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/126401
, IAbovel With King Kenny (2) out. and Steve Baker 132> probably not running. the 200 battle will probably be between Skip Aksland 12718nd Mike Baldwin 1431. with Johnny Cecotto lbelowlalso 8 threat. port would lose a lot of valuable fuelair charg-e directly. out the exhaust pipe, the 'eyelid' closes down partly, preventing free flow to the exhaust. trapping the charge in the cylinder. and raising "t he torque . As the revs rise. a special control unit opens the eyelid . optimising the port _area for each speed. By contrast, other advanced machines such as the rotary valve ' Kawasaki get their broad torque from their intake val ves. which prevent charge from being blown back out of the intake system . The little Kawasakis are very light / and handy as well , and with Baldwin. Hansford, and Kork Ballington riding them, the team is most formidable. The horsepower level is surely near the 60 mark, perhaps on the far side. Trap speeds should flicker past 150 this time. For a short time there was some chance that one or more of the very exotic Morbedelli 250's might appear, but this time has faded . These machines put down 'a claimed 72 BHP and the way they have run in Europe . seems to confirm ,this. Winning the championship in 1977 , Morbi has always had for more trouble getting the power to the ground than in just getting the power. A competently ridden Morbi could be a real shocker at Daytona. Who will win? The Kawasaki is a l1)~t}1~ _d~i~_ ~J!q !i)o: !O:~'!l )~ A ,!~ry , strong one. The trick Yamaha for Aksland will be a question mark, even though most of its components are well tried and proven . Ron Pierce, who challenged Hansford so doggedly on the Bob World factory Yamaha a year ago , should again be a threat . but the machine is getting older. Behind the stars will be a swift fleet of new Yamaha F-model lowboy production machines, some of theme very competently prepared and well-ridden. On the face of it , it looks to mee that the 250cc race will be a heavy dice, with Baldwin the most willing to take it to the limit. He will be surrounded with people he dearly wants to beat. I think he can beat them, but when the traffic gets heavy, chance is a major factor. Michael versus fate, an equal contest! Superbike Production Finally there is the new class . Superbike. Interest runs high here, not only from spectators but from riders. There are 78 pre-entries so far , with more expected. The new race distance is 100 miles . which will require all but the feeblest to make a stop. Rules prevent use of pressure filters, so it will be dumpcan city all along pit wall with scores of riders darting in who have never before made a gas stop in their lives. From the hinterlands are coming the very grass roots of racing . machines prepared by small shops and individuals. all sure they have a chance . ~o _f!lak~ _~l1)o; . ki!1f ,"of, an, ~tA- ,