Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper LEITERS TO THE EDITOR 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, Assistallt Editor/Co/!!! Editor Cameron Coatney, Assistant Editor Tom Titus, Copy Editor Alan Cathcart, European Editor Advertising . Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastem Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Easter;n Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Westem Ad Coordinator' Laurie Torstensen, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Ti.na Farr, Assistant Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Director Forrest Hayashi, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster Greg Mitchell, Marketing Manager Robert McTigue, Production mallager Classified Ads Lori Torstensen 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, Coordinatar Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccounPnglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator We goofed Regarding the February 26 Indianapolis Supercross "Briefly..." section, it was . stated that Ricky Carmichael crashed on the eighth lap when Brock Sellards' "crashed 'right in front of him." This is not true. Carmichael clearly overshDt the turn and hit the rear wheel of Sellards, taking them both out. It then states that Sellards "managed" to finish eighth. Again not true. He finished a very respectable seventh in the main. Give Brock a break. He is also a rookie this year wi th tons of potential. Let's not beat the guy down. John H. Hill Mantua,OH The official AMA standings published at tile event listed Sellards in eighth place, a mistake Ulat was later corrected by the AMA but not by us...Editor. A racing family We goofed II ·Whoever wrote the "Briefly..." section about the Indianapolis SX race needs to watch the race before he tries to write about it. Brock Sellards was passing another rider when Ricky Carmichael slarrimed into Sellards, taking them both out. '1 understand that most people think Carmichael is some kind of god, but you need to remember there are other very talented and qualified, hard-working rookies just like Ricky (j.e. Sellards, Robbie Horton) out there on the track as well. Oh, by the way, if the person would ha ve looked a t the results he would have seen that Brock finished seventh, not eighth. Peggy Adamic Cleveland, OH Carol Maggio, Dealer Coordinator Okay, okay... Service and Support Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptionist Michael Swedberg, Service and Support Having just received the February 26 issue (Issue #8), I was anxious to read the coverage of the Indianapolis supercross. I was particularly interested to see if Brock Sellards would be mentioned since I had watched him at several local races and watched him do well in the National Headquarters . 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-0498 (562) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FllX(562)427-6685 race at Indianapolis. I was shocked, however, when I read in the "Briefly..." section that Ricky Carmichael was held up by Sellards when Sellards fell in front of him. Did the person that reported this see the same race that I did? From my vantage point, it was obvious that Carmichael ran into Sellards and caused the both of them to fall. I was bothered by the implication that Sellards was at fault and caused Carmichael to finish 19th when in fact Sellards was hit from behind and was still able to finish a respectable eighth (actually seventh). If the reporter had not seen the incident, why was he compelled to blame Sellards? I just don't want to ee a talented local rilcer getting bad press when it is undeserved. PleilSe set the record s.traight and if you don't believe me, watdl the replay. ESPN2 had a gTEiilt shot of the incident. John Fox Columbus, OH The 1997 Winter Am Series is over. We're sure it was a greilt and wonderful time for all, except for two families. }.D. Collins' death last year at the series race in Ocala was a great loss to the motocross family. At least we can say J.D. left this life competing at what he loved the most and is remembered for that. Our son was not as fortunate as that. He won the 125cc C and 250cc C classes overall in last· year's '96 Winter Am Seriils, but was not in attendance this year. In a weak moment, he felt he could not live with the reality of this cruel world we live in. He had been sexually molested since the age of 9 until the age of 16, when an anonymous phone call was made to the child-abuse hotline. He could not handle the pressures any longer. He had met good people, families, friendships of others thilt brought him to realize he did not have to live like this anymore and made the biggest decision of his life. Our son never had a chance. For seven years he was abused and confused all right in front of all of us. Just where is a kid to really turn? Do you really know the people surrounding and influencing your kid? We pray to God that no other families have to live through this tragedy. 'Our thoughts and congratulations are with the competitors win or lose. For the racing family you grow to know builds a bond that never loses faith, for the racing family is the greatest family you can ever be a part of. . Tom & Ellen Fleming Sarasota, FL Looking for tech I have been a subscriber to Cycle News for three years. I enjoy your racing coverage. I am especially a fan of road racing. The test rides Df the la test superbikes and GP bikes by Alan Cathcart have been very interesting. Regarding superbikes, you repeatedly mention the possible use of pneumatically actuated valves. I realize that this technDlogy is only currently being used on Formula One cars, but it does seem inevitable that it will find its way into motorcycling. Is there any informa tion available on this valve-actuation technology? Are you planning to do a technical article in the near future? Thanks for a great publication. Barry L. Geiger Danville, PA The best organization to contact regarding this type of information (or almost anything technical regarding the internal-combustion engine or other vehicle systems) is the Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096, 412/7764841, www.sae.org. The SAE's homepage allows you to search by subject, and, of course, to order what you [ind ... Editor. 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@cyclenews.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 ... Editor. Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084; mailing address P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805. (770) 934-7850. FllX (770) 934-3112 e-mail ecUtor@cydenews.com subscribe@cydenews.com advertising@cydenews.com Internet http://www.cydenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141·340) ts published. wcckly except the last two weeks of the calendar year for $50.00 per year by Cycle News, Inc" 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 c:h~ges to Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-()498. To determine the expiration date of your subscription. check the {ou.r numbers on the first line of your address label. The first two digits indicate the last issue number you'll receive and the lasl two characters indicate the year of the last issue. Subscription rates: Rates for the United Stales and its p0sses.sions for one year, (SO issues), $50.00; two years (100 issues), $95.00; six months, (25 issues), $26.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign, one year (SO issues), $90.00; two years (100 issues), $175.1»; six months (25 issues), $45.00; trial sub (15 issues), $38.00. Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial materinl induding stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such mateoal, if published, becomes the exclusive property of Cyde News. Reprinting in whole or part only by permis.'Jlon of the publisher. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon request. See S.R.D.5. W/BI")'A V ~~ FEATURES MOTOCROSS ENDURO Round 1 - AMA National Motocross from Gainesville, Florid:a 8 ROAD RACE Round 1 - NASB/F-USA opener from 14 Daytona Beacll, Florida Camel Motorcycle Week schedule 42 INTERVIEW . Kenny Roberts :20 TIME REMEMBERED Marty Smith DEPARTMENTS EUROFILE .30 : EVENTS 4 44 DIRT TRACK CALENDAR ..................................•..............52 The AMA's five-year plan 34 WANT ADS ..........•.......................................59 ARENACROSS' Printed in U.S_A: co{'yrightCl Cvcle Ne.ws, Inc. 1997. Trademark Cycle News regiStered U.S. Patent Office. All rig~ts reserved. ..40 DAYTONA PREVIEW AUDITED ORCULATJON Gilles Lalay Classic from . Limoge, France DNF AMA/PP AX finale from Denver, Colorildo .38 LOOKING BACK , ~ 75 .75 ON THE FRONT COVER King Kenny Roberts rides his new creation, the Modenas KR3. See page 20_ Photo by Gold & Goose.

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