Motor-cyclist’s bid for top Aust, prize

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33463, 19 February 1974, Page 24

Motor-cyclist’s bid for top Aust, prize

The gifted 19-year-old Christchurch motor-cycle road racer. J. Boote, will compete in the $15,000 international Australian grand prix meeting on the high-speed Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst, New South Wales, on April 13 and 14.

Under the sponsorship of Levi’s, he plans to take with him the same four-cylinder Yamaha TZ7SO two-stroke which he rode to victory in the last two rounds of the New Zealand Marlboro international series.

Although the opposition will be exceptionally strong, he must stand a very good chance of winning the $lOOO first prize in the main race—the second round of the Australian grand prix road racing championship—over a distance of more than 100 miles. This will be Boote’s second racing trip outside New Zealand. His first was last October when he shared the 750 Kawasaki which finished runner-up in the Castrol sixhour production race at. Amaroo Park, Sydney. “I don’t know very much

about what to expect.” Boote said last evening. “But the circuit should suit the Yamaha. I believe the main straight is about a mile long.” AWAITING SPARES The Yamaha — the fastest and most sophisticated grand prix racer in the world — is still

equipped with the high Daytona gearing with which it left the factory. Boote has been waiting with some concern for a comprehensive spares kit containing sprockets of various sizes. This appears to have been lost in transit.

With its present gearing, the machine has a top speed potential of 180 miles an hour. The water-cooled engine produces 90 b.h.p. at the back wheel.

Boote is also hopeful that he will be able to compete on the South-East Asian circuit

in April. Lack of details from the organisers has so far prevented him making a firm decision.

The first meeting of the South-East Asian circuit clashes with Bathurst, but there are three other meetings which follow at weekly intervals. OVERHAUL Before leaving for Australia, Boote intends to completely overhaul the Yamaha and is considering fitting magnesium wheels to help reduce the weight. At 3451 b, (this is already comparable with most of the smaller 500 'c.c. machines.

He hopes to use a meeting on the Manfield track, in the North Island, as a proving ground early in March.