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/126762
"Winning at Daytona really gave my confidence a boost before heading to the CPs," said Rainey. "I didn't feel too good about racing the 250 at first because I didn't know if I would like it, but it's been fairly easy LO adapt my riding style to the bike. The race was a good warm-up, but it wasn't a CP. Marrin Wimmer, a top 250cc rider who did well here last year, had problems as 9id the entire Spanish contingent and they were on really strong machinery. I would have liked to have had a dice with (12:time World Champion) Angel Nieto. That would have been neaL. "There will be a lot of things 'which will take some geLting used to at the CPs, like having to go as fast as you can from your first lap on the track because they count all laps as quaIi£ying times. Another thing I'm going to be spending a lot of time practicing will be dead-engine bum pstans. Those wi II be a whole new ball game. With the competition so very close, a good stan is all the more imponanL." Rainey has always taken his racing seriously, but now he is more serious thaI! ever. "I've been training really hard ever since the program was put LOgether. I really feel I'm in the best shape of my life and I think that will be an advantage for me. I've changed my diet and have goLten in to a personal exercise program. I think all of it will payoff. . "I don't think I'll have trouble adjusting over there. Kenny and I made a trip at the beginning of the year LO Switzerland LO meet with the Marlboro folks and also went LO Italy and England. I had a good t·ime and didn't find things too differenL. Sure, the language and other things take a bit of geLting used LO, but I don't think I'll have a problem. The food was quite good, but all you ever seem to hear are stories from riders who say they hated iL. As long as you don't mind being a bit adventuresome and trying different things you'll make out." Traveling throughout Europe to the races can be a problem, but Rainey is on LOp of thaL. "I'll be leasing the mOLOrhome Kenny used last year in Europe for my travel and living quarters," said Rainey. "The mechanics will have a transporter for the machinery and a caravan ,(trailer) for their use. In some situations when Kenny is in Europe for an extended period of time he'll have his own motorhome. "I don't think I'll get too homesick since my mechanic, Bruce Maus, is an American and has spent time in Europe before, racing some 250cc CPs. I'll be seeing Eddie (Lawson) at all the races and maybe in-between. We go back LO din track racing years ago when we were teammates. We were also teammates for two seasons on the Kawasaki Superbike efforL. "How do I feel about my chances for the .title," said Rainey thoughtfully. "I'm going. over there and give it my best every time I race. I'll do my best and that's all I can do. I think I can give it 110 percent and that's what it's going to take LO win races and the title. If I can be consistent, if I can finish In the top four in most or all of the CPs, then I might take the title. Winning races is good, but consistency should be the key. I feel if I do good and make a good an-around showing then it might open the door for a ride in 1985 in the 500cc class. Who knows?" The boLtom line, the only thing which counts LO those who won't settle for second best, is winning whether it be a race or a championship. Rainey falls squarely into that category. His work is more than cut out for him, but he's up to the task. • TICKETI\ON OR HOWE AVE. BOX OFFICE - (916) 920-1121 ~~ ~:;'afDot.TA C~llON 925 Howe Ave., Sacramento. California 95825 - - - - - - - - - MAIL ORDER OUNDS TO ----------ii (General Admission SlO.OOon sa~at _ S _ at $15.00 each Ilesefved Gr,ndstand s at $17.50 each Box Seats FAIRG CRAME FORM at 125.00 uc:h Turf Club Seats I TICKET S _ . _.-.::- ---:-- I Bo. Ofticeon night of raceonty.) Enclosed is my check for: , _ Ptelse enclose a self Mktressed stamped envelope ah)ne with cashier's check or money order (no pet'SQMI ched.) ::-.,~~ ~~~.~-_ _ress ~ __ sr". C;,y ~'G.:_ ALUMINUM SILENCERS 0 SPARK ARRESTORS 0 HANDLEBARS 0 GRIPS ..,., .. ,. .. " .. .. .. .. • •••••••••••••••••• , a ~. .. ................ ................. .. .. " . .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ~<' . " .. .. • • •' ,. ..................................... ~ '." ~ .. .. .. .. .. ................................................. It ~ . ~ ~ RICHTER PRIVATEER 1." ) h ,.J I' L I . .. .... .. • •• .1 . 2850 E 29th Street. Long Beach CA 908J6 • ,213 4263498 21