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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125829
October 9,1973 Page 39 Yvon did it cleanly, winning both segments by virtue of being the 'fastest, not the longest lasting. sixth. Paul Smart had gotten the poor start that Suzukis are burdened with but had passed over a dozen riders for fifth by lap eight. ~ Up front Gary Nixon caught DuHamel, passed him in turn 10, and started collecting the $50 per lap money. Gary missed the money posted .by Gary Nixon En terprises by ·onelap. For five laps Nixon led, then DuHamel retooK the lead. They ran wheel to wheel for a few laps until the Kawasaki pit crew started calling them in for gas. DuHamel was first, then Nixon got a sensational stop and returned to the track in front of Yvon to take the lead when Baumann made his stop on the following lap. Pit stops provide other diversions, too. Carr and Ron Grant pitted at the same time and got away at the same time, demonstrating the far greater acceleration of the Kawasaki. Kel Carruthers got a very quick gas-up three seconds. In the meantime, DuHamel passed Nixon again. this time for good despite several attempts to close up by ixon before he slowed in the late laps. DuHamel lapped eleventh and twelth places, Ron Grant and Cliff Carr. The question, after the first segment, was "Can the Kawasaki hold together for another ~25 miles?" By way of example, the first three riders in this heat had never finished 250 mileshere before. determined bid for third, passing Baumann on the outside of turn 15. The Kawasaki motored back by on the straight, Roberts then repassed in the infield. The matter was finally settled when ·they pitted for gas at the same time and Baumann's stop was faster and his acceleration greater_ In the meantime, Yvon turned it up to .ucook" and set a new lap record (2:05) as he pulled away from Nixon. Yvon pitted for gas and returned to the fray behind Gary. But Gary's stop was faster, giving him the lead. Not for long, though, as Yvon, setting records at every tum, passed and pulled away again. Gary Fisher pitted for gas and crashed in fuel spilled'in previous stops. He got going but was penalized for an improper stop. The only real dice downfield was bet)Neen Dick Mann, Gene Rome~o, and Dave Smith for eighth behind Jim Evans. They ran nose to tail for many laps before a decision in favor of Romero. With six laps to go. Baumann was passed by Roberts in the infield, and Art, who has had such a lu~k1ess season, had to go to work again. He wicked it up and moved away to the flag. With three laps to go, Yvon relaxed and coasted in for his second win in two Nationals, becoming the only rider to win back-to-back this year. - Second 125 Mile Segment Unofficial Finish: 1. Vyon DuHamel (Kaw 1-1) $28,700; 2. Gary Nixon (Kaw 2-2) 3. Art Baumann (Kaw 3-3) $8.675'1 4. ",enny Roberts (Yam 4-4) $2,200; 5. Pau Smart (Suz 5-5) $J.,400; G. Steve Baker (Yam 6-6) $1,000; 7. I-<..el Carruthers (Yam 7-S) $SOO: 8. Gene Romero (Trl 9·9) $700: 9. Ron Pierce (Yam S·12) $600: 10. Ron Grant (Suz DuHamel made a poor start in the second segment, coming "found fifth at the end of two laps. Nixon held the lead, dogged by Baumann. Cliff Carr worked in to fourth behind Roberts. Yvon quickly worked his way up to second behind Gary. Cliff Carr made a short lived bid, passing Roberts then Baumann for third before his engine seized. Carr hasn't rubhed off his bad luck yet. Paul Smart passed Steve Baker to make things about the same as they were at the end of the first heat among the first six places. The only difference was that Nixon was ahead of DuHamel and Yvon quickly moved to remedy that. On lap twelve they crossed the finish line so evenly that the lap money would probably have to be split. Behind them, Roberts made a ReslJlts: $1~.J900; 11·11) S500: 11. Dick Mann (T,I 14-10) S400: 12. Reg Pridmore (BMW 16-131 S350: 13. Jim Ecans (Yam 25-17) $325; 14. Daye Damron (Suz 21·15) .$300; 15. Larry SChafer (H-D 19-19) S275: 16. Da"" Smith (Vam) 15-14) S250: 17_ Bob' Wakefield (Vam 24·16) $225; IS. Conrad Urbanowskl (Yam 23·17) $200: 19. Don Castro (Vam 22·18) $200: 20. Jim Allen (Vam 13·29) S175: 21. Cliff Carr (Kaw 12'30~ $175; 22. Kaselno Masaharu (Vam 17-27 $150: 23. Gary Fisher (Vam 10-35) SIS : 24. Ga,y Scott (T,I 33-14) S125: 25. Eddie Mulcler (Trl 27-21) $125: 26. Bob Bailey (Trl 29·22) $100; 27. Jim Berry (Vam 28-23) Sloo; 28. Dou; Sehl (H-D 18·37) S75.; 29. Jonn Hateley (T'i 26·31); 30. George Miller (Vam30-28) S50. Time of heals, 1,23.48 Speed, 89.526 MPH-1 ,24.00 Speed, 88.976 MPH. NOTE: There is a disagreement in some of the places. Don Castro may ha.... finished behind Eddie Mulder.Jim Evans may actually be 11th, behind Ron Grant, and Garys Fisher and Scott may reverse their positions with SCott leading Fisher. A moment of drama before the second segment. If either of these men won he would take home maximum gold from the Champion Spark Plug Classic. Yvon (right! and Gary give each other the hairy eyeball.