Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Broe Glover emerged victorious with a 2-' day.lFile photo) AMA Trans-USA Series: Round 1 Glover, Bamett split wins at Mid-Ohio opener By Tom Mueller LEXINGTON, OH, SEPT. 20 Team Yamaha's Broc Glover used a 2-1 score to top Team Suzuki's Mark Barnett, who placed 1-2, in the Trans-USA MX Series opener at Mid-Ohio Motocross Park. Moto one was a free-for-all where Barnett won by a wheel length, and moto two saw both riders contend with mechanical problems with Glover pacing to the win. 10 "It looks like a two-man race to me," said Barnett. "Whoever makes a mistake will be out of it." That statement by Barnett concerning himself and Glover. looked to be the case with no one else within range of the pair in either moto. Yamaha's Bob Hannah took third overall with a 3-4 with teammate Mike Bell fourth overall using a pair of fifths. The Trans-USA is an interesting series in that new machinery and new arrangements between teams and riden are being made. Yamaha was working with a revised bae with a different frame, shock, fork assembly and pipe. "We tested the stuff after the Nationals, but just got some of the parts last week. They were all little changes that added up to a lot," said Glover. Glover and Bell were running air-cooled bikes while teammates Donnie Cantaloupi and Rick Burgett were using water-coolen. Yamaha Support teamster Rid Johnson was on a '82 production water-cooler. . Suzuki was working off their stadium bike. "The wheelbase is different due to the swingarm, the shock is different, and the motor is made for outdoor racing," said Barnett. Team Honda was buming the midnight oil as most of their works equipmem didn't get back from the Motocross des Nations in West Germany until Thunday, and the mechanics didn't start uncrating the machines until Friday morning. Their bikes are also off a stadium format and were only slightly modified. Team Kawasaki posted only one entry, David Bailey on an '82 production bal'. "The new works bikes aren't in yet, and I heard the factory guys will be doing some testing on them when they arrive. That's all I've heard," said Bailey. Team Husqvarna had R&D penonnel on hand from Sweden for American Mike Guerra, but as far as the entry list went, no European riden were present to ride the International class. The Trans-USA continues to be a match-up of the best MXen in America on outdoor counes. The Valvoline-sponsored evem went off smoothly under the direction of promoter Mark Coclr.ley, AMA referee Ron Denny, head scorer Kay Denny and crew. Traditionally a heavily watered uad which produces muddy lines and little dust, thiS event went off with rather dusty conditions under sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures. Cockley held off on the usual watering schedule due to heavy rains in the area. The rains never reached his track, so water was applied starting Saturday night. Attendance was up from normal with folks coming out to enjoy one of the last warm weekends of the season in Ohio. "U they keep pouring in liIr.e this we could see 20,000 today," said Coakley. "Oh boy, I hope I do well today," said Hannah after practice. "The bae feels the best it's ever felt. The shock is right on now; I just hope it stays that way. " Through practice Hannah, Barnett and Glover looked superior, all using different styles on the fastpaced coune that takes riden over a high switchback section and then through a lower, wetter section of fast straights. Barnett was the real crowdpleaser, riding his 250 lae a 125, tapping it off the jumps and using body English to straighten things out before he landed. 2&Occ International It was a drop the clutch and go act for Barnett when the gate dropped for moto one. Honda's Johnny O'Mara and Yamaha-supported Phil Lanon were left in the muddy first tum while the pad scooted away. For the first few laps, a freight train formation set up with Barnett leading Glover. Suzuki's Marty Smith, Honda's Donnie Hansen, Bell, Hannah, Yamaha Pro Support rider Kris Bigelow and Bailey. LOP's Steve Martin, now on a Honda, was in the hunt, but went over the ban on a downhill. He was up quickly but way bad. Suzuki's Darrell Shultz also looked to be en route to the front then slowed, finally beading for the mechanic', area and finishing out of the top 20. Barnett and Glover began to leave the pack. behind with Glover playing Barnett's shadow all the way. Marir. couldn't come up with the moves to break free. Smith faded a few positions. and Hannah ga-ed it full on past Hansen on the inside for third, then tip-toed through the greasy first tum in style. Bell dropp,ed in behind Hannah with Smith next. Just after the halfway mark in the 4O-minute-plus-two-Iap moto, Barnett slid out in a slow speed tum and 100t 14 seconds to new leader Glover. Barnett mew he had to summon all of his magic to regain the lead and proceeded to pid up the pace. It came down to the fmal lap when Barnett

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