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/126548
IAOVERTlSeMENT! I SCOREBOARD I San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium IISupercross: Twenty minutes of saving itl" ...Mike Bell Mark Barnett plans to lead the stampede into a berm-bashing showdown at the COCA-COLA SUPERCROSS FINALS, Satur- 12 day night, Nov. 14th, at San Diego's Jack Murphy Stadium I "I wanted to wrap-up the championship in L.A." explained Barnett. "But I want to win the final race of the series too ... then there will be no doubtl" Despite the fact that he recently re-injured his already broken collar bone, Barnett is set on taking this last checkered flag. If he can win in San Diego, he will also even up the score with Bob Hannah's AMA record of six consecutive Supercroa wins. Not only will Barnett be under the pressure of defending his new 1981 Championship title for the fint time, but he will be bucking the odds of both individual rivalry and team competition. The stunning back-ta-back victories of the American Team Honda at the MotoeroII and Trophee des Nations events has really boosted team spirit. The COCA-COLA SUPERCROSS FINALS will man the lint So. California appearance of these four dynamic champions, Chuck Sun, Danny LaPorte, Donnie Hansen, and Johnny O'Mara. Also on board Team Honda will beJim Gibson, Richard Coon. and Steve Wise. Team Honda trounced the Europeans ... can they catch "Magic" Mark Barnett? 1980 Supercross Champ and current fint runner-up, Mike "Too Tall" Bell will also have Yamaha-mounted teammates on the line. 1981 Champion Broc Glover, Donnie Cantaloupi, and Arlo Englund. "I did terrible in San Diego last year, and I know I'm capable of doing better," says Glover. "Now that I have my new bike, I plan to give Barnett a run for his money. It'slighter, faster. and is handling better ... especially in the turns." Teaming up on Barney's side though will be such greats as- Marty Smith, Darrell Shultz, and Denny Bentley. An additional surpriae is in store for Super- . cross fans with the debut of Suzuki's newcomer, George Hollan!l in his fint stadium race ever. This 16-year-old was the top minibike rider in the nation last year, and will move into the 250cc cIasa at San Diego in preparation for contesting the '82 series. Holland has been racing 125'5 with Barnett, and the word is out that he is already knocking at the winner's circl~1 Maico will also be on the starting line with Eric Eaton, Carlos Serrano, Eric McKenna, Kevin Davis, and Ed Arnet. Watch for Team San Diego at the SUpelCIOSS Finals. They don't have the support of a factory, but they sure have the support of their families, friends, and local San Diegans. Sharing their hotnetown advantage are former 125 and 500cc Champion, Marty Smith, newly crowned 500cc National Champ, Brae Glover. the 1980 U.S.G.P. winner and native San Diegan, Marty Moates, Rick Johnson, and the fint stadium race winner, Marty Tripes. This feanome fivesome plans to ride on the enthusiasm of the local crowd to cheer them on to victory. "San Diego is a great town for sports," says Broc Glo"er. ''I'm sure they'll pack the place to watch us ridel" ''I'm really looking forward to this," said Marty Moates. "Last year I was in a cast, 10 this will be my fint race ever' in San Diego, I heard it was the best stadium race of the year last year." Many enthusiasts believe that a rider is only as good as the bike he uses. But, each year the bikes have improved. This season, Team Suzuki has enjoyed the benefits of their Full Floater suspension system, which allows greater control of the bike. It powen out of jumps better and absorbs pounding with less vibration and more stability. Yet our American Team Honda took their 250cc Pro Link stadium bikes to Europe for the Motocross and Trophee des Nations races and beat the best factory works GP bikes hands down. Yamaha seems to have worIr.ed out any com~laints team memben had the beginnmg of the year as is evidenced by Glover's triumphs and their domination of the Trans-USA Series. But in the end, the winning combination is the man and machine that have conqurred the rigon of the racetrack itself. There has not been a stadium race since mid-July's L.A. Sprite Superbowl. For the past months, the