Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

as much ground between himself and Bellencourt as he could. His stop took half the time of the others, but he took on only half the fuel, gambling he could finish the race on the fuel he had. McDonald merged into traffic off the pit lane access road right behind Bettencoun, who had taken over second. The cast was set for the two rider duel which would carry all the way to the flag. Unnoticed by many was the fact that Adamo had not yet piued and that strategy plus consistent riding had moved him into fifth. "We checked fuel consumption very closely, said tuner Reno Leoni. "A pit stop isn't mandatory and not making one was the only way we can gain any advantage on the 750s. However, we did have gas ready in case Jimmy didn't want to risk running the full 100 miles on what he had." A ballle for sixth which would run to the finish was taking place between McMuner and Dale Quarterley with the riders trading places two or more times a lap. By this time, slower traffic and lapped riders made it hard to tell many positions past seventh. The McDonaldiBellencourtor Bettencourt/McDonald fight- depending on where you were watching from - was heating up as the laps wore down. McDonald showed his advantage on top-end power whue Bettencourt was stronger through the infield and consistently used slower traffic to open up ground only to have McDonald reel him in as they raced down the backstraight to the chicane. The scene was replayed on every lap. Spencer's e££ortless cruising had enabled him to open up a nearly oneminute gap on the second-place battle by the time the 22nd lap began. Just as he crossed the start/finish line, Spencer chalked up Adamo as his final victim in his blitz through traffic. . Four more flawless laps and Spen~er took the checkered flag, while half a lap behind, second place was being dec~ded by a slower rider heading for the chicane. "My strategy for the last lap was to wait until we were on the fourth turn banking before taking the lead because 1 didn't want to give Johnny any chance to draft me back," said McDonald. "A slower rider nearly caused me to crash as we headed for the chicane and forced me to move around Bettencourt. I wasn't too worried because I knew 1 had the top end to hold him o££ if everything went smoothly." The margin was three bikelengths - about 15 feet - in McDonald's favor. Pietri then rolled across the finish line as did Adamo a good distance behind. McMurter held off Quarterley's last-lap charge for sixth. "The race went really easy," said Spencer. "I waited two laps [or things to sellie into a race pace and then ran my own race. Even the slower traffic didn't become a problem since it was really spread out. Mike Velasco, who does the work on my bike, did a super job. Now, we'll have to come back next year and try to make it [our in a row." "Johnny and 1. had a super race for second," said McDonald. "Johnny didn' tlet off for one second so I knew I had to go all out to beat him. My pit crew deserves a lot o[ credit [or getting me in and out so quickly because that was the key for me. Larry Kano, who tunes my bike, gave me the topend power 1 needed to do the job. This is a good start toward the Super- ~ 00 0') Sam McDonald and Fred Merkel (84) head up Spencer and the pack at the start of the 26-lap final. bike title and I want to thank Michelin, Wiseco, Megacycle, Bell, Moto-X Fox and especially Honda [or their help." "This race was [or my mom," said Bettencourt in winner's circle. "Both my mom and dad were here to see me race and this is the best I've [ini hed at Daytona. This breaks a prelly long dry spell [or me. Sam may have beaten me, but it sure wasn't because I didn't try. I've got to thank Bellencourt Honda, my major spon or, and Dave Hoyle, my tuner [or their help." "Finishing fourth isn't too bad," said Pietri. "I didn't get lapped and I did prelly well considering I don't have the special pistons Sam and Johnny are running. 1 hope to for the next round and things just may be different. I really don't nave a major sponsor this year so 1'm working on a budget to get to do all the races I want. I've added a new tuner to my team, Steve McLellen. He's [rom New Zealand and has really added to my program." "This is the best finish in the Superbike event we've ever had at Daytona," said Cagiva's Adamo. "I rode conservatively and the plan to run the race without a gas stop worked. 1 went on reserve when I got the white flag. Once 1 saw the flag, 1 knew 1 had enough gas to finish and I really pushed hard because 1 didn't want to get caught on the last lap by McMunerandQuarterley. Thanks to Reno (Leoni) and everyone else who has helped with our program." Rueben McMurter, a Canadian, who likes to use Daytona to warm his blood up before concentrating his efforts on Canadian racing, is set to do the American series this year and has his eye on the title. "I got a bad start and had to work my way through traffic on the early laps or 1 might have been right in the hunt for second or third," said McMurter. "I didn't realize Jimmy wasn't going to stop for gas or I would have made more of an effort in the final laps because I think 1 could have caught him." Honda rider McMuner is sponsored by International World of Motorcycles, Phoenix Racing, Shoei and Sports Afield. • (Above) Roberto Pietri heads the train of Glenn Barry and Dale Quarterly (32) into the chicane, (Below) Fast Freddie gets gas, Results 1. Freddie Spencer (Hon); 2. Sam McDoanld (Hon); 3. John Bettencourt (Han); 4. Roberto Pietri (Han); 5. Jimmy Adamo (Ceg); 6. Rueben McMurter (Han); 7. Dale Quanerley (Kaw); 8. John Ashmead (Han); 9. Pat Hernon (Hon); 10. Lynn Miller (Hon); 11. Luther Wikle (Hon); 12. Rich Chambers (Hon); 13. Len Gambo(Hon); 14. Phillippe Kosteler IHon); 15. Mike Hanh IHon); 16. Peter Lusby IHon}; 17. John Long IHon); 18. Gary Honon IHon); 19. Richard Oliver (Kaw); 20. Rick Sh8W (Han). TIME: 56 min.. 33.96 sees. (Record) AVERAGE SPEED: 106.728 mph.IRecord) 17

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