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/125625
CD The Drag Race Scene By Betty Nichols When the gates opened at Lions Drag Strip at 1:30 on July 4th for the big all bike meet, the officials were met with such an array of every type and description of 2-wheeled machines, that it was downright beautiful. While Dan Zeman and Norman Nichols checked out the bikes and classified them, I handed out the numbers and entered them under their respective classes. Lions hosted riders from Northern Californla, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexfco and Missouri, along with the regulars and visitors from Southern California. It was quite a day. Kenny Brown gave quite an exhibition Qfl his Triumph in-between rounds. His antics gave the crowd quite a thrill. After all, it isn't every day you see a man skidding along on his heels behind his machine and throwing sparks all the way down the strtp with his steel shoes. The motorcycle drill team from the Elks Club of Huntington Park gave a spectacular show of precision riding. Such a team as this is very rare. Robert George gave a wonderfull show , of skill during a recess of rounds. He has performed at Lions before, so everyone was looking forward to seeing him command his big Harley up and down the drag strip as if it were a toy scooter. It was really something to see him attach a small ladder to the bike and climb up to the top of it while it motored itself down the strip. Standing on the seat is one thing, but standing up on a small thin ladder is something else, especially when you are the sole rider. It was really great. Performances such as these are strictly for the professionals. Doug Schwerma of Hayward, Calif. showed up with no less than three bikes. A twin engine Yamaha, 'A' gas, a single engine Yamaha 35b for '0' gas and a single engine Kilwasaki for Jr. Fuel. He had tough luck with two of his machines, but took '0' gas with his Yamaha at 121.21 m.p.h. and an E.T. of 10.91. Joy Houston took 'C' mod1f1edoverher husband, Art, plus every other rider in her class, but Ed McDonald came out with the best E. T. in the complete modified division with a great 11: 78. Out of 49 entries for Street Division, Tony Nicosia, on his 3 cylinder Ka w- Jim Jones, the record breaker of our last meet Jr. Fuel Class was still holding out with his new record of 10:78 and 131.64 on his blue Triumph. It wasn't goOd erigugh though, because Gary Richards, aboard his Triumph took an E.T. of 10:36 and 144.00. Talk about Out of Sight 2-wheeled machines! You aln't seen nuthin' unless you were out to see the choppers that showed up at this meet. They came from up and down the west coast. Not only were they something to cast your change to make his stand, JUSt full throttle. He said he got a big kick out at doing something like that - - legally. Jim was up 00 his back wheel on the second gear, but as with 'Mike, didn't make it but about half of the quarter mile. Robert came out a little differently from his two opponents. Once his front wheel was in the air, he did a left foot stand, with his right shin resting on the seat. He went all the way past the quarter mile, and if it hadn't been for the traps, he might have ended up at the beach in that position. It was a "really great show." Dave Campos of Albuquerque, came out with his H.D. 74, but lost out with a seized piston. Don Sonderegger drove from st. Louis with his brother Ted. Don's Harley gasser blew up dur1ng the trials, so he loaded up for the day. That was tough luck after such a long triP. Verne De Voll came all the way down' from Longview, Washington, but ran into problems and couldn't make any records. But be enjoyed it anyway. This was a planned trip so that he could com bine the meet with a family vac- atioo. Laura Lee E. Heckman of Portland oregon came down with her husband to asaki 500 took the best E.T. at 12:40. Good going Tony. 108.82 m.p.h. is nothing to sneeze at in that class and division. Joe Smith took Top Fuel with an E.:r. of il:72 and 155.97 m.p.h. with his "Knucklehead" Harley Davidson. He didn't find this such an easy trick. Ted Sonderegger at St. Louis, Missouri was runner-up with 10.07 and 143.76 m.p.h. Ted had spent most of the day wiping out most of his opponents, in the way of speed when he finally lost out. eyes Ul?on, they also showed some decent speeds. Troy Pegues blew his fueler the week before, so he brought out his chopper and took the class with no sweat. We had three brave souls that entered the Wheelie Contest. Jim" Spider" Summers, Robert Nickelsen and Mike De Luca. Mike came bucking past the starting line like a wild bronco, then up she came. It was a beautiful sight. He explained later that be didn't use a gear see what she could do with her Sportster, but lost out early in eliminations. We bad a big group from East Palo Alto, Calif. which gave a good showing. They were entered in at least three division and many classes. It was a wonderful day at the strlp'nth so many of our' neighbors showing up for the meet. They are the ones that helPed make it so sucessful. All the local regulars and visitors were on hand to see that we would have the biggest meet ever. The whole day was a true show of sportsmanship. We would like to take this time to thank each and every one at you. This included the staff at Lions Drag Strip, the Security GuardS, and Ambulance Servi~e and all the riders. Bill Ivy Fatally Injured Britain's Bill Ivy, 1967 World Ctapion of the 125cc Grand Prix road ra.clfI!g class, was fatally injured in pracUce SatlD'dl>.y for the East German G1'IIDd Prix. No details are available at this time. , * Firecracker ** - MOTOCROSS - July 4th Gary .Bailey Beats European Champions On Prototype Griffon Coming soon - worth waiting for 250cc 380cc Gri nons. Spec. All new motocross tube frame, with tap- . ered limken head bearlnes. All new snlfline mechanism. All new motocross ee.. ratio. Now down for low. 650cc laree type ee.. s. Steel and bronze elutcn plates. All new chain wheel. Laree alloy cylinder. Special steel rim with laree spokes. Sprlne loaded foldlne foot rests. Brake rod - not cable. 400 X 11 K rear. 300 X 21 K front. Greeves or Cerlanl forks. a a G ry B I ey el --:._.._ ....~It's Easier To Win On AGreeves ~ It takes a good rider to win - it also takes a good fast, good handling bike to keep ahead of of champions from SWEDEN - HOLDAND - ENGlAND. They have the factory behind them, but Gary has Nick Nicholson iIld lots of fans. . NOTICE - Riders ask your local dealer (Greeves dealer or not) to order you one, he can you know. NOTICE - Dealers - New Dealer Requirements - Order 2bikes - Using 1for demo. * Distributor N~ck Nicholson Motors 11573 Van Owen. No. Hollywood, Cal. Ph. (213) 764-8674 Racing since 1946 - Selling 2 strOkes since 1954 * ("') "< ~ t"l :z: t"l ~ = ~ (lj ~