Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

We want the RD600 I think that Yamaha Motor Co. USA should consider importing the new RD500LC V-4 two-stroke as a "non-highway approved" model similar to the way they import the IT enduro, TZ road race and YZ motocross modeLs. This would allow American dub road racers the opportunity to buy the bike from local dealers and have spare parts stocked in the U.S.A. CHARLES L. BUTLER Columbus, GA WEST America's weekly motorcycle newspaper Raising AMA funds haron Clayton, Publisher Caroline Gendry. Executive Secretary LO lhe Publisher Nancy Danger. Ad\'enisingl EdiLOrial Assistant. Editorial Da Ie Brown, Sen ior Edi lor. L:l nee Bryson, Editor. David Edwards. Editor. Kit Palmer. Editor. Advertising kip Johnson, National Sales Manager. Terry Prall, Sales Manager. Mike Spencer. Sales Manager. Linda Brown. Advervi,singCoord.inalOr. Tina Bowen. Advertising Assistant. Graphics and Production Gene Bennett. Graphic Artist. Lori Tyson. Graphic Anise Marion Hawshila. Typography. Sheila Larsen. Typography. Dennis Greene. Labonuory. Accounting/ Data Processing Mike Klinger. Controller. Donna Bryan. Accounts Receivable Coordinator. Geneva Repass, Assistant. Terry Dailey. Credit Manager. Circulation Rheba Smi,h. Mana!:er. Michelle Hanna. Sarah Taylor. Debbie Walker. Lyna Hood. Assistants. Dealer Sales and Service Tim Ryan. Dealer Sales Manager. Want Ads Lynda Milligan. Wanl Ad Sales Service and Support Chris Aitcheson, Receptionist. Gregory Hanson. S&S. West 2201 Cherry Ave.. Long Beach. CA P.O. Box 498. Long Beach. CA 90801· 0498 (213) 427-7433; L.A. Line 636-8844. East VOICBS Yon. not shi Buying Cycle News at the local Suzuki dealer allows me to go in and tell a few lies every week. I enjoy your publication, but the Yamaha advertisementon pages 10-11 of your january II issue caught my eye. In japanese, the number four is usually rendered as yon, rather than shi, among polite company. Shi also means death. Having been a motorcycle rider for almost 35 years, I don't care for having death in my ads. All joking aside, give Yamaha's agency a little ribbing, as some japanese might find the ad oHensive. Keep up the good work;. your newspaper is one of the high points of my weeki c.J. jANNACE Middleburg, FL 4190 First Ave.. Tucker, GA. P.O. Box 805. Tucker. GA 30085-0805. (404) 934·7850. Cycle News/WeSl (USPS 141·340) is published weekly except the firsl and last weekof the calendar year for $25 per year by Cycle News. Inc.. 2201 Cherry Avenue. Long Beach. CA 90806. Second class postage paid at Long Beach. CA. POSTMASTER: Send form 3579 to Cycle News. P.O. Box 498. Long Beech. CA 90801-0498. Subscription rates: One year, second class mail, 25: twO years. second class mail. $45; Lhree years, second class mail. 568: 25 weeks. $14. Foreign rates available on request. Cycle News welcomes unsolicited ediIOrial material including stories. cartoons. photos. eLc. Such material, if published. becomes the exclusive property of CXcle News. Such accepted material is subjectLO revision as is necessary in the sole discretion of Cycle News. Unsolicited material which is not used will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed slamped envelope. All unsolicited material will be handled wilh reasonable care, however. Cycle News assumes no responsibility for the safety. loss or damage to such malerial. Reprinting- in whole or pari only by permission of the publisher. Advenisin~ rales and circulation information will be sent upon requesl. See S.R.D.S. Copyright® Cycle News. Inc. 1984. Trademark Cycle Naws registered U.S. Patent Office. All rights reserved. 4 ON THE FRONT PAGE: "Mr. Bill" Jewell serves as the world's most talented kickstand as he takes a break from pounding this week's test bike. the Honda CR250. Photo by David Edwards. Recuperation thanks My family and I would like to thank the many friends and relatives for their phone calls and cards of good wishes and encouragement during my accident and convalescence. We would like to thank Kawasaki Team Green for all their help and encouragement; also my other sponsors, J.T., Oakley Goggles, DMCand Finishline. A special thanks to Dave and Sandra jordan for their continued support before and after my accident. An extra-special thanks to Micky Dymond, who deserves it for his continued concern and help to speed up my recovery. He has been an inspiration everytime I felt low. I am now recuperating at home, going to therapy and hope to be racing in the near future. TRACY MEEKS Orange, CA Santa Fe ST In 