Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Hacker still had a chance of picking up a second consecutive title as the 883 National support-class ranks took to the track for the final round of their 12-race season, but the young Virginian was clearly behind the eight ball. That's exactly how many points he was behind series leader Eric Bostrom of the Bartels' H-D squad as the 17rider field took to the track for the final. But a challenge never materialized as Hacker struggled well down in the· field, eventually finishing 10th on the day and third in the season points race while (Right and below) Will Davis (21) leads George Roeder II (66) and Jay Springsteen (9). The trio battled for sixth until Roeder dropped out due to mechanical dlfftcultles. Dave Camlln (27) joined the fray to finish between Davis In sixth and SprInger In eighth. (Below right) California's Eric Bostrom topped the 883 main to clinch the championship. FINAL AMA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 21 of 21 roUnds): 1. Scott Parker (3fF)/6 wins); 2. Kevin Atherton (294/5); 3. Will Da";s (266/3); 4. Joe Kopp (247); 5. Steve Morehead (223/1); 6. Rieh King (211/1); 7. Dave Comlin (205/2); B. Kevin Varnes (153); 9. Brett Landes (139); 10. Jay Springsteen (ji-D); 11. Dan B~tler (125); 12. Dale Jenneman Sr. (101); 13. Steve Beattie (98); 14. Kenny Coolbeth (98); 15. Terry Poovey (66); 16. Chonce Darling (62); 17. Don Stanley (58); lB. Ronnie Jones (53); 19. J.R. Schnabel (47); 20. Geo Roeder 11(46). 883 NATIONAL (12 laps; 17 riders): 1. Eric Bostrom; 2. Dan Stanley; 3. Johnny Murphree; 4. Jess Roeder; 5. Paul Bergstrom; 6. Ben Bostrom; 7. Georgie Price IV; 8. Gary Rogers; 9. Scott Stump; 10. Mike Hac,ker; 11. Jim Rosa; 12. Jay Springsteen; 13. Paul M..-Son Ill; 14. Shaun Russell; 15. A,J. Herrera; 16. Billy Martin; 17. Chris Fitzhugh. Time: 8 min., 34.60 sec. FINAL AMA BB3 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERlES POINT STANDINGS (After 12 of 12 rounds), 1. Eric Bostrom (149/4 wins); 2. Georgie Price rv (133/1); 3. Mike Hacker (127/2); 4. Jess Roeder (119/1); 5. J.R. Schnabel (117/1); 6. Robert Miller (B7/1); 7. Johnny Murphree (B3); B. Scott Stump (79); 9. Jay Springsteen (73); 10. Jason Fletcher (72); 11. Shaun Russell (71); 12. Paul Bergstrom (68); 13. Gary Rogen (64); 14. Nathan Wait (57); 15. Paul Morgon ill (49); 16. Billy Martin (44); 17. (TIE) Lonnie PauleylJohn Faulkner 1II (39); 19. Dan Stanley (31); 20. A.J. Herrera (30) 600cc EXPERT (15l.aps; 15 ridersl: 1. Lonnie Pauley (W-R) 2. Kenny Coolbeth (W-R); 3. Dave Durelle (W-R); 4~ Mark Corsetti (W-R); 5. Paul Lynch (Rtx); 6. Dan Stanley (Rtx); 7. Andy Tresser 1II (W-R); 8. Shaun Russell (Rtx); 9. Johnny Murphree (Hbg); 10. Mike Vames (ATI<); 11. Ryan Brown (Rtx); 12 Ben Bellman (Rtx); 13. Rob Damron (W-R); 14. Josh Buller (Rtx); 15. Billy Martin (Rtx). _ Time: 8 min., 16.64 sec. Bostrom was right where he needed to be, running up.front. The Californian was kept busy dealing with stablemate Johnny Murphree and older brother Ben Bostrom early in the main event before Dan Stanley got in the act with them and actually took the lead on several occasions. But it was the younger Bostrom's day, and he capped his championship quest with a victory ahead of Stanley and Murphree in a close finish. "We did it, man," Bostrom said. "I'm stoked to be champion. it feels so good because this track brings out the worst in me. I had a lot of anticipation coming in here, because I know this was ply worst track, and if I could win it here, I could win anywhere. And then to see Ben and Johnny up there. It brought a smile to my face. Halfway through the race, I settled down. I knew I had it under control from there." 