This is the first in a series of photos by photographer Bud Turner from the inaugural AMA national road race at Road Atlanta in 1971. The track was newly built and in April of ’71 the AMA show came to town, not only the road racers, but national motocross as well. This photo shows three of the biggest names of AMA road racing at the time doing battle. It’s Cal Rayborn on the No. 14 factory Harley-Davidson running side by side with Kel Carruthers on a factory Yamaha. Following closely behind is Dick Mann on a factory BSA. Carruthers looks like he’s being passed by Rayborn. I’m guessing this might have been an out lap after a pit stop, because Carruthers dominated the race, leading nearly the entire way, not even losing it during his early pit stop en route to giving Yamaha its first national road race win. The Yamaha two-strokes were really coming into their own at this point. Reports say that Carruthers was faster than the other bikes, even on Road Atlanta’s long straights, even though his 350cc machine gave away 400cc displacement to most of its competition.
Cal Rayborn on the No. 14 factory Harley-Davidson running side by side with Kel Carruthers on a factory Yamaha (No. 73. Following closely behind is Dick Mann on a factory BSA (No. 4). Carruthers won the race to give Yamaha its first AMA national road race victory. (Bud Turner Collection)
Rider Files 
Great picture Larry, again your site is TOPS!
Unreal action shot, of great old racers at a track that’s amazingly unchanged/intact.
I raced at RA for years and now travel there a couple times a year for everything from WERA GNF’s to American Le Mans/Petite Le Mans in October, and it’s a true gem in American road courses.
Can’t WAIT to see some more of Mr Turner’s collection.
Thanks again! DH
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Dave
I agree. It is amazing to see how the track looks so much the same as it did when it was first built. This set of turns became the iconic Road Atlanta image and it appears Bud found it early on. Thanks for the kind comments.
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That surface looks really fast and smooth! I know that the men were men and the sheep really ran scared back in those days!hahaha! I only thought they were scared when I raced there! LOL!
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Great job Larry
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I think it’s interesting that Carruthers is looking over at Rayborn. It’s hard to figure out what he’s thinking. Either Carruthers missed a gear or he’s just toying with Rayborn, because he seems to be way offline.
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Scott, I’ve got an email into Kel to find out if he remembers what the deal was in this photo. I bet it’s an out lap from a pit stop. Kel pretty much had the measure of everybody tht day, so I could see him slowing to possibly gauge the other riders. Great capture.
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