Su erbikenationals to the Never-Over-Nine Norton
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T.e. Christianson making his-qualifying run on the dual Norton with an 8.59 E.T.
He then came back in the final run of the day with an 8.52 that was enough to make him The
Winnah. His Norton didn't make any runs over nine seconds. More impressively. it made all the
'runs.
There were some very quick dudes at Ontario. Boris Murray didn't even qualify for the
elimination rounds.
by Keith Arnold
ONTARIO, CAL., Nov. 19, 1972
Sunday, the 19th of November, is •
undoubtedly going down in
mo torcycling history as the day
dragbikes came of age.
For the first time in history, at the
NHRA Supernationals, bikes were
finally recognized as a professional
category. Although at Indianapolis they
are allowed to run, they are not a pro
class. The official title for this class will
be Pro-Fuel Bikes.
Bikes came from as far away as
Massachusetts, as Jim Newton brought
his AA/F bike. Sonny Routt; and his
rider Larry Welch also came quite a
distance from Maryland_ Newton was
given the award for Longest Tow of thi:
meet.
.
The entry sheet read like a Who's
Who of drag racing.
Names like Murray, Smith, Payne,
Welch, and Johnson. And this is only
just a few of the great turnout that
blessed the Supernationals.
Ontario is a once a year track, used
only at the 'N alionals. Because of this,
the surface" air, and other conditions are
unknown factors. However, after the'
(I'll'll.«· Illrn 10 'page 24)
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Danny Johnson broke about three feet off the line and ABC Wide World of Spo~s had to cut the
sound track. It wasn't (unfortunately) burned fuel that made the air blue.
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Sonny Raslawski on one of the most·"motCDr" Harley-Davidsons in draA r.acing. He came back from the Indy c;rCHtkup to qualify, then lose qut.·
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