during the following months of National-caliber racing. And conversely, an also-ran here is apt to turn up at a National later on with a clean front number plate at the wave of the check ered flag.

Yet in spite of its uniqueness. . .or perhaps because of it. . .Houston draws riders by the vanload and spectators by the thousands. It's second only to Day tona in terms of sheer numbers. Part of the reason the Astrodome is aswarm with people during the three days the motorcycles take over is, simply, that it is the first. . .an end to nearly three months of non-racing. - .and a beginning to a season full of hope, promise and expectation. Aside from that part, Houston is just plain fun. Pure and sim ple. Hectic, chaotic, frenzied fun. - .with a modicum of business thrown in.

First order of business for 1976: Houston's TT event. Rumors had it that not only would there be a record num ber of TT entries, but probably the most varied field of equipment ever seen under the giant Dome roof. When the counting was over, both rumors proved true. One-hundred and fifty-five riders were entered, and equipment was an assortment of just about anything that could be mustered up and would have a halfway chance of making it around a tight TT course at a reasonable, or even sub-reasonable, clip.

included were the more common machines such as Triumphs and Yamaha 750 Twins, the big Harley-Davidsons, and a Norton thrown in for variety. Then the fun began. There were a Penton, a couple of 400 Monoshock Yammies, Bultaco Astros with front brakes, a Maico and a TM400 Suzuki, BSAs in 750 and 500 form, some Honda XLs, a Kawasaki Single, and a horde of Yamaha TT500 Singles of the thumper variety. About the only competitive bike left out was an RM370 Suzuki, an oversight that will probably be remedied next year.

The long line of machinery outside the Astrodome waiting to go through tech inspection, practice and qualifying was formidable, prompting Chuck Palm gren to quip, "Everybody ought to have a mad dash for their vans and the first one to get unloaded is the winner. Then we could get down to some serious partying."

But someone had other ideas, some one like Kenny Roberts, who had no Fother ideas than racing. During the winter he had built a replica Astrodome course on his property in Central California and proceeded to keep himself in shape by doing fairly regular off-season tuneups on the track. He planned to do nothing more than win the TT and Short Track events, a goal that has yet to be accomplished by any rider, but Kenny is used to doing what poeple say can’t be done.

He faced the problem of late arrival of his machines, which were considerably revamped and ultra-fresh, then went on to set fastest TT qualifying time in spectacular fashion. The 750 Yamaha sported a C&J chassis built to Roberts’ specifications, Maico front forks and an interesting chain-tensioning arrangement. Skip Aksland, now a second-year Expert, rides virtually identical equipment and had problems with his during qualifying.

Though Kenny’s 26.376-sec. time was best, Rick Hocking was barely a click behind with a 26.377 clocking, serving notice that Yamaha had christened its new 500 Single with the proper initials. . .“TT.” Hocking’s bike had a fairly stock engine mounted in one of Doug Schwerma’s Champion Frames.

Each of 48 qualifiers in the field went faster than last year’s record set by Roberts, as the announcer pointed out. But he neglected to tell anyone that, for safety purposes, the track was this year pulled in a bit from the stand’s fence, and in reality was slightly shorter in distance.

Another star performer, by virtue of qualifying 4th fastest, was Northern California rookie Steve Ekiund. Eklund was the nation's best Junior Haif-Miler last year and the Pacific Coast Regional Champion. If his Astrodome rides are any indication, he's one to watch this season.

Lady racer Diane Cox qualified for the program but had a poor heat race showing and played spectator the rest of the evening. Cox is looking much smoother this season and we're bound to see her in a National final before the year is over.

With attendance up to 35,000-plus from last year's 29,000, heat racing got underway with a new touch. There's been much talk and controversy over the years about starters and starting procedures, and the Astrodome has always bred starting-line hassles and misunderstandings for one reason or another. So rider reps this year voted for a new type of system in AMA National racing, a setup using the basic traffic light colors, red, yellow and green.

The starter holds a small control box, lines up the field, and when he's sat isfied that everyone is ready, hits the yellow light. At that point everyone should put his machine in gear and get ready to gas it. On the green, of course, they go.

On paper this works fine. The system means that riders can travel around the country and not be unsure of a particu lar starter's techniques or tricks. Stan dardization is what the AMA is after. . taking things a step farther than their regional starters, who are assigned to certain portions of the country. But how did all this go down in the Dome? No so hot.

