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/128116
By 30 YEARS ASD_ AIJ6I1ST 17, 1971 Cal Rayborn (H-D) was photographed for the cover of Issue #31 while celebrating in the winner's circle after winning the dust-shortened Uvonia, Michigan, 20-miJe Grand National. Chuck Palmgren (Yam) and Dave Sehl (H-D) completed the top three, while Ken Roberts (Yam) topped the Junior final... Rick Woods won the Scratch main at Costa Mesa Speedway, ahead of Mike Bast and Larry Shaw ... We announced that we had a "new-fangled computer" that our circulation department was using. Its name was Wallis, the Novice Computer, and it was reported to be a real wonder machine - as in, it was wondered when it was going to start working right... Giacomo Agostini became the "world's champion of champions" after winning the 350cc class at the Finnish GP, and his 10th World title in the process. He won the 350cc title every year from 1968 to 1971 and the 500cc title every year from 1966 to 1971, bettering the former records of both Mike Hailwood and Carlos Ubiali. 20 YEARS ASO_. AII611ST12,1981 Speedway ace Bruce PenhaU showed his pearly whites for the cover of Issue #31 after taking the Intercontinentai Speedway Final and becoming the only American to qualify for the 1981 Speedway World Final. Penhall scored a perfect 15 points in the victory over Erik Gundersen, from Denmark, who scored a 12... Mark Barnett (Suz) and Brae Glover (Yam) clinched the 125 and 500cc National MX titles at the seventh round of their respective series. Amazingly, after seven rounds and 14 matos, Bamett was a perfect 14 for 14, having not lost a single race to that point. Glover was also dominant in the 500cc class, having won almost everything in that class as well ... Husqvarna's Terry Cunningham rode his 420cc Automatic to the win at round seven of the AMA National Championship Enduro Series in White Cloud, Michigan. Points leader Dick Burleson (Hus) finished two points behind, in fourth ... Chris Carr won the 100cc Schoolboy (12-15), 85cc Modified (12-14), 100cc and 250cc classes at the Lodi National Short Track Qualifier in Lcdi, California. Matt Wait won the 50cc (6-8) class. 10 YEARS ASD_ AIJ6I1ST 14, 1991 Kit Palmer rode one of the brand-new 1992 Husqvarnas that we had a chance to test on location in Italy. It was reported that the WMX250 was seriously fast, but had slim to no chance of ever seeing an American MX track. The off-roaders, on the other hand, were promised to be in the States soon after the test... Chris Carr scored his fourth consecutive Peoria TT win in Illinois. He chased down early leader, Harley-Davidson teammate and second-place finisher Scott Parker about halfway through the race and won by about 15 bike lengths. The third of the Harley teamsters, Kevin Atherton, took third... Mike Kiedrowski (Kaw) and Jeff Stanton (Han) swept the 125 and 250cc classes, respectively, at the Southwick. Massachusetts, MX National. It was JeanMichel Bayle (Han), though, who won the war as he wrapped up the 250cc National MX title with his second-place overall finish. Steve Lamson (Han) went 4-2 in the 125cc class for second overall. W Final lVIolo CHRIS JONNUM hen Team USA heads to Namur, Belgium, this September to compete in the Motocross des Nations, we will be recognizing the 20th anniversary of the historic 1981 premier USA victory by Chuck Sun, Danny LaPorte and Donnie Hansen, and if we can win it, the United States will move into a tie with Great Britain for all-time MXdN victories, at 16. Oddly enough, I don't care if we win. Well, perhaps that's overstating my case a bit, since I - a red-blooded American - am as guilty of jingoistic flag-waving as the next guy, but when it comes to the MX des Nations at least, that old adage about "how you play the game" holds true. I can already hear you macho types shouting "Wimp!" (and I have to admit that you're not far wrong), but my point is that no matter what goes down at the historic Citadel circuit on September 30, what really matters is that we walk away haVing given our best effort. There are a lot of components included in a "best effort," some more apparent than others. The most obvious is the riders, and on that point, I've got to think we're pretty strong. As it stands now, the team consists of Ryan Hughes, Ricky Carmichael and Travis Pastrana - the same three riders who took the Peter Chamberlain Trophy last year after a three-year drought. The feat was a thing of beauty, with the trio perfonming heroically on the picturesque S1. Jean d' Angely circuit, posting a 19-point total score that was nearly twice as good as the runner-up. Taking that into account, it was understandable that the AMA stuck with these three when it made its decision a couple of weeks ago. Since then, however, a couple of