Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper LETTERS TO THEEDfTOR Volume XXXIV Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, AssoCiate Edifor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, M~naging Editor . Keith Bush, AssIstant Ed.torIC0Tn,l EdItor Cameron Coatney, Assistant EdItor Tom Ti tus, 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, Eastern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Westem Ad Coordinator Laurie Torstensen, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Tina Fan, Assistant Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster . Greg Mitchell, Marketing Manager Rcibert McTigue, Production maQager Classified Ads Sharon Van Hazelen Gral'hics and Production Ree Johnson, Production. Supervisor Mandy Loo, Production Manager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Stacey Guest, Grophic Artist Vance Lanoy, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccountinglData Processing . . Donna Bryan-Diamond, AiR Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator Carol Maggio, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Bridgett Bobrolsky, Receptionist Micliael Swedberg, ServIce and Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beaeh, CA 90801-0498 (562) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FAX (562) 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 e-mail edi·to.r@cycl.enews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com After attending the first three rounds of the AMA Supercross Series, our fondes.t memory (and I am certain most attendees) - above the .highlights of the merry-go-round of winners and the "ghost" finish of Brian Deegan - was the thumping-thunder four-stroke of Lance Smail. I have never seen such ovations, lap after lap, for any rider. Lance, we looked forward to seeing you in all the events qualifiers, semis and LCQs included. Thank's for entertaining us. . Robert and Michele Hewitt Canoga Park, CA responsibility to draw the line at a particular point. We feel that you crossed over the 'line in this circumstance. Regardless of the outcome, Mr. Liebmann has been severely damaged by this report. Mr. Liebmann is honored and respected by thousands of motorcyclists who have seen him race and know him over his longstanding career. We hope that you will reconsider future reports of this type and print news that will keep to a higher standard. Michael R. Cecchini EditorlBimota News mrcengr@erols.com Sir Alan Kurt Liebmann I just read my new Cycle News (Issue #5, February 5) with the In The Wind item regarding Kurt Liebmann. I don't know Kurt Liebmann, but I do know that motorcycling and road racing have been his life. I first met Kurt racing at Mosport in 1962 and I believe he'd already been racing for several years at the time. Like you, he grew up with a racing father ... racing is Kurt's life. He'still races, rather competitively, as you must know, and can probably claim about as long a string of unbroken racing participation as anyone. Under these circumstances, I strongly object to your decision to humiliate Kurt among his peers by informing us all of his admittedly tawdry but apparently harmless caper (certainly a crime without a victim). I believe that Kurt enjoys.a reputation as a pretty solid guy. I would think that you could find more deserving candidates to tear down, if that's your mission. Please keep to Cycle News, not Cycle Inquirer. Bruce Finlayson Madison, WI Bruce, the name of this publication is Cycle News and not Cycle Only-Good News. Unfortunately, situations like this arise and it's part of our job to report them. We'll also be the first to report if Liebmann is indeed found innocent of the charges against him... Editor. Bimota News? Bimota News and its staff wish to express their disapproval in reporting the arrest of Kurt Liebmann in your February 5 issue. We feel that an organization has the I just wanted to let you know that it's great having Alan Cathcart providing his input to Cycle News. Who better to give us the scoop first, straight up? I can think of no one who has ridden, tested, or evaluated more street and race bikes than him. I was concerned that the money I put as down payment for a Triumph T595 may not have been money well spent, but after reading Cathcart's test (Issue #4, January 29) - I know I made the right decision. Dale Houck mlist®aoI.com Go, Lance, go We would like to commend Lance Smail on his efforts in attempting to qualify for the Seattle Supercross on his KIM four-stroke. When Lance was racing in the Last Chance Qualifier, everyone in the stands - all 54,540 of us - were really pulling for him. We were very impressed with his positive attitude even after he failed to qualify for the main event, he still waved and thanked the crowd for their support. Keep trying, Lance, we know you can do it. Raeleen Wehrman Selah, WA Potty mouth II This is in regard to Jeff Harders' letter about Mat MIadin's language (Issue #4, January 29) in Cycle News. Harders has no right to be so quick to judge a person because they use language that he doesn't agree with. This is the 21st Century, not the early 1900s. Censorship is not admired now as it was back then. We don't ne.ed propaganda from anyone in the media. Cycle New's is a professional publication, which I have been subscribing to since I began riding motorcycles. It had the best coverage. then and it still does. Because they directly quote a person, they are giving it to the public as straight as possible. I for one appreaate Cycle News' honesty and by using &%$# symbols they are doing their best not to offend anyone. I would also like to thank Cycle News fot all the support it has given to the motorcycling community - especial.Jy for the supercross and motocross coverage. Michael Sickenius cycokenius@aoI.com McGrath #1 Jeremy McGrath is the first true number one that is out for the sport, and not himself. He left Honda because they wanted to own him. After giving them nine championships, you would think they could relax and realize that he was loyal and here to stay. . Now that he is riding a SUZUkI, I heard people booing him in the first two rounds and calling him a traitor. It is not the bike, it's the rider who has won nine titles.. He could win on a KTM. My son and I have been close to Jeremy since 1991 and he totally idolizes him. Do people realize that when Jeremy left Honda he didn't even have a ride or a guaranteed salary, much less the perks he got from Honda. He is trying to better the sport by shOWing professionalism that few riders will even understand. Jeremy got his big break from Mitch Payton at Pro Circuit and now he's right back there, giving back to the sport and th.e shop that supported him in the beginning. Wayne, Stephanie and Cory Branch Ramona,CA Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498, faxed to 562/4276685 or e-mail.editor@cyc1enews.com. Published letters do not necessaTily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters should not exceed 200 words and all letters are subject to editing. Anonym~us letters will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name r address and daytime phone number ... Editor. Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly c,,:cept the . last two weeks of the calendar year for $50.00 per year by Cycle News, Inc., 2201 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, C~ ~06. Periodicals Postage Paid at Long Bc~ch, CA an.d a~ addlt1~nal m

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