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/125662
SMITH TAKES IRWINDALE NATIONALS By Bruce Braly = IRWINDALE RACEWAY, Sunday, March ~ 8, was a good day for Joe Smith. He VJ ~ collected $1,000 In prize money, not conttngency cash and mer\.) chandise, for wlnntng top fuel eliminator s, at the First Annual Fuel & Gas Motor\.) cycle Nationals held at Irwindale Raceway. He defeated Sonny Raslawskiin the final elimination with an E.T. on 9.68 to Raslawski's 9.81. The fuel class, always the most spectactilar, brought out some pretty fine looking machines. Clem Johnson was there with his fabulous Vincent powered "Barn Job." This rig, long a famous name In drag racing, really smokes It. The famed Leo Payne was on hand with his super sanitary fuel Harley. Boris Murray was also there with his twin Triumph fueler as was Gary Richards with his little (?) single Triumph rueter, This gives you some Idea of the quality of the 32 A/Fuel bikes that ran, and they really ranI In the Gas class Marv Jorgenson came through to win Top Gas Eliminator. He set a new national record with a 10.59 E.T . at 130.05 mph. Marvdefeated ...:J includ1ng Clem Johnson's .Vlncent ran as mean as It looks but Clem red lighted and lost to Dave Campos who then lost to Top Fueler Joe Smith. , I ABOVE: Top Gas Eliminator Marv Jorgenson had a 3rd round 10.59. BELOW: Boris Murray storms up his twin englned Triumph before a broken chain let him down. .. A Vincent rider eyes the strip and pUlis the trigger. - Miteo 8u'faco We specialize in only Bullaco 1241 W, Orangethorpe, Buena Park (114) 522-&109 Harold Elde In a run that was a really far out. Marv came off the Une sideways, then pulled a wheelie, and still wonl '01 Marv really hangs In there. The rest of the modified and street bikes put on a good show in their own right. There were some pretty good looking machines present. These boys pay the rent, so to speak, and are a real good group - out for a day of close competition. . There was some grumbllng about how the meet was run, and rightly so. Some of the street bikes were far from stock. Such things as expansion chambers (on the 2 strokes), straight pipes (on the 4 strokes), and struts Instead of shocks were just a few Irregularities that could ,' A R C T AO JOll1910 left.r .addne Is Here HI-PERFORMANCE EQUIPMENT Designed For Motorcycle Dealershlps UWASAr, .ow, BRAKE HORSEPOWER DYNO MARK II DYNO be seen. Cars were also run at this meet. This was somewhat of a bummer as most of the bikers did not get as many practice runs as they would have liked. Also, the cars just slowed down the whole meet In general - and th1s was billed as an all-bike meet. But, overall, it was a good meet and a day day for all. lt Is nice to see that there are st1ll a few strip s around with enough hair to let the bikes have their very own meet, almost. (Results on page 19) Headquarters BEACH CITIES CYCLES 525 N. EI Camino Real San Clemente, California .Y M H S A AA INCREASES SERVICE PROFITS PATRACO. P.O B X1611 PALOS VERDES PEN. CA . O .·90274 CALIF. RES. ADD 5', SALES TA X 4151 Redondo Beach Blvd., Lawndale. Ca (7141 492-6741 Parts-Service & Access. For More Info. Write: OEALER INQUIRIES INVITED GENE H, MYERS YAMAHA C\llIa\\' (213) 542-4041 "'~"/clr BE OUR GUEST USED PARTS ALL MAKES 40% TO 60% OFF ':. YAMAHA DEALER " · SCRAMBLER MOTORCYC'LES E.,.· 1801 W. Burbank Blvd. Burbank, Calif. 849'5907 or 845-8 738 7 MADE OF FIBERGLASS Rocing COSfDr AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE! ADDZIP ADDITIVES 1433-37 First Street Escalon, Calif. ~~E::::::,,"-- S.rong, simple A - durable. ~ASY. - QUICK TO INSTALL S 2.25 AVAILABLE Waterproof! AT YOUR