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/125502
Most visitors to Las Vegas return home with lightened wallets but AFM stars Buddy Parriott and Art Baumann had their pockets full of clinking silver and their arms loaded with trophies after the AFM Nattional Road Race at Stardnst Raceway last Sunday was history. Star of the day was Baumann who brought out a new five-port 250cc Yamaha to put the panic on tile rest of the field. The same machine, ridden unofficially by Baamann in the 500cc and Open Event, surprised everyone by zipping through the pack of big bores with astonishing agility and bolding 0(( all cOlltenders, inclading Buddy Parriott who barely Ripped the Nipponese two-stroke on the last lap. Baumann really sbowed the stuff the new YlUIl&ha was made of by running away from a field of about thirty 250cc competitors who came to Nevada to try their luck on the Mously fast 15-tnrn sports car course. Roa Grant, on the Al Fergoda five-port Yamaha took second, with Diet Newell, also YlLIIlLha-lBoanted, third. The 350cc Main eveat was another Baumann ran-away, this time with Ibe Precisiou Machining Honda. Second was Fred lIuhlberg and the Victor of the three-way dice forthird was none otherlban Dick Kilgroe, who managed to nose out Marty Brinkworth and Steve McLaughlin. Young McLaughlin proved his skill as a top-notch racer by leading a parade of "names" in the 175cc class, which included Fred Muhlberg. Buddy Parriott, and Rou Grant. Honda-mounted McLaughlin was never contested for the lead and won both the 125 and 175cc class. A Glod Linle Bike When the big guns came out for the 500cc and Open event, spectators were surprised to see Baumann's 250 in the lineup and really opened their eyes in disbelief when the Yamaha jumped into the lead. Parriott, who got of( second, really had to scratch the Manx to catch him, proving that nowadays it is becoming increasingly difficult to beat a &Dod small bike with a good big bike. Officially second place Eric Dahlstrom (Honda 450) and third place man Dale Alexander (H-D) can count themselves fortunate that Baamann didn't run for points. Yamaha scored another first by winning Ibe production event with with Ron Grant on board. Although John McGillivray (Triumph) led the the sparse field most of the distance, he mistakenly slowed for a black nag not intended for him and let Grant by. The only accident of any consequence all day occurred when two outfits collided dudng the sidecar eveat. Although the accideat looked spectacular, DO one was seriously injured. CYCLE NEWS wishes to thank McLaughlin Motors for their generous assistance in covering this event. Official resnIts next week.