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/127150
PJl ns 14 ational Titles at Ponca City NMA Motocross Grand National Championship, Ponca City, OK Pekka Vehkonen was the runnerup in the final po int standings. ahead of the rest of the pack. Van Doorn held off the new champion for his double ' win, but it was not enough to gain him third in the standings as Rod ney Smith rode coolly after a good start to ensure that he stayed in the first 15 and scored the single point wh ich would insure his third in the table. Smith was 11th at the finish. Herring once again had to come through the field , this time after making a mess of the start. But he charged in his usual style to secure fourth ahead of Nilsson in the last 10 minutes at Dirkx tired badly and dropped to ninth at the finish. The battle for sixth in the standings started promisingly as Mortensen and Diepold raced around the first lap side by side on the edge of the top 10, but while Mortensen went forward Diepold couldn't hold the pace in the sand and lost places before eventually finishing just inside the points. . Mortensen was up to fifth at one stage, but then he slowed dramatically. " I got track marker tape in my rear brake, and it was ineffective for two laps before it cleared," he said. Diepold thought his chance of saving sixth in the series was there, bu t Mortensen regained his momentum while still eighth and the tension was over. After retaining his number six plate for another year , Mortensen Joked, "It was very important to me. I still have so many shirts with the n umber six on them." The final battle for the top eight was between the absent Michele Fanton and home ace Johansson. Starting badly, Johansson spent half the moto below the eighth place he needed to ensure automatic qualification next year, but, refusing to be rattled, he took place by place to eventually finish seventh after breaking into the top eight after half an hour. Just ahead of him at the finish was Pederson, who showed what he is capable of from a decent start with an immaculate sixth place. Vohland struggled again for 18th while Ryan saw his final chance of points this year disappear with a fiat rear tire. But the year belonged to Yamaha, their champion rider John Van den Berk and his English mechanic Graham Kent, who played an important role. The Dutchman's Yamaha was the only bike to finish all 24 GP motos this year. . • Results 250: 1. GeM·Jan Von Doorn (Cog) 1·1 ; 2. John . Van don Sark (Vam) 3-2; 3. Pakka Vahkonen (Cog) 2·3; 4 . Jo rgen Nilsson (Cag) 5-5; 5. Sor en Morlensen (Kaw ) 4-8; 6. Rob Herr ing (Yam) 9-4; 7. Peter J ohansson (Yam) 8-7; 8. Peter Dirkx (Hon) 7-9; 9. Rodn ey Sm it h (Suz) 6·11 ; 10 . Ross Pederson (Suz) 14-6. FINAL WOR LD CHAMPIONSHIP 250cc M X SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1. Von den Serk (3 15); 2. Vehkonen (285 ); 3. Smilh (230); 4. Van Doorn (225); 5. Jeremy W hat ley (192); 6. Monensen (170); 7. Diepold (167); 8. Johansso n (160); 9. Mi chele FanIon (159t 10. Vannig KerveUa (151); 11. Harr ing (149); 12. (TIE) NIlsson /Giuseppe Andraani 11 30t 14 . Dirkx (125t 15. Rick Ryan (112). DAMON BRADSHAW BRIAN SWINK , st , 25cc Mod Pro , st 250cc Stk Pro , st 250cc Mod Pro , st 80cc Stk Exp , st , 05cc Supe r m in i ' 2 - '8 yr s ROBBIE REYNARD , st 80cc Mod 9-' 1 yrs 1st 10 5cc M in i 9-" yr s RICKY CARMICHAEL 1st Pee Wee Mod , st 60cc Stk 6 "8 yrs 1st 60cc Mod 6-8 yrs CHAD PEDERSON 1st 125cc Stk Int 1st. 125cc Mod Int 1st 250cc Mod Int EZRA LUSK 1st 80cc Mod Int 12 -16 yrs CONGRATULAnONS, GUYS, ONAJOB WEUDONE! PJ l Goldfire Pro & PJ l Oc t a ne Pl us is their Winning Co mbin alio n . The same winning formula is available at bett er d ea lers wo rldwid e . We're looking for a few good ATV Instructors If YOU: • love riding ATVs • understand the benefits of safety training • want to teach a hands-on introduction to basic ATV riding • want to be paid to attend a 4-day Instructor preparation course • want to be paid (per student) to teach the one-day ATV ':liderCourse Gall -1-8 0 0 -4 4 7-4 70 0 • ask for an Instructor Appncation ,~ 2 Jenner Street Suite 150 Irvine. G.A 92718 The ATV S:ftl ty lotltlt..,." ~Q I. the MW rid.r training dlvl.'on of the Speel. ttyV. hlcl.ln.U tut. of Am.rlu (SVIA). The ASI will d. nv.,.th.lr• • ,Id., training prog ram agreed to by the AN dl.lributof'l and th4t Consumer Product Safety Commilifon. The ASI Ie ..arching for quallfled ATVrldar. who .~ Intere.ted In becoming "can.ed Inltruc:tora. ~ ............... ~ -' - iU ~ Safe"""T • --: InStitUte A dlllislon or the SpecloItvYehiCle Institute or Ame rlCO THE FIRST THE BEST CYCLE NEWS C RSCA 1988 AMA 600CC Dirt Track NATIONAL CHAMPION For Comfort and Confidence CHRIS CARR Relies on••• SHOEI " "The C oice of Champions" 21