Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper LETTERS TO Volume XXXIV Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/Cop!! Editor Cameron Coatney, Assistant Editor Tom Ti tus, Copy Editor Alan Cathcart, European Editor Advertising Terry Pratt, Natinnal Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator Laurie Torstensen, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Tina Farr, Assistant Marketing &: Promotion Mark Thome, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Web",aster Greg Mitdlell, Marketing Manager Robert McTiS',e, Productioll manager Oassified Ads Sharon Van Hazelen Graphics and Production Roo Johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy Loo, Productiorl Manager Dennis Greene, LAb. Tech. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Vance Lanoy, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordirlator Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccountinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordirlator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Malinger Alma Anguiano. Processing Coordinator Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordirlator Carol Begovic, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptionist Michael Swedberg, SerVice and Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Av£., 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 TH.EEDITOR Graham's the best When it comes"to some writers' viewpoints or the media in general voicing their opinion o( who was, or is, the best dirt tracker of all time, it opens the door to other opinions. Thus, here's mine. Over the last five years there has been so much said about this, mostly from those who have never been in the draft. Let's start by aying is it Roberts, Springer, Parker, Markel, Resweber, Gary Scott, Shobert, Graham? The list could go on. Well, try listening to someone who 'has raced them all with the exception of Resweber and Markel, who could very well have been' the best. I've raced against Jay Springsteen in his prime, and you can't argue that Springer had talent. Anytime he threw hi1; 'leg over his machine, the man could win. I've raced Kenny Roberts in his prime, and he's probably the best all.around racer there's ever been or ever will be. He could do it all, and he proved it. Scotty Parker's seven titles will never be matched, nor will his win record. He has amassed a win record never thought of, but to lab I him the best of all time isn't fair to all those who never had the chance to showcase their talent because of a lack of the right equipment or the opportunities. For example, look at Parker's record before teaming up with Bill Werner. I raced a Bill Werner-prepared Harley once while he tuned for my brother Gary. I won. I'm not a big Bill Werner fan, but with the Harley factory at hi disposal he shouJd know his job, and Parker will tell you that. Another example: Look at Springfield (fall '96) when Springer borrowed one of Parker's bikes. He opened everyone's eyes, including Parker and Werner's. Dirt trackers should be judged by their peers, not by the sideliners. At the . top of my game I raced Parker, Roberts, Gary Scott, Springer, Shobert, Beauchamp, Boody, EklUl\d, Kidd, Carr, 'Morehead, Keener and many others with talent to win anytime, anyplace under the right circumstances. And I've beaten them all. Sometimes consistently, sometimes not. I feel this entitles me to an honest opinion from the viewpoint of someone who has been there. The best dirt tracker, with the exception of Resweber - who I've heard so much about and would love t6 have watched - is Ricky Graham. Hands down. So much talent - pure talent. Who knows what he could have done had he a head on his shoulders without so many problems in it. I've never been a Ricky Graham fan. And I've never sat down and talked with him much. But I've raced him, and that's what counts. When a person with his problems comes back from time off and competes on non-factory equipment, then soundly defeats everyone en route to a record of 12 a tional wins in a season, you sit back and take notice. That was the third title for Ricky with three different tuners. I'm taking nothing away from Parker. His record speaks loudly. And the best all-around rider of all time was Kenny Roberts. His record also speaks loudly. There are many others who had the talent, but for one reason Dr another never had the opportunity or the breaks. Dirt track racing has produced a countless numbers of racers who could beat the best on any Sunday. Each rider was unique to his own time, but the 'equipment played a huge role, History would be different if the factories had stayed out, I know that for sure. This is