600cc EXPERT Don't look now, but Lonnie Pauley did it again. The Corbin Racing rider pulled off another 600cc Expert win on his WoodRotax after dealing with heavy early pressure from 600cc rivals Kenny Coolbeth and Paul Lynch as well as new pressure from former Grand National campaigner Dave Durelle. But Pauley handled them all, slipping by Coolbeth in the latter stages of the race and then holding the Connecticut youngster off at the finish line for victory. Coolbeth was second ahead of DureUe, Mark Corsetti and Lynch. "My Billy Fagundes-tuned WoodRotax is the f;lstest motorcycle on the track," Pauley said. "Every time I jump on it, I think I can win. I thought that Coolbeth was going to get away, but I used his line to catch him in time and win it for Team Corbin." rN Del Mar Fairgrounds Del Mar, California Results: October 13,1996 (Round 21 of 21) HEAT 1 (10 laps; 9 riders, top 3 transfer): 1. Jay Springsteen (H-D); 2. Steve Morehead (H-D); 3. Paul Lynch (H-D); 4. Dale Jenneman (H-D); 5. Jan s.gedy (HD); 6. Andy Tresser (Due); 7. Tom Troudt (Hon); 8. Terry Poovey (H-D), 9. Willie MeCoy (H-D) Time: 6 min., 38.85 sec. REAT 2 (10 laps; 9 riders, top 3 transfer): 1. Scott ~arker (H-D); 2. Joe Kopp (H-D); 3. Will Davis (H-D) 4. Steve Beattie (H-D); 5. Mike Hacker (H-D); 6. Paul Bergstrom (Hon); 7. Les Washbon (H-D); B. Lonny Kopp (H-D) 9. Georgie Price rv (H-D). Time: 6 min., 39.243 sec. HEAT 3 (10 laps; 9 riders, top 3 transfer): 1. Kevin Atherton (H-D); 2. Dave CamJin (H-D); 3. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 4. Don Stanley (H-D); 5. Chris Evans (H-D); 6. J.R. Schnabel (H-D); 7. Jon Cornwell (H-O); B. M>chael Varnes (H-D); 9. Brent Armbruster (H-D). Time: 6 min., 45.185 sec. HEAT 4 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 3 transfer): 1. Ronnie Jones (Hon); 2. Geo Roeder D (H-D) 3. Chan.. Darling (Hon); 4. Brett Land~ (Hon); 5. Dan Butler (HD); 6. Gary Roge.. (Hon); 7. Jnn Sumner (H-D); 8. Mike lnderbitzin (H-D); 9. Don Howard (H-D)i 10. Allon McBee (H-D). Time: 6 min.• 43.369 sec. SEMI 1 (8 laps; 9 riden, top 2 transfer): 1. Dan Butler (H-D); 2. Mike Hacker (H-D); 3. Tom Troudt (Hon); 4. J.R. Schnabel (H-D); 5. Brent Armbruster (H. D); 6. Lonny Kopp (H-D); 7. Mike Inderbitzin (H-D); g. Dale Jenneman (H-D); 9. AlIon McBee (H-D). Time: 5 min.• 33.09 sec. SEMI 2 (8 laps; 8 riders, top 2 transfer): 1. Terry Poovey (H-D), 2. Ian Segedy (H-D); 3. Chris Evans (HD); 4. Michael Varnes (H-O); 5. Steve Beattie (H-D); 6. Gary Rogers (Hon); 7. Don Howard (H·D); 8. Les Washbon (H-D). Time: 5 min., 31.915 sec. SEMl 3 (8 laps; 8 riders, top 2 transfer): 1. Dan Stanley (H-D); 2. WUUe MeCoy (H-D); 3. Paul Bergstrom (Hon); 4. Andy Tresser (Due); 5. Brett Landes (Hon); 6. Jon Cornwell (H-D); 7. Jim Sumner (H-D); 8. Georgie Price IV (H-D). Time: 5 min.• 34.363 sec. GRAND NATIONAL (25 laps; 18 riders): 1. Kevin Atherton (H-D); 2. Scott Parker (H-D); 3. Joe Kopp (H0); 4. Dan Buller (H-D); 5. Kenny Cool beth (H-D); 6. WH.I Davis (H-D); 7. Dave Camlin (H-D); 8. Jay Spnngsteen (H-D); 9. Chanee Darling (Hon); 10. Willie McCoy (H-D); 11. Paul Lynch .(H-D); 12. Mike Hack.. (H-D); 13. Terry Poovey (H-D); 14. Don Stanley (H-D); 15. Ronnie Jones (Hon); 16. Ceo Roeder 11 (H-D); 17. Steve Morehead (H-D); lB. Tan Segedy (H-D). Time: 16 min., 29.58 sec. .