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/125500
eye E EY By Bob Ebeling .... ., 00 ~ Q., "" ~ '" e.; :: -.:: ~ CI) ~ O!: "'J SpoDSOriDg dealers and cycle distributors may be iDterested in the figares compiled by ODe of the ·three drag racing associatioDs. For the year 1966 the NHRA sanctioDed 2,066 drag raciDg meets aad had a paid spectator attendance of 3,729,242. These statistics have been prepared from tile files of the Natioaal Hot Rod Association and pertaiD only to NHRA s&Dctioaed events, leavi.g unexplored figures of of saactioDing groDPS sach as A.H.R.A. and N.A.S.C.A.R. If you apply the attendance figures to a per-weekend basis, a tamold of 71,116 people has occnrred every weekend for only ole of three sanctioDed glODp eveats. G e DtI em eD, that is a great advertising udiencel Raiaed Out Everything was wet, from diapers to U drag strips. Mountain passes were closed. >.. except to vehicles wi th chains and sleds u and at least two dogs for pulliog. Thus an effort to increase the motorcycle position with Smokers drag strip in Bakersfield. Calif. was denied hy a power greater than ours. All is not lost. for on the first Sunday of each month the Smokers will he open for business and if the greater powers will allow, we may try again on May 7th. Lions and Irwindale raceways feU victim to identical fates and although a pale sun broke through on Sunday moming, enough water was standing in asphalt pockets to cause a forfeiture of strip facilities to ll(Iuatic birds. ,.J Nut Weekelll Saturday nite will he a challenge of Smoke vs. Smoke at Lions Drag Strip in Wilmington. Calif. Perry and Scotty's twin engine Triumph ·Stagefright· will !Sce a four-engine Buick dragster f()r S'''' Trac'S....., ,..fe. At TrojI. two out of three. This big Buick drives all four wheels and smokes like an industrial rubber plant. Perry and Scotty drive only the One of two wheels and it roUs out billowing clouds unlike any other drag bike. The duo is counting on a hole shot to defeat the monster, but win or lose, it will be a show to see. To avoid the chance of a mechanical defeat to automotive fans, Don McEvoy and his rider Buddy Martinez will hack up Perry & Scotty, with their great new • Jack Shaft·-180 degree phased 'Four banger· TriullUlh. Irwindale Raceway will host the bikes On saturday, with the gates opening at 12:30 p.m. Lions Drag striP will have a full class program on Sunday, wi th gates opening at 9:00 a.m. At 6:00 p.m. Sunday, there will be an M.D.R.A. meeting at El Dorado Park in Long Beacb. The address is 2800 Studebaker Rd. Studebaker Rd. turnoff is iust West of the highway #605 ofr-ramp and easily seen, thanks to large Highway dept. si gos. The next two saturday nights are open pmctice sessions for any and all lightweight racers, except AMA professional experts, at the new Trojan Speedway in SOuth Gate. The track, formerly known as SO. Gate Raceway, will open at 6:00 p.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. for any riders wi th small bikes, 250cc and under. The dirt oval has been completely reconditioned and has a new clay surface for the riders that want to get in two practice periods before the weekly season opener on Tuesday night, April 18th. Twice-a-week lightweight sportsmen racing will get underway on the 18th, follow up with short track racing every Tuesday night, and lightweight sporting IT's every Thursday night from APril to November. The first sporting TT is slated for Thursday night, APril 20th. Three classes will make uP the show with class one 50cc-1oocc, class two 101cc-200cc, and class three 201cc-250cc. All riders, both licensed and nonlicensed, may compete. Additional information regarding events and rules may be obtained by calling 435-1013 in Long Beach. Troian has taken a two year lease on the track and many improvements are planned BOOK REVIEW: New BMW Hand- J1Jis is Jim Brunson, Deser' Man, • tile left, wi". Jill Woolwine, Scrambles Man, on ,lte riglt,: Jim Brunson bau",t his blk~carrylnl vehlcll from Jim Woolwln .. Old Jim sells pauel tracks, vans, carry-alls, Dew aDd used pickup tracks, campers EI CamiDos, Cbevrolets, etc. Ask for Jim Woolwine at Robert Hall Cbevrolet in TujuDga (213) 352-3241 or at his bome anytime. 10 _,. 'or free ,"vice 353-3226 book and SIlop Mannal, published by Floyd Clymer Publications, 222 North Virgil Ave.,. L.A. What appears to be the most detalled and comprehensive shop manual ever published on a motorcycle has just been released by Floyd Clymer Publications. The large (8~xll·) 275-page book covers all ~odels of BMW motorcycles currently availahle to the buyer. Profusely illustrated with more than 400 photos, charts and drawings, the manual is actually two books in one, as it covers the entire line of twin models as well as all singles, from the earliest to the latest. The book is un-usual 10 that the text and captions for all illus trations are in four languages-English, German, Spanish and French. Translated from the official factory workshop manual, the book contaIns easily understood stepby-step instructions on the repair of all maior and minor components. Cautionary procedures to be followed are boldly marked. Teutonic thoroughness prevails throughout the entire manual; it includes an expansive trouble-shooting section and even outlines the procedure of how to attach a sidecar. The man ual is not intended to make the BMW owner an expert mechanic, but to give him a better understanding of the fundamentals of what many experts in every country consider to be the finest motorcycles available. Translations of the English, German and French were found 'to be nawless and we can say without equivocation that with the addition of the BMW pictorial history, the book has gained rather than lost in the translation. AHRA RECONSIDERS - DRAG BIKES O.K. Never underestimate the power of the press! The American Hot Rod Association, in reply to a Cycle News editorial by Bob Ebeling, has decided to give drag bikes another chance. The decision to have the drag bike reinstated on a trial basis cam e about through an AHRA board of directors' conference in which the organization's president Jim Tice voiced the opinion that drag bikes should be allowed to compete in the Nationals, scheduled for Odessa, Texas, April 14, 15 and 16. Further competition of motorcycles under the AHRA banner will depend on the outcome of the Odessa event, executive director Bruce Young said. Young indicated that the Odessa event would be a test to see if there is enough interest prevalent and if the two-wheeled quarter-mllers can behave themselves. As to the earlier AHRA decision to ban the drag bikes, Young added, -Maybe we were a little hasty in our decision and we would like to reconsider.· Racing categoIiesfor motorcycles will be broken down into three classes at the Odessa National with money paid as foUows: Top Bike: $100 and $50 from STP Middle Bike: $50 and $25 from STP Small Bike: $25 and $25 from STP Trophies and cotton jackets will be awarded to winners as well.