Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

QemJobnson FqR, Builder of the Motorcycle Corpor.tion t n Frwdom Avenue Anaheim. C~lItomia 92801 VIncent ttllam Job" on the Future . ::> -- - '1"£-'-'I, "~a ·S": ..1""~.~ •• ~ J• P.O. Box 444. CYDress CA. 90630 (714) 827-7421 (O\1I'(T1110'l \10TOKl Ylll WHHlS UE~l(.NlJ).IH.!IL \".:0 R(I'AIREO T uRe'member ," he says, "these « '-.' '" ~ SMUt1~LER A ccrnplet(:"' tr,T.. . I'! <,r;r ',--'r dpslgncc to Cdrr:v' :] w Z hi;" (,S. JOURNEYMAN TRAILERS :'J':':.l 'I.~.dw,t\ :\.~ :':'''',~),,'_J,'q7(' SUZUKI who normally cannot afford Disneyland prices every week. lilt is, or should be," ~ays Clem, "a primary target of the racmg promoters and track owners to in terest the younger generation. If we can h?ld their in terest in mo torcycle drag racmg they will be the next crop of participants." younger men want to take a date along, and $5 a seat is just too much for them. "That brings up a companion by Robert F. Lane problem: rest rooms. These facilities In 28 years of being in and watching leave a great deal to be desired at most motorcycle drag racing, Clem Johnson of the tracks I have seen. These young has learned a lot about his bike, his men tell me they get this directly from methods and his own feelings about the their dates. They have found that if sport. Clem is the holder of two track their dates do not like the facilities they .records in California drag racing. will not go along." "Also," he says, u you get to know There is one serious technical what other people think about it." problem which all tracks have in Clem's English HRS Vincetn is a common. Few patrons fail to complain raceway classic, since none have been about this one and its solution is not all built for 17 years. No one has kept that easy. The first thing people want to original equipment so long and in such know when they are at the track is what excellent condition. But that's a is going on. But at no track can the ·technical story well known to racing spectators hear enough over the PA comrades and fans alike. Clem loves the system to rmd ou t. Solving this one is a sport, a love spanning the ye~ since his headache but headache or not, tracks teens when he rode his lust bike down must make it possible for people to fmd the back roads of Buffalo, New York out uWho's on fmt"! reaching the breathtaking speed of 90 Clem has a few more suggestions for mph. tracks. Coming from him they should It is because of this love for the sport well be heeded. . . that Clem is so concerned with the "Races are always on Sundays. At dwindling attendance and interest in least the big ones are. I think this cuts motorcycle drag racing. Operators of down on attendance a lot. Saturday raceways where this unique sport is night would be better for young people, witnessed are also concerned. Many are in my opinion. Friday is not so good. seeking the answers and trying to "Most young people date Saturday improve the image. night. Monday school or business makes Gate receipts have been steadily • Sunday night just the wrong night." dropping over the years, not alarmingly, Less important but contributing says Clem, but enough to be disturbing. factors to loss of in terest are late "There are some things which can be starting of races and dragging out of done," Clem declares, "things which programs. These undoubtedly are the would encourage greater attendance at . easiest to remedy. the races, and, of course, bring more From the participants' side, greater profit to the promoters." interest could be stirred if. larger purses Some of the things are technical,' were offered for the races. Most drag others are in the commercial field. They bike owners never make expenses for all need attention, according to Clem, keep.ing their machines in condition fo'r although some are more urgent. racing. Larger purses would encourage "I believe the most immediate need wider participation. is one upon which, much of the future Television coverage of motorcycle existence of drag racing itself depends." drag racing would stir interest amongst Clem says it is the price of admission people who, perhaps, needs an at most tracks. Admission for the big in troduction to this sport, Clem even t, or even ts, of the week or mon th believes. at most tracks is $5 a ticket, $ 10 if you "At present," he says, "there is little bring a date. This may not be too much or no coverage. Once in a great while for the well-established older fan but it you will see a very short spot on a is too steep for the younger generation. sports program or n~scast. But the,:" is Track managemen t argues that it no continuous showmg of drag racmg. would cost this much or more to go to Such coverage would be great help in Disneyland or similar place of lilling the stands". . . am.nemen t. This attitude places the Clem believes that tracks are anXIous tracks in the same category as those and ready to get at these slowdown amusement places. Tracks are not in this causes for poor attendance. Noone class at all. would be more pleased than Clem to see ff amusement parks like Disneyland some of these problems solved. But he is had to depend upon weekly repeat visits not waiting for the solutions. You still by the same people, they would be in can, and always will, see Clem Johnson real trouble. But tracks must depend unloading his Vincent at the drag tracks. upon the steady attendance of regulars see your local HODAK A dealer Distributed by Tiger Distributing 653 W, Broadway, Glendale, Ca. 91204 .,;, Ii Drag Racing Clem Johnson, builder of the H RD Vincent "Bern Job" dragster. ,l}") NODA.A·.ILIIY l:'~,:'~~'J ,:" YAMAH engines 'owered $39.95 ..'V' , ' I ,."..., I:. , ". 1 1 1 ELMET HOUSE • DEALERS SEND fOR CATALOO. 12010 W. PICO BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CALIF. lIOOI4 PHONE (213) 479-4383 None Better for Motocross Road or Racing YOU MAY NlVDI Bl AS GOOD AS JOll, BUGS. J.N••SYlYAIN &-Ol&OSll8 ••• But you ought to give yourself as many of the advantages they hav~ as you can, The best thing that ever happened to a chain. Mfd by. "Blendzall" Corporation 1433-37 First St. Escalon, Calif. 95320 Ray Price lights up his Harley fuel funny bike, the look of dragstars to come, to qualify at Atec WII-TECH Y.13 PRODUCTS, I 7106 Barry Avenue Rosemont, Illinois 60018 w .... o > o

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