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/126415
; • • ~ E 0') I:' 0') ~ ~ 0 CN ,. q; c:l ~ -., The "1I!Ds 1brnacId'takes the checIrer••• and the cakel The 40,OOO-voice New Orleans Superchoir had just finished its rendition of "Happy Birthday, Steve" when the starting gate dropped. Two dozen motocrossers charged for the first berm like a multi-colored swarm of angry mechanical hornets. And before the night's contest was over, some of America's hottest motocross riders would be feeling the red sting of Team Honda where it hurt most - behind. Nine of the 25 competitors that made the final were Red riders, led by Team Honda members Warren . , Reid, Marty Tripes, Gary Semics and the youngster from McAllen, Texas, Steve Wise. This was a special day for Steve - his 22nd birthday. He and his tuner, Cliff White, had put in a lot of extra preparation for the race. And both had high hopes of turning a . birthday party ,.. a victory into celebration. It looked like there would be a three-way battle. Honda's Texas Tornado and Red riders against the yellow and green single-shockers. But as firstlap dust was being reground into the track, the Honda RC motorockets of Wise, Reid and Semics grabbed three of the first five spots with a pair of Kawasakis. Wise and Jimmy Weinert fought fiercely for the lead. On the fifth lap Steve began to open up some space. The two flyin' W's put a lot of dirt between themselves and the rest of the field. A dozen laps into the Superduel, Weinert started to gain on the Tornado. Just after. a spectacular aerial exhibition through the 150-foot killer whoops, Weinert dove inside Wise and exited the turn in the lead. Three laps later, in precisely the same spot, the roles reversed. Wise to the inside, and Weinert in an outside mudslide - and down. Restarted and rolling, all Weinert could catch was Tornado dust. The last two laps were a birthday cakewalk. Wise took the checker, and wrapped up' Round Ten of the AMA Supercross Series with a victory for Team Honda. Winning on the rugged AMA Supercross circuit takes a superior machine. And the Honda factory bikes are leaders, with the latest in technol: ogy and innovation. The same high technology and fresh innovatiolJ are also applied to the production Honda motocrossers. Find out why the Honda CR125R and CR250R are leading the field. See your local Honda dealer today. HONDA GOING STROIIG! AIw_y_ _ r _ helmet _nd _~ protection when riding. All CR motocrossers designed lor all-road, operator use only, and are sold ..as is" without warranty. Model availability may be limited. For free brochure, write: American Honda Molar Co., Inc., Dept. CN69N, Box SO, Gardena, California 90247. See Yellow Pages lor nearest Honda dealer. @1979 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 3