1953, Mr. Howard Tiedt along with the Maywood Mustangs M.C. promoted the first motorcycle race at Santa Fe Speedway in Hinsdale, Illinois. During the early years of racing motorcycles at Santa Fe Speedway, it was done on the larger size motors. We ran the larger size motors on a weekly proglAm until 1959. In 1960, the AMA decided that any r,!c.e traqc., n~~ ?,MO ft;e.t or, basically speaking, not a complete half.mile, could not run large motors any longer. Santa Fe Speedway, not wanting to give up the weekly motorcycle shows, went along with the AMA and sanctioned the first short track races with the 250cc motors. In 1961, Santa Fe Speedway was granted the first short track National by the AMA and it has run continuously since that time. Due to rule changes that were due to take place in 1984 to allow 500cc motorcycles to run on the short tracks, the AMA needed a pilot program. Santa Fe Speedway, being the only short track running weekly shows, was the logical place for this program, which was run very successfully. The short track program promises to have a broader base for larger attendance due to the 500cc rule. Therefore, we feel this is not the time to reduce the number of short track Nationals or worse, not to allow promoters with a long-standing history of promoting short track races not to reap the benefits of possible larger attendance. In concl usion let us say that we as a long-standing club helping to promote the sport of motorcycling, feel the AMA should not have taken the short track National away from Santa Fe Speedway. MAYWOOD MUSTANGS M.C. Naperville, IL Grade A grading The Continental Motosport Club (CMC) wishes to thank Bill Manley for his time and effort in rejuvenating theCarlsbad race course. He trailered a caterpillar all the way from PLacentia then re-cut and graded a major portion of the course, including the downhill, ledge, sand pit, and Suzuki tower loop. Because of his efforts, we believe that our amateur riders competing in Round 5 of the Golden State Skoal Bandit Series on February 12 will find the Carlsbad course in better condition than it's been in years (barring any major assaults from Mother ature). We are extremely grateful to Bill and wish to give him this recognition. HELEN MOLLETTA CMC Event Coordinator On Sunday, january 8, an AMA and District 37 fund raiser was held at Alhambra Honda. In addition to raising $432 for the AMA Legal Defense Fund, Ron Foss and Frank Rounds signed up five new AMA members and 30 new AMA District 37 members. Ron Foss is the new Iy elected vicepresident and Frank Rounds is the new treasurer for the road rider branch of District 37. Products for the event were donated by American Honda, Alhambra Honda, Kal-Gard Coating & Mfg., Progressive Suspension, Interpart Corp., Van Leeuwen Ent., Barnett Tool & Equipment, Flanders Co., Shoei Helmets, Nava Helmets, Rider Magazine, Los Angeles Trade Tech College, Buena Park Yamaha, Marina Suzuki, Nelson Recreation Equipment, and Hot Bike Magazine. Also, twO major clubs supported this e~'ent, Chapter A and Chapter I of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association Many celebrities were present. The first to arrive was Louis McKey, the Phantom Duck 'of the Desert, with his wife, Mary. They stayed the entire day mingling with the crowd. On several occasions Louis spoke about being organized Ihrough theAMA to fight political problems facing motorcyclists. Next to arrive was the entire staff of the radio show "Center Stand." They were Dick Hill, Roy Tuck.man and Margaret Fowler of KPFK 90.7 FM. Both Hill and Tuckman talked to the crowd and then had to leave for an appoinIment to pick up an award from Mayor Bradley's office in recognition of their show. PAT & DONNA OWENS Temple City, CA A little support I was especially interested in Kathy Herndon's letter printed in the February 1 "Voices." In it she said it was gratifying to see how many companies are now sponsoring enduro riders. What is important to know is that even a beginner can receive support. After finishinj!;as theCRC's top Mini points rider last year, I was able to receive support this year. Rincon Kawasaki in San Bernardino has agreed to sponsor me for the 1984 CRC enduro season. You don't have to be a national champion to receive support thanks to dealerships like Rincon who are willing to help young riders. MICHELLE HOWARD Palm Springs, CA Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News. Inc. Send letters to Voices. Box 498, long Beach. CA 90801.

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