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
~II o 00 (j) .-4 IAbove) Freddie Spencei' dregged everything but his shoulder trying to win. but e suspected broken crenk did in his effort. ISelow) King Kenny Roberts wes sidelined when dirt jemmed his cerb slides. 8 Long and Mark Jones fought for second through sixth. On lap five Spencer was already lapping back marken and up by an unofficial six seconds. Second place had evolved into a RomerolAIr.slandIPonsl Van Dulmen duel with Jones no longer in the hunt. Singleton trailed. "I fouled a plug," explained Jones. "Actually Gatorade did the job. I have a drink bottle and the tube slipped from my mouth and splashed the en· gine. One of the carbs sucked up some. Ta1lr. about luck." Back in traffic, Eddie Lawson, on the Moriwaki Kawasaki four-stroke, was dueling with Ron Pierce's Honda factory four· stroke entry ~ Bruce Hammer's Yamaha tried to split the pair. Other riden holding onto good positions were Kevin Stafford, Harry Klinzmann, John Beuencoun and Rich Chamben. Threatening clouds and gusting winds became more and more evident as laps seven and eight rolled by. "I saw the clouds and I knew that we wouldn't be racing much longer," said .Gina Bovaird. "The bike wasn't running too well so I was hoping that I could make it to the red flag." A shon, sudden rain squall halted the race with 10 laps in the book. Once over, track crews set about drying out the track, sweeping off standing water and removing debris that had washed onto the traa from the sudden rain. The rain worked miracles for many - literally - and apparently more people found religion than if they had .... _1~ ... -'"v.,l ~" .. L,. trar1r Th,. nLr...._ ...................... _ ........ L.C':: - - _ . - r.lll~, "Somebody up there must be ooking out for me," was heard over and over again as riden took advantage of the delay to make needed adjustments. In many cases the adjustments were the difference between a top finish and the prospect of a poor or non·finish. Another phrase heard over and over was, "The 10 laps were a valuable test session. now we are ready to race." Spencer, having given up an almost 20 second lead, was seemingly unconcerned. "I can do it again," he said while strolling towards his pit area. "I was actually cooling it there for awhile because I lost my rhythm for a moment and was getting back into the swing of things. I can pick it up by a good two to three seconds a lap. I guess I'll have to win it twice." It was stated as mere fact. Throughout the pits work was going on. Pierce was changing jetting, lowering the gearing and softening the suspension; John Bettencoun's crew was replacing a broken clutch plate. Elsewhere, Singleton's crew was changing jetting ("It won't pull sixth gear as i.t sits now," said Singleton.) and changing tires; David Emde was replacing a fouled plug and looking for the Cause; Van Dulmen was also making jetting changes; Alr.sland was replacing the ignition because the engine wouldn't pull on top end; Schlachter had replaced the clutch; Kevin Stafford was furiously working to repair a broken . fairing sustained in a get-off just as the rains came; Kun Lenz was almost fin.ished on a rebuild of his seized engine; and Cooley had replaced his blown valve cover gasket. It was announced that the mandatory two gas stops were no longer required. Speculation then centered on whether the four-strokes ·could make it on one stop. "I believe we can make it on one stop," said Ron Pierce. "I can .pick up 1'0 seconds by doing that." The entire field was re-gridded according to their fi~ poaitions on lap nine and the event commenced -