just my opinion, but I can say I've been there. Hank Scott Concord, NC Hank Scott was Grarld National number 14 from 1975-87. Scott' scored 17 Grand National victories during his career... Editor Nothin'g but Net Great job, Cycle News. I am from Brazil and I joined the supercross kickoff from Los Angeles on the grandstand site. I really loved it. It's a good idea. Thanks for that. Here in Brazil it is 5:15 a.m., but the race held me on the computer. Next week I'm going to join you for the second round. The only thing tha t isn't good is McGrath's· finish -15th. Pedro Bittencourt San Paulo, B.razil Not happy with round one This opening round of the AMA Supercross Series in Los Angeles had some of the best racing, but it was absolutely the worst-promoted professional event tIlat I have ever seen. Let's see what we got for our $30: First the race started 25 min- utes late; the microphones didn't work; the 'voice and the images on the big screen were never in sync; the half-time event was the biggest joke and an insult to the motocross world; the riders' race positions on the scoreboard were always wrong; the concession stands sold water for $2.75; they were out of hot dogs, and you waited in line forever. This even t was a joke. The riders should tell Pace that they need to visit some local races to see how to put on a race, or they should just charge a $10 gate fee and run the races on Sunday morning. The riders deserve better and the spectators deserve better. I'll spend my money at the local tracks. David Rogers Bakersfield, CA Ditto I attended the opening round of the 1997 Supercross Series at the dump the LA Raiders and Rams left for greener pastures. Although the layout was as good as any supercross I have attended, including San Diego, Anaheim, Daytona and others, the Coliseum provides the worst when it comes to its lack of organization in respect to parking, rerum to freeways after the event and the sound system. The lame announcers' comments could not be heard from the far end of the stadium and tIlere were some strange delays in the Jumbotron images and sound that I don't think can be explained in this day of modern electronics and communication. I'm sorry to say I won't be attending the second round next weekend. Just because the first supercross was held here 20 years ago, the supercross held here now shouldn't make it seem like it is 1973. Get with it, Los Angeles Coliseum! Walt Cadman, Fullerton, CA 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 jetters 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 an daytime phone number .. , Editor. e-mail editor@cydenews.com subscribe@cydenews.com advertising@cydenews.com lnternet http://www.cydenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly except the last two weeks of the calendar year for SSO.OO per year by Cycle News, lnc... 2201 Cherry Avenue. Long Beach, CA 90806. Periodicals 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, tong Beach, CA 9080H)498. To detennine the expiration date of you.r subscription. check the fou.r numbers on the first line of your iIIddress label. The first two digits indicate the last issue number you'll receive and the last two chillJ'acters indicillte the year of the last issue, Subscription rates: Rates for the United States and its p0ssessions for one year, (SO issues), $50.00; two years 000 issues), $95.00; six months, (25 issues), $26.00; mar sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign, one y.ear (50 issues), $90.00; two years (lOO issues), $175.00; six months (25 issues), 545.00; 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 permiSSIon of the publisher. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon "'1uest. SeeS.R.O.S. W'J'BPA V _1lONoloL AUDITED CIRCULATION FEATURES SUPERCROSS AMA Supercross Season Kickoff GFI/Perris Invitational SX ARENACROSS AMA/PJ1 AX from Fort Worth, Texas INTERVIEW Motocrosser Mike Brown 6 12 TRIALS British Indoor Trials 4 28 .30 14 DEPARTMENTS RACER TEST Aaron Slight's and Carl Fogarty's RC45 Castrol Honda World Superbikes 16 EVENTS , 32 Round 2 - Florida Winter AMA MX Series 24 .34 . CALENDAR .22 NEW PRODUCTS 35 ON THE FRONT COVER WANT ADS .39 A VIEW FROM THE FENCE MOTOCROSS Round 1 - CMC/Sunstar Golden State Nationals from Gorman, CA Printed in U.S.A. Copyright" Cycle News, Inc 1997. Trademark Cycle News regisleied U.S. Patent Office. All rights reseIVed: Road Racer Carl Fogarty .26 .55 Team. Suzuki's Greg Albertyn stole the show at the AMA Supercross Series opener at the LA Coliseum. See page 6 for complete race coverage. Photo by Kinney Jon~s. LOOKING BACK ..............................•...........55

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