12

Paul Smart, still wearing a European-style jet helmet and goggles (most Americans were wearing either full-face helmets or wrap around visors by then), set the fastest qualifying time of 105mph. This was the first time qualifying had been run on the full road course. Previously, only the banked oval course had been used. Smart took the lead on lap 13 of 53, but retired on lap 42 with a burned-out valve in his Triumph Trident motor.