Dean Hayes leads Robert Haines (No. 369) and Russell Thornley (No. 880) at Road Atlanta in the WERA C Superbike Novice final at the 1990 GNF. This was a memorable race because Hayes took to the dirt to pass Haines for the lead. From a distance it looked like Hayes was crashing, a ton of red Georgia clay dust was kicked up when flew through the dirt in the esses. But he got his Yamaha FZR600 under control and found himself in the lead. Haines and Thornley had temporarily backed off the gas thinking also that Hayes might be crashing. Hayes pulled away to victory and the class national title. Thornley got by Haines for second. Seven of the top 10 riders in the race that day were on Yamaha’s FZR600.

Dean Hayes leads Robert Haines (No. 369) and Russell Thornley (No. 880) at Road Atlanta in the WERA C Superbike Novice final at the 1990 GNF. This was a memorable race because Hayes took to the dirt to pass Haines for the lead. (Larry Lawrence photo)