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/126785
Rodney Smith (34), Scott Burnworth (B) and Bader Manneh lead the pack at the start of the 126cc fourth qualifier. Burnworth won. Nobody could stop Yamaha's Broc Glover in the 125 or 250Cc classes -not even the "Bomber" Mark Barnett. Glover went four for four. 'I Suzuki/lnsnort Arenacross Glover doubles in San Diego By Kit Pa!mer SAN DIEGO, CA, AUG. 25 Yamaha's Broc Glover swept both the 125 and 250cc classes in the Suzuki-sponsored, Insport-sanctioned Arenacross at the San Diego Sports Arena in front of 9700 spectators. "It really feels great to win in front of my home town," said a somewhat battered-looking Glover - his chin heavily bandaged. 14 The day before the race, Glover crashed hard while practicing on his 125. "It's been a long time since I've ridden a 125," said Glover. "While r was out practicing, I endoed and smashed my face on the handlebars and hurt my back and ribs. r didn't feel much like gettingoutofbed this morning. I give Jeff Spencer a lot of credit for getting me back in shape for this race." This first-ever Arenacross is very similar to Supercross racing, but the track is much shorter in length about 30.secQnd lap times - and the layout is very compact; utilizing the infield of the stadium, unlike larger Supercross events. Arenacross consists of both I25cc and 25Occclasses, using almost the same Supercross racing format. The top two riders during the qualifiers went directly to the main, while third- through seventh-place riders transferred to the semis, where only the winners transferred to the final. The riders who finished second through sixth in the semis went to the Last Chance Qualifier. 126cc qualifiers The first 125cc qualifier featured Glover on a box-stock YZ125. He didn't have much trouble grabbing the holeshot with it, while Yamahamou,n.ted Mark Filler, Honda rider Russ Wageman (above left) won the fourth 260Cc qualifier and finished third in the main. Burnworth (above right) hed a 3-6 night. Brian Manley and Kawasaki pilot Tim Aston pursued. Glover easily ran away as the eight-lap race progressed. Manley had control of the number-two spot by the second lap, while Aston and Honda rider Guy Cooper chased Manley closely. The battle for second wa tight and became even tighter when Kawasaki rider Taylor Marcel got in on the action. With one lap to go Aston fell, giving Cooper third; but during the final lap, Marcel passed Cooper. At the fini h, it wa Glover, Manley, Marcel and Cooper. Suzuki's Mark Barnett, on a stock RM 125, was the favorite to win the second 125cc qualifier, and he quickly jumped to an early lead. Trying to keep Barnett in sight were Cagiva's Ron Turner, Honda-mounted Warren Lewis and Honda's Larry Brooks. As Barnell cruised way out in front, Brooks was the one to watch. During the first lap, Brooks jammed past Lewis and set after Turner. The very aggressive Honda rider then reeled in Turner and the two dueled for the next five laps. It wasn't until the firtal lap when Brooks made a move that stuck. Brooks dove inside Turner in a tight left turn and stuffed the Cagiva pilot. Barnett won the moto effortlessly ahead of Brooks, Turner, Lewis and Billy Frank. The third qualifier was all Yamaha Support rider Mike Beier's. Beier stole the holeshot ahead of Russ Wageman, on a loaned Kawasaki, Suzuki rider Doug O'Donnell and Yamaha rider Mark Decker. For the remainder of the race, the top four riders became fairly spread apart. They finished in the same order. Suzuki's SCOll Burnworth captured the holeshot for the final I25cc qualifier over Yamaha rider Rodqey Smith. Kawasaki's Bader Manneh and Suzuki-mounted Gary Denton. Smith stayed close to Burnworth until the second lap, when Smith got outof shape before the double jumps. Smith single jumped them which gave Burnworth enough of an edge to gain about four seconds on Smith, who enjoyed a safe advantage over a Manneh/Denton duel for third. Denton passed Manneh during the second lap but was repassed four laps later. Burnworth won the moto ahead of mith, Manneh, Denton and John Conney. 250cc qualifiers The first 250ccqualifier was oneof the most exciting of the evening. Glover began with the holeshot over Honda rider Don Turk. Two turns later, Turk went wacko through the studder bumps trying to pass Glover. His legs were flailing, and his bike was swapping madly, but he almost did it. However, Glover slammed the door shot to retain the lead, then Honda rider Todd Peterson slipped by Turk. While Glover was way out in front, Peterson had control of second until two laps from the finish. Peterson overshot a tum, and his bike flipped into the path of Doug O'Donnell on another portion of the track. O'Donnell plowed into Peterson's bike and cartwheeled down the straight. Minus a helmet visor, O'Donnell survived the crash and finished. Glover took his second win of the night ahead of Honda rider Billy Frank, Turk and Honda-mounted Pete Murray. Peterson had to settle for seventh. Smith claimed the win in the second 250cc qualifier after leading from start to finish without a hitch. Suzuki S\lpporl rider Gary Bowman spent