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RACE WATCH

Hines wins NHRA Pro Stock title

For the better part of the last decade, John Myers and Dave Schultz have dominated NHRA Pro Stock drag racing. In fact, the last time someone other than Myers or Schultz won the championship was way back in 1989, when “Pizza John” Mafaro took home the title.

Enter Matt Hines.

In only his second full season of straight-line competition, Hines has become the dominant force. Named NHRA Winston Co-Rookie of the Year in 1996 (alongside Pro Stock car racer Mike Edwards), the 25-year-old Californian won eight of 14 pointspaying events this year en route to his first national championship. Along the way, he established class records for elapsed-time (7.29 seconds) and top speed (186.95 mph).

Hines credits his father, celebrated engine-builder Byron Hines of Vance & Hines fame, with his success. “My dad has given me the horsepower to win,” he says with a smile. “I just sit on the bike.”

There’s more to it than that, of course. With 290 horsepower pushing a 600-pound bike/rider combination, the car-slick-shod machines require a smart setup, finesse and a hefty dose of courage. “Sometimes, it’s scary,” Hines admits. “If they don’t want to go straight, they’re a handful.”

The Pro Stock Bike category boasts several chassis-makers, but Suzuki has the corner on engines; its ubiquitous air-cooled inline-Four GS is the smallblock Chevy of the drag-race set. But Byron Hines, among others, is investigating alternative powerplants.

“We’ve approached the factories,” Hines says. “They want us to run late-model engines. Sorry, that ain’t gonna make it. Until someone ramps up and produces a competitive engine, the class is going to suffer.”

Privateer Rob Korn is doing his part. He made NHRA history earlier this year when he qualified for the Sears Craftsman Nationals on a HarleyDavidson, albeit a full second off Hines’ record run.

“When fans identify with a brand or rider, the racing becomes more interesting,” says fellow competitor Steve Johnson. “With Harley’s participation (a factory rep was at the season finale in Pomona, California), this could be the Chevy/Ford match-up Pro Stock fans have been looking for.

“The NHRA is in the entertainment business,” Johnson adds. “It sees the open window. But as competition grows, so does business. And ultimately, everyone in the class is responsible for business. So we have to work harder every year.”

For Matt Hines, however, the most difficult obstacle was deciding what to say at the end-of-season awards banquet.

Matthew Miles

Kocinski makes Honda 500 debut

Last summer, while vying for the 1997 World Superbike Championship, John Kocinski refused to discuss his future racing plans. “My main aim is to win the World Superbike title,” he declared. “I will talk about ’98 after that.” Two months later, title in hand, the former 250cc World Champion remained tight-lipped. “I will ride a Honda VFour next year,” he offered coyly. NSR500 or RC45? No one knew.

Now, still not talking, Kocinski seems set for a return to the grand prix wars. At the annual no-points Big Roadrace in Sugo, Japan, Honda offered Kocinski a factory NSR500. With minimal seat time, the American qualified fifth quickest behind 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan, Alex Criville, Norihiko Fujiwara and Tadayuki Okada. “It’s so light!” said Kocinski of the two-stroke. “Compared to the RC45 I raced in the World Superbike Championship, the NSR is like a bicycle, but with superb power.”

Despite considerable pre-event hype, the race was boring. Doohan split, while his teammate Criville and Yamaha-mounted Norifumi Abe crashed out. Kocinski finished a somewhat disappointing fourth behind Doohan, Okada and Fujiwara. “Remember, I have only ridden this bike for three hours,” stressed Kocinski. “I didn’t want to crash.”

Nevertheless, Takashi Shinozaki, president of HRC, was pleased with Kocinski’s performance. “It wasn’t easy for John,” Shinozaki said. “He was riding Criville’s backup bike, and his suspension was softer than that of the other Hondas.”

Doohan was also positive. “I hope John joins us next year,” he said. “Having another world champion in the class would be good for the sport.”

’98, one popular rumor has Kocinski on an NSR500 leased to former 250cc World Champion Sito Pons’ MoviStar team. “If a satellite team wishes to give him an NSR500, I think that is very good,” said Shinozaki. “But that’s up to the team and Kocinski to decide.”

Yoko Togashi

Pinsonnault claims fifth hillclimb title

Paul Pinsonnault netted his fifth consecutive AMA 540cc National Hillclimb Championship, surpassing Earl Bowby’s previous record of four successive titles.

Heading into the season finale, held at the infamous Devil’s Staircase in Oregonia, Ohio, Pinsonnault led fellow championship contender Richard Soter by a single point. Soter won the event and Pinsonnault was second, resulting in a tie.

Since both riders had four victories apiece, the decision defaulted to second-place finishes, of which Pinsonnault had five to Soter’s one.

James Large won the AMA 800cc National Hillclimb Championship. He also took home Hillclimb Rookie of the Year honors.

Davis snatches AMA Hare & Hound title

Back in 1990, Ty Davis was a motocrosser with a I25cc West Coast Supercross Championship to his credit. Then, the Californian turned his attention to off-road racing, racking up four Baja 1000 wins and the ’95 AMA National Enduro Championship.

This year, Davis tackled the AMA National Hare & Hound Championship. True to form, he crushed the competition, winning six of seven events on his factory-backed Kawasaki KX500.

What’s next for the multi-talented 28-year-old? “My main goal is the Six Days,” says Davis, who has placed as high as fourth overall in the prestigious international event. “I’d also like to do the Best in the Desert series again, and maybe try some more GNCCs.”

Don’t bet against him.

Jimmy Lewis