Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

removed from the circuit due to the '92 Los Angeles riots), the famed and historical event is being welcomed back with open arms. From the first true stadium supercross race held there in 1972, to Rick Johnson's amazing come-from-behind ride in 1987, to the last-lap showdown between Damon Bradshaw and JeanMichel Bayle in 1990, to the most stunning race of them all, the 1992 series finale where Damon Bradshaw faltered, thus opening the door for Jeff Stanton to win the race, and with it, the series title (Bradshaw hasn't been the same since), the Coliseum has been the sight of some of the greatest moments in the sport. Interestingly, the opulent, big-time, $500,000 IS-wheelers of the big-four factory teams - and the subsequent surplus of privateer-operated box vans and pickup trucks - will stay put in the Coliseum parking lot as round two of the series also will take place in the former purpose-built Olympic Games venue. Upon the completion of round two, the AMA Supercross circus will pack up the big top, hop on the 1-10, head east, and hightaiJ it over to Tempe, Arizona, to run in ASU's Sun Devil Stadium. From there, it's on to the Seattle Kingdome, the Indianapolis RCA borne, the Georgia Dome and a stop over at Bill France's pride and joy - and cornerstone of the omnipotent NASCAR empire Daytona International Speedway. Upon getting on the highways and byways of America, the circuit will then puJ] into the Minneapolis Metrodome, which has been moved back from its former, frigid, January date. Hopefully, Minneapolis, which has traditionally drawn over 50,000 spectators to its events, will not be hurt by its new place on the schedule. From the land of 10,000 lakes, the series will roll into the Houston Astrodome, then skirt tlle bottom of the country before setting up shop in Orlando, which has been displaced from its traditional kickoff status. White it's no slight to Orlando and its fine' Citrus Bowl, not many tears were shed when it was announced that the '97 series would begin in Los Angeles. The very next week, the series will visit St. Louis - the site where Jeff Emig derailed Jeremy McGrath's 1996 13-race win streak. For the next three consecutive weeks, it's a trip to the motor city for a .run in the Pontiac Silverdome, a crosscounty shot to the heart of NASCAR country at Humpy Wheeler and Bruton Smith's shimmering, 170,000-seat NASCAR venue, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and a visit to the Dallas Cowboys' Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The road-weary series will then finally conclude at Richie Clyne's beautiful new circui t in the Nevada desert near Las Vegas. If you have not yet been to this new venue, make your plans now as the facility is - by many accounts - the most stunning race track in the nation. To set the record straight, the 1997 AMA Supercross Series loses both the Anaheim and San Diego events due to stadium construction projects, waves goodbye to the Denver, Colorado, race, and invites in the new Coliseum, Sun Devil Stadium and Las Vegas Motor Speedway races. Then th.ere are the teams of, the 1997 AMA Supercross Series. No doubt all prepared, sorted out and organized to make a run for ·the 1997 campaign, it is safe to assume that the McGrath declaration of independence has thrown a big 01' wrench into the works. What will be the fallout of his decision? Will there now be additional shuffling and maneuvering to fill the major smoking hole now left at Honda? Time - in the form of one week - wilJ soon tell the tale. With the rumor mongering now at fever-pitch levels, McGrath is set to face the biggest challenge of his career. After winning four consecutive AMA 250cc championship titles and 43 event victories for Team Honda, McGrath now leaves the fold of the big red machine that nas supported him so diligently his entire professional career. Interestingly, on a historical note, with the exception of Mike Kiedrowski, no rider has ever left Team Honda and gone on to win an AMA National Championship. That said, if anyone can make the best out of any situation and overcome adversity, it will be the sensational McGrath. . To be working in tandem with the legendary Roger DeCoster, who has the entire American Suzuki Motor Corporation on board with his new quest, and all of the resources Suzuki has to offer, McGrath still must be considered the championship favorite heading into the Coliseum. Teamed with his proven new mechanic Wyatt Seals (who wrenched for Ryan Hughes in '96), McGrath must still provide answers to a number of intriguing questions: Can he get off the Honda and win on a Suzuki? Will DeCoster and McGrath's new independently run team be able to work in unison? Will McGrath miss his buddy and former mechanic Skip Norfolk? All good questions that will begin to be answered when the gate drops Saturday in Los Angeles. It cannot be denied that Team Honda has been thrown a stunning, crippling blow to its '97 title defense. With Steve Lamson set to go to war in the 250cc division, he is now left without a teammate. Or is he? As tlUs article was being penned, a number of names were being spun off a rumor mill that was wheeling at approximately 2Q,000 rpm. Damon Bradshaw, Mike Kiedrowski and Mike Brown were an mentioned as possible replacements for Super Mac. However, word has it that Honda will likely go into 1997 without a comrade in arms for Lamson. At any rate, Lamson will have a lot of room to move around in the new Team Honda big rig. Meanwhile, Team Honda rookie Scott Sheak, probably scratching his head over this entire soap opera, is slated to compete in the 125cc East division. While his 1996 supercross results were a bit inconsistent, that was more a factor of being a struggling privateer with little or no financial resources than it was a lack of talent or determination. With Team Honda, and its very capable team manager Wess McCoy behind him, the ever-popular Sheak will, be a serious contender for the AMA 125cc East Region title. Team Suzuki can fulfill its destiny in 1997. With the aforementioned McGrath on board in the bright-yellow, 1-8OQ-Cotleet-emblazoned I8-wheeler, Roger DeCoster has a championship-caliber team on his hands. Backing up McGrath will be veteran Mike LaRocco, French sensation Mickael Pichon and three-time FlM 250cc World Champion Greg A1bertyn, who won his first supercross in Tokyo in November. If Roger DeCoster can maximize the talents of these three riders, and keep the team operating in harmony with McGrath, Suzuki has the potential to do fhe most damage on the series. Stay tuned. Riding the AMA 125cc Regional Supercross series for the Hamamatsu, Japan-based marque will be Tim Ferry back from the privateer grave - in the East, and a freshly signed Nathan Ram-

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