Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

something larger than the size of a postage stamp, since it would be nice to actually read the corresponding values on the axes, and 2) How about we pass a law that says for any given motorcycle comparison tha t Cycle News conducts, the horsepower, torque and rpm scales on the graph must match each other or the editor goes to jail? It really would add value when making comparisons between manufacturers. Thanks for an otherwise outstanding publication and keep up the good work. Wayne Waskiewicz East Peoria, IL Who's the doofus? Having observed with dismay the development of the aerodynamic wing thing that adorns the helmet of some of our motocross racers, I was curious as to what it was called. I have not yet determined a proper name, therefore I submit the following. It is a "doofus." Usage: "Did you see that flashing doofus on Ricky's helmet?" Jonathan Kemp Roseland, LA Dirt Track 101 Mr. George Mack's "Dirt Track 101" ideas (Issue #4, February 3) are far too practical, probable and promotable to ever be considered by the AMA. What was he thinking? Brad Oxley San Clemente, CA Is diversity unacceptable? An ongoing theme of writers of letters to your fine paper seems to be that "body-pierced, tattooed and greenhaired" racers are bad for the sport of motocross. I beg to differ. Condemnation of these young athletes - whether they be competitive Pros or "free-riders" - is an apparent continuing controversy aired ou t both on the Internet and in the pages of Cycle NlWs. We have a history in this great country of tolerance and acceptance of different cultures, dress and, yes, even hairstyles - and motocross is the last place this should be challenged. George Washington had long hair and wooden teeth, the Beatles shocked Us with moptop hairdos and strange outfits. Heck, even Michael Jordan came into the NBA with a cocky attitude and tons of jewelry. These. people became accepted and, ultimately, were held in high regard. Is Kyle Petty a bad example or role model because of his long hair, earrings and "different" image? Apparently, a major soft-drink manufacturer doesn't believe so. Please forgive another ASCAR reference, but Mr. Petty seemingly has done no harm to his sport. The problem begins when we start judging people based on their ink-stained arms or shaved heads. Where does it all end? Will you stereotype someone based on the clothes they wear, the length of their hair - or the color of their skin? Motocross has always been about being different. I wouldn't have it any other way. While high school buddies of ours were out playing their traditional ball sports, many of us were tinkering with or racing - our dirt bikes. We were different. I liked being different, and I still do. That's what America is all about. Preconceived notions based on one's appearance are both dated and counterproductive. I think some out there would like us to all be on the same bikes, wearing the same clothes, with similar haircuts - nothing weird or "different." Sometime, take the opportunity to approach one of these young competitors - you may learn something. Most are generally energetic, vibrant, enthusiastic young men who happen to enjoy their chosen sport - and the diversity and acceptance that goes along withthat. Although I am a folically-irnpaired old man with lackluster riding skills, I yearn to be a yellow-haired, tattooedand-pierced, free-riding youth. What could be more fun than that? Since my wife will allow none of this, I choose to remain a hardcore spectator of these wild young men and their flying machines. For all of you out there who would want to calm these passionate trendsetters, I have one word: Chill. Rupert X. Pellett Newark,OH .riders and the guy you just fea tured in a "Ti me Remembered" article is incredible. Johnny' O'Mara always presented himself in a most professional manner, representing not only his employer but his country in the best way that he could. The same goes for Ward, Bailey and the rest. These were athletes you could truly look up to. One of the last. people I want my 8- or 4-year-old sons emulating is Seth Enslow. While he and his compatriots are for the most part not the riders we pay to see, the perception outside of the sport is that they are all one and the same. Television shows like the "Fox Files" couldn't care less if they make the distinction between real motocross and jump videos. The general public dqesn't know the difference between McGrath and Enslow and never will if this is the only image the sport projects. Jeremy McGrath is and always will be a great rider, but maybe Honda had a point when they tried to stop his involvement in the jump videos several years back. The "Crusty Dorks" image just isn't the kind of image that's going to lake the sport to that of the NASCAR level of exposure we all hope it can achieve. We need more riders like Doug Henry, Mike LaRocco and John Dowd, and less of the Crusty Dorks. Think about it: What will the "Time Remembered" features look like 20 years down the road? You should hope they are half as complimentary as the aMara article. Rick Oestricher richo@cybecramp.net Crusty Dorks II I guess I 'have to show my age (40) and agree with Mr. Greer concerning his "Crusty Dorks" letterin your January 20 issue. Like a lot of other kids in the '70s, I got involved in motocross originally because of the exploits of riders like Roger DeCoster, Brad Lackey and the rest. We spent lots of premix trying to imitate our heroes. While this bunch was certain!y no band of angels, the sport they helped build in the late '70s and the early '80s turned into something we could be proud to be involved in. The contrast between most of today's Keep it real I started subscribing to your newspaper a few weeks ago, but I have been a fan of the web site for the last two years. I wish there was some way to let people know how good the weekly-edition is so they don't make the same mistake I did in not subscribing soOner. It's great. One of the things I love about motocross so much is the people involved in the sport. I don't mean the Jeff Emigs or the Jeremy McGraths, I mean the real people ill the sport: the people who go to local tracks and the ones who keep all the local motorcycle shops in business. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting one of the more famous real people of motocross today at a local track just outside of Dallas, Texas, called Mosier Valley Motocross Park. Her name is Dee Woods. She was, without a doubt, one of the nicest people I have ever met. I got to shake her hand and talk with her for a few minutes and even got my picture taken with her_ It's not every day you get to meet a multi-time National Champion, but her easy smile and friendly attitude made it a real pleasure. I know that Jeff, Jeremy and the other "big" people of motocross have a lot of pressure to stay on top, but it is all of the others who keep the sport huge. I, for one, don't ride for money, but instead 1 ride for the fun, fellowship and fitness of motocross. People like Dee make it all the better. Kenneth Daae Burleson, TX 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 letlers 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. . en en en ,..:

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