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/126510
.-4 00 0') .-4 (Topl M8rty Smith (111, M8rk Bern8tt (61, Rich Coon (241, W8rren Reid (Sl8nd Bob H8nnsh (1001 funnel Into turn one. (Above, from left) H8nnsh got fifth, but didn't look lik8 the old Hurriesn8. Mike Bell .osred 811 night 8nd cl8imed third. Smith fought with the I..de,. for 8 while, but finished seventh. AMA Supercross Series: Round four Bamett storms through Atlanta By Tom Mueller Photos by Charles Morey ATLANTA, GA, FEB. 28 "The only thing I had in my mind after I got out front was to beat 'em bad enough so everyone knew who I was and that I was here todayl" said Mark Barnett after dominating the final in the Coca-Cola SupeTbowl of Motocross South in Fulton Coun· ty Stadium. Barnett took control of the final on his factory Suzuki 8 during the first lap and pu1led an ever increasing ~d until the cbecltered "flagwad,.";D. :1.'t-l' ~ I Il~.l r ,I- Team Suzuki's Kent Howenon batded the ill effecu of a cold and held on for a second place finish. Howenon staned third and worked into second after pUling teammate Many Smith at the mid-point in the final, but <:Pl/WJJ't ta~, i¥1 .". ~. ~ Rhinestone Cowboy collapsed after the race. Defending Supercross champ Mike Bell tallied third in the final after coming up from seventh off the stan. Bell used a consistent pace to move past riders through tricky, choppy sections. With his win Barnett inherited a cushion in the poinu battle. He now has 101 poinu with Howenon trailing at 91 and Bell in third with 88. Seattle doubleheader winner DarreD Shultz fought to founh in the fmal and is now founh in tbe standings with 84. Atlanta has been known for the poor weather that accompanies iu Supercrosa races, but this year was an exception. Mild weather and rain-free skies brought out an estimated crowd of 45,500. Track conditions were good, and riders felt there were finally options to pass after the earlier Supercross races this year. Numerous jumps, many sharp turns and the drop-away jump in the center of the field, called Stone Mountain, kept spectators paying attention. Atlanta also became a testing ground as new equipment appeared. Team Yamaha brought in some new water-pumpers. "It's going to be a long series," said Bell. "We're going to have to start ~ my bike ~." Team Kawasaki also brought some cylinder, piston and head, a different shock and a front disc (brake)," said Goat Breker. "I'm running an aircooled bike but Warren (Reid) has a water-cooler. " Team Honda went with air-cooled bikes for more agility in tbe comers and less complication, and Team Suzuki stayed with the same air-cooled bikes they have been winning on so far this year. "Our bikes are so simple; there's nothing extra on them. Just feel how light this thinK isr" said Barnett as he effonlessly picked his Suzuki up off the stand. "AlII did was cut the seat away so I can get back over tbe rear fender more easily." It's been a while since Many Smith has topped a race, and his time came as beat one left tbe line. Smith led all the way. trailed by Honda's Rich Coon. Maico's Alan King came up to third over Yamaba-supponed Kris Bigelow after a dice session, but Bigelow held off Honda's Steve Wise, who c1aimed the final transfer. Suzuki's Darrell Shultz tumbled over some haybales after trying a move on Coon early in the race. . It looked lilte Goat Breker was going to claim beat two but Barnett changed that OD the last lap and won. Warren ~itsW.,~~l,"\' ~aMJ~~. ~~ (~l Yffi.~,\;~"'lt?~ Preliminari..