Rider Files

Rick Kirk (No. 59) was outstanding in his debut with Yoshimura Suzuki at Road America in 1990, but Doug Chandler (No. 6) won the exciting race in the end. Scott Russell (No. 7) was third and went on to win that year's AMA 750 Supersport title. (Larry Lawrence photo)

At the Road America 750 Supersport race in 1990, Doug Chandler (No. 6) started conservatively behind leader Rick Kirk (No. 59). Chandler assessed Kirk’s strengths and weaknesses, then calmly made his move with two laps remaining and nudged out Kirk at the finish line to win his third 750 Supersport race of the 1990 season. Chandler’s Kawasaki teammate Scott Russell (No. 7) riding banged-up from a Friday practice crash, was in the hunt the entire way, but had to settle for a very close third.

If there were any doubts that newcomer Kirk might was ready for the Yoshimura ride, those doubts were erased that weekend at Road America.

Kirk led the pack into turn one and stretched his lead to 2.5 seconds by the end of lap one. Russell, Chandler and Tommy Lynch were in tight formation in second on the first lap. Kirk stretched his lead to a full three seconds on the second lap, running a 2:27.71 while Russell and Chandler were running together at a 2:28.70 pace. Lynch was joined by Robert Wright in a battle for fourth, five seconds behind the Russell/Chandler fight.

On lap four a mistake by Kirk cost him his three second lead. “I almost high-sided going through the carousel, that cost me some time,” Kirk explained about his slow lap. With the slip up, Chandler (now in second) and Russell were right in Kirk’s draft. That’s when Chandler began to make mental notes on were he could make his move later in the race.

Kirk in his first try-out ride with Yoshimura now was being heavily pressured by the two bright green Kawasaki’s. It would be understandable if Kirk succumbed to the pressure, but the new kid didn’t flinch.

Chandler made his move with two laps to go. “I saw an opening going into turn five, he was going a little slow into that turn so that’s were I passed him.” explained Chandler. In fact Kirk was not going at all slow into the turn, rather Chandler was in a different league when it came to running very hot into a turn, pushing the front end to the point of cashing, then getting hard on the throttle to shoot out of the turn.

On the last lap the top three riders all got into the 2:26 range, the fastest of the race, (Russell doing the fastest, a 2:26 flat from his third place position). Kirk was in the position he needed to be in to draft on Chandler. As the lead trio crested the hill, Chandler held the lead Kirk was coming out of the draft, but came up inches short at the finish.

“I consider Doug (Chandler) one of the best riders in the world, so I don’t feel bad at all losing to him.” said Kirk after the event.

Russell’s third place finish kept him in a safe points lead over Chandler in the series. Kirk moved into third in the points. Russell went on to win the 1990 AMA 750 Supersport title over Chandler.

John Hopkins will be rolling back the years as he makes a return to the Rizla Suzuki team at this weekend’s Gran Premio bwin de España in Jerez. Read about it here.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — A new scientific study states that the health risk to motorcyclists from naturally occurring asbestos at the Clear Creek Management Area, which is a popular off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding area near Hollister, Calif., is minimal, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

In fact, the report says that other activities are riskier than asbestos exposure while riding at Clear Creek: “Other recreational activities, such as swimming, hiking, and snow skiing are over a 100-fold more dangerous.”

The report is titled: “Preliminary Analysis of the Asbestos Exposures Associated with Motorcycle Riding and Hiking in the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) San Benito County, California.” It was produced by Richard Wilson of the Physics Department at Harvard University, the International Environmental Research Foundation in New York, and the Center for Applied Studies of the Environment and Earth and Environmental Sciences at the City University of New York.

Tens of thousands of acres of the CCMA have been closed to the public — including OHV riders and hikers — since May 1, 2008, because of fears over health dangers posed by naturally occurring asbestos on the land. The federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) controls the land.

The study was commissioned by the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division of the California State Parks Department. Daphne Greene, deputy director of the OHMVR Division, said the study was undertaken “to determine if management and operational strategies could be employed at the CCMA to mitigate risk while still allowing access to this premier off-highway vehicle recreation destination.

“This report provides additional data which needs to be considered, along with the data from the [earlier] EPA report, before any final decisions are made concerning long-term recreation opportunities at the CCMA,” she said. “We look forward to continuing discussions with the BLM.”

Jim Abbott, acting BLM state director, said the bureau’s top priority has always been protecting public health and safety. The 2008 closure of the CCMA was based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s conclusion that “the asbestos exposures for recreational users at CMA were above the acceptable level of risk for public health.”

Abbott said he “welcomes the dialog” with the OHMVR Division, adding that the BLM is in the final stages of completing a long-term plan for managing the CCMA.

The OHMVR Commission will hold a hearing on April 5 at 10 a.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Hall at 649 San Benito St. in Hollister to discuss the new Clear Creek report, among other things. Riders are encouraged to attend.

The report is available online at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov.

More information is available at www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/clear_creek_management_area.html. 

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Dean Wilson grew up in Canada, and the fans there love him. The biggest cheers of the night were reserved for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider when he won the Lites race in Toronto. Read about Wilson’s win, Ryan Villopoto’s woes and more from the Kawasaki camp here.

Suzuki is justifiably proud of Ryan Dungey’s great performance Saturday night in Rogers Centre in Toronto. Read more here.