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Boll18g Thaad..., 1980
By Ga'''V Van Voorhis
Photos by Dale Brown and Charles Morey
There are two stark realities facing those who
aspire to wearing the AMA Grand National
Challlpionship/Winston Pro Series crown:
The first is winning the title and the second is
holding onto it. Winning is very hard, but
holding onto the title has becollle for lllost
even harder.
Mert Lawwill went into the
decade of the seventies with the
crown, but in short order it was
Gene Romero's and then Dick
6
Mann's. Mark Brelsford didn't even
get a chance to defend his title; an
accident saw to that. Kenny Roberts'
reign was a strong one, but when his
machinery .let him down Gary Scott
was there to tumble the throne. For
better or worse Scott's factory-won and
privateer-defended title went to Jay
_Springsteen and a four season battle
ensued. Springsteen won three of the
times, Steve Eklund the fourth.
Now the eighties are upon us, Steve
Eklund is on the throne and
challengers abound. In fact this season
may prove to have one of the strongest
contingents in the top 10 of any in the
past five years. The key word is may,
because what looks good on paper does
not always work out. Skip Aksland and
Mert Lawwill learned that costly
reality last year.
A resurgence of road races has upped the Winston Pro Series schedule to
31 events (counting the' Houston
Nationals) - the most ambitious season
ever. The Winston folk have upped
their involvement from $100,000 to
$125,000 in point fund money which
translates to $30,000 for winning both
legs of the series.
What do we have to look forward to?
Plenty. Perhaps the year will present
us with another rider as engaging and
daring as Scott Parker. Perhaps Scott
Parker will be even more Scott Parker
than he was last year. Perhaps we will
start the decade with a hell-fire raising
season. Perhaps Steve Eklund-will run
away to his second title. Perhaps it will
Randy Goss.
Perhaps Jay
be
Springsteen will win his fourth and
add enough National victories to his
career total to become the all-time
leader. Perhaps.
One thing is for certain, Eklund
faces a much tougher fight this season.
A full frontal attack from no less than
five challengers should be expected.
Springsteen, Goss, Morehead, Kidd
and Parker all want a piece of
Eklund's hide.
