Cycle News

Specialized Triumph - Honda Repairs * Custom Racing * Engines Machine Work * Meli sse Kits Cyl. Boring * Head Porllng ~Tall.r Turls Back Ascot MIKE BURKE Motorcycle Specialties 15178 Raymer SI. Van Nuy., Cal. 91406 Telephone (213) 780-4779 DESERT SET UP SCRAMBLES PenIon - Hodaka Yamaha - BSA Husqvarna Norton Sam was In fine flying form, winning the Ex· pwlmaln ona Ro,al Enfield, delPlte a couple ot ·goofs." By Carol Sims Photos by Dan Mahony Bullaco We specJalize In only Bullaco Mitco Bultaco 7229 W. Oranpthorpe, Buena Park (14) 522-H2Ii I HARLEY-DAVIDSON I Immeolate De~lry Sportstel' Harley-Davi dson of Oceansi de Rapido 216 Via Del Monle Oceanside, California (714) 757-7510 See'eBl Ride af SADDLEBACK PARK! GARDENA, Cal., April 18- 'Ibreeyears ago, It wouldn't have been atallsurprising for Sammy Tanner to win a MaJn Event at Ascot. In fact, after reigning as the half-mUe champion for an unprecedented four years In a row aboard C.R. Axtell's stormin' BSA, his victories were the rule rather than the exception. But the last couple of Seasons have been bleak ones for Sam. Now, riding Shell Thuet's potent 500cc Royal Enfield, Tanner's found the groove again, and not only the crowd but even his fellow riders were glad to see him grab first place Friday night. ("It sure feels good to see him win again," said one top Expert, who shall remain nameless In the Interests of future psychological warfare.) Autograph-seekers and congratulation-givers kept Sam busy long after the races were over, but be didn't.seem to mind a bit. "How ya' feel, Sam," yelled a smiling passerby. "BITCHlNl" called back the Flying Flea. Later, asked If be cared to comment on the evening's happenings, Tanner grinned, "I'm glad Mert wasn't bere." (Lawwill, lastweek's winner at Ascot and also at the Northwest TT Championship, had mechanical trouble with his truck on the way back from Boise and missed the action.) Then Sam mentioned that the track had been a tricky one - wet and slick. If so, why was he going faster at the end of the race than at the beginning, we wondered? "Tbey were pressuring me," be replied. "I goofed had a couple 01 times In the north turn. I looked back, but they must have goofed too." Pressure or not, experience paid olf and Tanner - who had also set CJI1ckest time of the night - maintaIned a comfortable margin over point leader Dan Ride'e. JOlrself at SADDLE8ACI PARI' ~·5 daily, except Tuesday and Wednesdays Admission $2.50; Juniors &Minis $1.50 Mi'es of Trai's . Acres of f,. Box 2455, Orange Cal. 714/639-5832 A spectacular but time-consuming wheelie off the line at the start of the MaJn put Conserrlere far back In the pack and, despite persistent efforts, he was never able to overcome the disadvantage. But earlier, Paul and the Disharoon-tuned Harley beat out Tanner in their heat race (fastest of the evening), then roared to Trophy Dash victory over Tanner, Rockwood and Wirth. It was the first time in three years as an Experi class rider than Conserriere had won the Dash - a well deserved conquest. He was awarded the Cycle News TropbY. The otber Expert heat found all eyes on TT master Skip Van Leeuwen, making his 1969 half-mile debut on Danny Macias' rapid 650cc Triumph. Away they flew at the drop of starter WhItey Lyons' flag, but SkIp and Lloyd HouchIns tangled in the first turn and went down, Van Leeuwen getting the worst of it as be high-sided bard and rolled and end-overend to the wall. Houchins walked away, Gene Romero, a DN F, won San Jose daytlmw. Aldana Takes Amateurs One rider using brakes - and to good advantage - was Amateur MaJn Event winner Dave Aldana (65Occ BSA). Heand fast qualifier Don Castro (40-inch Triumph) have been waging a back-and-forth war for yellow-plate supremacy ever since the season started. They were tied in point standings going Into Friday night's final, but Dave had beaten back his adversary in their heat race, quickest for the Amateurs. Keith Mashburn, trying out the Dusty Coppage-tuned Triumph that he rides In TT's, took the other preliminary event ahead of Har1eymounted Bob Folton. Don Emde, aboard a lcorchlnc-llol Suzw

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