Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Cycle News 1986 07 23

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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Johnson chases 500cc winner David Bailey. I Kawasaki's Jeff Ward finished with race as he was awarded £lowers, a stained-glass clock (made by his mother Darleen) and champagne. "I was saving a little in case 1 had to wick it up, but I'm glad 1 didn't have to battle with Rick late in the race. Who knows, if this was Rick's track the race might have been different, but today is my day." "I rode as hard as 1 could to push David, but when you race someone as outstanding as he is, it's hard to beat him in his own back yard," said Johnson. "He didn't choke under pressure, and that's the sign of a real champion." Johnson's comments drew a roar of applau e from the large crowd that remained for the winner's circle activities, in tribute to David's performance, and to Rick's sportsmanship after the race. "You don't want to crash on a 500 in this type of heat," said Ward. "I took a couple of really fast laps early in the race, and when I didn't catch the leaders I ettled into a pace. I just wasn't up to their speed today." lowed by Holland in sixth. Yamaha's Bowen, Kawasaki rider Tyson Vohland, Kehoe and Kawasaki's Eddie Warren finished in the top 10. Twelve of the 40 riders in the moto posted a DNF, attesting to the severe conditions. It was Holland all the way in mota two. George jumped off the forwardfall start gate and pounced on the lead through the first turn, setting' the pace for Kawasaki pilot Carlo Coen, Dymond, Honda's Larry Brooks (whoD F moto one), Kawasaki rider Donny Schmit, Kehoe, Ryan and Surratt. A first turn crash took down a number of riders, and the fall was enough to put Warren out of contention. The factory Kawasaki rider was dazed and packed it in just a few hundred yards from the start line. Dymond and Brooks moved past Coen for the 2-3 spots, which looked to put Dymond in contention for the overall, coupled with his strong secondplace finish in motoone. Dymond's shot at the overall went away when he started to slow and then pulled off the track in the mechanic's area. "Micky was dizzy and numb, and couldn't even feel the handlebars," said Honda team coordinator Dave Arnold. "I asked him if he could keep riding, and he didn't even comprehend what I was saying. Then 1 knew it was time for him to head to the pits." Ryan pushed inside of Schmit for fourth, and then got past Coen for third, making him the next man in line for the overall. Ryan who is sponsored by road racer Randy Mamola, stayed in control despite the temperatures and moved past Brooks to second, but then his day too was over. "It seized," was all Ryan had to say as he slowly walked hack to the pits. AMA scorers juxtaposed their scorecards as riders dropped out, and it was soon evident that Holland's 6-1 was going to give him the day's win. George stayed on a peppy pace to the finish, hawing little signs of fatigue. Surratt moved to second by the finish. When the points were added to hi first moto II th, he was a surprised rider claiming second overall. Rounding out the top spots in the moto were Schmit, Brooks, Whiting, Yamaha rider Doug Dubach, Burnworth and Cooper. "I got a big lead and just started cruisin'," said Holland after the race. "We put a lot of work into my Suzuki, and we're ready to start winning again. The first moto I crashed and got tired, but the second time out I stayed smooth. 