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/127822
VOICES America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Volume XXXIV Sharon Oayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Zit says thanks Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant EditorlCofl';! Editor Cameron Coatney, Assistant Ed.tor Tom Titus, Copy Editor Alan Cathcart, European Editor Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager Greg Mitchell, E:astern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator Laurie Torste.nsen, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordillator Tina Farr, Assistant Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster Greg Mitchell, Marketing Manager Robert McTigue, Productum manager Classified 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 I would first like to compliment you on your ongoing contribution to the offroad racing community. Your complete coverage of desert events is unparalleled by any other. As a professional racer, I realize that the reason I have been able to continue in this career is largely due to your recognition of desert riders and their sponsors. I was pleased that you gave me the opportunity to share credit for my Hare & Hound National Championship with the people who deserve it most - my sponsors. I feel I need to recognize a few sponsors who, for whatever reason, were not credited with this success. IMS Gas Tanks, Tsubaki Chain, EVS Kneebraces, Maxima Oil, and Performance Engineered Products have played an equally important role as those mentioned in "Hounding the Hare" (Issue #50, January 1). Thanks again to Cycle News for the great coverage and to all the supporters who are committed to the future of offroad racing. Greg Zitterkopf Chino,CA In defense of Russell AdministratiQn Judy Klinger, Coordinator Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant Accounting/Dala Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, NR Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Cittulation . Rheba Smith, Manager Alma ~iano, Processing Coordinntor Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator Carol Begovic, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support . Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptionist Michael Swedberg, Service and Support 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. (770) 934-7850. FAX (770) 934-3112 It seems that Scott Russell has been unfairly judged by the legacy of Kevin Schwantz. Kevin, a truly great rider, was only able to produce one 500cc World Championship in six years of trying. Do not forget that Scott Russell is a World and AMA Superbike Champion, and Mr. Daytona. He went to the Lucky Strike Suzuki team in midseason 1995 as the number-two rider. Team manager Garry Taylor held then that Daryl Beattie was the number-one rider, a position he earned with a number of GP wins and second overall the year before to Mr. Doohan. Russell wasn't a GP failure riding a bike developed for Schwantz and then Beattie. Scott did very well in 1996 and he should be proud of his results. Beattie, Fujiwara and Rymer spent more time on the ground than upright. According to Doohan, who followed Scott while he led at Brno for half the race, "Scott rode very well, in control. There were places where he was faster than I was." The straightaways are where Scott lost most of his time. On a bike that was developed for his style and with some real inIine acceleration, Scott could be a GP winner. I talked with him at the Japanese GP this year after one of his best rides of 1996. He didn't seem like the Scott Russell that I remembered from our WERA and CCS racing days. Where was his million-dollar smile and the fire in those eyes? When our conversation turned to superbikes it all came back. Scott loves superbikes and he will do well against world-class competition in 1997. Good luck and best wishes to Scott Russell for the upcoming World Superbike season. Oayton Potter Tokyo, Japan Two-stroking I am one of the 100 riders who John Dunlap says he doesn't care about in his interview, "Clearing the Air" (Issue #50, January 1). I was tryihg to decide if this virtual ban on two-strokes would make my two-stroke enduro bike more valuable or make it worthless. While I haven't read the actual text of the regulation, I understand that nobody in California can sell a two-stroke motorcycle manufactured after January 1, 1997. If I'm reading the Cycle News interview correctly, the following year California riders won't be able to sell a two-stroke of any vintage. Tell me it ain't so. This is another "assaul t rifle" boondoggle. I can't believe how people supported by my tax dollars