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/126659
u Q(") 00 Q') (~V8Ieft) Mike Melton charge. through a stream on his say to winning the Black Coal Enduro and clinching the Championship. (Top right) AA winner John Martin dunk. hi. can-Am. (Above right) Enduro organizer Jerry Schuler with the smiling winner. l l I A_A National Championship Enduro Series: Round 20 Melton clinches title with Black Coal win By Brian and Ann Palormo LYNNVILLE, IN, SEPT. II Team Husqvarna's Mike Melton demonstrated the truth in the saying, "The third time's a charm," as he captured the overall victory in the Black Coal National. In his third year of competing on the National circuit and his third . 'di th·.. ak. f ham ~e~, ng IS m ero c .pIons event, Melton earned hIS 18 fifth overall win for 1983. His victory makes it mathematically impossible for anyone to catch him in the race for this season's crown in the AMA National Champion Enduro Series. Although it might not be official for almost two months, celebrating began as soon as the unofficial results WeR known. The Georgia native, transplanted by Husky to Ohio, could have been ~ favonte son returned home VIctorIOUS to southern Indiana judging by the number of local fans on hand to celebrate his double victory.with him. Melton was a convincing winner as his loss of 20 points was four fewer than his closest competition, CanAm rider John Martin, who dropped 24. Melton was three minutes faster through the first tight woods section and had enough reserve stamina to come throug~ ~he .final.17-~~I~~e~-. tion with a loss of only two points. "Things have gone right for me all season." Melton said at the end of the day. "I've really worked hard on my attitude and trained more than in previous seasons. Now I know it was all worth it." Martin topped the AA Open class to continue his hold on second in the· point standings over defending champion Terry Cunningham. Two rounds remain in the series, with a rider's best 10 rides counting toward his final standings. Melton's Husky teammate, Cunningham finished third, dropping27 points. In his third week of competing on the new 500 Automatic, Cunningham found the bike to be running nearly perfectly. However, he felt he really hadn't blended his riding style with the bike's capabilities to his satisfaction yet and this is affecting his timing. "Seconds here and there add up over the day, and I just don't fee.1 smooth on the trail yet," said Cunningham. "Also, my speedo quit just as we left the start so I only had the clock to use which can cause you problems at this run." Although he was disappointed by his person;;!1 season, which was dampened early by a broken thumb, Cunningham felt the overall season had been comprised of qualiiy events worthy of the competition. "With a limited number of enduros on the calendar, you can't throw one away early as I did because of my thumb. It puts you in a catch-up position all year and changes how you ride. I'll be back next year, hopefully, without any injuries. Now it's on to Six Days." . Finishing right behind Cunningham with scores of 28 were three more Husky-mounted riders: Kevin Hines and David Bertram in the AA class and Jimmy Garmon who took