The 1972 "6-Hour Production Motorcycle Race" promised to be the creme de la creme of them all due to all of the superbikes released in the previous 12 months; it turned it was, but not for that reason.
Yamaha had released its super-trick TX750 and had signed a string of stars to ride the beast. Kawasaki had upgraded the 500cc Mach Ill to 750cc and called it the Mach IV. It was, hands down, the fastest production bike ever released at that time. In fact for those not used to speed a diaper might have been a recommended option. Two brand new uber sexy Ducati 750's, an Interstate Norton with it's massive tank, a Triumph Trident and an MV Agusta 750 also lined up against the proven Honda 750's and 650cc Yamaha's.
But the claimed winner came from the 500 class; Joe Eastmure on a Suzuki 315.
Due to a lap-scoring error the circuit announcers and television commentators convinced themselves, the 12,000 spectators and one million TV viewers that Eastmure was on the same lap as Kawasaki Mach IV piloted by the team of Dave Burgess and Mike Steel.
For the last half hour Eastmure and Steel fought out the lead and when Steel crashed with three minutes to go, Eastmure took the victory. Half an hour later the lap sheets were checked and it was found that Steel had in fact won with 334 laps, Eastmure was third on 333 and the Ducati 750 team of Gates/Lawrence was second.
When the post-race scrutinizing started, more interesting facts were discovered. Eastmure’s barrels were non-standard and the horn was missing from his machine. Much to Suzuki's chagrin, he was disqualified. The inspector's had an even greater shock when they lifted the head from the second-placed Ducati. Larger pistons had been fitted with the capacity increased to a massive 890cc. Arrivederci!
Earlier in the race, the Yamaha TX75Os had made an embarrassing debut. By twelve o’clock their three teams had all retired with mechanical woes. The TX never recovered from the publicity and faded from the showroom floor within 12 months.
On a side note: The Kawasaki Mach IV's front disc brake decided to weld itself to the caliper costing it a certain high finish. Before retiring it set a new lap record of 60.4 seconds.
Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk
