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/126463
ments were made between the weekends of Buchanan and Unadilla for Larry to test ride a 420 Uni·Trak works Kawasaki at Jimmy Weinert's house in New York. If Larry looked good on the bike, Kawasaki would let him race it at Unadilla and perhaps the rest of the series. Larry's performance the first time out on the Kawasaki was nothing less than spectactular. Unadilla is acknowlf'dged the toughest track in America, and Larry almost won the race the first time he had even been there. riding a bike he had never raced before. Leading the day's final moto, Larry almost had the overall win in the bag when his rear tire went flat. Rather than pull in and quit like he might have done only a few months before. Larry gutted it out the remaining four laps in the molO to end up with a very creditable third place overall. I "With juSt two races left in the Trans· USA Series. I was really nervous I wouldn't do well and Kawasaki wouldn't want me. It really showed at Road Atlanta where I kept on falling down in the first moto. Then in the second moto the shock broke. I was feeling pretty bummed out with just one race left to show what I could do. I knew the preS!!ure would be on me even more." "But then I talked to Kawasaki Team Manager Steve Johnson during that week and told him how I felt. He told me not to worry because Kawasaki wanted me for next year no matter what happened. They even flew me back home to California so I could rest up and practice for the Sears Point race." If Kawasaki wasn't certain they really wanted Larry on the team, they were by the end of the final moto in the National class at Sears Point. It was there that Larry totaJly dominated both motos from start to finish to run away with the race and the overall win. The next week they had his name on a 1980 faclOry contract which included the Supercross Series and him slated as their top rider in the 250cc National class. "I've really grown up a lot this past year. I'm not the same person who went to Florida a year ago. I've really changed and my whole attitude is improved. I try a lot harder now than before. If things aren't going right for me, well, I don't give up now like I used to. I try to do the best I can with what I have." The one person who has noticed the change in Larry more than anyone else is Mike McAndrews. Before the Trans· USA Series last fall, he was ready to quit Larry and Moto·X Fox to find another job. But now Mike can see the change which has taken place in Larry. A change so radical and so much for the better that Mike has gone with Larry to Team Kawasaki to remain his mechanic. Larry Wosick has been training hard over the winter months to pre· pare himself for the Supercross races, and more imponantly, the 250cc Nationals where he is concentrating his main attention. While most factory riders are treating the winter as a vacation, Larry has been racing every week either in local events or the CMC Golden State Series where he has continued his winning ways. While other riders will be just starting to get in gear for the season, Larry will be running head on into them at full throttle. Now 18 years old, in one short year on the National circuit he has matured from a spoiled kid to a mature young adult. He is certain to win a couple of Nationals this year, and within another year could be well able to pull off a National Championship. All it took was a little gJ;owing up. EasIe HSl. Rain or shine, it's our Ii"., nee lire. o 00 .... 0') .... '"' ~ < Eagle HST was built for those sunny touring mornings that tum into slippery, rainy afternoons. This third-generation touring tire has the most aggressive tread a street Eagle has ever carried. Tests at Goodyear's San Angelo, Texas, proving grounds show that, even in % inch of water, the HST still lays down up to 75% of its footprint. That wet traction can help you control your bike in a sudden rainstorm. . Eagle HST also has four plies of rugged triple-tempered nylon, for what many riders consider to be the optimal balance betwee,n touring toughness and riding comfort. And, although it can be used with a tube, the Eagle HST was designed to be used tubeless, for strong performance and easy maintenance. The rider who buys Eagle HST buys Goodyear's best. Beefed up shoulders and a wide tread also give this motorcycle tire good traction, handling and stability characteristics in the comers. The HST rear comes in sizes MT90-16 (5.10-16), MT90-17 (5.10-17), ML90-18 (3.50-18), MP90-18 (4.25-18) and MS85-18 (4.75-18). Rib fronts come in sizes MJ90-18 (3.25-18), MJ90-19 (3.25-19) and MM90-19 (3.75-19). Ask the expert-your motorcycle dealer. Then put your tourlrlg bike on the best motorcycle tire Goodyear has ever built. Eagle HST. GOODIYEAR Pulling ~----Out front. aw&I)t - - - - I 23