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RACE WATCH
Suzuki fires Kocinski
Former 250cc World Champion John Kocinski was fired by the Lucky Strike Suzuki team following the 25year-old’s third-place finish at the Dutch TT. Reportedly, the dismissal was sparked by Kocinski’s failure to attend the obligatory podium celebration in Assen. The outspoken American had been at odds with the team throughout the season, often complaining about his RGV250’s lack of acceleration and straight-line speed. He did not race in Spain or Italy, and as of presstime, had not secured a ride for the rest of the season.
Kocinski, currently seventh in the 250cc standings, has been replaced by New Zealander Simon Crafar. Current points leader Tetsuya Harada failed to finish at Barcelona but managed third at Mugello. He leads former 125 World Champion Loris Capirossi, 151 to 106.
Honda-mounted Mick Doohan won the 500cc class at the San Marino GP in Italy after a furious battle with Suzuki’s Kevin Schwantz. The victory was the Australian’s first since suffering devastating leg injuries last year. With five rounds remaining, Schwantz holds a slim, 23-point lead over reigning world champion Wayne Rainey. Former three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer continues to nurse knee and wrist injuries suffered during practice for the Japanese GR He hopes to return at either the British Grand Prix or two weeks later for the Czechoslovakian.
Graham on a tear
Halfway into the Camel Pro Series, Honda-mounted Ricky Graham, all but retired two years ago, appears to be unstoppable. The former two-time Grand National Champion put in a record-breaking five-for-five performance in July that places him in the points lead with a nice cushion over factory Harley riders Chris Carr and Scott Parker.
“I just need to keep my head down and watch what I am doing. Now that Johnny Goad is tuning full time, it makes a big difference,” said Graham. “After my turmoil (see “Second Chance,” CW, May, 1993) I thought I was done. This is a big turnaround.” .
Graham started his drive with a win at the Lima, Ohio, Half-Mile, backed that up with wins at the following half-mile rounds in Lake Odessa, Michigan and Hagerstown, Maryland, then capped things off with doubleheader wins at the Saturday-Sunday Syracuse Miles in New York. With 10 events remaining, Graham leads Carr by 37 points.
Complementing those five wins have been victories in the 883 National class at Lima and Hagerstown. Graham leads the points in that series over Jay Springsteen by 19 with three rounds remaining.
Polen closes in
Except for Daytona, Doug Polen had won every U.S. Superbike national this year, and won them in such style as to raise cries of “sandbagger!” from experienced observers. Would Loudon be the same? Or would Muzzy Kawasaki rider Scott Russell, taking a busman’s holiday from World Superbike racing, be the man to beat?
The Loudon track-now called New Hampshire International Speedwayhasn’t been Polen’s favorite in the past. As Kawasaki’s Rob Muzzy put it, “The Ducati is at a certain disadvantage on courses that require a lot of front-end work.” The Ducati’s 90degree V-engine is set far back to make its front cylinder clear the front tire, and the resulting weight distribution somewhat limits the machine’s grip when steering with the front instead of the rear wheel.
But the battle of the titans-Polen vs. Russell-did not take place. It rained. Rain made no apparent difference to Russell, but to Doug Polen it did. With points in the bank, Polen rode with strategic conservatism to seventh place and its 24 points—little sacrifice from the 36 points that go with a win.
Winner Russell showed from the first practice what he had learned in Europe; arriving at the circuit with barely time to dress for the occasion, he set pole time on his third lap. That’s professionalism.
It drizzled for the Superbike finale, but Russell looked just as sharp, just as decisive, as in the dry. Only the lean angles were different. Modern rain tires give truly unbelievable grip. Honda’s Mike Smith circulated competently in second, while privateer Dale Quarterley struggled to get up to him, having dispatched innumerable factory stars in the process. Alas, once past Smith, Quarterley fell at the uphill hairpin. Remounting, he toiled on into sixth. Meanwhile, Jamie James on the Vance & Hines Yamaha forged ahead toward Smith, only to be forced back into fifth by an oiled rear tire. Takahiro Sohwa (Muzzy Kawasaki) realized that a New England drizzle is no worse than a Japanese monsoon, and pushed confidently to a third place, ahead of teammate Miguel DuHamel in fourth.
At the following round at Road Atlanta, with a dry track and Russell away fighting the World Superbike wars (he’s currently leading that series), Polen once again assumed the leadership role, beating out Mike Smith and putting a virtual lock on the championship with three rounds remaining.
Everts takes 250cc USGP
Belgian Stefan Everts blew away an 11 -year win streak by American riders when he rode his Suzuki RM250 to a win in the U.S. Motocross GP at Budds Creek, Maryland. Series point leader Greg Albertyn of South Africa finished third overall on his Honda CR250 behind Kawasaki KX250-mounted American Mike Kiedrowski in second.
Albertyn maintained his world points lead over Everts with three rounds remaining, 567 to 463.