1 want. to thank the Baileys for this great race. There was no dust the entire second moto, and this is the only track in the nation that's been like that." 125cc Jeff Glass put his Honda into the lead off the start of the first l25cc moto, with Honda-mounted Guy Cooper, Yamaha rider Badder Manneh and Honda support rider Willie Surratt in line. Keith Bowen and Erik Kehoe tangled and fell in a downhill turn on lap one - Bowen's handlebar ended up in Kehoe's back wheel, putting the pair back in the pack once they restarted. Series points leader Micky Dymond came up with a poor start and was running out of the top 10. Glass succumbed to early race pressureand Cooper took over the point, chased by Manneh, Surratt, Kawasaki rider Rick Ryan, Holland, Kawasaki's Ronnie Tichenor and Dymond. Suzuki factory rider A.J. Whiting suffered mechanical troubles on his RM and was forced out of the race. Cooper moved to a comfortable lead by lap three, the same lap that wrote DNF on Tichenor's day. Ronnie altered his line on the rough whoops Gary Bailey had created down the frorit straight, and got off hard. After regaining his senses he was escorted from the track with a bruised back. Near midrace Cooper had an eightsecond. lead on Surratt, but Willie began to lose his battle with the heat. Manneh, Holland, Dymond and Ryan were in the 3-4-5-6 spots and closing. Dymond stayed fl uid on his Honda and carved his way to second. Ryan worked into third, with Yamaha's Scott Burnworth overcoming a slow start to move into fourth. Australian transplant Jeff Leisk looked strong in the heat and came up to fifth, fol- two threes for third. Competing in his hometown of Axton, Virginia, Bailey (6) leads Johnson to a 1·1 clean sweep. Bailey leads Johnson by five points in the series. George Holland flies his Suzuki to the 125cc win over Guy Cooper and Willie Surratt. Holland is fourth in points; 36 behind leader Micky Dymond. "This is my first year on the ational circuit and 1 haven't finished many matos," aid Surratt. "In the first moto the humidity got to me, but the second timeout I relaxed. My new mechanic John Clark had a lot to do with today, butl wasn't expecting this finish, not at all!" "I was in Australia a couple of weeks ago and gota cold, and I haven't been able to train," said third overall Cooper. "It really showed in this heat. I need to get back on schedule real quick." • Results 500cc NATIONAL; 1, David Bailey (Han) 1-1; 2. Rick Johnson (Han) 2-2; 3. Jeff Ward (Kaw) 3-3; 4. Alan King (Kaw) 7-4; 5. Johnny O'Mara(Honi 5-6; 6. Ron Lochien (Kaw) 4-9; 7. Danny Storbeck (Yam) 6-B; 8. Billy Ules (kaw) 12-5; 9. Eric Eaton (Yam! 10-7; 10. Tom Carson (Han) 9-11; 11. Jim Holley (Yam)8-12; 12. Mark Murphy(Vam! 11·10; 13. Jeff Hicks (Han) 15-13; 14. Dennis Hawthorne (Kaw) 14-14; 15. Billy Frank (Vam) 13-DNS; 16. Trampas Parker (Kaw) 19-16; 17. Joe Waddington (Honl 2115; 1B. Alley Semar (Vam) 16-DNF; 19. David McLean (Han) 35-17; 20. Kurt McMillen (Han) 17-29. 125cc NATIONAL: 1. George Holland (Sull 6-1; 2. Guy Cooper (Han) l-B; 3. Willie Surratt (Han) 11·2; 4. Scott Burnworth (Vam) 4-7; 5. Donny Schmit (Kaw) 16-3; 6. Tyson Vohland (Kawl B-9; 7. Keith Bowen (Vam) 7-11; B. Micky Dymond (Han) 2-DNF; 9. Jeff Leisk(Hon) 5-17; 10. Rick Ryan(Kaw) 3-DNF; 11. Larry Brooks (Han) DNF-4; 12. A.J. Whiting (Sull DNF-5; 13. Doug Dubach (Vaml DNF6; 14. Bader Manneh (Vam) 14-13; 15. Brian Myerscough (Vam) 12-1 B; 16. Eric Kehoe (SUl) 9DNF; 17. Ron Tichenor (Kaw) DNF-l 0; 1B. Eddie Warren (Kaw) 10-DNF; 19. Keith Turpin IHoni DNF12; 20. Mike Healey (SUl) 13-DNF. 125 POINTS STANDINGS; 1. Micky Dymond (276); 2. Keith Bowen (249); 3. George Holland (240); 4. Erik Kehoe (236); 5. A.J. Whiting (176); 6. Larry Brooks (164); 7. (TIE) Scott Burnworth/Guy Cooper (161 I; 9. Rick Ryan (146); 10. Tyson Vohland (137); POINT STANDINGS 500: 1. David Bailey (92); 2. .Rick Johnson (87); 3. Jeff Ward (78); 4. Johnny O'Mara (69); 5. Ron Lachien (68); 6. Alan King (60); 7. Danny Storbeck (58); 8. Billy Ulas (50); 9. (TIE) Tom Carson/Mark Murphy (440. 7

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