Race Watch
RACE WATCH
BAKER AT IMOLA
In Europe there’s an event whose prestige equals that of our own Daytona; they call it the Imola 200 and it’s held at the city of the same name in Italy. The 200-miler is reeled off in two 100-mile segments, for a total of 64 laps of racing. Greats such as Jarno Saarinen and Giacomo Agostini have won here before, but this time it was a brilliant American talent who pulled off the victory.
Steve Baker, riding for Yamaha Motor Canada on one of the OW31 Yamaha specials, broke Agostini’s lap record and went on to win both portions in a convincing manner. Following Baker for 2nd place was Michel Rougerie of France on a Yamaha; 3rd was Britain’s popular Barry Sheene on a Suzuki. The win puts Baker into the lead in the Formula 750 World Championship standings, the title he’s after this year. Johnny Cecotto, Agostini and Kenny Roberts all dropped out with mechanical troubles while running behind Baker. Roberts’ bike seized, which caused him to crash and twist his ankle. He headed back for the States immediately, sore ankle and all, to contest the Dallas Short Track National.
Formula 750 Standings After Two Rounds: 1. Steve Baker, 30; 2. Michel Rougerie, 25; 3. Gary Nixon, 24; 4. Pat Hennen, 16; 5. John Newbold, 15; 5. Johnny Cecotto, 15.
RUSS DARNELL TEACHES YOU HOW
The well-known Russ Darnell Motocross School Schedule is a busy one, set
at various areas around the country. Having attended his two-day sessions in the past, we know the training is certainly worthwhile for the aspiring MX rider, though students of all ages and riding proficiency are welcome. Students must furnish their own bikes, riding gear, parts, lodging and food.
Russ Darnell Motocross Schools, 1976 Schedule:
June 14-18: Five-day training camp, Saddleback Park, Orange, Calif.
June 21-25: Five-day training camp, Indian Dunes, Valencia, Calif.
July 5-9: Five-day training camp, Roaring Branch Motorsport, Roaring Branch, Pa. North of Williamsport on Hwy. 14. Camping, restaurant, racing movies at night.
July 10 & 11: Two-day school, Roaring Branch Motorsport.
July 13 & 14: Two-day school, Honda Hills, near Columbus, Ohio. Camping, movies.
July 16 & 17: Two-day school, MotoSport Park, Byron, 111. Camping, movies.
July 19-23: Five-day training camp,
Sparland Motocross Park, Sparland, 111. North of Peoria on Hwy. 29. Camping, movies.
July 27 & 28: Two-day school, Sprockets Motocross Track, near Wichita, Kan.
July 31 & Aug. 1: Two-day school, Lake Whitney Cycle Park, Whitney, Texas.
Aug. 5 & 6: Two-day school, Valley Cycle Park, Simi, Calif.
Aug. 9-13: Five-day training camp,
Anchorage, Aka.
Aug. 14 & 15: Two-day school, Fairbanks, Aka.
Aug. 20 & 21: Two-day school, Straddleline Cycle Park, McLeary, Wash. Aug. 23-27: Five-day training camp,
Motocross West, Port Angeles, Wash. Camping, movies.
Sept. 2 & 3: Two-day school, Saddleback Park, Irvine, Calif.
Sept. 6-10: Five-day training camp,
Indian Dunes, Valencia, Calif.
Sept. 18 & 19: Two-day school, Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.
Entry Fees: Two-day schools, $30 per student (Alaska $45); Five-day
European-style training camps, $100 per student (Alaska $115).
For additional information, call (213) 367-1722, or write: Russ Darnell Motocross Schools, 14851 Genoa St., Sylmar, CA 91 342.
EUROPEAN MOTOCROSS
Team Honda rider Marty Smith had his string of six consecutive 125 National victories broken by Yamaha’s rookie ace Bob Hannah at this year’s 125 series opener in Plymouth, Calif. Immediately after the event, Marty flew to Europe to compete in the Italian round of the 125 World Championship.
Reasserting himself as one of the top 125 riders in the world, young Marty chased current 125 World Champion Gaston Rahier throughout the first moto after Gaston unseated Marty as the early-race leader. Then to prove that his first moto performance was for real, Marty and his Honda went out and beat Gaston in the second moto. Both riders tied for the day on points, but Rahier and his Suzuki were declared overall victors based on time, as is the practice in FIM events. The points earned in this event vaulted San Diegan Smith into 3rd in the World title chase behind Rahier and Czechoslovakian CZ rider Jiri Churavy.
The next event for Smith will be the British G.P. He will then fly back to the states to ride a 125 National in Michigan, at the same site where he won a 500cc Trans-AMA event last year. Immediately thereafter it’s back to Europe for G.P.s in Belgium, Denmark and Finland.
The 250 World Championship is as fiery as everyone expected it would be. Heikki Mikkola holds the lead now, followed by World Champion Harry Everts and then Jaroslav Falta. A recent victory in Belgium gave Heikki the top overall position for the time being. Everts would naturally like to take it away, as would Falta, who was robbed of a World Championship two years ago by dirty riding tactics of his rival’s teammate.
Current and four-time 500cc World Champion Roger DeCoster is having to play catch-up once again. After failing to score heavily in the G.P. opener in (Continued on page 116) Switzerland, DeCoster is facing surprisingly stiff competition from his Suzuki teammate Gerrit Wolsink and Maico factory riders Adolf Weil and Ake Jonsson. The season is young yet and DeCoster knows that his smooth, consistent style will eat up the leaders’ advantages until he is once again the fox chased by the hounds.
Continued from page 90
KENNY AND HIS 360 AT DALLAS
There was no question about Kenny Roberts’ supremacy at the Houston Short Track National earlier this year. Only an engine seizure prevented his probable win, and his disappointment was obvious. The YZ-based engine proved troublesome in further testing, so a switch was made back to a more “enduro like” engine basis. The Dallas event would be the first true test for the new combination, and all went according to plan. Roberts, despite a painful ankle, swept both his heat race and main event on a deteriorating track surface that made for poor, follow-theleader racing. It was the second year in succession for the below-standard track conditions. It’s doubtful that a National will be granted to this facility again.
Rookie Steve Eklund was fast qualifier, repeating his Houston performance, but a fouled plug on the second lap of the National ended his hopes. Mike Caves placed 2nd on a Bultaco, his best finish yet in Camel Pro Series racing; 3rd was Rick Hocking on a Yamaha, holding onto his point lead for the series going to the San Jose Mile.
Camel Pro Series Standings After Dallas: l. Rick Hocking, 49; 2. Ken
Roberts, 44; 3. David “Bubba” Rush, 20; 3. Dave Hansen, 20; 5. Randy Cleek, 17; 5. Bruce Hanlon, 17; 7. Gary Nixon, 16; 7. Mike Caves, 16; 9. Hank Scott, l 5 ; 9. Steve Eklund, l 5.
