Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Richard McOougalllT'i). Sturgis 5-Mile Half Mile August 15,1954 Al Gunter trounced all the champions in an upset win, scoring the first half mile National win for BSA's Gold Star model. Gunter emerged from a four way battle with Goldsmith, Klamfoth and Leonard to steam away for a decisive victory on the last lap of the South Dakota oval. Gunter had scored the first dirt track National win for BSA in the Shreveport, Louisiana,. half mile in 1952. The purse for the Sturgis race was $3.000. Results 1. AI GunIa' IBSA); 2. Paul GoIdamith (H·D); 3. Dick Klamtoth IBSAI; 4. Joe Leonard IH·D); S. Hugh MeAl.. IT,i); 6. Charlie West IH·DI. Springfield 25-Mile Mile August 22, 1954 BSA twin mounted AI Gunter turned back fast q\lalifier (41.77 sec.) Joe Leonard in their heat race and Bill Tuman held off Leonard for 1'\02 laps in the National, but after that Leonard was never headed. Hill closed up quickly to pace, Leonard some five or six lengths back for eight laps. but his Indian finally broke. Bill Tuman .. Charlie West, and Gunter ran side· by· side for third a straightaway behind Leonard. Track·wise Tuman inched out the faster cycles of West and Gunter at the line for the runnerup's share of the $7,500 purse. 25,000 fans packed the stands at the Springfield, Illinois oval. Results 1. Joe leonard IH·O); 2. Bill Tuman (lndl: 3. Charlie West IH·D); 4. AI Gunt.. IBSA); S. Paul Goldsmith IH· 01; 6. Johnny Gibson IT,i); 7. Dick KlamIoth IBSAl; 8. Alan Davis IT,i); 9. Roy GoIIIH·D); 10. Bobby Hill lind). Peoria 45 & 80ci ITs August 29, 1954 Jimmy Phillips, 1951 double Peoria winner, bellowed his open megaphone equipped 500 and 650cc Triumphs to fast time trial laps in the 45 and 80 cubic inch classes at 31. 77 and 31. 75 seconds. respectively. Joe Leonard posted second fastest times with his 750 and 900cc side-valve Harleys, recording identical 31.81 second times. Leonard reversed the situation in the Nationals, heading Phillips across the line in both races. 10.000 watched the twin· Nationals which paid a combined purse of $3,000. Results 4Sci: 1. Joe Leonard IH·D); 2. Jimmy Phillips IT,i); 3. Roger _trom IH·D); 4. HerTv Furey (H·D); S. Jack Dauin ITri); 6. E.I Widman IH·DI; 7. Rey Schok IT,iI; 8. Johnny Giboon IT,il. SOci: 1. Joe Leonard IH·D); 2. Jimmy PhiHipo ITri); 3. Herry Feerey IH·D); 4. Roger Soderstrom IH·DI; S. Alan Davis IT,; 6, Bill -dslev IH·D); 7, Richard McDougall IT,; 8. Walt Fu~on Sr. IT,il. St. Paul 7-Mile Half Mile September I, 1954 illinois Harley rider Chub Carey went wire·to·wire before 19,500 fans to win his second Grand National Championship race of the year. The Minnesota event paid a purse of $4,500. Results ,. Chub carey Itl-DI; 2. Jerry Callen lind); 3. Ernie Beckman IIndl: 4. Paul GoIdamith IH·D); S. Bill Tuman IIndl: 6. Milt Lassi_ lind); 7. Bill Petri IH·D}; 8. AI Burke IH-DI; 9. Colon Simmons Itl-DI; 10. Hugh McAleelT,il. Langhorne 1OG-Mile Mile September 5,1954 Pennsylvania's Langhorne Speedway was the site of a D·shaped, oiled mile track where ultra· high speeds were reached. In fact, it was considered "too fast" and the 1954 race was the next to last motorcycle race run there. Joe Leonard recorded a new one·lap record in time trials at 38.25 seconds, 94.11 mph. Second fastest qualifier AI Gunter and his BSA twin held off Leonard and 28 other qualifiers for the first three laps. Leonard then got by Gunter and opened up a I6·second lead by the tenth lap. Gunter lost an oil line and crashed on the twelfth lap. By lap 42 Leonard lapped Everett Brashear, who was returning action, after being seriously injured in a spring racing accident, and Dick . Klamfoth who were dueling for second. Leonard did not break Gunter's 93 mph record for 50 laps as four laps were run under the caution flag. Leonard dropped out at the 60 mile mark and Klamfoth went to the pits out' of oil which allowed Brashear to open up a 3I·second buffer by lap 90. 