1969 Houston Astrodome Short Track Racing - 5-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1969 Houston Astrodome Short Track Racing - 5-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, Vintage Magazine article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
THE BIG BUBBLE HOSTS TWO NATIONALS BACK-TO-BACK.
The 1969 edition of the annual Astro-
dome Indoor Cycle Race had an extra
added attraction. Last year's innaugural
event was generally recognized as the
largest indoor short track race ever
held. The event was a tremendous suc-
cess from the standpoint of the riders,
the fans and the promoters. This year
Pace Management Corp, which han-
dles the race decided Big "H" was
ready for a real slam bang weekend of
cycle racing. They added the world's
first indoor steeplechase card to the
already established short track event.
Just as for last year's race a fresh
weather front blew into Houston and
by race time on Friday night the skies
were socked in and cold rain was fall-
ing. In other places where the weather
gods have more influence such a stir-
ring up of the atmosphere often means
sure death to a weekend of fun and
games. But in Houston, the angry Gods
of the Lightning, Gale and Storm are
often frustrated by the controlled at-
mosphere of the Astrodome. The big
bubble top has been around for years
but it is still a preview of things to
come. In the future most of our large
cities will have such stadiums.
This year the ,000 double-header
race attracted more than 200 of the
country's finest and most colorful cycle
competitors and over 40,000 cycle rac-
ing fans. Some of the better known
riders who showed up for the big "H"
race were: Skip Van Leeuwen, the Fly-
ing Dutchman who earned his nickname
at Ascot Park in California by sailing
a record 90 feet from the jump there
during actual competition. Skip is the
current king of TT racing. Sammy (The
Flying Flea) Tanner, a 13 year veteran
of professional racing. The flea moniker
was tagged on him at an early age be-
cause of his winning style as a mite-
sized teenage rider on the Houston
tracks. Since heading for the pro ranks
in California he has won more dirt
track races than any other U.S. rider.
Gary Nixon who won last year's race
and (need I say more) wears the
"Numero Uno" on his back.
In addition to the aforementioned hot
shots most of the nations other top
experts and amateurs made the scene,
including 2, 3, & 4—Dick Mann, Fred
Nix and Bart Markel. Dan Hanby, who
many followers of professional cycle
racing rate the best all around rider...
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