Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126950
Rick Johnson (1, above) grabs the holeshot at the start of the second 250cc moto and led from start to finish. Keith Bowen (6), Jeff Ward (3) and Mark Murphy (21) cha•. Second overall finisher, Bowen (6, below), leads Kawasaki's Ron Lechien, Who took third. , AMA 125/250Cc National Championship MX series: Rounds 111 . Johnson, Hollandtop Gatorback opener By Tom Mueller GAINESVILLE, FL, MAR. I "I want to be the best motorcycle racer who ever lived!" exclaimed Honda's Rick Johnson after his I-I clean sweep at the 1987 National motocross season opener at Gatorback Cycle Park. "You have to have goals and know what you want out . . of lIfe, and I want to be the best." Johnson, who won the 250cc class, shared the winner's circle witb 125cc winner George Holland, the Suzuki factory rider wbo also won the I25cc class, at G3:torback. last ye3:r. H?Iland s 2-2 did the lrlck, putting hIm ahead of moto winners Rick Ryan and Larry Brooks, who posted less competitive finishes in tbeir other races. The key word for the day was "wet," as monsoon-type rains moved into the Gainesville area Sunday morning. Gatorback was drenched and flooded in low areas when the rain subsided by late morning. Practice went off on scheduk with riders bunting for tractionable lines around the course, which was laid outin an old granite quarry. Some of the water was running off in high areas, while in other spots there was no clean route througb. AMA referee Freddie Ephrem had course workers revamp the first turn before the first moto, moving tires to make a wider area. Ephrem also c1oseIy monitored the start gate area, as many riders and mechanics were digging in and around the slop to make for an advantageous getaway. "We'll be watching you today," said Ephrem to all riders. "Anyone who tries to jump over the start gate or ride on tbe sides of the track will be penalized a lap." As in recent years, the National Championship MX Series will consist of 12 events, six of them 250 and six on 500ccmachines. The 125ccNational class will run at all 12 races. The Dunlop/Spectro/Scott sponsored event at Gainesville drew a big crowd of over 8000 spectators. 250cc National Yamaha's Keith Bowen found the right combination of clutch and throttle to lead the pack off the line in tbe season's first National start. He hooked up on the inside into the lefthander and made his way out front followed by Yamaha rider Brian Manley, Kawasaki-mounted Mickey Kessler and Johnson. Broc Glover was telling friends that be thought his luck would change at Gainesville, but it wasn't to be. G lover got his factory Yamaha snarled up in the first turn, and was forced to start the race last. Johrtson gained his composure and within three laps, he had pulled within sight of Bowen. Kessler fell a bit 0(£ the pace, and as the pack began to string out, one could see Ron Lechien on the move. Kawasaki team- sters Lechien and Jeff Ward were coming up through traffic, working into the pace of the front-runners. Bowen was on tbe gas. Despite pressure from Johnson, Bowen stayed on consistent lines to hold the lead. The Yamaha rider finally bobbled and went into a swapper coming out of the gravel pit section of the course. At that point Johnson cut an inside line and used a jump to catapult past Bowen for the lead. Near tbe halfway point, it was Johnson leading Bowen, then followed Lechien, Manley, Yamaha rider Jeff Stanton, Ward and Billy Frank on a Yamaha. Ward, riding in spite of a cracked bone in his ankle, was staying on the pace. Suzuki's Johnny O'Mara had been riding at midpack, trying to save what was left of his damaged left knee. "I don't even know why I was riding," said O'Mara after packing it in for the day. ''I'm getting my knee scoped early next week and the doctors will see what tbey can do to get me back on track." While Johnson pulled into a comfortable lead, Lecbien closed the gap on Bowen. Stanton was alone in fourth after Manley dropped back with problems. Ward was fifth. Near the end of the race Johnson had a dose call with some lapped riders, and lost his visor in the sbuffle. "I didn't know the thing was missing, or I probably would have held my hand up there," said Johnson. "I bet I looked like a geek with that thing missing. Visor or not, Johnson rode like a rocket to the finish. Lechien grabbed second when he jammed inside of Bowen just past the announcer's tower into the pit. Stanton and Ward remained 4-5, with sixth going to Suzuki's Bob Hannah, who rode strong and moved up through the field the entire race. Johnson moved fast off the start of moto two and took the inside line to lead for good after tbe first turn. Bowen posted another fine start and gated second followed by Glover, Lechien, Ward and Suzuki support