Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

CYCL£ALL£Y By Bob Ebeling 160 Mph in the Quarter Motorcycle Drag Raciug Association has now completed the first page in its history after successfully holding the first association meet at Irwindale Raceway last Sunday. Records were established and tile battle for a year-end points standing was launched with the finest in top fuel bikes breaking out the nitro bottle and slipping down the ways to fantastic performances. The magic 160 mph barrier was broken at this significant event. Sonny Raslawski backed up his win of last week by defeating four top cootenders and the smaller displacement adversaries. SOnny's Harley-Davidson -Sportster" turned in a best run of 9.82 seconds at 149.00 mph. That elapsed time tied with Murray & Cook' 5 best for the official M.D.R.A. class record, but M & C's Twin Engine Triumph had the miles per hour record way out in front with 1 ~6.52 miles per hour. 160 Mph! Clem Johnson's -Barn Job" has reached the summit 50 long sought after and threatened many times. The record is unofficial but we saw it and heard the announcer cry loud and clear. -a speed of 160.14 miles per hour!" Clem eased the big Vincent off the starting line showing no signs of smoke from the big slick. until some 30 Or 40 feet had passed behind the il\iected monster. Then it began and ten second 5 later Clem relaxed. for he can say, "I've done it." Fastest in the world and it seems out of reach to any competitor now running. Is it? Races for top street and gas were by handicap. Bob Braverman led a merry chase from start to finish.and never let a hound (or Hog) get more than a faint whiff of his exhaust trail in the race for top gas. Bob's Yamaha is richer in prestige and cash with an M.D.R.A. record of 12.43 seconds at 105.77 miles per hour and the Top gas bike winners check. Bob Bravennan has II lied a lalrlnelor better wind penetration at top SpHd. speed of 127.29 miles per hour. A'Ward Motors was behind Harry Couch whom we mentioned in the top Above: Clem Johnsan, the first motorcycle rider to break 160 qlh In the quarter mile! L Cyole Imports ()I Sa«, pue & SU 1It4te6 TWO .$TORES CYCLE IMPORTS 2293 50 EI Caml no San lIateo, Calif. (415) 341-14&1 TRIUMPH SUZUKI MONTESA HUSQV- ARNA Jim Cook sends up a smoke slenal. SERVING THE BAY REGION CYCLE IMPORTS 1039 S. HIFway 9 San Jose, CallI. (408) 253-5000 "o""ern C.I. He.d,••rters for COMPRESSION RELEASE INSTAllATION (2 & 4 stroke engines) Fabulous accessory for fbe trail ri der! Come In, Write or phone , • CHAIIPIONSHIP WINNING Suzuki s lor Dick Dorre.. teyn, Phil Cancilla, Jim Odom and Paul Bostrom built by Cycle Imports, Bay Area's largest Suzuki Dealer! Class winners in both Modified and stock street divisions raced for the same purse and all was fair in handicap and consistency. Eleven class winners and one bike was nalsing the goose bumps on every contender. Stan Smith rode a little 90cc Brid gestone through a tough competition line up until there were only three bikes left in top street. Stan missed not a shift, dropped not an R.P .M. or slowed his elapsed time. The Bridgestone was stuck like glue to an elapsed time figure of 20.65 seconds. The final race for Stan was against Bruce Miller and 55 inches of Harley-Davidson. Eight seconds separated the two machines and the Bridgestone left its starting position just that much before Bruce Miller. The count of eight is like eternity to a fighter and Miller can tell you a story all about what it's like. The Harley went by just before the finish lights at 108 miles per hour and the Bridgestone was sucked in a draft through the lights to a speed of 60 miles per hour. Two contenders were now ready for the moment of truth about who can beat whom. Harry Couch and Bruce Miller were ready, hut fate stepped in and declared a draw, for Irwindale Raceway was in curfew violation and everything was shut down. There is not just one but two victorious men and machine camhinations. Harry Couch's 30.50 Triumph has a winners check equal to Bruce Miller's. Who can say. maybe Bruce's Harley would have...but no maybe Harry...no maybe - oh well. we will never know. Sponsor's Enthusiasm Laidlaw's Harley-Davidson backed two machines that captured class wins at Irwindale. Lance Haserot won the A Modified street class in 12.61 seconds at 109.48 miles per hour. The sponsor's enthusiasm really showed in the Smith and Butterworth Harley as it rece! ved a class trophy and the unofficial record street battle and Skip Fordyce is helping Ray Downard to teach a 250cc Honda how to drink fuel in 14.09 seconds. Pay.e (H-D) Vs. :Murray & Coot (Tri.} at Lions saturday! .i flns Drag Strip was rained out and Sunday morning it shook the moisture from its asphalt coat for a day of good drag races. The new cycle pit director, Ed Thomas, phoned in the results and promised a future of great racing at the beach. It' 5 not an idle promise, for next Saturday, Murray & Cook will meet with the greatest drag representative Harley-Davidson ever fielded: Leo Payne will give Triumph the opportunity to show its strength in three races and may the best man take two, or all three! Burt Proctor was Lions' Q.uickest bike on Sunday and won the top gas honors with a Harley-Davidson in 11.79 seconds at the speed of 113.06 miles per hour. Top street was also secured hy a Harley in the possession of Al Sherwin. Al rode the sportster through the Q.uarter in 12.83 seconds at 105.06 mph. Coming Soon The M.D.R.A. will have its next meeting at 8:30 p.m. on March 16th, at El Nido Park in Torrance, Calif. Only two more weeks of Sunday racing at Irwindale and tben on Saturday, Marcil 25th, the gates will open to the first afternoon and night programs of summer racing. Cycle News will then be able to cover Lions and Irwindale in person, for eye witness reports. There is still no news of Fontana Raceway resuming the cycle program 50 enjoy yoursel ves and be thankful for our welcome at Lions and Irwindale. (Results on page 16)

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