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/126511
on a lot. Usually everything works fine until the time of the race and then something just decides to give me a problem. Who do you consider rivals? Freddie Spencer. He's the first really good racer I believe since Kenny Roberts. Spencer is a fantastic racer. I tried to keep up with rum at Loudon as much as I could to see how he rode and things. From my point of view it looked like he was always out of control, but I'm sure he knew what he was doing. The bike was doing lots of funny things but he was always in control. There are lots of good racers Out there, but as far as the top two men go it's Freddie and Kenny. They're a step ahead of everybody. What about Rich Schlachter? Well, Rich is right up there but he's not pulling away with the rest of them. He's kind of forming a lead from the second pack, but he's not forming a lead from the first pack. He's more touchable than Spencer and Roberts at this point, but anybody can see that. Do you have any sponsorship plans for this coming sealOn? Well, nothing as far as a contract has been drawn. I'm still racing my own motorcycle, but I get heJp here and there. I'm definitely looking for a ride, but I'm interested in first class equipment. It's got to be maintained at least as good as my bike because that's what I'm used to riding. Do you do your own work on your bike? I go to the races most of the time aJone. I'm too wilJing of a worker for my friends to put up with me half the time and then the other half the time they just can't go away for the time that I'm going away for. How much racing do you plan to do this year? I plan to hit all the Nationals and take up any other good offers. Is there a point down the road, perhaps in a year or two, where you might look forward to going to Europe? For sure, maybe even this year. If the invitation comes up. I think the only way to see what's over there is to go over there. I hear lots of people telling their rider, you're not ready, you're not ready. I think you have to go over there first to find out if you're ready. I can't see people making such a distant judgement of what to expect. Do you think it's a detriment that we have the majority of our good racers-Singleton, Roberts and Mamola-in Europe and we don't have anybody here to gauge ourselves against? No. It's like high school and college. The United States is like high school to the riders. Then you graduate to college and you're a freshman aU over again, that's Europe. It's a different mountain, those guys are king of their mountain and I guess the good American riders start at the boltom of the mountain over there. What's Nick Richichi do when he's not racing? I work at GS Performance Products (on Long Island). I also work out of my own home repairing motorcycles. I can do just about anytrung to make money when I need it. Are you still hustling a street bike around? Yes, a Honda 550. Is it set up like a race bike? No, it's a $200 special that gets me to work and back. Are you interested in any s,ports? I like to rollerskate. Do you have any hobbies? No. not really. I-don't have too much time for hobbies unless you call chasing women a hobby. Do you have any long term goals? Yes. I'd like to be the best road racer in the world. • . PRESENTS AMA125/250 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP S25,000.00 ~ :SADDLEBACK PARK, ORANGE, ca ~ PRO PURSE & CONTINGENCIES ~. SUNDAY, APRIL 5, '81 - _..... V("SI()( ~ _~~~~~~~;;q" 'wv _1'--.• PARK SADDLEBACK Gates Open 6 . ! Practice Starts 10 a.m. Races Start 1 p.m.! Gen. Admission 510.00 FOr Info. 213·868-8112 Tickets Available at Gate or Tlcketron = . Next week: Superbikes at Talladega Supercross at Houston Sidecars at Long Beach 47