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/126764
out in the history of Jay P. W. Gleason, it happened at the 1979 Winston World Final at Ontario Motor Speedway. Gleason was riding Sandy Kosman's ll60cc turbocharged Kawasaki, running gasoline with high-rpm alcohol injection. It had an eight-inchwide rear tire and was running consistent 8.40s. The Winston World Final is a car race; Top Fuel motorcycles are added for spectator amusement. Gleason wanted to run the race, so he entered Top Fuel. In the fir t round he came up against Floridian Bo O'Brochta and the Terminal Van Lines Kawasaki, a machine that would later make runs in 7.14 seconds with high 190-mph terminal speeds. Gleason was, to understate, the underdog. So he walked over to O'Brachta and said, "It's a long way to come from Florida to get beaten in the first round." O'Broc:hta's bike broke as the pair launched, and Gleason won. Which put him up against Russ Collins and the 2000cc V-8 Sorcerer, a J 99.55 mph machine. Gleason walked up to Collins, who . was surrounded by an entourage from R.C. Engineering, and said "Russ, you've raced some really fast people in your day, but this pass you're going to have your hands full." Collins and Gleason staged. Gleason reacted quickest to the green light and got the holeshot; he turned 8.42 seconds at 165.74 mph to Collins' 8.11 seconds at 191.48 mph and still crossed the finish line first! The run damaged the turbo on Gleason's bike, and be lost in the final to Jim Bernard and the Teson/ Bernard Yamaha. But while Bernard won the race, nobody forgot Jay P.W. Gleason's best pass. The P.W. Factor ''I'm really fed up with the sLU[f you print and I'm about ready to cancel my subscription," said the caller, who identified himself as Bill Smith. "In your article last week you said the Suzuki was the fastest followed by the Yamaha, then the Honda and the Kawasaki. But Pee Wee Gleason rode all those same bikes and got different results, with the Yamaha fastest. How come these ar~all mixed up? I don't think you know what you're talking about." Mr. Smith was mad and wanted answers. Fact is, not only is Gleason faster than any human at the drags, he's lighter than most, weighing 145 pounds with leathers, boots and helmet. He also rode those bikes on different days, and the companies that hired him to ride their bikeon a given day printed the quickest time' he turned. Conditions vary day by day; so do "limes. Even if Gleason had ridden them all on the same day, his results may have been different because he's so good; little things'like grabby clutches and powerband widths don't concern him much. Butif you gooutand ride those four machines, you'll go faster on the Suzuki than the Yamaha, the Honda and the Kawasaki ... unless your name is Jay P.W. Gleason. Speed for hire: GLeason's Elapsed Times Honda V65 Magna Honda V65 Sabre Kawasaki GPzllOO Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo Kawasaki Ninja Suzuki GSI150 Yamaha FJIlOO 10.82 10.62 10.91 10.71 10.55 10.47 10.43 • Gil M e{. PRO SANCTIONED 7th. SPRING CLASSIC 20- LAP HALF-MilLE WITH NATIONAL JUNIOR PROGRAM RANDY GDSS JAY SPRINGSTEEN SCDn PARKER RICKY GRAHAM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RESERVED TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE AT TICKET MAIL ORDER FORM SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1984 GENERAL ADMiSsioN TICKETS ON SALE AT ASCOT ON RACE DAY ONLY Reserv.d Adult $16.00 ea. R.served Child (12 & Under) $ 8.00 ea. Gen. Adml •• lon Adult $14.00 ea. Gen. Admission Child (9-12) $ 7.00 ea. (All children 8 and under admi"edl_to _ a l adml••ion only.) ENCLOSED IS MY CHECK FOR _ Pi.... enclose a sell addre......tamped env.lope along with check or money order payabl. to - AGAJANIAN ENTERPRISES P. O. Box 98 Gardena. Calil. 90247 PHONE _ NAME ClTy AODRESS STATE _ ZIP _ TICKET~ON OR CHARGE BY CAlllllG ae:t CONTIIttX. DATA C~~T1C)ft .. (213) 410,1062 r.aa·...v ...... 01 It&MAIfS r A_~ V'U\NIJ TELETHON 18300 VERMONT AVE. GARDENA, CALIFORNIA (213) 321-1100 (213) 323 - 1142 FREE VIP PARKING FOR MOTORCYCLES "WHERE THE HARBOR, SAN DIEGO AND 91 FREEWAYS MEET" TOYOTA, OFACIAL CAR OF ASCOT PARK When Allis SlId and won: Alan King takes 250 Class points lead with Hangtown win!