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/125731
BRELSFORD ACES CARRUTHERS IN "," .c: '" .., " ~ w z W ...J U >- U How close was it? Kel Carruthers on the outside (73) and Mark Brelsford (7) are in a virtual dead heat; but Mark won by 6 inches. By Don Woods LOUDON, N. H., June 13, 1971 -The AMA held a 100-Mile National Road Race today and after 99 miles, 1759 yards and 2Y2 feet, Kel Carruthers having led most of the way - found himself in second place as Mark Brelsford (H-D) won his second National of his career by a scant 6 inches. Carruthers, mounted on the same 350 "undersized" Yamaha that startled the world at Road Atlanta in late April, appeared to be on his way to another startling win as he dominated the race from lap 20 until 53 when Brelsford passed him. Kel then scurried back and recaptured the lead on lap 56 and led all the way to the end except for the last few feet when Mark snuck by. For most of th e race, it appeared that it was between Kel and Dick Mann (BSA), the two previous National Rad Race winners, as the two put on a fantastic duel. On lap 49, however, Brelsford, seventh when Kel took the lead on lap 20, went under Mann who was forced wide when he tried to pass Carruthers on the tightest turn on the course. Mann maintained control while almost going off the track but Mark was now in second. Carruthers, meanwhile, was totally unaware that Brelsford was his closest foe and when Mark passed him on the same tum that Mann had tried earlier, Kel shot a glance at his tuner, Don Vesco, to make sure that Mark was indeed in the lead. Vesco said yes, so Kel went to work, changing from his smooth style to a reckless catch-up pace which worked twolaps later on 56. That's how they toured the course for the few closing laps, Carruthers in ftrst by 10 feet, followed by Brelsford and then by Mann, on their tail waiting for a mistake. On the final lap, Mark shot by on one turn but Carruthers quickly regained the lead again as they came into the fmal turn, 100 feet before the checkered. In the Roove was a in case you forgot c4J slower rider and Kel opted to go high and pass while Mark went low and got underneath and moved up along side Kel for a drag race to he line. As they crossed, one had to be right on the line to teU who won, making it one of the closest finishes ever for that distance. Ralph White (Kaw) was the early leader but lost it to Yvon DuHamel .W"'-... ~;.-'IIl.IIlrN""..,~ (Kaw). Carruthers passed Yvon on lap 12 but was himself zapped by Mann on lap 17 before Kel took over again on 20. DuHamel remained in contention for most of the race until he lost time in a pit stop late in the race and as of this time, there is still speculation as to whether he or Gene Romero (Tri) took fourth. Another in early contention was J ody Nicholas (Suz) until he went down but wasn't badly hurt. Brelsford explained his late drive after the race when he pointed out that he had a brand new tire on the front wheel and "took it easy" in the early stages to wear it into shape. It resulted in a bad start but Mark was able to patch things up - in the nick of time. His 54.042 average speed set a new course record. Robert Winters (Kaw) is listed in sixth position with Cal Rayborn (H-D) seventh. Cal, however, blew his engine on the last lap and this may move him down in the finishing order as it is still un officials. The BSA teamma tes of Don Emde and Jim Rice were next with Walt Fulton (Kaw) following them. Southern Californian·· road racer Dave Damron (Yam) finished 16th to pick up his first National points of his career. In the Junior race run prior to the National, Ken Roberts shot, as usual, to the lead and held it until lap 6. At that point, one rider went down and spilled oil allover the course and before the AMA officials were able to black-flag the race, six riders went down in the muck. At that point, Roberts led with Loyal Penn (Yam) second and Mike Lane (Kaw) third, 3.5 seconds behind Kenny. The remarkable 250 Stormer which gives a healthy account of itself - Motocross or Desert ESPECIALLY WHEN MUFFLED! Dick Mann's third upped his lead in the point standings.