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/126267
In its 'fi rst race , " Th e Sorcerer" broke. Fringer wins, Collins breaks at IDBA drag championships By Larry Miller W EST SALEM, OH., JUN E 12 .T here was a new pair of hands on ' the grips of Joe Sm ith's double Harley but the straigh tarrow runs carried the mark of the 'Grandaddy' as Ron Fri nger piloted the "King Rat" to Top Fuel victory in the Rick Case IDBA Gra nd Nationals. Fringer. of Garden Gr ove, Ca lifornia stopped the clocks in B.32 seconds at 167.26 mph and also shattered the dreams of Elmer Trett of Oxford , Ohio, whose single engine Harley fueler was nearly a full second slower at 9.34 and 163.93 mph. Russ Collins put a few new wrinkles in the asphalt of Dragway 42 as he unleashed . for the first time - the Titan strength of his new supercharged VB Honda "T he Sorcerer. " The big Honda definitel y was put ting down heavy horsepower but Collins was able to work his way up to just over 135 mph when the primary drive chain went south. taking a couple of rather important bolts with it. " I'Il have to call it quits for the day . 'til I can get to a machine shop and crank out a couple of beefier parts to hold all this horsepower together, " Collins said. He's aiming at consistent runs in the 200 m ph range when all the bugs are worked out of his la test creatio n in qu ar ter-mile terror. T he crowd at t h e eve n t wa s something else. Bike Baron Rick Case, who has motorcycle stores sc attered across northern O hio, put together a program that attracted racers from across the cou nt ry. $30.000 in purse monies spe aks loudly and covers much ground . As a result, 634 motorcycles were ent ered and the record turnout stretched the three-day event more than . four ho urs beyond its sch eduled conclusion time. Officials at the (Dragway 42) track reported more than 10,000 spectators watched as bikers of all sizes· from 35 pound Chance Darling on a sub-mini Indian to brute bulk king Marion Owens - reached for a handful of glory. Super Comp winner Anson Holley of Slidell. La .. did it in 9.45 seconds at 154.9 0 mph on a '75 H arley and David Taylor of Muncie Ind .. was king of the Modified hi11 in 11.21 at 117.95 mph. Pete Grasselli of Reynoldsb urg . Ohio, was Ultra Stock cham p in 10.9 9 at 120 . 16 on his '72 Kawa saki 750. J oe Yeager of Kansas City, Mo. , also did it on a Kawasak i, (' 75, 1103) winning the Pro Stock title in 9.92 at 135. 13 mph . Street champ was Ed Hedrick of W ell svill e . N. Y., ri di ng a '7 6 Kawasaki 750 th at reac hed a speed of 102.2 7 in 12.57 secon ds . • THE 1977 KZ400 SERIES. THREE OFTHE BEST VAWES IN MOTORCYCLING. Kawasaki motorcydes have always given you more for your money. And now, with the medium weight KZ400 series, you have three more ways to go. The KZ400 Special does everything efficiently and economically. It's powered by the same four-stroke engine as the others, tuned for maximum gas mileage. A kickstarter and drum brakes keep it simple. And easily affordable. * The KZ400 Standard is a happy medium between luxury and frugality, with a fourstroke overhead cam vertical-twin that gets any job done. Its unique crankshaft balancing system helps smooth this 36 hp powerplant for maximum comfort. Disc brake and electric starter see to safety and convenience. And chrome exhausts add that touc h of flash. The KZ400 Deluxe is the showboat. Complete with fairing, windshield, locking saddlebags and luggage rack like no othe r bike in its class . Custom fitted, painted and trimmedfor pure pleasure. But it's not all show. An electric starter gets you off to fast starts . And a front disc brake assures quick, safe stops. See t h e KZ400 se r ies. at your Kawasaki dealer today. Prices start at$99S~ Kawasaki We know why ride. you - Manufacturer's suggested list price. 19n KZ400S, exduding freight. dealer prep. title. ltate and local taxe',.at partlct pattng Kawasald dea lers. #21 Users have re po rte d ex~ellen t resu lts w ith ratios up to 106 to 1 ~ must re-jet TRICK OIL Mighty Slick Lubricant's CUTS FRICTION Users have reported up to 50% less eng ine wear. Ask fo r MSL at your dealer. Dealer & Distr ibutor Inquiries Invited Minn esota Synthetic Lubricants . Inc . . U.S. Representative Fuller Enterprises P.O. BOl< ,,,d7 Huntington Beach, CA 92649 714-840:"2943