OCR Text |
Show Sports SALT FLAT NEWS, AUGUST, 1970 10 Special to the NEWS by Ginnie Geisler Editor S.C.T. A. In 1949 the Southern California Timing Association, sponsors of The World's Safest Automotive Speed Trials," laid the foundation for what is now one of the most famous events in the sport of car racing THE BONNEVILLE NATIONAL SPEED TRIALS. In the past 21 yean unbelievable progress has been made in the field of auto mechanics. Much of this has stemmed from devices built in home garages and tested on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Here, on the finest race course in the world, designers and builders may test their machines under the best conditions obtainable. They may time their can with the unexcelled equipment operated by Otto Crocker, at the clocks since the first Speed Trials, in addition to serving as Chief Timer for the American Power Boat Association. Hie fint year saw 60 entries competing in 10 classes. In 1969 (20 yean later) there were 231 entries, i.e. : 125 can competing in 106 classes and 102 motorcycles, coordinated by the American Motorcycle Association headed by Earl Flanders. The last full week of August is designated as SPEED WEEK, as activities get under way Sunday morning with Qualification Runs. Those entries who manage to qualify their can or bikes at a speed over the existing record are. eligible for Record Runs the next morning. These consist of two-wa- y averages, on a course from 5 miles long, depending on the speed potential of the machine. A speed of over 175 must be attained to be eligible to run more than 3 miles. The event terminates on Saturday morning with record 3-- runs. The Bonneville Nationals, Inc. Board of Directors, consisting of normally 12 men, plan,' execute and officiate the Speed Trials. In addition to the thrill of bringing home a National Land Speed Record, competitors also aim for entry into the famed 200 Mile Per Hour Club by setting a record with a speed over 200mph. There are now 90 members in this exclusive club. Some of the entries to watch this year are as follows: Larson Cummins Streamliner. They are running a 180" cubic engine (Chevy) in DStreamliner in hopes of breaking their own record set in 1969 at 258.508. The spare engine will be 120 inches aiming for 128.020 record in E Streamliner. This will be the 4th year for the Liner according to Fred Larson. Holmes b Kugel have a 427" overhead cam Ford competing in BModified Roadster class. This car turned 230 last year, just 7 mph short of the record. They are adding some weight to keep the car on the ground and putting in a larger fuel tank. The unique feature. of this entry is the fact that it began with chalk marks on the garage floor in Nov. of 1968 and 9 months later was in competition. Red Holmes and Jerry Kugel did most of the work themselves in Jerrys home garage. Jerry claims his wifes support contributed to the short time the project took, by not complaining and keeping lots of tea on ice. Jerry got into the 200MPH Club in 1968 with their High Boy Roadster. Deeds b Saderup are trying for the AASports Racing Record of 241.786 with a. 427" Super-- , charged Chevy with a potential of 270mph. They had some problems last year, but have upgraded the engine and changed cam and rear end. The GSR class looks interesting to them also and they plan to run a 122 cu. in. Chevy for over 140mph. Glen Deeds entered the 200MPHG;binthiscarin 1967. -- Decious-Lee-Stringfello- team w have been building a 29 Fiber- Roadster for three years and will be ready to try for the BGas Roadster record of 210.243. The car has a tube frame with a 115" wheel base and flip top' (like the fiinny cars) powered by a 302 in. blown Chevy. man on Salt) is Don Sliger Enfield Bike inhis Royal putting to competition running 2 fuel NEWS glass (8-ye- open bike, entry into the 200MPH Club. Dons bike weighs 500 lbs., one of the heaviest in Speed Trial competition. He feels weight is the handling advantage. Other than this he keeps making changes and profiting by the ex- perience of others until the right combination is found. This Bike has a potential of 230-240mp- h. LeVan Prothero of Montebello, Ca. will provide lots of competition for the fourth year with his Camaro in AProduction with a 467" Chevy and BPR with 427 cubes. Van gained entry into the 200MPH Club last year with a speed of 202.514 in BPR. He plans to break this record with the same engine, running a little taller gear ratio. When there is a question on running a Chevy, Van usually has the answer, proven by 3 records he now holds at Bonneville in B, D b E Production. In addition to this, he' and partner Chuck Smithfield are in the top 5 with, a 57 Chevy in the NHRA Champ Series. Jim Travis, of Pico Rivera qualified his Street Roadster to run XGas .Roadster last year and claimed the record at 124.040. Due to popular demand, a class was formed for Street Roadsters this year, and Jim has his eye set on the record. He has completely gone through the engine, lowered the car some and is going to run racing tires opposed to street tires last year Jim has also been a member of the L.A. Roadster Club since 1961. Also competing in CSTR will be Dick Scritchfield , Western Ad Mgr. for Rod & Custom Maga- zine. The Street Roadster class will certainly be worth watching. Number of entries is unpredictable at this time. Participation in the SPEED TRIALS includes all parts of the U. S. and as far away as New Zealand. Its popularity continues to grow each year and many people who have gone first as spectators come back the next year prepared torun. In conclusion, The Bonneville National Speed Trials have been kept alive and growing by two generations of mechanically conminded, d dediracing-spiriteadults scious, cated to the preservation of honesty, good sportsmanship, safety and enjoyment of the sport. Everyone has heard of the Salt Flats and most people have at one time or another seen them from the highway but few have ever had the opportunity to spend seven days