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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126781
extremely well east of the Mississippi, and fellow Californians Chad
Felicia and Mike Arthur.
When in top form, it is not unusual for Carr to win races by a full
straightaway. It may appear lonely
running all alone, but Carr doesn't
see it that way. "I never get tired of
winning. Right now, I love going
out there and racing. H I win the race
it doesn't mailer if I win by two
inches, or 200 yards. It's all the same
tome."
Although he runs extremely well
on the 500cc single, Carr has yet to
race a 750cc twin. Some Junior class
riders, mostly the people riding Harleys, view this as a future disadvantage.
Carr sees it as more of a challenge. "I
don't think it will put me at a major
disadvantage. It'll take a great deal of
adapting and a lillie while to iron
everything out, but it's not any real
big deal."
When mOlOrcyciing's version of
the major-league draft comes around
this winter, Carr should be hot property. ''I'm not set up with anybody for
next year," says Carr. "We're going
to finish this year out with Ron
Wood and see what happens. We're
taking things one step at a time,
maybe something will come up later
in the year and we'll have 10 do some
bargaining.
"The plan of everybody is to have a
good year. It's one of those things
where you see riders and it looks like
they are going to be very good, and
they fall on their face. That may
happen to me next year, but I sure
hope nol. I'm ready 10 go for it."
Don Estep
"My goal at the end of the season is
towin theJunior National Championship title and land a faclOry ride my
rookie Expert year," says Don Estep
without hesitation when asked about
his goals for this season. "You might
as well think big. I've heen told that if
any rider has a chance to get a factory
ride, I've got as good a chance as any
so that's what I'm shooting for."
To date, Estep hasn't had quite the
success his main rival, Chris Carr,
has had in wi'nning Junior Nationals. However, when·the two show up
on the track you can be sure there will
be a confrontation and the fans will
come out the winners.
Estep picked up his Novice license
on June 4 of last year, his 16th birthday, and blazed a strong trail' from
there on a "prelly worn out" HarleyDavidson 250. He collected wins in
12 of the 30 races he rode while being
sidelined in 'the finals of two due 10 a
loose spark plug wire and running
out of gas. In the races he didn't win
or DNF, Estep was usually right
there at the finish. He finished the
season as the fourth highest ran ked
Novice in the nation and was seventh
in the Eastern Regional Dirt Track
Championship Series Novice ranks.
His hard-charging style and some
kind words from friend and equipment lender Steve Morehead created
more than a passing interest in Estep
by Ron Wood Racing's Ron Wood.
"I was riding Steve's Can-Am in the
(50Occ four-stroke single) BailIe of
the Brands races and I did prelly good
on il. Ron Wood called me up just
before the end of 1983 and asked me if
I wanted to ride one of his bikes this
year. I later learned that Steve had
IOld Ron if he wanied an eastern rider
on his machinery that I was the one
he needed. I talked things over with
my dad and then I called Wood back.
I got my bike before Houston and
that's where I began riding the WoodRotax. I can easily say it's the most
dependable bike I've ridden in a long
time."
However, Estep is working on getting a Harley-Davidson XR 750 ready
for later in the season. In the meantime, he's had a few outings on a
borrowed XR. "OnceI get my Harley
running," says Estep, "I think it will
even things out a bit between me and
Chris, especially on the miles. Which
bike I use later in the year will depend
on how things go in practice at each
individual' track. Some people might
think a 500 would be no match for a
(restricted) Harley, but it doesn't really
work that way. Riding the Harley is a
way 10 get ready for next year. I think
if you ride a 500 all year, you'll be at a
disadvantage when you turn Expert
because it could take all seas(:>n just to
learn how to'ride tbe bike and do
business. I think Chris might have a
problem if he doesn't get on an XR at
least a few times.
.
''I'm glad the AMA came up with
the Junior National Championship:'
continued Carr, "because it helps
riders learn what the tracks they'll be
racing on next year will be like. Some
Experts say they don't like having
Juniors in the National program, but
I think it gives the fans an extra show
and could make for safer racing next
year."
Estep is just as serious about finishing high school as he is about his
racing. "School is top priority, especially since I've got only one year to
go. I had to miss Sacramento this year
because of school, but it will be worth
it in the end. My classmates at Teays
Valley High School (near 'his home
in Orient, Ohio) know I race and that
I'm doing pretty well because the
school paper has had some articles on
me. I haven't had anyone ask me for
my aUlOgraph yet, but there are a few
girls who chase me down the hall at
school. "
Could it be because Don drives a
Porsche 924? "My dad and I bought
the Pc;nscl1e l,a~t1"i!,lIer ..11 ~as total,ed
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