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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1536769
VOLUME ISSUE JUNE , P137 the motocross drama. Fate or just bad luck? Cycle News covered the Midland, Michigan, round of the series in its July 6, 1977, issue. It was the fourth race of the series. The next event would be at Agency, Missouri, and the rid - ers would then have a full month to rest before heading to San Antonio for the final round. Even though the event was held two days after Independence Day, there were plenty of fireworks for the MX faithful that day. Pri - vateer racer Gary Ogden would lead much of the first moto be- fore being overtaken by Hannah. But the reigning champion (Han- nah) found his lead being threat- ened by a rapidly closing duo of Danny LaPorte and 26-year-old veteran Jimmy Weinert, both of whom had struggled at the start. In today's MX, a rider is often entering his peak years at the quarter-century mark. In 1977, however, they were considered wizened greybeards, and Wein- ert's challenging Hannah that day was akin to a Specialized Stump Jumper being chased down by a three-speed Schwinn with chrome fenders. Hannah held on for the win, but Weinert, in one of his rare appearances on a 125cc bike, was a solid second. Weinert's second-place finish would net him 22 points for the moto. LaPorte would get 18 for fourth, behind privateer Steve Wise. In the second moto, though, the Suzuki rider started well and quickly moved past privateer Danny Chandler for the lead. Just one lap later, LaPorte would find himself battling a competitor whom he had never seen before. Getting up close and personal with the best in the sport was once a near-spiritual experience. Veteran MX watchers remember standing just a few feet away from the legends of the sport, close enough to be able to smell the different blends of two- stroke pre-mix. Responsible and respectable fans knew where they belonged. Unfortunately, motocross' factory stars from the '70s have too many stories about race fans crossing the track during an event. Flat track racers have even lost their lives after striking spectators who, puzzlingly, believed that they were somehow faster than 100 mph race bikes. Today, insur - ance regulations keep race watchers at a safe distance away from the on-track action, which makes sense. Some- thing's lost, but something's gained. But something's still lost. Still, those restrictions were years away, so there was noth- ing stopping a fan at Midland in 1977 who decided to make a foolhardy run to the other side of the track. He leaped over a snow fence and made a daring dash, right in front of LaPorte. The near collision of man, machine and man was averted, but some- how the sprinting fan snagged the front brake cable on the factory Suzuki. The best riders in the 125cc class that season were closely matched, so an impaired front brake was more than a slight nuisance. Indeed, first Glover, then Hannah caught and passed LaPorte. Near the end, any chance Danny had of catching his rivals ended when the malfunctioning front stop - per locked up and pitched him over the bars. He remounted for a third-place finish, dropping 11 points to Hannah and five points to Glover in the title chase. The points swap changed the championship race that day, giving Yamaha more than just a puncher's chance at the national championship. Hence, at that final race, the factory brought in their full team, even those who were not regular 125cc riders. Meanwhile, Suzuki parked the bike belonging to LaPorte's teammate Billy Grossi, telling him to stay home to avoid any possible controversy. Grossi was a threat on any-sized motorcycle and possibly could've helped his teammate and good friend that day. Forty-eight years later, Grossi remains puzzled by the decision. "I still don't understand their reasoning," he says. "Look what happened. Yamaha stacked the deck that day for Broc." Glover and LaPorte would finish the season tied for the champion - ship, with Glover getting the crown, by virtue of having scored more overall wins that season. Jim Weinert's great ride. Billy Grossi's Suzuki no-show. And a spectator, playing Frogger with the world's fastest 125cc riders. "Such a night," sings Dr. John, "such a night." CN Subscribe to nearly 60 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives