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Formula One
THE ANATOMY OF
(Continued from page 6)
Rainey, on the other hand. had run
his heat races on the same harder
MicheJins he'd use in the race. His
RS500 Formula One bike had a
Michelin 1530E radial slick; his
Superbike used a Michelin Il45C
bias belted. (Ballington and Renfmw
ran Dunlop 3.7517.50R-18 KRI33
radial slicks).
Which leh Schwantz with two
choices: A 726 slick with the same
profile as the 407 but a harder compound or an English-made low-profile Dunlop with a harder compound.
on a wider, 4.50-inch rear rim. Cutting through traHic in practice.
Schwantz liked the way the lowprofile tire allowed him to make
quick direction changes; but his Suzulei wobbled a little over bumps with
that tire.
Schwantz decided to try the lowprofile tire tire in the Formula One
main event, and Watanabe had his
mechanics adjust the bike's suspension to try to tune out the wobble.
Before the start. Schwantz said he
planned to run behind Rainey and
push him, to ride only as hard as he
had to. to conserve energy for the
Superbike race. to see what happened.
Watanabe told him to pull in if he
had to push too hard or was in danger
of wearing himself out; save yourself
for the Superbike race, Watanabe
told Schwantz.
Schwantz was gridded 14th, but
was second by the end of the first lap.
well behind Rainey but ahead of
Renfrow and Ballington. Renfrow
passed Schwantz; Schwantz passed
Renfrow back on the brakes into tum
II, a u-turn in front of the pits. Rainey was bumped back to third. and
Schwantz led.
Ballington was back in fourth place
ut still hanging onto the leaders,
ithin striking distance, looking very
mooth and controlled.
Schwantz pulled his advantage to
wo seconds on Renfrow, who had
nother two seconds on BaUington
ith Rainey another second back.,
iding conservatively. Schwantz was
unning 1:49s with Ballington turnng 1:51s and I:505 and Renfrow at
:50s. Renfrow dosed back up on
chwantz ~ith a I:49.23. a couple of
:50s and a I:49.03, the fastest lap of
he race. but Schwantz still had a onecorid lead to spare.
And just like that Schwaotz was
ulling into the pits, on the ninth
ap; his Suzuki's engine stumbled,
tuttered; the Yoshimura mechanics
ould later speculate that the gas
ank vent had stuck, causing fuel
tarva tion. The mechanics started the
ike in the pits aher checking for gas
nd spark, and were mystified as to
he problem. More serious for
hwantz, it would tum out later.
as the fact that he never pushed
own to I :48s on the low-profile rear
lick, and that, based on the tire's perormance in the Formula One race,
ould decide to run the same tire in
he Superbike final. But more on that
lsewhere.
.
Meanwhile. Rainey went froni third
o first in turn 1I, on the brakes; then
allington made his move. hitting
he 1:49s on the II th lap. suddenly
oving in front; Rainey charged and
ook it back, but Rainey's race was
bout to run its course. As Rainey
ccelerated 0[£ corners, his bike's rear
uspension compressed and unloaded
s the tire stepped sideways; Rainey
tarted looking a little frazzled, grimly
nging on, not looking smooth at
11 as his bike jumped and pogoedorr
he turns. Rainey lost ground here
nd there, and wobbled where the
thers didn't..
(Contintud to page 27)
·ROAD RACING
•
AtII4
• • • CT • • • • •
THE NISSAN 200
July 12 and 13, 1986
Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA
ACamel Pro Series National Championship • The Bell Superbike Oassie On Saturday
THE MEN:
THE MACHINES:
sulo, Laguna Seta Rocewoy is 0 riden'
courw. The proximity of me crowd. ond
ils size. 10 me 1.9·mile layout gives I!le
riden and fans me feeling of 0 European
!elting. The lIVen left and two righl turns,
coupled wim rolling hills. offer 0 lJue
challenge forme ride~ ond incredible ex·
dlemenl lor me spedalo~ .
The . . 2GO 1m .... I1Ie sIIowmse The FomUa One IlIlIlhines featured in IiIe
far the lIIIIIIIt5 of boIh the besI •
in Nissan 200 me 350 pounds of fury.
the Unilld Sllll5111l1 the besI Anwimns tapaiJIe of speeds of 140 miles per hour
lIIIIIPIIinI it E . . IIIlI WlIlqII(l 1986 hen and pIOdUling horsepower of SIKh
.
II be • "'-'t. P1IIt -.Is have ... IlIlIgIIiIUde mal brvlol occeleralion ond
iijipeiiiWUS by limy Imts. RIIIlIy
spine-dliling w!IeeIies. even 011 me top of
..... FIIlIIII
E'" lawson. the world famous down hiN "corlcscrew."
Waynelainey
IGIdwiIIIIlIIDlY beawne commonploce 011 oround !he dr_. To the _. they .1he dIaIenge cui! and oR me way from green 10 The NilSOn 200 at Laguna Seto Raceway
" 1he I.- 5em Omlil. And the lIII1l- dIecbred flag.
is rated by many as me premier molor·
cyde road IlXI in me Uniled Slales 10·
pelilion belwwn has beawne
1egeNIwy.
Situated on IiIe beautiful Monterey Penin· day. You should be making your plans
THE EVENT:
THE CIRCUIT:
now to attend me Nisson 200 July 12
and 13. 1986. The 3rd 8ell Superbike
OOlSie will be featured Saturdoy. Don'I
forgel me fun of comping 01 Ihe dltuil.
or pamper yourwlf by sloying at one of
me mony fine hotels, motels and in~s on
me Monterey Peninsulo. '
INFO:
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