1949 Jimmy Phillips Motorcycle Racer - 2-Page Vintage Article

Description

1949 Jimmy Phillips Motorcycle Racer - 2-Page Vintage Article
Original, Vintage Magazine Article
Page Size: Approx. 9" x 12" (22.5 cm x 30.5 cm) each page
Condition: Good
JIMMY PHILLIPS IS PACIFIC COAST
25 MILE CHAMP
DEL MAR, CALIF., OCT. 2—Eigh-
teen thousand shouting race fans here
today saw Jimmy Phillips, South Pasa-
dena, California, ride his Triumph ma-
chine to the pinnacle of West Coast
honors by winning the 25 Mile Pacific
Coast Championship under C.R.A. sanc-
tion at the world-famous Del Mar race
track. The entire program of ten events
provided the fastest and most closely
contested racing seen on a Pacific Coast
mile track in fifteen years. The crowd
was so enthusiastic about the show that
one of the visitors from San Diego was
heard to remark, “The C.R.A. is here to
stay, more power to them.’’ At such a
beautiful track, on such a cloudless day,
in such beautiful surroundings of ocean
and hills, the thirty-two qualifiers who
provided the day’s racing (out of an
entry for the time trials of 78 riders and
machines) shared most handsomely in the
prize money and trophies which were
awarded.
Time trials commenced at 11 A.M.,
with every entrant receiving two tries, if
desired, in order to assure that the day’s
program would be contestd for by the
fastest 32 riders. Ever-popular Kelly
Myers, Triumph, turned the fastest time
of the day in 45.76 sec., trailed by Ed
Kretz, who qualified in 46.16 sec. Mere
fractions of seconds separated the balance
of the remaining 30 riders. The track was
dragged and watered and the show was
ready to begin.
The first 6 Lap Heat race saw Jack
Horn, the 1947 Daytona Amateur victor
and the 1949 Daytona “200” leader for 167
miles, cop an easy win on his Triumph.
The second 6 Lap Heat “go” had Dave
Silva, late of Honolulu, on the very last
lap push into the first pew and acknowl-
edge the checkered flag.
Heat No. 3 gave Chuck Basney, that
veteran of twelve years in all kinds of
motorcycle competition, a chance to ex-
hibit the performance of the machine
entered by the one and only Jack Milne.
The next stanza gave us all the First
Act of the Kelly Myers-Ed Krotz drama.
By JOHN LOWRY
For six miles these two stars flew like
V-2 rockets, with Kelly nosing Ed by an
inch or two at the line.
Next came Operation Shirey (Bob is
his first name) on his scarlet steed. Bob
had a handsome margin by “checkered
time,” with second place being the real
McCoy between Luse and Nicolaides,
with Nic being No. 2 boy by the thinnest
of thin margins.
Next Don Halley was hailed into first
place by Starter Andy Anderson to com-
plete the Six Lap Heats.
Intermission Time brought forth a two-
out-of-three “Drag-Out Race” between an
Ariel Square four and an “enlarged” 74
O.H.V. The latter, complete with tractor
tire, proved once again that “there is no
substitute for inches.” Again the drag
and water treatment placed the track
surface in top condition for the balance
of the program.
Referee Stan Irons, that indefatigable
butter-ball, called out Myers, Kretz, Bud
Hogan, and Bobby Turner for the Hel-
met Dash of two laps. This time Ed got
an advance look at the blonde sweater
girl who was to present the Cup and
Kiss—and the other three boys just didn’t
have a chance! The King won in a walk
and was ready for his reward. The Tro-
phy was a beautiful Gold Helmet with a
miniature motorcycle mounted on the
crown. Ed donned the gorgeous helmet,
received a “sisterly” kiss from the sweat-
girl, posed for some pictures, restarted
his machine—then grabbed the darling
into his brawny arms and completed the
undertaking by “bussing” the blonde
beauty as only Casanova Kretz can “buss
’em,”
Jack Horn and Company returned for
the Consolation—distance 8 Laps. Eight
miles after starting the Company was still
trying to catch Mr. Horn. Jack’s ability,
plus the unfaltering performance of one
of Tim Witham’s super-tuned Triumphs,
placed the jack in Jack’s jeans for his
wonderful ride. Witham just grinned shy-
like—he was waiting for the 25 Mile
Championship event.
The 10 Lap Semi-Main proved to be
the most exciting race of the day. Dick
Milligan, Tex Luse, and Turp Turpin
shared the track for 10 long miles, using
no more space on the track than that
which could be covered by a postage
stamp—nearly! Luse and Milligan traded
around for several laps between first and
second place, then Tex tackled the fence
rail with his left hand. Result—two
broken knuckles! The checkered flag
waved at Milligan with Luse and Turpin
less than two feet apart, but what’s a
checkered flag or two when three C.R.A.
boys get going wide open on the Del
Mar mile? Around they went again, each
intent on beating the other. As they
passed the line the eleventh time the red
flag “woke ’em up” and they, quite sheep-
ishly, retired from the course back to
their pits to be chided and ribbed by
everyone present. Just an extra C.R.A.
thrill for the crowd!
The 25 Miler had ten “hot” men line
up: Nicolaides, Shirey, Myers, Halley,
Brundage, Phillips, Basney, Hogan, Tur-
ner and Kretz. The starting cloth dipped
and the pack disappeared into the first
turn. For two laps or so everyone was
pretty even, then Kretz and Myers edged
into the lead—side-by-side. On lap six,
Kelly rode low, too low, and slipped to
earth. With the luck of the Irish, Kelly
wasn’t even touched by the other nine
riders. The field screamed on, Kelly
arose, lifted the Tiger 100 into a vertical
position, restarted, and hastened frantical-
ly after the field! A grand show of nerve
after falling off at 90 m.p.h.l
Ed Kretz was now the General, lead-
ing his boys into the fray. Four laps
later Ed suffered the most severe accident
of the day—a rock shatterd a goggles
lens, four pieces of glass lodging in Ed’s
right eye. (Latest reports—no serious
damage.) All this time Jimmy Phillips, on
Tim Whitham’s other super-tuned Tri-
umph, decided to bid for the cash and
glory. Jimmy’s bid was accepted—and the
bid contained the Championship! Bobby
Turner staved off Bud Hogan for second...
C R A Riders Parading Before Spectators—Fastest Qualifier The Fastest 32 Riders being introduced to fans.—This custom is
‘Kelly Myers, Triumph, followed by Ed Kretz.
another C. R. A. inauguration.
7
7
Photo by Al Long
Photo by Al Long
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