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/127994
Du Quoin 50-miler test des, Johnny Murphree, J.R. Schnabel, Bryan Bigelow and surprise test rider Kevin Atherton made up the small but talented group that would help the lMDA determine the proper course of action for the 5o-miler. The riders tested early to come up with the proper configuration of the pit lane before running several mock races that included pit stops, yellow flags, pace vans, red flags and flying restarts. "I think the riders all took this very serious, and I think we were able to address all their concerns," Coziahr said. "They all had a lot of input, and they seem to be real happy with all our changes. We (the IMDA and AMA) feel our main problem will be in scoring the race. This is a totally unique situation, but I think we can work it out. If we can, I think the race will definitely go on." "We've gotten a lot of feedback from the riders and our scoring staff," AMA dirt track manager Bruce Bober said. "I think there are still some more changes needed - our two main concerns are rider safety and the scoring of the race. The pit stops are a major problem in both areas. We've taken a lot of notes, and now it's up to Merrill (Vanderslice, AMA Pro Racing director of competition) and me to come up with some answers to make this work." In the mock races, the two fastest teams were the TCR and Sacramento Harley-Davidson teams of Atherton and Carr. Both ran in the low-40-second range. But even with near-perfect stops, the rider would lose aqout a lap and a half. Harley-Davidson factory rider Scott Parker was somewhat optimistic but uncommitted to the event's success. "I think it can come together; I think it has possibilities," Parker said. "It's hard to tell if the changes we made today will really work without a lot more people doing it (the testing). There is going to be a certain amount of crisscrossing (entering and exiting the pits) no matter what." By Dave Hoenig Photos by Flat Trak Fotos DU QUOIN, IL, APR. 24 he Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Associa tion is striving to bring the Du Quoin "Magic Mile" back to its former glory by attempting to prod uce a show tha t will give race fans more bang for the buck. "This is a beautiful facility and a great race track, but since we (the IMDA) returned racing to the fairgrounds, we've lost money," IMDA president Tim Coziahr said. '1f we can't make a go of it in the next two years, it'll be history." With thjs in mind, IMDA officials plan to add a special 50-mile, $50,000 program to complement the AMA Grand National motorcycle r'!ces on the weekend of July 24-25. In addition to the Saturday AMA Grand Nlltional (presented by Drag Specialties) and its 25mile final, on Sunday fans will have the opportuni ty to see the first 50-miler since 1966, when Gary Nixon won the Springfield 50 on a Triumph.' Many of the stars of the AMA Grand National circuit are expected to compete on both days. It will be a weekend full of enter:; tainment on the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, as the musical b.and Deluxry 44 will perform in concert S,!:turday night. T =- (Above) Tom Cummings (left) handles the gas, while other TCR crew members work on a quick tire change for Kevin Atherton during a mock pit stop at the Du Quoin somiler test at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. If all the logistics can be agreed upon, the 5lHniler will take place the day after the Du Quoin Mile Grand National, July 25. (Right) Nine-time AMA Grand National Champion Scott Parker (right) offers commentary to AMA dirt track manager Bruce Bober (left) as Chris Carr (left center) and IMDA president TIm Coziahr listen in. Many of the riders at the test offered a tenuous approval of the event. Several logistics still need to be ironed out. Camping will also be available on the grounds Friday and Saturday night. "We are proud to renew the 5O-miler tradition at Du Quoin," Coziahr said. "With the Springfield Mile hosting two Grand Nationals and the Hall of Fame race, we wanted to do something special at Du Quoin for the race fans. We would like to invite everyone to enjoy the AMA Grand National on Saturday, the Deluxry concert Saturday night and the rebirth of the 50-miler on Sunday. This is going to be a spectacular racing weekend." In 1966, when Nixon captured Springfield, pit stops were an emergency thing only, but they won't be for this event. The modern-day machinery that the American Motorcyclist Associa'tion's Grand National stars ride bum up tires far too quickly to safely last for 50 . miles, so a mandatory pit stop has been proposed to take place between laps 20 to 30, where teams must change the rear tire and refuel. This unusual concept prompted the AMA to call for a test session at Du Quoin 'to test the feasibility of such a large project. On April 24, the track was opened up to all Grand Nationallicensed riders for free testing. Sadly, just seven riders showed up with their 750s. Scott Parker, Chris Carr, Brett Lan- One surprising fact was the quickness with which the racers returned to full speed from their pit stops. "I think by the time you get to the middle of the corner, you're up to speed,". Parker said. "The one thing I really feel tha tit needed is the barrier between the pit exit and the racing surface. If someone would slip off pit lane into the racing line, I think it could be a disaster." Parker's longtime tuner, Bill Werper, was less than sold on the idea, but for . other reasons. "I don't know how the fans are going to know who's doing what," Werner