Race Watch
RACE WATCH
Kawasaki returns to U.S. Road Racing with Mike Baldwin; Rocket Rex Staten Takes Off; Mosier Hauls Mud at Anaheim Stadium; Wheelie King Dazzles Stars.
BIG K ON THE MOVE
Kawasaki is on the move in the American racing scene. First the Green Meanies stole Brad Lackey away from Honda. Now they’ve signed up privateer Mike Baldwin, who emerged as one of the year’s top road racers while campaigning his self owned, self-tuned TZ750. Baldwin, according to early reports, will ride a KR750, a KR250 and a KZ1000 Superbike in the U.S.. as well as contesting the 750cc AGV World Cup Series at Daytona, Paul Ricard and Imola. Just to make sure they’re well represented, Kawasaki reached a co-sponsorship agreement with Vetter Fairings to back three-time Superbike Production Champion (once on a BMW, twice on a Kawasaki) Reg Pridmore.
THINGS TAKE OFF FOR ROCKET REX
What a difference a few months can make! The U.S. 500ccGP in mid1978 didn’t go well for Rocket Rex Staten, a 10-vear racing veteran at age 23. Riding a heavy, near-stock Bassett Racing Yamaha YZ400. Staten led the world’s best during the first moto until his bike's engine seized. His motorcycle loaded up on the seeondmoto start, leaving Staten far behind the pack. Frustrated after the race. Staten paced his pit and yelled “Damn! No money again!” The privateer’s life is not easy.
But when up-and-coming Yamaha star Mike Bell injured his knee at a 500cc National in Michigan. Staten was offered Bell's bike and mechanic. Dave Osterman, to back up Yamaha's Rick Burgett. Staten used thé works equipment and support to win one National, take two seconds and three t-hirds. move up from fourth to second in points, and finish the series second to Burgett.
While Bell recovered from surgery. Yamaha officials extended the offer of bike and mechanic to include the Trans-AMA series. Staten finished the series second to Yamaha Teammate Bob Hannah, racking up a first, a second, two fourths, an eighth, a ninth and a 15th overall in the seven events. That earned Staten a full-time Team Yamaha ride for 1979. Now hardriding Rocket Rex won’t have to worry about monev.
MOSIER TAKES MUDDY ANAHEIM STADIUM
Bob Hannah had already sewn up the Supercross title, but the Supercross season hadn't ended. The finale came at rain-soaked Anaheim Stadium, home of the Angels. Kawasaki’s Gaylon Mosier won the final event, but Hannah, w ho had tangled with Jim Pomeroy and crashed in the main event, came back to w in a special showdown match race between the winners of 1978 Supercross races. Hannah led all six laps of the winner-take-all. $3000purse match race, beating Jimmy Ellis, Marty Tripes and Mosier.
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WHEELIE KING WOWS RACERS
ook at the Wheelie King! He does stuff ■■¡1 would never even think about, let alone trw” said one amazed spectator to^ another as they watched Doug “Wheelie King" Domokos, 22. ride a KX250 around a parking lot with the tip of the rear fender dragging—that’s right, dragging—the pavement. Add in the fact that the two “spectators" were Jimmy Weinert and Brad1 Lackey and you've got an idea of how impressive Wheelie King really is. When Jammin’ Jimmy and Bad Brad are^ amazed, it’s amazing. Domokos. from Niles. Michigan, makes his livingputting on shows at various motocross tracks around the country. His act consists of riding the entire track on the rear wheel, without dabbing.
MIXED BAG FOR DAYTONA?
uperbike Production road racer Steve McLaughlin first came up with the 4 idea of mixing I025cc four-strokes, restricted GP 750s. and unrestricted GP 500s for AMA road racing. Now the idea seem^ to be gaining respectability and a strong following. A meeting of the AMA road racing committee ended with almost unanimous agreement that the 1979 Daytona Ai 200 should follow those guidelines. That left the final decision in the hands of new AMA Racing delayed Czar making Mike a Diprete. verdict who until consulting i with tire manufacturers. The question is. can the production-based four-strokes go an entire 200 miles without the dangerous tire wear that led to F750 restrictions in the first place? g
