1954 Bud Sage Takes San Gabriel on Harley-Davidson - 1-Page Vintage Article

Description

1954 Bud Sage Takes San Gabriel on Harley-Davidson - 1-Page Vintage Article
Original, Vintage Magazine article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
IN EVERYONE’S mind there was no doubt
a thought, that the San Gabriel Hare and
Hound would surely go the same direction as
the Rams National two years ago. This is
where a lot of the “hot shoes” flubbed their
dub. Bud Sage (H-D K) took things easy at
the start and when the rest of the “know
their way’s” found they were barking up the
wrong trail, Bud and a few others were out
in the breeze.
This is not to say that Bud’s win was not
deserved, anyone will tell you that he tooled
along at a fair rapid pace to say the least.
Coming in at the gas check an amateur was
in the lead, Jack Laprik (Matchless) by name,
but soon had to give in to the determination
of Bud’s hard riding. Laprik was, however, the
first amateur to finish.
An old familiar face among sports riders
was long and gangly, “Feets” Minert. “Feets”,
just back from a hitch in the service pulled
up for a nice fourth place on his new BSA
Clubman.
Finishing second was Jerry Platt (Match-
less), Jerry sure has a rough time making
that first place, sometimes “Oh so close”.
Although you might say that some of the
boys lost their way, I still maintain that if
some simple directions were given at the
start, this situation would not have caused any
trouble. It seems hard to reailze why the
different clubs insist on making every start
a big “hush hush” affair. When you consider
the time and energy involved (not to mention
the expense) it’s hard to visualize how a club
can keep from giving a few directions aimed
at giving the riders time to get under way.
Dust, other riders, yuka stumps, and so on
are plenty enough grief in my estimation,
“why make it a luck start?"
The run sponsored by the San Gabriel MC
of San Gabriel, Calif, covered about 85 miles
of rough sandy desert and by the looks of the
boys when they came in, it was plenty long
enough. Other class winners include Jack
Laprik (Matchless), first amateur; Wes Ander-
son (H-D), first 74"; Gerald Ralphe (Velo),
first 21’; John Rich (DMW), first 200 cc.;
Joe Koons (BSA), first 125 cc.
It might be interesting to note that up until
shortly after the gas check there was a 200 cc.
machine in 4th place, a DMW with Doug
Smith the jockey.—Don Brown
Winner, Bud Sage immediately after the race. Bud is
a member of the 49er MC, and has been riding hare
and hounds for several years.
“Winky” Haado tools through tho desert on his
Triumph. “Winky” is ex track rider, likes sporting
events and Is a member of the SO Cal MC.
Lee Vanderploeg puts his Matchless to the test as
he dodges yuka stumps in the rough.
Start of the "big go". Almost 300 entries lined up at Dead Mans Point to try seasons first hare and hound.
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