Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper Letters to the ednor . Volume XXXII Sharon Clayton, Presidellt Michael J<1!nger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Donn Maeda, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Copy Editor Advertis4tg Terry Pratt, Natiollal Acco",;ts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Mallager Mark Thome, Westerll Sales Mallager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Mtlllager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordillator Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Laurie Snow, Assistant • Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, MmlOger New Media Development Mark Mitchell, fylanager Classified Ads Sharon Van Hazelen Graphics and Production Ree Johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy L90, Productioll Manager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech .. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Amy Faught, Graphic Artist Administration )udy Klinger, Coordinator Peggy Rivera, SeCl'etary to the Publisher Accounting/Data Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistallt Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator Pam Klein, Billing Coordinator . Carol Begovic, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptionist Leonard Herring, Service and Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-D498 (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 Remembering Gus The motorcycling fraternity has lost a great friend and lifelong enthusiast. On Saturday, August 5, La Jolla, California's Harlen (Gus) Paul lost the toughest race in his 60 years of life - a 13-year battle against the cruelest and most unrelenting adversary of all, cancer. Never, throughout his long and debilitating illness, did Gus, the eternal optimist, snivel or lose his great sense of humor. Oh, if only we could all model our lives after his. Harlen was a longtime AMA District 37A (now District 38, which includes San Diego and Imperial Counties) Sportsman racer. In 1965, Gus raced with the #1 plate awarded for winning the most points during the 1964 season. He was proud of thaI accomplishment as were his many friends and farp.ily. I'll never forget the awesome longdistance rides that we did in Baja in the Sixties, long before NORRA, SCORE, Tecate500s, Baja 1000s, etc. We knew Baja - long before others appeared on the scene. Gus is survived by his life partner Jacqueline (Jackie), son Todd, daughter Tracy, and two little grandsons who amused him immensely. Harley (Gus) Paul will be missed and never forgotten. Gas it through eternity, Gus. Jim Flagg Wrightwood, CA Eklund's thanks I would like to thank Kathy, Dave and Danielle Hoenig from Flat Trak Fotos and all my friends and fellow racers for signing my get-well card. This will be a treasured momento of my racing career. Everyone and everything involved with flat track racing has been the most exciting part of my We. I will not return to racing, but I do want to stay involved somehow. My recovery will be slow, but my goal right now is to make it to the Sacramento Mile to visit all my friends. If I don't make it, I will see you in the near future. Jeff Eklund Pleasanton, CA Eklund suffered serious injury at. the DuQuoin Mile in July... Editor. e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe®c.yclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com Cycle News (uSPS 141-340) is published weekly exceptlhe last two weeks of the calendar year for $50.00 per year by Cycle News, Inc., 2201 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806. Second class postage paid at Long Beach, CA and at additional mailing office. Canada Post International Publications Mail #546615. POSTMASTER: Sud addrns changrs to Cycle News, P.O. Flagman response In reference to Donn Maeda's article on the 125/250cc MX National at Brome-' Tioga, I feel his journalism is very inac- curate. I was flagging at this year's event as I have for the last three years. I flagged the big table-top jump. In my position, I was overlooking the downhill Suzuki triple staircase. The flagger you mention in your story was waving his flag as soon as Brian Manley went down. Mr. Bradshaw approached the blindside jump fully committed while the flagger was frantically waving !tis flag to avert another crash. If Donn Maeda saw the MotoWorld video, he would have seen the flagger waving his flag followed by Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Kiedrowski and Mr. Dowd. This whole mishap occurred in a matter of three seconds, resulting in all three riders crashing. This flagger was ridiculed as being "lackadaisical" in Maeda's report. I challenge his statement. This flagger did his best to get to the area as fast and as safe as possible to warn the upcoming riders of the crash. Mr. Bradshaw and the other racers who later complained about this flagger were no doubt aware that he was there. If they saw this flagger waving his flag on the blindside jump, they saw the flagger. They