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/125604
. The Drag Race Scene By Dan I eet ne Draller Betty Nlcbols Photos by Dan Zeman What 'happens wilen in several1ssues f1 Cycle News, a particular name insists 00 cropping UP because f1 his feats as a drag racer? - It usually arouses your curiosity - that's what happens. At least it did mine. I figured this name bad a face and a personality to go willi it, so thought I would go in search of the complete man. The family and I loaded into the old wagon and made the trip from the San Fernando Valley out to Lions Drag SbiP. Here's what I found out: by Zeman would have been a good daY to run drag boats at Lions. The pits were full of water, making it impossible to race. A shout went out - "Let's go to Irwindale!", so we all beaded north-east. Sunday We bad a little delay on our trip. The truck bad a flat, so some of the local boys stopped to lend a band. The helpful tire changers included HaroId Spivack, Brian Janes, Jack Linn and Yours Truly. The truck was loaded with three bikes and the jack refused to work, but that dido't hinder us. We proceeded to 11ft the whole mess bi manpower. Bikes and all, still setting in the back. Presto! one quick tire change. ' Bob Braverman, Bruce Miller and Carl Morrow sure bad their problems. Morrow's bike wasn't running too well most of the day; Braverman's machine develOPed problems, so be packed UP before eleiminations. Miller losthis.fire before staging, so the big run-off was between Art Houston and Joe Smith. Smith took it with 10.54 E.T. and 150.50 mpb. Houston took runner-up at 10.89 E.T. and 131.67 mph. Joe Smith's biccasser Harley. I have received four donations, totalling $100 to be presented at the Kern County Racing Association Top Fuel Event. These donors were: Venolia Pistons of Long Beach, E and JDragEquiPment of MinneaPolis,M1nn.La1d1aw Harley-Davidson of So. San GabrJel, and Big Daddy Roth of Cboppers Magazine, eacb gave $25. Many, many thanks to these donors. Wltb people like this around, !' 10 sure it won't take Drag Racing long to come up to where it sbould be. This event will be covered by Cycle News. K.C.R.A. also bas tbeirownpurse of $275. Bob Brav.man's casser 'Giant Kill.... empl",s twa Kawasaki engines lor brule power. • SPOOL HUBS FRO NT $lUG 15, 11, or 201lI1l AXLE SIZE I ... Bob Bl"aYerll1&D l1Yes in VlLQ N1O'a willi ... his wUe, Barl:lara and tIIe1r tllree chiJd- ~ reo. 01 He recentlY became editor f1 Cycle Guide Magazine. Bi-averman says tllat about 26 years ago, be discovered he'd tallen in love willi motorcycles and drag racing; this eventually led him into writing articles about lIIe men and machines in this fast-growing sport. His first motorcycle was a BSA 21" single engine job. Since lIIen, be bas owned one hundred, plus. (He didn'tventore the actual count, but felt safe in his estimate). On his first experience on a drag strip in Arlington, Washington, 'way back 10 1951, he said be was' 'lIIorougll1y trounced by everyone." The next time out lIIe situation was reversed. Bob is riding a tw1n engine Kawasaki, and it's a beautiful machine. From what the records show, it's doing alright for him too. It's dubbed the "Giant K11ler" and rigbtlY so. He keePS an 18" fan in the back of his van to cool off his motors in-between runs. This way, be is assured of a fresh run eacb time'. He connects the fan to a generator that puts out alternate current so be can use it any time, anywllere. Completely portable. Even with his crowded scbedule as a lIlllgazine editor, be still flnds time for riding his own bike at the drag events. He alternates between Lions and Irwin dale, and of course, any Nationals. I:l., ~ b.:l Z b.:l c:3 ;:..., U Bob Braverman is a man who's never let his success go to his head. He is coogen1al and always ready and willing to share his knowledge whenever he's asked. I've never heard of him putting a man down for lack of ability; and I do know he bas been instrumental in sbowing dllierent people bow to make the most of their capabilities. Just to show you what klnd of a sportsman this man is, althougb his bike is considered a "gasser", be is eligible to run in the Fuel Class. This gives him extremely stiff competition, but be l1kes it that way. • .! Large Selection Of New & Used Motorcycles ~B~ 9000 SEPULVEDA BLVD. WARREN WILSON MOTOIS South of Nordon in epulvedil, Calif. '1N THE HEART Of THE VALLEY" STOCI PARTS (213) 894-9218 LARGESTTHE SMI Of MONTESAVAUfY! IN fEIlWlDO REAR $42.00 4714 Brooks Montclair, Calll~ 91763 Dealers Welcome AItOTHER RitE PRODUCT Dealer '"..lrlel l""lI.d Distributed by Circle s,e. cafe lIat.~le ....tioc place c_ - 230tll & W. HWJ. 13. TIMI falli IJ 100' s to choose from P LallCu....... Fine Food & Cold Drinks TCRES P O.k. 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