Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127938
(Eill~ VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper LETTERS TO THEEDfTOR Volume XXXV Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editur Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/~ Edilur Cameron Coatney, Associate Ed/tur Alan Cathcart, European Editor David R. Holther, Copy Editur Mr. Daytona 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084 P.O. Box 805, Tu.cker, GA 30085-0805 (770) 934-7850 FAX (770) 934-3112 I'd like to offer a few thoughts about the letter from Mr. Cuccia (Issue #13, April 8) about Scott Russell and the related comments about attendance at Daytona. Taking the latter point first, I have been to all but thr~ Daytona 2aos since 1968 and I share Mr. Cuccia's concerns about the size of the crowds nowadays compared to the 70s and '80s. This was basically the point of Paul Carruthers' column ("Teardown," Issue #11, March 25) and I was glad to see it brought out. If all of the parties involved can make it work, I think a World Superbike event at Daytona would be great and could help restore Daytona to its proper place in the world picture. It would be great to see the chartered 747s from England and Europe come back to Daytona again, full of race fans. I also wanted to comment on Mr. Cuccia's criticism of Cycle News' lab ling of Scott Russell as "Mr. Daytona." As someone who has won the 2ao myself, I can tell you [ have no problem with it. 1 know how hard it is to win the race even once, and am in awe of what Scott has accomplished. I have been there for all of his victories and they all required a strong performance against top-level competition, even picking himself off the ground once to win. In the years that I raced at Daytona, some of the best motorcycle racers from around the world came to Daytona. Some, like Agostini and Saarinen, did win. But so many others... World Champions like Mike Hailwood, Phil Read, Barry Sheene, Kel Carruthers, to name a few, came away without a victory. All of them had more than enough talent and equipment to do so, but the Daytona 2ao has a way of presenting situations that can bring even the best down. As for the Scott Russell era, let's not forget that some of the world's top names have had their shot in the last few years, too. I've watched superbike superstars like Carl Fogarty, Colin Edwards II, Mat Mladin, Doug Chandler and Anthony Gobert take their shots and none of them have won. Yet Russell has won five times! Let's give him his due credit for what he has accomplished. "Mr. Daytona" is a pretty good start, I'd say. Don Emde Laguna Niguel, CA e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@eycJenews.com Emde won the Daytona 200 in 1972 - 24 years after his father, Floyd, won the race on the beach of Daytona... Editor. Advertising Terry Pratt, National Aaounts 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 Coordinatur Bridgett Bobrofsky, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Courdinator Tina Farr, Assistant Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome. Director Forrest Bayashi, Manager Kory Klinger, Dealer Representative New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmnster Stephanie Leamon, Assistant Oassified Ads Cherie Collie Graphics and Production Mandy Loa, Production Manager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Amanda Wollny, Graphic Artist Robyn light, Graphic Artist Terra Whitmeyer, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinatur Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccountinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Courdinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Theresa MHburn, Credit Grculation Alma Anguiano, Circulatron Manager Carol Maggio, Dealer Coordinatar Pam Klein, Billing Coordinator joy Lau, Assistant Service and Support Shannon Oark. Receptionist Jim Olson, Seroice and Support National Headquarters 3505-M Cadillac Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084 (714) 751-7433 . FAX (714) 751-6685 Eastern Office advertisin~cycJenews.oom Internet http://www.cycJenews.com Cycle ews (USPS 141-340) is published weekly ex"'pt the last two weeks of the cal~dli:7 for $50.00 per year by Cycle ews, me., ~M . Avenue, Costa Mesa. CA 92628. Periodicals Postage Paid at Costa Mesa. CA and at additional mailing offict. Canada Post international Publications Ma111S46615. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box 5084, C05~ Mr. Magoo Thank you for bringing back the memo. ries of one of the greatest heroes of my FEATURES Subscription rates: Ratl'S for the United States and its posses-siam for one year (SO issues), $5O.()O; two years (100 issues). S95.00; six months (25 issues). 526.00; triaT sub (15 issues), 519.00. Canada and Foreign, one year (50 issues). $90.00; two years 000 issues). $175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; trial sub I1S issues), 538.00. ROAD RACE Round 1 - World Championship Road 6 Race Series from Japan Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including stories. cartoons, photos, ett. 