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/127410
.~ ~ c:::».... /' .:t1iI) ~c:::» : EDITOR'S MEGAPHONE By Nate R a uba don't get to ride on a motocross track as often as I'd like to these days, so when I do go riding it's got to be special. And Raceway Park in Englishtown, New J ersey, is special. What makes it special? To begin with, the people. Raceway Park is close to New York City, and after spending two days in the Big Apple, I discovered Manhattan is inhabited by a lot of grumpy people. It was a relief to Sloe some happy motocross enthusiasts, and everybody at the track was friendly. Jay Irwin's MX track at Raceway Park is h ighl y-pra ised by such Na tional com p etitors as Dou g Henry, Ron Tichenor and Gene Naum ec. I was at the track for its annual Kawasaki Race of Champions and when Mike Rossini, who seems to help out just about everybody in New J ersey, allowed me to take a few laps on one of his RRP machines, I found out why it gets such praise. T he soft, loam y dirt is similar to that on the Mamm oth MX course in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (the site of ano ther special event), and it's kept moist, There are several tough obstacles, includi ng double jumps and whoop sections. As I' ve grown older , I' ve developed a real fear of double jumps, but th e ones th a t Ir wi n built are relatively forgiving when a so-so rider like me comes up short, But they're still big enough for the pros to give the spectators a show, and make a rider like me feel like a hero cleari ng them . It's not only the course that makes a place special, the surroundings have to be right, too. And at Raceway Park, the lack of objects surrounding the track' give an added feeling of safety. There're no tires mark in g the turns, no posts holding up banners to hi t your hands on. Small dirt curbs and grass ou tline the path, the way Irwin likes it, " You don 't see used radials lining a supereross track, so why shou ld they be outdoors?" says Irw in. "Used tires belong in a junk yard, not a motocross track." That' s a good point many track owners should consider. Irwin added some flowers on the grass, which combined with the autumn leaves on the surro unding trees, bright white fences and close racing made the whole scene seem rather special while I was there. There's plenty of bleacher seating, too, making the pla ce ideal to watch a National. Which is exactly what Irwin and promoting partner Ken Landerman would like to bring to Raceway Park. Roy Janson, the AMA's new director of competition, wou ld also like to see one there. Janson says he wanted Raceway Park to hold a National two years ago, but Landerman said tha t the date offered conflicted with Raceway Park's drag racing schedule. Since then the factories pressured the AMA int o redu cing the number of National events , leaving Irwi n and Landerman waiting for another chance. For now, they'll have to wait until another promoter decides to drop a National, or until the schedule is expanded, whi ch is what Janson would like to do. Either way, Janson says Raceway Park is high on the National priority list, and rightfully so. Because it's special. 0' ..,.,...-=-=~ TEL E V IS I O N SEE THE GREATEST SU PER THAT EVER LIV~..,,: I It R'Ck JOh nSon Broc Glover, Jeff Ward and many, many more! DATE December December Decembe r December TI TLE O F SHOW 5, 1991 12, 1991 19, 1991 26, 1991 9109 9 110 91 11 91 12 T I ME '85 Anaheim Supercross / ('85 San Diego SX) '85 Rose Bow l Supercross (12 5cc & 250 cc) '85 Rose Bow l Highl ighls / LA Superbow l of M X ~8 5 World Supercross Finals, LA Coliseum 5:30 - 6:30 5:30 - 6:30 5 :~0 - 6:30 5:30 - 6:30 pm pm pm pm "Times subject to chang e based on LA Kings games - check your local listi ngs On Two Wheels presented by: ft{~Zl~~ ([lID~ l"'~,'''=J~ and your local $ SUZUKI pro-level RM dealers . 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This offer is only good through December 31, 199' . Give the Gift of video Order by phone - All major credit cards accepted . Call (714) 499-6200 or send chec:ksand money orders to·On Two Wheels· P.O. Box 9501 Laguna Beach CA 92677. No COD's. Call (714) 499-6200 for a complete list of Supercross programs . O~ n a C o l l e c t o r Copy ! Don Emde is auctioning ten very special copies of his book "The Daytona 200. The History of America's Premier Motorcycle Race." These books are autographed by these legendary racers who are Daytona Winners or National Winners. KENNY ROBERTS, EDDIE LAWSON WATHE RAINEY, JOE LEONARD ED KRETZ, CBRIS CARR SKIP VANLEEUWEN noTDEMDE DONEMDE For further detail s. contact All proceeds from this auction go to benefit PAUL PATRICK DONNELLY, newborn son of motocrosser PAUL DONNELLY who was killed in a recent accident. A ll bids by Mail Only. $100 M in imum Bid. Top Ten Bids W in Books. Bidding closes December 1 1991 .5. Sub mit bids t o : DO N EMDE c / o Infosport 3001 1 Ivy Glenn Drive. Ste. 114 Laguna Ni guel, CA 92677 Don Emde at (714) 249-2270 15