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/126912
~1;·~-r-.,. r--~rrr~~~rrrrrr y Superblke (Continued from page 7) The race was red-flagged on the next lap when Gray went down in turn nine. Officials said Gray's Suzuki was smoking heavily as he went into the carousel, just before he took his trip into the haybales. Gray's bike reportedly had leaked oil onto his rear tire from a hole in an engine case that Gray had been scraping on the asphalt all afternoon. Gray was taken to Sonoma Valley Hospital with a broken ankle and a broken forearm, and was scheduled for surgery to pin the ankle Monday afternoon. During the red flag intermission, which lasted 37 minutes, pit activity was frantie as several crews changed rear tires on their riders' motorcycles. Riders electing to go with new rubber included Shobert, Merkel, Rainey and Schwantz; Schwantz changed rear wheel size and made a new tire choice, changing from a low-profile Dunlop slick on a 4.50-inch rim to a taller-profile 726 on a 4.0-inch rim. Rainey powered off the line on the restart, followed by Kocinski, Shobert, Merkel and Schwantz. By the end of the lap, Rainey was out front, Kocinski was holding off a hardcharging Schwantz, Merkel was running fourth and Shobert had dropped to fifth. Rainey and Schwanu were pUlling on quite a show by the 15th lap, with Schwanu continually pressuring Rainey for the top position, while Merkel watched from his distant third place slol. On one lap, Schwantz passed Rainey entering turn seven, Rainey passed Schwantz exiting turn seven, the riders actually making upper body contact in both passes. On the official lap 15 scoresheets, however, the order read Merkel, Kocinski, Shobert, Toland, Lance, Goodfellow, Ashmead, and Lance Jones (Super Team). Jones apparently hit the brakes too hard going into turn three on lap 16, and was hit from behind by Texan Meril Moen, riding for Kosar Racing. Both bikes went down, but neither rider was injured seriously. Rainey and Schwantz continued their show five laps from the end of the race, while Merkel was putting distance between him and secondrunning Shobert. Lance had fought his way into third, followed by Toland, Ashmead (sponsored by Michelin/ND/Fox/Bates), Goodfellow, Oregon's Keith Pinkstaff, transplanted Englishman Nigel Gale, California's Richard Arnaiz, and fellow Californian Carry Andrew. Lillie had changed by the time the checkered flag fell. Schwantz cruised on the last few laps, letting Rainey go. Rainey and Schwantz finished - the scoring race one lap down, while Merkel won the Superbike National ~ith a 31.38 second margin over Shobert. Lance - whether he believed it or not - crossed the line in third place. Officially, Rainey finished the race in 16th position, and Schwantz crossed the finish line in 19th place.• Results SUPERBIKE FINAl (Results under eppeel): 1. Fred Merkel (Hon~ 2. Bubbe Shobert (Hon); 3. Otti. lJonce (Yem): 4. DoUII Tolend (Suzl; 5. John Ashmead (Hon~; 6. Gary Goodfellow; 7. Richard Arnaiz (yeml; B. Keith P1nksteff ISuz); 9. Nigel Gele (Yeml; , 10. Jeff Stern; 11. CerryAndrew(Hon); 12. Dougle. Renfrow (Suz); 13. Gery Gibson (Yem); 14. Jeme. ,Jep.en (Yem); 15. Don Bieve (Yem); 16. Weyne Reiney(Hon); 17. Edwin Woo (Hon); 18. Devid Herria' (Suz): 19. Kevin Schwantz; 20, Frank Mazur (Hon); 21. LarryShom; 22. Tom Heyner(Yem); 23. Ale. White; 24. Joe Devi.1I1 (Suz); 25. Kerry Bryent (Suz); 26. John Kocinski IYem); 27. Kevin Monehen (Yeml; 28. Lance Jones (Yem); 29. Meril Moen (Yem); 30. Scott Grey (Suz). CAMEL PRO SUPERBIKE ROAD RACING SERIES POINT STANDINGS (Unofficiel. pending eppeal): I. Fred Merker (33); 2. John Ashmeed (17); 3. (TIE) Kevin Schwentz/Bubbe Shoben(l6); 5. Otti. lInce (13); 6. (TIE) Wayne Reiney/Doug Tolend (I I); 8. day Springsteen (10); 9. (TIE) Reuben McMunerl Gery Goodfellow (91; I 1. Rich Arn.;z (8); 12. Keith Pinksteff (7); 13. Nigel Gele 16); 14. D.n Welker 1Jeff Slern (5); 16. Jim Filice/Cerry Andrew (4); 18. Dougle. Renfrow 3; 19. Ricky Orlendo (21; 20. Gery Gibo:on 2. -ij ~ iiii VFR75 8 B .~ Available For Immediate Delivery From 'I~_~~- o DA EST 13521 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33613 813/968-7888 Kerker has won more races, on more tracks. than any aftermarket system. Ask Grand National Champion Bubba Shobert, he'll tell you. "There is no substitute lor horse- power. That's why there's nothing beller than a Kerker:' The Look '" Puwer. tile Sound of Speed. CInoga Park, California For a catalog and ordering information, caU Kerker at 818-999-3060 WELCOME TO THE DESERT. Sport Tracks Company Introduces A Tousher Off-Road TIre. The 8-Ply GS-780. Most dirt bikes come equipped with general purpose 4-ply tires that are "OK" for play riding until they wear out. But. riding in the desert is different. Our riders (Charlie Morris. Mike Sixbery, JoAnna Brownell. Duane Summers. and many others) demand more than just "OK". Winning in the desert means finishing. The new GS-780 is now available in 6-ply and 8-ply thickness. providing real protection against flats caused by rocks, cactus and abuse. Available now at your dealer. SIZES 5.50x18 8-Ply (Hard) 5.50x18 8-Ply (Soft) 5.50x18 6-Ply (Hard) 5.50x18 6-Ply (Soft) DEALERS 12775 fcIothill ~~~ Srl-r, CA ---I- .29