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RACE WATCH

Title Swap

For the last few years, it’s been

tough to win a motocross title in

America if your name isn't Rick Johnson or Jeff Ward. But for a change of pace this year, the two superstars simply swapped titles. Johnson took away Ward's Supercross championship by winning seven of the 10 AMA races, and Ward took Johnson’s place atop the 250 outdoor national rankings.

Johnson still has to be called the dominant figure, though. He actually won half of the 250 outdoor races, losing the title primarily because of a DNF in Virginia. Between the 250 and Supercross series, Johnson has won 10 races and Ward has won four. Ron Lechien and Broc Glover have won one Supercross apiece. The 500 and 125 outdoor crowns are still up for grabs.

Still Flyin'

John DeSoto. the original ironman of American motocross, doesn’t find too much time for racing these days; his job as a city councilman for Honolulu keeps him busy. But every year he still enters the Mauna Kea 200 enduro on the big island of Hawaii. And just about every year, he wins it.

This year, the “Flying’ Hawaiian” topped the enduro for the sixth time. His comment after the event: “If you’re over 40, there’s still hope.”

GP Notes

What started offas the closest 500 GF roadracing season in recent history has turned into a one-man show. As of the halfway point in the 16-race season, Marlboro Yamaha rider Eddie Lawson is leading the standings by such a margin that he could skip a race and still be in the lead.

Lawson has won four GPs so far, with Kevin Schwantz winning two, and Kevin Magee and Wayne Gardner winning one apiece. But Lawson isn't dusting ofifhis mantle for a third world championship trophy yet. There’s still a long way to go.

Return Of The Euros

Hack in 1983, Hakan Carlqvist won the 500cc USGF of motocross at Carlsbad Raceway. And ever since then, no European

motocrosser has won an international race on U.S. soil. Until now. Belgian Eric Geboers topped the USGP at Hollister. California, with thirdand second-place finishes in the two motos. England's David Thorpe was second with a 1-5, and Australia’s JeiTLeisk was third with a 6-1.

Where were the Americans? Jeff Ward. Broc Glover and Ron Lechien were the three fastest qualifiers, but between them they crashed a total of 10 times. Glover was the only American to finish in the top 10, at fifth overall with a ninth and a third.