Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Cycle News 1981 06 24

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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Huqvama rider Rusty Reynaud and Yamaha-mounted John Fero were the only other finiahen beRdrs Stacy in the 250cc Intent class. "This is harder than Europe," said Fero. "It really reminds me of day five in (1977) Czechoslovakia. " The second best score was posted by 175cc Intent class winner Mike Rosso. A Suzuki teammate of Stacy, Rosso was a distant 1041 points -- nearly 17 minutes -- off the winning pace (2956.5 to 1915.5) of Stacy. Rosso dropped only 25 minutes on the trail riding his one-off Full Floater. "This is disappointing," said Rosso, "because a lot of guys counted on this event to help them qualify." Vic Ely placed second to Rosso in the 175cc fray on a Gene Burgess/ Mark Dodd-prepared Kawasaki KDX. Ely was the sole Kawasaki rider to make it to the fmal check. ''I'm just glad to be alive," said Ely. He had beaten Rosso by 45 points (seconds) in the first special test, but then became a victim of brake and chain problems. Yamaha support rider Terry Seales hung in to finish third in the 175cc class. He too was "glad to finish." KTM pilot Kevin LaVoie received the Open Intent win after Team Husqvarna's Terry Cunningham unknowingly made a very costly error. Cunningham limped his 430 to within yards of the final check before impound, MOpped and began extensive maintenance in order to prepare for day two. 'Cunningham replaced rear brake shoes, both sprockets, the chain and made other adjustments before clocking into the check 59 minutes into his hour. LaVoie gambled and had gone straight through the check and into impound without taking time to work on his machine. When the second day was canceled Cunningham's hopes of winning the class were washed away. One other problem also arose during the run. The clocks at the eighth check were 20 minutes off causing many riders to believe they had already houred out when in fact they still had a bit of time in hand. The check was thrown out, but the damage had been done. Rod Bush, riding in the '125cc 1ntent class, half jokingly asked before the start, "Which is better, the back stroke or free style?" KTM-mounted Bush swam into the first gas stop where he ended his ride. Alan Zilla held a steady pace throughout the day and was the only 125cc rider to finish. After impounding his bike Zitta looked up at the sky and murmured, "Jesus loves me." The only non-intent rider to finish was Suzuki's Randy Martin. Martin, riding in the 250cc A class, turned in an excellent ride which produced the third best score of the finishers. "I think the ticket to finishing was juM to stay on top of the bike," said Martin. There were so many hard luck stories at the Last Chance it would be impossible to list them all. However, Bob Rutten's was one of the most memorable. Rutten piled his bike in his van and traveled from California to Tennessee only to have his Maico succumb to mechanical ills. With two good ridrs, Rutten needed one more to give him a shot at qualifying for the ISDE. A dejected RUllen did not look forward to the long trip back to California. • Results 125cx: INTENT GOlD: AI8n ZItIa (KTM) 5533.5. 175cc1NnNT GOlD: _ _ lSuzl2lllill.5. BRONZE: 1. VIc Ely (K.wl 4487.5: 2. Tony Seoleo lYoml544ll. 2!iOcc IllTENT GOLD: ",.,.. Suey (!¥W 1915.5. BRONZE: 1. Auoty Reynoud (Huol 4295.5: 2. John Fen> lYoml4308.5. OPEN INTENT GOlD: 1. Kevin u.Voie (KTMI 5092.5: 2. Tony Cui••""." tHuoI5487. 2!iOccA GOlD: Aondy _lSuzl ~.5. ...... 00 0') ...... 6/5 Molson Stadium Supercross Montreal. canada 250cc MARK BARNETT Suzuki on DUNLOP front & rear. 2nd ~d JIM GIBSON RICH COON Honda on DUNLOP. Honda on DUNLOP. us.d DUNLOP. NINE of top TEN finish MD.. ~•• rWe . . DuI•• p ,~oth.r tire ............ ~ DUN£OP p.Q. Boa< 1109,IlufIaIo, NY 1Q4O

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