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/125616
Sam Tans 'E t scot Again By Carol Sims GARDENA, CALIF. May 9- "A very exciting race," said Sammy Tanner, musing on his latest victory in the darkness of the Ascot pits last Friday night. Ql The excitement was almost more than lii one had bargained for. Jimmy Odam, ~ riding Mert Lawwlll's spare Harley, ~ was determined that Sam should not - pass. After a 6th place start in the maln event, Tanner had worked his way up to second, passing two riders per lap in his streak to the foreIront. Mel Lacher had led oft the mark, losing to Odom in the first lap battle, then regained the lead on laps 2 and 3, only to blow. When Sam appeared destined to overtake Odom, the leader, in rather ungentle fashion, shoved Sam toward the fence. "I thought I was gonna climb the wall!" SaId Tanner afterward. "I lost my leIt handlebar." You got it, anyway, a reporter pointed out. "Yeah," Sam chuckled."Itwasneat." Having set 2nd fast time and won his heat, Tanner topped it with a trophy dash victory, ahead of Ron Kruseman (riding the DannyMaclas-tunedTrlumph), fast-timer Mel Lacher and Shorty Seabourne. Not enough experts were on hand to make a regular show, so a semi was run, taken by Mike Moore. Tim Harris again put his foot In it and highsided badlY during the final. He got oft, but not hard enough to take an ambulance ride. Paul Oonserriere failed to make the show. "I've got horsepower, but the cases keep hanging up. Whenbothwheels are oft the ground, what are you gonna do?" shrugged Paul. Mel Lacher gave Conserriere a tip on how to solve the problelll; raise the engine. Terry Donaher came from behind to ~ r::l olI ... !5 ~ ~ ~ .s 0 if win the Amateur lO-lap final on his Velocette after nailing Don Dudek, the early lap leader. Keith Mashburn moved up from 3rd place to garner 2nd on his still-teething 350cc Yamaha. Don-' aher had built uP an 8-length lead by the end of the race, but Mashburn was closing. Emde Works for it Novice Don Emde had his unbroken win string interruPted in the heats. Kawasaki mounted John Hately charged under Emde's SUZuki, causing Don to drop back to 6th place so fast it appeared his engine quit. Emde charged back, but ~tely had his way and won the heat. The Novice 8-lap final spotlighted Fred EdwardS, lunging into the lead on his Yamaha with Guy Smilb(Suzukl) right on him. Hately was 3rd with Emde back in the pack. On the second circuit, uP Above, Terry (43x) Donah. and Randy (3\x) Smith. otore.,cle Safet., C'ief Addresses Hel et Co••eil .. '. . .- '~ . !t - Frau Heacox and Lewis Buchanan, (richt). Rick Talbot (H- D) held 3rd place on '" 5, but crashed and Rick Holly, ~ held back for lact of horsepower, dis- Ii: played more style than anyone, finishing 5th behind Chuck Palmgren's tib CI) brother DennIs. ~ RESULTS r..J 15- LAP MAIN EVENT :c: Sammy Tanner R.E, ~ Jim Odom H-D ~ Ron Kruseman Trl G Lloyd Houchins BSA Shorty Seabourne BSA Len Earl H-D Mike Moore H-D Don Harms H-D Tim Harris BSA Mel Lacher H-D AMATEUR IO-LAP FINAL Terry Donaher Velo Keith Mashburn Yam Don Dudek Tri Ron Spillman Trl Dave Stroman Tri Rory Randall R.E. Randy Smith H-D Stan Hill BSA NOVICE 8-LAP FINAL Don Emde Suz Fred Edwards Yam Guy Smith SUz D. Palmgren Yam Hon Ric Holly Kaw John Hately Yam Dick Catuto H-D Rick Talbot Suz Mllce Van Scoy lap Mr. Lewis S, Buchanan, Director of the Motorcycle Safety Porgram of the U.S. Department of Transportation, addressed the April meeting of the Safety Helmet Council of America in Westchester, Ca1Itornia. Mr. Buchanan told Council members, prospective members and guests, the details of pending Federal legislation which will affect the safety helmet field. Council President, Frank Heacox announced that the SHCA Certification Program Is gaining general acceptance throughout the country. Under this program, the Council licenses Its yellow and black certification mark to lbose helmet models which have been tested by independent laboratories of national repute, to meet or exceed lbe 290.1-1966 Standard of the USA Standards Institute. Mr. Heacox added that lbe goal of this program is to give assurance to dealers and consumers that helmets bearing the SHCA Mark are truthfully advertised. carnes Emde In 3rd, by lap 3 he was 2nd and on the 6th lap Emde scooped Edwards for the lead.