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/126556
. . . . . .. . . .. . ., . mechanic relationship. "The only thing I could ask for would be a year· long pit pass for factory mechanics, those of us who attend every race. It would cut down on hassles." Slenzak feels the public may have the wrong idea about what a mechanic does. "It's a mi-eonception. People think mechanics work one day a week and then party. They don't realize the mileage we run, the aggravation. the hassles we put up with. If they (the people who see mechanics at the races) think you can make a name for yourself as a mechanic. they're going to get in the wrong business. "All I care about is that the right people know rm doing my job. If you're not doing your job your rider doesn't have a chance. but if the mechanic doesn't have the rider it won't work either. It's a 50/50 propo· sition. WESTERN CYCLE HOUDAY SALE! Now thm Chrisbnas LAYAWAY NOWl 300/0 TO 50% SAVINGS! IN 00 0') 1981 BeUMotom Helmets $89.00 T1RES DUNLOP New K·139 300-21 $49.95 K-88HT 110/90-18 $48.00 510-18 $55.00 K·I90 410-18 $38.00 460-18 $44.00 $16.00 SAVE BILL WALTERS MX Pants DOUBLE KIDNEY Belts $79.95 JT $15.00 MXLBOOTS MX Pants $99.00 $95.00 ATCTIres METZELER 325-21 MXGLDVES HEl.ft\ETS model #30 Knobby SAVE (Continued/Tom page 25) SIMPSON NANKANG 21x12·8 $52.95 tt Jeff Clark or Sand $29.95 gether and form a driving schedule that was easier to follow." In Alexander's eyes. acknowledgement for mechanics has slacked off a bit in recent years. "A few years ago they gave us a bit more credit, but now they (motorcycle press) seem to back away. There's two guys out there-the rider and mechanic. A mechanic plays with the rider's future if mechanical problems occur throughout the year. If the rider doesn't finish. who's to blame? The mechanic," Alexander stressed the amount of time needed to correctly prepare a factory bike. "The privateers just aren't as thorough as the factory mechanics are. That's why they break more often." When Danny LaPorte was still with Suzuki. Alexander was his tuner. Pat's career high point to date was helping Danny win the 1979 500cc National Championship. $165.00 (213) 802·1911 13053 ROSECRANS AVE. NORWAU<, CA 90650 2 Blocks East 0( Santa Ana (5) Fwy Clark. 24. tunes for Mark Barnett and resides with wife Louise in Corona. California. He likes to work around the house and drive remote control model cars in his spare time. Clark got into racing in 1970 when he bought a Taco mini bike. In '71 he purchased a Hodaka Super Rat. and since has collected six other dated race bikes. When Clark started getting injured racing he took to wrenching because he realized he could help others ride faster and better. His rivals areJim Felt and Greg Arnette. "When Greg worked for Suzuki (as Kent Howerton's mechanic) we constantly battled for the cleanest bike," said Clark. Jon Slenzak From Open Hauler To Camper In Minutes \ \ Truck your bIk•• to the desert end stili sleep warm end dry at night. AI fnme with 180z. vinyl c:oetecI nylon COYtIt". MocIeIs for both Ierge end trucks. AMERICAN CANVAS & UPHOLSTERY 5630 Holt Blvd.• Montclair. CA 91763 (714)984 4115 Slenzak. ~5. tuned for Darrell Shultz and resides with wife Karen in Anaheim, California. He says hobbies and relaxation periods are few as all of his time is devoted to tuning. It started at age 12 for Slenzak when he flrst took an interest in bikes. His latest accomplishment is Shultz's win at the Daytona Supercross this year. Slenzak tries to emulate the teams of Jon Rosenstiel/Broc Glover and Jeff Clark/Mark Barnett.His biggest disappointment this season came when Shulu twisted his knee at the Houston Supercross while in the points lead -Supercross racing is Slenzak's favorite. His biggest complaint is too many hours on the road. Last year he racked up 52.000. (714)624-3260 CUSTOM MOTOCROSS PANTS AL80 CUSTOII.lDIEYI GIAII lAGS AIIID . . . CALL 0fII WRITE RMI OIIDU INFO: II'UER PRODUCTS !i2O Mc:GUNCY lANE. CAMPBEll. CA 95008 E.10504lth.A... WA.1t2OlI ~, ~37H221 (5lIIIlI24-- • "00 _ """'A CA.o>' 11'6.~f"1 FLOATE• • MON"HOCK w•nO-LINK. UNI·TaAK ....-"' __ , . 'YCNnI t,.. ICOTT'S SCOOTIIIIDVlC£ 2S27 Honok.du Aw.. Mon"OM, CA 11020 L-----(Z13IZ48_&747 - - - -.... 808'5· ...._ USED CYCLE PARTS _ All Makes & Models Buy, Sell & Trade E. foothill Blvd., Upland, CA 91786 5 "I. lBehind AHied Suzutcil 74 1'7...... Hand Washable Slav Sotl Othman Distributing Co. B". 356 San Luis Obispo. CA 93406 111051 544-6181 'Rldll1g 'qac"'y '511,,*,' GLOVES Deale, InqUiries InVIted ''The AMA is doing their best. there's no other way to do it," said Slenzak concerning the AMA/ Clark wishes TV coverage would be greater for MX races and that he wouldn't have to make as many cross· country trips as he does during the season. Other than those complaints. self-satisfaction is his motivator. "Since rve been with Mark we're looking at three championships. Us coming together made it happen. It's communication. we do what has to be done to win. Sure rd like more coverage. but to take recognition away from another mechanic in order for me to have more, rd say no. You have to remember it's easier to replace a mechanic than a Mark Barnett. "I don't think you could say he's winning because of me. He's 100 percent. I'm 100 percent. Some of the other mechanics don't put out a full effort. .. Clark wishes he had a bit more understanding from the public at times. "When they see us acting grumpy I think they need to give us a break. We're under heavy pressure from the companies to perform. Usually we're in a good mood. but everybody can't win at the races. There's one pumped mechanic and 59 depressed ones." •