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/125517
1CYCLEALLEY .... 0> "" by Bob Ebellnc Q AI Sherwin and his Harley-Davidson Sportster cot a clean path - thlOngh eight leading conteaders, for top street honors at Irwindale Oi ~ceway. . ~ A lull in activity (with the exGassers-Hlr& Draws a Red-eye "l:: ~ Col ~ Col ,.J ~ U ception of bench racing) takes place in the late evening, while raceway employees satisfy their growling innards. Suddenly the calm is shattered when the public address system sends out a message with enough volume to reach the most exclusive personnel hideaway, -All employees return to your post. SOme of the racers in burst of nervous anticipation fire their engines. only to reach for the -kill button- as the national anthem is delivered in raceway tradition. As the phonograph needle slips from the last groove of the well-worn record, riders turn to their cycles and shatter the nostalgic silence with a rumbling roar that has always been the leavings of a dramatic voice's challenge, -Gentlemen start your engines·. Actually, that voice never sounds at Irwindale Raceway, but the anthem is there and it is the significan t point that reminds of the privilege to pursue a Quarter mile in the shortest period of time. Top Eight In The ~ Al Sherwin was the number one Qualifier and retaine d that position for H-D from start to finish. It wasn't all an easy trip to the cashier's window for among the top eight were riders and machines such as Dick Strickland, BSA; Harry Couch, Tri.; Ross, Harley-Davidson; SCiacca, Bar.; Marshall, Yam.; Crash Clymer, Honda and Kerker, Norton. Elapsed times ranged from the Quick 13.20 of. Sherwin to Crash Clymer's bump spot 14.85. It's all -heads up· racing and the only thing which changes odds on who's to win is a riders skill and sometime s an over-eager trip out of the starting gate, that sometimes draws the big red eye. But no matter how you figure or on whom your hopes are riding the field must finally narrow down to two, one for. top eliminator and the other a runner-up. A final race found Harry Couch with his ever faithful 30.50 inch Triumph matched against the 55 inches of Al Sherwin. Sure, Sherwin won with his abundant power source but it wasn't handed on a silver platter. Harry Couch was with him, or slightly ahead, out of the gate all! pushed from that point on, ready to jump ahead if the Harley's four strokes were reduced to a lesser firing cycle. Harry Couch was runner-up with a 13.65-9533 time slip and Sherwin took top honors with aI2.62-10830. Nira Johnson and Jerry Nance. both Triumph mounted, were the contenders in a race for B gas trophy. When the nJichines were staged, Nira committed an error he seldom makes. A red light! Jerry Nance won the class with a 12.3 9 elapsed time and speed of 106.13 mph. Art Houston attached a Fagiol supercharger to his 650cc Triumph and was bumped into racing with upper-elassmen_ Johnnie Eastes picked the talents of Jim Cook, yep, the -traitor· to a Triumph camp, as rider of his 60 inch Sportster and the blown Triumph vs. Harley race was on. The Triumph and Harley were off the line in a synchronized movement but the Triumph did not huff hard enough to stay up the rest of the way. Jim Cook tripped the lights in ." is ~ Ii HanU of ...._ promoto .tII.Alvel .. lito Dew 450 HonU enestor _od ad rlddoll by Bobo. ~ t1l 12.05 seconds at 112.00 mph. Later in a race, "just for kicks·, Johnnie Eastes raced the Triumph of Jerry Nance, to win with a time almost identical to Jim Cook's. Go East, Young Man avon Only Avon makes new motorcycle drag racing tires l These slicks were designed by Avon's racing engineers to meet exacting specifications. They are made With high hysteresis cling rubber that gives you maximum grip on any drag strip. Recent world records . set by British riders again prove Avon's quality and performance. Sold through your motorcycle dealer. Size 400 x 18, tread width 4.20". SliCks lor ASIII t-!ap Jones D!stb. Co.• 2 Clinton Park, San Francisco, Calif., and 343 North Court, Pratt- Ville, A~.; Milne 8ros., 22 N. GreenwOOd Ave., Pasadena, calif.; Southwest Motorcycle Parts DIStb., 1810 T~xas !,~., t:touston, Texas; Dixie International Co., 1721 Woodland Ave., Columbus, Ohl~; D!xte Dlstb. Co.. 17~5 Woodland Ave., Columbus, Ohio; Jeary Meyers. Box 45-83, Mlilml, F~.; Accessory Dlstb., Inc., 602 W. 52nd SI., New York, N.Y. I may have the words in thi s famous saying slightly mixed or changed, but that is my intent. for East is the direction I take in a trip to Indianapolis. Indiana at the expense of Mr. Floyd Clymer, to direct the Mid-West Motorcycle Drag Championships. Bruce Miller is substituting for me at Irwindale Raceway. Lend him your help in a good day's racing. Sunday at Lions Drag strip is an A.H.R.A. Record meet. If you have ever desired to try for the coveted title of World Record Holder. here is the chance. (Results on page 16) 1 AOU .ArlOlAL CHAMOIISIfIP MOVED ro SA' JOSE The 7 Mile National Championship Dirt Track race has heen moved to san Jose, California. It will now be held on Sunday. September 3 and is promoted by BarkhiMer and Murrell. 50 Mt. Herman Road, santa Cruz, Caliiornia. The move was brought about by a recent court injunction which prohibited race contests of noisy vehicles at the original location, Air Capitol Raceway Park, Wichita, Kans. .. ' -