Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127809
VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper . Letters to th~ editor' Volume XXXIII Sharon Gayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Yaw Carru..thers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/Copy Editor Cameron Coatney, Assistant Editor Tom Titus, Copy Editor Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Easlern Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Eastem Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Westem Ad Coordinator Laurie Snow, Assista1-1t Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Tina Farrl Assistant Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Ri~k Matheny, Operations Gassilied Ads Sharon Van Hazelen Graphics and Production Ree Johnson, production Supervisor Mandy Loo, Production Manager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Vance Lanoy, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant Accounling/Data Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Coordinator Geneva Repassl Assistant. Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator Carol Begovic, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptionist Michael Swedberg, Service & Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 9OBOI-0498 (310) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FAJ«310)427-6685 Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA, 39084; mailing address P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805. (770) 934-7850. FAJ< (770) 934-3112 e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly except the last two weeks of the calendar year for $SO.OO per year by Cycle News, Inc., 2201 Olmy Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806. Periodicals Postage Paid at Long Beach, CA and at additional mailing office. Canada Post International Publications Mail #546615, I love L.A. In reply to Debbie Barilla's letter regarding Disney's move to reconfigure Anaheim Stadium (Issue #43, October 30), I must take exception to her remark: "Who wants to go to Los Angeles?" I read with grea t nostalgia the back page article in another Cycle News chronicling Mike Goodwin's triumph in bringing the first "Supercross" to the L.A. Coliseum back in the early 1970s. As a junior high kid who owned a Yamaha ATl-M, witnessing the event firsthand was the greatest thrill of my life at a time when guys like Robert, DeCoster, Aberg and DeSoto were my heroes. I returned to the Coliseum many years later-and enjoyed seeing Stanton steal the title from Bradshaw every bit as much as Marty Tripes' come-fromnowhere win. The sheer size of the Coliseum venue, the one-of-'a-kind peristyle hill and jump and the knowledge of being at the ,birthplace of Supercross makes a race in L.A. unequaled by any other stadium race in the world. The Anaheim tracks were always slower and less interesting than the Coliseum tracks, and having been at both venues I can . say that traffic management at Anaheim was atrocious compared to L.A. To answer Ms. Barilla, who lives in , the bland acultural while stucco and red-tiled planned community of Laguna Niguel, a perfect fit to the Disney view of the world, I say simply, "I Jove L.A.!" Thanks, Disney. DavidW.Kay Kaydw@envaff.sce.com. Thanks The seventh annual Fire and Police Motocross Nationals were held October 14-15 at Glen Helen Raceway. With over 200 firefighters and police officers in attendance, the competition was intense but fun. FPMN President Ed Wilson, an L.A. County firefighter, and his wife Sue, once again put on an excellent racing program along with contingencies and other events. They were assisted by fellow L.A. County firefighter Steve Marquez. We were blessed with fantas- tic weather and camaraderie throughout the two days. We would like to thank the following for their support: Ceet, Dole Fresh Fruit Co., White Bros., Pro Circuit Racing, Riverside Brewing Co., Murrieta Motorsports, Langstons Kawasaki-ATIC, First Moto Racing, John Burr Cycles, Wiseco, Cathedral City P.D., KTM, Maier, Race Tech, FANAF Co., Chaparral Cycle Supply, Off My Back Screenprinting, TJB Racing, AXO, Circle B Photo and Rick Rapier and Associates. Wood and the rest of the staff at Glen Helen also did a great job in maintaining the course. Michael V. Dunn . Fire and Police MX Association Munieta, CA Sorry I'm afraid 1 threw an emotional tan !rum two weeks ago, similar to a three-yearold's