Cycle News

CN III ARCHIVES BY LARRY LAWRENCE J ohn Kocinski will always be most remembered for win- ning his two World Champion- ships – the 1990 250cc Grand Prix World Championship and the 1997 World Superbike title. As impressive as his road-racing career was, Grand Prix pundits will always maintain that the rid- er from Little Rock, Arkansas, never reached his full potential. Part of those feelings have roots that go all the way back to 1989 and Kocinski's 500cc Grand Prix debut. In one of the most chaot- ic GP races of all time, the '89 Belgian Grand Prix - a race that featured three starts, crashes, arguments between officials and threats of a riot. In the face of the bedlam Kocinski had what could only be described as a topsy-turvy weekend at Spa. One that ultimately was so impressive that GP scribes were smitten, all but proclaiming him the next great American road-racing champion. By the time Kocinski came to the picturesque and historic (but perilous) Spa-Francorchamps in July of 1989, he was not without credential. In fact by then he already had two GP victories to his credit, having unexpectedly won the Japanese 250cc Grand Prix in the '89 season opener, as well as scoring victory, again in the 250cc class, in the U.S. GP at Laguna Seca. That year Kocinski was in the middle of going for his third-consecutive AMA 250 Grand Prix Cham- pionship, racing for the Viceroy Yamaha squad. Ko- cinski was majorly impressive on the AMA circuit that season, not only being the fastest AMA 250GP rider at all the tracks, but in an unprecedented accom- plishment, he was even faster than the Superbike rid- ers at most circuits – a goal he confidently stated he was going for when the year began. Confidence was something not in short supply with the 21-year-old Kocinski as he headed to Spa, which was nearing the end of its historic run as a motorcycle Grand Prix track. In spite of a number of improvements in the '80s, the circuit, which still used parts of public roads, was woefully short of GP safety standards. In '89 the track had riders on edge. On the front straight Armco and a forest of pits boards lined the last few feet of ideal racing line before riders peeled off down into the famous Eau Rouge. Even the otherwise oblivious Kevin Schwantz, who grew up racing on horror circuits like Texas World Speedway, noted the dangers of brushing guardrail while leaned over in fifth gear. Kevin Magee was even more graphic, predicting a rider could potentially have his head taken off by a pit board while speeding through that section. Wayne Gardner even hinted he might not ride on Sunday should it rain. Far from being simply unfazed by Spa, Kocinski lit up when asked about the track saying he loved it. "It's bitchin'," he said. "It reminds me of Sears A DEBUT TO REMEMBER P98 This was the podium fans witnessed at dreary Spa in 1989, John Kocinski's 500c GP debut, but it ultimately didn't end that way.

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