Great video. It’s great to see coverage from the 60s flat track racing. My Dad raced for Harley Davidson during those years (Gary Waldo “70) in the amateur category. Thanks for putting this together!
Wonderful film and commentary thank you....as a kid in the 60's living in Saugus , Calif I got to go to Ascot a few times with friends...had a great time.....Lost my Bro to Cancer in 1993 when he was 41. He loved to ride his motorcycle and I joined in now and then on my Triumph....
Ascot Park showed no mercy whether you were the Unknown Novice or the Top Rated National Number. Fatalities started the very 1st year of Friday Night Racing in 1959 George Everett who at the time was riding for Neil Keen and a top rated Expert lost his life at Ascot and this tragic Incident is what started Neil to be one of the Top Racers @ Ascot in the early 60's even winning the 8 mile national in 1961 where he was almost unbeatable that season on Dennis Mahan's Goldstar. Some of the Top Racers that knew how to race Ascot had a lot of success there. Al Gunter,Keen,Sammy Tanner, and Mert Lawwill later in the 60's just to name a few. I sadly was at the Track when a few racers lost their lives (Steve Pederson,Dewayne Keeter,and Ted Boody to name a few. Also was there when a few had career ending injuries like Clyde Litch in 68. Ascot was not a true 1/2 mile like say Sturgis where it was measured on the outside verses inside for Ascot; more like a 3/8* mile track.The top times in the later 60's were in the 22+ second category where your true 1/2 mile Tracks like Sturgis were in the 25 second category. In Fact Keen held the track record at the Sturgis 1/2 mile for almost 20 yrs finally being broken by Steve Droste on an Alloy XR in 1981. Ascot was like going to a National almost every Friday Night because you had the top California Racers from both Northern & Southern California there at anytime of the season. One reason it got Top Priority in Cycle News every week. Roxy Rockwood was a Great Announcer and goes back to the earliest days of Ascot; His Son Tom also raced there in the ladder 60's. Race goers today can't imagine what they missed when Ascot was going back in the day. Like almost everything in Life, it eventually comes to an End. Ascot Park and Santa Fe Speedway in Hinsdale,Illinois were probably the 2 most recognizable names in weekly Racing and now both are just a Memory. I'm glad I was born at a time where I got to see and be at these 2 iconic Race Facilities. My Condolences for the loss of your Brother. Most of us don't have a choice of what we will be doing when we leave this Earth, But he was doing something he loved...R.I.P. Mr Campbell
Wow. This really brought back some memories on 2 very different levels. I was enjoying the show on one level until I saw that your brother was killed at Ascot in May of 1961. You see my dad, Dick Spider Terhune #51x was killed at Ascot on March 19th. Only a couple months earlier. He was a veteran year of the flat wars and raced at Ascot, Carrol, old Gardena and up north at tracks like Selma. Whether a novice like your brother or an experienced expert, Ascot was HAIRY. On Friday nights Sanger hung in the air like exhaust smoke. I raced Motocross there in the 70's and even though a more venial sport, it always seemed a little edgier racing there. So sad for your and my loss. But they died doing what they loved
My dad Dick”Spider”Terhune was killed at Ascot on March 19 th 1959 along with 2 other riders that year. Watching your video was bittersweet but very cool. Love Avilla Beach.
Hi Robert: Thanks for your comment. I am very sorry about your father. My brother had many friends in the motorcycle racing community and several kept in touch. Sadly most are now gone. Hank
I love this beautiful tribute but the clip in the middle shows Speedway racing not Flat Track. Completely different thing from what the narrator was talking about.
Fantastic vedio Hank. Never saw the bikes at ascot, but made a cra sprint show there. Nice that you keep your brothers memory alive. He must have had a big impact on his younger brother. We're dirt track (sprint cars) fans and make several shows a year weather Santa Maria or tracks in Tulare, Watsonville, Paris and, Hanford. Santa Maria Raceway has been hosting AMA racing as they have a flat track inside the clay 1/3 mile. Again, beautifully done vedio. Geo. (Oceano CA.)
