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/127805
THE 1996 WHITE BROTHERS back straightaway that led into the more sweeping turns three and four. By the end of the day I would actually be able to back 'er in there halfway decent and keep the power on enough to slide off the fourth comer - with my ass hanging over the tail section like my pal Kevin Varnes (some people never listen) - and be set up reasonably well for the double, and the debacle that inevitably followed. Eight short laps later, I came across the line fourth, which suprisingly enough qualified me for the outside of row one. After talking over the starting procedur~ with George and having my mechanic-for-the-day Doug Goforth swap the battery on the total-loss ignition, we were all set for the main. As I rolled to the starting line on the outsid~ of the front row to get set for the 13-rider main event, I was glad to see that VDTRA President Mike Zborzek was just to my left. "The Broz" had finished about a half straightaway ahead of me in our heat race together, and he had been going about the same speed, so the likable and quick-starting Coloradan was going to be my target in the main event. Whether he knew it or not was beside the point. I'd love to tell you how I spooled the big XR up to launch speed and then dumped the clutch before any of my competitors to rocket out of the gate with a huge holeshot as the field thundered into the first turn. Two out of three ain't bad. I did get the motor revving, and I know that I got the drop on everyone else as the starter raised and dropped the green flag. But with no moisture or rubber on the surface underneath me, I was once again forced to play catch-up as I smoked the rear tire in the fluff and made one big, long fishtailing move toward the first tum while the rest of the guys hooked up and hauled. For a guy who prides himself on being able to at least start with the best of 'em, I was bummed, but it never dampened my enthusiasm for the rest of the race. We were eighth, the Harley and I, but we quickly made a good two-rider pass down in three and four to run sixth. Then we went to work on Ron Stone, dogging the good-natured vet for several laps before finally getting underneath him as he drifted a bit too high off the groove and taking fifth place. Fifth place, good enough for the Cycle News. Heh, hehheh. But I should have kept my mouth shut as Reggie Barkley blasted by me in the same comer two laps from the finish to drop me to sixth. No catching him, so after that I just concentrated on going faster each lap through three and four • and blowing one and two even worse. I had so much fun that when it was all over I made it a point to slow down and give the thumbs up to all of the guys who finished behind me, and then capped off the day with a small wheelie. It was over. George shook my hand and then hugged his motorcycle, which was still in one piece. Later on, we all sat back and BS'd about how great the whole race was. And it was fun, which is the greatest part of vintage racing, or racing in general if you're a purist, I suppose. It made me want to do it all again, that's for sure. By the way, I need a ride for the Del Mar Mile. Best of all, though, I got a truly vintage memory out of the whole experience. You know, I'll bet it's probably true what they say about "The older I get, the better I was." Just ask me about my day at Oklahoma City 20 years from now. I'll be glad to tell you how I won the whole damn thing. C\' WORLD \lET (J-fAHPfONSHfPS PRESENTED BY l..A!L~""""I"l--"l0 J LZ =t =t I\!J JJSu~Akl ~ IMSi PRO CIRCUIT -_'.' ,."." ..•... .. . ':'~::':':':'"-:"':':-: »l :-: Saturday: 25, 30,35,40,50,60 Age Groups S~n.day: 30,35,40,~0;60Age Gr()lJP~ .~. 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McGrath posted his record breaking 11th win of the season in as many races, the most ever in one AMA Supercross Series. He also snapped Bob "Hurricane" Hannah's all time consecutive win streak by posting his 15th consecutive AMA Supercross I National Victory, extending his own Supercross winning streak to 11, and increasing his all time win record to 39.· Watch McGrath's record breaking. win and his battle with the likes of Kawasaki's Ryan Hughes, the Suzuki's of Mike laRocco and Ezra lusk, and Yamaha's Damon Bradshaw. In the 125cc East main event, Team SplitFire I Pro Circuit I Kawasaki Mickael Pichon was the man as he hammered his arch-rival Yamaha's John Dowd, who had to pull off a last lap pass on Suzuki privateer SCott Sheak before grabbing the runner up position. Tons of intense Supercross racing action. pomplete race coverage, including exclusive behind the scenes "Pit Pass" footage ot the top riders, 50 minutes from Fox video. To Order Videos, Call (310) 427-7433 - Charge to