Training Accident Likely to Prevent O’Mara From Competing in Supercross Series Finale

Johnny O’Mara of Simi Valley, the 1984 Supercross Series champion, is listed as doubtful for tonight’s Coors Extra Gold Super Challenge race at the L. A. Memorial Coliseum after breaking bones in two toes and spraining a knee during a training accident Tuesday.

O’Mara, 27, fourth in the 250cc class points standings entering the final event of the 15-race AMA-sanctioned Camel Supercross Series, injured his right knee and foot while training on a private track in Simi Valley.

O’Mara could not be reached for comment, but Brian Rives, a neighbor of O’Mara, said that O’Mara will likely forgo the race.

“Right now, I would say that he’s not planning on it,” Rives said. “But you never know. He has surprised me in the past. He was really looking forward to the Coliseum.”

Erik Kehoe, a Team Suzuki teammate of O’Mara’s, was training with O’Mara when the accident occured. Kehoe, 10th in the points standings, also said that O’Mara likely would not compete.

“It’s kind of unfortunate that it had to happen before such a big event,” Kehoe said.

O’Mara, who has raced professionally for 10 years, is winless in nine races in the Coliseum, traditionally the site of the season-ending spectacular of the Supercross series.

The total purse of $25,000 features a first-place prize of $10,000. Jeff Stanton of Sherwood, Mich., already has clinched the series title. Racing begins at 7:30 p.m.