ROUND 4: FRANCE SOMMIERES: 5TH MARCH 1978

Showing no signs of the pressure of being ‘On Trial’, with the future of his time as a Bultaco supported rider being determined in a further seven days, Bernie Schreiber was in excellent form. Classed as ‘crazy’ by many of the riders, the time limit was extended after the first lap by an extra thirty minutes as the organisers were faced with making mass exclusions when only Martin Lampkin and Mick Andrews were able to keep to the time limit. Lampkin would go on to finish one mark in front of Vesterinen to close the gap in the championship chase, as Andrews had a massive crash between the hazards when he plunged off a ledge and fell down, twisting the frame and bending the front forks on the Yamaha. Despite the pressure of the time limit Vesterinen finished 3rd as he held onto his championship lead. With no financial support from Yamaha, Andrews was contemplating his next move to continue in the championship.

RESULTS: 1: Schreiber 125; 2: Lampkin 127; 3: Vesterinen 128; 4: Subira 133; 5: Karlson 138; 6: Shepherd 141; 7: Andrews (320 Yamaha) 142; 8: Gorgot 145; 9: Rathmell 150; 10: Joaquim Abad (Ossa-ESP) 157. CHAMPIONSHIP: 1: Vesterinen 50; 2: Lampkin 47; 3: Karlson 28; 4: Shepherd 27; 5: Andrews 26.