Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125690
SROMERO GR~ND TITLE ~ w Z w ~ u >u Eddie Wirth (84) was the only rider out Sunday to ever be in front of Romero (3). Before the lap was over, "Burrito" had the lead never to Jose it. climbed all the way to seventh at the end of eighteen laps. Romero was out in front and picking up the lap money with ease at the end of 25 laps, the halfway point in the race. Nixon caught and passed La"(will for second on lap 30 with Rockwood in a close three way duel with Rayborn and Wirth for fourth, behind Lawwill. Mert was then passed by '.lll three on lap 33. The next lap found Rockwood passing both Rayborn and Mulder and setting his sights on Nixon who was over half a straightaway ahead in second. The gap continued to close with the twin catching the three on every lap. By lap 37 Rockwood was right on Nixon's rear wheel and looking for the opening. With Tom pushing Gary the distance continued to close on Romero. Gene held a nine second lead at the end of 30 laps but the pressure pace by Rockwood and Nixon cut the time gap down to lour seconds by the 45th round. Then on lap 48 Nixon got into the far tum too hot. The front wheel washed out and Gary went down in a long sweeping slider. Romero and Rockwood continued on the final lap and a half far ahead of the rest for the Triumph one-two win. After a fine start, Dick Mann casually watches the finish of the Final event after he was forced to retire with engine trouble. from a fractured nose he sustained at the end of was working Quickly to rebuilt his demOlished Rayborn and Wirth rode most of the race as thoug!) the macJ:1ines were welded together. First one and then the other would hold the advantage. RA ybom squirted acorss the line holding the margin on the final lap. Michigan's REx Beauchamp and his Harley-DAvidson looked lik-e a sure thing in the Amateur fmal the first five laps. Then Rex, a four time winnet in the Amateur nationals this year, lost control on the far turn and fell taking Chuck Joyner along with him. John Hateley was running a close second at Jody Nicholas takes time to tape. on a removable shield on his helmet prior to Ileat race. . the time and moved in and on for the win. His third of the year. Gary Nixon's boy, Gary Fisher, came out from Pennsylvania and held off Terry Dorsch in a close race to the finish for second place. Ric Holly, also Triumph mounted, set the fast Amateur time in trials but came up with engine troubles in the final but hung on in the late laps for 4th place. The Sacramento event was the f"mal mile national of the year willi the national drcuit now moving to AScot for Saturday night and the 12th annual running of the hali mile national. Romero now has the point title but from second through 20th there will and can be many changes depending on the outcome of Ascot and Oklahoma City. It i. the third time in the past four years that a Triumph rider has captured the Grand National title. The Sacramento mile and fairgrounds will be tom down later this year but J .C. Agajanian is now working to obtain the new mile oval at the new Fairgrounds at Sacramento. (Results on page 24)