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/125734
... '" ROMERO ENDS Photos by Sam Mangalin and Steve LeHuray SAN JOSE, CAL., July 5,1971 - Gene ..., Romero raced to his first national win ~ of the season at the 5 th annual San Jose UJ Half Mile National. An overflow record Z crowd that filled every seat and isleway ~ watched Romero grab his first national ~ victory since winning the Ascot Half u Mile National last September. The win stopped the two year hold by Jim Rice and his BSA. Romero became the frrst Triumph rider to win as BSA and Harley-Davidson had divided the previous four events. It was also the first time this year that a Triumph has won a National. Triumph swept the boards in time trials with Frank Gillespie (Tri) , Eddie Mulder (Tri) and Washington's Jim Jones (Tri) taking the top three spots. Romero was far down the list, around 18th fastest. Mark Brelsford (H-D) won the opening heat race after Jimmy Odom (Yam) and then Dick Mann (BSA) took turns leading. The race was halted after the opening lap when Dave Aldana's BSA destroyed ten yards of fence and ended up far out in the open field outside the far turn. Terry Dorsch (Tri) also went down but stayed on the track only to come back on the re-start and go through the fence on the opposite corner. That's a record that will be difficult to top. The second heat race had Chuck Palmgren (Yam) in front for two laps. Cal Rayborn (H-D) had his machine lock up on the front straightaway, pitching the speed record holder down hard on the track. Then first year Expert Nick Theroux (Tri) came charging up to take the lead away from Palmgren and go on for the upset win of the afternoon. Romero came up from fifth place to give Triumph a one-two finish with Mulder making it in for third. Palmgren finally settled for fourth. Three differen t riders also led the action packed third heat. Dusty Coppage (Yam) opened as the leader for the first two laps, Dave Sehl (H-D) led the third round and then Rice finally -3 moved in to take the lead and the eventual win. Rice and two other riders were caugh t off the line by starter "Bouncing Bob" Malley and had to start on the row three penalty line with Rice picking up a position each lap until finally working into the lead. Rice and Romero crossed the line at the end of the first lap in the 20 lap National running side by side. Then Romero moved to the front. The surprising Theroux passed Rice for second place on the fourth lap and heat race at the Columbus National the week before, came on strong the last half of the race to move by both Theroux and Rice for second place. Rice moved back into third in the last five laps. Dick Mann dropped out of the event for the second straight year with ignition troubles and finished in 12th position. The national points by Romero and the last place by Mann, the point leader, now tightens down the two rider race to only 11 points heading into the Seattle National Road Race H-D• Jimmmy Odom and Dave Sehl get the white flag... Gary Scott: You just can't hardly get it over much more without getting your leathers all dirty. started to close on Romero. Then Romero turned on the gas with each lap faster than the lap before. It was a new record aU the way with Theroux fading badly in the closing laps to finally end up '" 5 th psotion. Mulder, who nearly won a half mile next Sunday. AU track records fell in both the Expert and Junior class. Kenny Roberts (Yam) took fast time honors by a whisper from Oregon's Randy Scott (Tri) in the Junior division. The two heat races were the best ever The 14-lap final was another hearbreaker for Gary Scott. Kapus led the first nine laps before giving up the lead to Gary Scott. Scott then looked like a sure winner of his third Junior final at National events for the season. Then coming out of the last turn on the final lap the engine tied up and Gary was slowed to a near crawl as rider after rider went blasting by. Kapus, who finished fourth at the Houston Junior final, got the win with Morgan in second Al Kenyon is trying to cop a sneak past Dusty Coppage. He made it too. for the second year riders. Bill Morgan (Tri) held off Gary Scott (Tri) the last five laps to win at the wire. Then Gary Kapus (Yam) from Vancouver, Wash. came from fifth place in the second heat race to edge Randy Scott right at the finish line. and Harry Dring (BSA) in third. Randy Scott was fourth with Roberts in fifth. Gary Scott nearly pu~hed his machine across the line for nin th place. The record crowd was treated to another bit of good news involving San Jose. Bob Barkhimer, the promoter, is Gary Kapus and Bill Morgan. Juniors at the mornellt.