VOICES·
America.s weeldy motorcycle newspaper
. letters to the edhar .
Volume XXXII
Sharon Clayton, President
Michael Klinger, Publisher
Editorial
Paul Carruthers, Editor
Kit Palmer, Associate Editor
Donn Maeda, Associate Editor
Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor
Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor
Laurel Allen, EditorilJl Assistant
Keith Bush, Proofreader
Appreciating trials
Advertising
Terry Pratt, NatWnal Accounts Marwger
Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager
Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager
Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager
.Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager
Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Manager
Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Manager
Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator
Carla Allen, Eastern Ad COOrdinator
Laurie Snow, Assistant
very
Marketing &: Promotion
Mark Thome, Manager
New Media Development
Mark Mitchell, Manager
.
High Sierra theft
Classified Ads .
Sharon Van Hazelen
Graphics and Production
Ree Johnson, Production Supervisor
Mandy Loc, Production Manager
Dennis Greene, lJlb. Tech.
Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist
Amy Faught, Graphic Artist
Administration
Judy Klinger, Coordinator
Peggy Rivera, Secrttary to the Publisher
AccountinglDala Processing
Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Coordinator
Geneva Repass, Assistant
Herlane Lewis, Credit
Circulation
Rheba Smith, Manager
Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator
Pam Kiein, Billing Coordinator
Carol Begovic, Dealer Coordinator
Service and Support
Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptionist
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National Headquarters
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P,O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-0498
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Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly except the
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Second class posta&" paid at Long Beach, CA and at addition·
al mailing o(6ce. Canada Post International Publications Mail
I15466IS.
POSTMASnJt: S: ~ion of the publisher. Advertismg rates and ctrculation mformation will be sent upon
request. See S.R.D.S.
W.lBPA ~~ITITnoN
'11 ...._
On behalf of the Gleckl family, we
would like to thank all of you who have
sent donations, cards, lellers and flowers. It has truly touched our hearts to the
c.~yrigh~ Cycle News, Inc 1995. Trademark Cycle News
..r.
. - U.S, P...... Offi«. All rigbll ......
Mark Gleckl was killed recerttly while videotaping an off-road truck race in the Mojave
Desert...Editor.
Stop the contingencies
In a marketing move made quite a few
years back, the Big Four decided to give
away contingencies to off-road racers as
incentive to purchase "their" brand of
motorcycle. While this might have
sounded good originally, time has
shown many downsides to this wellintentioned marketing scheme.
The many various racing organizations that mayor may not keep track of
a rider's proper riding classification
(through an advancement points system) makes it all but impossible to slop
the"cherry picking" or riders riding in a
less-skilled class so they can race, win
an~ collect manufacturers' contingenCIes. The problem continues when riders
simply will not ride local (non-contingency) races for the fear of being.
advanced in class and having to compete fairly for contingecies. The vicious
cycle has created such classes as the
"professional" beginner class.
So you ask, "What is the harm in a
little cheating?" How about those structured promoters who keep points? Less
riders. Or, promoters without manufacturers contingencies? Less riders. How
about the shops tha t never sell these
parts to that "professional" C rider who
will only race those "money" races?
Less shops. Or, how about those of us
who see the integrity of sportsmanship
gomg down the toilet?
But, most importantly of all, how
about the groundswell of indignation by
those nders who don't race, but simply
want to go riding and support their
local dealer but have to pay more for
theIr motorcycle and parts to subsidize
that "p,rofessional" beginner?
Those "Yamahahonasukliwa" dollars
have to come from somewhere; and
those casual day-use riders are fast
learning from whose pockets those contingencies come. Buying brand loyalty is
just bad business. Brand loyalty comes
from performance, reliability and value;
not from dishonesty and deceit.
Here's hoping the Big Four will eliminate those off-road contingencies to
allow everyone, promoters and riders
alike, to compete on equal footing.
Jerry Fouts
President, 0-36
Oakdale, CA
Ward's thanks
At this lime I would like to once again
say thank you for being awarded the
C.E. Altman Good Neighor Award for
the 1995 U.S. Supercross Series
I am extremely proud of this award. I
not only finished as top privateer for the
second year in a row, but also second
overall in the series, beating all but one
of the factory riders.
I hope this serves as an example to all
the privateers in the world. It indeed
can be done without all the works
equipment that the factory riders have.
Larry Ward, '11
Florance, SC
Ward sent the above letter to Pace Ma1ll1gement, one of the promoters of the U.S.
Supercross Series...Editor.
How's Doug?
Everyone is asking, "How's Doug
Henry?" I don't have an answer because
no one really seems to know. I would
appreciate it if Cycle News would keep
us informed of Doug's status. We all
love Doug and miss seeing him at the'
races.
Kerry Simmons
Buffalo, NY
Henry was injured at the Budds Creek,
Maryland, round of the National Motocross
Series. He made his first subsequentpublic
appearance at the Unadilla National MX on
July 23, Henry showed little signs of back
injury as he and his wife Stacey walked
a;ou.nd the pits visiting with friends and
slgmng autographs. As far as when he'll be
able to ride again, Henry said: 'Time will
tell." He did say he plans on racing in
1996...Editor.
Letters to the editor should be sent
to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box
498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498,
faxed to 310/427-6685 or e-mail, editor@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the
position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters
should not exceed 200 words and
all letters are subject to editing.
Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters
should contain the writer's name,
address and daytime phone 'number ... Editor.
INSIDE: .'
Llssue131,A . 'ust9, 1995"
FEATURES
MOTOCROSS
Millville National MX
FEATURE
Day of Champions
:
6
DlRTTRACK
Oldahoma City National HM
10
VINTAGE FEATURE SECTION
Team Obsolete racers ~
A look at the Paton road racer
Mid-0hio Vintage M/C Days
BSA alcohol MX conversion
14
18
22
26
HILLCUMB
Marquette Nat'l HilIcllinb
30
DEPARTMENTS
EVENTS
.32
CALENDAR
Printed in U.S.A.
4
core knowing how much Mark was
respected, admired and loved by all the
friends he made t~oughout his life. If
there's one thing that Mark would
always strive for, it was to earn the
respect of the people he videotaped for
the world to see.
We all miss him very, very much.
Maria T. GIeck!
Dana Point, CA
:
LEADERBOARD
.51
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.RESULTS
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WANT ADS
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LOOKING BACK
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IN THE TAPES
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ON THE FRONT COVER
Team Kawasaki's Mike Kiedrowski
won the 250cc National Motocross in
Millville, Minnesota. Photo by Kinney
Jones. Inset: Team Obsolete and its
valuable hardware. Photo by Henny
RayAbr~
.
