Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

The Chemps lleft to right): Kert Jorct.n. John Reinholt end Merk Murphy po. with some of the loot. IAbove) Mike Crane (62) end Mike Jones I..d 126cC chemp Kert Jorden (32) Into tum one.lBelow) Merk Murphy (61) l..dsJo Jo Keller in the 600s. Florida WInter A.A .JC Series: Final round Jordan, ReinhoH &Murphy earn crowns at Jax By Mike & Anne Adair JACKSONVILLE, FL, FEB. 18-19 Karl Jordan, John Reinholt and Mark Murphy earned Pro class titles in the final round of the Skoal Bandit/Miller High Lifesponsored series at Action Park MX. The same Florida trio also won titles in the 1983 series. Jordan took the 125cc title with Murphy and Reinholt swapping their 18 class titles from '83. Yamaha/Hi-Point sponsored Murphy was the only series winner w win his class at the final round and he did it in style, roosting both 500cc mows. "The bike was right. I felt good and taking two motos at the final race put the icing on the cake," said Murphy. Reinholt took the 250cc crown. Rodney Barr adapted well w his new Kawasaki and topped Mike Crane and Carroll Richardson in the 125cc Pro class. Kawasaki's Billy Liles and Team Yamaha's Keith Bowen made their first Winter AMA Series appearances and finished first and second, respectively in the 250cc Pro class. Heading into Sunday's action, Team Tamm/Dell Kawasaki's Tom Rice was in a must-win situation, trailing Hi-PointiYamaha-supported Karl jordan by four points in the I 25cc division. Rice, who dominated the opening rounds of the series, said, "We have taken all the engine modifications off the bike, and it seems to work better stock. Rodney Barr, on a Sure-Fire/Barr's Competition/Support Kawasaki, exploded into a quick first mow lead, with Eddie Warren, Carroll Richardson, Mark McLaren and Mike Crane ahead of jordan and Rice. Rice moved up fast and was trying for third place on lap five when he vaulted off a jump and landed on Warren. "I knew that it cost me the series and I just went crazy," said Rice. While Barr, Richardson and Crane had the mow finishing order wrapped, Rice took off a lap down. jordan said later, "Rice tried deliberately to knock me down. I protested his riding." AMA referee Freddie Ephrem said, "I saw it, and had w disqualify Rice from the first mow for unsportsmanlike conduct. He (Rice) apologized and we shook hands, and I wished him a good second moto." In moto two, Crane led jeff Surwall, Mike jones, Richardson and Barr with jordan and Rice back in the pack. The Kawasaki trio of Crane, Richardson and Barr wedged Sur- wall out and staged their own race. Richardson took over on lap four, with Barr making it two wins in a row alter passing on lap nine. "I just kept pushing and knew I was gaining on them," said Barr. Team Tamm/WD40-sponsored Steve Burdette took the number three spot and finished the series third behind jordan and Barr. After winning his second I 25cc Pro class title, jordan said, "The '84 Yamaha was so different that we had a long learning process." jordan collected the series purse and numerous contingency awards from Trim, Dunlop and Yamaha. Reinholt had a strong 250cc series lead and was especially motivated for the finale. 'The interview in Cycle News really helped," he said. "Team Tamm signed me for a clothing and lubricants contract this week, and I would like to win both classes for them." Northgate Honda's Tom Carson erased the first 250cc holeshot of Honda-mounted Denny Bentley, with Reinholt, Dave Hollis, Keith Bowen and jo jo Keller in the hunt. Liles found himself in mid-pack and twisted the throttle on his factory Kawasaki, moving up fast. Reinbolt, on a Wayne Meaks-prepped Honda, displaced Carson on lap two and held the lead for 10 laps, finding Bowen on his fender for much of the way. Liles made his move on the II th lap for the win. "I wanted w get up there. I got a good drive off a jump and caught Reinholt by surprise," said Liles. "He went over the berm. It was a clean pass." Reinholt disagreed and said, "I tried to be cool and slowed for lappers. Liles flat knocked me down." Bowen also passed Reinholt for second. In mow two, S Be S Yamaha's Scooter Stafford took the point, with Carson, Hollis, Liles and Bowen in formation and Reinholt charging. Stafford sustained a shoulder injury on lap two, leaving Wheels of Oxford/ Hi-Point-sponsored Hollis in charge. Bowen, on a production Yamaha, eclipsed Hollis and romped in the lead for five laps while Liles reeled him in. Bowen fell on lap nine, leaving the win to Liles. "I just wasn't used w thi bike," said Bowen. "It got sideways and over I went. Billy rode very well. Since I came for some practice, I didn't mind being se{;ond." Liles said, "jeff Biggers and joe Ledoux wrenched for me, since my mechanic is on the road. I was surprised to win. I've had a swmach flu all week." Hollis finished the series in second ahead of Kevin Foley. Yamaha-supported Kenny Keylon returned from the Seattle Supercross to mix it up in the 500cc class, but it was Reinholt, Murphy, james Knupp and jo jo Keller that headed the moto. Liles pursued Knupp and took third by the finish. Murphy gave Reinholt some space for 12 laps before he danced by for the win. "Hi-Point is pleased with the class championship," said Murphy. ''I'm ready for the Nationals now." Reinholt finished second. In mow two, Murphy led it all the way. Keller locked up second after the start, with Keylon riding back to catch Reinholt for third. Team Tamm/Yamaha-supported Keylon said, "We are starting to work on the bike. Our first guess on suspension was way off, and the second mow was better." Murphy, who has been busy cashing Yamaha, Dunlop and Hi-Point contingency checks all winter, said, "The research and development paid off. This was my best race today. I'm glad that our class ran first today and that I could race Reinholt when he was fresh." At the awards banquet, Amateurs were loaded down with series awards from Trim, Dunlop, Scott, Pro Pad and Gold Belt. A special Hannah Racing Products bike stand, with a Winter AMAinscription, was awarded w each class winner. • Results MINI A: 1. Vince DeVane (Yaml; 2. Mark Melton (Honl; 3. J.., Mann (Kaw); 4. Ronnie Tichenor (Kaw); 5. Kenny Elwood (Vaml. MINI B: 1. Damon Bradlhaw (Vam); 2. Ernia MilIan (Hon); 3. Daryl Vou"llblood (Yom); 4. Ashl.., Sharer (Kaw); 5. Todd Downa (Kaw). MINI C: 1. Bratt Melton (Honl; 2. Ross Pearson (Kaw); 3. Broc:t< Bullard (Kaw); 4. Ryan Dean (Kaw); 5. Michael Poora (Kaw). SR: 1. Woody S"icl

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