Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America.s weekly motorcycle newspa~r Letters to ltIeeditor Volume XXXII Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Assodate Editar Donn Maeda, Associate Editar ScoR Rousseau, Associate Editar Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Laurel Allen, Editorial Assistant Keith ~ush, Proofreader Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western SaJes Manager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Eastern SaJes Manager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Laurie Snow, Assistant Marketing &; Promotion Mark Thpme, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Manager Classified Ads Sharon Van Hazelen Graphics and Production Ree Johnson, Productwn Supervisar Mandy Loo, Production Manager Dennis Greene, lJlb. Tech. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Amy Faught, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Peggy Rivera, Secretary to the Publisher AccountingIData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Coardinatar 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 Leonard Herring, Service and SupfXIrt National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-0498 (310) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FAX (310) 427-6685 Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA, 30084; mailing address P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805. (404) 934-7850. FAX (404) 934-3112 Scholarly thanks I am greatly honored as being the first recipient of the AMA Pro Racing Scholarship Award, and would like to thank the organization for supporting my college education. I would also like to thank my parents for the many years of support in all my activities. Thanks also to my sponsors, Michigan Engineering, M/C Supply and J&H Oil Company for the many years of support in my.racing. During my academic career I have selected the most challenging courses including many college level programs. There'were easier roads to travel, but the competition was not there so I chose tnose that would force me to succeed. This is my first competitive year in Pro racing and again I have been faced with the challenge of being a full time student, working and racing. I am now attending Michigan State University, majoring in engineering and computer sciences, and Will still be racing pro in both motocross and Toad races as the time permits. Again, thank you. Justin Blake Middleville, Ml More thanks on July 15, my life changed forever. I was competing at Marysville Park in my fir t motocross race in over 10 years. .After my first moto, I started having grand-mal seizures at the track. Before I knew it, the EMTs were allover me doing their life saving procedures, then it was off to the hospital, where I was in the ICU for six days. I am now home to enjoy my family. The doctors found a benign tumor, which will be removed and fQllowed by radiation. But what I really want to say is that my son was not by himself for three hours, as the track is two hours from our home. The family parked next to us, James and Susan Nelson and their son Scott, took my sbn under their wing during this horrifying ordeal and took care of him. To them, Charlie Sexton the track promoter, and to my life-saving EMTs, I can't say thank you enough. I • always knew motocross wa special, but it's special because of the people involved in the sport we love. Norman Kramer PeWuma,CA e-mail editor@cydenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cydenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141·340) is pub1ished weekly except the last two weeks of the calendar year for $50.00 per year by Cycle News, Inc.. 2201 Cherry Avmue, Long Beach. CA 90806. Second dass pooIage paid alLong Beach, CA and of additional mailing o/lice. Omoda International Publications Mai1 ilS466IS. e e Antl-Jerry MotoWorld 2 used to be an excellent half-hour show on cable television with motorcycle race highlights and race results from recent motorcycle events. At first, host Jerry Bernardo added a nice change to the interviews with the riders that brought out their senses of humor. But now, the show is 20 minutes of Bernardo goofing off and trail riding, with a brief segment of actual race coverage and no more Bernardo interviews with the riders. The show needs to go back to its original format and Bernardo needs his own prime time comedy show. Rick Wallace Tucson,AZ In favor of McGrath This letter is written in response to Ray Merkle from Wilmington, Ohio (Voices, Issue #30, August 2). I also attended the 125/25Occ National at Kenworthy. Fans are important to Jeremy McGrath. I was treated with respect and he was more than willing to give me his autograph. All I had to do was ask. Jeremy is very personable and down to earth. He did acknowledge not only my existence but many other fans as well. Did this man ever stop to thittk - why didn't McGrath return to his pit to sign autographs? I don't think so. Mr. Merkle' is too busy thinking of himseU and what McGrath and the other riders could give or do for him. He expected McGrath to be there when the race was over. A real fan is supportive and realizes these riders spent all day riding in 95-degree tem pera tures. Some of the riders had ilights that left early and they had no choice in the matter. As fans we have a responsibility to show some class to the riders. Ray Merkle is the one who is classless. Mr. Merkle, find out the facts before you open your mouth. The world doesn't revolve around you. Christa Rowley East Sparta, OH Zitterkopf to Poland On Friday, July 21, the l00's Motorcycle Club held a fund raising party to help one of our members, Greg Zitterkopf, go the International Six Day Enduro in Poland this September. We were pleasantly surprised by the fantastic support from the off-road motorcycle industry with product donations for our event. together with the great support from the members of the loo's, we'll send Greg off to Poland to represent oUT country in the world's most prestigious off-road event. Our thanks go to Acerbis, Bif;!ffe, Dunlop, DunLopad, EK, FMF, IMS, KTM, Renthal and Smith. The l00'~ M.e. would like to thank these company's for their help and we hope everyone will join us in wishing Greg and the rest of our team the best of luck in Poland. Bill Perkins Upland,CA What goes around... The World Superbike Championship finally came to America after a few years off and we really show the foreigners some American hospitality. How do we show it? By stealing their belongings right out of their pits. Now we know why they don't let spectators in the pits anywhere else. This kind of stunt really shows that pe0ple can't be trusted. That old saying, "One rotten apple..." I hope the (expletive) who stole these items is happy. I guess going to see the best in the world race and having a good time just isn't enough. Spoiling the fun for others must make them feel like real big (expletive). I didn't know they piled it that high. Eric Seward Marysville, WA Keep on slidln' Great article by Scott Rousseau (In The Tapes, issue #31, August 9) on expanding dirt tracking with a farm system 600cc support class. I have. never raced dirt track but it looks like so much fun and I have a lot of respect for those riders both on and off the track. No postal workers here. These guys show a lot of respect for their fellow competitors which makes the sport that much more attractive to spectate. My main sport is motocross, but the big four factory guys' attitudes are embarrassing next to Parker, Carr, Moorehead, Springsteen and others. Up and comers like Mike Hacker praise their competitors and rivals and race with maturity. His second place at Oklahoma City showed a level-headed, safe rider who doesn't need to attack every event like it was a war. If I wanted to participate or watch a sporting event that made my blood boil I would sit behind a glass barrier at an ice rink. As long as they keep on sliding, I'll keep on watching. Frank Mierau VictorviIle, CA Letters to the editor should be Hftt 10 Vok", Cycle N..... P.O. Box 498, Long BelICh, CA _ 0498, faxed to 310l427.-s or e-maIJ, editorOcycJ... newI.com. Publiabed letten do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters should not exceN 200 words ud ~ll letten Me aubject to editin&- Anonymoua letIalJ will not be considered for publication. AIlIe1ten should <0ntain the writer's name, ad~ mwI deaurl< Cyde N.... regist

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