I love this photo simply for the fact of being able to see so many riders in one shot. I’ve been able to identify at least 18 riders in this start from what is probably a WERA B Superbike race at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in August of 1984. On the front row is Bill McGuire (No. 47 Kawasaki GPz750), Steve Tayler (No. 49 Yamaha RG500) and Ed Key (No. 34 Honda 500 Interceptor). Those were the top three finishers of the race with McGuire winning over Key and Taylor. Also visible in the photo are David Klosterman (No. 996 Yamaha FJ600), Tom Forsterling (No. 714 Honda VF750), who won the novice class, unidentified rider 558, Toni Sharpless (No. 239 Yamaha RG500), Ed Gray (No. 42), Kathleen Coburn (No. 60 Yamaha RZ500), Michael Schultz (No. 367 Kawasaki GPz750), Chuck Stephen Jr. (No. 959 Suzuki GS750), Ned Hart (No. 224 Honda VF750), Michael Harper (No. 765 Kawasaki GPz750), Randy Milford (No. 987 Yamaha FJ600), Roger Bolwerk (No. 212 Kawasaki GPz550), Charly Buse (No. 741 Suzuki GS700E), Alan Schneider (No. 680), Chuck McCabe (No. 486), Al Bickner (No. 254) and James Garton (No. 536). This photo was emblematic of the huge grids of WERA races in the mid-1980s.
The entire grid of a WERA B Superbike race at Blackhawk Farms in August of 1984, blast off at the drop of the green flag. Bill McGuire (No. 47) won the race over Ed Key (No. 34) and Steve Tayler (No. 49). Tom Forsterling (No. 714) won the novice division. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
Wow, Is that a great capture! Only 28 years ago. It sure brings back some great memories.
Thanks for sharing!
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There was a big influx of RZ500’s early in the year, before people realized what junk they were as a race bike. Good thing, as I believe that’s why Steve Tayler sold me his 350 (to pay for the 500). It wasn’t long before he bought another 350.
Anybody here not think Kate Coburn was hot back then? Ok…maybe not Jessica Alba hot, but an attractive woman who was fast on top of things? Awesome.
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Tom, i’m thinking we were at the Firecracker the night before.
Ed was on a 500 Intercepter?
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Do you have anymore old pics like this?
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Kevin is that #42 you?
You appear to have done your novice plate the same way I did mine, by covering the white plate with black tape and cutting the number out.
Did they used to start the novice and experts mixed up? It sure appears that way here!
I should be in this picture but I think I must have missed this race for some reason. I was #424 in ’84.
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Not me, Ed. This was 1984, so I was still a novice with 424. I’m not sure who that was, but it looks kind of like a GPz.
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“This photo was emblematic of the huge grids of WERA races in the mid-1980s.” Larry – did the grids get smaller after those days?
Kevin – Kathleen Coburn – yeah! One of the fast Canadian RZ 500 girls, Kathleen and Toni Sharpless.
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Larry, what a great pic. It’s sad to compare this to the size of the grids we have been getting at BHF these days.
Kevin, couldn’t agree more with your comments. I came so close to getting a RZ500. After Steve Taylor let me ride his at Grattan I was soooo glad I did not. To this day I believe that bike is the single most disappointing machine ever released by anyone. Such hype, such anticipation, such a letdown.
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Actually, I think the Bimota V-due was the biggest disappointment. At least the RZ500 didn’t bankrupt Yamaha. Funny, as I used to feel pretty good about myself, when I would outrun Ken Davis’ RZ500 on my 350. Not so much, after I rode one myself. I had a whole new respect for anyone that did reasonably well on those things.
You know, Mr. Key, I’ve got a bone to pick with you. When my grown kids asked why I quit racing, I told them I got too old for it. My one son happened to see a write up on you, and remembered your name from some of my stories (told without an ounce of embellishment). “hey Dad, isn’t this guy older than you? He’s not just still racing, he’s WINNING!”
Thanks, Ed. I need a new excuse.
Seriously though, I was always glad to see you do well, and am happy that you stayed fast and safe all these years.
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