Mykkal is retiring at the age of 32, young in some sports but old when compared to the current crop of teenagers riding at Coney Island these days.

Sunday's race day will climax 15 years of racing for Mykkal.

"I need to concentrate on other responsibilities -- other things that are going on in my life which take away from what I need to concentrate on,'' said Mykkal this week.

"After 15 years of racing I'm not injured, I'm not under pressure and I'm not being forced out. I just feel like it's time to do something different.

"I still plan on riding selected events, especially overseas. But locally I will concentrate on administrative duties.'' Mykkal has been president of the Auto-Cycle Union for the last three years.

Elections are expected in May and there is every indication he will seek another term in office.

Mykkal started racing in 1979 and has twice won the 250 C championship, in 1981-82 and 1991-92 seasons. He has always ridden a Honda, and was sponsored by the company for the last five years.

A sponsorship dispute lies at the heart of what Mykkal called the `biggest disappointment' of his motocross career. He had obtained sponsorship from a soft drink company four years ago but was prevented from promoting the company when the Auto-Cycle Union obtained sponsorship from a competing firm.

"I still feel bad about that,'' he said. "My sponsor gave me financial support for parts and I haven't been able to give him his money's worth.

"I'd say the most positive thing that's come out of motocross for me is that it gave me an indentity. I've never been a great rider, but I've always been indentified with the sport. Some of the best races that I've had, from my early days until last week, have been races that I didn't win, but were some great battles with other riders.

"I really enjoy the competition, I don't care whether I'm battling for last or battling for first.'' In the 125 B class, which this season replaced the 250 B as the premier division, defending champion Aaron Pace is set to win again on Sunday and claim the title of Bermuda's best motocross rider.

Pace, 16, came under intense pressure early in the season from Buddy Joell and Robbie Smith, who won seven events in a row before Pace got back on the winning track.

The runner-up position is still up for grabs between Joell and Smith. Joell is ahead by a big margin, but Smith is within striking range. There is also a battle brewing between Devon Moss and Mykkal for fourth. Mykkal has greater experience but has found Moss hard to catch in recent weeks.

Last year's 80cc champion Chris Maxwell has sewn up the 125 C class over his more experienced brother Leroy, the pre-season favourite. Both riders have improved and look to be promoted to the 125 B division next season.

Kemo Simons, another former 80cc champion, will go into local motocross history as the first rider to score repeat 80cc championships. Simons hopes to ride in two divisions next season, defending his 80cc title and riding in the 125 C class as well.

Jamal Hassell finished a solid second to Simons, but third place is still up for grabs with Jason DeSilva the favourite.

In the 250 C class, the oldest member of the Auto-Cycle Union, Donnie Moss (Devon Moss' father), has sewn up that division, beating newcomer Jason Harrell.

Duprey Joell has a lock on the 250 B class where he was riding uncontested.

But in the last couple of outings he has been riding 125 B and doing extremely well against the front-runners.