1958 Brad Andres Watkins Glen 100-Mile Race - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1958 Brad Andres Watkins Glen 100-Mile Race - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, Vintage Magazine Article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
Andres Tops In
100 Mile Win
Bud Koehler
Cops 50 Miler
Track Record
Snapped By Cyclists
An American and a Canadian shared top honors at the
'ery successful Watkins Glen rally and road race classic,
held August 2 and 3. Brad Andres from San Diego, California
romped home on a Harley-Davidson with the first 100-mile
win at the Glen, along with Bud Koehler from New Dundee,
Ont., in the saddle of a BSA who captured the 50-milcr, as
motorcycling made its debut on the famed 2.3 mile sports car
road racing circuit.
One can nearly always expect considerable confusion and
chaos when a big event is held for the first time. It usually
takes three years at least for an annual attraction to become
established and worth continuing. However, this was not the
case at the Glen, which, apart from a few doing the bulk of the
work, went off remarkably well. From the fans and competition
standpoint, everyone present considered it one of the finest
meetings of the year.
After months of preparation, the co-sponsoring Western and
Eastern Harley-Davidson Dealers of New York State and the
Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation seemed to almost glow
in enthusiasm at the inaugural event—one that ranked high in
anybody’s standings—an excellent two-day sports classic chock
full of relaxing fun, entertainment, and competition in one of
the most beautiful and historic spots in the country—a new
(for motorcycling) vacation paradise on the horseshoe bend of
Seneca Lake.
As usual, the big events were tremendous drawing cards with
the old fight spirit, enthusiasm and exceptional talent that
everyone wants to see. And unless you’re an earlybird, the
pickings are pretty slim for overnight accommodations.
The two days that followed were ideal; Saturday hot with
crystal blue skies and Sunday warm with high hazy overcast
skies. For the spectators it was indeed a spectacle: a magnifi-
cently prepared program that saw tremendous competition
starting with Saturday morning’s practice for competition riders,
followed by an over-abundant (180) list of entries awaiting the
starter’s flag for the afternoon card of lightweight racing. Sat-
urday evening clubs participated in the best dressed club con-
test held at the fairgrounds. Sunday morning followed up with
a massive field meet with the showpiece of the two-day event—
the 50- and 100-mile road races scheduled for the climax in the
afternoon.
The practice periods on Saturday had their exciting incidents
Brad Andres of San Diego, Calif., under a full head of steam
pilots his Harley-Davidson over the course, in his victorious
ride at the Watkins Glen 100-mile road race.
Dick Klamfoth of Groveport, Ohio, makes a second attempt to
capture the lead from Andres. His first try netted one lap,
but this try was only momentary, as Andres shot back into
the lead for good.
Rod Coates and Walt Brown, tech committee members and
Jules Horky of the AMA hold technical inspection prior to the
main events.
Top four in the amateur-novice 50-mile race were, left to
right: Richard Randel, fourth; Wilfrid Furlong, third; Carl
Neitz, second; and Bud Koehler, first. AH BSA mounted...
14564-AL-5809-23