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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125685
ASCOT TT TO MARK By Maureen Lee GARDENA, CALIF., August, 1970- Advertising for the August TT at Ascot Park fell behind Its usual standards and a lot of fans were apparently In doubt as to whether there was a race, as shown by the smaller than usual crowd. The regulars fUed in early to watch pre-race preparations, such as Bob Bailey and Mlke Haney sl~ slde-byside cutting their tires as well as last minute tuntnit activities. EddIe Mulder qual1f1ed for the pole at 34.40 followed by Mark Brelsford (H-D) at 34.40. FIrst the two amateurs to make up the trophy dash were John Hately, with the seventh fastest time of 47.05, and Terry Dorsch (TrIumph) at 47.46. The track was new for National ChampIon, Mert Lawwlll, who was looldng for. a back-to-back win after hls performance at the flat track the night before. He had to drop out of his heat when his rear chain came off, and had to make it to the Maln the hard way, from an outsIde row two start In the semi. As they lined up for the Main there was a lot of guessing as to who was going to win, although Lawwlll was the favorIte. EddIe Mulder'S triumph had shown tremendous power in his heat, as well as in hIs victory In the Trophy Dash. Aldana Van Leeuwen, Berry, and HaneyaIsohad more than a fighting chance as the flag dropPed and they roared into the first turn. Mulder was In front, followed by Brelsford, Van Leeuwen, Berry, Wilburn, Aldana and Lawwlll. Tightly bunched, they were in the tight lake turns just a short time later, when Laww111 starting to move UP, hit the rear wheel of the rider in front of him, and did a classIc highslde, hitting the track with stunning force. It was quite a whUe before the champ was up on his feet as the field was blackflagged. Lawwlll made it under his own power to a seat In the pIts an glommily wateped the remainder of the main, wh1ch st1ll had plently of surprises left. This time Mulder started in the thlrd row and Law wIll' s teaIJ}lIlate, Mark Brelsford proceeded to take the lead. In the following laps the riders really made it a good one to watch, giving fans a busy time of following the rIders move on up through the pack. Mulder really got moving and made it up to second but not before worldng around Aldana In the third spot and Van Leeuwen in second. MIsfortune then started hitting rIders again. Aldana'S Beezer broke in as he landed after the jump, when the oU return pump quit worldng and he headed for his pIt. Brelsford was just breezing along 'happily way up front with Van Leeuwen a bit behind. Mlke Haney (TrIumph) was keepIng his cool holding well to the groove in fourth place as Tom Rockwood on another TrIumph did a bit of sliding around, trying to pass for the fourth spot. Mulder finally saw his chance and took the second place from Van Leeuwen by going underneath, coming out of the halfroUe turn. But on lap eleven smoke began Photos by ErIc Ratts coming out of his ex!laust· and on lap 14 one piston biew OIl the straight, with a blast the whole stands could hear. The cI1tfhang1ng didn't stop, though, as Van Leeuwen's bike began stuttering. But by careful rIding, he hung on to keep his second, as Haney was far enough back with not enough time for bim to make an all out challenge before the checkered flag. There was a b1ackflag stop in the Amateur maln, too, when a three bike pile-up on turn one occurred. Terry Dorsch reallY showed them the way home and the race more or less turned Into a procession around the track, although a good ride was turned In by John Hately who often starts out slowly until all of a sudden he's right In there. Although he moved up quickly through the pack he wasn't in contention to pass Dorsch. The Novice wlnner who transfered directly to mal who transfer.ed directly to the main In the fastest novice heat on 'his super fast Montesa. Roberts, who Is the poinUeader looks just about unbeatable, and although Yamaha-mounted Carl Byers put on a good try, he couldn't take the lead. The next Saturday night TT will be September 12th, the second Saturday of the month. Mark Brelsford on his way to victory last saturday night. Fast qualifier Eddie (12) Mulder, Dave (38x) Aldana and fifth place finisher Paul (15y) Bostrom motor past. Amateur winner Terry Dorsch keeps his feet clean by keeping them on the pegs. Sixth place winner Larry (59r) Wi Iburn tries to keep Mart Lawwi lion the outside.