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 infonnation will be sent upon ""1uest. See S.R.D5. V ..£..0 AUDITED CIRCULATION Printed in U.S.A. Co~yrigh Lusk vs. McGrath I just wanted to comment on Jeremy McGrath's statement in your article "bout the St. Louis Supercross (Issue #13, April 8). He shouldn't complaln. Being number one puts a big target on your back. I saw the pass and it was just a typical supercros block-pass. Ezra Lusk did try to make the turn, but was just running too hot. Besides, I saw a sign outside the Chapparal semi last week that said: "Yogi will pass no one." I'm sure Lusk saw this and it most likely pissed him off. I like McGrath as much as the next guy and I think he's great for the sportbut I have no respect for him when he complains. Unless McGrath want a reputation for whining every time he loses, he should just let it roll off hi back. Chris Caplinger CcapIinger@optex.net Lusk vs. McGrath II As a follower of the AMA Supercross Serles, I must say I am extremely alarmed by the actions of points leader Jeremy McGrath at the St. Louis Supercross. To pout over a fall and threaten another rider, Ezra Lusk, is totally uncalled for. The fans booing Ezra says a lot about their character, or lack thereof. I attended the race held in the New Orleans Superdome and saw Lusk fall when another rider hit his bike. To my knowledge, Ezra took it as an occupa'tiona! hazard. Unfortunately, I've never attended a motorcycle race where no one fell - and a glass-ball environment doesn't exist in this or any other sport. Ultimately, every rider's goal is to pass the bike in front of them. And if that rider happens to be Jeremy McGrath, then so what. I applaud Lusk for giving 100 percent and making the race a race. Dailene Melancon Dailene@midsouthbank.com Lusk vs. McGrath the final edition " ... Emig pulled an amateur move out there and took Ole out. That's the kind of guy he is and you've gotta be looking out for it; so I'll be looking out for it..." That's what Ezra Lusk said in the ESPN2 interview after the main event in the Seattle Supercross. Eight rounds later, Ezra pulls an amateur move and takes out McGrath. I guess that's the kind of guy Ezra is now! And that's what McGrath's gotta look out for. Jennifer Bell Bell@dconn.com Be like Jeffro Every once in a while I feel compelled to write and voice my view of things. This is one of,those times. While it would have been easy for Jeff Emig to stay home and recuperate, he took the time to attend the press/media day on March 26 at the TWA Dome. While Jeffs trip to St. Louis mayor may not be ignificant, his ~ttention to Joshua Wheller (a local 13-year-old racer who is recovering from spinal-cord surgery) during his stay is undE;niably remarkable. After spending a couple of hours with Joshua at the track, Emig later took him to dinner and then to a Blues hockey game. I can assure everyone that Jeff made a significant difference in the lives of Joshua Wheller and his family. Thanks, Jeff, from all your fans in Missouri. Steve Thomas Maryland Heights, MO Check out the interview willI Jeff Emig page 16... Editor. Oil Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cyete News, P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084, faxed to 714/751-6685 or e-mail, editor@cyclenewS.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Letlers should not exceed 200 words and all letters are subject to editing. Anonymous lellers will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number ... Editor. Mesa., CA 92628-5084. To drtmnine the expiration date: of yoursubsaiption, chtdc the four numb~rs on the flBt lint o( your addrt:ss laM.1. The first two digits indicate the last issue number you'll m:~ive and the last two characters indicate the year of the last issue. W/BDA youth - Danny Chandler ("Forging On," Issue #13, April 8). The covers of him getting incredible air are long gone, but the image is forever etched on my brain. Magoo's accident was tragic, but the way it was handled was even worse. My hero had been hurt, terribly - and then nothing. Every once in a while there was a small sidebar, but it seemed he was shunned after being hurt. At least that's how it seems to me. I understand that getting hurt is a scary part of our port, but great people like Chandler shouldn't be cast away like used trash. Thanks for the update and keep up the great work. Daniel Scott Skyrigger@Nwinfo.net Cyde News,lnc.l998. TrademMk Cyde News regIStered U.s. Patent Dffi",. All rights reserved. SUPERCROSS Round 13 - AMA Supercross Series from 12 Pontiac, Michigan INTERVIEW Jeff Emig 16 DRAG RACE Round 1 - AMA/Prostar Drag Racing Series from Commerce, Georgia 18 OBSERVED TRIALS Round 1 - World Championship Observ~ Trials Series from Spain.......20 MOTOCROSS Round 1 - 250cc World Championship Motocross Series from Spain 22 DEPARTMENTS LEADERBOARD EVENTS CALENDAR WANTADS A VIEW FROM THE FENCE LOOKING BACK 21 23 41 50 67 67 Max Biaggi shocked the Grand Prix fraternity when he dominated the Japanese 500cc GP - in his debut on the Honda NSR500. Inset: Ricky Carmichael surprised no one with his win in the Pontiac Supercross. Photos by Gold & Goose and Karl Ockert.