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/128217
two-three shift. These transmissions can be pretty fickle, and when you do that, a lot of times the bike won't go into high gear. This was not a transmission problem, but a rider problem. "I did what I needed to do this weekend by beating Angelle and Geno; I just didn't finish the job. After Atlanta, people were already writing us off for the championship, but I'll tell you, we're far from out of it. Right now, there are less than four rounds separating the top five in the points. That tells me that this thing is going to be a dog fight and that it will probably go down to the last race of the season. We plan to be there in the end." Gann's victory, coupled with the early round losses of Savoie and Atlanta winner Scali, has jumbled the points standings. After four of 15 rounds, just 73 points separate the top five riders, Scali, Gann, Savoie, Brown and Treble. "We put ourselves in a position to win the championship today, but there is still a long way to go," Gann said. "We've just got to work at it diligently. Hopefully this weekend was a sign of what's to come." A pair of accidents during Friday's qualifying marred an otherwise spectacular event. At the end of a careerbest 7. I 7 run, Matt Smith got caught up in a gust of wind that send his Red Line Oil Suzuki into the retaining wall. Smith managed to stay on the bike, but the force of the impact broke three toes on his right foot and drove the footpeg through the sole of his shoe and into his foot. Smith is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. Moments later, John Smith (no relation) caught a similar gust of wind and slammed the wall on Pete Briggs' Lake Mortgage Kawasaki. John, who was traveling over 140-mph, came off the bike (a rarity for drag racers) and slid down the track. He was treated for minor cuts and bruises and returned to the track the next day. The Lake Mortgage bike sustained heavy damage, and the team will likely miss the next round of the series in Joliet, IL. John's crash ended a disastrous week for the few Kawasaki teams that regularly compete on the NHRA tour. Prior to the event, NHRA rookie Ryan Schnitz crashed Rob Muzzy's new ZX12 entry during a test session in Darlington, Sc. Schnitz was not seriously injured, but the one-of-a-kind bike was heavily damaged, and the Muzzy team will likely miss the next two rounds while they rebuild. Also in Englishtown, Kawasaki privateer Wesley Wells took a high-speed trip into the sand trap after the brakes failed on his ZX- 11. eN AlVA SANCTIONED HONDA Rider's Club of America- Honda Riders Club of America and Mountain Adventures Honda Present the Great Smoky Mountain Dualspod Tour GRAND PRIZES! Saturday June 21 & Sunday June 22, 2003 Tour the foothills of the Smoky Mountains! 2003 Honda Motorcycle! Over 200 Miles of scenic back roads and exclusive trails! Free Trip with Chris Haines Baja Tours! Plus Many Door Prizes! Tour includes Saturday night Banquet! at Mountain Adventure5 Honda (Starting Point for Sunday's Ride.) Mail entry form to: Litz Racing, Inc. 682 Spurgeon Lane Blountville, TN 37617 Information: Litzracing@aol.com (423) 323-0489 or John Strange (423) 623-6024 Name, DOB, Phone E-Mail I Will Be Here For: Saturday__Driver S50 _ Address, City Make checks to: Litz Racing Smoky Mountain Tour _ State_ Zip, Saturday__Passenger S20 Sunday_ _Driver S50 _ Bike Info, _ AMA # Sunday_ _ Passenger S20 Two Day__Drvr S80, Pssgnr S40 _ REQUI REM ENTS : This tour is for legally-licensed motorcycle riders with valid motorcycle license. Parental consent is required for minors. Quiet Street-Legal motorcycles with Spar!< Arrestors Mandatory. This is a self-guided tour for Dual5port riders from Novice to Expert. Medical insurance is not provided and you are urged not to ride a motorcycle without insurance. Plan to bring your stJeet-legal Dual5port tires. Entries liMITED to 300 riders. Ride at your own risk. This is NOT a race or enduro. l!l!JW IllY IJ '§ is perfect for everyone! Cycle News brings you all the latest in the world of motorcycling,., months Old Bridge Township Raceway Part< Englishtown, New Jersey Results: May 15-18, Z003 IRound 4 of 151 faster than the magazines! Your gift subscription will be a wel- J. Shawn Gann (SUl) 7.10/188.49: 2. Craig Treble (SUl) 7.75/130.32. come weekly reminder of your thoughtfulness.. , PRO STOCK FINAL: NHRA POW ERa de Pro Stock Motorcycle Point Standings (after 4 of 15 events): I. Gena Scali (328/1 win) 2. Shawn Gan" (304/1 win) 3. Angelle Savoie (302/2 wins) 4. Antro" Brown (299) 5. Craig Treble (255). Upcoming Rounds: Round 5 - Joliet, Illinois, May 29-June 1 Round 6 - Madison, Illinois, June 26-29 Call Toll-Free 1.800.831.2220 (9:00am - 5:00pm P.S.T.) cue I ... n e _ S • JUNE 4, 2003 63