P120
50 Years Ago August 25, 1966
The Springfield Mile got the top of the front page of Cycle News 50 years ago.
Mert Lawwill looked to have the Springfield 50-Mile National in the bag when
his bike began making bad noises. The piston let go two miles from the finish,
wiping out his 17-second lead and sure victory. He pulled out on the last lap,
handing the win to Gary Nixon… South Gate Raceway near Los Angeles held
its first TT and Keith Mashburn came away with
the 100cc Trophy Dash and Main-event wins.
40 Years Ago August 24, 1976
It was announced that Bob Hannah, Tony DiStefano, Kent Howerton and
Rex Staten would represent the United States at the Trophee and Motocross
des Nations. Staten was riding for Harley-Davidson at the time… Bob Han-
nah, who was the main image on the cover, won the 125cc National Moto-
cross at Alamo City, Texas, with a 1-1; Gary Semics won the 500cc National at
New Castle, Kentucky… Kenny Roberts edged out Jay Springsteen at the
AMA GNC/Camel Pro Series flat track at Terre Haute, Indiana… We covered
Steve Eklund's win at the Hinsdale, Illinois, short track.
20 Years Ago August 21, 1996
New bikes from Yamaha were pictured on the cover 20 years ago, as was
Geoff Aaron for winning the AMA/NATC National Trials at Donner… Doug
Polen was victorious at the F-USA round in Portland… We were on hand
when Steve Morehead took the win at the AMA GNC Half-Mile at Nebraska
State Fair Park in Lincoln, Nebraska… Kevin Varnes won the Rapid City
Half-Mile at Black Hills Speedway… Charlie Bogard, Justin Buckelew and
Mike Alessi were some of the stars at Ponca City.
Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives
30 Years Ago August 27, 1986
Eddie Lawson was pictured dousing Wayne Gardner with champagne on the
podium after the World Championship Road Race in Sweden, where Lawson
won the race and clinched the title… Bubba Shobert was tops at the Hamburg
Half-Mile, while Chris Carr won at Peoria. It was his first victory of what would
be many for Carr at the Peoria TT… Dave Thorpe clinched the 500cc World
MX title in Luxembourg… Donny Schmit was the big winner at Ponca City. Jeff
Emig, Kevin Windham and Damon Bradshaw
were also winners.
LOOKING BACK
