Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Hannah was all smiles after cleaning up in the 250cc class. Jo Jo Keller (34) leads Shane Drew (87). Steve Desidero (412) and lance Eubank (104) in the Open class. The 250cc class gets underway with Suzuki's Bob Hannah (43) leading Ross Pederson (25) and Keith Bowen'(6); Hannah took the overall. Florida Winter AM MX Series: Round 4 Tichenor, Hannah, KeUeraeanupafCroom By Mike and Anne Adair BROOKSVILLE, FL, JAN. 17 & 18 Suzuki teammates Ronnie Tichenor and Bob Hannah and Kawasaki's Jo Jo Keller cleaned up in the Pro classes at Croom Motocross Raceway. The I25cc class winner Tichenor spoke of his day's effort, "All I wanted to do was stay ahead of Fred (Andrews) and maintain the point lead. I didn't want to push too hard and blow it, but the overall win was a nice bonus [or me." Hannah, after devastating the 250cc field, said, "I was lucky to win here. I've had the Florida bug for a couple of days and didn't think I would ride well at this round. I'm sure (Keith) Bowen would have been right in there today, but his bike broke again. He's a good rider. We ought to get him on a Suzuki." Team Yarrtaha's Jeff Stanton rejoined the circuit, after a successful knee surgery just two weeks ago, to give Bowen a hand in an attempt to break Hannah's 250cc class domination. "The knee feels great," said Stanton., "but I caught a virus this week, and felt terrible." Keller revenged his loss to Billy Liles at Dade City by scoring an Open class sweep. "I was going after Hannah on the 250 too," he said with a smile, "but my engine lost water, blew a head gasket, and seized." The Yamaha sponsored, WorldSport promoted event featured the best weather of the series, as the much sought after "Florida" sun warmed spectators rimming the track in shorts and t-shirts. It may have been even a little too warm for the throng of riders nursing colds. Among the ranks of the highly competitive 125cc class, Tichenor, Andrews and Guy Cooper were within a three-point spread. In moto one, Honda/Malcolm Smith/Scott/Bel Ray-sponsored Cooper paced Keith Turpin, Jeff Frisz and Andrews. Vince Devane, Carron Richardson, Kenny Boll meier and Tichenor made up the second wave. Bollmeier rolled quickly through the front runners, knocked off Andrews for second spot, and took aim on .Cooper's rear fender. Bollmeier and his Hallman/Maxima/Bellbacked Support Yamaha breezed by Cooper on lap six and went on to win, barely bothered by a flat tire over the final three laps. Bollmeier said, "I changed my training routine and injury free I was able to stick to it this week." Tichenor, showing remarkable patience and poise for a young pro, picked his way past Andrews and Coope.r for a second place finish. Tichenor explained his strategy, "Boll meier is way back in the points race, but I knew [had to get by Fred to stay on top." Cooper admitted later, "I fell too much Ollt there to win today." Carroll Richardson burned the field in the second start with Cooper, Andrews, Brian McElroy, DeVane and Tichenor in the hunt. Bollmeier stacked up early, but roosted his way from last to sixth by moto's end. Andrews and Cooper bumped Richardson and then swapped the lead for several laps until Tichenor joined the fray. Andrews said, "Guy and I burned ourselves out just trying to beat each other." Tichenor got by Cooper then, on lap eight, wedged inside Andrews in a deep left hairpin to take the win. With one lap to go, Cooper repassed Andrews to take second overall. SuzukilMX Fox/Scott-backed Tichenor said, "I tried a Dunlop K990 today. It has a wider profile and seemed to pull away from those guys in the sand. " Those in the crowd who came to watch Bob Hannah in 250cc action weren't disappointed. The Hurricane and his Randy Bruining-wrenched, HRP/Wiseco/Answer/Smith-backed Suzuki churned off the concrete starting pad, with Ross Pederson, Keller, David Paquette, Stanton and Bowen all in hot pursuit. Bowen, charging hard, moved up quickly, taking over second from Pederson before the scorer's table. This, however., was not to be a good day for the Yamaha pilot. As Bowen started a run on Hannah, his bike died. Bowen said later, "It was the transmission today. Bob and I really want to beat each other and it seems something always happens." Keller stormed by Pederson and was taking aim on Hannah when his Kawasaki bought it. Pederson, Stanton, John Reinholt, Joe Waddington and Mark Murphy were all out of range and Hannah rolled on to the checkered flag and win. Hannah said, "It would have been different if those guys had stayed together, let's getJo Jo a Suzuki too." Moto two saw Hannah sliding wide on the start jump with Kawasakimounted Dennis Hawthorne holding the lead in one turn. Hannah moved up with ease, taking the lead and eventual win. Pederson was the only rider to keep Hannah in sight and the Canadian took second overall. Yamaha of Canada/Answer/Silkolene/Garne-sponsored Pederson said, "It makes me happy to finish second to Bob. He has five years on me. I'm still learning and have a lot to look forward to. Hannah joked, "Yeah, so [use one and a half bottles of Geritol a day. It's expensive, but it works."

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