Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

CYCLEALLEY men and machines tbat tried to make tbe elusi ve magic elapsed times that would have bumped one nf tbe four frnm top fuel contention, but alas never made it, at least not at the right time. By Bob Ebeling Fuel Eliminations Harley-Davidson captnres all top bike wins at Irwindale Raceway and throws in a bundle of surprises to keep drag fans on their toes. The choice of matching competitors is not an easy task for a pit director but in this instance it seemed the wisest choice to place Murray and Cook's Triumph with Sonny Raslawski's Harley and Leo Payne's Harley against Clem Johnsons "Bam Job". The arch rivals. "Cook and Payne", would then probably not race until the second round. Sonny Raslawski was the monkey tbat threw the wrench and eliminated Murray and Cook's "Flustration" while Payne executed a similar move in defeating Clem Johnsnn. It left no doubt as to whether Or not Harley-Davidson would get the wi nners check and there were no bettors on Sonny's side. Leo had never been d feated in his California invasions and his elapsed time was a quarter second b tter tban Sonny's. Leo bad set Sonny's bike UP on fuel and it was anticipated tbere were a few tricks not let out of the bag. Wben Sonny and Leo Ured, staged and watched the yellow li gh t countdown, Raslawski pulled the day's big surprise to both spectators and his competition. As the last yellow goes out, there is a brief void before the green goes On and Sonny popped the clutch for a hal shot similar to tbe one that Leo used on M&C at Las Vegas. Sonny's winning lapsed time ticket reads 9.94 seconds while Leo Payne's is 9.38 seconds. Color Leo blushing pink! In the race for top fuel the underdog was found to have plenty of bite, in fact it turned on its own kind. Four contenders were selected from an entry of ten with their quickest elapsed times qualifying well into the ten and Dine second brackets. Leo Payne (H-D) was the quickest witb a first run off tbe trailer of 9.81 seconds at 153.30 miles per hour, tbrough the time traps. Murray and Cook (Tri. Double) were hot on tbe Iowa Ace's slick witb a qualifying dash of 9.96 seconds at 152.00 mph. Sonny Raslawski's qualifying spot was marked with a run of 10.17 and 146.47 mph. Fourth in the top fuel ranks was Clem Johnson and his Vincent Barn Job that ran the 1320 feet in 10.87 seconds and shut off at 151.00 mph. Perry and Scotty's twin engine Triumph and Don McEvoys Triumph "Two", Bob Sirkegian's "Super Bike" BSA, Dennis Manning "Huffer" 450 Honda, and Ray Downards 250 Honda were the . Photos by Don DurbID ...- ~o'l'l~tl c.~tlc.'" tl~S~ and Bill Chambers on a new 80·lnch Harley that Is challenclnc Joe Smith for E.T.& mph superiority, C-z (E. HIL~(fmrna Complete Service. Parts. M'L~ld.lin ~~~.. MOTtO R 5 2122 E. III ,\TI,\(;TO,\ IHlIVF: 1H;·\Iln:. C\I.IFOH'i1A Telephone 359-4541 . .. . . . .. ~ Vince Rowles' Suzuki stays down for a quicker E. T. than his opponent, who does the wheeUe bit. And another Clrl racer - Joy Eveleth on Art Houston's Trlwnph casser! .. . . . . .. .. .. .. . .. . Two Bit Locations GARTNER ENTERPRISE 2073 E. Pac, C'l. Hwy, - 326-3810 6101 Allanlic BI.d. - 583-3409' YOU'LL ALWAYS SEE IT FIRST IN CYCLE NEWS GOOolYE4R BLUE S1REAK M010RRACER 2,75x18 & 3.00x18 I\o\\' . \vailable in Theso Sizes 3.00X19 & 3.50><19 Special Dirt Track Tires ("om1D~ Soon SHELB Y Artesia 81ft. ENI.1139 W,(2l3) 321-6166 Gardena, Calif .. I Fill~ Ai;-Fiit~s:-J~~n p.;d~.1 I I I I I Francisco Castoroil, Dri- lide. Figlass tanks & seats, John Cooper & Big John Boots. All Available From SIMPSON MOTORS S475 San Fernando Rd. West Los Anceles, Calif. 90039 ! 2 1l! In The Future This Sunday, March 5tb, will be an M.D.R•.A. Points meetat Irwindale Raceway, using all of tbe association classes and running tbe winners fnr cash awards via tbe handicap system. Records wiU also be set for the nrst time under M.D.R.A. classes and additional points can be won by being tbe day' quickest and fastest in your class. On March 11, Saturday night wi 11 feature a match race at Lions drag strip that has been looked forward to for some time. Leo Payne and Murray & Cook will have at it for two out of three. You can watch this great race and compete in the E.T. Brackets all in one fine day. What a way to spend two days on two wheels! There is every indication that Irwindale will host an all bike meet in early July and when confirmatinn is in our hands, Cycle News will be tbe first to let you know. (Results on page 16) ~ HUGE DISCOUNTS on New 67 Hondo! Top Street Leonard Tafoya was the next man to cinch Harley-Davidson's three big wins. In this series of races for top street, tbe big red eye changed the complexion of several contenders that could have broken the Harley win streak, but as fate would have it, Leonard's elapsed time of 12.93 seconds did the job. Tony Dodge and his Triumph Bonneville were red light victims in the top street eliminations and Vince Rowles lost his class and a chance for the big race by the same color light. Vince was not tbe only E street bike victim. There were ten entries in the class and half were bikes turning elapsed times in the 14 second bracket. The man who came out On top for a chance at Leonard Ta. foya was Bill Krayhill and his 250 Yamaha that turned a winning class time of 16,35 seconds at 72.58 mph. In the final top street race, Tafoya played safe and let the green light come on real bright before leaving the "hole" to win the top street glories. ........ r~~NDnda One Down! Bill Kawa, a newcomer to the gas dragster ranks, was lifted from the asphalt and set back on his Honda 450 after executing a spectacular spill. Bill turned the Honda's throttle on full and dropped the clutch, the Honda shook its head and raised UP on the rear wheel. SUddenly the 450 gracefully rolled to tbe left p..od Bill headed right. Later the injuries were surveyed and determined to consist of damaged pride and a sprained finger along witb determination to not let it happen again. It hasn't yet! .. THE HOME OF CHAMPIONS! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If Top Gas Laidlaw Harley-Davidson represented by Joe mitb and his partner Buttecworth were once heard to utter irmnortal (along witb immoral) words when they last scattered tbeir engine at Fontana RaceII y. The phrase has been copied many times and tbe proper credit not given, but I heard ~l[. Laidlaw and Joe mitb say, ·We shall return!- Thi unday's day of top gas racing showed not only tbeir return but the beautiful results of team work. Joe rode tbe 80 inch Harley to a low elapsed time of 11 econd and a fantastic final speed of 125.87 mile per hour. Pelformances like that cut a hasty trail tbrough the heavy files of contenders with Bob Bravermans Yamaha following behind for runner-up. development co. 269 ORANGE AVE .• GOLETA,CALIF •• 93017 PH. 805-967-8919 ~7~!! ....... ~ "",,- ~:z: ..... u _0 >:!= """ :z: :z: Vi :z: :z: ::::::; Q.. :z: """ ~ 1635 W.VAUEY IlVD ALHAMIIRA, CAI.IfOllNA 91803 I I I I I .J

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