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50 Years Ago August 18, 1966
It seemed like every week, motorcycles were breaking speed records, and this
week was no exception. Vincent-mounted Clem Johnson reached 159.85
miles an hour in a quarter-mile at Irwindale, California. We said it was "…the
fastest ever achieved for a quarter-mile sprint."… Gene Romero made front-
page news for winning both the Trophy Dash and Expert Main at Ascot… Slidin'
Steve Scott was also pictured on the cover for stealing the show at the Ven-
tura Fairgrounds… We covered the Picnic Hare
Scrambles in the Lancaster, California.
40 Years Ago August 17, 1976
Suzuki's first production four-stroke "roadster"—the inline four-cylinder GS750—
was pictured on the cover 40 years ago. We tested it and liked it. The bike sold
for $2100… Alex Jorgensen won the expert main at Ascot over fellow Norton
rider John Hateley and H-D rider Ted Boody. Guess who won the Novice Main?
Eddie Lawson on a Bultaco. Randy Mamola was second… We covered the
Aqua Fest Road Racing in Austin, Texas… Steve Stackable won the 500cc
National MX at Unadilla… Barry Sheene won the Swedish TT.
20 Years Ago August 14, 1996
Alex Criville, Pier-Francesco Chili, Colin Edwards and Andy Tresser were
all pictured on the cover 20 years ago, Criville for winning the Austrian GP,
Chile for winning the World Championship Superbike round at Brands Hatch,
Edwards for winning the Suzuki 8-Hour, and Tresser for winning the Peoria TT…
Kawasaki riders Jeff Emig, Ryan Hughes and privateer Phil Lawrence went
1-2-3 in the 250cc class at the Spring Creek National Motocross in Minnesota.
Honda's Steve Lamson won the 125cc class… Dave Sadowski won the
Formula USA round at Road America.
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LOOKING BACK
30 Years Ago August 20, 1986
We tested Husqvarna's liquid-cooled, SOHC, 510 Cross Country four-stroke,
which was pictured in action on the cover. It weighed 251 pounds and sold for
$3500… Eddie Lawson clinched the 500cc Road Race World Champion-
ship… Dave Thorpe wrapped up the 500cc Motocross World Championship…
Another rider was crowed—Fred Merkel (who was also pictured on the cover)
in the Camel Pro Road Racing Championship… Terry Cunningham won the
Speedsville National Enduro in New York…
Wayne Garner had little troubles winning the
British Grand Prix in the rain… Rod Riddle won
the National Hillclimb in Muskegon, Michigan.
