On The Pegs June 2019 - Volume 4 - Issue 6 | Page 102

On The Pegs
102
straights on this rectangular track were faster than those at Saxtorp, so it was
full throttle for long periods, which was very demanding on the machines. The
gear ratios were upgraded for higher speed and some of the 27 entrants had
to go to the local blacksmith in order to manufacture a new sprocket for their
transmission.
Between 5,000 to 6,000 spectators turned up to watch on this sunny race day.
Three classes were run with a collective start of all the riders. There were 18
laps to be covered among the 500cc machines, while the 350s did 16 laps. So,
the race would not be too long, but was instead very demanding on both rid-
ers and machines.
Ace Ragnar Sunnqvist took the start on his fast 500 Husqvarna, but slipped
in the first corner and had a minor spill before he could re-join. It did not take
‘Ragge’ more than a good lap before he overtook the front-runner again –
Finnish rider Raine Lampinen. On the third lap Lampinen set a new record time
of seven minutes, which corresponded to a speed of 138.5 km/h. Meanwhile,
Sunnqvist lay ahead and took it easy as he preferred safety before disaster.
Some laps later, Lampinen came closer to the leader, who in turn would ride
faster in order to keep his gap. Lampinen had to settle in the dust. On lap 11