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/126461
~. Mang, by virtue of the fastest heat, would have the pole for the final. Although usually known as a dirt tracker, Lawson has quite a few road racing miles under his belt in California club evenu as well as a win in the Novice class at Daytona in 1977. His talenu were regarded highly enough by Kawasaki for th=t to sign him up as their sponsored Superbike entry at Winston Pro Series road races. The stan of the main saw Lawson rocket off the line and into the lead as the field funnelled into the infield for the first of 26 laps around the 5.87 mile course. Spencer quickly moved into second while Mang was stuck in traffic behind Luibimsky aboard another Harry Hunt Racing entry. On lap three Luibimalr.y ran off the track, losing advantage of the close order draft and Mang slipped into third. Luibimsky would remain in a safe founh for the remainder of the race. Australian Gregg Hansford's factory Kawasaki gave up the fight almost im· mediately with a suspected broken crank. It was rather clear that Lawson and Mang had more top end than Spencer. Spencer appeared quicker in the infield but had trouble holding that advantage once on the speedway portion of the track. Mang, apparently tiring of the game, nipped Spencer and then Lawson on lap six and opened up a safe distance with apparent ease, leaving the duel to Lawson to hold off Spencer. Dan Chivington, who would eventually finish fifth despite a seized engine on the final lap, was in fifth early on until an off course excursion. "I ran off the track, lost a lot of positiODS and then caught back up finally. It was a real battle. Seizing on the last lap was a bummer, but since 1 was on the same lap as the leaders that put me one lap up on everyone behind me. Talk about luck," Chivington said. At one time Englishman Barry Smith, Morris, Aleman and Markku Matikainen were all going after Chivington until he broke away in the closing laps. As lap 18 ticked off, Mang began to slow to the tune of one or two seconds a lap. By lap 20 Lawson and Spencer - the order depended on the location around the track - had moved to within striking distance. One more lap and the pair went by in the infield. A swapfest then ensued for the remaining laps with the trio almost side by side into the infield on the final circuit. Spencer led through the infield and onto the banking only to falter for a split second - Lawson and Mang didn't wait. The trio closed up in the chicane with Mang back out front on the banking. All were set for the final 1,000 feet: Lawson broke Mang's draft to move high while Spencer went low and almost onto the track apron. Mang moved lower on his line, apparently balking Spencer. At the flag, Lawson had perhaps three bikelengths while Mang - after a check of track photos - had nipped Spencer by inches. "I had a lot of fun," was Lawson's parting shot. • Results 1. Eddie lAwson (Yom): 2. Anton Mong lKawI: 3. _Ie S - (Yom): 4. Gennody luibimaky (Yom): 5. Don ChMngton (Yom): e. lArry SmiIh (Yoml: 7. Creig Morris IYoml: e. Eduerdo AIemon (Yom): 9. Mor1dw _ _ (Y1m): 10. Doug _ (Y1m): 11. Gory CoIIIna(YImI: 12. Ikuce Mouo (Yom): 13. Gory Penfield (Yom): 14. ErfOI r..Pow (Yoml: 15. Clwtoo _ (y1ITll: 18. ClIIlDn Ng-A-l(lon (Yom); 17. Ken S - - . (y1ITll: 18. _ Kapf lSuzl; 19..... _ _ (Yom); 20. .-., Dunlop (y1ITll. -to win! o 00 C') ...... BURLESON CONTINUES HIS WINNING WAYS ...Husky Privateer Takes 2nd Dick Burleson served notice on the competition that he hasn't lost his winning touch by taking the Stone Mountain National 100 mile Enduro. Riding a 1980 Husky 250 WR, Dick jumped into an early points lead in his quest for a recordbreaking 7th national AMA Enduro Championship - Privateer Terry Cunningham took 2nd overall on another Husky 250 WR, proving that the 1980 WR models are winners right out of the crate! That shouldn't be any real surprise... Burleson has a direct pipeline to the factory to advise them on those "small details" that make the winning difference... Just ask Terry Cunningham, he know we mean it when we say, "HUSQVARNA - to win!" TEAM Husqvarna For the name of your nearest Team Husqvarna dealer consult your Yellow Pages or write to 4925 250WR Mercury St., san Diego, CA 92111. Oakland Coliseum Supercross Kent Howerton-Suzuki on Dunlop 19