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/127546
~ FEATUREAlook at the tracks By Paul Carruthers t began in Florida in early March. It starts again in California before moving onward to North Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, New Hampshire. Wisconsin, Mid-Ohio and then back to Texas. It is the nine-race AMA National Championship Road Race Series, and on April 25 it rolls into Laguna Seca International Raceway with a lot of momentum. Scott Russell drafted past Doug Polen on the final straightaway to win a thrilling Daytona 200. Mike Smith proved himself worthy of a factory ride with his third-place finish on the Camel-backed Honda. Dave Sadowski showed that both he and Suzuki can't be counted out with a fourth-place : finish. Steve Crevier hinted that he may .be Two Brothers Racing's brightest hope for a Superbike Championship. Those are the riders who started the season with success. The other list is somewhat longer. Defending Superb ike National Champion Thomas Stevens didn't crash in 1991. He crashed four times in his Muzzy Kawasaki debut at Daytona, once on the final lap of the 200 - and he finished eighth. Threetime World Champion Freddie Spencer again shared his Honda with the mechanical gremlins that seem to follow him as he sheared a rear sprocket and failed to finish. Jamie James, the 1989 series champion, also failed to finish after damaging the exhaust system on his Vance & Hines Yamaha. Camel Honda's Tom Kipp fried his clutch early on, and Fast By. Ferracci's Pascal Picotte crashed his bright red Ducati. I Some questions were an swered at Daytona. Others were not. Laguna Seca will go a long way in giving us those answers. but it is likely that the championship will be won in Juneduring a three-week stint that sees the circuit visit Brainerd, Loudon, and Elkhart Lake. Russell will be tough, but we knew that, Polen, when he's here. will give him hell - another gimme. As for the still unanswered ques. tions: Is Smith for real? Can Stevens adjust to the new team and new motorcycle? Picotte has proved his speed, but can he stay upright? Will Sadowski struggle with the Suzuki's shortcomings? Can Kipp regain the confidence that helped earn him the Camel ride? Can Spencer show us the "Fast Freddie" that won last year 's finale in Miami? Can James still win races? That's why they race. Aller all, if we knew all the answers what fun would it be? The only certainty is where all this drama wil1 be played out. From California to New Hampshire - here wegol Round 2: April 24-26 . Laguna Seca International Raceway LENGTH: 2.214 miles. LAP RECORD: Wayne Rainey (1991), 1:26.464/91.432 mph. 1991 WINNERS: Wayne Rainey, IIIl',.------" Round 3: May 1-3 Charlotte Motor Speedway LENGTH: 2_25 miles. LAP RECORD: Scott Russell 1:17.879/104.007 mph. 1991 WINNERS: Scott Russell (Superbike), Chris D'Aluisio (25Occ). Miguel DuHamel (6OOcc Supersport), Scott Russell (75Occ Supersport). Jimmy Adamo (Pro Twins GPI). Kiyo Watanabe (Pro Twins GP2), Tripp Nob les (H-D Twin Sport). GETTING THERE: Charlotte Motor Speedway is located northeast of Charlotte on US 29 in Concord, North Carolina. From Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, take 1-85 North and follow signs to US 29 and Charlotte Motor Speedway. For ticket in form ation contact: International Cycle Events P.O. Box 9668, Asheville, NC 28815-0668 704/455-3200 Luca Cadalora (Grand prix=)• ......... . R o u n d 4: May 29-31 Texas World Speedway LENGTH: 1.8 miles. LAP RECORD: Scott Russell 1:08.325. 1991 WINNERS: Scott Russell (Superbike), Chris D'Aluisio (250cc), Rick Kirk (60Occ Supersport), Scott Russell (75Occ Supersport), Pablo Real (Pro· Twins GPI ). Robert Meister (Pro Twins GP2), Scott Zampach (H-D Twin Sport). GETTING THERE: Laguna Seca is located 10 miles inland from the coastal town of Monterey, California. There is an airport in Monterey, but most visitors will use San Francisco's international airport, approximately 100 miles to the north. From San Francisco there are two alternatives - the 680 freeway to the 101 or the more scenic, yet slower, Highway One. Both routes lead to Monterey. The AMA National Championship Road Race Series returns to Laguna Seca after the track played host to Grand Prix racing for the past four years. Eddie Lawson won the inaugural race in 1988. with lap record holder Wayne Rainey winning the last three races there. 34 For ticket information contact: SCRAMP. P.O. Box 2078. Monterey, CA 93940 800/367-9939 • GETTING THERE: Texas World Speedway is located six miles south of College Station on SR 6. The closest major airport is located in Houston, Texas, roughly 70 miles away. From Houston Intercontinental Airport take US 105 North to SR 6 North. The speedway is located on SR 6 - if you get toCollege Station you've gone too far. For ticket information contact: Texas World Speedway P.O. Box 10070. College Station, TX 77840 409/690-2500