Instead of spending a few dollars for a decent lighting system, the AMA had a fellow (who just might have been Rube Goldberg in the flesh), throw together a few lightbulbs, some spray paint, a car battery and a camera tripod for the new trick system. When asked how much the lights and gear cost, he replied in all earnestness, "Oh, I've got just over $100 in it." It was hard not to say, "Yeah, and $80 of that is in the tripod." The bulbs were of low intensity (not spots) and spray-painted for color. There wasn't enough wattage to light them up quickly, meaning a slight delay when the starter flipped the switch. Since there were only three bulbs (facing the riders) and those were hooded so they wouldn't be totally invisible, only a few fans in the riders' direction knew when the race was started. Everyone else was deprived of the flag waving that is usu ally associated with the start of an event, and couldn't see the lights, so many complained bitterly.

The announcer, Roxy Rockwood, was asked by an AMA official to get a reaction from the crowd about the new starting system. . .whether or not they liked it. True to form, Roxy shined on that proposition and went on with his statistical mutterings about which rider has had the most falldowns in the third turn of the first lap in a non-National heat race, or who has entered the most 75-mile road races and not shown up, ad nauseu m.

The premise of a starting light system is a good one. It should ensure fair starts for riders in every part of the country at every National. Starting lights made drag racing more profes sional back in the early `60s. They could do the same for motorcycle racing if the system were applied professionally with quality equipment. A true four-way directional system with super-bright spotlamps should be used, not some junk household lightbulbs with spray paint on them and a Diehard battery, so fans and riders alike can see the sequence clearly. The AMA puts on airs of being so professional and then shows up in front of 75,000 people at a pre mier race with a tangle of wires and bulbs for its starting system. The poor starter may as well have been waving one of those three-color flashlights around.

Fortunately, racers are capable of dealing with many things that aren't quite right, so the heat starts went smoother than in the past, a good indi cation that the lights have promise. Veteran TT ace Eddie Mulder out gunned Roberts when the green lit up in heat one, but was deposited rearward in a steady succession, as Kenny cruised to a comfortable 1st for a spot in the National. Behind, Paul Bostrom's H-D and Bill Oliver's Triumph filled in for 2nd and 3rd, completing direct transfers to the biggie. Mert Lawwill had prob lems and finished 8th, putting him into the Semi.

Three riders went to the penalty line during the first attempt at starting the 2nd heat, but after it was all over Rick Hocking went wire-to-wire in a convinc ing win. The 500 Single was putting all of its horsepower right on the ground and Rick's flawless riding was never chal lenged. John Allison worked his Yamaha 400 monoshocker past Gary Scott's private-entry H-D with the Num ber One plates attached; they finished 2nd and 3rd. Behind, Jay Springsteen and John Gennai were taking turns fall ing down, so that was it for them.

The fastest heat was the third, and the man who made it so was John Hateley on a fine-sounding Triumph with a special two-into-one exhaust system. Dave Hansen followed John in for 2nd on another Yamaha thumper; it was his tenth National start in the Astrodome. Rob Morrison sneaked the Bultaco Astro in for 3rd and the last transfer spot.

Mark Smith and Chuck Palmgren crashed in the fourth heat, which required a restart, and Chuck was allowed back into the race with a nonfunctioning front brake, a no-no. Duke Ollinges, the AMA referee, should have caught the problem, but was probably fine-tuning the squelch on his walkie talkie at the time. . .or planning his strategy for restarting a race for no apparent reason, one of his specialties. Palmgren pulled off the track after a few laps; TT racing is darn near impossi ble without a front stopper. So red-hot rookie Steve Eklund battled a tough one away from Bruce Hanlon's Maico, and Colorado's Bob Conway took 3rd on his 500cc Yamaha to wrap up the heats.

What had the heats pointed out? For one thing, they told the throngs watch ing that the 500cc four-stroke Single was not dead. Heat race results had many of the riders wishing they'd at least tried riding one of the Singles before carting their 750 Twins to Hous ton. Ken Roberts, as usual, was again an Astrodome threat, though the numeral "2" on his machinery looked strange indeed. And the new Number One, Gary Scott, after trying first a Shell Thuit Yamaha 750, then opting for his more familiar Milwaukee V-Twin, looked slightly ragged after the winter layoff. Greg Sassaman sadly did not make the program on his H-D factory bike, nor did Corky Keener. Like always, the Dome provided the scene for joy and misery.

Though the heats were okay as far as racing goes, no one had yet seen a real handlebar-rattling slam-banger all even ing. It was, however, a fairly good bet that the two Semis would provide the groundwork for a couple of thrillers, since only the winner of each would head for the final. And with that kind of fuel for the fire, Dave Aldana, with his new “Superman” leathers, got right into the thick of it with Randy Cleek. Aldana was on an H-D 750, Cleek aboard a Star-Racer-chassised TT500 Yamaha.

