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
National With a threat of rain in the air since the start of the program, the AMA decided to flop the program and run the National first. The program change caught some in a bind. Scott Pearson's tuner, Bubba Pattman was one. "I don't know how we did it, but we got the clutch back together with only a minute or two to spare," said Pattman, breathing a sigh of relief as the National gridded. "I'd really like time to check it though," he added. As it turned out, the clutch slipped, but Pearson brought the bike home fifth. Skip Aksland and Mike Minning brought out the red flag with a pile· up in turn three. Only Aksland made the re-start. "~ had a helluva time on the starting line," said Pearson, "because the bike wanted to go. I was starting in first gear (normally second or third) which gave me a great start, but it didn't last. At first the clutch dragged and then it slipped." Goss, fourth into the first turn on the re-start behind Pearson, Hank Scott and Mike Kidd, gobbled up Scott and Kidd on the back straight and then stuffed it under Pearson as the pair hit tum three. From there it was all his show as, he ran a no· mistakes race. Hank Scott probed Pearson's defenses and worked his way past on lap four for second. Garth Brow made the same move - a tum three pass - on lap seven and the winner's circle cast was set. Where were Springsteen and Eklund? After having come off the line ninth and 11th, respectively, the pair settled into a race long hattie for eighth. Although each moved away' briefly, neither seemed to be able to really make a major advance. Springsteen, the more adventurous of the pair, tried a high line around traffic a few times and found it didn't work at all. "How do you tell a rider like Jay to slow down and take it easy?" asked his tuner, Bill Werner. Mike Kidd, Steve Morehead, Gary Scott and Ricky Graham were having a battle for. sixth .that eventually resolved itseU with Scott. taking his leave of the action to follow Kidd and begin a battle for fifth. Scott put Kidd behind him on lap 18 and then did the same to Pearson on lap 19 for fourth. "Be sure you mention Esprit Boots in addition to Klotz and Wiseco. They buy my gas," said Goss in the pits later. "It's funny, but winning your first National doesn't make you feel any different' Maybe I will tomorrow." IAbove) It was Goss' first National winner's wreath. IBelow) Garth Brow is chased by Gary Scott IS) and Bill Schaeffer in the National. IBottom) Springsteen had a tough heat race battle with rookie Wayrye Rainey. Trophy Race The Trophy Race began with a spectacular crash by Charlie Roberts which brought out the red 'flag. Rick Hocking, also involved in the accident, made' the re·start while Roberts soothed his sore body. Wayne Rainey grabbed the lead for the opening three laps until Ted Boody forged by. Rainey hung on until a connecting rod in the engine let go ending his ride. Steve Freeman, on the E&H Racing entry then moved in to take second, but lost it to Ronnie Jones at the line by less than a '\'heeI. • Boody was the easy winner. Results NATIONAL: 1. Randy Go.. (H-DI: 2. Hank Scon IH· D): 3, Garth Brow IH-DI: 4. Gary Scon (H·DI: 5. Scon Pearson IH-DI: 6. Mike Kidd (H·D): 7. Billy Schaeffer IH01: B. Jay Springsteen (H-D): 9, Steve Eklund (H·D): 10, Steve Morehead (H·D); 11. Corky Keener (H·D); '2. Ricky Graham (H-DI: 1'3. Skip Aksland (H-DI: 14, Mike Minnig (H·DI. TROPHY RACE: ,. Ted Boody (H-D); 2. Ronnie Jones (H-DI; 3. Steve F,ee,an IH-DI: 4. Bill Labrie (H·D); 5. Tom Josephson IH·DI: 6, Steve Dallefeld IH·D); 7. Joe Smith lH-OI: 8. Henry White IH-D); 9. Wayne Rainey (Yam). AMA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPI WINSTON PRO SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1. Steve Eklund 11001: 2, Randy Goss 1951: 3, Jay Springsteen 1801: 4. Garth Brow 1631: 5, Gary Scon (59): 6. Corky Keener 1491; 7, Rick Graham 148); B, Ted Boody 1471: 9, Mike Kidd 1411: 10. Hank Scon 1391 17