Ascot still looks similar to what it was. All the pit gates are still there and palm trees. It's being used for shuttling used and repossessed cars in & out. Use to drive down Vermont every week, trucks in the street on and off loading. If you had the money it could be restored although it would not be allowed most likely.
Thanks for a great video Hank . Long time dirt oval fan started in late 60s to present really hated to see HD about kill the sport but they did try to claim king of the dirt for allot of years. It may seem cold but your brother was doing what he loved although untimely for him .
i've always loved Triumph Cubs! I used to travel to Santa Fe raceway outside of Chicago just to see Gary Nixon battle the Harley Sprints on his Cub. Successfully for the most part.
Mel Lacher H-D KR Andres H--D-San Diego Watched Mel Race many Friday Nights @ Ascot in the ladder 60's. He was almost a weekly regular along with Tanner,Seabourne,etc. Good Racer, saw him win a couple feature mains the Nights I attended. I believe Ron Lacher 95R rode Ascot at one time also...
What a wonderful tribute to your brother ! God bless you and all your family
Thank you for posting ,wonderful times . shame the track is longer there,
I owned a Square Four and a Tiger Cub and a Greeves and other bikes back in mid 60's.
Great video. It’s great to see coverage from the 60s flat track racing. My Dad raced for Harley Davidson during those years (Gary Waldo “70) in the amateur category. Thanks for putting this together!
I was addicted to Ascot, so much grip. Great video and tribute. Thanks for sharing...
Wonderful film and commentary thank you....as a kid in the 60's living in Saugus , Calif I got to go to Ascot a few times with friends...had a great time.....Lost my Bro to Cancer in 1993 when he was 41. He loved to ride his motorcycle and I joined in now and then on my Triumph....
Ascot Park showed no mercy whether you were the Unknown Novice or the Top Rated National Number. Fatalities started the very 1st year of Friday Night Racing in 1959 George Everett who at the time was riding for Neil Keen and a top rated Expert lost his life at Ascot and this tragic Incident is what started Neil to be one of the Top Racers @ Ascot in the early 60's even winning the 8 mile national in 1961 where he was almost unbeatable that season on Dennis Mahan's Goldstar. Some of the Top Racers that knew how to race Ascot had a lot of success there. Al Gunter,Keen,Sammy Tanner, and Mert Lawwill later in the 60's just to name a few. I sadly was at the Track when a few racers lost their lives (Steve Pederson,Dewayne Keeter,and Ted Boody to name a few. Also was there when a few had career ending injuries like Clyde Litch in 68. Ascot was not a true 1/2 mile like say Sturgis where it was measured on the outside verses inside for Ascot; more like a 3/8* mile track.The top times in the later 60's were in the 22+ second category where your true 1/2 mile Tracks like Sturgis were in the 25 second category. In Fact Keen held the track record at the Sturgis 1/2 mile for almost 20 yrs finally being broken by Steve Droste on an Alloy XR in 1981. Ascot was like going to a National almost every Friday Night because you had the top California Racers from both Northern & Southern California there at anytime of the season. One reason it got Top Priority in Cycle News every week. Roxy Rockwood was a Great Announcer and goes back to the earliest days of Ascot; His Son Tom also raced there in the ladder 60's. Race goers today can't imagine what they missed when Ascot was going back in the day. Like almost everything in Life, it eventually comes to an End. Ascot Park and Santa Fe Speedway in Hinsdale,Illinois were probably the 2 most recognizable names in weekly Racing and now both are just a Memory. I'm glad I was born at a time where I got to see and be at these 2 iconic Race Facilities. My Condolences for the loss of your Brother. Most of us don't have a choice of what we will be doing when we leave this Earth, But he was doing something he loved...R.I.P. Mr Campbell
Tom Rockwood won the '72 Ascot national. He also is buried across the street, since '78.
