Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES . Letters to the editor If we want professional motocross racing to obtain true big-league status, facilities must become more than just great tracks. They must become welcome venues where large numbers of people can get in, see what's going on, get out again and want to come back the following year. Motocross can't afford to emulate more popular sports in their disrespect for the fan. America's weekly motorcycle newspaper Gary. The NASB just did an outstanding job of putting this race weekend together and I think they deserve a standing ovation - at least from me. One other person I'd like to thank is Eric Buell. His stunt show was almost as amazing as Gary Rothwell's. What's that? Oh, that wasn't a stunt show? You mean he didn't mean to flip that Buell right on over as h~ attempted to do a wbeeJie? Oh, well, it was amazing none the Jess. Mark Mercer luusir@ecIipse.net Steve Farenell Saratoga Springs, NY Unhappy fans This quick note is directed toward the promoters of the recent National Motocross in Binghamton, New York. Two hours waiting to get in, three hours waiting to get out, plus my five-hour drive to and from the track make for a miserable day - regardless of how great the racing was. What happened? You lost a lot of faithful fans that weekend. It's just too poorly organized to make it worth all the travel time and then have to get up for work on Monday morning. A debacle. Have you ever thought of multiple parking entrances? John Robertson Old Saybrook, cr Life in the Poconos I just wanted to give my thanks and appreciation to the people who put together the NASB Formula USA road race at Pocono this past weekend. It was the most entertaining race that I've been to in over seven years. A special thanks to Gary Rothwell for his amazing stunt show. I've never heard a crowd of people so thrilled by anything. Gary was simply awesome doing wheelies, stoppies and burnouts until he blew the rear tire. What a show, Springfield of dreams I have just returned from a wonderful weekend of racing at the Springfield Mile. The IMDA, the sponsors and every racer did a tremendous job. If r was not a fan before this weekend, r certainly am now. Congratulations to a weekend of racing superbly done. M. Pennington Memphis, TN Wrong bike It was gratifying to see my name in Cycle News after the long trek to California to compete in rounds six and seven of the National Trials Championship. I was lucky enough to win my class, SR30, both days on my '96 Fantic Section. Your report had me incorrectly listed as riding a Gas-Gas. Bob Miller at Section One and Steve Kirschner at Kirschner Trials Products have both given me a lot of support with my Fantic, and I would like to see them get some recognition for their efforts. Keep up the good coverage of trials. Dave Rohrschneider Elgin, IL Enc~uraged I was encouraged to read that the AMA and the dirt track owners have formed a group to improve popularity, marketability and profitability of professional dirt track racing. Unfortunately, this long-overdue effort appears flawed because it does not include the most important component in all professional sports: Fans. It is fan attendance and product support whi'ch provide the enthusiasm and dollars that drive all racing, sport and entertainment endeavors. To simply seek "... the advice of the fans..." isn't enough. Fans must be the focus of. the process and the best way to do that is to empower them by inclusion on the planning team. This may be the last chance to develop a program that will attract and keep fans beyond the relatively small group of "hard core" spectators that exists today. Any group of promoters, owners, etc. that try to tell the fans what they should want is doomed to failure. Late starts, interminable delays, poor sound systems, unimaginative racing formats, bad tracks, etc., have got to go. Dirt track racing has tremendous potential, but until everyone understands and accepts that success is fandriven there will be no future. Curt Jacobs Jeffersonville, IN The pariah? If the statements recently attributed to John Kocinski in regard to his relationship with Virginio Ferrari and his Ducati team are true, it is apparent once again that Kocinski must relish the role of pariah. And, since Kocinski is so smart, he won't need to ask anyone to explain the word "pariah" to him. Kevin Park North Hollywood, CA Leiters 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 leiters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters should not exceed 200 words and all letters are subject to editing. Anonymous leiters will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name, address and • daytime phone number ... Editor. SPEEDWAY British World Speedway MOTOCROSS World MX Report Laurie Snow, Assistant 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 Superoisor Mandy Lao, Production Manager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Stacey Guest, Grophic Artist Vance Lanoy, Grophi1: Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccountinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Ccordi1TJltor Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator Pam Klein, Billing Coordinator Carol Begovic, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptinnist Kirk Chavis, Senne< & Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 9080J..()498 (310) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FAJ«310)427~ Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA, 30084; mailing address P.O. Box 805. Tucker, GA 30085-0805. (770) 934-7850. FAJ< (770) 934-3112 e-mail Internet http://www.cydenews.com INTERVIEW 1996 AMA MX National Champion Jeff Ernig 4 10 12 24 RIDING IMPRESSIONS 1997 Yamaha YZ125 1997 Honda CRl25 1997 Kawasaki KX250 28 30 32 Cycle News (USPS 141,J4() is published weekly excopt the last two weeks of the calendar year lor $50.00 per y.ar by Cycle New>, Inc., 2201 01eny Avenue.l.cng Beach, CA 90806. Perio

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