Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper Volume XXXVI Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Tony DiStefano, for helping set up Greg and Amy's visit. Steve Ballmer Phoenix,AZ Editorial Paul Carruthers, EditmKit Palmer, Assodate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/Copy Editor Malt Freeman, Assistant EditmAlan Cathcart, European Editor David R. Holther, Copy Editor The last on V.G. Advertising Western States (714) 751-7433 Terry Pralt, National Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Ad COIYrdinator Bridgett Bobrofsky, Assistant A4vertising Eastern States (770) 934-7850 Greg Mitchell, Eastern ACeDWlts Manager Jim Clark, Eastern Sales Manager Carla AUen, Ad Coordinator Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Director Forrest Hayashi, Manager Kory Klinger, Dealer Representative New Media Development Rick Matheny, Webmaster Classified Ads Melissa Alvarado Graphics and Production Mandy Loo, Art Director Dennis Greene, lAb. Tech. Amanda WoUny, Lead Graphic Artist Sandi Gettys, GraphiC Artist Paul Ftsher, GraphiC Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Pam Klein, Administrative Assistant AccountingIData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Theresa Milburn, Credit Circulation Alma Anguiano, Circulation Manager Carol Maggio, Processing Coordinator Joy Lau, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Shannon Clark, Receptionist Jim Olson, Service and Support National Headqyarters 3505-M CadiJIac Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084 (714) 751-7433 FAX (714) 751-6685 Eastern QWce 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084 P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805 (770) 934-7850 FAX (770) 934-3112 e-mail editor@cyclenews.com S\lbscri~clenews.com Feelin'groovy Ben Bostrom is a groovy guy. He's young, talented and did 1 mention groovy? I first saw him race in the 1995 season finale in Phoenix. It was after he won (if my memory serves me well) the Harley-Davidson SuperTwins race that Ben really impressed me. He entered the 750cc Supersport race on his well-used Honda CBR600 and put on quite a show early on. But the race was red-flagged when Fred Merkel crashed and had to be airlifted to the ho pita!. During the brief "intermission," Ben ran around like a madman. He had a bike problem of some sort and was looking for help. Some people finally came to his aid and he was running his bike and making simulated starts in the small area behind the starting line. Just a few seconds before the start of the race, he was suited back up and ready to ride. He rode very well that day. 1 can't remember where he finished, but I'll bet he was in the top five. He rode that little 600 like a ravaged beast and embarrassed quite a few good 750cc riders. That one small incident really shows who and what Ben Bostrom is really about. God has gifted him with immense determination and a lot of talent. He's also a flashy young dude who respects his fellow riders and their talents. Ben will go far in this awe ome sport. IT he can stay in AMA racing for two to three years and remain healthy, Ben can go across the pond and make'all of us Yanks mighty happy. Long live the new King. Ike Jon issen Farmington, NM "Groovy" Ben Bostrom (right) shares the 750cc Supersport podium with race winner Tom Klpp (center) and secondplace finisher Aaron Yates (left) In the Flreblrd International Raceway round of the series In 1995'. Ben Bostrom finished third in that 750cc Supersport race at Firebird Intemational Raceway in 1995. The reason he was running around "like a madman" was because he'd crashed during the first portion of the race and was hastily making repairs to the CBR600 so that he could restart the race. After the race, Bostrom was quoted as saying, "I've got big goals but everything has to fall into place. Another (Mike) Hale, that's what l'm hoping for." Bostrom also won the SuperTwins race that day.... Editor SX ambassador I just wanted to publicly acknowledge a truly outstanding gesture from one of the top supercross racers. Greg and Amy Albertyn took the time to drop by the Northwest Community Church in Phoenix to share their faith with about 100 of the youth-group kids. Greg completely captivated the group with his relaxed, authentic personality. After Greg's presentation, this charming couple hung out with the kids, visiting and signing autographs when they shou Id ha ve been on their way to the airport. Greg is a tremendous amba sador for both the Lord Jesus Christ and the motorcycle industry. Thanks to the Albertyns from all the kids. And thanks to another great guy, advertising@cyclenews.com Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly exceplthe last two weeks of the calendar year for 550,00 per year by I I ; ~ . Q - m c; Cycle News. Inc.