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/127936
'lIs championships, struggled during qualifying for the record field with a 10th-best 7.41, and his Sunoco Suzuki showed little improvement in his first two round wins over Hectrn- Arana, who broke an engine just off the starting line, and Seeling, who couldn't stage her Star Performance Suzuki after breaking a transmission. In the semifinals, crew chief Greg Cope nailed the clutch and chassis setup, and Schultz did his job on the starting line with a .08-second advantage against John Smith. Smith, who had earlier joined Hines as the only riders in the 7.2-second zone with a 7.28, ran a 7.31, but finished behind Schultz, who advanced to the 61st final of his storied career with a 7.32. The final was a rematch of the 1997 Gatornationals, where Hines was favored but lost due to a late light, but this time, it was Hines who got the jump and cruised to his 11th career title, 7.317.42. "After what happened last year, I really didn't want to run Dave in the final this time," Hines said. "Our bike started smoking in the semis and it slowed down in the last two rounds, so I 'know it's hurt. Last year, we didn't get our first win until the fourth race, so 1'm happy to get this one out of the way early." After qualifying, Schultz probably didn't expect to see himself in the final, but he also knew that he had the potential to run much better than he had been. "I knew there was no way we could have been as bad as we were looking," Schultz said. "I ran a 7.41 in qualifying, and we were running quicker than that I two years ago, so I knew there was a lot l~ft. We were just fortunate to find it at ili"'e right time." For the Pro Stock Bike class as a ~hole, the Gatornationals was a break~~rough event in morl! ways than one. ~The turnout was ~he largest in nearly three years. A total of 30 riders attempted to qualify for 16' spots and, for the first time ever, three Harley-Davidsonpowered bikes were part of the event. In addition, several new riders, including Las Vegas police officer Clarke Paris, ,former ProStar Top Gas Bike champ Tony Mullen, Harley racer Ed Ryan, and Antron Brown, whose Team 23 Suzuki is owned by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent, made their debuts in Gainesville. As for performance, there appears to be no limit as to how quick and fast the 1294cc, 600-pound Pro Stock Bikes can run. It was just two years ago that Schultz made the class' first 7.3-second pass, and 13 of the 16 qualifiers recorded career-best elapsed times in Gainesville. "There are still a lot of untapped areas left on these bikes," Hines noted. "They respond to small changes, and I wouldn't be surprised if someone doesn't break the six-second barrier in the 'next four or five years. I j';st hope 1'm the one to do it." tN LiRten Up, ClaRR! Anew state law requires bikers to carry liability insurance. If you don't, you'll get fined $500. Second offense is $' ,DOD. Keep it up, and your vehicle gets impounded. Which is why you might say that driving without motorcycle liability is not only illegal, it's down-right dunce-like. So ... Rhould ~u call :McGraw? That's a no-brainer. Especially when you consider that, at McGraw, you can get quality liability insurance for as low as $79 per year. No wonder, for the past twenty years, we've been at the head of the class. [ Ii California's largest writer of motorcycle insurance. 1.800.61\ICGRAW (1.800.662.4729) 3601 Haven Ave., Menlo Park, CA 9402S P.O. BOX 40, Anaheim, CA 92815 CA License No. 0531139 hnpJ/www.mcgrawgroup.com r-----------------------------------------------,, Start my subscription (ill]] ~ PRO STOCK FINAL: J. Matt Hines ISuz) 731/183.41; 2. Dave Schultz (Suz) 7.42/182.14. Upcoming Rounds: Round 2 - Atlanta. Georgia, April 16-19 Round 3 - Richmond, Virginia, April 23-26 0 YES! ORDER FORM . (Please fill out completely and print clearly) a,me _ _:.:.... _ o Address· _ o State _ _ Zip City . Phone o Order Date Will~, ! Gainesville Raceway Gainesville, Florida Results: March 13-14, 1998 (Round 1 of 14) McGRAW INSURANCE SERVICES Send to: Inc. P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084 Toll Free Subscription Hotline (800) 831-2220 24-hour FAX Order Line (714) 751-6685 • E-mail: Subscribe@cyclenews.com ,.Signature , L I MC/Visa# Expiration Date immediately to Cycle News. 1 year/ 50 issues for $38.00. (can be billed 3 monthly payments) Every week for two years (lOa issues for $70.00 Six months second class (25 issues for $19.00 This is a o ew Subscription o Renewal o Please bill me 1 Payment of $38.00 o o Bill 3 payments of $12.67 Enclosed is my check or money order Charge my 0 Visa , , , , , ,..... I I o Mastercard I One year (50 issues), 2nd class Canada or , Mexlco and all other foreign countries $78.00 , (US Funds). 1st class and airmail rates , available upon request. CN ~ ~ 0... < 37