Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Iockwiae from top left) Springer wea beck to top form with a come-trom-the- peck win. Terry Poovey rode a tough race to finish third. Last lap seizure used Mike Kldd 1721 the Trophy Race that went to Wayne Rainey 1601. Steve Eklund 181 was fourth In the National; Steve Morehead 1421 sixth. d a time in the lead before Alex rgensen bumped him back a spot. Haney came on strong, and ncer was now in third. Haney and rgensen banged bars a number of es in the late laps, but it was Jorgy top at the flag. emis The·final two spots in the National ould go to the winners of the two mis. Eddie Lawson came on for the '11, in semi one edging Ronnie Jones Ii' ending Jones' hopes of putting his ctory Suzuki in the field. The second semi was a Texas gun· ht between Shobert and Kidd. ·obert was quicker on the draw than ·dd and took the final spo.t in the ,ational. nior Invitational · "I just took it easy and tried to keep on two wheels," said Billy Herndon his win in the Junior Invitational. 'd like to thank Honda and .Mike idd for,all their help." Tim Hunter had the lead for the . g three laps before a crash ght out the red flag. On the restart unter broke his 'chain while Herndon off and running. He quickly out· tanced the battle for second between HouSton., Sammy Porter and Blake · berts. Potter eventually got the nod r second. phyRace The Trophy Race proved to be an· her heart breaker for Mike Kidd. He d a comfortable lead going into the allap when his engine seized again. e battle for second between Rainey d Billy Schaeffer got closer and r with Rainey edging the frustrated dd by inches. "I know he's (Kidd) not too happy, but· I sure am," said an excited , Rainey. "He's really had some tough luck tonight." National "I know I've got a choice of any place on the front row," said Springsteen "but I'll stick with the inside pole. If anything starts to happen it usually moves from inside to outside and I don't want to be caught there." Spong· steen, as the fastest heat winner, had his choice of any position on the front row under a new AMA rule. The track had changed continuously during the course of the program, and many were making changes to their tir.e/suspension combinations to cope with it. Wht:n the green light flashed, 14 rid· ers dumped their clutches and grabbed 14 flStsful of throttle - 13 moved. Springsteen had been caught with the bike in neutral. Pearson, from the center of the grid, sho~ into the lead with Brow and Eklund right behind.' Springsteen blasted around the outside to grab back five positions and move into ninth. Poovey moved into third on the second go-around as Eklund felt pres· sure from Jorgensen with Goss, Springsteen, Gourley and Fay closing in. Things stayed pretty much in order over the next two laps, but both Brow and Poovey were inching up on Pearson. On the fifth lap, Fay got sideways coming off turn four and was pitched over the handlebars, into the- haybales and then struck the wall knocking him unconscious. The red flag came out and he was taken to the hospital for observation. Both Eklund and Brow made use of the time before the restart with Brow changing to a larger main-jet because the engine had developed a miss. The single file restart led into another red flag as Morehead, Rush and Gourley went down in a tangle in turn one. The pressure of another reo start bothered Pearson as he would say later, but not enough that he didn't hold onto his lead. Springsteen anticipated the light to h,s advantage and was on the move. A disgusted Brow coasted to the side of the track looking at his dangling carb - someone hadn't tightened it after the jet change. By lap nine Springsteen was right on Poovey's rear tire using both high and low lines to probe for an opening. On the next lap Springsteen was by with a drive off turn two. Meanwhile Eklund was holding off a determined Goss. A distance back the fight for sixth was being waged with Labrie struggling with ·a wrong tire choice j.ust to keep pace while Jorgensen, Shobert and Lawson were seeking a way by. Jorgensen slipped by one lap later. Pearson had been running a smooth race without much pressure until lap 12. Then Springsteen began his cards to force Pearson's hand - run it in low and stuff a wheel underneath in one corner and then challenge him on the outside at the other end of the track. Pearson was sticking to his line the best he could while under Springsteen's constant challenges. Springsteen saw the opening he need· ed ~ading into turn one on lap 14 and tQOk the lead. Pearson did the same to Springsteen on the next lap in the same place only to have Springer get a drive off turn four to regain the lead. Pearson then slip~ed and Spring- steen opened up a few feet. Watching all the action was Poovey in third. He closed and then got past Pearson in tum one on lap 16 only to have Pearson take it back. The trio closed as Spring· steen bobbled badly in the area be· tween turns 3-4. He would do it on every lap except the last. The bobble appeared to give .Pear· son a chance to scoot past, but in reality it was no help at all as Pearson was getting momentum going into turn three but then losing it avoiding Springsteen. By the time Pearson was back on the gas, Springer had slipped away. Behind the action Goss had nipped Eklund for fourth while Lawson was up on Morehead. The ftnallap was textbook for Spring· steen and frustration for Pearson. He stayed on the inside giving Pearson no room for a pass and seemingly coasted home to the roars of an estimated 5,000 standing, screaming spectators. In the midst of all this Eklund put a move on Goss to take fourth and More· head found a way around Lawson for sixth. As one race veteran observed, "When he's (Springsteen) well', he's helll" • Results JUNIOR INVITATIONAL: 1. Billy Herndon IHan); 2. SlImmy Potter; 3. Bleko Robona ISuz); 4. Mortt _ _ _ (YolTd; 5. _ Miller (YoITd; 6. Dovid 010'011. (Han); 7. KelT Houoton IHan); 6. Phillip Culver IYoml; 9. Rondy TOJllOr; 10. M.k Niemi (Yom); 11. Tim Hunter (Yom); 12. Williom Scott IYoml. TROPHY DASH: 1. Weyno Roinov (K.w); 2. Miko Kidd (Yom); 3. Williom ~ (Yom); 4. Jeff McDonioI(K.wl; 5. Pelor HooI< (Yom~ 6. Richerd Annoiz (Yoml; 7. John Gennoi (Yoml; 8. Ted Dovidoon; 9. Rondy W-.", (Yom); 1O. Scott Porker IH-DI. 20 LAP NATIONAl: 1. Jev Spri~ (IH>I; 2. Scott P-.on (Yom); 3. Torry Poovey (Han); 4. 5 _ Eklund (Y0ITl); 5. Rondy Go.llH>l; 6. St... Moroheod (Hanl; 7. Eddie l.owoon IKowt; 6. Alox Jorgor-. IC-A); 9. Billy Lobrie (Hanl; 10. Bubbo 5 _ ; , , . Joll Honey (Hanl; , 2. Gerth lIfow IlH>l; '3. R_I Gou

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