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/126952
10th Annual Spring Classic HALF-MILE SPECTACULAR Back in good hands. the YZR500' with Lawson at the helm. at breakneck speeds, but he wouldn't kill them. I, 'on the other hand, was in a completely different situation. If I hadn't done it myself, he would kill me. Dads will be dads and this would be twice as bad as telling him I wrecked the family station wagon. With this in mind, I parked my truck off in a comer of the raceway - close to an exi t, wi th the keys in the ignition and the engine running. If I crashed, I would simply sneak to the truck, and drive safely to the confines of my home. If I played my cards right, I. wouldn't have to face him until the family got together on Christmas. And even then maybe I could be violently ill and safely bed-ridden 90 miles away from San Diego. Or I could arrange for a name change and take up residency in Afghanistan. I sbook my head to get these dreaded thoughts out of my head, and it was just in time as I found myself'Veering towards the ",hi te line on the edge of the track. . Finally, a left-hand comer. I felt a little safer going left, plus that was the only knee pad on my leathers that was scuffed in, thanks to a YSR50. Hey, if I could drag a knee on a YSR50 why couldn't I do it on this. What's 450cc and three cylinders anyway? A straightaway, a little kink and turn nine was all I had to negotiate ·before J could park this thing and give it back to its rightful owner. Hey, turn nine is visible from the pits and the pits is where everybody, including Lawson, Carruthers and my journalist peers, are standing. Think of it, Lawson's respect, a factory ride, the respect of my peers... . All I had to do was flick this awesome beast in a little harder than I was comfortable with (maybe 40 mph) and I would be a hero. Suddenly, my thoughts went back to the sight of Skip Aksland getting put in the ambulance from a crash in ~is very turn nine. ' "That was the '70s, this is the '80s, you're awesome, dude," the little devii on my shoulder screamed in my ear as I approached the corner. "Think of your career, your wife, your futlITe family life, your health; it is Friday the 13th you know," the miniature nun' from Our Lady Queen of Peace whispered softly from the other shoulder. I promptly down shifted, braked and coasted through yet another corner, pulled into the pits and removed my sweat-soaked bel met from my still-intact head, sighed and said, "I think the rebound damping is a little harsh." .' SAT. APRIL 11'~~ 12 noon WITH JUNIOR PROGRAM • .-' III lAMA· GRAND NATIONAL SERIES I RESERVED TICKETS ALSO AVAaABLE AT TICKET MAIL ORDER FORM SATURDAY, APRIL 11, i987 Reserved Adult Reserved Chi Id (12 & Under) Gen. Admission Adult Gen. Admission Child (9·12) (AU children il ond under IIdmltt'!d $17.00 ea. 5 8.50 ea. 515.00' ea. 5 7.50 ea, _ Please enclose a self addres.sed stamped envelope along with check or money order payable to - AGAJANIAN ENTERPRISES P. O. Box 98 Gardena, Calif. 90247 PHONE _ ADDRESS CITY AT MAY COMPANY, MUSIC PLUS ANO SPORTMARI T1CKETMASTER CHARGE (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000 . HOBART STREET BOX OFACE 17832 HOBART GARDENA, CALIF. 90248 free to general admlaalon only.) ENCLOSED IS MY CHECK FOR NAME T'CKer~n=~ .. GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS ON SALE AT ASCOT ON RACE DAY ONLY STATE ,. (ONE BLOCK GI'tS'1:Dt) lC.MlAMAKS _ ZIP _ EAsT OF WESTERN) 18300 VERMONT AVE. GARDENA, CALIFORNIA (213) 321-5323 t (213) 323-5056 FREE VIP PARKING FOR MOTORCYCLES "WHERE THE HARIIOll, SAN IllE&O AIlII g, FREEWAYS MEET" Motorcycle World with Larry Huffman via satellite _~q;~ . # Thzs Sunday: A Special in depth interview with .** DAVID BAILEY ** 1986 National 500cc Open Class Motocross Champion 11 comes t'O you live, every Sun4ay night from /0 to J 1 p.m. KOLA 99.9 FM KTIM 100.9 FM KSCO 1080 AM . Los Ang('les Rivnsid(' San F,.,,,,,·is('o Oakland OnIllKt' Co. San Bernardino Call in and lalk wilh all lhe top per>onalities and be part of motorcycle world. 1-(800) 228-524.9 Santa Cruz . XTRA "Extra Gold" 690 AM Slrol1gl'sl A"'M Slalion in \\' "S[{'I'n U.S. Sponsored by SUZUKI