can get into my pockets so deeply. Dale Edwards Roseville, CA Dale, you did misread at least a portion of til! interview. Californians can buy and sell two-strokes of any vintage from now until the end of time and only those motorcycles manufactured after January 1, 1997, are subject to the emissions regulations. And you can still buy a 1998 two-stroke (and years beyond), you just won't be able to get a Green Sticker for it... Editor. Randy Hawkins In my 15-year association with off-road racing, Randy Hawkins has demonstrated all of the traits of a true champion. He is a fierce competitor, always represents sponsors in a positive way and shows true class off the track. It's not that I dislike the rest of Team Suzuki, but I can't understand the decision to fire Randy. I hope he shows them how wrong they were in 1997. The problems that enduro racing needs to overcome are the same problems facing the weekend trail rider. I hope the other motorcycle companies will help look for solutions rather than running away like Team Suzuki. Matt Spigelmyer State College, P A Rider of the Year? . Let me start by saying that I feel your choice for the 1996 Rider of the Year was grossly incorrect. Don't get me wrong, Scott Parker has won numerous championships and has done a lot not only f01 his sport but for Harley-Davidson as a racirig entity. After all, it's not often that you see Harley on the podium in any form of motorcycle racing. Anyway, on to the one and only choice for Rider 'of the Year - Jeremy McGrath. You must realize that I am not on the Jeremy bandwagon like'everyone else in this country, but you must give props where props are due. In no other sport will you ever again see such an overall domination. He won all but one race in the 1996 Supercross season and came one moto from clinching the outdoor National Championship as well. I was one of many who were rooting for Jeff Emig in the final round just because Jeremy needs to share the spotlight with someone else for a change. But mark my words - you will never see a rider win all but one of the supercro s races in one single season. We as fans were exceptionally lucky to witness this once-in-alifetime sporting spectacular - thanks to Jeremy. Randy Geniec Newhall, CA Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cyde News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498, faxed to 310/4276685 or e-mail.editor@cyclenews.com. Published lellers do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Lellers 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. e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@cycle.news.com advertising@cycle.news.com Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cyclo News (USPS 141-34O);s published weekly cxcep1 the last two weeks of the calenc:L1r year for $50.00 per year by Cycle ews.Inc.. 2201 Olerry Avenue, Long Beach. CA 90806. Periodicals Postage Paid at Long Beach. CA and at additional mailing office. Canada Post International Publications Mail #546615. ROAD RACE FEATURES Dunlop's Daytona Tire Tests, Part 2 PREVIEW 20 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 908OHM98. 1997 AMA Supercross Season To determine the upiration date of yOUf subscription, check the four numbers on the first line of your address label. The first two digits indicate the last issue number you'D reteive and the last two characters incticilte the year of the last issue. Subscription rates: Rates for the United Stales and its p0ssessions for one year, (50 issues~ $50.00; two years (100 issues), $95.00; six months. (2S issues), $26.00; trial sub (15 iSSUes), $19.00. Canada and Foreign. one year (SO issues), $9().00; two years (100 issues), $175.00; six months (25 issues), MS.OO; trial sub (15 issues), $38.00. Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such material. if published. becomes the exclusive property of Cycle News. Reprintin~ in . whole or part only by peonis~lIon of the publisher. Advertising rates and circulation infonnaHon will be sent upon requ.... Sec S.R.D.S. • W~,8 ~~TlON 6 INTERVIEW Suzuki's Jeremy McGrath Anthony Gobert's Muzzy Kawasaki ZX7-RR World Superbike 26 10 DEPARTMENTS MOTOCROSS Chaparral AMA Amateur Championship Week : 14 Round 1 - Florida Winter AMA MX Series : 24 EVENTS Co~yrighlo Cycle News, Inc. 1991. Trademadt Cycle News rtgtstertd U.S. Patent Office. AU rights reserved. 1997 Gas Gas Enducross 250 16 30 RESULTS 34 CALENDAR .35 ON THE FRONT COVER WANT ADS .39 IN THE TAPES RIDING IMPRESSION Printed in U.S.A. 4 RACER TEST .55 LOOKING BACK 55 Jeremy McGrath and his new Suzuki. Davey Coombs interviews the champion. Photo by Eric Johnson. Inset: Yamaha's new four-stroke MXer.