PRESSTIME BULLETIN !I
Bob Leppan in the Gyronaut X-I set a new ■
record for gasoline powered motorcycles. I
The AMA clocked the Detroiter at 217.624 I
i mph. Previous record of 212 was set in I
j 1962. In his effort, Leppan had a close call
I when the twin engined streamliner flipped
I at 80 mph and slid on its side for about 200
■ yards. He was uninjured. The world’s fast-
■ est motorcycle is still the Johnson Triumph
■ which had only one engine, but ran on
fl racing fuel.
Speedweek
It was a disappointing week for most of
the motorcyclist participants at this year’s
AMA sanctioned Bonneville Speedweek.
Unusually large rainfall made the salt ex-
tremely poor for traction and quite haz-
ardous a good deal of the time.
Several of the more determined riders
waited out the weather and were able to
set some records. But the high speed
vehicles, including the faster automobiles,
were prevented from making any runs at
all. Fastest motorcycle time of the week
was turned by Californian Rich Richards
on a 650cc Triumph streamliner. Speed;
161.793. Official speed records are as
follows:
Rich Richards, Corona, Calif.
Tri. 650(APS-A-650) ........161.793
Pete De Marco, Providence, R. 1.
H.D Sportster (PS-A-3000)....142.388
James Enz, Lynwood, Calif.
Royal Enfield (APS-C 750)....141.403
Robert Leppan. Mt. Clemens. Mich.
Tri. 700 (PS-A-700)..........133.894
Ivan Wagar. Long Beach, Calif.
Honda 305 (ASP-A-350)......126.304
Donald Marshall, Barrington, R. I.
H-D Sportster (C-A-3000).....123.282
Cruz-Hamann, San Jose, Calif.
Bultaco 200 (ASP-C-200).....103.866
Ralph Le Clercq, Los Angeles, Calif.
Ducati 175 (PS-C 175).......101.617
Kenneth Harvey. Richmond, Calif.
Honda 50 (APS-A-50)........ 74.877
Glen Sharp, Imperial Beach. Calif.
Suzuki 98 (APS-A-100)....... 63.111
700cc TRIUMPH ridden by Bob Leppan who also
rode the Gyronaut streamliner. 1963 TT Special
boasts Harmon & Collins roller tappet cams,
13/a" Amal G.P. II carbs, Peel fairing, Mallory
magneto and coil, Goodyear tires, Borrani
wheels. Rider is well protected with Langlitz
leathers, Bell helmet, Aviakit boots, Slazenger
gloves. Record speed in class PS-A-700 was
133.89A
SUZUKI ridden by Glen
SWIFT
R Sharp. Glen turned 63.111
for a class record.
ILL-FATED YAMAHA of noted road racer Don
Vesco. Don suffered broken collar bone in spill.
Due to riding position, this bike had no protec-
tive roll bar or shoulder harness.
FUEL BURNING Triumph upped record to 161.793.
Rider; Rich Richards of Corona, California
to the hopes and predictions of the skilled
factory speed team. The experience of ex-
pert Bonneville record-runner Bill Martin
was an even more valuable asset than had
been anticipated as he fought with the ele-
ments to keep the wheels on the salt and in
a straight line.
The vast Bonneville flats were in worse
shape for this year’s speed runs than they
have been for most seasons in the memo-
ries of veterans. Huge rains prior to the
meet created a traction problem that caused
many during the earlier Speed Week to
pack up and go home. But Yamaha had
much time and money (as well as prestige)
at stake and put forth their full effort in
spite of the slushy surface.
Some confusion existed as to which sanc-
tioning body would certify the record.
Originally, the AMA was to be the sole
sanctioning organization, since the attempt
was to be an American effort and the AMA
is admittedly the more important motor-
cycling organization in this country. But
pressures from certain international powers
forced Yamaha to slick with the FIM who
then flew their officials to Bonneville from
Europe.
Even though the AMA does not recog-
nize the Yamaha record, there is still no
question as to whether or not the Yamaha
record supersedes the Harley-Davidson
Sprint 156 mph record set last year. The
two machines are in different classes, since
the Yamaha is powered by a non-produc-
lion racing engine while the H-D Sprint
engine is (basically, at least) slock pro-
duction type. Nevertheless, the Yamaha
accomplishment lakes much of the glory
away'from Harley-Davidson’s record. Offi-
cial Yamaha records are:
One mile (flying start): 173.85 mph average
One kilometer (flying start): 174.36
(Incidentally, Harley-Davidson does not
intend to take this news lying down. As ive
go to press the H-D factory team is en
route to Utah in full force to have another
go at the 250cc record AND at the all-out
motorcycle speed record held by Triumph.
Chief pilot for both vehicles (Sprint and
883cc Sportster) will he Ohioan George
Roeder. CYCLE’S January issue will con-
tain the full report on H-D’s attempts.)
Yamaha’s Bonneville achievement is a
part of a multi-faceted promotional pro-
gram that has as its ultimate goal the sale
of more motorcycles. By going all-out for
racing victories and speed records, the firm
expects to impress the prospective light-
weight buyer with the superior perform-
ance of production Yamahas. It has been
proven in the automobile field as well as
in the motorcycle field that racing victories
stimulate sales. Yamaha's climbing sales...