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/146704
Continued from page 63 my suspension man, my tuner and, more importantly, my fashion coordinator. Donn wanted'to make sure that I looked cool. What later transpired was simple. Donn showed up in all his neon glory, took one look at me and then stayed away. I think it was the well-used, oversized chest protector that caused me to lose not only my cool look, but also my Japanese mechanic. With my wardrobe and bike taken care of, only the race remained. With my ride being semi-factory (Donn hauled my bike), all I had to do was show up with my gear. This year I hitched a ride with the publisher himself, Mike Klinger. I think his generosity was a way of guaranteeing that he would finish ahead of me. Maybe he should have sent a limo. have resigned myself to getting a poor start, riding a poor race and getting a poor oh" fi nlS • BIKE WEEK '93 FEB. 27· MARCH 7 SPEEDWAY HOTELS Beach Hotels Condos Motorcycle Rentals II I I used to get nervous before the start of these things. Not any more. I have resigned myself to getting a poor start, riding a poor race and getting a poor finish. This year, I got a decent start. I figured the few guys I could beat were behind me, so I settled in for a lonely mid-pack finish. The track wasn't too -rough, but my bike had a bit of a headshake that wanted to rip my hands from the bars in each and every whooped-out section. I was surprised that I wasn't getting very tired, but then again I was going pretty slow. . Up ahead I saw a rider in the distance that looked a lot like one of the guys who I figured was behind me. It was Mr. Publisher. Mr. Give Me A Ride To The Races. Mr. I Sign Your Checks, Buddy, And Don't Forget It. Suddenly I started riding a lot harder. I finally caught him, and went past with a scream in one of the few paved ~tions of the track. He didn't give up, and was by me again when I stalled the bike shortly thereafter. I retaliated, and it'll probably cost me my April raise, but the wife and kids will survive, there were more important issues ahead. That's where Mr. Terry Pratt sat. Perched upon his modern motocrosser, Mr. Vintage Racer himself was there for the taking. He was even wearing the belt, the leather weight-lifting belt with the inscription "Give it up" etched on the back for all to see. I didn't "Give it up," instead opting to ride completely over my head in an . effort to catch one of my favorite "ad guys." It took two more laps, but finally I had him in my sights. Then he did the unforgivable. He stalled, and I capital- _ ized. Soon, though, he was back. He zipped by in those lovely whoops. I waited and as he drifted wide only a handful of turns from the finish, I was able to sneak underneath. He tried me again, but by this time I had become as wide as a race car. There was no passing me at this stage. Needless to say, I beat Senor Pratt by a few feet and celebrated a la Kevin Schwantz (well, I didn't have ~he energy to stand on the pegs, but I waved a lot) all the way to the pits. Pratt's been a-little depressed ever since. He's often seen moping around the coffee machine. He should consider himself fortunate. After all, he was lucky enough to be beaten by somebody modest enough to keep his mouth shut. m Airfare Discounts Complete Bike Week Travel Packages With Air! Hotel! Choice Race Tickets! Car or Motorcycle Rental Call NOW to get your choice of hotels from $69 per room and Upe TravelCraft- : Around the Track, Around the World GRAND PRIX TOURS HOCKENHEIM & CATALUNYA German Grand Prix plus Barcelona Grand Prix June 16-28 JEREZ Spanish Grand Prix April 26 - May 3 Air, Hotel, Car, Breakfast, GP Tickets Air, Hotel, Car or Motorcycle, Rail Pass, Breakfast, GP Tickets 7iiAVEC CRAFT'" EAST COAST WEST COAST 800· 541·1223 800· 241·1223 1725 Hwy. 951· Naples, FL 33999 • FAX 415·924·5573 • 47 Tarnal Vista Blvd .• Corte Madere, CA 94925 STOP! SAVE IT with a sleeve from Dwck Out Matarcycle R.... SkUIs TraininIJ 1·800-447-470D A "-8ge from the Office 01 Highway Safely and Molar IAIhicle DMsion 01 the Department 01 Transportation_ DONIT TRASH THAT WORN CHROME PLATED CYLINDER L.A. SLEEVE CO. Los Angeles Sleeve Co. has sleeves for most popular makes and models of motorcycles and ATV's. We also stock piston kits, rebuilt cylinders and Big Bore kits. For more information contact: LOS ANGELES SLEEVE CO., INC. 8311 Chetle Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90660 Deale.., call or write lor your lr,e catalog and decals. (310) 945-7578 FAX (310) 698-7029 65