Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1022726
W H A T Y O U A R E S A Y I N G "Brian Drebber will be replaced but never duplicated in the tower and on the grid." Brian Drebber I was shocked to hear of Brian Drebber's fatal motorcycle ac- cident. Always friendly and will- ing to chat with anyone in the paddock, "Dreb's" booming baritone voice and unassailable knowledge of the American Road Racing paddock will be near impossible to repli- cate. His knowledge of every rider regardless of where they started on the grid, front row or last was almost savant. I think back to Road America in 2008 or 2009 when pad- dock space was much scarcer than later times, and AMA Pro Racing had to limit teams to just one "Pit Bike" per team on the "cold side" of the pit wall because of over-crowding. I looked down at the pit-row and saw a gigantic Honda Gold Wing (Drebber's) parked with the 50cc scooters and com- pletely blocking access to the far reaches of the pit road. Reached via radio, Brian was incredulous that his 1200-pound touring rig wasn't considered a "Pit Bike." We all laughed about Dreb's pit-bike interpretation over dinner that night. It seems trite and over-used to say "he will be missed," but Brian Drebber will be replaced but never duplicated in the tower and on the grid. American motorcycle road racing has lost a true pioneer- ing giant. Rene LaPrevotte British MotoGP Washout I'm not exactly sure what all of the B.M.W. (Bitch, Moan and Whine) was about regarding the British round of the MotoGP Championship. Racing in the rain is simply stupid when you are pushing 225-plus horse- power through a contact patch less than 10 square inches on a bike weighing less than 300 pounds. The old "tradition" "race, rain or shine" is exactly that—an "old tradition" and a silly one at that! Let's face it, weather is weather, and there are days when it simply isn't safe to soldier through regardless. I spent a soggy four-five hours sitting in the rain at Assen two years ago, to see Valentino take the lead on a soaked track, and promptly throw it away when the bike aquaplaned! I believe that that is called (correctly) an "act of God," and people need to recognize that it is going to happen on occa- sion, and get on with things! I would much rather come back the next day, or whenever, as opposed to seeing Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez or Andrea Dovisioso sent to the hospital, or worse! If there is inadequate drain- age, then let the paving com- pany come back and put huge pumps near the drains in those areas and let it be a learning experience! In the meantime, what's that saying? Oh right, "s--t hap- pens." Deal with it! Richard T. Haight Alta Redshift EXR First Impression Currently I ride a Suzuki DRZ400E for street and dirt, riding with my kids and com- muting (do-it-all bike). This Alta EXR is the bike I am most excited about! Every bike has shortcom- ings: KTMs are high mainte- nance, the DR-Z has a silly five-speed transmission and is heavy, the Yamaha WR250R is gutless and has a terrible shock, the Kawasaki KLX and CRF-L are slow. Battery range is not a problem for me. I just need to get a demo ride to con- vince myself it's worth the high price of admission! Steven Salmons It [Alta] sounds like a really capable motorcycle that never requires head work, trans- mission/clutch work or fuel. Considering that it's within $1k of the current top-end 450 dual sport bikes, I think they really have something here. It needs more range for some, sure, but that's improving pretty quickly. David Studner Letters to the editor can be sent to voices@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News. Letters should not exceed 150 words and are subject to editing. Anonymous letters won't be considered for publication and each letter should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number… Editor P6 CN III VOICES