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/126304
• TRIPES,SMITH AND ELLIS. WIN, PLACE AND SHOW. Headed by Marty "TYPhoon" 'Iripes, 'Ieam Honda whipped through the Daytona International Speedway on March 11, 1978. When the dust had settled, Honda had taken the first three places in the Daytona Supercross event. The 'Ieam Honda Supercross Steamroller continues. Following 'Iripes home, in front of over 40,000 cheering spectators, were Honda's Marty Smith and Jimmy Ellis. From the drop of the starting gate to the wave of the checkered flag it was Honda all the way. Each member of the trio occupied one of the top three positions at one time during the race. Smith led at the start, but tangled with a lapped rider on the tight, sandy track. Ellis and Tripes squirted past as Smith remounted in third position. The sarne fate befell Ellis, and then Tripes put his production-based CR-250R Elsinore" into the lead . The three riders awed the crowd as they continuously cleared a treacherous triple whoop-de-doo section that had the competition bouncing all over the place. The leaders, all identically equipped in red, white and blue Hondaline" gear, crossed the'finish line within 10 yards of each other and a good 12 seconds ahead of fourth place. 'Ib date, in the 1978 Supercross Series, no manufacturer other than Honda has won a main event. No other manufacturer has won as many qualifiers. No one else has won the longest jump contest (Daytona winner, Warren Reid, leaped an incredible 84' 10" on his modified Honda CR-250R). And no one can match the Honda record of placing at least four riders in the top ten in every main event this season. There's no doubt that 'Ieam Honda has the riders and equipment to wreak havoc in the 1978 Supercross Series. Marty Tripes leads the series riding a box-stock CR-250R with only a shock absorber change to suit his riding style. And 'Ieam Honda leads the overall team competition. On a professional level, the ultra-quick, longlegged CR-250R Elsinore, slightly modified, is . more than a match for the competition's ultraexotic factory works equipment. If professionals like the 'Ieam Honda riders can wipe out the competition's trick bikes on their .CR-250R's, just imagine what you could do at the local race track next Sunday. Check out the new Honda CR-250R Elsinore at your Honda dealer . today. . Always wear a helmet and eye protection when riding. Model availability may be limited . CR's are designed primarily for motocross use and are sold "as is" without warranty. For free brochure, write: American Honda Motor Co., Ine., Dept. CN 329, Box SO, Gardena, California 90247. See YellowPages for nearest dealer, © 1978 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. HONDA GOING STRONG! .. 11