Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

8IWIC Murrell's lead over second pllu:e compared to last week. Ken Wise (H-D) and Mike Spier bad a little game aI give and take golDg tor two laps until Wise tired aI it and grabbed the number ooe position trom an unwilling Spier who wouldn't give it away without a tight. Meanwhlle Tommy Smith (Mon.), gave a Ught third place to battling Butch Bivins' Bultaco when the tormer went down on the last sweeper (see photo). Tim Thomas enjoys watching a race, especially the 250 Expert event. Tbat's why tor the last two weeks he has started and stayed at the rear, enjoying the others' antics until It's time to get down to business (actually on the first turn ot the first lap). Then he quickly works his way up to steal the leader'S thunder on the last lap , just in time to carry oft another troPhy on his Bultaco. This week It was Harvey Bakker (Bul ) who got robbed. Desp ite a 150cc handicap Leon Cotton pushed his Honda to the tore to claim the glory in the 350-500 sprint. Don Harrell managed to keeP his 441 BSA ahead at an impa tient Tony McDowell whobadmoved his Trlumpb up trom rourtn, stunt riders J0In Pathfinders M le • • Story and Pbotos by Jay York One ot the most exciting and surprising scrambles yet, was sponsored by the Patbtinders MC on the 31st at August at Kearney Bowl in Fresno. The jump was the scene at much at the action. A couple ot "stunt riders" slarted It alt by practically totalling their bikes without serious injury to theirselves in two separate incidents. And the taster bikes nowtlytormationas they soar by the stands. Atter two restarts and some practice laps because of a wet track, the 100 Novice event tinally got under way. Ron Leidig apparently didn't teel li ke playing around since be immediately grabbed the lead in an unrelenting and successful bid tor tirst place. AlIov.. Doul lIunell foud "e pa. III top 250 Novice lIolY. Patbtlnder Gary Gibbs (Tri) tound his way borne ahead at the others atter a loog absence from his 350-500 Amateur class. Members ot the Patbtinders MC also dom1nated the 650 Novice main as they placed first, third and fourth. The 650 Amateurs were a bit too eager to get their event under way; they started without a !lag from starter race promoter Harold Murrell. Murrell finally got them stopped and calmed enough to otficially set them oft. Bill Lamb wasn't really that meek as his Triumph roared out ot a tight first lap contest. After a second and third lap caUee break, the boys were back at it with renewed vigor as Tiger (Mike) Thompson's Trimnph 200 Amateur lead... John Brown. Mouths agape, spectators gawked in disbelief as Lee Seidel did the impossible in the 120 Novice/Amateur/Expert stampede. The Kawasaki mounted Novice snatched the lead trom Expert Joey Petz' Suzuld on the first lap and wasn't about to give it back. The pair outdistanced the rest at the field as Petz vainly tried to regain the lead. Veteran Petz will have to teach ' Seidel some respect tor his elders another time••• If he can. Bruce Davis andStanGeisbrecbt(Tri.) warmed up In the 200 Novice qualifying race with a dead heat tor first place. But it was Davis (Bultaco) which apparently got a shot in the swining arm trom frantic effo rts between races and came back to beat the Trtumpb by an easy 50 yards. An evenly matched pair ot Bultacos piloted by John Brown and Steve Bray kept an already overworked cr owdon the edge ot their seats with a wheel to wheel battle which lasted until the last lap. As they came out ot the last sweeper, eager beaver Bray disbed up a little too mucb soup causing a slide which cos t him a possible fir st and almost second place. Insist on the protection the pros are getting . . . from $14.95. Ask to see a Buco helmet at your dealer. or write for a free catalog and decal. Buco Products. 1550 North Peach Avenue . Fresno . Californ ia 93702. Aviation License Required A r ed bot Doug Mur r ell still hasn't land ed his Kawasaki atter nearly lapping his slowest competitors for the 250 NovIce loot. But If be keeps It up, he will have trouble with the FAA - they r equir e pil ots to have a license . William Bateman (BSA) must be credited with snort- 'k. Saf Ruco Products D ivision saawe

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