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/128373
Schnabel Tests Yamaha V-Twin ne day after riding his usual HarleyDavidson XR750 to victory in the 750cc Expert class at the Houston Hot 5hoe National in Baytown, Texas, Memphis Shades/Parts Unlimited's j.R. Schnabel got O his first chance to test the team's Yamaha Vtwin dirt tracker at Houston Raceway Park on April 3. Schnabel put SO laps on the machine, which is powered by a bored out Yamaha Vision V-twin engine. He reported excel- story," Schnabel said. "Right now it feels like the Yamaha is just a little short on power at the end of the straightaways, but the motor is still basically stock inside. I can't wait to try it with some work done to the heads and a few other things. It could work pretty good." The bike was built by Schnabel's tuner, Babe DeMay, lent results. and has actually been around "I was actually surprised at how good it is right now," Schnabel said. "When I rode the Suzukis, we always had handling issues, but this thing feels just like my XR. You can for about 20 years. The ill-fated Yamaha Virago-powered Roberts/Lawwill dirt trackers failed to make a dent in HOur goal is to race it in a Grand National this season." - J.R. Schnabel drive it into the corner just like a Harley. It Harley's dominance in the early handles great. There are still some things that we need to do it." 'SOs, but when the 500cc Schnabel said that his fastest lap time on his Harley during the Houston race was a 20.19 and that the Yamaha is about a second slower than that time right now. "I could have made the main event with it, but winning might have been another Vision engine with its narrower Vangie and more compact cases was introduced, DeMay felt that it could make a suitable dirt track powerplant. Homolgation issues killed the project back then, but with the increasing viability of the production-based Suzuki DL I000 engine at Supermoto at Stateline the Grand National level, the Vision has been then again, my Harley program is the best it resurrected. "Our goal is to race it in a Grand National has ever been. The XR that I won on at Houston is the best Harley I've ever had. If this season," Schnabel said. "If we can get we find ourselves battling in the points, we'll just have to wait and see." just a little more power, we can do it, but Steele Creek GNCC Blown Out good preview of The fourth round of the Grand National what to expect this season. Right Cross Country Series in Morganton, North Carolina, on April 3, was cancelled because of inclement weather. After hosting a suc- work, the relentless wind kept pounding and trees kept falling. Finally, mercifully, the race was cancelled for the day. Racer Production is hoping to cessful ATV program on Saturday, April 2, return to Steele Creek in three weeks for a off the start, Troy Lee Design's Jeff Ward grabbed the holes hot, followed by KTM's Micky Dymond the weather turned sour overnight. bike-only event. Luckily, the wind appeared On Saturday night, the rains came and, with it, the wind. By Sunday morning, the wind was taking its toll on the Steele Creek to have only damaged trees and equipment and not people. and Honda rider facility_ EZ-Ups were strewn everywhere, josh Port-A-johns were knocked down, the GNCC finish line and podium were Chisum. From there Ward rode away unchallenged to take the win and the lion's share of the purse. Behind him, Dymond tried his best to stay with the Supermoto The inaugural Stateline Supermoto Challenge took place on April 3 at Buffalo Bill's Resort and Casino in Primm, Nevada, and when all was said and done, it turned out to be the largest supermoto race in North America, according to event promoters. There were 600 total entries as many top riders turned out to warm up for the opening round of the AMA Supermoto Series that is only a month away. The premier class was Open Expert, and with a $4000 purse, the racing served as a champion but ultimately came up short to fin- destroyed, speaker towers were blown over, and the factory teams were battling to keep their tents and awnings on the ground. The sound of trees snapping could be heard in the woods. ed to complete the podium. Behind the frontrunners a battled ensued Finally, the power lines at Steele Creek hit the ground, and the local power for fourth between Ward's young teammate company came out Chris Fillmore, Gary Trachy and Suzukimounted Steve Drew. Ultimately, Fillmore got the best of both riders to take fourth. When asked if this would be an annual to fix the problem. This brought out the local sheriff, and while everything was on hold until the ish a distant second. Chisum rode uncontest- event, race promoter Marche Karger said that a multiyear contract is currently in the works with Buffalo Bill's Resort and Casino. 12 APRIL 13,2005 • CYCLE NEWS power company could complete its Fallen trees made a mess of the Steele Creek GNCC that was eventually cancelled.