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
o 00 (j) (Abovel GatomIItionels winner "Superbike Mike" Keyte warms up his tire. (Belowl Terry Vance nefti wu upset by the Ryan/Korey Harley. (Abovel Superblke Mike end Vicki Ferr shere observlItlons. (Belowl Pro Stock Champ Bob Cerpem.- didn't get put round two. Keyte tops at NMRA Gatornationals' By Greg Guarinello GAINESVILLE, FL, MAR. 16 "Superbike Mike" Keyte of Ft. Lauderdale, FL showed how he earned his nickname by conquering a stellar field of Pro Stockers at the 11 th Annual NHRA Gatornationals. The National Motorcycle Racing Association (NMRA) Pro Stock class was an added event to an otherwise all four wheel event at the Gaines- 14 ville Raceway site. "Superbike Mike." as Keyte is better known, took his red and white Kawasaki to victory lane by downing the team of Ryan and Korey and their 1980 Harley-Davidson Sportster. Keyte showed his dominance early in the event as he laid down the low ET, a blistering 9.18 second run, right out of the van. Following the Kawasaki was number two qualifier Terry Vance's Suzuki based out of La Palma, CA with a 9.23. Chip Solley, riding a Kawasaki out of Pompano Beach. FL was in the third slot with a 9.414 second run. Bob Carpenter, late of Los Angeles, was less than a tick behind Solley recording an IT of 9.48 seconds with his Kawasaki. The second half of the ladder was led by the Kawasaki lady from Oklahoma, Vicki Farr, with a 9.45 second run. The sixth spot fell to the H-D team of Ryan and Korey as they recorded a time of 9.49. Ron Turner of Jacksonville, FL, riding the MTC Engineering Kawasaki was the seventh qualifier running a 9.51. The bump spot was held down by L.A.'s Cedric Johnson on a VHR prepared Kawasaki. The first round of eliminations opened with "Superbike Mike" facing off with the machine of Vicki Farr. Keyte showed the lady no mercy as he put the low ET of the round on the underpowered Farr Kawasaki running a 9.26 at 139.96 mph while Vickie could only muster a 9.67 second run at 137.82 mph. The second pairing was to have matched Chip Solley with Ron Turner, but Turner's carbs were £looded in an attempt to start the bike. Solley then soloed to a 9.30, 143.54 mph victory. The third pairing was an interesting match-up as it pitted the only two 1980 model motorcycles in the field against each other. The two immaculate rna· chines, the silver and black Vance and Hines Racing GS 1100 Suzuki and the black and orange H-D Sportster of Ryan and Korey really excited the crowd. When the light turned the go shade of green, Vance and Ryan launched together, but by the end of second gear the upset of the meet had taken place. Ed Ryan marched down the strip in typical machine-like form, while Vance got a little crossed up and accidentally hit third gear too early, burning the tach at 14,500 rpm. The winning time for Ryan was 9.46 seconds at 138.88 mph while Terry shut down with a 10.31 seconds 99.33 mph pass. The closing run in round one saw Bob Carpenter dump Cedric Johnson running a winning 9.88 to johnson's chain snapping 10.07. To open round two Keyte and Solley staged one of the closest races of the event with the final margin of victory being only the length of their Goodyear road race tires. Solley ran a hard charging 9.36 at 141. 73 to "Superbike Mike's" 9.24 but could not make up Mike's starting line advantage. Not to be outdone, Ryan and Carpenter went head to head and wheel to wheel in a "too close to call" contest of their own. Carpenter took' the early lead as the H-D of Ryan and Korey bogged the motor slightly. Ryan, though, refused to concede the race and rode the Harley for all it was worth in an all out effort to catch up. Right about the time the Harley hit fourth gear it started to pull Carpenter's Kawasaki. When the win light finally came on it was pre-race favorites running a 9.44 to Carpenter's 9.50. The finals were now between 32year· old Harley mechanic Ryan and 36-year-old air flow scientist Keyte. The riders completed their burnout routines and were placed in their respective tire tracks for the attempt at the gold. As the go bulb glowed green, "Superbike Mike" took off down the strip as Ryan's Harley bogged again. Unlike his semi, final round victory. Ryan could not make up the difference this time. Keyte's winning run was a sterling 9.19 seconds at 140.18 mph while. Ryan occupied the bridesmaid spot with a 9.44. For Mike Keyte this was his first NMRA Pro Stock victory. Along with his $500 win check Keyte also takes over the early lead in the points chase for the Pro Stock number one plate for 1980. Gainesville will be the site of the next Pro Stock get together as NMRA opens up its doors to the entire world of motorcycle drag racing for the 1980 • season on April 12 and 13.