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/127250
Privatee r Ty Davis (26) scored his second 125cc Supercross w in of the year and now enjoys a 27-point lead in the series over M ichael Craig (43). McGrath early in the rno to, Davis rode a smooth and controlled race, maintaining about a 10 bike leng th lead over McGrath throughout the race. After making a last-lap pass on Honda rider Jimmy Button, Anaheim 125cc Supercross winner Michael Craig fimshed third; Button took fourth. For winning the Coors Extra Gold Super Challenge main event, Larry Ward pocketed $5000 out of the total $32,500 purse, while Davis grabbed $2000 of the $7500 125cc purse. Freezing temperatures combined with snow and icy roads outside Seattle's Kingdome were blamed for the smaller than normal turnout of riders. Only 36 competitors were on hand in the 250cc class, which made for a change in the evening's racing format. Instead of hav ing three (or four ) . 250cc heat races, there were only two, wi th the top six finishers in each going directly to the main. After th e two heat races, the standard two semis and Last Chance Qualifer were held. 250cc Heats Matiasevich squeak ed ahead of Bayle and Larry Ward and took the early lead in the first eight-lap heat race. Back in fourth and fifth were Tichenor and Johnson. On the move was Larry Ward, as he quickly passed Bayle for second. Then, the Suzuki pilot set his sights on the leader, Matiasevich. With the crowd on its feet, the local favorite pulled alongside Matiasevich, then dove to the inside and block-passed the Kawasaki rider for the lead. This set the stage for an all-out war between the two leaders for the rest of the race. Matiasevich c hallenged Ward every inch of the way, as they pulled Washington's Larry Ward (17) leads Doug Dubach (7 ) and Ronnie Tichenor (6) in a heat race. . away from Bayle, Tichenor, Johnson and Kawasaki 's Johnny O'Mara. On the last lap , the Ward/Matiasevich _dogfight intensified, but Ward held Ma tiasevich at bay, taking a na rro w victory. Bayle finished third, safely ahead of Tichenor, Johnson and O'Mara. After the race, Ward said, "I made some stupid mistakes, but the crowd kept me going." . "Tha t was j ust a heat race ," said Matiasevich . " It 's going to be a different story in the main." The second heat saw defending champ Stanton pass Jeff Ward for the lead on the first lap and run away with the win. Ward, however, stayed within striking dis tance of Stanton throughout the race, unaware that Mike LaRocco was charging hard from a fourth-place start. With one lap remaining, La Rocco snuck up and zapped the former Supercross cham p for second pl ace at the finish. Finishing fourth was Kiedrowski, who bega n the mota in third, while Cooper took fifth . After crash ing on the second la p , Yamaha's Doug Dubach finished sixth. Earlier in the race, Bra dshaw was running in sixth before tangling with Dean Matson on the fourth lap. Bradshaw went to the semis. Jeff Ward was voted by the work-