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/125532
, About Our Hlmage" By Michael Fleetwood Millwest Dees Han A Proillem. Ounaw Clowns Terrorize Races. ~ e ~ ~ """ ~ !oJ :c: !oJ d :>.. Most of us paid little attention to the "bandwrltlng on the screen" at our local theatre just before Marlon and his gang roared toward us. '!be message of "'!be Wild Ones" in part, read: THIS INCIDENT IS TRUE AND ACTUALLy'HAPPENED TO A SMALL TOWN IN CALIFORNIA. We who are the devoted spectators and professionals that annually seeandpartlclpate In over 5,000 various types of motorcycle events, are deeply concerned about the damage being done to the legitimate sport. celled their 500- mile enduro tbls year because of a gang disturbance. Muskegon, Mich., hosting the National HIll Climb, "had to" let an outlaw gang member try the hl1l first rather than have a riot. Laconia, N.H, road race was cancelled until tbls year. Ionia, Mich., State Championship dirt track event cancelled. Elkhorn, Wisc., Flve- Mile National, Lincoln, ill., seven-Mile National, Springfield, ill., Fifty-Mile National - - All cancelled because of outlaw gang disturbance. '!bere Is no way of knowing U ____..-:::-----~:; 1lli1e:i:Jflii- "We bave alreaclY lost major National events due to these people sbowlng up been scbe1uled In different areas because and making a great deal of trouble. My feelings are that the promotors have of outlawgroups.Even though It may seem not used strong enough methods In dealto be of little consequence from the ing with these crowds. Promotors should figures I have given you, this Is a hire police to control the crowds, arrestproblem of growing concern to us. We ing all troublemakers before things get definitely feel that two cancellations and out of hand. '!bere Is little we can do two alternations are serious. except encourage local law enforcement "We can oniy guess that disturbances to bear down on them when they show up at race events will discourage some in groups. Pleasure riders are indeed UP racers from participating, and most In arms over these people. At a recent certalJUy some clubs are discouraged motorcycle event in California a huge from holding events. In both cases group of riders literally threw a gang would have a deterrent effect on the of outlaws out of the park." spectators." J.C. Agaganlan, probably the bestWith the conclusion from sports figures known individual sports promoter, rehere and abroad, the final Interpretation assured me that "to date I have had no Is clear. It's obvious that frlltbtenlngly cancellations of any of my races in Image of the motorcyclist is once again California. I might add we have sufffloating close to the whirlpool's edge of Icent security pollee who are trained to public opinion, ready to be drowned with deal with any disturbances." abomination. Last and most Important was my Like I said