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/125524
.....11. II•• lor Harl.,_ted Cal""" (25).d TrI..... rider Ga., M' •• (9). day. Nixon and Roeder were only a dozen National points apart. Cal Rayborn was looking for his second straight National win this year and his second straight at Carlsbad. The 54-lap grinder was a Trophy Dash for all but the last few laps. Nixon. Dick Hammer and Rayborn shot to the front and were wheel to wheel for the first eight laps. Then Rayborn became too eager on one turn and fell off. He later came back and was running with the leaders. one full lap back. Nixon and Hammer then took up the duel and it was a repeat from Daytona last March. The Triumph Tigers from the east and west swawed the lead no less than 24 times before Hammer came uP with ignition troubles late in the race and slowed to drop at least five places hefore the flag came out on Gary. Nixon bagged his 5th National wi n of the year and his third on pavement and regained the National point lead from Roeder by 40 markers. His fi ve wi os in one season also ties the all-time one season record also held by Bart Markel and Joe Leonard. Roeder was never in contention from the start but picked up 19 points and finished in 9th place. Nixon lapped all riders at least once except third place Fred Nix and second place Roger Reiman. He was right on their rear wheel at the finish with a new track record. Had Hammer stayed in the event with a full head of steam it would have been a 'photo finish right down to the che cke red flag. Top thr.. ln lIIe ble bike ID "rlne lIIe early laps w,. Dicit Hamil... (16), last years Carlsbad wi.... Cal Rayborn (25) .d Ga., MI_ (9). The 250 Lightweight Race Carlsbad made racing history not once but twice in the popular 250cc 25-lap race for Experts and Amateurs. Amateur riders Ron Pierce, Art Baumann and Walt Fulton put it on the Experts and ~t it on them like never before. Expert Dick Newell led early in the race only to give way to Pierce, who was on the private entry of Mel Dineson from Bakersfield. Baumann, on a team-entered Yamaha. charged through the pack early to run up alongside of Pierce. Fulton. on a Suzuki. had to hold off early bids and then challenge Newell all the way to the finish for third place before taking the number four spot. Pierce and Baumann staged a two-rider duel never before seen in American road racing. Pierce led the first half before dropping back behind Baumann the last half but on each and e very lap they were side by side at least three to four time s. Baumann, the road racing ·Purist- and Pierce, the converted dirt tracker. came out of the last turn on tbe last lap side by side. It was a drag race down the long straightaway to the finish with Pierce taking the win by what was estimated from SIX TO EIGHT INCHES!!! • Det_lutlon (Contiaued em page 9) Ita~ wrttt.. all ov.lllelr fac.s, tIIr.. Mallollal ClI"""as CD.c.tra" on c.D.rlac. F,. ..... Gear.. Roel*, Ral........t• •d Cal