Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

~ A.F. • ROA RACE OPE E AT ATEL PE VALLEY Star of Ill. dar, Ibk.rsfl.ld's Ron PI.rce In action on his YaNbs. By Tom Finlay 5eptember 3rd, 1961, IIIe AFM, Los Anples Cllapter, aid Aatelope ValIlf Raceway play. Hsf tl C iflrlia pawmeat riliers 1m La. Day week.11 aall .... fierce cempetiti. resalted. The weekend brought a break in the weather. which was certainly we !come as Friday before the race saw a high of 112 degrees recorded less than two miles from this writer's home, which made all concerned afraid that few would be brave enough to venture out to the race track. Well, venture we did. long enough to see Ron Pierce of Bakersfield. well known to Cycle News readers as last years' • King of Whiteman.· assume the unofficial title and position of "King of .Antelope Valley·. or mods. First fifty was AMA sensation Walt Fulton Jr., just back from a tour of the midwest. Walt rode Tony Nicosia's eight-speed Honda CR-llO. Nicosia was second .. teacupper" on a Suzuki. Li~hts In Action An interesting feature of the day'S racing was the fact that the drag timing lights were in operation and they showed Fulton's fifty going Pierce Wins Decisively Afte r an uneventf ul practice session, heats were begun for the AFM's fourteenth round of the Western Road Racing Championships. The heats were four-lap affairs which most riders used to size up the opposition, and as a result, didn't appear to prove who would come out on top in the mains. One exception was the 250 heat, won decisively by number 96, Ron Pierce. First event was the comhined lightweight-heavyweight Production race. As the riders roared into view, Mike Morse, riding his second road race, was in the lead. However, he got involved in a braking contest with college-professor-turned-racer Byron Black. and unloaded harmlessly in front of the pit grandstand. Morse remounted and finished third in class and fifth overall. Black, meanwhile, carried on clamly to an overall win on his Kawasaki, pursued by Steve Thompson on a 350 Yamaha. First 250 was Suzuki pilot Greg Smith, first 175 was an Ossa ridden by John Karalius, and Ron Pierce led a Yamaha sweep of the 1-2-3 positions in the 100cc class. Bill Giles brought his Mondial home as the first fifty. The first GP and championship event was the 50-100cc race. Though won by AFM champion Ron Grant, second 100 and second overall was comely Georganne Muhlbarg and her Yamaha twin. Tom Howard led Ron Pierce for third. though Pierce spemed to be suffering from "lakkapo nie z. " That is a disease that afflicts racers, especially road racers, who don't have the latest equipment Fr. left, lleel . , ..... Art Racewl)'. ".ann and Jim 0..... ~d ... plt tum at A " . Vall., through at about 68 mph. while Grant's winning 100 had over ten mph on Walt with a reading of 79 • Next up was the 125-175 GP, and pre-race favorite and heat winner Steve McLaughlin assumed an early lead. His usually super-reliable Bonda CR-94, which revs to 14.500 (ouch) had spark plug problems and he was forced out. After this. the 175's swept the first three places, with Fred Muhlberg (husband of Georganne) leading the pack. With McLaughlin out, Moe Conserriere and his Bultaco took 125 honors. Moe is, by the way. the father ofAMA ace Paul Conserriere. Bi~ 250 Field Tension mounted as the 250's were assembled on the grid, for this was the biggest field of the day, as well as being the fastest. The drag clocks caught Ron Pierce going through at 92 mph, starting 300 feet after the %-mile start line and with the AFM run-and-bump start! He also was the fastest through with a flying run of 106 mph. Pierce won this race handily, but easterner AndY Lascoutx shook up the AFM regulars by snatching second. Last point race was the combined 350-500-1000 G.P. First overall as well as first 350 was Art Baumann. who had a near race-long dice with Jim Deeban. Deehan's Triumph developed gremlins near the end of the race, gi ving the win by Baumann. Tom Steele took over first in the 1oo0cc class and third ovemll. Ron Grant slipped into second 350 and second overall on an exPerimental Yamaha 350. while Dick (Fearless) Kilgroe herded his Bonda 450 in for the 500cc win. Come One-Come All Darin, Dtck Kllpo. (3) I.ads Jim De..,. and Art BaumaM durin, Ill. AF1l BI, Bike basil. The last race of the day was the Antelope Valley Grand Prix. which was open to GP machines from 2501000cc. There was $250 in prize money on the line for this one. so interest was high. As they roared away. many wondered if the smaller bikes were at a large disadvantage or not. Maybe thE 250's should have been handicapped, as they swept the first three places. with lS-yearold 250 class winner Pierce getting the $100 and the win. Credit to Yamaha and Mel Dinesen Motorcycles of Bakersfield. Pierce has emerged as a real threat at the upcoming AMA National at Carlsbad. Antelope Valley Raceway has announced tentative dates of Oct. 29 and Nov. 26.

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