Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Volume XXXIV Sharon aayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editur Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, MJInaging Editur Keith Bush, Assistant EditorlCopy Editur Cameron Coatney, Assistant Editur Alan Cathcart, Europenn Editor Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts MJInager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts MJInager Mark Thome, Western Sales MJInager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales MJInager Forrest Hayashi, Weste", Sales MJInager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales MJInager Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Courdinator Bridgett Bobrofsky, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Tina Farr, Assistant Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Director Forrest Hayashi, Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster Robert McTigue, Production manager Classified Ads Laurie Torstensen Gral'hics and Production Ree Johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy Loo, Production MJInager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Vance Lanoy, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinotor Leanne Sims, AdministratWe Assistant AccountingfDala Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Courdinator Geneva Repass, Assistant furlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Mannger Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinatur Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator Carol Maggio, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Susan Moreno, Receptionist MIchael Swedberg, Service and Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-0498 (562) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FAX (562) 427~685 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 editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com Show me the money II Mark Miller's letter (Issue #13, April 2) regarding the Harley-Davidson Twin Sports race at Willow Springs deserves a comment because it raises questions about two very important things in racing - fairness and money. . His 'phrase "ever-fluctuating dyno," r~gardIng the ASB post-race in pectlOn on the official ASB Dynojet dynamometer, is inacarrate and I'd like to offer a cIarification for the rest of your readers. The environmental variables are pr~ grammed into the computer and the Dynojet technicians make adjustments. The Dynojet enforcement policy has provided a system of accurate measurement that has been proven in 37 pro . races since it was adopted by NASB last year. The Buell Lightning Series, EBC Brakes Sport Bike, Harley-Davidson Twin Sport and Triumph Speed Triple Challenge (1996) have all been conducted with Dynojet enforcement since the ~inning of last year. ASB is proud of Its support by bynojet and applauds the company's rock-solid reputation. Mr. Miller questioned the appropriateness of NASB retaining the fine Eric Bostrom was charged in the Harley race. 1 don't question his right to wonder, but I would like to offer a point of reference. NASB paid out $822,500 in purse and point fund in 1995 and 1996. For this year, there is over half a million dollars in guaranteed purse and point fund in NASB/F-USA racing. Rider fines, which go back into the general fund, offer a minuscule portion of that money. NASB has no guilt about how it raises rider money or how it pays it. Patrick Murphy NASB Sacramento, CA World Championship, not mowing his lawn, watching TV or winning the World Superbike Championship. Long live Henny Ray Abrams and his brutal sarcasm. Scott Patten Laguna Beach, CA No cruisers I eagerly await each and every issue of ~y beloved Cycle News. But upon openIng my P.O. box and finding your April 2 issue it was, 'Oh, God, no. Not another cruiser issue.' All I can say is: dirt bikes - yes; road raCIng - yes; but cruisers... no! Don Munkres Roseburg, OR TV okay I was thrilled to see a Chicanery column by Henny Ray Abrams again (Issue #13, April2). I didn't think Cycle News would ever let him write another editorial. Henny's Harley-Davidson racing commentary a few years ago was the funniest thing I have ever read, but I suppose it must have rubbed more than a few people the wrong way. I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only person in America yelling at the TV that Doug Chandler was racing for the 500cc Henny Ray Abrams' critique of the live coverage of the recent Daytona races was large, but in the end seemed very small. I wa tched the same race and thought that ick (Ienatsch) and Mary (Marty Reid) did a fairly good job of commentary. Yes, I heard the words "world" something when it should have been "AMA" something and the obviously exaggerated 100 million something when it should have been two or seven or 14 or... Henny, you were obviously bothered by this one, and the Mary thing - you carried it for threequarters of the article. I didn't hear ick refer to Marty a Mary once, nor did Marty call himself Mary, yet you dwell ?n this "video typo" by some poor guy 1D the production truck as if ick and Marty were somehow responsible. . I've been told that live commentary is one of the most difficult jobs to do, and do well. Making your comments complete and accurate while viewing the action, haVIng all your facts for instant recall and being re;;ponsible for creating something Interesting (when nothing is happening) is not for the faint-hearted. Come to think of it, I can't remember a shooting, riot, earthquake, flood, or other Jive action that didn't have reporters stammering, repeating themselves and making daffy statements. Somehow I don't think that pointing out each other's slips and errors on air is ~art of ick's ~d Marty's job description. Let's see, It would go: "You said FEATURES world when it should be AMA. He didn't give the you're-number-one salute." . This is aU pretty simple when you're sIttIng at your keyboard. Do you ever have difficulty in a social-conversation setting? Do you always have clear, InSIghtful statements and never at a loss for a "fact"? I'm pointing this out as news to you for If you had any live-commentary expenence you wouldn't have written this piece the way you did, would you? Your hatchet job regarding Nick becomes more clear toward the end of your editorial piece about who was mentioned and who wasn't - and the Newport Beach fat-cats. It reads like sour grapes to me - did your toes get stepped on? If I'm in error about your live-broadcast experience, past or present, please let me know. I'd be happy to critique your efforts. I'll use your basis. Jim Granger Reseda,CA ENDURO Long live Henny The King As a loyal subscriber, 1 want to let you know that your website is a big plus to the enjoyment of your newspaper thanks for your efforts. On another subject, thanks for the extended coverage of Kenny Roberts and his new GP bike project (Issue #10, March 12). 1 have always been a fan of Mr. Roberts ever since his dirt track days. It is good to still see him stirring up the sport and working for its _llDprovement. He is especially deserv. fig of pnuse because he is willing to put his money where his mouth is" Good job to Cycle News for being willing to print a long business article about our sport. This is the kind of coverage that makes your publication unique. Richard Winningstad lemans3@teleport.com 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.edi!or@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. Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycl. ews (USPS 141·)40) ;S pubHshed wed

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