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/126761
O'Mara had control of the lead while Ward followed closely. Next came Swuki's Ricky Ryan, Beier and Bowman. Within a lap, O'Mara and Ward pulled way out in front of everyone willIe engaged in a powerful dogfight for the lead. For the first few laps, Ward stayed within a bikelength of the leader, and at times, Ward pulled alongside of O'Mara, but the O'Show held on. At one point, Ward ran into O'Mara's rear wheel just before jumping off a steep dropofl "I bobbled and grabbed too much front brake," said O'Mara. "And he ran into my rear wheel." Ward almost went down but he managed lO save it. Lap after lap, the two remained in willspering distance of each other, but Ward just couldn't find a way around O'Mara. When they headed into the final lap, Ward lost a few seconds to the leader, willch gave O'Mara what he needed to take the win and overall. Ward finished a close second, while 45 seconds behind in third came Bowman, then Beier, Ryan and Kehoe. "'I-krie~ he was there, but I was trying lO blank it out and pretend I was riding by myself," said O'Mara afterwards. "I was trying lO concentrate and not make any mistakes. The first molO was close loO, but I just wanted to return the favor in the second." "If I were 100%, I would have won," said Ward. "While practicing last Friday, I hurt my foot and broke a bone in my hand. But if I had grabbed the early lead, I would have pulled away." 250 National Points leader going into today's race in the 250cc class was Bob "Next Week" Hannah. Hannah was expected to ride at Saddleback after suffering torn ligaments in the DaylOna Su~rcross. However, Hannah deoded not to ride because of his injury. That meant that if Team Tamm's Alan King who was second in points had a good day, would overtake the points lead, while Suzuki's Mark Barnen could gain drastically on Hannah. Lechien put his faclOry Honda into the lead at the start of the first molO while Suzuki's George Holland, johnson, Barnell and Yamaha's Keith Bowen pursued. During the first lap, Lechien opened up his lead while Johnson slipped by Holland. Two laps later, Hollandcrashed hard while trying lo execute a lOugh uphill double jump. "I couldn't see going up the hill, and I tried lo jump anyway. I hit a lip which pitched me sideways, while landing a little lOO short," said Holland. "Luckily I didn't hun myself." Soon after the start of the fourth lap, Johnson shot by Lechien and soon gained a few seconds on Lecmen. Aiter Lechien, although quite a ways back, rode Barnell, then Hondamounted Brian Manley and Clint Hardick, and Bowen. Halfway through the moto, Barnell crashed dropping lo 10th. johnson cruised out in front while Lechien kept close tabs on the leader. However, johnson rode flawlessly and took the win about five seconds over Lechien. Kawasaki's Billy Liles put in a fine ride after a poor start by working his way up and claiming the third spot. Fourth went lo King followed by Bowen and Barnett. The start of the second molO saw Lechien again jam into the lead ahead of Johnson, Liles, Yamaha-mounted Brian Myerscough and Holland. A few laps into the first lap, Myerscough was on the gas and passed Liles for third. In the first moto, Myerscough didn't get 10 feet from the starting gate before gelling centerpunched by a rider. The other rider hit Myer~ough's bike so hard, the Lechien holeshots the first 250CC moto. while Johnson (17). Brian Manley (BB) and George Holland (35) follow. impact caused at least a quaner inch crack in his Yamaha's engine case on the opposite side of which it was hit. Myerscough was superb early in the second moto, keeping pace with. johnson and Lechien, but he Jooped out over a jump on lap six and required a trip to the hospital with a ballered right arm. Meanwhile, up front, Lechien started lo threaten johnson for the lead and eventually passed johnson on the uphill double jump. johnson retaliated on Banzai Hill. The next time around, johnson tried lo double the hill jump but landed a bit short. Theresult was later found that johnson broke about lOre'll' spokes from the hard impact. Johnson kept going, and a half lap later, johnson and Lechien collided in a turn, and the two went down. Lechien quickly recovered with the lead while John· son soon pulled off because of the collapsed wheel and installed a new rear wheel, putting the Yamaha rider ou t of con ten tion. King held on to second ahead of Liles, Holland and Hardick. Barnett had a poor start and was running in eighth at this point. King and Liles started lo dice over second and their momentum caught up lo Lechien. Liles found a way around King and set after the pace seller, but time ran out and Lechien took the win a few seconds ahead of Liles, King, HoIland and Barnell._ "I knew he (Liles) was gaining on me," said Lechien. "But my clutch lever came loose and my bars were bent because of the crash. I think Johnson wanted to take me out because he knew he was going lo drop out, but crime never pays! After that, I just wanted to get to the finish before Liles got there." David Bailey easily won the first 500cc moto but had to pass rival Broc Glover in the late stages during the second go around. 500 National .,Befort' the event, Kawasaki's Goat Breker said -he wanted to win very badly. His injuries are almost mended, and it sure showed when the gate dropped for the start of the first molO. Breker jumped to a third place stan· jlehind Bailey and Yamaha's Broc Glover. But, by the end of the first go-around, Breker had moved way out in front and he looked untouch· able. The Kawasaki pilot stretched his lead after every turn, much to the delight of the crowd. In fourth followed Yamaha-mounted SCOll Manning, Pete Snorteland, also aboard a Yamaha, and Honda's Danny "Magoo" Chandler. This is Chandler's first race after the serious jaw injury he suffered a few months ago. Breker enjoyed his comfortable lead, but bad luck once again struck when he crashed in a tight left turn,.dropping to second and handing the lead lo Bailey. Glover also crashed soon after and dropped lO fourth behi nd Manning. However, that didn't last for long. Glover slipped back into third but was well behind Breker. Halfway through the molO, Breker crashed again on the uphill jump and recovered in the back of the 9