XRTT


During the four years that I raced with the American Federation of Motorcyclists, I was the editor of Lap Times, the AFM newsletter. The benefits of this was that I could get into the AMA races with a press pass. Even though, the Lap Times only covered AFM races, perks is perks.

CalR1
This is Cal Rayborn just getting back from a practice on his XRTT. The track is either Riverside International Raceway or Ontario Motor Speedway.

I'd gotten used to H2R's and TD350's shrieking up behind me on the track. But, when Art Bernheisel's kid came up behind me just before the esses at Sears Point, I felt the earth shake as much as I heard him. He scared me off my line when he went by me. The only other time this happened was at Ontario when Reg Pridmore passed me. Not as overwhelming as the XRTT. There's nothing like the boom of a four stroke.

CalR2
Cal was generally acknowledged to be the greatest American roadracer of his day. Some still say that he was the greatest. He was my hero. But, I saw Kenny Roberts at Sears Point come from a last place qualifying spot due to a broken chain, to sixth place by the first turn, to second place by the end of the first lap setting a lap record even though from a standing start through traffic. The announcer was so excited before the race that Kenny was starting from the last row he kept repeating that, "Never in the history of AMA roadracing has anyone ever won starting from the back row." Everyone knew he would win. He did. Kenny proved he was king that day

CalR3
Notice the pipes exiting the left side in the previous photo. Here you'll see the dual carb on the right side as well as the comfy seat.

WC_web_Brelsford










The XRTT is the same model bike that Mark Brelsford's career ended on. Mark's teammate Larry Darr crashed his XRTT. On the next lap, Mark came around so close that Mark's tank hit Larry's clipon sending a 9 gallon fireball up between Mark's legs. This image is taken from ESPN coverage showing Mark in a fireball with hands protectively up in front of his face still doing over a ton. That dark chunk on the right 1/3 of the way from the bottom is the wheel and fairing of Darr's bike. Mark was noted as one of the best mile flattrackers that ever lived. He retired to Alaska.