Throwback Thursday: Carruthers, Mann and Du Hamel in Pocono Victory Lane (1971)

Larry Lawrence | August 15, 2024

It was BSA over Yamaha and Kawasaki in a Close One

In this week’s Throwback Thursday, we dial back the time machine 53 years to August of 1971 and land in Eastern Pennsylvania’s Pocono Raceway. At the AMA Grand National Road Race that year it was BSA rider Dick Mann taking a thrilling victory over Yamaha’s Kel Carruthers. Kawasaki ace Yvon Du Hamel took third to put three different manufacturers on the podium. The final laps came down to a contrast between the big 750cc four-stroke of Mann’s versus the comparatively small Yamaha 350cc two-stroke ridden by Carruthers.

Carruthers would gather up Mann on the brakes, only to watch the powerful torque of the BSA give Mann the advantage on corner exits. The duo swapped the lead several times in the final two laps. On the final turn of the final lap, Carruthers pulled even with Mann coming into the turn but heading out on the main straight and the checkered flag, Mann once again motored ahead to win at the line by mere feet. Mann would go on to clinch the AMA Grand National Championship later that year. It marked the last time a British maker won the venerable championship.

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