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/125804
Trojan Speedway""_"_' ,..: _ by Art Loya Photo by Luis Garcia ':."-:-.'" "~ o Ul ;:: W Z w -' U >- U /. SOUTH GATE, CAL., Sept. 28, 1972 In his attempt to win his first track championship in four years of competition, Dan Corbett's track life these nigh ts is like an old movie serial. .. one perilous cbapter after another. The drama con tinued for Corbett tonigh t. Taking the lead from a fast start from a 10-rider field in the 250 IT Main, Corbett had never worked harder to hold off not one, but three challengers at different stages of this event. You have oflt.:n seen, or read about the torrid two, or three-rider racing duels. Well tonight, these riders were pulling out all the tricks in the' book while attempting to upstage one ana ther in one of Trojan's best ever four-rider duels for the lead. For five hard f'lught laps, Corbett withstood the best .I amey Blunt, Allen Swett, and Ch uck Hatcher could muster. Running like a scared rabbit, Corbett and his Bultaco stretched his advantage over Swett and Hatcher to six lengths, but was unable to shake off Blunt (ass) who was giving the fans their money's worth in pressing Corbett for the lead. But Corbett. youthful, strong, and tireless, just cDtltinued out-raling Blunt to maintain the lead. Taking the white flag from starter, Rene Armenta, Corbett gave every indication that he was guing to hold off Blunt the balance of the distance for one of the hardesl fought battles for a victory. But this was not to be. Coming off the south tum, and into the dog-leg leading to the jump, a rider that the pair was about to lap. '! ,lied directly in front of Corbett takin;( his lurn, and. in the process, mou," trapped Corbett while Blunt continued on his way. By the time Corbett un tangled himself from the fallen rider a.nd his machine, it was all over. Climaxing anotller chapter in his bid to win the 1972 track title in the 250cc class, Corbett limped in to finish sixth. Taking t1ie checkered, Blun t was chased across the finisb line by Swett (Hon) , Hatcher (Bul) and Bob Byars (Yam). David Reinhardt (ass), who though finished fifth, was the Junior winner. These riders were clocked in the 29 second bracket for several laps just happens to be the fastest time clocked touring the TT cou.rse. [f anybody thinks that Corbett is about to breeie in for the track championship, he had better look again. True, Corbett has been the season's winningest 'rider, bu t this was before Chuck Hatcher. [, may come as a bit of news to some, but just a short four years ago, Hatcher was given notice by some doctors that he would never ride again, and at the same time wan ted his permission to amputate his left leg, as a result of an injury from a riding accident. Hatcher refused, and the rest is now history. Performing in a manner that is calculating, me th oclical , and punishing as he moved around his competition, Hatcber, advertised that he is absolutely the rider to ·beat in this even t after leading Corbett for the checkered in the 250 FT. Main. Prior to the fmish, Hatcher was pressed by Blunt for the first six laps qefore a spill climaxed Blunt's bid when his front wheel washed out from under him sending the tough competitor to the ground. Jim Medlin (ass), a Junior, finished fourth as the Junior class winner ahead of Byars. Outstanding performances were turned in by all Main even t winners, but one of the most outstanding, taking· riding experience in to . consideration, w.as that of Elbert 'fnrner's winning ride over cagey, Tom Doty (Han), in the 125 F.T. Main. Turner, long before the season started, was hailed as a '"comer" while only in his Junior year. Midway into the season, Turner was recently made a Senior, and has been riding like a true pro. Tonight's winning MOLLY BLUE gives you performance for Turner (Yam) has to go d own as one of his top track achievements. Anyone that can stay ahead of Doty in any event, has to be performing at his very best. Trailing in second position, Swett (Hon) spilled in the 100 TT feature while his competition whizzed by him on the second lap of the 10-lap Main. Restarting his bike, Swett gave chase after the field of riders and before the ten th lap rolled around, took the lead and the checkered for the win leaving Dave Lujan (Kaw) , Richard Shook (Yam), and Bobby Jones (lnd) in his dust. Although a Senior rider, Dave Lujan (Kaw) had to really get with it to hold off two fired up Junior riders to win the 100 FT. Main. Richard Warren (Hon) who was responsible for making Lujan really scramble for the win, finished second, and as the winner of the Junior brigade. John's Racing Cycles /()~a~ /~ .. more than you expect to get ... ~m~Oj .. .from a chai n lube.. ~ '. 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