Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper LEITERS TO THE EDITOR Volume XXXIV Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger. Publisher Cycle' News reported these incidents. They did so because it is their job. Because this is what we buy and subscribe to Cycle News for - to get the latest information possible. Unfortunately, it is not always news we like to hear. Most of the things in this publication are not of this nature, but that doesn't mean that it should not be reported. Those people who believe that Mr. Liebmann's story should not have been published or that his actions were "harmless" should think again. Do you think that because O.J. Simpson was a great football player that his story should not have been made public? How would you feel if it was your wife or girlfriend, or your daughter, who had been videotaped? Would you not feel offended? As Carruthers answered already, "Tltis is not Cycle Only-Good News." Keep up the good work, Cycle News. feffWells Victorville, CA Right or wrong I,was stunned to read the latest two articles regarding Mr. Kurt Liebmann in your "In The Wind" section of Cycle News. I have come to expect higher quality joumalism from your publication. It seems that Cycle News has begun to resort to the tactics of the supermarketcheckout tabloids in an effort to sell issues. Has your publication adopted a new editorial stance in regard to publish- . ing personally scandalous material that has little or no bearing on the motorcycle industry? Should the "In The Wind" section be renamed "In The Toilet?" The readers of Cycle News have many choices when it comes to purchasing motorcycle periodicals. I like to think your readership would prefer quality editorial content over shock journalism. . The legend status that Mr. Liebmann has carved for himself in this industry should not be hastily diminished by the unproven charges in your article. Unfortunately, people are often quick to judge a man based on what they read in print. Remember, a man is innocent until proven guilty and even assuming for a moment that the worst happens and the courts find him guilty - what in the world does that have to do with what he has accomplished on the race track? He is still fast on two wheels. A journalist therefore needs to remember to report responsibly, as they can unnecessarily damage a person's reputation. I hope in the future your publication will take the high road when it comes to reporting on our sport. Glenn Van Valkenburgh Cincinnati, OH Right or wrong III I was shocked and appalled to read about Kurt Liebmann's personal tragedy two weeks in a row in your :'Irt The Wind" column. As you might recaI1, your magazine is titled Cycle News - which to most of us means news about motorcycling. I may need my eyes checked, but I didn't see anything in the above-mentioned articles that had anything to do with motorcycling. At a time when it is most certainly a low point in the man's life, and he is undoubtedly suffering for it, the last thing Kurt needs is to be brought down in front of his peers. Kurt Liebmann has contributed tremendously to the sport of road racing for the last 40 years (and still races). As a motorcycle paper, let's instead find a way to applaud him for that. Vic World San Carlos, CA Right or wrong II After reading the reports and letters about road racer/shop owner Kurt Liebmann, I am very disappointed. I'm disappointed that Cycle News had to report something like this about someone like Mr. Liebmann. Kurt Liebmann has been supporting the ~port we all love for many years. His support of motorcycling is not what this is about, though. This individual was caught in the act, doing something absolutely appalling. Then he was arre.~ted shortly thereafter in another related incident. Right or wrong IV In Bruce Findlayson's letter regarding Kurt Liebmann (Issue #7, February 19), he refers to Mr. Liebmann's "harmless caper" as "certainly a crime without a victim." For some reason, Bruce, I think you would feel differently had one of those half-dressed women in the dressing room been your wife, or one of those naked children been your child. And about his reputation as a "pre.tty solid guy," O.J. Simpson was a "pretty solid guy." But wait, you probably think he's innocent as well. Give me a break. Mike Mount mike_mount@suzuki.com Right or wrong V Having read the two letters last week criticizing you for running the news about Kurt Liebmann's recent arrest, I wanted to voice my approval of you ruruting it. I am saddened that someone with Kurt's background in our sport has been tagged with such serious charges, but censorship of the story would not be what I would desire to see happen. Almost as disturbing as the news on Kurt itself was the letter where the reader calls the rna tter a "harmless ca per" and "certainly a crime without a victim." Both 'of the alleged incidents involving women and under-aged girls are neither harmless or crimes without victims. Your response to one letter mentioned that you will be the first to report if Liebmann is cleared of these charges and I hope this ultimately becomes the case. Either way, thanks for getting us the news, such as it is - good or bad. Don Emde Laguna Niguel, CA . ...' ::-,~, ~ FEATURES ROAORACE Round 1 - AMA Superbike opener from Phoenix, Arizona .......... 