David got around leader Randy Skiver on lap three, Cleek caught Randy during lap eight. But Aldana never really got far enough ahead for decent breathing room, and as the tenth and final lap headed into the infield, David knew he was in trouble. The lighter, more nimble 500 squeezed past and the partisan crowd (Cleek is from Oklahoma and Aldana is an Astrodome favorite) was doing a jig in the stands. In the final turn sweeper, Aldana tried an inside “bump” pass, which Cleek had already prepared for. Cleek took the win and Aldana went off the track and was disqualified for “running outside the perimeter of the track.” It was the best race to that point in the evening, finally bringing the crowd alive.

Semi number two was another footstomper, this time with rookie Ted Boody and TT specialist Chuck Joyner working past Mike Caves for their share of the attention. Joyner got the nod at the flag and joined the rest of the National field happily.

Two fires marred the Trophy Race, though neither got too serious. Boody wound up winning this one after a restart; Mike Caves got a trip to the hospital and an out-of-shape Gene Romero limped away with a sore leg after dumping the Evel Knievel Special H-D unspectacularly.

The 25-lap final was shaped to perfection. A variety of machinery, both veteran and rookie riders: there wasn’t much more a fan could ask for. The lights got the riders underway and into a first-turn melee that saw Paul Bostrom skid to the ground. The pack disappeared over the jump, Bostrom righted his machine and took off in pursuit. Over the jump he went, only on the other side some clown photographer had run onto the track to get a shot of the pack from the rear. Bostrom centerpunched the fellow solid and both wound up in a heap. The race was redflagged; the photog had a bad gash on the leg and Bostrom was shaken but unhurt. It was a dumb move by whoever it was to park himself in the middle of the race track, and more than a couple of riders would’ve liked to have gotten their hands on the guy for causing a restart. But then the announcer decided to play “cop” over the loudspeaker system and suggested that all the reporters and photographers be removed from the infield because of this one idiot. Better Pace Management should clear out the announcer’s booth.

The restart was once again a tight one, with Hateley into the lead, followed by Hocking, Dave Hansen and Roberts. Hansen’s was one of four TT500 Yamahas in the National, though it expired late in the race with engine problems.

Roberts passed Hansen on lap three; Hocking picked off Hateley on the number-four go-round. It was then that the real race started. Roberts and Hateley began a dice for 2nd that had the crowd, literally everyone, up on their feet and screaming. It was a display of Roberts’ entire knowledge of TT racing and all his tricks; he tried Hateley on the inside, outside and in between. Side by side over the jump they’d go, Kenny would pull even with John, seeming to inch ahead, only to be shut back at the next corner. Back in the pack, where only a few people had their eyes, Gary Scott was working his way through traffic, finally settling into 4th. Rookie Steve Eklund had fallen and didn’t get back in the race, though he could’ve. Randy Cleek was inching his bike up in the positions, and got very close to Scott at the finish.

On lap 22 Roberts finally squeaked by Number 98 and the crowd was all but berserk. Yet it was doubtful that the former National Champ could put a wheel on leader Hocking, though he was gaining when the checkered finally fell.

It was Hocking’s third National victory, and the first for a 500cc four-stroke Single since Dan Haaby had done the deed in 1967 on a BSA at the Ascot Half-Mile. Roberts and Hateley were left shaking their heads in the winner’s circle; it had to rank among each rider’s finest performances. . .and the crowd had gotten double its money’s worth.

Night number two in the Astrodome and the second order of business was the National Short Track. For the riders who did poorly the night before, there is always this one to look forward to. For the riders who did well, they’re already up to “race face” specifications.

Steve Eklund served notice that his previous night’s performance was no fluke by setting fast qualifying time in very smooth fashion. His Yamaha machinery is sponsored by K&L Wheel Rims, a name that is bound to become more prominent in racers’ vocabularies if this youngster keeps up the quick riding. Roberts had to settle for 2nd quickest this time around with a 14.766 reading, not far off Eklund’s 14.761. Fourth fastest was Jay Springsteen on a two-stroke H-D with the motocrossbased 250cc engine. Don’t forget, it takes a strong 250 to run with the 360s, and the H-D is obviously that. As a side note to the qualifying runs, Gary Scott waved off his first attempt when he hit a hole coming off the last turn. That attempt would have been the fast time of the day had he not waved it off. His later attempt on a rougher track surface was a dismal 49th fastest.

Eklund carted off heat one with the likable Texan Mike Kidd giving a racelong challenge on a stock 360 Bultaco Astro. Hank Scott was 3rd, well ahead of his brother Gary, who could manage no better than 8th on an identical Yamaha 360.

