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/126525
Bob HIInMh drllwa a bead on Kawuekl'. Warren Raid. HanMh'.2-1 got him the overall while Reid wa. 14th overall, getting ..venth in moto two. . tum the AC on tonight," said Yamaha's Mike Ben from his chair. "I've been down here all week with no air conditioning on with all the windows closed in the motel room trying to get used to the heat. It's the only way." Rider attendance was down and spectator attendance was up at Sun- . shine. ylfty·one SOOcc entries required ~ers, but only 56 250cc riders up and no qualifiers were s needed. An estimated 6.000 persons engulfed the track to watch the show. 2&Occ Netionel :'1 haven't ridden since Mt. Morris (on May 24). I got the flu, and then I had two ear infections after that. I still can't hear anything." said Hannah as he suited up for moto one. Howerton and Yamaha support riders Dave Hollis and Keith Oelerich headed the race through the loamy fint tum. Three laps into the race Howerton was pulling a safe lead with Hollis. Hansen and DOW Hannah trying to sort out third place. Yamaha·supported Kris Bigelow and LOP's Steve Martin, on a production Suzuki, were behind in fifth and sixth. Moto-X Fox's David Bailey had his worlr.a Kawa- saki on the way towards the front but fell back and started working from the rear. With the moto half over, Howerton was putting in what looked Iik~ an effortless ride. pulling wheelies. checking out traction and maintaining a 21second lead over Hansen, Hannah and Hollis and Martin. Spencer Morrison and Bigelow were six·seven, and Honda's Steve Wise was 'hauling in eighth, back on the circuit after a long injury'induced layoff. Howerton had enough time to stop in the pits and receive a dowsing from tuner Steve Paulos while Hannah had the crowd behind him as he cloSed on Hansen. Hansen faltered after constant pressure, and Hannah came around in a secure second with Hansen back a distance. Riders started fading as the course got tougher, and intense heat started coming off the Florida turf. Howerton had a 50·second edge, and Hannah was covered in a solid layer of sweat and black sand, screaming at lapped riders to get out of the way while he took any line available to pass. Howerton took the win with Hannah, Hansen, Martin. Wise, Bige· low, Moto-X Fox's Jo Jo Keller on a Suzuki and Suzuki rider Ron Turner spread out behind. The crowd came to life as moto two left the line and weren't disappointed when Howerton, Hannah and Hansen took the lead on the gnarly first lap. It couldn't have been a more stylish. move on Hannah's part when he took the lead - he roclr.eted up and over Howerton off a jump. shooti'ng over 20 feet into the air to pass. From there on out, Hannah never let off. Even after he earned a safe lead, he continued to run wide open, passing lapped riders with viciousness, At one point, Hannah's bike almost came out from under him on a straight but he hung on, never getting off the gas. Howerton and Hansen rode a con, servative two-three and Bailey got by Oelerich for fourth over the crest of a hill. In the next few laps, Martin tried to set up Bailey but fen short. At the half, Hannah had a 16·second lead. Wise had worked into fifth but lost out to conditions when he pulled into the fmish area asking for water. It was Hannah. Howerton, Bailey, Hansen and Martin across the line, Hannah taking the overall by virtue of his second moto win. Howerton pulled off the track victimized by stomach cramps. Hannah's first duty back in the pits was to get his feet into a bucket of ice water. "I figured I might as well get in front and go wide open until 1 die," said Hannah, "but it didn't work out that way," 500cc National "I heard Sun was going to make his move today. but whatever he tries, I'm . ready," said Glover as he readied himself for moto one. It was Glover and Sun out fr~nt through tum one, both fitted in all white riding gear in an effort to battle the heat. Suzuki's Marty Smith and Yamaha-supported Kenny Keylon, who resides in Florida. were at it for third while Yamaha's Mike Bell and Maico's Alan King were deciding who would claim fourth. Glover started worlr.ing his bike over the rough stuff and pulled ahead, his factory Yamaha offering no special treatment over the now grueling II