Daytona
Postscript
(Above) Daytona was touted by some as the start of the aerodynamics era.
Gary Nixon's En Kanemoto experimental fairing-shod TZ750D never made
the starting grid. Nixon broke his arm when his Harry Hunt 250 seized In
Tum One during lightweight practice. Steve McLaughlin had another, more
radical experimental fairing, but was so plagued with motor problems that
he never was In the hunt, and didn't finish.
(Left) Not many people have seen this face before. It's Eddie Lawson, the
Daytona Novice race winner. Lawson doesn't boast or brag much. He Just
flat flies.
(Below left) The Kel Carruthers-designed frame for Baker's 250
was just like the one Kenny had, but needed a little work to make
the aerodynamic seat - a Carruthers scaled-down copy of the
factory TZ750D experimental fairing seat - fit to Bob Work's ·
satisfaction. Three Inches lower, 30 pounds lighter than a TZ250,
and pulling three less rear sprocket teeth at the same top gear rpm
as last year, the Roberts and Baker 250s were the class of the 250
race. On the first lap of his heat race, Baker pulled up to, around,
and past the TZ250 of early leader Wes Cooley on the banking like
Cooley's bike had it in reverse. The bikes were fast.
(Below right) One experimental fairing that not only worked and
looked trick, but also finished, was mounted on Steve Baker's
Yamaha Factory machine. According to Baker's tuner, Bob Work,
the fairing "made quite a bit of difference" on the long straight at
Yamaha's test track in Japan. Baker's bike also sported magnesium ·
triple clamps,magnesium sand-cast carbs, and plenty of titanium.
Arch-rival Kenny Roberts' altered TZ750D had the fairing and carbs
available, but not the triple clamps or titanium.
(Right) This is Kel
Carruthers, the star
road racer turned tuner
for Kenny Roberts.
Kel's using a file to remove melted polyester ·
from Kenny's 250's
front disc brake. How
did the melted polyester get on the machine's front disc? Take
a look at Kel's right
knee~ Pressing in close
to check fork action
when Roberts pitted
during practice, Kellet
his right knee brush the
hot disc, and his pants
left a melted glob behind.
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