Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

(ill]]~ VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper LErrERSTO THEEDfTOR VolumeXXXV Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/Copy Editor Cameron Coatney, Associate Edttor Alan Cathcart, European Editor David R. Hoi ther, Copy 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, Western Ad Coordinator Bridgett Bobrofsky, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Tina Farr, Assistant Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Director Forrest Hayashi, Manager Kory Klinger, Dealer Representative New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster Stephanie Leamon, Assistant Classified Ads Cherie Collie I read the March 11 issue of Cycle News (Issue #9) with great interest, as usual, especially in regard to the "Project 2000" update on the new streetbikebased dirt trackers. My question is: Why not an adventure bike based on.the Suzuki TLl000 or the Honda VTR1000 V-twins? If you look at the C&J-framed F&S Suzuki, it doesn't take too much to picture it with a bigger gas tank, two-intoone high pipe, decent suspension travel, the bash plate from hell, a 375-400pound weigh.t target and the features. needed to explore dirt roads and have fun (wheelies, power slides, etc.). I'll bet that the thing would kick butt on pavement, too. I figure we've got enough cruisers and crotch rockets, but a better selection of non-overweight, non-faa-faa plasticcovered adventure bikes would be great. Jim Bellach Kerman, CA No dirt track? Graphics and Production Mandy Loo, Production Manager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Amanda Wollny, Graphic Artist Robyn Li~ht, Graphic Artist Terra Whitmeyer, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Adventure bike wanted . Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccounlinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordinator Geneva Repa s, Assistant Theresa Milburn, Credit Circulation Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator Carol Maggio, Dealer CoorQinator Pam Klein, Billing Coordinator Joy Lau, Assistant Service and Support . Shannon Clark, Receptionist Jim Olson, Service and Support National Headquarters 3505-M Cadillac Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 P,O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084 (714) 751-7433 FllX (714) 751-6685 Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084 P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805 (770) 934-7850 FllX (770) 934-3112 I am a subscriber who will let his subscription expire because of the lack of coverage in Cycle News on Grand National Dirt Track racing. I've had enough of motocross (don't misunderstand me, motocross has its place in your paper) because that's all you see to cover. You have had many articles/interviews with retired motocrossers - where are the dirt tracker interviews? If this sport is to see a revival, we need to give it the coverage it deserves. There is no more exciting racing than dirt track. I'm an avid race fan who feels your paper is losing touch with many mature readers who love this type of racing. Keep the motocross and all other forms of motorcycling in your paper, but don't be so skimpy on your flat-track coverage. Hey, we're out here and we just wan t our sport to get the coverage it deserves. I hope I haven't been too harsh, but there are many of us who feel this way. Don't lose your reader base by neglecting an important part. Carl S.kaggs Csk2S96776@aoLcom. • In loo/dng at.our Issue #10 (March 18), the breakdown on event coverage is as follaws: road racing (10 pages), dirt track (13 pages), motocross (7 pages), off-road racing (7 pages), vintage racing (6 pages), drag racing (1 page), trials (1 page). If yau can find better balance someplace else, please let me know. fd love a subscription ... Editor. .To hell with him? In regard to Mr. Virgilio's leller in Cycle News (Issue #10, MarCh 18), to hell with him. I have been a Jeremy McGrath fan since he turned Pro and in no way did I ever "jump ship." Mr. Virgilios is wrong if he thinks all fans cheer only for the winners. And as far as being a Jeff Emig fan, that's his downfall - not mine. A lot of people thought that Jeremy "{as washed up 'last year. Did they even take into consideration that he had inadequate time on a new bike before the series opener in Los Angeles? Or the fact that the clutch on his bike was as good as a one-legged man in a kicking contest? Or how. about the fact that the bike Was constantly going through changes all year in setup and engine mods? I also think it's really interesting that Suzuki has radically changed the RM250 this year and are bragging about it like it was their idea. Do you suppose input from Jeremy had anything to do with it? I would like to say that I will be a McGrath fan until the day I die and the fact tha t he has broken all supercross records - which I don't see Emig doing is in no wayan influence on my feelings. Tim Nicotra Goin2baja@aol.com. Golf for a cause For the past two years, my Daytona Bike Week has consisted of a very limited schedule because of work. Believe me, I'm not complaining. I feel happy just to be able to spend two days down there. But the highligh t of my BIke Week, for the past two years, has been being able to participate in the charity golf tournament for the Clayton Foundation. This year waS no exception. For those who don't know, the Clayton Foundation was set up to assist' injured motorcycle racers with some financial support. This is an organization that needs to be supported by the fans of motorcycle racing, in every way possible. Think about the vast enjoyment you get from watching 'your favorite racer do his job. These men and women are simply incredible. When it goes right, it is a thing of beauty. When it goes wrong, it is horrendous. What can we do to heIp our heroes on two wheels? Support the Clayton Foundation. One way we can do that is to come to the golf tournament either as a spectator or a participant. Think of it: You can say that you played golf with (and possibly beat) people like Chris Carr, Scali Parker, Colin Edwards II and many other riders. Or you could be in the gallery as these folks play with some of their fans. All the while, the proceeds from this I, event go to help racers who have been injured. Last year's event was great. This year's event was even better. Personally, I can't wait for next year. I may not get to go to all of Bike Week, but I'll be there on that Tuesday, riding in a cart, chasing that little white ball around a beautiful goli course with some of the people who make my life more enjoyable. Make sure to mark your calendars for next year. And keep an eye on Cycle News for details about this tournament. It's a blast and a half. See you there next year. Stephen Bobic mxcat@mindspring.com Not to rub it in, b'ut this year's tournament was won with predictable ease IJy the foursome of Mat Mladin, Colin Edwards 11, Chris Carr and Paul Carruthers. The team will hove to be broken up next year in order to give Jason Pridmore a chance, so remember to mark your calendars to participate in next year's tournament... Editor. Leiters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 5084, Costa MeSa, CA 92628-5084, faxed to 714/7516685 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 leiters are subject to editing. Anonymous leiters will not be considered for publication, All leiters should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number ... Editor. e-mail editor@cyclenews.com su bscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly except the last two weeks of the calendar year for $50.00 per year by Cycle News, Inc., 3505-M Cadillac Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92628. Periodicals Postage Paid at Costa Mesa, CA and at additional mailing office. Canada Post IntemationaJ Publications Mailt546615. POSTMASTER: Sud address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa. CA 926~5084. To de~rmine the upiration 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 las( two chi-nefel'S indicate the year of the last issue. SubscripHon rates: Rates for the United States and its p0ssessions for one year (SO issues), $50.00; two years (100 issues), 595.00; six months (25 issues), 526.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. CaMda and Foreign, one year (SO issues), S90,(X); two years (100 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 property of Cycle News. Reprinting in whole or part only by permission of the publisher. Advertis-ing rates and cirrolation informaHon win be sent upon request. See S.R.O.5. W/BI"llA VI FEATURES SUPERCROSS Round 10 - Toyota Trucks/Thor/Paris Unlimited AMA Supercross Series from New Orleans, Louisiana 8 ROAD RACE Formula USA Road Race Series from Rosamond, Caliiornia 12 World Championship Road Race Series 16 Statistics _ World Championship Road Race Series 24 Preview AUDITEO ~~ ORCULATlON Printed in U.S.A. Co~yrigbl· Cyde News, ln~ 1998. Trademark Cyde News regJSleied U.S. Patonl Office. All rights merved: VINTAGE Round 1 - AHRMA Dirt Track Series .26 from Daytona Beach, Florida SPEEDWAY Spring C1asic from Costa Mesa,. California 30 DEPARTMENTS EUROFlLE : 6 EVENTS 32 PRODUCT EVALUATION 48 CALENDAR 49 LEADERBOARD .56 WANT ADS 58 TEARDOWN ." .75 LOOKING BACK 75 Four-time World Champion Mick Doohan will be the man {o beat in the 500cc World Championship when the series begins in Suzuka, Japan on April 5. Photo by Lou Martin.

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