Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

(Top ) Michele Frutschi won the 500cc clan on a Sanvanero. (A bove) Franco Uncini (left) and World Champ Marco Lucchinelli discun the boycott. World Road Racing Championsh ip Seri es: Round three Frutschi takes non event By Lou Martin :'IlOGARO, FRANCE, MAY 9 - T he 1982 French GP was a non event. All 16 works riders boycotted the event because the track was too rough and the paddock facilities inadequate. Those were the reasons given. I think the real reason dealt wi th the way the FIM handled the whole affair. The riders said last August that Nogaro had to be improved or no G P . The FIM said it was, but it wasn't, so the r.iders left. . Michele Frutschi won the 500cc race on an Italian- made Sanvanero over Franck Gross and Steve Parr ish . Gina Bovaird made history by being the first woman to start in a 500cc GP, but her Suzuki wouldn't start on I the line as the field left. After some help from officials she left half a lap down and was lapped later on before crashing entering the main straight. Jean Louis Toumadre won the 250cc race, which was notable as Toni Mang and Carlos Lavaro also boycotted the event. Jean Francois Balde led the race, then dropped way back and alIowed Aussie Jeff Sayle to lead, but then rode like a demon to finish ahead of Sayle but behind Tournadre by only .49 seconds. Sayle finished .27 seconds behind Balde . Balde stated prior to the race that he'd withdraw during the proceedings. Didier De Radig ues did withdraw and was disgusted when Bal de didn 't. De Radig ues hammered at Balde for the entire 350cc race as they cleared away from the field . Balde won by half a second wi th Sayle th ird on an alI- British Armstrong, 8.57 seconds behi nd De Radigu es. Balde made a short speec h after the race, sayi ng that he raced for the fans who didn 't know wha t was happe ning and deserved value for their money. . The 125cc class was also rather thin with the regu lar stars boyco tting. Jean Claude Selini won over John ny Wickstrom and Hugo Vineri, • . :.'. ::,..... :: : .::; ~ :,.¥. .' .: :: :·:·\~:.1'}:-. ,. So you say your bike is fasf.::.":'.",_. : in the quarter-mile. Great. . ' . ">';': "'. " '.'::' If it's a Honda, here's your industry's largest ever. chance to put our money where Wehave a variety of cash your mouth is. rewards for winners and A coolgrand ifit's a red-hot runners-up. Not only for the TopFueler, Funnybike or Pro classes we already mentioned, but Pro Competition, Stocker. All you have to do is win an NMRA National with it. Supermodified, Competition, Modified, Stock and Superbike It's all part of Honda's as well. NMRA/Drag Race $107, 700 Now the entire program is a Contingency Program, the c ; •• • little too complex to describe fully right here. You'll have to talk to your Honda dealer to get all the details. But that's okay. Because if you're fast enough to win, you're fast enough to recognize a get- rich-quick scheme when you see one. HONDA. FOLLOWTHE LEADER AL WAYS WEARAHELMET A.'ill EYE PROTECTION. Rw...gu;detin.undb

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