Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

cuit. Most of the safety-relateet changes concern tum nine, which was previously dangerous due to limited run-off room between the track's edge and a bridge that crossed there. The approach to tum nine will be straightened and the corner squared off to· slow speeds and give the riders a straighter shot under the bridge, while the surrounding woods will be cut back to increase run-off and a sand trap installed on the outside of the tum to slow fallen riders and machines. Additional changes to the facility include new paddock buildings, showers, and grading to help water drainage. BY1>411>41 Wf4lLfY San Jose Medical Center spokesperson Christie Welter said on Monday, April 24, that Bubba Shobert has been taken off life support systems and his condition has been upgraded from cri'tical to serious. Shobert, who suffered a brain injury in his U.S. GP collision with Kevin Magee on ApriI16,.has been on the life support system since his arrival at the medical center on the 16th. According to Welter, Shobert will continue to receive minimal medication for sedation, but has opened his eyes and now follows some simple com- ' mands. The medical center's rehabilitation team has been constantly observing Shobert's progress and will now work aggressively to evaluate the extent of his injuries. Cards and letlers can be sent to Shobert in care of American Honda, 100 W. Alondra, Gardena, CA 90248. According to American Honda's Gary Mathers, the injured Bubba Shobert will be replaced on a GPto-GP basis on the Cabinsponsored Honda NSR5oo. "We won't do Spain (April 30) out of respect for Bubba," Mathers said on Monday, April 24. "But because of our impending obligations to them (Cabin) we will be looking for a replacament on a race-to-race basis until we know more about Bubba." Mathers said that Cabin was scheduled to meet with HRC on April 24 and a decision woul~ be forthcoming. Australian Kevin Magee, who was involved in the accident withShobert at the U.S. GP on April 16, underwent surgery at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, California, on the 16th. Magee fractured his left fibula (the small bone in the lower leg), but surgery was not needed. The Team Lucky Strike Roberts rider did, however, need surgery and the insertion of a plate to repair a crush fracture on the outside of his left ankle. The inside of the ankle also required screws to repair chips. Magee and his family plan to stay in northern California to rehabilitate the injuries under the guidance of physiotherapist Dean Miller. Rehabilitation is set to begin the first week of May, according to Miller, and Magee will be out of action for 610 weeks. Our coverage of the U.S. GP at Laguna Seca reported the Mageel Shobert crash inaccurately, stating that "the incident bega.., when fourth-place finisher Magee ran out of gas and slowed heading towards tum six. Shobert, who finished ninth, was congratulating Lawson when he rammed the slowing Magee from behind." After ...ing NBC's coverage of the event and speaking with eyewitnesses, it becomes apparent that Magee was actually doing a burnout on the section of the circuit between turns five and six when he was hit from behind by Shobert. 9 ~ w :r ~ ::J en ~ z w ">" w a: w .... Z o ~ "en a: w > ~ W ...J ...J :> a: o > al 5 :r "- Former World Champion Wayne Gardner, seen here leaving the Mopterey Hospital in the company of Kevin Schwantz, suffered a broken fibula and two broken bones close to the ankle in his U.S. GP crash. Gardner left northern California for London, England, on Wednesday, April 19, for consultation with noted English orthopedic surgeon Nigel Cobb, the doctor who worked extensively on Barry Sheene's multiple injuries following his seventies Silverstone accident. Gardner is seeing Cobb for a second opinion on whether or not surgery is needed; doctors in northern California have said that surgery is not necessary. Surgery or not, the Australian will return to his home in Monaco for rehabilitation. "No, 1 haven't given retirement a thought," Gardner said in a press conference on April 19. "I still enjoy racing and I'm still competitive. I'm loolo.ng forward to being fit for the second half of the season and I'll be preparing for the 1990 season." After a meeting with HRC, it appears likely that the Dutch GP in Assen on June 24' will mark the Australian's return to racing. There are no plans to field another rider on Gardner's NSRSOOs. The June 11 V.S. round of the World Superbike Championship will see a number of modifications to the Brainerd, Minnesota, eir- Like the U.S. World Superbike round, modifications are being made to the Mosport Park circuit located outside of Toronto, Ontario, in " anticipation of the June 4 Canadian round of the series. According to a report in Cycle Canada, these changes include repaving of the back straight, increased runoff and relocation of a guardrail in turn one, an enlarged and repaved pit entrance and modifications to various curbs located at corner exits. A large number of hay bales will also be used during the race to pad the abundant concrete walls and armco. The Central Roadracing Association is discussing the possibility of hosting a Steamboat Springsstyle street race this year, perhaps in the Min",eappolis/St. Paul area. For more information contact the CRA at 612/331-6810. Defending 600 National Champion Chris Carr (H-D) was the winner of round three of the AMA 600cc National Championship Dirt Track Series in Manzanita, Arizona, April 22. Second place went to Steve Asletine (H-D), followed by Erik Graybeal (W-R), Ricky Graham (WR) and Kris Kiser (W-R). Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will be on hand for Motorcycle Awareness Month festivities in Davenport. Iowa's LeClaire Park on Saturday, May 6. At 1 p.m., Governor Branstad will read Iowa's proclamation supporting the recognition of Mayas Motorcycle Awareness Month to focus attention on motorcycle riders, a request for drivers to remember ' that it's time to politely share the road. Following the governor's address, a ride will be conducted, through Davenport and Bettendorf to Moline. East Moline, and back to Rock Island where mayors of area cities will issue their proclamations of support in the parking lots of the Quad City Industrial Center (former Farmall plant). Klemm Research of Corona, California, is now offering a kit for Kawasaki KX250s that ups displacement to 285cc. Under FIM rules, kiued KX250s will be allowed to compete in the Open class at ISDE Qualifiers and in the ISDE. For more information, call 714/272-8480. Great Britain's David Thorpe (Hon) moved into 'the World Championship 500cc MX Series points lead after winning both motos in Schwanenstadt, Austria, April 23. Defending World Champion Belgian Eric Geboers (Hon) dropped to second in the standings after going 3-6 for third overall, while Britain's Kurt Nicoll (Kaw) tallied a 4-3 score for second overall. Rounding out the top five were Belgian Dirk Geukens (Hon) and Holland's Kees Van der Ven (KTM). American Billy Liles (Kaw) posted 9-12 moto finishes, Italian Aless,andro Puzar (Suz) won both motos in round three of the World Championship 125cc MX Series in Cortehle, PortUgal, April 23. Second place went to Holland's Dave Strijbos (Suz) who went 2-2, while third place went to American Trampas Parker (KTM) with a 3-3 tally. Other American finishers included Mike Healey (KTM) 5-9, Rick Ryan (Suz) 8-7 and Bobby Moore (KTM) 4-DNF. In the series point standings. Strijbos leads with 106 points, followed by Puzar with 100 a,nd Parker with 98. Healey is fifth with 47 points and Moore is eighth with 32. Randy Hawkins (Suz) was the overall winner in round two of the AMA National Championship Enduro Series in Morrison; Illinois, April 23. The defending National Champion finished one point ahead of Kurt Hough (Kaw), who was followed by Larry Roeseler (Kaw), Jeff Russell (Yam) and Kevin Hines (KTM). Frenchmen Alex Vieira and Jean~ Michel Mattioli teamed with Brit Roger Burnett (Hon) to win the April 22-23 La Mans 24 Hour round of the World Championship Endurance Road Race Series at La Mans, France. The Honde Motul team finished 10 laps ahead of the runner-up French Kawasaki team which was led by Patrick Igoa. Gailian Reedy of Wadmalaw, South Carolina, was named Ms. Harley-Davidson at Daytona Speedway during the recant Daytona Cycle Week. Reedy started riding as a passenger at age two, started riding her own motorcycle at age 16, and currently owns a Sportster. She is currently employed as a fashion and cosmetic consultant with a major department store, and has also worked as a model. Reedy will be representing Harley- Davidson and already has a full schedule of appearances at a variety of events induding motorcycle shows, rallies conducted by the Harley Owners Group, and open houses at Harley dealerships. Other news out of Milwaukee is the announcement by Harley-Davidson that they've established a drag racing contingency program offering cash awards to top finishers in the Pro Stock and Sportsmen classes at selected events, beginning with the May 19-20 dra~ meet at Myrtle Beach, South CarolIna. The Screamin' Eagle Drag Racing Contingency Program pays $200 for a win in the Pro Stock class and $100 for second. In the Sportsmen class, $100 will be awarded to the winner. A bonus of $50 will be paid if the winner in (Continued to page 62) I

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