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/126796
was joking. When he didn't, I called him, because I realized he was telling the truth. I had a lot of trouble sleeping that night." ••• Shobert, 76 points behind Graham when he returned to action at the Cicero Mile, had narrowed the gap to 19 with his Mid-Ohio victory after a string of two wins and six second places on the dirt, coupled with his victory at Mid-Ohio and a 12th and a DNF on the pavement. "I always knew I had a shot at the title," said Shobert. "I never gave up. I wanted to show everyone that what happened (the suspension) wasn't going to bother me and that's what I did. Everything fell into place. Everybody kept telling me I was on a roll and I guess I was:' OTORCYCL ANDATV EXPO ••• Shobert's win in the Sacramento Mile kept Graham from clinching the title. Graham's second-place finish left the two 15 points apart as they headed to the final showdown at Springfield. However, the showdown didn't materialize because the race was rained out and each had twO weeks to think about things. Both spentlhe time relaxing. Graham I ikes to play golf and that's exactly what he did. There are plenty of cour es near his easide, California, home and Graham, a pretty fair player, spent plenty of time playing. Shobert, on the other hand, likes to take advantage of the open spaces around his Lubbock, Texas, home and went prairie chicken hunting with close friend and former-dirttracker-turned-GP-road racer Wayne Rainey. "We had a heck of a good time," said Shobert about the week's hunting while omitting whether either one had actually seen or shot what they were after. For the 25-year-old Graham the two week delay was "no big thing. I don't think having an extra two weeks bothered meany," said Graham. "The experience of being in the title hunt right to the end in the past two seasons and winning the championship once at least gives you an idea of what the pressure is like and how to cope with it." "I enjoyed having the extra time," said Shobert. "I didn't really plan any race trategy because there was really only one thing for me to do and that was win." ••• "Team orders? Sure, I gave them team orders. I told both Ricky and Bubba to be here on time." The speaker was Gene Romero, manager of Honda's dirt track team, 111 the w1l1dswept Honda pit area before the Springfield National. "I've raced on teams where everyone was 'equal' until the chips were down and then things were different. Here, there's no favoritism and it's the same at the final race of the season as it was in the first - may the best rider win." Romero was instrumental in getting both Graham and Shobert to sign two-year contracts with Honda. He knew potential when he saw it and was confident enough of both riders to tell his superiors that if he couldn't deliver number one with the riders, equipment and crew he had then they could have his job. It wasn't an idle boast. "My personal feelings at the beginning of the season were that it would be a long year, but with the three riders we had - including Doug Chandler, who rides for Honda but outside factory effort - we were going to do well. I figured we would have one rider vying for the title and theothertwo making life hard on the top three." (Conlinued to page 43) - - "The largest public motorcycle show in the U.S." This year's show-goers will get an up-close look at all the 1985 touring, street and dirt motorcycles, as well as ATVs, accessories and apparel. Do your Christmas shopping and enjoy the special demonstrations, shows and celebrity appearances all in one place - the Motorcycle & ATV Expo in Anaheim. November 16-18 Anaheim Convention Center Roman'ick and Mike Brown • Patricia McPherson of NBC's Knight Rider • Playboy Playmate of the Year appearances '~~ r-------------------------------, I I I I I LI • Meet Bob Hannah and Donny Hansen • see Bob Haro', & BMA Action's Trick Riding Teems • Special.appearances by Iulgels Geoff zahn, Ron ."0 I I .I I • Friday, 5 PM-10 PM Saturday, NOON-10 PM Sunday, NOON-6 PM $1.00 OFF COUPON I Bring this coupon to the Anaheim Motorcycle & ATV EXPC?1"0vember 16-18, and you'll receive $1.00 off " . genera I ad miSSion pnce. Only one coupon per person I I I I I I I JI • Exotic & Record-Breaking Bike Displays • Kawasaki "Bayou" 4-Wheeler Giveaway • Discount coupons available at local Nissanl Datsun and motorcycle dealerships Produced by Hester Communications, Inc. /Iil(:Eft;x$?z=l? fOor. information, call .7·14/25(}.8060. -- --- ~-'11= -~-- Thursday, November 29 - 7:30 PM P.S.T. Friday. November 30 - 5:30 PM P.S.T. (Repeat) Monday, December 3· 11 :30 PM P.S.T. (Rapeat) New Show Thursday, December 20 - 7:30 PM P.S.T. Friday, December 21 - 5:30 PM P.S.T. (Repeat) Monday, Dacember 24 . 11 :30 PM P.S.T. (Repeat) Consult Your Local Ustings Brought to you by ... HONDA •