in an environment so peculiar unto itself as to allure a nearly irrestible interest. .This great expanse of pure white, with the deep purple and blue mountains rising behind it bursts into a bright array of color as hundreds of cars and bikes of every shape and size bring life to its virgin beauty. speed-performan- ce B. Racord Fflyiri!goad rasHiQW-Cydisff- 's by Marlon Stones ar classes & 2 gas classes. He is shooting for a goal not reached with an photo by Theres treasure in your own backyard. Theres adventure, thrills, and usually just a lot of fun. This is the attitude most of us have when were young. Am I right? Take a moment and reflect on those years between ages four and twelve. The amplest things were enjoyable.But of course we all have to go out and experience the totality of life in order to survive and assume the role of adulthood. In doing so a few of us forget how to have fim and relax. This is definitely not the case for a new breed sometimes referred to as the They are the cyclists that head for the backroads, hills, or racetracks easy-rider- s. every weekend. Recently Wendover has become the backyards for a growing number of bike enthusiasts from The Wasatch Front near Salt Lake, and from parts of eastern Nevada. The landscape surrounding Wendover according to some has the best conditions for motorcycling on Gods Salty Earth. On the morning of July 12, five riders rolled into Wendover from Salt Lake City. Their station wagons and bike trailers were heavily loaded with all the necessary equipment ranging from helmets to spare parts. Getting instructions as to the best area was supplied to them by Am Smith of The Stateline Hotel. Mr. Smith is becoming known not only as a very astute businessman, but also as a guide for cycling safaris in Wendover. After a quick breakfast and a few excited comments the leather clad group from Salt Lake were off for a days exercise, followed closely behind by this reporter and a photographer. Once out on the track this wild bunch seemed to be exhausted, not from riding, but from just simple amazement of the unconquered conditions. They performed the usual spills and mishaps throughout the day. One even did a double somersault over the handles of his bike. However, observing the antics of these people for one hour or even seven does not explain the reasoning or feeling of this untamed sport. What is it really like to step up to one of these 20th Century mustangs? First you look it over, stroke it a couple of times, and then ease your leg over and get the feel of it beneath your seldom used rear end. The time has arrived, you sense the power surging as you click it into first gear. You get a tight rein, settle back and with a slightly nervous utterance to the dude holding the branch in position, you say let her rip. Its down the straight, around the first turn, back up a hundred yards and into another turn coupled with dips, bumps, and jumps. From then on it is a methodical interplay between you and the bike. The essence of cylcing and the story you came to write is realized by every sense and muscle in your body. Your enthusiasm is heightened by the shouts and cheers in the distance as you round a few more turns and then head into the starting area. It must be stated at this time that cycling is truly a activity, and, try as you may, watching just doesnt make it. Get out there and try it; and I dont mean on the crowded streets in the cities. Go to the hills, flats, or salted speedways. Where do you find these conditions? Need I say? self-indulgi- ng - The winning girls toftbaU team, 1940. Front: Norma Kunzler, Marvell Carter, Guenna Kunzler, Hazel Newman. Back: LaDene Mecham, Norine Kunzler, Barbara Burton, Gayb Carter, AmyLou Palmer, and Betty Jo Carter. (The ribbons the girls are wearing are for winning the track meet alto.) Baseball is Alive and Well in Pads Valley by Betty Rice (feature writer) Park Valley, July 24, 1970 Baseball was revived this 24th for the first time in nineteen years. Softball has been played during the interim by the local small frys, but the old rhubarb patch almost swallowed up the original diamond and in its place left the possibility of some terrific pies. . To foster the American tradition, the people of Park Valley decided to bring back baseball to their community on what seemed to be the perfect day: the One Hundred Year Centennial of Park Valley, and the 24th of July, marking Utahs statehood day. There was a lot of work to be done in order to get ready for the eventful day, and in a small town teamwork is the key work for work. One group cleaned up the baseball diamond, and another got together all the necessary equipment, in particular the uni- forms. Where were they ever find to going enough uniforms? It just so happened that in 1951 the Brigham City merchants bought uniforms for the Park Valley Baseball Team which met in contest at that time with many of the surrounding towns. Now all they had to do was find them. Searching attics, old trunks, and even an abandoned outhouse, the citizenry finally rounded up the somewhat tattered uniforms. The tradition on the 24th of July is for the Park Valley Citizens to compete against the Out of Towners, (people born and raised in Park Valley, who have moved away and come back with their children and grandchildren). The results of the game were as follows: GUYS: 13 year olds and under Park Valley 11 Out of Towners 5 Teenagers 7 Park Valley Out of Towners 5 Oldtimers 6 Park Valley 5 Out of Towners GIRLS: The girls were supposed to play but decided that the boys had taken a little too much. time. It was getting late in the afternoon and they were busy getting ready for that evenings big ' dance. The baseball team in Park Valley may never get any national acclaim, but in the hearts of the people who attended the game that day, they were the champs. The Young Mens Mutual Improvement Officers who obtained the baseball uniforms Sept. 1st, 1951. L-Max Kunzler, Dee Kunzler, Harvey Carter. |