kicking and screaming. I found myself frustrated at some occurrences surrounding my voluntary severance from Petersen Publishing Company and my frustration came through in the press release published on the Internet and in Cycle News. After 12 years with Petersen Publishing, I didn't want my emotionally charged words to take away from everything the company has done for me, and I wanted to apologize to anyone I offended. I can't imagine a more wonderful life than I experienced over the past decade with Petersen and America's motorcycle industry. Nick Ienatsch Los Angeles, CA And more thanks We were pleased to report that the new Team Obsolete Del Mar Road Race was an overwhelming success. It was a challenging circuit, but it was also very safe. There were no injuries and all feedback has been positive. Many organizations, sponsors and individuals helped to make this event the success it was. Collectively, these parties redesigned and built the track, publicized the event, raised a $10,000 purse and put on a fun and safe race. We wish to express our sincere thanks to: AMA, Cycle World Magazine, Bob Larson, Bob Bishop/the San Diego Antique Motorcycle Club, Bob Sinclair/Cafe Moto, Geoff Hawkins and Paul Lima/G.P. Cycles, Cycle News, Megacycle Cams, Works Performance, Motorcyclist Magazine, SoCal Harley Dealers Association, Avon Tires, British Only, Fueling Sports, H.O.G., Mike Cornell, Lockhart-Phillips, Ron Wood Racing Products, Red Line Oil, Vanson Leathers, Roadracing World, Don Emde, Don Vesco, Dave Aldana, Jody Nicholas, Ed Kretz Jr., Baul Goldsmith; Chet Dykgraff, Dick Klamfoth, Dave Roper, Nobby Clark, Gordon Menzie / GraphicS Ink, Johnny Isaacs/VDTRA, John Cronshaw, Walt Fulton Jr., Mark Brelsford, Don VanKirk/OMRRA, Chris Agajanian, Chuck Edwall, Bobi Griffin and the Rosamond Flag Team, Bill Fennessy, the Garage Company, Willie G. Davidson, Bill Spencer, AirTech, American Honda, Domiracer, New York Myke, Mike Green, Ken Kopecky and the WSMC, Fred Eaton/Sounds of the Past, Cindy Epasaro, David Smith, Rick Doughty / Vintage Iron, Herb Harris, Gary Nixon, Don Ricard/R.D. Springs, Bob Hansen, John Hays/VROOM, Bill Bartels, George Roeder, Chuck Gilchrist, Leroy Winters, Steve Wright, Curt Clauson, Alex McLean, all the racers who participated and the many onsite volunteers who helped out (any volunteers who didn't receive their Ishirts, please contact G.P. Cycles in San Diego). Special thanks to Erik Green and Jennifer DiJoseph who worked tirelessly for months. Rob Iannucci and Sonia O. Ewers Team Obsolete Promotions Brooklyn, NY 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 refleclthe position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters shoul d 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 ph~ne number .J. Editor. INSIDE' 13, 1996 fssue #45, November FEATURES ARENACROSS PJ1 Super Arenacross series opener : 6 AMA Grand National Cross Country finale 24 POSTMASTER: Send address change to Cycll! Nl!W5, 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 addresslabtl. The first two digits indicate the last issue number you'll receivl! and the last two characters indicate the year of the last issue.. Subsaiption rates: Rales for the United States and its possessiOll5 for one year, (SO issues), $50.00; two years (100 issues), 595.00; six months, (25 issues1 $26.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign. one yeM (50 issues~ $90.00; two years (100 issues), $175.00; six months (25 iSsues~ $45J)0; mal sub (15 issues), $38.00. Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including· stories, cartoons, photos, etc, Such materia~ if published, becomes the exclusive property of Cycle News. Reprinting in whole or part only by pennission of the publisher. Advert:i9ing rates and circulation information wiU be sent upon request. See S,RD.S. W/BnA V wm!:'",Q AUDITED ClRCULAnON Printed in U.S.A. Co~yrighf' Cycle News, Inc. 1996. Trademark Cycle News regutered U.S. Patent Office. All rights reserved. RACER TEST Ducati World Superbike comparison FIRST RIDE 1997 Suzuki GSXR600 DEPARTMENTS 12 EVENTS ; 28 RESULTS LEADERBOARD .37 CALENDAR .39 WANTADS HOW TO Teaching your child to ride 36 43 ON THE FRONT COVER RACER X .59 Alan Cathcart comp~es John Kocinski's Ducati to Troy Corser's. Photo by Ke.l Edge. Inset: Suzuki's all-new: GSXR600. Photo by Tom Riles. 16 18 OFF·ROAD AMA National Championship Enduro finale ..........22 . LOOKING BACK 59