Mamola wins British G.P.

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 32

Mamola wins British G.P.

NZPA-Reuter Silverstone The brilliant young American, Randy Mamola, delayed the march of his compatriot, Kenny Roberts, towards a third successive world 500 cu.cm, championship by comfortably winning the British Grand Prix motor-cycle race at Silverstone on Sunday. Mamola, aged 20, finally shrugged off the challenge of his experienced rival with about 10 laps to go, and eased home with an 11-second advantage.

Roberts, riding a Yamaha, had threatened to wrap up the title battle during the early staged of the 81.96 miles (131.88 km race, the penultimate round of the eight-event series, but had to settle for second place, well clear of the Italian, Marco Lucchinelli. Roberts and Mamola must now decide the outcome of the championship

at the notorious Nurburgring Circuit in West Germany, on August 24. Mamola has cut Roberts’s lead to 13 points, but the holder has only to finsh in the top nine to retain his crown.

New Zealand riders had little success at Silverstone. Graeme Crosby finished thirteenth in the main race, and John Pace was thirteenth in the 350

cu.cm, race and one place further back in the 250 cu.cm, event.

The meeting was marred by tragedy when the British sidecar driver, Mai White, died after a collision with a machine shared by the French pair, Yvan Trolliet and Louis Preter, at Woodcote corner, the fastest bend on the circuit. White’s British passenger, Phil Spendlove, and the two Frenchmen were not seriously hurt, officials said.