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/1473647
I t was a short-lived Supercross event, but the Alohacross held in the 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium in a suburb of Honolulu gave rid- ers who didn't often run up front in AMA Supercross races the chance at the spotlight. It even brought out the state's long-re- tired favorite son to race against a newer generation of riders. The first Alohacross was held in June of 1984. Most of the fans and even perhaps the riders in the event had never seen a Super- cross race in person. The event was promoted by Pro Motion, a rock concert promotional com- pany. The Alohacross was the company's first attempt at promot- ing a Supercross event. The race was sanctioned by the Continental Motorsports Club (CMC). CMC President Stu Peters coordinated everything for the AMA regulars coming to Hawaii. The event was the brainchild of Bart Tunick, who also happened to be the drum- mer for famous Hawaiian singer and TV personality Don Ho. Sadly Tunick died mysteriously in his sleep just three months after the '84 event. He was just 39. In the first Alohacross in '84, only five mainland riders made the trip. In addition to Turner were Brian Myerscough, Rodney Smith, Chris Heisser and Jimmy Ellis. All riders raced 125cc bikes. One of those five was expected to win against the mainly Hawai- ian rider-dominated field. The big story was the addition to the rider lineup of John DeSoto. "The Flyin' Hawaiian" had been re- tired from motocross for 10 years, but the announcement that the 37-year-old Hawaiian motocross racing legend was competing in the event generated a lot of excite- ment for the local fans and was a significant reason that 17,000 strong showed up for the race. Famous Supercross announcer Larry Huffman was even brought over to do the announcing. It was a homecoming for Larry since, at one time, he'd been a radio disc jockey in Honolulu. The total purse for that '84 event was $10,000. Smith said he and Myerscough got to Hawaii a few days early to get a little mini vacation. "We roomed together and woke up that first morning, went across the street, rented some long- boards and went surfing," Smith recalls. "Stu Peters reminded me years later when we were at an event together that I packed the oil for my bike in my luggage going out to Hawaii. When it came out of the conveyer belt at the airport in CN III ARCHIVES P128 ALOHACROSS WHEN SUPERCROSS CAME TO HAWAII BY LARRY LAWRENCE Riders line up for a start at the 1984 Alohacross in Hawaii. PHOTOS: KIT PALMER