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this weekend (October 3-4) to Texas World to ride and get into the flow of things." Polen has never ridden at Riverside, but he's shown the ability to learn tracks in a hurry. He feels the southern California facility will be an adequate location for the finals. "From what I've seen on T.V. and from what I've heard, it's not a bad track," he said. "It looks a little rough, but everyone has to ride on the same track." As far as who to watch for, Polen lists the riders from AFM North and South as the riders to beat. "1 would imagine the Willow Springs and Sears people to go well. Steward (Chris), Richard Moore and Gray (Scott) and Pero (lain) should be tough there. I also thihk Mike Harth should do well. Scott (Russell), if he doesn't have any problems, should do okay; he and Jamie James are about equal. So all together there are about six to seven people to beat." The only man to beat Polen last year in the finals was Dan Chivington. The 29-year-old from Marion, Ohio, pulled the upset of the meeting at Road Atlanta when he snuck by Polen and Ron Ewerth to capture the llOOcc class win. Chivington also finished fifth in the 750cc class. This year's final will be held without Chivington. "I haven't felt that good since Laguna Seca," Chivington said. ''I'm staying home to get my body back together. I've been trail riding, elC. I wish I was going, but I'm better off to just stay home." Riverside was chosen for the finals because it provides an almost neutral venue for the racers. It is about the only facility where club racers haven't been racing every weekend. No one should have a clear-cut advantage at Riverside. There are, however, some southern California racers that' have raced at Riverside. The AFM's Moore, who finished second in 750cc point~ and first in llOOcc points in AFM competition and is one of those who will also ride in the Yamaha race, has Riverside experience. "I've raced outthefe two times this year," Moore said. "I don't see anybody having an advantage there. Everybody will get plenty of practice time and good riders learn tracks fast. It's kind of neutral territc;>ry and I can't really say who will do well. Doug Polen is always in contention, but I can see some upsets at this (Right) Chris Steward and James Domay (below) are two more from California's AFM that would have to be considered favorites. race." The ever-growing list of competitive DOT-approved tires and the fact that aftermarket exhaust pipes will be approved for use for the first time in this year's finals adds to the intrigue. "Tires will definitely come into play this year with all the new ones out there," Moore said. "And being able to use the aftermarket exhausts will also make tuning come more ,into play." Gray, who has ridden at Riverside once 10 1981 and who leads the contingent of riders from the nonhern California chapter of the AFM, doesn't think Riverside is the ideal location for the finals. "It's a horsepower .track:" Gray said. "It will definitely hurt me because of my weight. Polen and those guys are much smaller and it should help at Riverside. It'll be tough, but we'll work hard to do it. Hopefully, I can get my suspension set up right because thaCs the only place I can get him (Polen). I think Laguna (Seca) would have been a hot· spot for the finals because it's mostly Mike Harth will represent the MidAtlantic region of WERA in both the 750 and 11 OOcc finals. 19