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/126776
r-------------------------------------·· - Turn four: A large depression/pothole directly on the racing line con· stitutes a hazard for both eras.hing, and knee injury for people who drag their knees. - Start/finish area: While by far the fastest part of the track, it has the worst surface of any course in the state. Long rips, bumps, holes, and seams in the pavement must be crossed in excess of 120 mph. These same bumps were responsible for the death of Brad Horrel two years ago, and caused injury to Miles Baldwin prior ,to last year's National, and should be considered TOP PRIORITY. - Turn six: Numerous tears, bumps, potholes, and pavement changes con· stitute a great hazard considering the speed and lack of runoff at the bot· tom of the corner. Other corners which need attention include turn three·A (Patching and potholes create an unduly bumpy and trecherous corner); turn eight-A (Tearing pavement is a traction problem in the corner, especially consid· ering the speeds involved. Not as bad as turn eight, however); turn five (Patching is extremely bumpy); turn seven (Patching that was done here is of poor quality and provides less trac· tion than did the original torn pave· ment). Track surface is currently accepta· ble in corners two, three, nine, 10 and WEST America's weekly motorcycle newspaper Sharon Clayton, Publisher Mike Klinger, Comptroller Skip Johnson, Associate Publisher. National Sa.les Manager Caroline Gendry. Executive Secretary to the Publisher Editorial John Ulrich. Editor Dali' Brown, Sen.ior Editor Kit Palmer. Assistant Editor MaLL Hilgenberg. IIs,sisto"! Editor • . Advertising Terry Pratt, Sales Manager Mike Spencer, Sales Manager Linda Brown. Advertising Coordinator Nancy Waslell, Advertisingl Editorial Assistant Kellic Truelson. Adverli-s;ng Assistant Graphics and Production II. Lance BrY!ion, Manager l.ori Tyson, Graphic Artist Larry Gill. Graphic Artist Marion Hal3shit.a, Typography Sheila Larsen. Typography Dennis Greene. Laboratory Accounting/Data Processing· Donna Bryan. Accounts Receivable Coo;dinalor Geneva Repass, Assistant Terry Dailey, Credit Manager Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager Michelle Hanna, Assistant Sarah Taylor, Assistant Debbie Walker. Assistant Lyna Hood, Assistant Dealer Sales and Service Tim Ryan. Dealer Sales Manager Want Ads Bob EllioH, Want 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 908010498 (21~) 427-743~; L.A. Line 6~6-8844. East 4190 First Ave.• Tucker. GA. P.O. Box 805. Tucker. GA ~0085-0805. (404) 9M-7850. Cycle News/WesqUSPS 141-MO) is published weekly except the first and last week01 lhe calendar year lor .$25 per year by Cycle News, Inc., 2201 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806. Second class pos, lage paid at Long Beach. CA. POSTMASTER: Send form 31579 to Cycle News. P.O. 80,,498. Long8ellch. CA 90801 -0498. 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ON THE FRONT PAGE: Auot,.lien Geoff Ball.rd blues through. MC!ion of trail .n routs to the over.1I win at the Michig.n Th...·D.y Quellfler. An interview begine on 4 pege20. Kenny for President I nominate Kenny Roberts for candidate for the office of President of the United States because he represents so much of what is best in America. His foreign policy won the laurels and respect of the world in rising to the top of his profession. Yet he has not forgotten his roots. He has that courage and experience of leadership thal we look for and so rarely find in our national leaders. If a Hollywood announce( can be elected President, why can't a cham· pion motorcycle racer? Let's take a Cycle News Poll: If the ballot in November's national election read: Walter Mondale D Ronald Reagan D Kenny Roberts D, who would you vote for? C.C. Cambria, CA Drugs and racing After reading your small commentary on drug abuse and racing, and Keith Code's personal experience with it, I was deeply touched. Drugs, alcohol, or any other form of narcotics have no place in any type of motorcycle sports. The more they become a part of these sports the more we will see the physical destruction of qual· ity sportsman. We here at Western Cycle Supply have made it perfectly evident to our on and off road riders how stupid it is to ride wasted, and we personally stand behind that ourselves. If there is anything that we can do to further your campaign against drugs in motorcycl ing feel free to contact me, and I will do my best to help. I think that people have forgot the old slogan, "Ride to live ..... remeniber." DONALD POLLARD Sales Coordinator Western Cycle Supply. Norwalk, CA Geoff Ballard As a fellow Aussie here in the U.S. I would personally - and probably along -with all· the boy]; at Lowes' Mountains M.e. - like to congratu· late Geoff Ballard on his great win in the three·day ISDE qualifier in Michi· gan. I know, too, the ACU would be pleased because his bike passed scrutineering. The last time I saw Geoff show his true form was at the Inter· national GP track at Bilpin. I would like to see Geoff ride some Supercross races because I know he likes these best. Goodon ya, mate. PHILLIP ALAMANGOS Orange, CA JWMSP on Sears Point After observing and participating in the May 20th Pro·Am event at Sears Point,· I feel obligated as the Iiason for the John Woo Memorial Safety Project to inform you of both comme!lts and observations directed to us concerning preparation of the track surface and impact areas during the weekend. While most impact areas were well protected by haybales, and most runoff areas free of obstructions, tires and haybales protecting the walls in turns six and 10 are insufficient to protect riders traveling at the rate of speed found in these corners. We strongly recommended Hexcel for these areas. The track surface generated the majority of complaints from riders. Complaints about the horrible condition of the surface came from all the ranks, including such people as Fred Merkel, and Ken Roberts, who was up to watch Chuck Aksland race_ Chuck crashed in turn six, as did I, the result of a slick spot where the pavement was torn away, followed by a pavement change. Both Chuck and I fell in virtually the same spot. The following are the areas which we feel should be repaved, or at the very least repaired, prior to the National. They are as follows: - Turn e.ight: The patching put down in this corner constitutes an even worse problem. than did the original pavement. It is unduly rough, and presents a great hazard consider· ing the speed and lack of runoff in the corner in question. KURT R. BICKEL Liason Rep jWMSP AFM National Rep Daly City, CA Pit racers On Sunday, june 10, my wife, daughter, son-in·law, and grand· daughter came 10 pit for me at the Desert Vipers Ellro Scrambles. Gary, my son·in-Iaw, brought his ATCand on his way back to the camping area after my race, he was nearly killed. The road in front of the camping area was posted 15 mph; however, Gary saw two bikes coming at him at top speed. He pulled far right and slowed down. However, just before the bikes got to him, one tried to put a pass on the other. Gary had two instant decisions - have a head-on collision, or pull a hard right. Fortu· nately, his reflexes are quite good and his hard right probably saved two lives. In any case, the ATC hit the side of the road and flipped over. You don't have to be going fast to have a major accident - in this case, a broken shoulder, broken pelvis, and' tom ligaments/tendons. That bastard Pit Racer is walking around not knowing or possibly not caring, of the dama~e he caused. joe Bilotta, D-37 president, told me that they are going to put an end to this problem and should have some guide lines by the time you read this. The bottom line, however,. is that it is up to us. The clubs must post warnings and police the area as best they can; we all must report unsafe pit riding. Pit Racers be warned - I will tum you in. I will not have another Gary on my conscience. D-37 families with your help, Meagan, my grand· daughter, will again be allowed to come to the desert to watch Grandpa do his thing. RICHARD SMITH HUGHES #64 D-37 1969 #4S CRC 1979 #0201 D-37 1984 Gary's injuries are indeed severe for one who drove off the road at less than 15 mph. Nonetheless, pit racers are scum". EditQ7." " .