Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

(nill~ VOICES LffiERSTO America's weekly motorcycle newspaper Volume XXXV THE EDITOR Hall of Farner Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher lit the company of such premier racers as":four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears and former NASCAR Champion Buck Baker, the great Carroll Resweber was one of 10 recent inductees into the M6torsports Hall of Fame of America in ovi, Michigan. In the days when dirt track racers had very individual styles, Resweber stood out in a way that cannot be described, and his unfortunate 1962 racing accident ended a career that very possibly might have eclipsed all others before or after. At Del Mar last faU I had th~ great pleasux:e of spending some time with this unassuming hero of days past, discussing racing past and present, and found myself pondering how wonderful it would be if onIy all of today's race fans could have witnessed his incredible talent. Congratulations, Carroll Resweber. Ken Newton Newhall, CA dom that we experience every time we throw a leg over a bike. As an avid motocrosser, my favorite form of expression, no matter how lousy I might be at conveying it, is grabbing big air. I find the free-riding gear to be comfortable and expressive of just enough of the nonconformist inside of me to make the activity of riding, racing and jumping the perfect release. I cannot imagine motocross, dirt bikes or motorcycling in general as anything but the perfect form of self-expression and downright fun. I do not condone behavior that tarnishes the image of our sport. I also do not condone words which fuel negative stereotypes. You never know, the next rider you meet under those baggy clothes just might be a lawyer - but if they're not, just be glad that no matter who they are, they are out there enjoying the sport and helping it to grow. Thanks for providing great reporting and a forum for our "Voices" as readers. C. Wade Wallace Greenwood, IN Stereotyping Mike Faria I have been riding dirt bikes for over 15 I just read your interview with Mike Faria (Issue #15, April 22). When I was years. WillIe not qui-te as long as Skip Bradley (Voices, Issue #15, April 22), I believe I know a thing or two about the stereotypes associated with our sport. I also know a thing or two about the gang-member stereotype that he assigns to baggy riding clothing - I am a deputy prosecuting attorney whose specialty is to prosecute members of criminal street gangs. I find it ironic that Bradley would complain a bout overcoming stereotypes, and then in nearly the same breath do everything in his power to further one by associating baggy freestyle gear with gang members. As a criminal-justice professional with over two years' experience studying and prosecuting gang members, I can tell your readers that gang members' style of dress and the manner in which they represent themselves has evolved into anything but the stereotype portrayed by Bradley. In other words, a gang member is not identified simply by his baggy pants; and because someone wears baggy clothing does not identify them as a gang member. I find attitudes such as the one conv~ed by Bradley irresponsible and dangerous. One of the hallmarks of the sport of motorcycling is the very free- finished, I knew absolutely nothing more about him than when I started. Why was Mike Faria even included? The whole piece seemed to be nothing more than a venue for Scott Rousseau to, once again, slam Southern California speedway and Brad Oxley. I think that everyone involved in speedway racing knows that the day Scott Rousseau realized he didn't have what it takes to race speedway, he used your publication to put down Costa Mesa Speedway. Rousseau and Faria talk about the downfall of the sport in our area. What they don't realize is that it is attitudes like theirs that are the problem. Any sport that includes a referee making judgment calls is not always going to be fair. Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and go get 'em next time. Some Southern California fans may miss Mike Faria, but speedway will go on with or without him. I don't think too many people will miss the rest of the Faria clan. 1 have onIy been racing speedway for one full season, but so far all that I see in the pits is a good bunch of guys doing something that they love. So, Scott Rousseau, why don't you just calm down, go to the races, and check out some of the positive aspects? It'll save you a lot of aggravation. Besides, without the Oxley family, you wouldn't have anything to write about. Brian Burch Ocmx@earthlink.com, Dowdy and the 250 I'd like to congratulate John Dowd on ills supercross win in Charlotte. It's not hard to cheer for Dowdy - he's fast, a fighter, and yet he's unassuming. Plus, he represents my region (the Northeast) and 'my age bracket (30-something). How many supercross winners can you say that about? Now for the downside. I know it's been said before, but I must reiterate the stupidity of placing this talent in the 125cc class - a class that is supposedly for up-and-comers. Wasn't this the one guy who could race with Jeff Emig outdoors last year on a 250? Wasn't tills our country's top performer - before engine problems - at last year's Motocross des Nations debacle? What do you think his chances are of returning to the team on a 125? This is a guy who earned a spot as a top-flight 250 rider, yet Yamaha chooses to waste his talent in the tiddler class. What makes tills more depressing is the fact that, at 32, John should be making the most of his remaining years at the ational level. Didn't this factory do the same thing to Bob Hannah once upon a · ? tim e. I might add that Yamaha is also wasting .potential champion Doug Henry's talents on their experimental thumper. He's doing a fine job, all things considered, and it's a really cool job. But on a 250, Doug could be vying for the title again. It's not too late, Yamaha. Put J.D. where he belongs: in tlle 250cc National Motocross Championship. Steve Farenell Saratoga Springs, NY Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle 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. 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. Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit P3J.mer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/COT!)! Editor Cameron Coatney, Associate EdItor Alan Cathcart, Europe11n Editor David R. Holther, OJpy Editor Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts MallJlger Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Mannger 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, WeblllJlster Stephanie Leamon, Assistant Classified Ads Cherie Collie Graphics and Produelion Mandy Loo, Production Manager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Amanda Wollny, Graphic Artist Terra Whitmeyer, Graphic Artist Randy S. Hess, GraphIC Artist Administration judy Klinger, Coordinator Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccountinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Theresa Milburn, Credit Circu.lation Alma Anguiano, Circulation Manager Carol Maggio, Dealer Coordinator Pam Klein, Billing Coordinator joy Lau, Dealer Coordinator 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 • FAJ(714) 751-6685 Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084 P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805 (770) 934-7850 FAJ(770)934-3112 e-mail editoriilcyclenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.c.om INSIDE Issue #17 May 6, 1998 Internet http://www.cyclenews.com FEATURES Round i-World Endurance Championship Series from France .......20 Round 2 - World Championship Observed Trials Series from England ..56 SUPERCROSS Round 15 - Toyota Trucks/Thor /Parts Unlimited AMA Supercross Series from 4 Dallas, Texas SPEEDWAY Greg Hancock testimonial Coors Light Costa Mesa Speedway season opener DEPARTMENTS MOTOCROSS. Round 1 - AMA Western National FourStrokeMX Series from Phoenix, Arizona ...42 27th annual World Mini Grand Prix from Las Vegas, Nevada 48 Round 2 - 500cc World Championship Mqtocross Series from Switzerland .....52 Round 3 - 250cc World Championship Mqtocross Series from Holland .53 Round 2 - 125cc World Championsillp Motocross Series from Spain .53 ROAD RACE Round 4 • AMA/MBNA Superbike Series from Rosamond, California .......10 22 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box saM. Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084. 'SHOOTOUT 1998 600cc Super sport Shootout..........26 EVENTS 60 RESULTS .58 74 76 CALENDAR : LEADERBOARD OFF ROAD Round 2 - Best in the Desert Silver State Series from Tonopah, Nevada 36 HARE SCRAMBLES Round 4 - AMA National Champion- . ship Hare Scrambles Series from Good Springs, Pennsylvania .40 OBSERVED TRIALS Round 5 - AMA/NATC Observed Trial Series/28th EI Trial de Espana from Aguanga, California 44 Cycle News n request See S.R.D.5. W/Bnll V AUDITED ..£~ QRCULATION Printed in U.S.A. CO()yrighto CycJe News, Inc. 1998. Tradem.uk Cycle News regIStered u.s. Patent Office. All rights reserved. ~ .. ~ . CfJ 0\ ~ ,-----. ...0 ~ "''W ~ 3

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