Cal and Kel (1971)

• Larry Lawrence
Most people think of Cal Rayborn as a factory Harley-Davidson rider and he was, but oddly enough Harley, and other manufacturers like Triumph, would often let their factory riders race a different brand in the 250 class. That’s how Cal Rayborn was a teammate to former World Champ Kel Carruthers on the Don Vesco Yamaha squad in 1971. By this point if you weren’t on a Yamaha in the AMA Lightweight Road Race class you had no hope. Rayborn did well on the Yamahas, getting on the podium in 5 out of the 7 AMA Lightweight rounds that season. But Cal did well to listen and learn from his more experienced teammate at that point. Carruthers completely dominated, winning all but one round of the Lightweight Nationals that season. (Gary Van Voorhis photo) 
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