CN
III VOICES
W H A T Y O U A R E S A Y I N G
P6
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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
"It's been a while since I've thought about Bill, and
the Looking Back section brought back memories
of a different time in local racing."
Empire of Dirt: The 30s
If I was the guy at KTM mak-
ing the rider choices for 2020 I
would have put Joey Savatgy on
the Rocky Mountain team long
before the decision to return Jus-
tin Bogle. Nothing against Bogle,
but I also wouldn't waste my time
on Chad Reed.
Any of us who are older know
that the will to do certain things
(like running five miles) gets lost.
Although our spirit is willing, it
just hurts to do it.
Martin Davalos is another rider
that is too inconsistent. They
can pick up a lesser rider, but
finishing 10th every race is not
the goal. It might be better to let
it sit.
Brian Philippsen
Marvin Musquin is one of the
best this sport has to offer. Let's
give the guy a break and not
talk as if he is done and washed
up. I'm sure he is bummed out
enough already.
Martin Wolf
Looking Back:
Big Bill Spencer
In Issue 49, the Looking Back
section makes mention of Bill
Spencer covering the San Jose
Short Track 50 years ago. "Big
Bill" Spencer was often the
promoter of events that included
short track, night MX races at
Fremont Raceway and many of
the races in District 36. He also
covered enduro racing and what
we called cross-country and
marathons at Fremont Raceway
and Sand Hill Ranch, just to
name a few.
There is probably not a rider
or a spectator that didn't know or
like Big Bill Spencer. His com-
mentary as well as his interviews
were always right on the money
and fun as hell to listen to.
It was easy to get to know
him, and I don't think he ever
forgot a name, from novices to
experts. Big Bill was always easy
to talk with.
On almost every occasion he
had something amusing to say.
The conclusion of the day or
night was not to be missed, as
Bill always had a few words to
say about the riders.
It was a sad day when it was
announced in Cycle News that
Bill had passed away, and in
the days following I'm sure that
thousands of comments by
email as well as other means
of communication took place.
The announcement no doubt
rekindled many friendships of
years passed.
It's been a while since I've
thought about Bill, and the Look-
ing Back section brought back
memories of a different time
in local racing. Friendship and
camaraderie were part of it then,
the folks you raced with were
friends before the races and af-
ter the races, much of it because
of people like Big Bill Spencer.
R.I.P. buddy. Glad your name
is still remembered.
Al Banta
2020 CN 250F Shootout
Just wanted to say that I enjoyed
your 250F Shootout. I read them
all in the magazines, but I always
look forward to your shootouts
the most. As usual, they're infor-
mative and good reads.
Please keep up the good
work.
Phillip Smythe
Big Bill Spencer
