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/127806
MOTOCROSS 20th Annual Kawasaki Race of Champions By Chris ColI!>m Photos by Karl Ockert ENGUSHTOWN, NT, ocr. 6 aceway Park's Kawasaki Race of Champions, much like Loretta Lynn's and Mammoth Mountain, is an opportunity for up-and-coming riders to showcase their talents in front of the factory brass. Former-Team Green riders like the late Donny Schmit and former Suzuki factory rider Ronnie Tichenor used the Kawasaki Race of Champions as a stepping stone ill their respective journeys to professional motocross careers. Florida's Ricky Carmichael was this year's budding star. He headed into Raceway Park coming off of a top-10 finish at the Steel City 125cc National, which was Carmichael's first race as a pro. At the Race of Champions, Carmichael rode under Team Green support, but for 1997, he will ride on the Pro Circuit/SplitFire team. . In an all-out display, Kawasaki sent its factory semi to the race, complete with hired guns. Jeff Emig, Ryan Hughes and Damon Huffman all were signed up to race. In addition to the factory support, 37 Kawasaki dealers throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania contributed to the event. Approximatel y 500 racers competed for Raceway Park's biggest purse ever nearly $12,000. The day featured 250 and 125cc Pro classes as well as round four of the AMA East Coast Four-Stroke Nationals. After getting beaten in the first moto by Canadian Jean-Sebastien Roy, 250cc National Champion Emig put together a second-moto win to take the overall. Huffman cruised to wins in both 125cc motos. Husaberg rider Mike Young earned the win in the Four-Stroke class. Located approximately 40 miles from Manhattan, in central New Jersey, the Raceway Park Motocross facility first opened its gates in 1975 after the track was carved out of the Jersey flatlands. Promoters Jay Irwin and Ken Landerman created a unique blend of rough loam and technical jumps. One jump, the elevator - or staircase to the locals - was created with clean fill provided from an adjoirling watercraft lake. From' top to bottom, the jump stands more than 30 feet high. This jump is only one of about six big air opportunities to challenge riders on the Raceway Park circuit. "We are into a rough, more technical track," Raceway Park promoter Ken. Landerman said. "Our unique combination of moist, sandy lbam and skill-oriented jumps makes Raceway Park a demanding outdoor circuit. We trucked in 52 loads of sand to prepare the track for the 20th annual Kawasaki Race of Champions. We expect it to get rough." You feel a sense of electricity at the Kawasaki Race of Champions. The crisp, fall, Mid-Atlantic air gives the surrounding trees tinges of burning orange, yellow and red. Combine the brackish weather with the sounds of roaring race cars from the national-caliber dragstrip at the head of the track and the vinta.ge biplanes taking off and landing at the airport at the foot of the track and you get a sense of action. The track itself is located smack dab in the middle of these two facili.ties, within a compound that has a pit area which circles the course. What's more, in the land of Bruce Springsteen, a hoagie is a more popular spectator snack than a hot dog. Enter nearly 5,000 racers and fans and you get a carnivaltype atmosphere. In years past, riders who are not R ~ ~ >.t;) 0\ 0\ ......, ~ C'l '" .n' OJ 0 .... u 0 30 • ~ ,