Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

l llQ Mashburn took a header in his beat race and passed the dash try1ng to clear up his headache. He came back in the amateur final but took It extra easy for a non-contending fifth place. Don Dudek upset Terry Donaber in one at the amateur heats. Donaher had not lost a heat race in five weeks. Dudek had not won one all season long, Then Dudek returned to lead tbe amateur final until be too fell atf leaving the way clear for Donaher to pick up tbe win for tbe fUth time in six weeks on his 500 Velocette. The novice action was just as wild witb unranked and non- winner PhillUnkle doing the job on point leader Don Emde in the elimination beat race. Then Emde was turned back in the regulation heat by fast improving Tod Sloane. Sloane had earlier put It on Freddie Edwards in their elimination bash and for the first time this year both Edwards and Emde were turned back on the same night. SIIorty SUborne took his second Experl Main win In as many wins. Sammy Tanner led mosl of the way 11I1 Seaborne mana lid to pass him comlnllnto thelnl start pta way before Ihe flae. By Dewitt Thuett Pbotos by Dennis Greene GARDENA, CAL. May 30- Notoneattbe three main event winners at Ascot won their beat races last Friday nigbt. This Is typical at the weekly action at the Gardena oval. The track was wild and tbe races were wild last Friday with no less than a dozen riders doing funny th1ngs and falling off. Only one, amateur Stan Rogers, was bospitalized witb a fractured leg that will probably put him out for tbe rest of tile season. Shorty Seabourne came on late to pick up his second straigbt main event win at the year in the expert class - tbe hard way. First Shorty ran third in his beat race bebind Paul Conserriere and Sammy Tanner. Little Bea_, world's champion mldlel wnstler aids Ann Mlche" In lbe trophy presentation. Dan Cofferman Moforcycles La Habra 901-905 W.Whillier Blvd (213) 691-2661 Then the diminutive ace ran fourth in a four rider field in tbe TroPby Dasb. But when it reallY counted for tbe money and the points the little man from Lawndale was leading the way across the line over nine expert riders. It was a big nigbt for tbe smaller 500' s that are still banging around Ascot like there will be no tomorrow. The 500 riders took the top three spots in tbe expert time trials. Keith Masbburn, the aJ;Dateur, for tbe tblrd straIght week outtimed all the experts on his Yamaha 350 to go even smaller. The dasb was made UP of four riders, all riding 500cc macbines. Three were entered bY tbe same tuner, Dick Kelm. Lloyd Houchins made three years of trylnl pay off for his first trophy dalh win. Three of lie bikes In lie dash were Dick Kelm tuned. Penton - Hodaka Yamaha - BSA Husqvama Norton 1223 Ave. I Lallc:llter (1051 '42"624 'Ihings were different in tbe final with Emde going on for the win and Edwards coming up from tbe back to take second, just tbe way things have been most of tbe season. Edwards came very close to not riding tbe main event by placing fourth in tbe regulation heat race, tbe last transfer to tbe final. Ascenzi Ascends Seattle Hill aged his Harley on his second attempt and former national champion John Martlnolicb was feverishly wrenching and wiring the machine back into shape In an effort to regain the toP spot. Fuller, making tbe last novice ride at tbe day shot over the formidable hill, but the timer showed 18.77 secondS, shelving him in second place. Chain hillcllmbing on tbe west coast seems to be drifing toward extinction. It seems to be dying from witbJn. It's not the lack at spectator interest that's killing off this sport as no matter how poorly publicized a motorcycle hil1cllmb is, It still seems to draw large crowds of innocent fans who still think tbe motorcycle sport is hillclimbing. However at tbe event they see only a handful at contestants. Once a novice gains enough points to advance to tbe expert class he finds himself competing with an assortment at 30 year veterans riding some beavyturning pre-war V- TwIns, who torque is hard to match. Generally be droPs from the scene and the sport stagnates. Another factor involved is the lack at events to make the necessary preparation worthwbile. The old hillcllmb oriented clubs are disappearing along with their hills. Perhaps up..dating at equipment requirements, formation ofacllmber association similar to the Midwest's class "A" group, and introduction at a llgbtweight class to attract some at the bordes at twostrokes that seem to dominate tbe other facets of motorcycling sport would revive this exciting and spectacular sports attraction. (Results on pege 27) SEATTLE, WASH., May 25 - Veteran professional hillclimber Lydian Ascenzi swept botb the 45 cubic inch and tbe 80" experi events at the JollY Roger MIC's class "c" cbain climb in Seattle today. AscenzJ led the dwindling group at experts over the 500 foot hill, astride his ancient Indian Scout with a time at 17.52 seconds on his third round ride. Triumph mounted and the only other climber to top the hill in the smaller class, Chuck Hodson at Portland made a gallant effort on his final ride, but clocked 21.12 seconds for second place. m tbe big-bore class, Ascenzi took the first round lead with a time at 18.72. Choosing not to take a pass until somebody had bettered his time, Lydian's secood ride sizzled over at 15.22, the fastest time of the day. His third ride was aborted by mecban1cal fallure. No other experts toPPed the dusty and loose surfaced b11l wbicb was aggravated by tbe unusual lack of spring rain in tbe Seattle area. m tbe novice 45" event Charlie Thielke at Seattle just nipped the finish string with his front wheel to stoP the clocksat 18.40 on his first round attempt. He then chose to walt and see if any other at the tresblings could beat his time. Nooe at the others could come close to the crest so his single ride was good enough. The first round at the 80" class saw Portland's Don Fuller grind his way to the toP with an amaZingly slow time of 33.28 seconds. None of the novices cleared the b11l in the secood round, but in the third stanza John Estep new over at 15.80 and took the lead. Fuller had dam- 36153 N. Sierra Hwy. 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