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/127184
.That I was away in Road Racers' 'Japan again, living a life just too good to believe. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit! 1989's Opener! Ah! What racing! Schwantz and Rainey, passing and re-passing as many as three times in a single turn! I couldn't dream of anything better. Or could n Yes, maybe. Perhaps to see the riders off-track in that other life away from The Machine dreaming my way into their existence behind the race. Like with Sito Pons, there on the Nagoya Express, right next to me, on the train running from Suzuka along'Ise Bay, that first leg on to A ustralia, on to Number Two GP. There in his fine street leather, sharp eyes focused on the season ahead, and the Spanish language among him and his crew. Or Wayne Rainey walking through the Japanese mist on his way to breakfast. Kevin Magee signing. autographs with Mrs. Kushitani, who brought her favorite cookies to us from Hamamatsu City. How about Kevin Schwantz after his win! - giddy with Doug Polen over both the fun and damn hard work of riding a 500 Grand Prix. And John Kocinski on his scooter in the paddock long after Sunday's race then John later at the Victory Dinner, watching himself take the 250 again on the big TV screens. And Mamola, at a taxi stand outside Suzuka Circuit Hotel, team luggage piled sky-high, joking .with the doorman, Randy's girlfriend Amy in the soft Japan light. Better than dreams, this priceless reality. And later, now, aboard the Shinkansen, writing about it while standing between cars on this sold-out bullet train - WFO at 135, rural then urban Japan streaking past toward Tokyo Station. And then alone, the venue and probably the most exciting race I've ever witnessed just a memory to recall at a window, in a place called the Imperial Hotd, looking out at the rain and neon brilliance of this Asian metropolis. Breath-taking, electric in every sense. The GP gone away, swinging to the south, to Phillip Island - then over the Pacific to Laguna Seca for April 16th's United States Grand Prix. What a fantastic dream to be part of it! What a fine reality to be in the company of these racers. These riders of the GP who have launched . This. Possibly the most thrilling of new seasons.. SUPERCROSS: Ward wins his first this season at Tampa DRAG RACING: Tannery takes it all at the Gatornationals ENDURO: Cunningham cleans up Cherokee National INTERVIEW: MXer Jeff Stanton climbs toward the top SHORT TRACK: Davis rolls to Nashville indoor win 6 8 10 12 14 ROAD RACE: Team Suzuki stomps Roebling Road 6-hour 16 ULTRACROSS: Manley wins a close one in Seattle 20 LOCAL RACING: Action begins to heat up across the nation 22 . CALENDAR: Dates ~nd places of future races 30 WANT ADS: Shop here for all your motorcycle bargains ..... ; .... 36 ON THE FRONT PAGE: Jeff Stanton is coming on strong early this season. He talks about climbing toward the top in an interview on page 12. Photo by Kit Palmer. William Edgar r------------ยท-----------------------------------------------------, SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Name---.:c7:':-:-:=c:-:~:-:::-_:::_-------------------- o This is a renewal IPLEASE PRINT CLEARlYI o Please bill me o Enclosed is check or money order Address _ Charge my 0 Visa 0 Mastercard City State Order Oete: ~Zip---_:__-- _ .~ OK, please start my subscription to Cycle News and send me the newspaper Signature o every week for on.e year (50 issues) for $35.00 o every week for two years 1100 issues) for $65.00 o six months second class (25 issues) for $18.00 MC/Visa# 0 ... _ Font _ ~ 1&0 i _ I . 2nd c Can8da or Maxico and all om.. fo,.;gn countria $75.00 IU.S. fundsl. and airma~ anabla upon Nqunt. .,..:~ Expiration Date Send to: CYCLE NEWS, Inc., P.O. Box 498. long Beach. CA 90801-0498/ (213) 427-7433 _ _ _ ~ 3