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/127986
for Harley this year before they decide road racing will never again be competitive for the orange and black. Bill Lepior blepior@cognex.com The Russell File II , While Scott Russell is obviously one of the best riders ever, his recent behavior is truly embarrassing. I.magine the time, money and work Harley-Davidson invested in this year's Daytona, only to have their star rider sitting at home. What's even worse is that in recent interviews, Russell claims signing with Harley was about a fresh challenge - not money. This coming from a rider who spells his name "Ru$$ell" on the back of his leathers. How stupid does he think we are? Sandy Callas Deerfield, IL Time to change Enough is enough. Scott Russell's 'injury and subsequent absence from the 200 is just the last in a long history of problems whim are pointing to the overdue separation of Daytona Bike ~eek from the Freaks' Spring Picnic. When J started attending in the late '50s, the whole focus was on the racing. By.the late 70s, the Freak Picnic had pretty much taken over and the only reason to go down to the beach area was Roxy Rockwood's radio show at the Hawaiian, Interest in the racing is now almost undetectable among the bikers at Speed Week, and there are many more speed-tweekers at the beach than there are engine-tweakers at the track. Most importantly, attendance at the Speedway has been steadily declining over the years because so many racing fans are no longer willing to put up with the hassle of the crowds and chaos downtown. Since the Freaks' Spring Picnic is now a more firmly entrenched American happening than even Sturgis, nothing other than moving the dates of the race week to later in the spring, or perhaps even in the fall, will return the focus to racing and the throngs of racing fans back to the Speedway. Don Draper Dana Point, CA A gala of champions I just got home from my first Daytona excursion in over 10 years and had the best experience ever. While the guys at the Cycle News tent gave me the latest copy, signed me up for a one-year renewal and gave me the 1998 SOOcc GP review video, what really made the trip so great was actually meeting numerous World Champions, shaking their hands, getting autographs, and just shooting the breeze with Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Randy Mamola, along with Don Emde, Bob Hannah and Doug Chandler. And those are to name just a few. I figured with Yamaha's announcement of their "Weekend of Champions" autograph session that the lines would be out to the parking lot. But John Schiavone nailed it in one of your past issues when he wrote on his perspective of the lack of spectator involvement. Where was everyone? Now, I'm not trying to be a hypocrite. I used to live below Daytona and attended every race 1 could, but moving 800 miles away and starting a family kind of puts the kibosh on any Bike Week (until now), but when I walked through the line at the Yamaha tent to meet past champions in less than 20 minutes on both Saturday and Sunday, I knew something was up. Those who didn't attend missed a great opportunity to visit the greats, see the Rl Yamaha repIi-racers of Wayne Rainey's Marlboro bike (which Lawson rode in an opening ceremony) and Kenny Roberts' black-and-yellow bike of yore (which Randy Mamola thoroughly thrashed in great showmanship in the same opening ceremony), the Muzzystoked 1999 ZXR-llOO Lawson replica, the incredible Y2K bike and hundreds of other great exhibits - along with a heck of a close race. Okay, so maybe all of the Harley folks didn't show up because they beat up their own rider, Scott Russell, in a fight bad enough to cause him to "no show." But if half the people visiting for Bike Week had gone to the race, the crowd would have been massive. John is right: '1t sure would be nice to have more fans in the grandstand." I'll be back to support the event again next year. Mark Peoples Chattanooga, TN Bill Boyce Motorcycling lost a friend and ambassador last week as Bill Boyce, former head of AMA pro racing, passed away. Always ready with a smile and a pat on the back for competitor and spectator alike, "Cap'n Billy" was a.true gentleman and motoring enthusiast. A very young Randy Mamola. Mamola was one of several former racers who Yamaha brought to Daytona for a celebration of champions. I will always remember him for his love of the sport and the unique phrases he invented in the course of doing business. He will be missed by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. Jim Bensberg Colorado Springs, CO Bill Boyce died on March 9-. See "In The Wind" for more irrfonnation ... Editar The Mouth Question to Larry Huffman: Do the two supercross races you have announced since 1989 include those you didn't attend? Sadly, the man of "five" cliches still doesn't get it - no one cares who the announcer is. The stars are on the stadium floor, not in the announcing booth. Maybe Mickey Thompson was telling you something - or is he just blackballing you, from the hereafter? Fear not, Larry, your intrusive, condescending, "slick as a mayonnaise sandwich," P.T. Barnum act might still be fresh - at a state. fair cow-chip-throwing contest or at the two-headed calf exhibit. They'll pay the 'two and a half cents. After all, you'll supply the megaphone and the cheap suit. Howard Jacobs White Plains, NY Sweep apologies J would like to begin this letter with a sincere apology to Jeff Meek ("Voices," Issue' #10, March 17) and any other racers who found our sweep riders offensive. [t was not our intention to hinder your race progress. In fact, the reason for the number of sweep rider we used during the course of the race is to minimize response time to riders in need of assistance. With the safety of the participants in mind, we were successful in reducing the number of injuries by over 50 percent. This was due to the new course configuration, sweep riders and radio personnel. It is very difficult for a small club such as the Prairie Dogs to put on an event of this magnitude, With almost 1300 participants, we are sure to have some unfortunate incidents. We do, however, take your concerns seriously and will look to do a better job next year. J would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Meek and all the other participants for racing in the 1999 Prairie Dogs Grand Prix. Also, tha;'lks to all the Prairie Dogs and UEA club members, Lori Yarnell and the Glen Helen staff, and countless others. Without you, we couldn't have-put on this race. Ray Powers Riverside, CA Powers is the president of the Prairie Dogs Motorcycle Club... Editor Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 5084. Costa Mesa, CA 92628ยท 5084, faxed to 714/751-6685 or e-mail, editor@cycle- news.com. Published lette.rs do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Lnc. Letters should Ro't exceed 200 words and all letters an 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.