4 World Superbike test from Laguna Seca, CaIifornia 46 SUPERCROSS Round 5 - AMA Supercros series from Indianapolis, Indiana .. .14 ARENACROSS AMA/PJl AX from Cincinnati,Ohio 20 DAYTONA PREVIEW SECTION Camel Motorcycle Week preview 22 Camel Motorcycle Week schedule 28 ~ . b 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@tyclenews.com. Published letters 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 and daytime phone number ... Edltor. INTERVIEW Castrol Honda's John Kocinski ...... .32 1996 AMA Grand ational Rookie of the Year, J.R. SChnabel ... .36 Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster Greg MitcheJl, Marketing Manager Robert McTigue, Production manager Classified Ads Sharon Van Hazelen Graphics and Production Ree Johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy Loo, Production Manager Demtis Greene, LAb. Tech. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Vance Lanoy, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordirrntor Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccounlinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator Carol Maggio, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptionist Michael Swedberg, SennCf and Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 908OHl498 (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 "'0 e-mail ~, ':;.. 1996 Daytona 200 winner Miguel DuHameI : Team Honda of Troy's Mike Kiedrowski 1996 World Enduro Champion Paul Edmondson Ducati Motor Corporation's Massimo Bordi HARE SCRAMBLES Round 1 - AMA National Hare Scrambles from Hollister, California ed.ito~clenews.com subscribe@cydenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com 38 Internet http://www.cyclenews.com 42 44 Cycle News (USPS 141-340);'; published weekly except the last two weeks of the calend.,. y.... tor $50.00 per year by cycle News, lnc., 2201 Cheny Avenue. Long Beach, CA 901106. Periodicals Postage Paid at Long Beach, CA and at additional .48 mailing office. Canada Post fntemational Publications-Mail '546615. POSTMASTER.: Send addres rnilnges to Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 9080].()498. To determine the expiration date of your subscription, check the four numbers on the first line of your address label. The first two digits indicate the last issue.number you'll receive and the Last two characters indicate the year of the last issue. Subscription rates: Rates for the United States and its posses-sions for one year, (50 issues), $50.00; two years (100 issues), 595.00; six months, (25 issues), $26.00; trial sub 05 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign. one year (SO issues), $90.00; two years (tOO issues), 5175.00; six months (25 issues), $45,00; trial sub (15 issues), $38.00. 52 . TRIALS World Indoor Trial from Spain ....... 56 DEPARTMENTS EVENTS .58 CALENDAR 1997 AMA GNC Series predictions 30 Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Mannger Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager Greg MitcheJl, Eastern Sales-Manager Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator Laurie Torstensen, Assistant • Carla Allen, Ea tern Ad Coordinator Tina Farr, Assistant Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager <~ ~~~~ o.-.-J"" Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Manaiing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/CoT!!! Editor Cameron Coatney, Assistant EdItor Tom Titus, Cop!!. Editor Alan Cathcart, Europetrrl Editor 62 WANTADS 68 A VIEW FROM THE FENCE 84 LOOKING BACK· 84 ON THE FRONT COVER (From left to right) Thomas Wilson, Pascal Picotte, Miguel DuHamel, Doug Chandler, Tom Kipp and Mat Mladin the best of the AMA Superbike meneyeing success in the upcoming Daytona 200. Photo by Henny Ray Abrams. 'Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such materiaL if published, becomes the exclusive pro~ of Cycle News. Reprinting in whole or part only by permission of the publisher. Adv~ ing rates and circulation information will be senl upon request5ee S.R.DS. W~.a ~~noN Printed in U.S.A. Co~yright" Cycle News, ln~ 1997. Trademark Cycle News teglSterod U.S. Palenl Office. All rights reserved. 3

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