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RACE WATCH

Shades of Chernobyl

After Rothmans Honda star Wayne Gardner clinched the 500cc world roadracing championship at the Brazilian GP, there was more than one kind of fallout. A scrap-metal dealer in the nearby town of Goiania was discovered to be in possession of a highly radioactive material called Caesium 137. After the race, the entire town was sealed off to prevent the spread of radiation. Local officials had made the discovery shortly before the GP, but reportedly withheld the news so the turnout wouldn’t be affected.

The Bottom Line

Once the final checkered flag had fallen in the $440,000 Camel Pro series, it was time for the series’ sponsor, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, to start writing checks. Bubba Shobert topped the point standings and was able to add $100,000 to the $57,000 of Reynolds’ money he had taken throughout the year in Camel Challenge winnings. In line at the bank right behind Shobert was Wayne Rainey with a combined total of $67,000, while Kevin Schwantz took home $57,000. In the Camel Pro series, which combined eight dirt-track events with eight Superbike races, Shobert and Doug Chandler were the only riders to earn points in both types of competition.

Presidential Congratulations

A s you might have read elsewhere in this issue, Bob Hannah, Rick Johnson and Jeff Ward rode to a slippery victory in the Motocross des Nations at Unadilla, New York. But motocross enthusiasts are not the only ones who have taken note of that winning performance. It seems that the trio of riders has been invited to the White House, where President Reagan himself will congratulate them for representing the United States so well in international competition. And who knows? Maybe Ron is hoping to get a few tips from Hannah on jetting his RM while they’re all together. S