Sponsors
seem to be more interested in us for some reason.
Our biggest sponsor (besides Dunlop and Yamaha’s back-door
help) was now Splitfire Sparkplugs. They’re riding high
with success in Supercross, Drag Racing and now Road Racing.
We’re featured in their magazine ads each month in several
different publications. Hey, this is cool. Now where were we?
Oh yes, racing...
In a press release
dated February 27, 1995 Zero Gravity announced
the signing of Nick Ienatsch to again contest the AMA 250 Grand
Prix. As a footnote, the press release noted, “The team
will unveil at the Daytona Race Zero Gravity’s new “Double
Bubble” windscreen, an unusual looking windscreen designed
to reduce frontal mass while providing enhanced aerodynamic
flow over the rider’s helmet and shoulders.” It must
have worked because Nick’s trap speeds (160 mph) were fastest
in the class. He finished fourth narrowly missing a trip to
the podium. Pomona was even better with a second place finish.
The real excitement started
at Laguna Seca. Nick crashed in turn 3 of the
warm up lap! Somehow Nick and Steve were able to get the bike
back to the pits and take advantage of a 20 minute rain delay.
A half dozen mechanics and friends pitched in to repair the
bike and we were back on the grid at the re-start of the race.
And, incredibly, Nick finished on the podium in third place!
What a high! Next three race finishes were 5th, 4th and 3rd
at Mid Ohio, Road America, and Louden, respectively. And we’re
in second place in front of Sorensen by 14 points.
After a 4th place finish at Brainerd,
the real surprise came at the St. Louis round. A showdown between
Jimmy Filice (entering competition late in the season) and Rich
Oliver netted an Oliver crash in about the seventh lap of the
race! And Nick’s fourth podium finish of the season (3rd
place behind Filice and Sorensen’s, 1st and 2nd) put us
well within striking distance of first place! But wait. Oliver
received 15 points for that race even though he crashed! It
seems there were fewer than usual entries and several crashes.
And as luck would have it, Oliver was able to take advantage
of the AMA point system. As it turned out, it wouldn’t
have mattered. The last round, Sears Point, Oliver ran a flawless
race and won easily. And Nick rode well enough to finish second
in the points. What a year! Is a championship next...?
RESULTS:
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