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/126513
there were only a couple of guys capable of doing that without crashing... The other incident that marred a perfect day for Singleton was when,he carne in for his first gas SlOp and slid past his crew due to gas on the track from Cory Ruppelt's gas SlOp seconds before. "I lost seconds because of that. I had worked my way up, and then I carne in for that gas stop. I was corning down pit row and then I saw the gas. I tried to miss it but couldn't and boy did I feel stupid. I ran right past the pit, and you know a road racer isn't the easiest thing to turn back around. I could have waited there and my pit crew would have come to me, but instead I slammed it down a gear ran back out onto the track. Schlachter got 20 seconds on me there. " Though Dale has gained recognition and prestige from his Daytona accomplishments', he still keeps his talent level in perspective.. Kenny Roberts, the king of road racing anli three· time 500cc World Champion, said Singleton was his only worry at Daytona. Dale took the comment with. a g,-ain of salt. "Kenny knows I'm no threat. There's not another person alive with his capabilities. H~s God's gift to road racing, and maybe someday I'll be able to fill his shoes. That's my big ambition in life, and I've never been a failure at anything I tried to do." When Dale's at Daytona you'll always see-or hear--an entourage of ans from his hometown of Dalton. It's all a part of the overall race prog,-am-and winning. "They give me electricity. -It sure feels good to have them around. At the 200 I've developed a bunch of fans and I try to put on a good show and keep things interesting for them. "The phone's been ringing off the wall and it's great, but the best part of it is the recognition Carl Bouckaert and Beaulieu is getting. They've done so much for me, and now it's my turn to do something for them." Singleton's pumped about taking his second Daytona 200 win, but doesn't let it cloud his mind concerning racing in Europe. "Winning Daytona has no comparison and no relationship with tJ:1e GPs. Once I get to Europe' Daytona will be quickly forgotten and it'll be time to get down to racing." . Singleton once again wished to thank his other major sponsor, one who has been with him eight years and who owns the TZ750 that carried him to viclOry. "Taylor White. He's been with me for a long time. He's the reason I'm racing today. "I don't know what our program for next year will be. If things really got bad, though, I know I could count on Taylor." Elmer HI, Singleton's pet pig ang mascot, had his share of duties in Daytona and is now relaxing after an the festivities. "Elmer just finished some TV interviews and is out on the porch -sunning himself. Him and my German shepherd have made friends and dance around really well. Elmer's had a rough week. We got him' drunk on the way to Florida on,Budwe.iser. He just. kept sticking his little sn'oot up ne"t 10 us and before long· he was staggering around in the van." Dale never ~hought about winning the 200 twice, bur now that he did, what are his thoughts on bc;ing a threeiime winner? Will Singleton be back for more in '82? . "That's for surel Me and Elmer IV. You never know what trickswe'n corne up with. "We've done just about everything, but there's no telling what we'll do the next time around'" 0 .... < ... l:l YAMAHA ~ Presents The tboU Gran Prix , . ~ ... APRIL 10-11-12,1981 G3 Here's how to' enter! Worlcl MiiIi Grand Prix x 213-1II-IU2 213- ••2-1404 e-. Gr_ Prix 714-735-1115 DG',-, Pro·A", MX 213-131-751' 50Iper It..-t Spoodw., Nat....... 714-523-UI3 164 .......r SIIvor Cup 714-7H-IJI5 e-. - . . b 213-321-5752 s.-r 5Iot_y MX 714-4!5'41l1 ~ A .~ SADDlEBACK PARK 11