Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

we worked on a desert plan. All of us who live in the desert thought it was an amazingly good plan, beautifully worked out. Now a bunch of city dudes back in Washington are coming out here and telling us how to run our desert. J'm going to write a stinging letter to Senator (Pete) Wilson (R-CA) telling him I'm against it." Wayne Lamoureaux, city manager of Barstow, said his desert cqmmunity of 200,000 citizens is opposed to the Cranston bill because It would have negative impacts on mining, livestock production, tourism and recreation - resulting in a negative impact on Barstow's economy. "I came here from California's north coast where the Redwoods National Park project gutted the timber industry and we lost an estimated 800,000 jobs," said Lamoureaux. "Now I live in the desert and I don't want to see the desert saved the way· we saved the Redwoods. The California Desert Plan is much better than the plan being proposed." Dr Loren Lutz, representing wildlife groups, told Hodel that the Cranston measure is anticonservation and anti-recreation. "Those of us who use the desert are absolutely opposed to these bills," he said. "A $3-million effort by. the Society for the Conservation of Big Horn Sheep will be completely negated by these bills. If park status occurs, if wilderness areas occur, we will lose those wildlife species - they'll all die. "Preservation is not conservation," he said. "Conservation is the wise use of resources. Preservation is a pickling effect. " Rick Bates, a representative for the California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), told Hodel, "Much of the land (included in the Cranston bill) is unsuitable. for wild.erness status. The proposal underesttmates the amount of public land that would be removed from use." • AMAto appeal closure of Hoosier National Forest WESTERVILLE, OH, MAY 1 Indiana off-road riders were dealt a major setback recently, when the U.S. Forest Service decided to continue their ban of off-road vehicle (ORV) use in the Hoosier National Forest. In retaliation, the AMA is preparin~ an appeal protesting.this latest actton. The appeal will request that the decision made by Floyd Marita, regional forester of the eastern region, be reversed. Marita's decision concurs with the recommendations of the Hoosier National Forest Supervisor Harold Godlevske. In upholding the ban which was initiated in 1977, Godlevske said that the decision was based on the opposition of landowners in the immediate area of the forest. "This recent action by the Regional Forester callously disregards the interests of Indiana's motorcycle and ATV riders," said Roy Janson, AMA land use coordinator for ~overnment relations. "It also confIrms our fears that the Forest Service has turned over the , control of the Hoosier to a small, yet highly vocal group of local landowners: " Originally intended as a "temporary closure" until an acceptable ORV plan could be completed, the Hoosier remains closed even though an acceptable plan was completed in December 1985. That plan, provided for over 11,000 acres of off-road trails. Indiana riders are encouraged to contact U.S. Forest Chief F. Dale Robertson; Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 12th & Independence SW, P.O. Box 2417, Washington, DC 20013 to express their opposition to the Hoosier 0 RV ban. May 18 is the deadline for filing an appeal. Letters to Indiana's U.S. Senators are also encouraged. In Washington you can write Senator Richard G. Lugar, Hart Senate Office Building, Room 306, Washington, DC 20510 or Senator Dan Quayle, Hart Senate Office Building, Room 525, • Washington, DC 20510. siJpple , trfith~ New York competition bike • Insurance rule over- turned WESTERVILLE, OH, MAY I The registration and insurance crisis that jeopardized the entire New York off-road motorcycle and ATV racing schedule has been resolved. Salvation of the 1987 racerrograrn came following a series 0 negotiations between the AMA and a number of New York state agencies. The insurance problem originated from an interpretation of a new law, which required that all competition motorcycles and ATVs be insured even though. they are exempt from registration requirements, The AMA questioned whether individual insurance policies would cover injuries resulting from a motorsports event. It is doubtful that such policies could even be purchased. At least two major insurance companies stated that they refuse coverage for competition motorcycles and ATVs. Also questioned was the value of required coverages and the state's reluctance to accept the AMA's event insurance coverage. The AMA's coverage was greater, but in different categories than those specified by the New York law. The A,MA negotiated with several state agencies and the State Legislature before a solution was determined. The Association intervened on behalf of all New York off-road riders, pointing out that unregistered competition autos in that state are not required to carry insurance and any similar requirement for motorcycles was without precedent. This victory for New York motocrossers, dirt trackers and trials riders stems from a decision by the deputy director of the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. The decision accepted 'the AMA's required event insurance.in lieu of what was being sought by the new law. Upheld by this was the AMA's position that unregistered competiuon motorcycles, and ATVs are exempt from requirements for individual insurance coverage. • ,Charge your Cycle News subscription with your Visa or Mastercharge!! r---- • AMA1):.37 VIKINGS'M.C. HARE N HOUND SOGGY DRY LAKE, LUCERNE VALLEY, CA 4/26/87 - -... MIKE SIXBERY 1st 250 VET (4th O/A) '. AMA NATIONAL HARE N HOUND - 4/2f/87 TANKSLAPPERS M.C. - LOST COYOTE NAT'L PLASTER CITY WEST, IMPERIAL CO., CA MARK VANSCOURT 2ND 250 (5th O/A) • LAS VEGAS 300 - 4/19/87 BEST IN THE DESERT, LAS VEGAS, NV ....._~ JOHN CARMINA/BRUCE BALES 10th 5 0 0 - - - - ' a-Ply 'Grand Sport GS-7aO Most dirt bikes come equipped with general purpose 4-ply tires that are "OK" for play riding until they wear out. But. riding in the desert is different. Our riders (Charlie Morris. Mike Sixbery. JoAnna Brownell. and many others) demand more than just "OK." Winning in the desert means finishing. The new GS-780 is now available in 6·p1y and 8·ply thickness. providing real protection against flats caused by rocks. cactus and abuse. Available now at your dealer. Dealers Please Call: USA (800) 423-5658 CA (818) 898-1402 SIZES: 5.50.188 ply 5.50.188 ply 5.50.18 6 ply 5.50.18 6 ply (Solt) (Hard) (Solt) (Hard)

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