N.Z. racer in demand

Press, 1 October 1986, Page 42

N.Z. racer in demand

By HUGH BARLOW, NZPA staff correspondent London

Leading motor-cycle teams are clamouring at the door of the Wanganui racer, Richard Scott, after his win in the final round of the European 500 cu cm championship at Donington Park. Honda (Great Britain) loaned Scott a $140,000 RSSOO racer for the event. Although he had never ridden one of the 140 h.p. 290km/h machines, he lapped the Lincolnshire circuit more than 2s faster than his nearest rival in practice and dominated the race.

“It was the best win I’ve had,” Scott said yesterday. "I’m well pleased. It was a very nice bike; real powerful and very light and I adapted to it pretty quickly." Ron Grant, the former Suzuki works rider who heads Scott’s back-up team, said: “It was a magnificent victory and he made it look so easy. Those guys are all toprate, experienced 500 cu cm riders but Richard was in a class of his own."

The performance impressed Honda, which has helped Scott during his campaign in the production-based categories of the British championships. "I’ve talked with their head man and he said Richard is

definitely included in their plans for next year, provided they get the budget they want. At this stage it looks pretty good,” said Mr Grant The Honda deal would probably mean riding in the British 500 cu cm championship and a handful of world championship grand prix meetings. Mr Grant said Yamaha (Great Britain) and Suzuki (Great Britain) had also made offers to Scott and the Italian manufacturer, Cagiva, was keen to sign him to ride their 500 cu cm racer in the world championship next year. "Honda has been extremely good to us this season and we’re keen to stay here. But if they fall down we’ll probably go to Italy and test the Cagiva," he said. Scott, will head for Australia next week for the Castrol Six Hour race on October 12. He won the race in 1984 and 1985. He will then return to Britain for the final round of the British championships. At present he is second in the superstock class for modified road bikes, fifth in the open class, second in the production class and fourth in the Formula One class. He still had a chance of winning all but the open championship, Mr Grant said.