Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper . Letters to the editor Volume XXXII Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer; Associate Editor Donn Maeda, Assodate Editor Scott Rousseau, Assadate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Copy Editor Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas Gooter, 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, Eastenr Ad Coordinator Laurie Snow, Assistan.t Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Operations Classified Ads Sharon Van Hazelen Graphics and Production Ree Johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy Lao, Production MJlnager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Amy Faught, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Peggy Rivera, Secretary to the Publisher Accounting/Data Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Hedane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Mbnager 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 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 9080]-0498 220] (310) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FAX (310) 427-6685 Eastern Office Ave., Tucker, GA, 30084; mailing address P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805. 4]88 First (770) 934-7850. FAX (770) 934-3112 e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com Intemet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly except the 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: Send address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-0498. To determine the expiration date of your subscription, check the four numbers on the first line of your address label The first two digits indicate the last issue number you'll receive and the last two characters indicate the year 'Of the last issue. Subscription rates: Rates {or the United Slates and its possessions for one year, (50 issues), $50.00; two yeats (100 issues), $95.00; six months, (25 issues), $26.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign. one year (SO issues), $90.00; two years (100 issues), $175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; trial sub (15 issues), $38.00. CycleNews 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 infonnation will be sent upon request. See S.RD.S. WIlr,8 &lfc~TJON Printed in U.S.A. Co~ght" Cycle New., In~ 1995. Tradem.uk Cycle New. regt5tered U.S. Patent Office. All rights reservtd. Moving on I would like to extend my grati.tude to the many friends, fans and competitors who have shown their support throughout my racing career. Without them all it wouldn't have been as much fun. Butch Donahue, owner of Donahue Harley-Davidson/Delano Spt. Genter has been a special supporter. He and the rest have been great friends as well as sponsors: Jerry Wilhelmy of General Eng. for giving me max horsepower; Mark Boesch of Production Tool for the cool parts; Randy Triplett for his trackside assistance; Mom and Dad; Al Muth H-D; Linda and Jim Eastlee for the great photos; Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Ron Wood Racing; Bieffe Helmets; Tsubaki Chain; Maxima Lubricants; Storz Performance; Neil Winston; Hard Head Graphics; and Bob Reynolds Printing. Their efforts have been greatly appreciated. Knoxville, Iowa, would have been my last Grand National race, but a hand injury on the last lap at Springfield gave me an early retirement. I will still compete at some local events, but I will mainly direct my efforts towards Durelle Racing Products and the promotion of dirt track events. I will truly miss the thrill and excitement of the competition and the great people involved, but it's time to move on. Davey Durelle National #58 Eden Prairie, MN Merkel fan It is with great sadness that [ learned of your retirement today. However, I can fully appreciate the circumstances that led to your decision. The reason for this letter is to thank you for the hours of racing enjoyment that you have provided me and your countless other fans. Back in your early AMA days it was great to watch you steamroll your fellow competitors to your first two championships. But I really became a fan when you won the first of your two World Superbike Championships, when my friends and I would gather to watch the races on cable TV. Your determination and sheer will to win came through as you scratched and clawed your way to that first title. We were all very happy for you, since we thought your release from American Honda was a bttle bogus. Winning the championship was proof positive that you were (and are) a true champion. I'd also like to thank you for taking the time to always be polite to me in the times we met at Brainerd. You are one of my heroes because I admire your tenacity to go to the top of the world after being let go by American Honda, and your dogged arid relentless pursuit of your racing goals - even when riding less-thanstellar equipment. These qualities as well as being a good father and husband - make you an admirable human being, and just a plain old exceptional person. Finally, it has been my great pleasure to be a fan of yours and I wish you the greatest of success·in all your future endeavors. Alex Rossborough Cleveland, OH The above letter was sent to Fred Merkel, who in. turn relayed it to Cycle News ... Editor. Which Scott is #1 ? On October 30, Scott flessinger won the Grand National Cross Country Championship in Crawfordsville, Indiana. And we congratulate him. . But, as far as we're concerned, Scott Summers is the number-one rider in the series. His dedication to the sport and to his fans is not equaled by anyone else. We would like to thank Scott and Fred (Bramblett- Summers' mechanic and p.r. man) for letting us participate in their efforts. No matter what number is on the front of his bike, he's still number one with us. Wally and Lisa Burkhart Clarksburg, WV Thanking the Harnels This letter is being written in regards to the recipient of the Danny Hamel Memorial Fund - Tommy Roberts. Tommy is my younger brother. I would like to extend my appreciate and say a big thank you. We all understand how emotional the past few months have been, especially for Danny's parents and teammates. Tommy has worked hard for many years now, trying to show his ability. Along the way he has made several friends, with most of them INSIDE: . ISsue #46, Novmeber 22, 1995 FEATURES HARE SCRAMBLES Washington National finale 6 RACER TEST Harley-Davidson VR1000 8 : ; .20 .22 24 36 39 ss ss ON THE FRONT COVER MOTOCROSS Glen Helen Vet Championships .....12 DEPARTMENTS NEW PRODUCTS LEADERBOARD PRODUCT EVALUAnONS RESULTS EVENTS CALENDAR WANT ADS GUEST COLUMN LOOKING BACK _ 14 18 Scott Summers earned his fourth AMA National Championship Hare Scrambles title in dramatic fashion at the season finale in Washington. See page 6. Photo by Jim Talkington. helping him out any way they could. No matter how inuch help he received, he has never been given the chance to prove himself. Until now. It must have been a very difficult decision for Mr. Hamel to decide who was going to be the recipient of the fund. Of all the other excellent desert racers, he chose Tommy. Thank you Mr. Hamel for giving Tommy this chance. Tommy says that every time he gets on the bike, Danny Hamel is with him. We'd also like to thank Team Green for their help and concern. Most importantly, thanks to the Hamels for letting Tommy be the first recipient of the fund. Courtney Roberts Mira Loma, CA The last MX video letter - ever I would like to respond to the letter from Beau Griner regarding the video, "Terrafirma II." I have also purchased both the "Crusty Demons of Dirt" and "Terrafirma II" videos. My family has enjoyed them so much that I think they are wearing them out. I can~t believe that anyone would criticize Steve Lamson or Jeremy McGrath for having a little fun at the end of the movie. Yes, they do make the big bucks riding motorcycles. But, hey, Mr. Griner, they are also human and like to have fun, too. Motorcycle riding does not always have to be serious. Lighten up, Mr. Griner, and go have some fun. I bet it made you laugh watching it - I know we did. Betty Cordle Carson City, NV The bottom line here is simple: Some people liked the motocross-based videos "Crusty Demons of Dirt" and "Terrafirma II" and some didn't. You've just read the last letter on the subject... Editor. Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498, faxed to 310/4276685 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. -

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