Guy McClure’s poor Astrodome luck continued to haunt him when his machine failed to start for the second heat. He might’ve given Roberts a good tussle, but the latter went on to an easy win ahead of Scott Rader.

Motocross buffs in the audience picked up on the fact that Dave Hansen rode a 360 CR Husky in a Champion Frame to the third heat win over last year’s victor, Darryl Hurst. First and 2nd spots were good for direct transfers to the National in all six heats.

Jay Springsteen, Ken McDonald and Rick Hocking took the wins in the remaining races to pace the program on toward the National. Some pretty fine talents found themselves in a do-or-die proposition heading for the Semis. Admirable performances were turned in by Corky Keener on a 350 Sprint and Skip Aksland on his 360 Yamaha, though neither finished high enough in the Semis to transfer.

Aksland had a battle royal with Bruce Hanlon and just got nipped at the flag. His bike then seized in the Trophy Final. His mechanics thought it was because he had run three hard races almost right in succession. Skip had a tough weekend, but he rode his heart out whenever he was on the track, and that counts plenty in a lot of people’s books. Terry Poovey won the Trophy race over Keener, but not by much. The heats saw lots of intense racing, as usual, because Astrodome Short Track action is about the tightest there is.

Bets were on for the National, and not many were laying money against Roberts. But racing has a way of playing tricks at times; in Texas at the second race of the year, many of those "tricks" surfaced. The first trick was played on Hurst, Hansen, Kidd, Ken Hapke and Jay Springsteen, who were caught rol ling the light and sent to the penalty line. Trick two was played on Spring steen, who found his bike locked in gear when he went to move. Mechanic Bill Werner, who had no mechanical failures that added up to a DNF all last season with Gary Scott, was going to start the year on the opposite foot it seemed.

The entire race picture was changed with so many potential front runners sitting on row three and Springsteen sitting on the sidelines. Roberts just

might have an easy time of it now is what many were thinking.

Hocking grabbed the restart lead but Ekiund displaced him almost as quickly, with Roberts following and working past Hocking. Kenny moved into 1st on lap six and began putting some distance on the pack. He made no mistakes.

Bubba Rush, a definite crowd favorite from Houston, worked his way to 4th, on a Bultaco, no less! The fans were watching him and crossed their fingers as he began working on Hocking.

Ekiund remained in second when, on lap 14, with a probable victory well in hand, Roberts' bike seized and his hand shot up in the air. Ekiund dodged Roberts to the outside as Rush moved underneath and into the lead. Hocking was 2nd, Eklund was now 3rd. Unreal! The roar of the crowd outdid the noise of the screaming engines.. .a Houston-

ian was leading. . .for the second year in succession! With only three laps to go they all held on; the suprised David "Bubba" Rush had taken the checkered and it was bedlam in the stands.

Rush makes many of the Nationals on the circuit during the year, and his previous best performance was a 3rd at Santa Fe in 1975. This win will no doubt encourage the 19-year-old as the year rolls on, just as the National points lead will no doubt prod the Number 13 rider, Rick Hocking, on to better things this year, his third as an Expert. As usual, only the strong and lucky sur vived the Astrodome's slam-bang racing, and the drugstore cowboys are gonna have to wait some before they get another chance at the leading roles.

YAMAHA GOLD CUP RESULTS

SHORT TRACK NATIONAL

CAMEL PRO SERIES POINT STANDINGS

THE EQUIPMENT: In Houston, Everyone Has A Different Idea

Latest AMA regs prompted Mert Lawwill (1) and Greg Sassaman (2) to work out their own versions of quiet, new mufflers. TT machinery varied from a supertrick special like Skip Askland’s 750 Yamaha (3) to a slightly modified MXer (4), with lots of different bikes in between. Short Trackers showed the same degree of diversity. (5) is Ken Roberts' 360 C&J-chassised Yamaha for the new season; (6) is Mert LawwilVs tried and true H-D 350 Sprint fourstroke; (7) is, of all things, a Husky 360CR in a Champion Frame; and (8) is the lone Can-Am 250 GP ridden by John Hateley. A horde of TT500 Yamahas were entered, appropriately enough, in the TT. Versions went from almost stock (9), to modified stock (10), to radically different (11). New suspension ideas were plentiful on Kenny Roberts' equipment. Maico forks 4(12) and long-travel S&Wshocks (13) helped his hard landings off the jump. And, of course, no Astrodome would be complete without the bike parade that shows the most ideas of all. . .and considering that, this fellow and his ElectraGlide (14) get our vote as the ones who showed the most. . .period. They had it all over Kenny Roberts.