Barnett Comes Out On Top At U.S. Grand Prix
BARNETT COMES OUT ON TOP AT U.S. GRAND PRIX
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One week before the United States 125cc Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio. Belgian rider Harry Everts clinched the 1979 World Championship at the Irish round of the series aboard his Sylvain Geboers-tuned watercooled Suzuki RA works bike. Everts had dominated the series right from the beginning in what was his first season with Team Suzuki, and now he can add his 125cc title to the 250cc World Motocross Championship he won in 1975 while riding for Puch.
But with two races still to be run in the 125cc World Championships, the series headed for America where stateside Suzuki teammate Mark “Bomber” Barnett won the Mid-Ohio round aboard a non-watercooled RA works bike. Barnett was actually involved in a three-way tie of sorts for the overall victory with Team Yamaha riders Broc Glover (the reigning 125cc National Champion and winner of the Mid-Ohio Grand Prix in 1978). and Bob Hannah. Moto finishes of 3-1 for Barnett. 1-3 for Glover and 2-2 for Hannah were posted at the only 125cc World Championship event which Americans compete in. Hannah was not counted in the day's results since he is not a regular 125cc class competitor, while the tie between Barnett and Glover was decided in Barnett's favor by virtue of Barnett’s quicker wanning time in the second moto.
Since the Championship had already been won by Everts before the Mid-Ohio race, only he and two other Europeans came over to ride because of their contract commitments. Along with Everts was Suzuki teammate and 1978 World Champion Akira Watanabe (who was second in this year’s series), and Gaston Rahier (now riding for Yamaha), who was third in this year's series and the 125cc Champion before Watanabe. So despite the small turnout of Europeans, the Americans were up against three of the world's best.
Glover tried to repeat last year's win as he pulled off the start in the first 45 min. International moto ahead of Rahier, Everts and Donnie Cantaloupi (Moto-X Fox Yamaha). Barnett had gotten off poorly in the middle of the 23 rider pack and Hannah was working his way up from last place, having been required to start on a second row behind everyone else. On the second lap Glover dropped his bike for a moment, allowing Rahier to take the lead, but within two more laps both Glover and Everts had swept back around Gaston and were pulling away. The next 30 min. saw' Everts pushing hard on Glover's rear fender, but Broc wasn't shaken by the champ and didn't make any mistakes this time. Then, w ith just four laps to go Everts found himself walking back to the pits when his RA Suzuki seized tight. Glover waltzed his wav to the moto w in as Hannah and Barnett diced their way past Rahier for second and third.
The World Champion made a determined bid to come back and w'in the second moto as Everts jumped out in front of Barnett. Glover, Rahier and Hannah who had actually won the start by getting a run at the gate this time, only to boggle on the back section of the course and drop to fifth. Everts enjoyed his lead only two laps before Barnett and Glover bashed their way past. Broc, who had burned himself out in w inning the first moto. was attempting to stay with Barnett but was making too many mistakes and began dropping back. Ten minutes into the moto Hannah passed teammate Glover for second spot and that's how the final moto finished— with Barnett w inning by 30 sec. ahead of Hannah. Glover. Everts, Myerscough. Rahier and Cantaloupi. Barnett’s larger winning margin gave the factory Suzuki rider the overall win at Mid-Ohio aboard his Doug Grant-tuned, air-cooled RA works bike.
Once again American riders dominated the United States 125cc Grand Prix, having won the event five times in its six-year history. Many of the top 125cc class riders like Barnett and Glover would like to go to Europe to campaign the entire World Championships, but there is more money to be made in America w here the Japanese manufacturers sell the majority of their motorcycles.
Jim Gianatsis
RESULTS
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