recent developments have many wondering if the team might be altered somewhat before the trip to Belgium is made. The biggest question mark is Travis Pastrana, who has been crashing with alarming regularity, and who this weekend lost his lead in the 125cc National Championship points standings. Pastrana also continues to suffer the effects of the multiple concussions he has incurred this season, and his still-growing body is beginning to look quite oversized on the little Suzuki RM125. No one wants to kick such a nice kid when he's down, but it is logical that some are beginning to question the wisdom in his competing as long as he has anything other than a completely clean bill of health - especially when new 125cc points leader Mike Brown, who has a wealth of GP experience, is available as a replacement. The recent concussion epidemic has also struck Hughes, who crashed hard while training on his CRF450R at Glen Helen, prompting him to sit out the subsequent Washougal National Motocross round. It's far too early to write off Hughes, who will likely be back in action before long, but if it appears that he is unable to make it to Namur, he's got a fine replacement waiting in the wings. Tim Ferry has been incredibly fast in the Nationals this year, and his YZ426F has a strong base of testing data on the GP circuit, where leaded fuel is not allowed Uust like in the des Nations). Carmichael would appear to be the team's strongest member, with the There is one potential scenario, however, that could result in justifiable shame for the U.S. team and, more to the point, the American motocross public, and that would be if we fans failed to do our part. Sure, American aficionados are known for vocally supporting their athletes more enthusiastically than just about anyone, but I'm talking about putting our money were our mouths are. The United States may be the biggest, richest country in terms of GNP, but it's an entirely different story at this event, where nations with motocrossrich histories regularly assist the team effort via government funds. As for Team USA, it gets its funding from the motorcycle industry and the general public (no matter how popular George Bush may be among off-roaders, don't hold your breath waiting for a White House-backed effort at Namur). Chevy Trucks pitches in with a contribution, and SFX (now Clear Channel) donated a $5000 check at its season-end supercross banquet. The factories also typically pitch in by supporting their riders when selected, and there are numerous other sponsors that help out as well (including Scott USA, Speed Stick and Racer X Illustrated magazine). As for the mota fans, they (you) help out in several ways. Rider gear and memorabilia is auctioned off after several outdoor Nationals (coordinated by Mota Tees and the National Promoters Group), and Team USA Tshirts and Scott special-edition hologram goggles can be purchased at the AMA Pro Racing Website (www.amaproracing.com). In addition, commemorative Team USA MX des Nations decals (signed by all three riders and manager Roger DeCoster) can be purchased at www.mxdesnations.com. as can special 20th Anniversary stickers commemorating the team's first win. We at Cycle News are also getting in on the action, as we'll be raffling off a huge, autographed blow-up of last year's September 20 issue cover (pictured here), which featured the winning team standing in front of an American flag. All proceeds will go to the Team USA MX des Nations fund. Watch www.cyclenews.com over the next few days for details on how to enter. How you take part and how much you donate aren't important. What is vital is that you participate at all. That way, come what mayan race day, you'll be able to hold your head high. eN only potential snafu to his participation being his expected off-season switch to a Honda. Presumably, the AMA discussed this issue with Carmichael prior to his selection, and the Floridian can no doubt be counted upon to race well whether his bike is green or red. If not, Kevin Windham would seem a strong 250cc candidate, considering his caliber of riding this season. In any event, the riders will probably be the strong part of the equation, since they have proven over and over again that they can be counted upon when it's all on the line. Even if luck doesn't go our way, as sometimes happens in the MX des Nations, you can bet that it won't be because the American racers didn't hold up their end of the bargain. These guys are winners no matter what goes down, just as non-victorious 2000 teams like Italy, Belgium and France - countries gracious in defeat - were anything but losers. CDmlng Up In Cycle News • Belgium Wortd Championship MX • Delaware AMA Flat Track • Haydenville, OhIo National Hillcilmb cue I • n e _ os • AUGUST 8,2001 103