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/127649
" U E C O S: GFllnvitational: Perris Raceway SPRRS agai By Tony Alessi Phot os by Donn Maeda and Ales si PERRIS, CA,JAN. 2 " T he re ' s something ab 'out th ese $10,000 purse races th at agrees with me ," sa id Tea m Ya ma ha's Jeff Emig after winning the 4th Annual GFI Invitational Su percross a t Perris Raceway and w inning the $5000 winner 's share. Emig, the 1992 AMA 12Scc National MX Champion, also walked away with the suitcase filled w ith $5000 cash at last year's event. "Th a t makes $10,000 for two races," said Emig. He joinedover 600 amateur racers that came out to enjoy a chance to race, and watch some of the nation 's top supercross racers on a professionally prepared supe rcross course. Each class compe ted in one 20-m inute ma in event. In the Pro class divisions, the 2.5Os ran first, then 40 minutes later, the 1255took to the track. In addition to the racing, a Yamahasponsored charity barbecue was held in the pits. Some of the stars helping out in the feed ing frenzy were former Supercross Cha m p io ns Rick Johnson and David Bailey, as well as five-time 500cc MX Worl d Champion Roger DeCoster. The barbecue raised nearly $600 for the Children's Hospital. 12 (Top)Yamaha's Jeff Emlg took control of the lead early in the 250cc main and ran away with an uncontested win. It was the second year In a row that Emlg topped the GF I Invitational. (Left) Teen sen sa tion Damon Huffman flew his factory Suzuki to a convincing win in the 125cc class after running down early leader Ryan Hughes. Those who lined up for the start of the 250cc feature included factory team racers Steve Lamso n, Mike Craig, Phil Lawrence a nd, of co urse, Em ig . Also joinin g in on th e ac tio n was fo r m e r Team Suz uki rid er Jeff Matia sev ich , now ri ding an NCY-sponsored Yamaha. "I bou ght this bike w ith my ow n m oney fro m North Cou nty Yamaha; they give me a discount on parts," said Ma tiasevich. Lawrence started things off by na iling the holes hot ahead of Emig, Lamso n and Craig. As the leaders approached the first double jump, Law re nce came up a few feet short and cased-it on the second jump. "The bike was bogging really bad," said Lawrence. "Wi th the bike running this way, it was unsafe to continue. " Law rence's departure from the ra ce gave Matiasevich the lead, but his reign at the top only lasted a short distance. On th e next lap, Matiasevich also crashed when landing off a step-jump. "The forks were a little soft during p ractice, so we added oil," said Matiasevich . "Bu t then the forks bega n hyd ra ulic locking, so when I la nded from the step-up, I just washed out and crashed ." The crash dropped Matiasevich ou t of the top five and handed over the lead to Emig, with Lamson now ru nnin g second. Emig had m uch better luck o u t in front than either Lawrence or Ma tiasevich by maint ainin g the lead. Lamson stayed within striking distance of Emig throughout the first half of the race but as the moto wore on Lamson began to lose ground to the factory Yamaha pilot.