Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Bubba Shobert picked up 16 points with his second place finish; marching towards a second Grand National Championship. third and Chad Felicia fourLb. The order held with the exception of Felicia suffering a flat rear tire on Lbe eighth of the 10 laps. Adams took over fourLb and held it to the finish. Day tried to go around on the outside o[ Hill in turn four, but Hill held his . ground for the [inal direct transfer. The second semi saw the second round of Pearson's miserable luck. The veteran grabbed the holeshot ahead of Mickey Fay and Charlie Orr with Jones holding fourth. That lasted until lap ix when Fay stuffed his way under Pear on in turn four, Pearson wem way high, got in the loose, rough stuff on the fence, almost crashed, and lost two positions. ] ones and Orr took advantage of Pearson's near-crash to finish second and third. Mickey Fay won the race. Last Chance Qualifier Pearson wasn't about to let anything stop him in the LCQ; he grabbed the holeshotand led going away. Orr held e and until lap six when he pulled up with mechanical problems. First Bill Herndon and then Winkie Frietas took over the runner-up spot as Pearson became the 15th and final rider in the National. Junior National Carrwa n'ttheonly first-time winner today as Junior Curtis Cannon (Champion FrameslH-D Motor Co.! Jim and Donna Wells/Simpsonl Mockbee) pulled off his first ational win. Cannon won the first heat race after a great baLlle with Bryan McDowell. After one red flag in the National, Cannon got off the line in fourth, but quickly moved through the pack unLiI he was on McDowell. He stayed behind the Junior point leader [or one lap and then shot into a lead he never relinquished. McDowell held on [or second with Bryan Villella taking third on his Woodl Rotax. National The one-of-a-kind Peoria IT got underway with Hames leading Graham, Carr and Eklund into turn one. Eklund quickly pounced on Carr over thejump, but Carr got it back in turn four. Carr then zapped Graham over the jump on the second lap and was oon all over Hames. hobert was behind Eklund in fifth place with Parker sixth, Green eventh and Springsteen eighth. Carr moved by Hames on the back straight during lap three. The fourth lap saw one of the numberous red flags of the day as Parker crashed hard in turn four. "I hit a hole and off I wem," Parker said later. A mad dash by tuner Bill Werner, and a et of new exhaust pipes later, and Parker was ready [or the restart. hoben took advantage of thedelay to remove his rear Goodyear and replace it with a 515 Carlisle. "They're pulling me real bad off this (turn [our) corner," Shobert said during the short break. The single-file restart had Carr still leading with Shobert immediately gelling around Eklund to take over fourth. Parker, meanwhile, was way back in 15th place. Shobert nailed Graham off the jump and took over third on lap six. An unlucky Cornwell stopped to get a gas cap after his fell off, and Chandler pulled to a sLOp in turn [our. Cornwell got going again on a rampage that saw him move up to as far as eighth b fore a cam belt broke off the jump on the last lap and relegated him back to 13th. Estep and Springsteen were arguing over seventh as Shobert started pressuring Hames. By the 12th lap, Carr held a 2.4 second cushion over the Hames/Shobert battle with Graham holding off Eklund for fourth. Meanwhile, Jones had gone down in turn [our. "The back end went out and I hit a rut and it pitched me off, Jones said. "If it (right shoulder) isn't broken, it's got a good charlie horse." Shobert made his move on Hames in turn one of the 17th lap, sliding under Estep and forcing his way inLO second place. The field started spreading out as Carr continued LO stretch a lead, even [rom the Grand National Champion, and Hames was well clear of the Graham/Ekl und duel; Eklund's bike was shaking wildly down Peoria's front straight. Meanwhile, Fay and Green were doing baLlle over sixth; Fay eventually got the beLler of the duel. Carr picked up the [rant wheel on his Wood/Rotax as he crossed the finish Ricky Graham (3) leads Steve Eklund (8) in the National; the two diced for most of the race with Graham finishing fourth and Eklund fifth. Carr celebrates his first-ever National win with runner-up Shobert (left), third place finisher Pete Hames (right) and Miss Camel, Unda Hellund. line [or his initial aLional win, stopped LO shake hands with a fan in turn [our and made his way back to the winner's circle. "I held Chris off all year," ShQbert said. "I knew it was going to come to an end, I just didn't know when. He rode great and he deserved every bit of it. He was just flat flying." Results 25-LAP NATIONAL: 1. Chris Carr (W-R); 2. Bubba Shobert (Han); 3. Pete Hames (Han); 4. Ricky Graham (Han); 5. Steve Eklund (Han); 6. Mickey Fay (Han); 7. Randy Green (Han); B. Jay Springsteen (H-D); 9. Scott Pearson (H-D); 10. Alex Jorgensen (W-R); 11. Scott Porker (H-D); 12. Terry Poovey (Han); 13. Jon Cornwell (Rtx); 14. Aaron Hill (W-R); 15. Ronnie Jones (Hont 16. Don Estep (Rtxl; 17. Ooug Chandlar (Hon~ I 10-LAP JUNIOR NATIONAL: 1. Curtis Connon (RlX); 2. Bryon McDowall (RlX); 3. Bryon Villella (W-R); 4. Jeff Jones; 5. Eric Graybeal; 6. Matt Yoho; 7. David Lamb; 8. James Hauptman; 9, William Newkirk; 10. Roben Foxoll; 11. Greg Logue; 12. Don Myers. AMA GRANO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, CAMELPROSERIES POINTSTANOINGS: 1. Bubba Shobert (209); 2. Chris Carr (169); 3. Scott Porker (152); 4. Doug Chandler (115); 5. Ricky Graham (9B); 6. (TIE) Ronnie Jonas/Peta Hames (77); 8. Ted Boody (75); 9. Stove Eklund (71); 10. Stava More· head (67); 11. Scott Pearson (55): 12. Rodney Farris (53); 13. Randy Goss (51); 14. (TIE) Jay Springsteen/Sammy Sweet (49); 16. Ale,Jorgensen (4B); 17. Hank Scott (47); 1B. Tom Maitland (32); 19. (TIE) Tim MertenslTarry Poovey (27). JUNIOR NATIONALPOINTSTANDINGS: 1. Bryan McDowell (214); 2. Bryon Villella (171); 3. Curtis Cannon (7B); 4. (TIE) Eric SassamanlTad Taylor (77); 6. Brian Bonesteel (57); 7. Eric Graybeal (55); B. (TIEl Frankie Garcia/Steve DuH (53); 10. Les Washbbn (SOl.

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