By Dave Tharp
|
This photo was taken during the Formula 500 race at Daytona in March of
'95. Dave finished 16th in a highly competitive field of 42. By Dave Tharp |
| The Yamaha TR2 350 (and the TD2 250) revolutionized roadracing in US as well as in
Europe in the early 1970's. A breakthrough in transfer port design caused these very
simple piston-port twins to make as much horsepower as the much more complex
multi-cylinder disk-valve, and four-cylinder four-stroke designs common in GP racing of
the time. With a street-bike based frame, Yamaha was able to offer the TR2 to the public
at a very reasonable price, and in spite of being only 350cc's, they filled the grids in
the AMA F1 class. In 1971, Jarno Saarinen (the "Flying Finn), riding a TR2, was
narrowly beaten for the 350GP championship by Agostini on his MV, and 2nd through 10th
places were all TR2's. In 1972, Don Emde won the Daytona 200 on a Dinesen Racing TR2B,
against 750's from BSA, Triumph, Kawasaki, and Suzuki. This bike is an ex-Dinesen machine, and is believed to have been ridden by Don Emde in the 1970 season. It is restored to original condition in Dinesen Racing colors, with only original modifications, including a Kroeber racing ignition, Vesco fairing, and a slightly extended swingarm. |