riden have been contesting outdoor mot()C1Ul. Supercross is a lot tougher. A manmade track of snake-like twists, coils, and jumps leaves no margin for error. A "planned strategy" approach is practically out of the question due to the tightly-constructed layout. Most of the riden feel that if they don't get the holeshot, that they must determine the "best" line and stick with it. At San Diego, it will be different. The course has been re-vamped to allow more multiple· line racing and more passing. This new design, coupled with Ig ominous obstacles, will cause a real handlebar derby. The COCA·COLA SUPERCROSS FINALS will wrap-up a spectacular year of racing for the 450,000 nation- IAOVERTISEMENTI 'lCI . . t wide spectaton in a gruding season of wheel-to-wheel combat for the riden. Several supentan have been temporarily aced out by falling prey to injury. Barnett, with his broken collarbone, Chuck Sun with torn ligaments in his ankle, Steve Wise, with both foot and rib injuries, and Kent Howerton, with broken wrist bones, have all been victims of the treacherous sport of motoeraI5. Although battered. bruised. and broken; and with the exception of I-jowerton, aU of these champions will compete in the last Supercross of the seasonl Thrills and chills from beginning to end will provide fans with sensational entertainment. Halftime activities include a Honda ATC250R Demo. and a special four-stroke invitational eightlap race. Some ol the four-1tI'l:IR shooten storming the track will be ProTec's Eric McKenna (who won the fourstroke demo at Anaheim), White Bros.' l.ance MODI wood, and AI Baker's wro Products, Rich Eientadt. Watch for dark bones! Del Taco Spectator Pit Passes will be featured ... an innovation for Supercrossl Limited pit passes will be available Halloween weekend, October gist at participating So. California Dd Taco Restaurants for 11.01 each. While in Del Tacos, sign up to win the Del Taco Sweepstakes a Honda CR250, 11000 stereo system from Mad Jack's, $600 in DG riding gear, one-year supply of Del Taco luncheons, oneyear supply of Coca-Cola and one-year subscriptions to Dirt BiU and Motocross Action magazines. Saturday, Nov. 14th, bring six empty aluminum Coke cans to the stadium along with your regular motocross admission ticket, and get a free Coca-Cola Early Entry Pasa. This special pass will get you into the stadium to watch riden practice from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. XETV Channel six will be gearing up for the Supercross Finals with several half-hour shows of past Supercross events. You can tune into the tube action and catch these specials: Sat.. Nov. 7 ... 1O:gO a.m.-1I:00 a.m. - Sun.. Nov. 8 ... 12:50 p.m.-I:oo p.m. Mon. through Thun... Nov. 9th through 12th ... 12:00 p.m.-12:5O p.m. Last year's event was nearly a sellout. so g,OOO extra bleacher seats have been added next to the rider/mechanic seat· ing area. These Genenil Admission seats will go on sale Saturday morning, Nov. 14th at the Stadium Box Office. San Diego County Toyota Dealers, the better buy guys, have a special money saving offer for Supercroa fans. Free Ig.oo discount coupons are available at participating San Diego dealers DOW. Coupons may be redeemed Nov. 10th-15th at the Box Offia: for your cboia: of 19,112, or 115 Reserved xats. Amateur raa:n will be competing on Sunday, Nov_ 15th, which will also prove to be a bot ticketl Some of the best pre-qualified amateur riders will raa: on the same track tDed the nigbt before by the Pros. Riden interested in Sunday's Amateur raa: can call 21g/ 850-7519 for complete information. Sunday's schedule will also include AlV races and you can purchase tickets at the gate for 56 on race day. Saturday night, Nov. 14th, ·wiIl be the l.ast chance this year to see all the stadium stan at the COCA-COLA SUPERCROSS FINALS at San Diego's Jack Murphy Stadium. Remember, last year was nearly a sellout, so get your tickets nowl Coca·Cola Early Entry gates open at 4 p.m. Regular gates open at 6 p.m. Racing begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available now at Select-A-Seat, Mad Jacks, Ticlr.etron. San Diego area Honda dealen, Bill Gamble's Men's Wear Stores, San Diego Supenhops, and by calling the charge line at 714/565-2865. •