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/127369
The mi les are Hale's favorite form of Grand National dirt track racing (with Springfield atop the list), although he grew up on short tracks. First it was the Ross Downs facility and then it was Boyd Raceway, a track then owned by former Grand National Champion Mike Kidd. "T hat' s where I grew up racing," he said of Kidd's place. " I think he had the best short track in the country, and that was a help in itself." One day we may see Hale doing double duty at Daytona, racing at the stadium and al so at the speed way. He's dabbled in road racing at the club level and had pl an s to tackl e the famed Daytona banking this year. 'H can see winning a National this year," Hale said. "I think my best chance would be on a mile, but I'm going to Daytona to try and win Daytona." " I planned on practicing my road racing this off-season and trying to race at Daytona," he said. "But the injury sort of shot my plans. I'd. like to run some club races in the future.'And once I got con fident at that level, I'd like to try my hand at the Nati onal s. But I wouldn 't want to waste anybody's time - 1 want to be read y when .somebody else is putting out an effort to help me." La st year Hale proudly carried the number l2N, the plate held initially by another young T exan by the name of. Carroll Resweber, th e four-time AMA Grand Na tiona l Champion. This year, H ale's Harl eys will wear number 32. Beyond that , on ly time will tell. c:N 28 Hale isn' t a dreamer. H e realizes the jump from being th e 13th ra nked rid er to winning the Grand Nati onal Champi onship is a large one. H e doesn 't mouth , off about sudden ly jumping into th e top slot, but instead acknowledges that he's in the beginning stages of a learning curve he hopes will take . him to the top. "Making it to the top level takes com plete and total dedication to the sport," he said. "I work ou t every da y beca u se you ca n' t be number one sitting at home on your backside. I'm goin g to do everyth ing po ssibl e to be number one, but it takes time. I' d like to be number one within five years. I'm determined. There are a lot of guys that want it, but they don't do what it takes. It's easier to say it than it is to go out and do it." Hale may have comp leted the first in a long li ne of tests during the lat e stages of 1990. "The bi ggest thing 1 had to overcom e was being content j ust to run with them," he said. " You' ve got to pass that step and start beating them. After 1 got to that point it relieved me. Racing for the Hales is a famil y affair. Mike and father Bob are read y for '91. Bu t staying calm is the key, you can 't . ride over your head. " Hale has caught th e attention of hi s com petition, including the Grand .Na tional Champion. " Mike has a lot of potential," Scott Parke r said. " He 's smooth and he leaves a lot of room for everybody. He uses hi s head and he works hard. I do n't thi n k he's as aggressive as say, Kevin (Atherton), but 1 see him going a ton g way. It'll take h im a coup le of years to learn how to set the bik e up properly and get his program together, but he'll be a threat in the future." With his program solidified , the future ma y be now. " I can see winning a Na tional this year," Hal e said. " I think my best chance would be on a mile, but I'm going to Daytona to tr y and win Dayton a. It's (Daytona) a lot of fun . 1 enj oy riding my 600, 1 enjo y th e Daytona facility and the whole atmosphere down there."