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
By Kit Palmer here certainly won't be a lack of American riders to cheer . on this year at Tulsa. A record 200 (or thereabouts) off-roaders 'from the U.S. will participate in this year's ISDE, which will mark only the second time in the sport's his tory that the event will be held on American soil and only the third time outside of Europe. In 1973 Massachusetts hosted the Six Days, and in 1992, the "Olympics" of motorcycling was held in Australia. Of those 200 riders, 160 of them made the program by paying a $500 en try fee and participating in at least one round of the AMA National Reliability Enduro Series - also known as the "Qualifier".Series. The rest were chosen by the AMA, taking into account each rider's performance during the eightround Qualifier Series, just as if the team were headed elsewhere for an ISDE. Of course there were exceptions, but for the most part, this is how the majority of the approximately 200 U.S. riders got - for many of them - the once in a lifetime chance to ride the prestigious ISDE, which will be held on the John Zink Ranch. It goes without saying that many of our nations best off-road riders will be at the Ranch. Some will compete on the premiere six-rider U.S. World Trophy team, the four-rider Junior World Trophy team, and numerous three-rider Club teams. ' One of these .rid er s is Randy Hawkins, a man whose record speaks T rolina ationa SDE v edalist. - the ug etter. He is and fastest woods the planet. From check to check, no one faster, and his five cham onships prove it. If there's one rider out ther give Hawkins a run for his his Suzuki teammate, Steve New Yorker stands a good c taking this year's National Championship away from Haw who admitted that the National Endur Series took a back seat to this year's ISDE Qualifier Series; he finished second in the series. Hatch is a rocket in the woods and a darn good MXer as well. However, he's been plagued by a rash of injuries this year, including a freak accident that put him in the hospital just recently (see sidebar on page 41). . One rider who stands an excellent taIy Laurent Pidoux. Former National Enduro Champion Jeff Russell will compete in the lightweight Four-Stroke class and, like Hawkins, Russell shines when the sun doesn't. In other words, when it 's rainy, wet and muddy, the Ohioan can't be stopped. He competed aboard a 350cc four-stroke KTM in the Qualifier Series. spedaltes sen to do j the most po having grow' Oklahoma. Perhaps the two most well-rounded riders on the U.S. team are Suzuki's Rodney Smith and 1990 West Coast 125cc Supercross Champion Ty Davis. Both riders 'were I are top-notch MX riders and are now considered two of this country's fastest off-road racers . Smith first rode the ISDE in Australia in 1992 and was the "Top American" at" that (Far Left) Ty Davis will be a top contender In the Ughtwelght TwoStroke class at Tulsa. He was "Top American" last year In Holland. (Left) Suzuki riders . Rodney Smith (left) and Guy Cooper (right) will . represent the U.S. on the premier World Trophy Team. (Above) Kevin Hines (left) and Chris Smith (right) will be teammates on the Works Enduro RlderlCRE Imports Club Team. Drew Smith will be the third member.