Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

v ICES 0 Letters to the editor Free room and board I would like to extend an offer to any privateer and/or mechanic that needs a place to stay during the upcoming Glen Helen 125/250cc National MX in San Bernardino, California. My family and I would be more than happy to offer free of charge not only several spare bedrooms but also all meals so that you can minimize your expenses. I live in Victorville, which is approximately 20 minutes from the site of the National and there are numerous practice tracks in the area. If interested, please contact -me. Felix Rodriguez Victorville, CA a shabby way of slapping Ron Wood's hands. Yes, it probably hurt his business, but a lot of AMA members, fans and dirt track racers have been hurt in the process. If enough people let the AMA know it has affected them, then the AMA might change the rules again to accommodate all! Then again, knowing how the AMA has historically done things, maybe not. In any event they. sure destroyed the season for 600 racers. I think that a superb company like Harley-Davidson would be embarrassed to be part of a controversy created by the heavy-handed tactics of the AMA. Sorry, but in my opinion the 883 is not a racing machine. Who's next on the hit list? Ralph Hancock, D.D.S. Wichita, K5 619/955-8093 Harley paint Bikes at Heartland Park I just read the "Not thrilled with 883 class" letter in the June 9 issue. I have been a dirt track fan since 1951 and I'm sorry to see the AMA and HarleyDavidson turning it into a one brand event. Now that Ricky Graham has won Springfield (on a Honda), I look for more rule changes to try and keep all brands other than Harley out of dirt track racing, then the Harley Show can be the XR750 and the even slower 883 Put The Fans To Sleep class. I was hoping that Dick Maxwell would turn dirt track racing around, but by his response it looks like Harley paint has found its way into his veins too! I am writing to see if I can help keep motorcycle road racing going at Heartland Park, a really great facility in Topeka, Kansas. AMA/CCS scheduled four race dates there this year and everything went great at the first two with the exception of rider turnout. The next two meets are scheduled for July 34 and October 16-17. Road racers owe it to themselves to give this track a try. It is wide, smooth, safe in regards to run-Qff room, and it has the largest paved pit area I have ever seen. The layout is top notch and both AMA National riders and IMSA GT drivers have given it top marks. If we don't get a better turnout for the remaining races, I'm afraid the AMA/CCS won't be back and that would be a great loss. I'm asking for some support from the racers in this area so that next year we have the choice of racing at Heartland. Area racers have been supporting other tracks for a long time and I feel it's time to reciprocate. I think if you race at Heartland once, you are going to want to return. MelJoos Washington, It Sacred swine l?cky Graham is getting too close. I feel it's time for the AMA to draft a couple of new rules. From now on, anyone not riding a sacred swine should automatically have to start from the penalty line and their left foot must be duct taped to the foot peg. This will help to even things out. And as for Ricky not being allowed to ride in the Smitty Challenge at Parkersburg, that's perfectly fair, too. Everyone knows that privateers are all filthy rich and don't need another paltry thousand dollars. They're just racing motorcycles because the polo season hasn't started yet. Dave Post Port Townsend, WA Jeff Swan Liberty,MO Kenny on dirt I just purchased the videotape "Kenny Roberts." It's good, but being a dirt tracker I was panting to see Kenny ride a IT at the Astrodome or something like that. Why doesn't someone cover his dirt track career on a video or write a book about it? Joe Scalzo wrote classics and his Time Forgotten column on Kenny at Castle Rock has whetted my appetite! Don't get mad, get even Why does the AMA continue to try to deliver the knockout punch to dirt track racing? Dirt track racers are aware of the brouhaha that occurred when Ron Wood had the "gaIl" to ask the AMA to insist on calling a Rotax a Rotax. As a result, the AMA philosophy of "don't get mad, get even" went abruptly into effect. ~e result of which was a total change of dirt track licensing, changes which eliminated the Junior class. By eliminating the 600 class on a National level, they forced the 600 riders back to locals and Regionals, i.e. to the back of the bus, boys! High visibility is also important to privateers. . Changes were made with little or no regard to racers who rebuild their machines in the winter to get ready for the upcoming season. They justify this and make it "appear" that they are "promoting" and "helping" advance dirt track racing by creating a new class that only one motorcycle can compete in and eliminating the others at National events! I am not alone in believing that it was Tony Berch Los Gatos, CA Those of US who were around when 'Roberts first hit the scene recall that personal videotape cameras didn't exist and, in fact, they had just added sound to movies! Just kidding, K.R. Anyway, there's precious little film of the Roberts Era as far as dirt track racing goes (Roberts began a full-time road racing career in 1978, and competed in only a handful of dirt track events after that). Take It To The Limit, the Peter Starr film, contains some footage of King Kenny on dirt, most notably rare footage of his winning ride at the Indy Mile aboard the Yamaha TZ750powered dirt tracker. A Roberts biography has already been penned, and it concentrated mainly on his accomplishments in Grand Prix road racing.. .Editor. Letten 10 the editor should be senlto Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806 or fued to 3101427~5. Published letters do not ne

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