12 bikes were running at the finish of the $5,000 race which averaged 90.77 mph. September 12,1954 With the Number One plate already in his hip pocket, Joe Leonard won the final event of the season which was run on one of the fastest half mile tracks the 1954 competitors saw in 1954. The Hammond track was located in the northwest comer of Indiana. Charlie West established a new track record at 27.61 seconds. jusl a tick of the timer's clock ahead of Jerry Callen's 27.62. In the race, Leonard held off a pressuring AI Gunter and lowered the lap time to 27.07. Leonard was shadowed by Gunter's Gold Star for 16 laps until the BSA's engine soured. While winning his eighth National of the year, Leonard lapped Bill Tuman who finished sixth. 00 en Results Results 1. Joe Leonard (H·D); 2. Charlie West IH-OI; 3. Jerry Callen lind); 4. !iii Pelri 11-+-0); S. AI Gunter IBSA); 6. B~I Tuman IIn,lI: 7. Mi~ ~ IlneII; 8. Everett 8<_ IH-O). Fino! Point S_ngo: 1. Joe Leonard (76); 2. Paul GoIdImi1h 1391; 3. Charlie WOOl 1311; 4. Dick KIamIoth (23); S. Bobby HiM 121); 6. AI Gunt.121); 7. Bill Tumen 120); 8. 1TlE) Ernie BeckmllnlHarTy FeereyIChar_ Cerey 1. E _ ar_IH·DI; 2. Roy GoIfItl-D); 3, John Hood Itl-D); 4. Richard Clark IT,ll; S. Tommy McDermon IBSAI; 6. Charlie Wnt (H·D); 7. Richard McDougall IT,I); 8. Buck B,Igance fTrl); 9. Jamn Gregory IBMWi; 10. George IIofdo IH·Df; 11. Donnie ReesIBSAl; 12. John Droneburg IH-d). Indianapolis B-Mile Mile 118). Summing it up September 11,1954 Jerry Callen posted the. fastest time. 44.78 seconds. before a spa rse Saturday crowd at the 1ndiana State Fairgrounds oval. but the National was aU Joe Leonard·s. Leonard picked off fast starting Al Gunter on the backstraight and that was that. Charlie West and Dick Hutchinson fought over third place while Everett Brashear held second behind the winner. The race paid a purse of $3,000. Joe Leonard combined his riding brilliance with the fast and reliable Harley·Davidsons prepared by famed tuner Tom Sifton into the fmt Grand National Championship Number One plate earned via a point system. Leonard, in only his third Expert year, dominated the series with eight National victories, scoring wins in all four forms of racing .. mile. half mile, TT and road raCing. Leonard at age 22 had already developed the form that made him a strong first place contender into the 1960s at which time he switched over to car racing where he won two National Championships. But in 1954 .. in the beginning .. Joe Leonard was motorcycling's kingl • Results , Joe Leona,d IH·D): 2. Everett 8 , _ IH·D): 3. Chartte West tH·D); 4. Dick Hutchinson lH·D): 5. Jerry Callen IIndl; 6. Ernie Beckman lind); 7. AI Gunt.. IBSA~ 8. Ray Golf IH·D); 9. Charles Carve IH·DI; 10. Paul GoIdamith (H·D!. Hammond 9-Mile Half Mile Y~ - YhY-YrNY\. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HARE AND HOUND CHECKERS M/C PRESENTS 291f2th ANNUAL CHECK CHASE * 8:00 A.M. START * REGULAR DESERT MASS START * AMA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED * FOUR GAS PITS - SERVICE AVAILABLE * RESCUE 3 * ENTRY LIMITED BY BLM REQUEST Entries close Sept. 30, 1981 Early postmarks have priority No post entries $28 Entry includes all fees Make checks payable to CHECKERS M.C. -- ... ENTRY APPLICATION m-...., ...... __ ... ....,.......lrtful.,......,........... .1 ----~ NAMfOlENTRANT""-'prlntI _---------------_ MeII. of M. Ctol. Cm. Engine No. C~ _ Iwn.bonefidem«nbel'ofrhe """ .... No. """ "'- nLmtOHE I _ ___"""""ss CITY STATt: _ .... _ _ I wi. «IW In 1M: Exoert 0 ArMIeur 0 Novice 0 ~. AicllngOl'~.."..lor ~ _ ~; SPONSOFING CLUB OF! OI'KiAHlZAllON _ THE UNDEIIISIGNED £NTIIlANT IS A':FIXING HIS INITIALS IEL.OW.ACKNOWlfDGlS THAT HEASSUMES 11* IUSK OF """'"' LOSS FROM INJURY OR Jl'fM)PEfn'Y DAMAGE TO ",SELf Oft TO "THEIRS DUf TO HIS PMTlCIPAnoH ~ THtS ASSOClAnoN, SPORTS COM- MimE. OtSllOCT 37 AMA. INC., THE SPONSCJRWIrIG CLUI Oft.QfIGANIZA110N AND THE OWNERS OF THE MAL PftOPEfn'Y ON WHICH SAID EVlNT SHALL TAl(( 0'lACE SEND THREE LEGAL SIZE S.A.S.E. WITH DISTRICT AND AMA CARDS OR PHOTOCOPIES AND AMA ENTRY FORM TO: CHECKERS M.C. 267 SANTA CATALINA AVIE. SANTA BARBARA, CA 93109 ........ _ ...uor~.inIIiIW not"" CIrd""",.... " . . . , . . unc* :l1 ... dI-. CUfNflt DIIh:t 37 m..-tIign , . .. .,..,....,. 1*01''' cor..-to gf enwy. deI-.""" • on NIl, "--'" Of GuMIM ....'- The ~ ~ duly 1Cirde OMI,."....~ . . ~ rtdIr ~bMn."""t.r.~~ ,,'- funtw ............... .....-d ... 1n ....... , '"'..,..,.,. tJoM ca.. cIumg" -.r ~ b y " __..... ~:.:::.._==.....:=-~I ClOIIIorm ... ~ ......, . . -11

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