Page 20 - speedway19560129

"UN'ITED STATES AUTO CLUB"
1

First official sanction, incidentally, for an outdoor race
by AL BINE
was granted to J. C. Agajanian for a 100-lap champion-
Los Angeles Examiner Sports Writer
s'hip midget contest, feature of today's program at the
National speedway racing jurisdiction, at loose ends completely renovated Bonelli Stadium in Saugus. Marking
since the American AutomobHe Ass'ociation disbanded its the first big mces of the new year in Southern California.
contest board, has been knit toge1'her again and is ready Agajanian also plans an extended program throughout the
now to -assume watchdog scrutiny over the sport. yem.
With the avowed purpose of stressing greater emphasis Carter, veteran of eight 500-mile classics at the
on safety, people that have fhe best interests of gasoline Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a driver since 1932
alley at heart-the drivers, mechanics, owners and pro- when he graduated with a degree in mechankal engineering
moters-have jo'ined ha'nds to estahl'ish a new governing at Fresno State College, will be in Saugus to persona-lly
group called fhe United States Auto Clu'b. check up and see that the new regulations are strictly
enforced.
USAC, already affectionately labeled, "U-sack," will
maintain rigid control and close supervision of all sanc- The race, too, will mark the first official assignment for
tioned speedway racing. Lujie A. Lesovsky, expert Los Angeles race car builder and
engineer, who has replaced Gordon Betz, former AAA
The AAA contest board withdrew its sponsorship 'of
director, as the West Coast Zone supervisor for USAC.
auto racing last January 1, after previously announcing the
action because it said it was not in accordance with its pro- Participating ·in the Bonelli program will be 40 drivers
gram of safe driving. and cars from this region, just a fragment of the 157 drivers,
97 cars and 47 mechanics from Southern California already
USAC hopes to remedy whatever faults that previous·ly
registered with USAC to take part in all types of indoor
existed in the conduct of the racing industry. It ah'o plans
and outdoor racing.
an expanded program of activity in all divisions of racing
and, too, seeks to enlist the support of all individU'als and AM machines in the nine events Agajanian has sched-
groups that have functioned within or without the realm uled will have to pass specification tests covering many
of the AAA. :acets of the new regulations.
First order proclaimed is an edict to all prospective Some of these include engine displacement, magna-
members by Duane Carter, 42, named director of racing at flux reports on the front axle, steering mechanism and
the USAC organizational meetings last November in India- spindles, plus a positive requirement: safety belts; as well
na pol is and Detroit, was that "a'II tracks must pass inspec- as optional shoulder harness. Stock, sprint, sport and
tion or must be resurfaced before sancfion will be granted championship cars have equally strict requirements.
for any race."
All purses, schedules and ground rules for the USAC
"Reconditioning of all dirt tracks is mandatory," Car- are clearly listed in the official applications for Hcenses
ter's ultimatum continued, "and closer supervision of all and registration, in addition to a standard fee for drivers,
phases of operation will be utilized to insure greater s 1 afety pit crews, mechanics, chief mechanics, owners and pro-
in the development of our program." moters, the latter who must cough up $200 to $1000
More than l 000 members are expected to join the re- depending on the type of race being staged.
vitalized racing fraternity, which has been advised of a Optimism, naturally, runs high fhat the new organ-
tentative schedule covering approximately 95 midget, stock, izati-on Will cure all past ills as well as instill a renewed
sprint, sport and champions•hip-type events in 17 states spirit and confidence in the sport for all Americans, who,
for the current calendar season. after all, are race drivers of a sort, at heart.

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MOB I LOIL ALWAYS IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE