Grand Prix Star Randy Mamola Scored Victory in this Qualifier
In this week’s Throwback, we dial back the clock 45 years to July of 1981 and the start of the second qualifying heat race for the Champion Spark Plug 200 at Laguna Seca Raceway. This photo shows John Bettencourt (50) getting a great launch on his Yamaha TZ750 alongside fellow front-row starters Nicky Richichi (25) and Randy Mamola (7). Also visible in the shot are Mark Homchick (94), Gene Romero (3), Frank McTaggart (82), Mike Kidd (72), Miles Baldwin (22), Harry Klinzmann (31), Carry Andrew (177), Chuck Parme (191), Thad Wolff (278), Steve Epstein (60) and others. Mamola scored the heat race win and then went on later that weekend to win the main event.
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