Mike Smith leads the way on the Team Suzuki Endurance machine during the Grattan Eight-Hour WERA National Endurance race in 1989. Smith is being chased by Fritz Kling, on his home track, racing the 3 Guys Racing Suzuki (behind Smith), 3-D Racing’s Mark McDaniel (138), Andy Fenwick on the defending championship winning Human Race Team Yamaha (1) and an unidentified rider on bike No. 282. Smith and Team Suzuki Endurance teammate Paul Bray won the race that day by six laps in spite of suffering a crash and being assessed a two-lap penalty for not immediately pulling in for crash inspection.

Team Suzuki Endurance rider Mike Smith leads Fritz Kling on the 3 Guys Racing Suzuki (behind Smith), 3-D Racing’s Mark McDaniel (138), Andy Fenwick on the defending championship winning Human Race Team Yamaha (1) and an unidentified rider on bike No. 282 during a 1989 WERA National Endurance Eight Hour at Grattan Raceway. (Larry Lawrence photo)