Rothmans Honda World Champion Wayne Gardner and Toni Mang continued the defence of their titles at Laguna Seca in California. Japanese 500cc GP winner Kevin Schwantz had created panic in the Honda and Yamaha camps by taking the Suzuki right into their midst and the cauldron was red hot at the first American Grand Prix since 1965. Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Rob McElnea and Christian Sarron were also front runners. All the ingredients were in place for an action packed meeting, with the 250 race containing talent such as Sito Pons, Bubba Shobert, Jim Filice and Dominique Sarron (Hondas) adding spectacular interest to this American event.