Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Broe Glover won three-straight 125ee National Championships. finally had somebody besides Rahier on top. The new hamp, Akira Watanabe, became the first Japanese (or non-European) to win a World Motocross crown. American e[forts in worlC! competition were quite productive. Brad Lackey posted two Grand Prix wins to finish econd in the 500cc class. Broc Glover won both motos of the 125cc USGP to become the second American to win a 125cc Grand Prix. Marty Tripes won the 250cc USGP to become the second American to win a 250cc GP. Theaddi tion of an AmeriQln Grand Prix to the 2~Occ schedule in 1978 gave the U.. the distinction of being the only country with races in all three classes. The U.S. almo t won the Motocross des ations in West Germany. Bob Hannah and Chuck Sun with two seconds, a fifth and an eighth turned in the best two-man national effort. But an injury to Rick Burgett and Tommy Croft's bike problems dropped the placing to fourth. Rex Staten replaced Burgett a week later in Belgium for the Trophee des Nations. The U.S. finished fifth. National racing saw a switch to a one-class declaration system similar to that used in FIM racing. Previously a rider could tackle two or all three classes. Broc Glover retained his 125cc title while Rick Burgett won the 500cc class. Bob Hannah won both the 250cc c1as and the Supercross Series and also became the first American to win the Trans-AMA Series. These efforts ena bled Yamaha to boast of all five major motocross titles in 1978. Hannah's efforts included winnin~ 14 straight events, eight 250cc Nauonals and six Supercross contests. Andy by winni-ng the first 10 motos in 250cc National racing plus qualifying heats and main features in six stadium events fashioned a string of 22 consecutive moto victories. Nineteen seventy-nine saw Broc Glover win his third straight 125cc National Championship with Bob Hannah notching his second straight 250cc title. Hannah also won his second straight Supercross Championship. A broken leg, suffered in a water skiing accident, ended Hannah's racing for more than six months. Danny LaPorte LOok the 500cc championship despite Mike Bell's wins in the final three events. The autumn Trans-AMA Series saw a name change in 1979. Kent Howerton claimed the first TransUSA championship. MOTORCYCLE ATVEXPO Catch an up-close look at a-II tbe 1987 product lines! • Hundreds of motorcycles, ATVs, accessories & apparel • Free rider education seminars • Tour Country product display and demonstrations sponsored by Rider Magazine & Rider Motorcycle Touring Club • Cycle World Collector Series display of antique and classic motorcycles see it all in one place! Houston Astro8ren8 February 6-8 Friday, February6 4-f

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