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/126504
"Like every up and coming rider it was tough for me to make that move." Delighted though Randy is to be pan of the Suzuki GB squad, the past season's crowded calendar has not been so pleasing. "This time we were rushed and shon of practice at GPs because of commitments in Britain. 1 feel sure that next year, with an even bigger World Championship program we shall cut down on our international program," said Randy. But that hectic season did have itS advantages. It gave Randy still more experience, panicularly in riding in the rain. "I still need experience riding in the rain because if it's raining in a Grand Prix 1 still need to do good. 1 don't think anybody really likes riding in the rain, because you just don't know how fast you can go until you fall, or see someone fall off, and then you have to slow down. To me it's just not racing, but I've Kot to learn to live with it. "Even if I win after riding around in the rain it doesn't give me the same satisfaction as winning a race where everyone can try their best. Riding in the rain isn't what 1 call racing." Next season Randy rates Kenny, of course, his main rival. But he also knows that the fiery Italian Marco Lucchinelli, on a factory Suzuki will take a lot of stopping. Barry Sheene, he doesn't see as quite such a threat. .. It's really difficult to switch from Suzuki to Yamahas. A switch the other way somehow doesn't appear to be so difficult. Right now I don't think Barry will be in there," said Randy. Relations between Randy and the Italian Suzuki team of Robeno Gallina have not been good in the past season. "For some reason Gallina doesn't like me, and right up until I beat Kenny at Silverstone they were saying that I was blocking for Kenny. I don't know if it was jealousy because I was the leading Suzuki rider at the time, or what. But I have the greatest respect for Marco as a rider, and obviously I was doing my best for Suzuki," said Randy. Randy hit the headlines last year for pan in the controversial his Professional Riders Association, "I don't think what I've done for the PRA has affected my riding at all, but 1 do believe that it has helped the privateers. We've fought hard against the Argentinian and Venezuelan GPs because it's so expensive for non· factory riders. Factory riders go for free, ind I already have the advantage of factory machinery. For a works man to win poinu at GPs like that, when good privateers cannot afford to go is all wrong. "I've been a privateer, 1 know what it costs. Sometimes Kenny doesn't understand, because he has never been a privateer, but I understand. "At GPs 1 don't think of anything elle but championship poinu. The IDOJIeY doesn't matter to me, only in the sense that I want it to be enough 10 that if a privateer ricla good enough to finish in the painu he earns enough to pay for his racing. But I just take the money and put it away," said Mamola. With a hard headed businessman like Pan Am pilot Jim Day Ie working at your side it's not surprising to learn that Randy could perha~ quit racing in two or three yean at hIS present rate of success, and live off what he has earned. But there's little chance of that happening. Randy loves the span, loves the racing and loves entertaining the crowds, wheelies and alii He'll quit when he is tired of racing, but somehow that looks a long way off. Till then there are world titles to win, and.~ r,..,.. ~~*J well, ~ Jl~t,.~~. • Or.r Tickets Now For SUper Excitins 1981 SUpercross Events [;(PlOIII SS~ • •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • i 1I,.Pill ! Toyota Truck i ! 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