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/126519
r..ka.Kaa...-Oklaho.a-T....- N. . . . . .co.COlorado·.yo_1D9·lIoa 00 (j) Kirk Spencer domln8ted the Open Expert rece. but fell In the 2&Occ flnel. 250cc round all the way with Darren Rhoten (Thornfield Suzuki) besting the rest for second. Nick Cordova, who has recently ridden three different bikes in as many months, gassed his new Suzuki from an eighth-place start to a third-place finish, passing people like Rick Blackwell (Yam). Mark Rakestraw (Yam), Mickey Pizzitola (Kaw) and Dan Conway (Hon) in the process. Kansas ace Randy Kirschbaum (Yam) started the moto in mid-pack and was beginning his drive to the front when his kill button wire grounded out his ignition on the fifth lap. Cordova, Pizzitola and Rhoten led off the second 250cc molO while Spencer battled from his neutral Start (it happens to the best, too) and fell to 15th on lap three trying to catch foUrthrunning Chris Hipp (Hon). The same lap saw Rhoten zap Pizzitola for second, and Kirschbaum was back in the game. finally displacing Hipp for fourth but unable to get Blackwell who rode well to a third-place finish. Cordova's inspired, accurate riding was rewarded with the overall win at 3-1, tied with but edging out the 2-2 of Rhoten who is well on his way back from recent knee surgery. Blackwell's 4-3 was good for third and Spencer salvaged a 1-6 for fourth ahead of Hipp (7-5) and Pizzitola (5-7). Spencer was untouchable in Open Expert, seeing nothing but clear track ahead of him all day. Rick French (Hon) offered a brief challenge for second. but Rhoten, on a Yamaha this time, took it away on lap two of the opening round and held on to it the rest of the way. French then had to contend with Sean O'Brien (Yam) for the show position which he won with a 4-3 tally over O'Brien's 3-4. Husky rider Mike Bradshaw marked a consistent 7-5 and David Stutts (Yam) was sixth at 6-7. The l25cc Expert clash, as expected, was a wild affair except for one thingthe domination of the class by Jerry Surber, Jr. Looking at the class lineup, one might not anticipate that the Houston youngster would break away to win both motos, but familiarity with the track and marked determination carried Surber and his support Yamaha to a wire-to-wire victory in the first moto as the rest staged a fierce battle for second. Honda-mounted Randy Sullivan held that place until Greg Howard (Suz) got by on the third lap while Tim Butler, Terry Thomas. Kirschbaum and Rakestraw had their Yamahas bUsting benns right behind. With four laps to go. Howard began to lose a little steam. but Butler turned his on a little more. passing both Sullivan and Howard for the moto's runnerup slot. Thomas. Kirschbaum and Rakestraw filled places four through six. Moto two saw a Sullivan holeshot with Kyle Landrum (who seized his RM in the opener), Surber and Butler hot on the trail. By the third lap, Landrum and Surber were one-two, and the race was definitely on. Butler's bid for victory was blown away when he came putting around the next lap with a flat on the rear. moving Rakestraw and Kirschbaum to third and fourth as Sullivan made a couple of mistakes and dropped to sixth behind Thomas. After knocking on the door many times. Surber fmally made the pass on Landrum at the halfway point that HI-POINT) GRAND PRIX * RACIIIG * M-XGLOVES Two Great Styles in all Colors & Sizes with or without Padded Palms ALL LEATHER Made from the flnesllambskln. Contoured to fit the grip. All sizes including kids. Made In Finland. NYLON/LEATHER Made from lambskin with nylon on the back of the hand and a knit cuff. All sizes. . contoured. Made in Finland. Try a Pair at your Hi-Point Dealer and Get the Fit you Need HI-POINT RACING PRODUCTS Penton Impons Company MlVlf!f:. Furl 21629 S. Figueroa St. ClInon.CA 90745 3709 W. Erie Ave.. Lorain. OH 44053 9604 Oates Or.. Sacramento. CA 95827 Methanol Racing gasoline NitrometNne 12131 328-3594 Houn: Tues-Fri 8-5 Sat 8-12 "Iii .. 41 J