Magoo And Europe: Team Private Takes Off

Magoo And Europe: Team Private Takes Off

RACE WATCH

WINNING A MOTOCROSS CHAMpionship in Europe or in the U.S. doesn't take talent; it takes talent and money. You might be the fastest rider in the world, but if you don’t have the backing, then you just don’t have a chance.

Danny “Magoo” Chandler has, at times, been the fastest motocross rider in the world. In 1983, he became the first rider in history to sweep all four motos of the Trophee and Motocross des Nations, and stateside, he won the 500cc USGP and the Superbikers event. He has the talent, he’s proven that. But Magoo lacks the consistency that earns titles, and consequently, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki weren’t interested in providing his backing for 1985. And in this country, if you aren't on one of those four teams, you aren't a contender for a title.

In Europe, though, that's changing. For 1985, Chandler is riding on a private team, consisting of himself, Jeremy Whatley and team manager David Grant. Private teams have long been a major factor in auto racing and even in motorcycle roadrace GPs, but this is the first time in years that a serious motocross team has been organized by someone other than a big-time motorcycle manufacturer.

The manufacturers are, of course, providing some support. For Chandler, KTM’s British importer is supplying the machinery, and in the case of Whatley it’s Kawasaki. But the primary burden of rounding up support falls on Grant, who spends the weekdays knocking on the doors of aftermarket and accessory firms.

A stable of companies such as Silkolene Oil, Lazer Helmets and Scott goggles have been assembled to support the team. There’s nothing new in big-time motorcycle racers having accessory sponsors, but Grant is making a full-time living out of drumming up support.

“So far, it’s encouraging,” Grant says. “There's definitely a future for the private team. We never really got into this thinking we could give Honda a thrashing, simply because

of their financial commitment. But we can give Honda a run.”

And, indeed, Grant’s team—which as yet has no name—did give Honda a run at the season's first GP, with Whatley getting a third and Chandler a 10th. But it became a question of who was giving whom a run at the second GP, when Chandler heat Honda. He took the overall after trading moto wins with Honda’s Dave Thorpe, who encountered gearbox trouble in the first half. In the following races. Chandler suffered from a bout with the flu and several injuries, but still managed to finish in the top four in Sweden and

Finland after leading both races. After that, an injured shoulder forced him to sit out the motocross GPs in Spain and Holland.

Realistically, then, it’s highly unlikely that a non-factory team will win the world championship this year. No matter how much talent and support a team has, it's almost impossible to overcome a two-race deficit. But Grant, Whatley and Chandler have proven what’s within the realm of possibility; and that might be enough for the privateteam concept to find a permanent place in motocross’ future—both in Europe and in the U.S.

Youth In Europe

I f the average age of most national motocrossers makes you feel a little old and over the hill, a glance at America’s enduro riders might bolster your spirits. Larry Roeseler. for example, is 28 years old. John Martin is 29 and and National Enduro Champion Terry Cunningham is 26. Admittedly, you couldn’t exactly call any of these riders old, but they're not exactly prepubescents, either.

In fact, the average age of America's contenders for the International Six Days of Endurance has become cause of some concern, especially in light of a new rule. While the Trophy Team is still reserved for our best riders, the Silver Vase Team, usually our second-string, has been renamed the Junior Vase team and restricted to riders of age 23 or younger. The FIM is trying to provide a showcase for younger riders, and in the long run the new rule might just be what the U.S. team needs to infuse some new blood into its aging group of riders. But for now. finding experienced young riders is a challenge. No one on Husqvarna's potent off-road team makes the age cut. What’s more, according to the AMA's Hugh Fleming, picking the Trophy Team is more difficult. That team can have only six riders, which is not enough to accomodate all of the over-23 riders who deserve a shot on a premier team.

In final analysis, though,

Fleming agrees that the new’ rule is for the best. It's one way of making sure that as our riders grow older, our team and our hopes stay young.

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AMA/Camel Pro Series

AMA Grand National Motocross Series

AMA National Enduro Series

AMA National Hare Scrambles Series

World Roadrace Series

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