25 Years Ago June, 1978
25 YEARS AGO JUNE, 1978
ROUNDUP
"Four-Star Wars,” shouted the cover of this almost all-motocross issue. A huge 250cc MX comparison saw the editors write individual tests on each of the Big Four’s contenders, then spend a few additional pages comparing them. In the end, the panel of variously skilled test riders put their money on red-which just happened to cost the least amount of money. Just $1498 got you Honda’s winning CR250R. Now I know what they mean by the Good Old Days...
• An MX apparel guide was also included in this obviously dirtbiased issue, helping readers make their baptism into the dirt world a well-dressed affair.
• In 1978, Race Watch was simply called Competition, and this month featured results from Daytona. Editor Allan Girdler proclaimed that the most exciting racing took place on the infield supercross track. The top-three positions were filled by Red Riders Marty Tripes, Jimmy Ellis and Marty Smith, while finishing fourth was Bob “Hurricane” Hannah on his way to retaining his national number-one plates in supercross and motocross.
• As for the Daytona 200, that was won for the first time by none other than “King” Kenny Roberts over runner-up Johnny Ceccotto and Skip Aksland—all three aboard Yamahas. A full-page Bell helmet ad with Roberts’ unmistakable eagle graphic and a Champion sparkplug ad paid additional homage to Roberts, who reportedly didn’t have much to say about finally winning The Big One. —Mark Cernicky
