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/126426
Teem Suzuki'. Denny laPorte 161 end Teem Yamaha'. Mike Bell 1141 go for the title at St. Pete. laPorte'. tuner Pet Alexander (Ina8t) dlcl the ~orryIrig while Denny AMA 125/500cc National Cha'mpionship MX Series - Final rounds 500cc win to BeU,-title to laPorte; scores 125cc vi~tory By Jim Gianatsis ST. PETERSBURG, FL, AUG. 26 "I don't have any race strategy planned for today," said Team Yamaha's Mike Bell just prior to the final 500cc round of the National Championship MX Series. "I just know I have to go out and win and put in an effort that's IOO-percent. That's all I can do .. ' . .. . An~ Bell dId Just that, wheelmg hIS works OW41 Yamaha, 8 tuned by Dave Osterman, to the overall victory at Bill West's Sunshine Speedway. The day's overall win was his reward at the end of one of the toughest and most dangerous ,c~!'I- pionship battles ever, which saw seven of the top 10 riders in the class put out of action by the series' end. gut, as spectacular as Mike Bell's performance was, it wasn't good enough to overcome Danny LaPorte's nine-point series lead from the previous weekend's National. Team Suzuki's LaPorte had tried harder than any other rider to win a ~ational Championship over thf last three yean, and be wam't about to let go of the points lead he bad enjoyed since the beginning of the IO-race series after winning the opening round in Massachusetts. "I'm going to try and win here at St. Pete," said LaPorte. ''I'm not going to cruise. " Bell on the inside of a double bermed sand turD. Mike tried to stay with Danny, but at the 5O-!ninule mark he 600cc Nationa' seemed affected by the heat and, along with a quick atop at the pits, feU off his nonnal pace for a number of laps. That was all LaPorte needed to coast his way in for the first moto win. When the gate kicked back for the fint 45-minute moto, LaPorte showed his determination as he snared the holeshot over LOP's Marty Moates, Honda's Jimmy Ellis aqd Bell. Within Hi minutes Bell had pushed his way forward, amid the opposition 'and intense go-degree heat and humidity, to challenge LaPorte for no more thaI! a lap before taking over the lead. Danny hung back in second for a few laps, then after numerous attempts at repassirw, . \oofl, b~~k 'Pel ea~ fr?1Jl Team Husky's Chuck Sun did well in moving up to foonh place behind Ellis. Steve Stackable's 426cc LOP Yamaha held off the battle for sixth between teammate Moates and Keystone Motocross Works Yamaha rider Mickey Kessler. LaPorte's ace mechanic Pat AleXander looked worried when LaPorte dropped his factory RN-420 Suzuki in the fint turD after the start of the second moto. He stalled the engine and remoU\lted in ...peaflr.las~ ... ::ltJll J .. j'-].