saw the flagger and they should have proceeded with caution ·over the obstacle. They did not and they went down. Mr. Bradshaw's excuse that he felt the flagger was waving the flag as if the crash were three or four corners away is as inaccurate as his ability to read a yellow flag and proceed with caution over a blindside, downhill triple jump. And for Mr. Maeda, get off your pen and try flagging ... it might help you understand the whole concept of this sport a little more. Andy Agrasto Syracuse, NY Mr. Maeda stands by his description of the accident...Editor. The Barbacovi family Jeff Barbacovi's family wishes to' express our heartfelt thanks to all of Jeff's friends in the racing community for our cards, letters, plants, flowers and donations to his memorial fund. As a motocross race promoter, it's been a difficult summer promoting the sport and running the track where our son had his accident. Without the support of countl~ss friends, the task of returning to our normal lives would have ta,ken much longer. During the short time he was with us, Jeff's smile and humor touched many hearts iI1 the sport of motocross. The generosity, love, support and kindness is deeply appreciated. Knowing how much Jeff was admired and loved by so many has touched our hearts to the fullest. The Barbacovi family Palmdale, CA The King's trek It looks like Kenny Roberts fs messing with you guys again. He said he rode a Hummer from Carmel, California, to Sturgis, South Dakota, in a day and a half? That's averaging about 800 miles a day. I rode a little over 700 miles a day, on the way back from Sturgis, on an FLT and it took 13 hours. But who knows, maybe Roberts is practicing for the Iron Butt Enduro. . Bill Beck Jackson, GA Roberts was driving a Hummer, not riding one. And let's not forget - he's the King and you're not... Editor. Mechanicsburg debacle Once again, there seems to be a problem with the AMA in officiating in the preparation of track conditions. This time the goof came to life at the Williams Grove Speedway in Meehan· icsburg, Pennsylvania. Seems like Pennsylvania is in a drought situation, but when I arrived at the track at about 6:30 p.m., it looked like it had rained for 30 days - but only on .the race track. The surrounding area was dryas a bone. I heard the announcer saying that they had a shower and that was responsible for the quagmire. No way. Anyone could see that the track had been overwatered. I understand Steve Morehead took one look and said he wasn't about to ride on a track that looked like that ~nd he left. It's a shame that the fans were treated to this kind of behavior. I'm sure if the "Grove" ever has another race this nigl'\t will be remembered. I'd like to hear the AMA's comment on this situa: tion - if they have one. L. Mohler Fairfax, VA For the complete story on the situation at Williams Grove, see "In The Wind" ...Editor. Letters to the editor should be sent to Voicesl Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498, faxed to 310/427-668S or e-mail, editor@cyclenews.com. Published Jelters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters should not exceed 200 words -and aU letters are subject to editing. Anonymous letters will not b. considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number ... Editor. .INSIDE ISsue #21, UiY 31, 1995 Box 498;Long Beuh, CA 90801-0498. To determine the expiration date of your subscription, check the four numbrrs on the first line of your addftss label. The first two digits indicate the last iMue number you'll .receive and the last two characten: indicate the year of the last issue. o ... C'l l-< OJ Subscription rates: Rates for the United States and its p0ssessions for one year, (SO issues), $50.00; twc! years 000 issues), $95.00; six months, (25 issues), $26.00; lriaI sub OS issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign, one year (sO issues), $90.00; two year.; 000 issues), $175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; lriaI sub OS issues), 538.00. Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such material, if published, becomes the exclusive property of Cycle News. Reprinting in whole or part only by permission of the publisher. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon request. See S.R.D5. ~ W/BPA &!fcnu'noN. 0.. Q,) CJ) 4 V Printed in U.S.A. "",,*TlOIloU. c.~ytight" Cycle News, Inc 1995. Trademark Cyrle News regIStered U.S. Palent Office. All rights res~ed: FEATURES ROAD RACING Dutch World Superbike 6 INTERVIEWS Team Green's Ricky Carmichael .....10 125cc World Champion Alessandro Puzar 12 NEW BIKES 1996 Honda CBR900RR and ST1100s 24 DEPARTMENTS TRIALS Oregon National Trials MOTOCROSS World MX Update 25 EVENTS TEST . 1996 Honda CR125 LEADERBOARD 26 16 CALENDAR 35 RESULTS 40 ON THE FRONT COVER 18 WANTADS 40 TEARDOWN .55 LOOKING BACK 55 Two Champions: Honda's 1996 CR125 and World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty. Photos by Kinney Jones and Gold & Goose. 22

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