The world of motorcycle road racing was about to be changed forever at
Daytona in 1970. After decades of twin cylinder racing, Triumph and BSA were
about to unleash their Trident/Rocket 3 to the world at Daytona. Three
cylinders at 750cc, it was faster than any bike out there. Honda countered with
its new 750cc four cylinder, at the time THE bike to own, ride, and this year to
race with. Bob Hansen of American Honda had requested 750's to race on the
banked oval at Daytona for 1970, only to be met with resistance from Japan.
"Why would want to race, we might lose?" they asked, with Bob telling them it
would be a great forum to test their bikes. They denied him, replying "we are
in racing to win, not to lose," as their history proved. But a week later Bob's
phone rang, and the same man who denied him now wanted to know what kind of top
speeds were needed at Daytona to win. Bob added 3-5 mph to what he thought it
would take, and they thanked him. Now we know how much horsepower we need, and
soon seven bikes arrived stateside.
But the Hondas soon blew up in practice, the cam chain guides were too hard
and would self destruct at high speeds, which Honda denied, and so the only
engine with newer guides was ridden by Dick Mann. Dick was a racer's racer, and
could and had won on every type of racing the AMA supported. But it also threw
a wrench in Honda's plans, they had caught Triumph using a higher compression
piston than stock-breaking the rules. But just as they were to expose Triumph,
one of their motors caught fire, and melted down. It was obviously
magnesium-not stock, so they backed off, before someone turned them in. In
racing it isn't called cheating unless you get caught.
Race day 1970 had all the Honda's but Dick's 750 go out early, from cam
chain tensioner problems, just as they were told. Dick had at one point early
on opened up a 50 yard lead over the Triumph of Romero. And Honda with just one
entry left, and with six laps to go and a 12 second lead over Gene Romero, they
started losing 2 seconds a lap. Which set the Japanese VP into a rage, and he
starting calling Hansen and telling him what to do. Ride faster-you're losing 2
seconds a lap. Which Bob ignored, he knew that Dick's bike was only running on
three cylinders sometimes, and Dick was doing all he could to get the bike home
in first place. Which he did, defeating Romero and Triumph by 2 seconds-the
closest that Romero would come to a Daytona win-even though he was to win the
AMA #1 plate that year. By the way, he finished running on 3 cylinders, and with
only a cup of oil left in the engine.
Dick Mann showed what a racer he was, with the win on a failing Honda. A
combination of Mann and machine you might say. But Bob Hansen later in the week
was fired, and Yamaha signed him to run their race team, and when you look at
what they did at Daytona, and in road racing in the seventies-it was good for
Yamaha and Bob-but never again for Honda. The world of road racing had changed
forever at Daytona that day. And in an era before it was racing for points to
win a championship, Dick had won the race, which is what racing is all about.
Sadly today so many race for the championship-tell that to Mann, Romero, Nixon,
Roberts, and the others who raced to win. For if you win the race, the
championships will come. Mr. Petty, will be happy to explain this to all you
other back markers. Winners race to win!
It was four years yesterday that Laiken finished her race here on earth.
She was in the race of her life, to win against cancer. And when she finally
finished her race that April 22, 2008, she had won. You see cancer hadn't beat
her, she had won the race, and when it was over, God called her home. You see,
for those who think cancer beat her, they would be wrong. God was in her pits
the whole time, and knew the day, hour, and minute her race would over. She had
one final lap to go, and just when it looked the darkest, God gave her enough to
finish the last lap. The race finished, the race over, the race won-God called
her home. To heaven, where the real celebrations began, and continue to this
day. Only God can know when our race is over, and we are told to run the race
to win-not to finish. To just finish means compromising, but real racers race
to win. They use every trick in the book, like Dick and other champions do.
But they win-and when the checkered flag drops, the race is over. It is called
living-and Laiken lived till the end.
Laiken's checkered flag dropped on April 22nd. She won! Her victory lap
still going on in heaven.
Is your crew chief Jesus Christ? Hers was. Are you racing to win? Are
you walking in the spirit? So many wanna bees, coulda beens, and shoulda beens
competing for your affection. Laiken knew Jesus. He had plans for her, and
though the race was rough-real races require as much perseverance as skill, she
persevered and won. No excuses, no reasons why she could have not finished, she
had Jesus. And listened to Him. And set an example of life that I still am
amazed at. For four years after her race ended, this special little girl
reminds me of how to fight to the end-to the finish. And that to finish first,
you must first finish. Keep April 22nd circled on your calendar, I do. And
remember her Mom Stacy, who still battles in her race. Remember Jim, her
stepdad, who loved her more than can be explained here. Remember Abigail, who
came within five months of Laiken becoming the big sister, and meeting her.
Abigail will someday celebrate with her big sister Laiken, but for now she has
her own life/race to run. And never forget Jesus Christ, who without Him in
their lives makes the race a DNF. God has a plan for them, and you. Laiken's
plan is over, the race is won. It is up to those of us still in the race to
remember why we run it. And how when we are guided by God, the victory is
sweeter than any setbacks along the way.
Honda knew how much horsepower it took to make speed. Dick knew how to get
the bike home to the finish. Only Jesus know how much power you need to make
life. And how to get you home. Trust Him, some laps take longer than others,
and the competition will be breathing down your neck-but there is nothing like
winning. Ask Dick, a true champion on the track, and ask Laiken, a true
champion in the race of life. The tougher the battle, the sweeter the victory.
And Laiken's victory lies in heaven.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