• 3505-M CadiDac Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Periodicals Postage Paid at Costa Mesa. CA and at additional mailing office. Canada Post International PubhcaHons Mail f546615. POSTMASTER; Smd address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box 5084, Co." M.... CA 92628-5084. FEATURES HARE & HOUND Round 1 - AMA National Hare & Hound Series trom Lucerne Valley, Califomia ..26 SUPERCROSS Round 4 - AMA United States Supercross Series from Seattle, Washington 6 To detumine the upiultion tbte of your subscription, check the four "ambers on the first line of your address label The first two digits indicate the: last issue numoo you'U ruein and the last two characters indicate the year of the WI i5sue. ARSTTEST 1999 Bimota DB4 Sub!cription rates: Rates for the United. States and its possesions for one year (SO issues), S51),OO; two years 000 issues). 595.00; six months (25 issues), S26JXl; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign, one year (SO issues), $90.00; two years 000 issues), $175.00; six months (25 issues)j $45.00; trial sub OS issues), $38.00. INTERVIEW Chaparral Racing's Damon Buckmaster Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial millerial including stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such malerial, if published, becomes the exclusive property of Cycle News. Reprinting in whole or part only by permission of the publisher. Advertising tates and circulation information will be sent upon request. See S.R.O.5. PRESEASON TEST ffi.TA tests at Phillip Island, Australia ..20 W/Bn'A V wn!'"..:-. AUDITED CIRCULAnON Printed in U.S.A. 4 INSIDE: ISSUE tiS FEBRUARY 10. 1999 C0fYright° Cycle News, Inc. 1999. T..demark Cycle New. regIStered U.S. Patent Office.AII rights .......ed. ARENACROSS Rounds 17 & 18 - AMA/PJ1 Arenacross Series from Baltimore, Maryland U 18 ARSTLOOK 1999 Harley-Davidson FXRs 28 DEPARTMENTS EVENTS PRODUCT EVALUATION NEW PRODUCTS ~ RESULTS CALENDAR WANT ADS A VIEW FROM THE FENCE LOOKING BACK .30 .46 46 48 .50 .58 75 75 QN THE FRONT COVER ational 22 Suzuki's Larry Ward went home to Seattle and won. See how he did it on page 6. Photo by Frank Hoppen. I'm su rprised with all the commotion over the absence of Virtual Grandstand on Cycle News Online that you didn't do a better job of steering motocross/web fans in the right direction. While 1, too, looked forward to this year's coverage, one thing I've learned is that you have to be adaptable when roadblocks separate you from that which you desire (in this case, Jive supercross). When I discovered the situation, I decided to explore MotoWorld's site, which led me to pacesupercross.com. It was there that I found a live audio broadcast of the event, with non.e other than superstar Rick Johnson as one of the announcers. In addition to the multitime champion's expertise, we also got to hear conversations with guests in the booth like Scott Russell (in San Diego). All that's needed to "tune in" is a free download of Real Player, which I believe you can accompli h through the PACE site. (l have to admit, I'd added this software earlier so I could catch an inning or .two of an occasional Mets game.) This was all pretty cool, but [ still missed a text format to run down all the results. One shortcoming to the audio was that you were lucky if they named the top five. So I explored a little more, and found a link (still on the PACE site) to the official AMA computer results. Here they listed riders, numbers, placings, hometowns, times, sponsors - just about everything you might want to know. True, you can't log on after the fact and get the race de cription in text, but, hey, this is certainly better than nothing. I might add that Cycle News gets the results posted to it site pretty quickly as well. I hope your omission of this information in response to those irate letters had nothing to do with bad hlood between Cycle News and PACE. While I agree that it seems pretty petty that PACE won't let you do Virtual Grandstand (though I don't know all the facts), telling supercross fans how best to ca tch the races is the kind of service we've come to expect - and appreciate - from you. Keep up the good work. Steve Farenell Saratoga Springs, NY

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