Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

Flash Flood Danger Stops Race As Torgerson Crosses Line Story and Photos by Dick Wright RANDSBURG, Cal., Jan. 26 - Dennis Torgerson pressed hard through the rain to cross the :line first after one lap of the Moose Run, planned for two laps. The race was called at that point because or the possibility or flash floods, Torgerson being declared the winner. It had rained hard all week, and the Four Aces Club had just about had It with trucks being caught in flash floods and lime being washed away; but they went out and bought thirty-six rolls or yellow tape and marked the entire course over again on Saturday afternoon In the rain. There were 400 riders ready to go at 11 a.m. The start was delayed for an hour Husky mounled Dennis T.rgers.n read Ihe course well .nd flnl shed flrsl ....r·.II. Only 100 .f Ihe 265 biiblke enlrles finished this muddy Randsburg, C.lif.ml. run. Al leasI 50 bikes were lell .ul .n Ihe c.urse .vernighl .nd pulled QUI by f.ur·wheelers Ihe nexl d.y. to give all the riders who had trouble on the highway a little more time. The rain started to pour down as the banner was dropped, but there was no turning back now. You could hardly see where you were going in the driving rain, but this wasn't supposed to matter just as long as you were out there racing. Desert riders are a determined bunch. After 51 slippery, wet, and cold miles, Dennis Torgerson, !/9x came In on a 250 Husky tuned by Tracy's of Burbank; his time was one hour and twenty-five minutes. Torgerson has been riding for six years and has six 250 Class wins to his credit. He has always been uP with the front runners, but this time he was not only able to go fast and keep out of trouble, but he was also able to keep his engine dry by reading the territory to stay out of the deep marshes and waterholes that proved to be the downfall of many rider s. The start turned out to be a good one, even though the wind had blown the banner and everyone got a little nervous, but no one jumped the gun. It was dillicultto see the smoke bomb in the rain, and some of the riders went orf through a saddie between the mountains two miles before the smoke. Dick Camp, !/535X, on a Bultaco was In the lead at the smoke, followed by Steve Holladay, !/714, on a Husky, and Mike Burke, !/42, on a Triumph. The first check was a flying check in a narrow canyon, and the second was located fifteen muddy miles later In the roughest section or the course. Some or the sandwashes had a foot or running water In them, and the clay marshes had turned to "quicksand"; you were dropped hubdeep In mud and stopPed dead, almost throwing you over the bars. Of course, the big concern for everyone was the possibility of becoming stuck out In the cold and wet weather, which turned the race into a test of survival. Torgerson, who had been running seventh at the smoke, had moved up to third by the first check, when Dick Camp, the early leader, dropped into a big hole and waved everyone off. Phil Bowers, !/139x, then took over the lead, wi th Mike Burke In second and Torgerson third. Torgerson began to apply the pressure after the second check when he could see both of the opponents going down one of the long hills in front of him. Hedecided to go all out, wi th an overall win as his objective, and moved past Burke In the rocky section. He got by Bowers next, who had run into trouble on a long and steep slate hill, then powered Into that welcome finish line first. There he was told that the two-loop race had been shortened because or the danger of flash floods. Phil Bowers was seconll on his 250 Yamaha and Mike Patrick !/42lx, was third, also Yamahamounted. A muddy and cold Mike Burke was fourth, and was first Qpen Class. Dick Camp pulled himself out or the ditch and came 10 for a well-deserved fifth. many times between Jack Morgan, Ill, 00 a Hodaka, Robert Kessler, #377, on a Sachs, and Wes Anderson Jr., #4, on a Harley Davidson. Wes managed to keep his bike tile dryest, and pulled In to win it, with Kessler, a very classy Novice, and Jerry Jetton, an Expert numbered 26p on a Sacbs following closelY. Earl Allen, another novice, came In fourth also on a Sachs, bearing the number 46p. Jeff Wright, #76, was next on his 5.5. Hodaka, followed by three Novices: Paul Nyland, !/SSp, George Curry, !/894, and Dave Sealy, 11934, plus Amateur Bill Barkkarl, !/lOS, all on Hodakas. The Four Aces are tobecongratulated for their all-out effort under adverse conditions. Trail Bike Difficlllties The trail bikes had a much rougher time or it, having less traction and power, and those mud .bills proved to be almost Impossible. The lead changed ... ~ " '- .~ Wes Anders.n Jr•• b•• rd,hls new H.rley mounl man.ged to be .ne.f Ihe lucky 35 I. finish ••1 of 135 entries In Ihe tr.llblke class. Wes sn.tched flrsltr.llblke h.nors. ~------------........ RACING DECALS sTp ~~ ~ L",e$fOne] ,AGGIE 98 SAFETY HELMET CtCb~ r--------------~~------------- I USAC and AMA Approved Meels or Exceeds Z90-1, 1966 Standards B~ OF ViPs Encl.sed is $ , for the below checked items. (Check or money .rder only, no C.O.D.'s pie.... Celifornia residents must add 5% 581.. tax,) P.O. Box 307 Redondo Beech, Calif.rnia 90277 P......nd the following i• .,..: J.C. AGAJANIAN _ _ AGGIE Helmet, slze _ _ {S,M,L) White or Metalflake In red. blue, or. gold: $32..95 ea. INTRODUCES THE AGGIE 98 SAFETY HELMET _ _Visor. Universal: $1.95 _ _ Color, (8lhXll) AutograPhed Indy Photo of Aggie .nd Indy Rookie-of-the-year, Billy Vukovich: $1.00 _ _ AGGIE Helmet Bag: $4.95 Name •••••..••. ~u • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0. _ _ Competition Shield (Flat): $2.95 _ _ Competltlon Shield (BUbble): $4.95 L Address .•_..•._..•.•.•.~ ....••••••••••.••.................. _ _ AGGIE Helmet reflector lState approved): 2 for $1. He's the Kine of Racing. Sports car rac:'"a ..• Moton:yc:le raClnl .•. crtampfOnShip open·cockpit racing. He's the man betund the scenes whose nickname ("Aggle") and lucky I'iIclng number ("98") have been a malor Influence In raclnl sports for more than 2d years. As a Director of the U.S. Auto Club. whIch establishes profes· sklnal racing safety regulations. no one knows safety needs better. Aggie 98 is designed to live every cycle, hot boat. sports car, dralstrip drIver and skydMr the ufest helmet. Coming from Aiajanian. It has to bel Clty._ . StOlte ...••••••••..•......••.......... Zip . dee.ls. _ _J.C. A9<1janl.n Race Team Package: Six Indy decals. (2 Aggie Hats, Firestone. STP. Union 76 and ASC): $1.50 ~ '" ~ ~ Col ..,J U G

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