Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125494
By Bob Ebeling TORTOISE BEATS THE HARE AT STARDUST RACEWAY IR Photos by Dennis Greene In this replay of the old fable, Leo Payne and Harley-Davidson were cast as the turtle, while Murray and Cook' Triumph played the rabbit. These two machines were the only contenders that qualified in eliminator bracket number one and their performances had been one half second apart. It looked like a sure thing for Murray and Cook's twin engine missile, but when it came to that moment of truth, a little hesitation on the starting line gave Leo Payne the" hole shot" jump that lit the winner's light in his lane. Leo's Harley had turned an elapsed time of 9.98 seconds and Jim Cook rode the quarter mile in 9.86 seconds. The final elimination round brought Here and There Over one hundred entries filed through the gates at the Stardust Raceway in Las Vegas, Nevada and they hailed from all three hundred and sixty degrees of the compass. Bikes were in trailers and trucks that bo.re license plates with states of origin like; Minnesota, Iowa. Arizona, Michigan and last but far from least California. When eliminations were completed, the winners checks and trophies traveled in as many directions. There seems to be no monopoly of wins by any single ~~~g ~~~ei'n ~~~~~f: se~:df~ro:~ ten. There has always been a false apprehension among competitors that there wasn't a chance to win unless your elapsed time was very close to the bottom of the bracket. This meet has shown that this is not true. for a glance at the winners times in the result section of ·Cycle News· shows virtually every winning bike turning elapsed times in the mid-point Or top of the class. Fnrther Results. Bob Loux of Modesto, Calif., was selected as the rider for a 650cc Triumph single of Kosman, the accessory distributor from San Francisco. Bob . rode to Vlctory over contenders such as Perry & Scotty, Sonny Raslawsk1. Mc Evoy & Whiteman and K. Kolatac. Perry Prentice down the fire-up road on the whIte englDe Tnumph that was recording elapsed times of 10.32 seconds. Bob Loux's Triumph was parked near the starling line, astride a set of roller starters turned by an auto drive wheel. Loux did not fire until Perry had reached the staging area. There was an eternity of time passing by as Loux started his machine and Perry & ScoUy sat with their engines building pre-ignition beat at the starling line. Finally the conlenders rolled forward and staged. The Chrondex Christmas tree Dashed through the string of yellows and then to green. Double In Trouble Loux. and. Perry were in a dead heat of reaction tune, but Perry was crossed up. Perry was expected to shut off but did not. In an effort to go out and stay ahead. the throttle was stayed dialed to the limit and the douhle was ridden out of trouble i~ br!'ve fashion. A maste... full nding Job 10 a. moment of trouble did not rescue the VlctOry however, for Loux traveled the str8.1ght ltne to a winner's prize in 10.90 seconds at the speed eX 129 mph. East and 'North Victories . . DaVld. Cernohous .1S a mao who started w1th three at!t1butes. A HarleyDaVldson, determmatlOn and the speedometer mileage from MlOneapolts, MIOnesota. Now he has added the fourth. Victory in bracket number three I Cernohous has a V-twin that runs strong enough to defeat the nation's best such as the runner-up Bob Micheals whom we know from local drag strips. The Harley won its cash and trophy with a best elapsed time of 11.59 seconds at a speed of 117 .18 mph through the traps. Bracket number four was monopolized by Northern Calif. representatives Dick Howell and Mike Farrell, both Triumph mounted. Dick won his race with a final elapsed time that almost advanced him to the next bracket. In the final round against Mike Farrell, the 650 of Dicks turned 11.74 and 115 miles per hour and the bracket breaks at 11.74. Nine hundredths of a second quicker and Dick would have been bumped. However, it was a glorious trip to the winner's ci ... cie and victory for Northern California. From Fi ve to Ten Each hracket had its winner and each one deserves credit for fine Performing equipment and consistency in riders ability. Dale Riggin's Harley-Davidson scored in number five in 12.91 seconds and Steve Rowles fabulous Suzuki ran with elapsed times that eclipse any previous Performance from a 250cc two stroke street bike. The X-6 hustled through the traps in 13.60 seconds and was moving at 95.42 miles per hour ~ ward victory lane. Bracket seven saw Stormy Morris lead Daymond Gordon in the quarter mile sprint. Both were Honda mounted. David Isely traveled from Mesa, Arizona to win number eight and Mike Spika found the road from Los Angeles led to victory lane in hracket number nine. It seems that circumstances were just right in bracket ten for the smallest bike and smallest tider. Las Vegas. Nevada's only winning rider was no higher than the Christmas tree's third yellow light and the Honda 90 he rode was just the size to gi ve Jim Steoo a victory run of 17.85 seconds and the well deserved trophy. Afterthoughts Sunday's Stardust drag meet was a great success - even greater than some may recognize. Ninety percent of the entries traveled over two hundred miles for the opportunity to comPete in an all-bike event. Excellent promotional wo rk by Reg Sheldrick informed and enticed the twowheeled acceleration addicts into the trek. Extra Awards One extra fine trophy was selected by Vegas Sports promotions for award to top bike at the all hike meet. Murray and Cook's twin engine Triumph estahlished top miles Per hour and elapsed time with a run of 9.63- seconds and 155.17 miles per hour. That 9.63 is the quickest any cycle has covered the quarter mile and one of the fantastic -Flustration" engines was oiling badly. If everything had been lOOper cent on the engines. the mark could have been unbelievable. A perfonnance like that well~eserved the top bike award! Three hams were awarded for the support of volunteer workers. Ann Hutton, Mickey Malone and your correspondent received the groceries from Reg Sheldrick and Gene Drew, the chiefs of Vegas Sports Promotions. More Help Thanks go to Cycle News and every sponsor of a machine that traveled to the Nevada State Championships. Some of the businessmen that stood behind winning competitors were; Johnson Motors, Drag Specialities, Kosman Triumph, Award Motors, West Covina Honda. Sunnyslope Honda and Mesa Cycle Center. (ReSlllls on page 16) Kawasaki Comes On! Stardust International Raceway Sunday, Feb. 19, 1967 A.-eA. sroITSIIAII'S ROAD RACE 25lk:c MAIN EVENT 1st ! KAWASAKI 250 A1 R - SWEDE SAVAGE 3rd ! KAWASAKI 250 A1 R - STEVE McLAUGHLIN Now You Can Come On, Too... With The Big Ones-KAWASAKI aki Mutorcyclc Corp. P.O. Box 2066. 15205 So. Main St.. Gardena. Calif. 90247 • (213) 329-1152 DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED