Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper LETTERS TO THEEOfTOR Volume XXXIV Sharon Oayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Trouble in Texas Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Ma/1Qging Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/~ Editor Cameron Coatney, Assistant Edttor Alan Cathcart, European Editor Advertising Terry Pratt, NatW/1Q1 Accounts Ma/1Qger Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts ManJJger Mark Thome, Western Sales Ma/1Qger Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Ma/1Qger Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Ma/1Qger Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator Bridgett Bobrofsky,Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Tina Farr, Assistant Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Director Forrest Hayashi, Mnnager • New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster Robert McTigue, Production Manager Classified Ads Laurie Torstensen Graphics and Production Ree Johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy 1.00, Production ManAger Dennis Greene, Utb. Tech. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Amanda Wollny, Graphil: Artist I think there is a little blemish on the Lone Star in Texas. Famous for its legendary World Champions - Kevin Schwantz and Doug Polen, to name a few - and other top stars like Shobert, Wise, Poovey and Edwards, I could not help but wonder after seeing a picture of Texan Mike Hale on the inside cover of Cycle News. What's up, Mike? I mean seeing a picture of Scott Russell, Colin Edwards or John Kocinski would coax me into buying a ticket a little more than the option of wa tching Hale, who is ranked somewhere around 25th. Hasn't he won only two races anyway - and weren't they in the AMA Series? So how is he a "World's Best Rider" as stated in the advertisement? Okay, enough bashing - I can't wait for the World Superbikes to come to Laguna. I did, however, expect a little more out of this cowboy - or should we say, cowpoke? Andy Weaver Lubbock, TX NASCAR and MX Administration Judy Klinger, Coordi/1Qtor Leanne Sims, Administratillf! Assistant AccountinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager Alma Anguiano, Processing CoordulJJtor Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator Carol Maggio, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Susan Moreno, Receptumist 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) 427-668S Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084; IJl<1iling address P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805. (770) 934-7850. FAX (770) 934-3112 Hey, Armen, what are you - new? After growing up and riding motocross with the aggressive and talented Ron Hornaday Jr., the 1996 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, you are insulting milli~ns. I forgive you, Armen. It shows that you're new. Lesson #1: Have you ever heard of Rick Johnson? Knowing him personally, he is one of the most prominent role models in all of motocross history. His unmatched riding and public rela tions talent as a motocross and supercro s rider has carried him over into off-road racing and now into NASCAR as a driver. Le son #2: lf you think Ron or Rick are old, out-of-shape drivers, you better say that about Jeremy McGrath, too. You obviously didn't see him race, as a driver, in the up-and-coming SpecTrucks Series at the Orange Show Fairgrounds in San Bernardino in 1996. Lesson #3: To all motocross riders and ASCAR drivers - unite. The more NASCAR and other auto racing that's on TV, the more the market will open up for motocross and supercross. Armen, look out. NASCAR will be in California in June for its inaugural race at the California Speedway in Fontana. By the way, Jeff Ward is qualifying for the Indy 500 this month, too. Shawn Lane Chatsworth, CA No whining In response to the "In The Wind" column (Issue #17, April 3D) about Pascal Picotte complaining because the AMA claimed his bike - what is he talking about? The whole idea of the claiming rule is to keep factories or privateers with large budgets from spending so much money on their bikes that the average Joe can't compete - $14,000? This is Supersport racing. The idea behind Supersport is to keep the bikes as close to stock as possible to allow teams with limited budgets to compete on the same level as the factories. I say "good job, AMA" for doing what they should be doing more of. As for Picotte's suggestions - what does it matter who buys the bikes that are claimed? If he doesn't agree with these rules maybe he should stick to superbikes. Derek Brooks rotax@ksu.edu Unappreciated I think Larry Ward is the most unappre- ciated rider on the supercross and motocross circuit. With his results in supercross and in the outdoor ationals, he isn't receiving the recognition he deserves. Honda supposedly wants Mike LaRocco, but what about Larry? He's been a contender in su percross this year and with his improving results in the outdoors he is going to make his mark in 1997. Jimmy Hildreth MX4247@aol.com Yeah, Tray. I enjoyed your recent interview with Tray Batey and. I'm glad to see.him get some much-deserved recognition. Having had the privilege of getting to know him and Darlene at many Southeast and Midcentral WERA races, I found him to epitomize the class act I envisioned my race program should pattern itself after. Nothing was ever less than perfectly sanitary in their pits and Tray's riding style is a lot like high-speed ballet. While so many "National-ealiber riders" throw their tantrums or pass other racers unnecessarily close, Tray goes about winning in a skillful, precise and gentlemanly manner. He is truly a credit to the sport. Lee Hillman Hazard,KY Inuries Recently, I have been saddened by the rash of injuries and death that has riddled our sport of motocross. I'm not naive to the fact that this sport is dangerous and riders get injured all the time. With the current technology of the motorcycles (suspension, motors, frames, etc.), jumping over 80 feet is routine. When you go down jumping 80 feet over triples, you're probably going to get hurt. Do these injuries have to happen for our sport to evolve? The promoters a t the. loca I level should assist the overzealous would-be McGraths by taming the obstacles a bit, improving the flagging process, and developing better trackside EMT personnel. I would "gladly pay $5 more to race or ride if I knew that the fee increase was going to these improvements. [ would suggest tha t 98 percent of the racers on a given weekend, including the Pros, have jobs they need to keep to support their families. Leave the Superman obstacles for the Supermen professionals who are being paid to take the risks - but provide a safer environment at the local tracks. Rob Engel Laguna iguel, CA Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498, faxed to 562/427-6685 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. e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com ,~ - _. Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycle News (lJSP5 141·340) is published Wl!l:kIy excrpt the last two weelcs 01 the "'Iendv y.... roo- $50.00 I"" yea, by Cyde ews. Inc.,2201 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806. Periodicals P-s< Paid at Long Ilcach. CA and at additional mailing office. Canada Post Lntemational Publications Mail 1S4661S. POSTMASlEJl, Send .dche8 clw>g.. to Cycl. News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 901l0HM911. To determine the cxpintion date of yoar subscription, cbeck the four numbers on the first line of your address labeL T'ht fi.r5t two digits indiate the wt issue numMr' youlD rettive and the IMt two ch~ indicate the for of the wt issu~ Sulecription mtes: ~tcs for the United States and its ~ sions for one year, (50 issucs), $50.00; two years 000 issues), 595.00; six months, (15 iss ), $26.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign.. one year (SO issues). $90.00; two years 000 issues}, 5175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; trial sub (15 issues). $38.00. Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such material, if published, becomes the exclusive pro~ of Cycle News. Reprinting in whole or part only by permission of the publisher. Advertising rates and circulation information wiD be sent upon request. See S.R.D.S. VT/BnA V ....!""~ ~ ~- - -""''""';''''''''1 ~.' AUDITED CIRCULATION Printed in U.S.A. CoJ.'}:tight" Cycl. N..... lnc.l997. Tradoawk Cycl. N.w. rogislmd u.s. Patont Offi",. All tighls rosorvod: ... -",.'''~..,f ...,. -~ - ........ . ~ FEATURES MOTOCROSS Round 3 - AMA 125/25Occ ational MX Series from San Bernardino, California TEST Triumph Daytona Speed Quattro 6 Round 3 - AMA Western ational FourStroke Motocross Series from Sacramen.18 to, California 14 . CLOSE-UP Bikes of the National4-Stroke MX Series 19 ROAD RACE AHRMA Summit Point Road Races..... 22 Round 5 - World Championship 250cc Motocross Series from France 24 Round 4 - World Championship 125cc Motocross Series from Austria 26 SHOOTOUT Open-class two-stroke MX/off-road comparison 10 DEPARTMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR LEADERBOARD RESULTS WANTAOS IN THE PADDOCK LOOKING BACK 28 40 49 , ON THE FRONT COVER 50 52 67 67 Jeff Emig and Ricky Carmichael dominated the third round of the AMA National Motocross Series in Southern California. Photos by Kinney Jones.

• Cover