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/125730
TEAM nitro methane, and a lunched piston through the traps. Don didn't go as fast, but he paid his own way and had a lot more left over when he was done. "I had to pay for an AMA sanction ($50), referee Bruce Flanders, gas, food, all that stuff." It costs $800 just to get there and ba£k, without even making a run. It cost more like $35 during speed week.. " 1 asked him if he was proud of his achievemenL "I'm glad 1 did it. 1 wish 1 had gone faster. I had it geared for 268." "What do you think you're good for?" "I'U probably go 300 this year." "What do you feel when you're going 260 miles per hour?" "I don't know. 1 have to watch the tach, the noise of the 'liner, I keep pretty busy in there." "Don't you ever sit back and enjoy the ride, even for a split-second? Don't you pause for a moment and watch the sal t flash by and think, 'Wow, this is neat'?" "It's not fun going that fast. Too many things can happen." "Are you going back?" "I wan t to get back Harley's record. 1 migh t drive this time, Dave Smith might drive he wants to. " CaI Rayborn... l tried to spook him before he went to Bonneville to break my record. 1 showed him a bunch of crash films and told him stories. Cal and 1 have been racing together for 15 years, so it didn't work. " ... 1 wanted to use an aerodynamic '" ::> ., c: ~ w Z W .J U :> U Tues Kel Carruthers riding compliments Vesco's tuning. DO IT BUY-SELL MOTORCYCLES and related ite.s body for last year's run but didn't have the time. Next time it'U be differen t ... the body will be perfect...wind tunnels, everything will be used." Vesco has the unsurpassed reputation for excellence when it comes to tuning. Read Cook Neilson's superb account of Daytona in the June "Cycle": " ... they were the best prepared motorcycles in the whole shooting match ... Vou should have seen the bikes - each one was absolu tely flawless, Kroeber-ignitioned, safety-wired, backup-system ed, polished, painted, honed, sharpened and shaped, mystery-laden and error-free, each an ultimate of experienced, thoughtful preparation and shrill, shrieking speed". Jim Manning, head of the American Federation of Motorcyclists and long. time acquaintan~e of yesc,?' mentioned the old Chmese saymg, a sculpture should roU," i.e., it SllOUld have no protrusions to interrupt inherent flowing lines. "And that's just the way Don's bikes are", says enthusiast Manning. "My God when his bikes come through tech insp~ction, it's a pleasure to inspect them. A blind person could sense the beauty of his bikes; they feel right. " Precious few truly understand what a motorcycle is; off the assembly line it is a superior form of transportation in terms of simplicity, efficiency, and aesthetics. Fundamentals come first, a good bike is free of nearly all frills and doo-dads that detract from performance. When in the hands of Don Vesco with more than a httle help from Kel Carruthers, a machine reaches untold regions of development, past the stage of science into the realm of fine art. Don's amaz.ing memory for minute detail of the most obscure data surrounding his stable of machines and his ability to transform abstract conceptions in to metal scuptures that humble the whole industry is difficult to fathom. But the fact that he doesn't seem to be aware of the waves he's making is baffling. Commercial $10 Shoppers $1 This is the time you've been waiting for. Get the item you want at bargain prices. SELLERS & SHOPPERS The Road Racing machines for Carruthers. Cal Rayborn and Dave Smith. UL..T=== MAIL ORD.ER BIG BORE 360,c to 410cc, 100c, to 133cc 3)1, gal Sherpa S·T/PurSang tanks & skid plates CUSTOM ENGINE WORK STOCK BULTACO PARTS SPEED EQUIPMENT WRITE FOR FREE PRICE LIST "Home of the fastest dirt bike in the USA" Call or write for details - mail order O.K. PUMFREY BULTACO 21819 Sherman Way, Canoga Park (213) 887-7696 Get it together at the VENTURA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Open to public 5 pm to midnight. 1ake Ventura Freeway to Fairground exit (California St.) then follow the signs. Call today to reserve space (213)830-4040 830·4041