Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

I' IN JHEWIN~' World Enduro Champion Giovani Sala (KTM) won the Enduro International de Independence in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on August 26-27. The event ran under European enduro rules, and served as a warmup for a possible World Championship Enduro round in '96. The Italian was trailed by Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel (Yam), Italian Tullio Pellegrinelli (Hus), U.S. National Enduro Champion Steve Hatch (Suz) and Italian luca Trussardi (KIM). Americans Chris Smith (Hon) and David lykke (Suz) placed seventh and 10th overall, respectively. The event also served as the Latin American Championship, which was topped by Brazilian Bernardo Magalheas (Suz). Brazilians luis Bragha (Hon), Guilherne Olivera (Hus) and Juliano Facioto (Suz) followed, with Mexican Eric Gallardo (Hon) in fifth. A 60Q-mile rally from Rio de Janiero to Belo Horironte will take place August 7-10. John Myers (Suz) won the Wax Shop Pro Bike Dash, an invitational drag race held in conjunction with the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana, on September 2. Myers topped David Schultz with a 7.56-second, 175-mph run. On September 4, the finals were won by Rick Ward. Defending All-Japan National MX Champion Ron Tichenor (Suz) was the winner at round 10 of the All-Japan National MX Series, held September 2-3 at Sugo Sports Land in Sugo, Japan. Tichenor's 3-1 scores edged out the 2-2 of runner-up Kohji Ohkawara (Yam). Masanori Enomoto (Kaw) was third overall with a 1-4 tally. Series point leader Jeff Matiasevich (Kaw) was fourth overall with 6-3 finishes, and with two rounds remaining, has a comfortable 65-point lead over Enomoto, 295-230. Tichenor missed several rounds early in the season due to injuries, and though. he has won six Nationals in '95, has no chance of successfully defending his crown. Motorcycle builder John Britten, 45, died at his home in New Zealand on September 4 after a long bout with cancer. The motorcycle designer gained fame with the motorcycle that bore his name, the V-twin Britten road racer which won international Battle of the Twins races around the world, including Daytona in March of 1994. More recently, the Britten won the BEARS World Series with rider Andrew Stroud winning races at Daytona, Thruxton, Zeltweg, Brands Hatch and Assen. Plans are for the Britten Motorcycle Company to continue, with the Indian Superbike project at the top of the list, using designs created by Britten. Shane Trittler's Castaic MX Park in Castaic, California, will be temporarily closed between September 5-9. "We're going to completely rebuild the track," said the supercross racer 1race promoter. 'The track will reopen on September 12." For more information call 805/294-0020. Yoshimura Suzuki's Thomas Stevens suffered a sprained ankle and some strained muscles in his back as a result of his warmup lap crash with Vance & Hines Yamaha's Tom Kipp at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California, on August 27. Stevens wasn't able to make the start of the race, due to the extensive damage suffered to his GSXR750 when Kipp rear-ended him. "It's the damnedest thing I've ever had happen to me," Stevens said. "I did a somersault and landed on my feet. I thought his (Kipp's) brakes had failed again. Tom' was very upset and he should be. I forgive him and I know he didn't do in on purpose. I was way off line and I'd slowed down because I'd taken off early. I wanted the pack to catch up. There was nothing I could do." Stevens said it will be no problem for him to compete in the final round of the AMA Superbike National Championship in Chandler, Arizona, on September 23-24. Californian Andy Milton remains in a coma at the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, California, with head injuries sustained in his practice crash at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California, on August 27. Milton's condition, however, has been upgraded from critical to serious condition. E-mail messages can be sent to Milton through both CompuServe (76152,1240) and America Online (chsmr@ao!.com) addresses. Another road racer recovering from injuries sustained at Sears Point is Gerald Rothman Jr. The New Englander suffered a compression fracture of the C6 and T12 vertebrae, and internal injuries which include contusions to both lungs. Rothman is being listed in critical but stable condition at Sonoma Valley Hospital in Sonoma, California, from which he expects to be released shortly. Rothman was injured in the 600cc Supersport final when he ran into the back of another rider on the approach to the finish line. Aaron wraps up National ~ Trials Championship_ ~D ~ 0\ ..... ('I') ..... !i3 ,J::I § .... 15.. ,~ UJ 2 efending AMA/NATC National Trials Champion Geoff Aaron (right) wrapped up his second-consecutive title with a pair of brilliant rides at the final two Nationals, held September 2-3 in Tillamook, Oregon. The Cosmopolitan Motorssponsored rider entered the weekend knowing that in order to successfully defend his crown, he would need to sweep the two-

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