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/125799
'.m irwindale Speedway ~ Shaw Puts It Togetlier IRWINDALE, CAL., Aug. 31, 1972 - A "hot and cold" rider most of the season at Irwindale Raceway, Larry Shaw fmally put together a fine evening of speedway racing last Thursday night at the San Gabriel Valley track. Sh,aw transferred into the Scratch Main' and the Handicap ,Consolation, and promptly ran ciff with Dte Scratch four-lapper by a fairly healthy margin. The win came against three of Irwindale's toughest scratch competitors: Bill Cody, Scott Autrey and Steve Gresham. Autrey in particular, has been a big winner at Irwindale but could do no better than last in last week's Scratch Main. The Scratch fmale was in doubt only into the first comer with-Shaw coming ou t on top in a shoving niatch that saw Cody, Autrey and Gresham trailing. Shaw never made a mistake for the win while Cody, Autrey and Gresham flied around for the runner·up sp'ots. Shaw was taking no chances on bungling his hopes for a Main event win. He brought two Jawa speedway bikes, one for the Handicap and Scratch competition and a spare for the Scratch Main. He even rode his younger brother Jim Shaw's bike in several events in order to save his spare Jawa for the Main event. Ron Taylor rode five flawless laps to win the Handicap Main. Pressuring the easy-going Taylor, only recently back in action after being shaken up in a severe traffic accident, was Les Chanky. Chanky poked and prodded for an opening most of the race but Taylor's hug-the-pole style never gave Chanky an opportunity and he was content with second a scant few feet behind. D:nv>Y Becker rode spectacularly, high and wide and seemingly out of control but could do no better than third. Steve Gresham, Scott Autrey and Mike Curuso trailed. Bill Cody rolled out fOT a last-minute attack on Rick Woods' flying one lap mark of 13.10 seconds and turned some heads by 'circulating at 12.94 second~, shaving the old mark which many though untouchable. Mike Konle and Ed Williams won the Scratch and Handicap Consolation events with Sumner McKnight nabbing close seconds in both events. ,Dave Galvin celebrated his 24th birthday in style by handily winning the Second Division Main event. Bill Meister, Russ Duronselet, Steve Nutter, Barrie Idom and Don Stubbs trailed. One of USAC's top championship circuit drivers, Johnny Rutherford, was on hand to help present trophies to Taylor and Galvin. The Indy and Ontario racing veteran was spectating his frrst speedway race and was visibly impressed by the evening's program. ADR Goes Back Into Action .... '" ~ ... N As of September 17, ARIZONA DESERT RACEWAYS will start its new season. On Saturday, September 16, Tom Rapp and Dave Rodgers will hold another of their famous motocross schools; only 50 entries will be accepted so riders better sign.,up quick. Sunda~ the 17th is the first race of the s.eason:on a new track. The old track has been given a face-lift and it's grown. It's wider all the way around; there's plenty of room for passing so there is nOlle of that old follow-the·leader routine (Of course that has always been true; only now, it's even wider). The track is resurfaced (just for the rock-haters) with sand, dirt, oil and sawdust. The starting line has been moved and enlarged for bigger, safer starts and leads onto the most bitchin' track you've ever ridden. The spectators haven't been left out either. Now there's a new, permanent snack bar right behind the scoring tower, which sits on Finish Line Hill, just a few feet away from the ~!eachers. That's right, now we've got bleachers, :;; right behind the fmish line where the whole track is visible. Of course, sanitary facilities are available. . Remember the mudhole? It is still ~ there, but now it's d.e¢per, wider, en wetter, longer; camera Ii'uffs will get ~ some great shots bere. You racers had w best waterproof your bikes 'br bring a Z pair of oars. ~ Arizona Desert Raceway is now ~ being run by the Arizona Desert Racer () Association which is affiliated with AMA. This means that all events at ADR will be AMA sanctioned (Finally, district points.). If you don't have an AMA card, you can get one at the gate on race day. For you people 'who like to read about yourselves, remember Cycle News will be there! No more late reports due to an exhausted bod at the end of race day. Look for bigger reports and more pictures. Come and see why ARIZONA DESERT RACEWAYS still makes the toughest, best course in Arizona. :i I CREAM THE COMPETITION I NOTHING IS ABSOLUTE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A long-standing track record was sbattered last week at IrWindale Raceway's fast clay speedway oval and it serves to accent a rivalry that has been simmering for four years. The one lap mark, set by Rick Woods several months ago at 13.04 seconds, was lowered to 12.94 seconds last week by Bill Cody, Woods' biggest racing rival. "Rick's mark has stood for some time and people were beginning to think that it was untouchable," remarked Cody following his record-breaking lap. "'However, nothing is absolute in speedway racing, especially a track record and I was confident I could break_Woods' mar~." Irwindale record attempts are made solo. That is, only Cody was on the track during the record run. "Tbe arrangement has pros and cons," the Orange County rider admits. "You have no traffic or distractions to con tend with which is great, but riding for time alone means you have no way of knowing just how fast you're pushing. I could probably lower my own mark considerably if I was racing Woods since I'd be able to establish a pace and there'd be the element of competition. Cody's one-lap mark makes him Irwindale's first dual track record holder. The veteran rider also holds the four-lap mark at 53.15 seconds. LESS SOUND MORE GROUND From the people _ho bring you 878&• • • • • "Advertising Products designed to grab your grellnbacks and otherwi5e deflate your wallet. BIKE BACK BAG California Competition Guide program 148 Pages that Works" • find your hero. Your complete program for all 1972 California Amateur and Professional races. Over 10,000 names and riding numbers. All you need to know about California competition. $1.00 Need lNe say more Carry it whether on your Hodaka or your 10 speed. The ideal way to carry your books to school or your lunch & spare plugs on the trail. $2.50. Hot Hat. Trail Book Here's the WORKS number 1972 Calendar HOT DOG! 75t Products SO toOd til.. we will be tIad to refund y~ur _ey if you ant Bot Slltisfied. How to get. from here to there. 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