Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.-._._._._._._.~_._. _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . _ . The stretch just before the finish was a straightaway that ended in a sharp left tum. For six of the seven laps, Fishback had a small edge over Roeseler when they came through this section. However, on the seventh lap they came around the curve side by side. Spectators stood frozen to their spots. Neither man was backing off. The last 50 yards seemed incredibly short. Roeseler on the outside, Fishback on the inside. Each forced himself and his machine to the max. As they passed the checkered, they were literally side by side. Neither had time (although they tried) to pitch it sideways and slide into that sharp left turn. Both riders went down . Roeseler went over his handlebars when his bike slammed into a steel cable. Fishback's speedway experience pulled him through as he slid to a stop on his side. Within minutes, being the professionals they are, both were up , shaking hands and discussing the race which was declared a dead heat by officials. Next came the Open race and among those on the front line were Craig Adams, Wayne Martin, Mike Sixberry and Roeseler. On the first lap, it was Martin followed closely by Adams, Sixberry, Eric MacCracken and then Roeseler. On the second lap. it was Roeseler , Sixberry, Adams, Martin and Rick Beeson. For the next five laps, second place seemed up for grabs. Then on the last lap, Adams made his move. But it appeared that he was having great difficulty keeping his gas tank in place as he took the checkered behind Roeseler. As usual, the Seniors, who run all bike sizes at the same time. had many individual races going on simultaneously . It was Lee Montgomery out front with Lars Larsson, Don Young. Sugar Daddy and "The Hawaiian" dicing for second , Sugar Daddy's machine went sour, The Hawaiian seized and Larsson passed Montgomery. The Hawaiian nursed hiS ill engine back into competition and it looked as though he was holding a comfortable third. Unknown to the big man, there was "Clutch Cargo's" big , green , mean Kawasaki who had been working his way up from far back in the pack and was now hot on his tail. Larsson was still holding off Montgomery who was waiting for any chance to move his Maico back out front . On the last lap, when Larsson took the checkered, the Maieo was nowhere in sight. Suddenly, around the curve, 50 yards out, came Montgomery. He was running and pushing his gasless Maico as fast as he could. Now the big green, mean Kawasaki was spotted at the curve. "Come on, come on" yelled the fans . Montgomery gave it all he had and practically fell across the finish while Bryon Farnsworth brought his mean lookin' Kawa in for third . Yamaha 80s monopolized the Minis and it was SRA's own "Racin' Jason" Prater who claimed the overall win. Bellflower Yamaha's l l-year-old Dave Trager and Shoemaker's I2·year.old Keith Senn played switch -a-roo for several laps then took second and third in that order. " Racin' Jason" rode as if his throttle was stuck, then sounded as Lars Larsson 15 21was top Sen ior at SRA's Rive rside GP. ..~

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