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/125521
BACK EAST by Judy McKeen We arrived at santa Fe for the Short Track National, early the morning of Aug. 18, 1967. Then set out to find a few of the troups. We headed for Waukegan, lI1inois and found Darrel and Peggy DoveL They offered us a place with them while we stayed in the mid-west, so naturally we accepted. It. started raining in the afternoon, but we continued out to santa Fe. It was like old home week, seeing racers and mechanics we hadn't seen iIT a'long, time. But that stinkin' black cloud put a damper on everything. So the National was cancelled and the rain date was set for the following Wednesday. From there a bunch of the racers headed for Springfield, Ill. for a seven star short track. It's the same one that runs yearly the..night before the mile at Springfie Id, only this year - no mile. Naturally, that big black cloud followed us all the way. It rained off and on right up to race time. The track was pretty slick and rough but for the first time in many a moon the promoter payed a decent purse. Keen Conquest Neil Keen was the man to beat. He was really flying, and nobody had machine or talent enough to beat him that night-Neil made a clean sweep. In the Main Mert Lawwill and Freddie Nix crashed o.n the line, so they had a restart. SOmething apparently ha~ pened to Nix's bike as he never made it to the line for the restart. We had decided early in the evening to caravan with Darrel Dovel to .Atlanta, Georgia for a half-mile on Sunday. So with pickup loaded and parked at the gates, as soon as the check.ered flag dropped at Springfield we raced for the truck and headed for Atlant.a. Six hundred and thirty-five miles and thirteen hours later we arrived in Atlanta, sort of punchy from no sleep but real happy to see the sun for a change. This was the first time motorcycles had ever run on this track. and it was in heautiful shap~. I can say one thing, these people down south are sure hungry for motorcycle racing. This race had no advertising or promotion but what a crowd. Our Grand National Champion, Bart Markel, rode away w.ith a clean sweep. ( believe that Bart is one of the great racers of all times. It never ceases to thrill me to watch that man ride. second place in the main was Darrel Dovel on a Harley. He is certainly one of the most popular and -----------------------------------------------------Enter Cycle News' New Subsc~ption Contest ! PRIZES RULES - GRAND PRIm a Brand New NORTON poll IJua~PulllOse Scrambler_ Wail UI yoo get the pink slip on this brawny, ma~sized cycle! Ride it on the mad as a fine touring Norton, or lake olf Ille ligltts and PRESTor Ifs a ga5llingly fast poll Scrambler. GUafanleed to crank oN 901>Ius quarter·~iles and "'ing home the trophies for you, if you're the WInner. Eatries will be j.deed Dl1 originalily, ~ncerity and aptness 01 thougltl nRST PRIm - To Be Announced SEaJND tbroap nJi"'DKTII PRlZES- Sexy, revealing Cycle News Confest ends on Mirilrght, December 1st, 1967,and ",tries postmarked after thai dale will not be eirgible 10 win. All ",tries become the properly 01 cgS Pubirsh109 Company aid none will be returned. In case of duplication the earliest postmark decides Ille winner. Contest not open to employees of cgS Pubirshing Co. or their fanulies. ....INNER" T-Shirts fOf men or lad,es. USE THE CONVENIENT SUBSCRIPTION FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 2 .------- HOW TO ENTER -------, I I I Race' Da,rel Dovel, shown In actlorr he.., put up ou' rovlne correspondent willie bacll east. well liked rider on the racing circuit. Third went to Charlie Southgate aboard a BSA. Charlie is a new Expert this year and doing very well. I understand he ne ver lost a race as an Amateur. One thingI should ha ve mentioned. That black cloud caught up with us by Main Event time and it was run only six of thp. originally scheduled fifteen laps. Those six laps were run in pouring down rain. Red Mc Keen blew a gear box on his Gold Star and had to pull off, and Larry Schafer on a Triumph was so blinded· by the rain that he also pulled off. But the remaining ten riders rode it out. Dovel and McKeen had intentions of heading for Michigan for a halfmile on Monday and then another half-mile in Nebraska on Tuesday, then back for the Short Track National at santa Fe on Wednesday. By the time we reached Kentucky their good intentions fell apart. With no sleep for a COuPle of nights, a motel looked better then any race track. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I : I I F1RST- Subscribe to Cycle News. This is NOT a subscription blank. It is an entry blank for the contest only. I If you are already a subsaiber, please attach address label &-om CYCLE NEWS here. I I I SECOND- Complete the following statement in 25 words or less: 'II Like Riding Motorcycles Because................. (U~~· ihi~ ·bl~·~k '~r'~' ;;~~~~~bi~· i~~~;~i i;j..· ··..······· » · That's all there is to do. If you're a subscriber you have a chance of winning the "machine of your dreams: the magnificent Norton poll, or any of 50 other valu· able, unique prizes. ----------------------------Mall to: Cvele lIews. Sabscrlber Contest. Box49&. I.ANII Be.clI, Calif. 90101 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I