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Robbie Reynard (671) passed Jeff Ward in the first moto of the 125cc Pro class. Reynard finished third overall in the class, but was the winner in the 250cc Pro division.
Newly-crowned 500cc National champ Mike Kiedrowski topped the 500cc Pro class.
Young and old converge
at Raceway Park
By Paula Brown
Photos by Rene Kotopoulis
ENGUSHTOWN, N], ocr. 10-11
he 16th Annual Kawasaki Race of
Champions provided a little
something for everyone, but
green-bike fans came away the most
satisfied of all. Veteran motocross
enthusiasts got the chance to see Jeff
Ward say goodbye after a 15-year
association with Kawasaki, while the
younger set cheered on up-and-coming
Team Green riders Robbie Reynard
and Tim Ferry, who topped the 250
and 125cc divisions, respectively. For
those somewhere in between, Kawasaki's new 500cc National MX Champion, Mike Kiedrowski, won the 500cc
Pro class.
Ward chose the Kawasakisponsored, Jay Irwin and Ken
Landerman-promoted event as his
final race in the U.S., and much of
the talk in the pits centered around the
veteran's retirement. Kids 20 years
Ward's junior clammered for his
T
22
autograph, and the Raceway Park staff
presented him with a special award.
Ward competed in both the 125 and
the 500cc classes, encountering some
stiff competition from Kiedrowski in
the 500cc division.
For the first five laps of moto one,
Ward and Kiedrowski fought over the
lead, but Kiedrowski pulled away for
the second half of the race. Kiedrowski
went on to score the moto win, and
was in perfect position going into the
second round.
.Much to the delight of the crowd,
the second moto holeshot went to
Ward, who managed to hold on to the
lead for the first two laps. But Kiedrowski took advantage of a bobble by
Ward and a good line to sneak into
the lead on the third lap and throttle
away. Kiedrowski was untouchable,
and rode ahead to the moto and overall
wins. Ward successfully defended his
