The Formula One class (that started life as Formula 750) was the premier motorcycle road racing class in America from 1976 to 1986. Superbike began grabbing more factory attention by the early 1980s and F1 slowly faded. In 1985 F1 was booted as the class for the Daytona 200 in favor of Superbike and the handwriting was on the wall. The 1986 season proved to be the final year of the class.

The 1986 season opener for Formula One was at Sears Point since the class did not run at Daytona. This is Doug Chandler (10) and Russ Paulk (60) on their Honda GP bikes battling Dale Quarterley (32) on a Bimota at Sears Point, the beginning of the end for AMA Formula One.

Doug Chandler (10) and Russ Paulk (60) on their Honda GP bikes battling Dale Quarterley (32) on a Bimota at Sears Point in 1986. (Larry Lawrence photo)