- The rumor mill ran hot ahd heavy with regard to which teams might be dobg what for the 199.7 season. The possible addition of. a Vance & . Hines race team has reportedly had that company's phone ringing off the hook with interested riders and teams looking to be .a part of it. but noihing concrete has developed. Perhaps the best news. for his competition anyway. is that Team Harley-Davidson's Scott Parker does plan to retire· in two years. "I'm going to run in 1997 and 1998 and then be done - unless something happens," Parker said with a laugh. "My goal is to win 82 races. That's twice as many as the next-closest guy." Jay Springsteen trails 76-time winner Parker on the all-time Grand Nationa1 win list with 41 victories. Corbin Racing has not yet officially declared its '97 squad, but it now appears unlikely that a Skip Eaken/Dave Camlin team will be part of it. Acconding to Camlin. Eaken has discussed the possibility of not retumlng with his toolbox next year, thus leaving Camlin looking for another mechanic. Camlin said that he is currently workin9 on two possibilities. One would be to stay with Corbin Racing and attempt to bring on Jerry Willhelmy as tuner. The other would be to switch to Ducati power with the help of superbike raCing's Fast by Feracci. Corbin Racing rider Chance Darling did say that he Wr!S certain he would be remaining . on the Tim Torrecillas-owned Hondas in 1997 'and that teammate Lonnie Pauley was expected .to be a f.ull-time· Harley-Davidso.n rider on the team, capaqity similar to t~e role he piayed with the TCR team in 1'996. Rich King will.remain· with Craig Rogers 'on the R&R Hondas in' 1997, and team owner Rogers confirmed' that he w.ill be building a new Harley-DavidS.on for second rider and son Gary Rogers.' "That's done deal," Rogers said; We're going to get started on it in a few weeks." a Another team considering the switch from Honda to Har~ey-Davidson in 1997 is the Loral Lak. Racing team. Team owner Ai Bergstrom' said that it was too early to tell, but the team was looking at the possibility of adding an XR for Paul Bergstrom to ride. Bergsirom did say that no agreement had been reached with Ronnie Jones for the new year. 'Bur R.J. Will always have a ride with me." Bergstrom said. Ronnie is our most expensive third son. " N Road racer Ben' Bostrom was on hand at Del Mar to contest the final 883 race of the year on his Bartels' Harley-Davidson. Bostrom said that his dirt track layoff made the change a bit trickier tban he thought it would be. 'I'm stoked, "Bostrom said. "But it fell pretty sketchy out there. I haven't ndden dirt track since here last year. I'm not used to running it in that fur. II's a whole different ball game. But I want to see Eric (Bostrom) win the championship. I think we all do. " Rookie rider J.R_ Schnabel lost the appeal of his disqualification at the U.S. Motorcycle Nationals at Knoxville, iowa, where his Suburban Motors XR750 was found to be running ·illegal carburetors. The AMA did award Schn· abel one point and pay·him .last-place money in similar fashion to the Rich King incident at Rossburg, Oh.io. "We lost a littie ·money, " · Schnabei .said. "But 'we were still second." Brent Armbruster intends to make ~II the · Steve Morehead reported that rumors 6f his retirement are greatly exaggerated. "I don't Grand Nationals in 1996, 'but the Michigan know about that (retiring)." Morehead said. youngster has made it known that he:s looking to park his motorcycle and land another ride' "But you might see me being more selective.. We do know We're going to try to Win today." for the coming year· if even in a development

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