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/127684
, SEMIS • . , .".. .. . ASSOCIatiOn The first semi wa s five-r id er battle featuring Terry Poovey, Carnlin, Steve Aseltine, Marc Gifford and Atherton. At the halfway point, Gifford cha rged into third but shortly lost his skid shoe, ending his threat. Atherton and Les Washbon set Gifford back further as the lead tri o m oved ou t to a sligh t adv an ta ge. With one lap left, Ath erton was closing. but then he was sud denly off the pace and pulled off. "I got leaned over too far and hung my toe up ," said Atherton as the medics worked on his ankle. "My foot was still on the peg. and it bent it back under the peg." Camlin worked hi s wa y to the win on his Wiebler's H-D/Brenny's Cycle/Bell/Indian M/C Supply-sponsored Harley: "I was just trying to keep it on two wheels most of the race," Camlin said. Then on the last lap I just turned it up, and we did it." Poovey brought his Gilco/USC Racing-supported Honda home a close second over Aseltine's Delano Sports Center /Donahue-backed Harley. Semi two saw Kevin Varnes lead the pack into tum one, but Hacker led at the end of lap one. Billy Herndon put his Plano Honda mount 'ou t fr ont on lap two, an d Tommy Colson got his Kegel's H- D/ Meineke Mufflers/ Skip Eakenbacked Harley rolling. and took over the point pos ition on lap six. Herndon held a close second while Larry Pegram moved up to take the last transfer from Hacker. "I got tired," Hacker said. "You had to hold yo ur foot up (because) it was rough. I jus t didn' t want to take any unnecessary ch an ces. We've got a lot more races." "Th is motor cycle is wo rking great, Colson said. "Mine wasn' t read y, and I'm on Skip Eake n's backup bike. It's really a horse." The close racing continued in the last se m i. This time it was Coolbeth and Morehead locked in battle. Th e Gard ner-Walters Bros. Racing/R&I Mfg .don't feel comfortable, and I sure don't want to see anyone get hurt." The second heat turned into a Rodney Farris show, as he broke the draft on lap three and pulled to better than a fou r-second lead. Davey Durelle, on his Donahue's-sponsored Harley, w as a close second for only a short while. " I raced ' hard the first four laps or so, then he got clear away," Durelle said. " I was just hoping to ho ld m y position. Every time I'd come down the front straight I was looking for the white flag, I didn't think it was 'e ve r going to end." "The Winchester H-D Harley is reall y working," Farris said. "I think it's getting rougher. It's going to be tough to hold on for the National. I guess I'll jus t go like hell for 25 laps ." The Loral Lake Racing-backed Jones took control of hea t three and looked to be another runawa y winner. "It's really a tough track, and I d idn't see anyone for a long time," Jones said. "Maybe I lost a little rhythm." Aaron Hill was cruising in second on his Sacramento H-D Harley, but King had designs on the position. King came up from the pack to challenge Hill; and their duel brought them to Jones' rear wheel. Hill took the lead temporarily on lap nine, but Jones was back in front at the end of the race. Neither Jones nor Hill were in favor of racing. "I was against riding. but the majority wanted race," Jones sa id. "If I was (Above) Third-placed Mike Hale, wi nner Scott Parker and runner-up Steve Morehead were all smiles In winner's circle. (Right) Teny Poovey (18) and Davey Camlln (27) struggled at Springfield, fin ishing 12th and 14t h, respectively. going to race, I was going to get after it, not take it easy." . "I'm just glad I got ou t of my heat and don't have to ride the semi," Hill said: King was a dose third, but was still on his way to the semi. The last heat was an excellent race with five riders in the lead pack early on . Parker, Carnlin, Hale, Coolbeth and Billy Herndon pulled far ahead of the rest of the field. Just past the halfway point, Parker and Coolbeth separated slightly, leaving Camlin and Hale bat- tling over third. ~ th e laps dwindled down, Coolbeth repeatedly draft ed by Parker but onl y led at the line once. As the duo swapped positions, Hal e crept back into the scene. The trio swept out of turn four and drafted to the finish line, and it was the old pro Parker leading the youngsters home. Hale nipped the rookie Coolbeth at the line. "Both those guys are young." Parker sa id . " Th a t was some good racing. We've just got to give it the best we've got. I felt comfortable on the top, it looked rougher down low. sponsored Coolbeth ju mped to a quick lead but Morehead came from row two to challenge by the second lap. The race became a drafting seminar as the pair sw itched positions all around the track. Coolbeth was able to draft by almost every lap, but at the end it was the veteran Morehead's KK/Shepherd Chemical/F&S H-D-sponsored Harley up front. Rich King was a dose third on his Garvis Honda. NATIONAL With darkness fast approaching and 9