OKC half mile was 5/8 mile 26 + sec laps. 1st time I saw the big boys there in '71 could not believe how fast they were! Won by Romero.
Fun to watch and learn. Brave men doing what they loved to do.
Thanks for making your video.
Wow. This really brought back some memories on 2 very different levels. I was enjoying the show on one level until I saw that your brother was killed at Ascot in May of 1961. You see my dad, Dick Spider Terhune #51x was killed at Ascot on March 19th. Only a couple months earlier. He was a veteran year of the flat wars and raced at Ascot, Carrol, old Gardena and up north at tracks like Selma. Whether a novice like your brother or an experienced expert, Ascot was HAIRY. On Friday nights Sanger hung in the air like exhaust smoke. I raced Motocross there in the 70's and even though a more venial sport, it always seemed a little edgier racing there. So sad for your and my loss. But they died doing what they loved
My dad Dick”Spider”Terhune was killed at Ascot on March 19 th 1959 along with 2 other riders that year. Watching your video was bittersweet but very cool. Love Avilla Beach.
Hi Robert: Thanks for your comment. I am very sorry about your father. My brother had many friends in the motorcycle racing community and several kept in touch. Sadly most are now gone.
Hank
I love this beautiful tribute but the clip in the middle shows Speedway racing not Flat Track. Completely different thing from what the narrator was talking about.
Scrolled down before I said it.
I remember reading about Sammy Tanner the "Flying Flea," who was the king of Ascot for many years on his BSA Goldstar.
thank you hank...........for a very.....heart/felt...true story.....,,,god bless
Thanks for the video and sharing your story Hank. My condolences on the loss of your brother,
Thank you Hank for a well done video about Ascot Park at that time. Great memories , Cheers!
Fantastic vedio Hank. Never saw the bikes at ascot, but made a cra sprint show there. Nice that you keep your brothers memory alive. He must have had a big impact on his younger brother. We're dirt track (sprint cars) fans and make several shows a year weather Santa Maria or tracks in Tulare, Watsonville, Paris and, Hanford. Santa Maria Raceway has been hosting AMA racing as they have a flat track inside the clay 1/3 mile. Again, beautifully done vedio. Geo. (Oceano CA.)
Great job my friend
My dad took me to ascot when I was a boy. I ended up getting into motocross.
Ascot still looks similar to what it was. All the pit gates are still there and palm trees. It's being used for shuttling used and repossessed cars in & out. Use to drive down Vermont every week, trucks in the street on and off loading. If you had the money it could be restored although it would not be allowed most likely.
really enjoyed your film friend
My stepfather Donald Lee Tortorelli was a big racer in the 50s and 60s!
Don Tortorelli 86 R raced at Ascot
Thanks for a great video Hank . Long time dirt oval fan started in late 60s to present really hated to see HD about kill the sport but they did try to claim king of the dirt for allot of years. It may seem cold but your brother was doing what he loved although untimely for him .
Thanks Hank!
great film...
Anyone have footage of the BMX track?
wonderful Hank! ☺
Jimmy Lynch from Bakersfield California was of best racer at that time from Bakersfield
Do You Still Have The 200cc Trimuph Cub
I wish! It was sold a year after I raced. Don't remember the buyer.
i've always loved Triumph Cubs! I used to travel to Santa Fe raceway outside of Chicago just to see Gary Nixon battle the Harley Sprints on his Cub. Successfully for the most part.
WHY WAS'T MEL LACHER (37) MENTION IN THE WRITE-UP OM ASCOT RACING?
Mel Lacher H-D KR Andres H--D-San Diego Watched Mel Race many Friday Nights @ Ascot in the ladder 60's. He was almost a weekly regular along with Tanner,Seabourne,etc. Good Racer, saw him win a couple feature mains the Nights I attended. I believe Ron Lacher 95R rode Ascot at one time also...
The Reason I Asked Is I Have A Triumph Mountain Cub 1967 200 cc