Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Voices America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper Volume XXXVI Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/Copy Editor Matt Freeman" Assistant Editor Alan Cathcart, European Editor -David R. Holther, Copy Editor LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What's with AHRMA? First they made problems with Team Obsolete and nOW they took vintage dirt track racing from Eddie Mulder. These two people have done a lot for vintage racing. Keefer F1anner Topanga, CA Western States (714) 751-7433 Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayash.i, Western Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Ad Coordinator Bridgett Bobrofsky, Assistant Advertising Eastern States (770) 934-7850 Greg Mitchell, Enstern Accounts Manager Jim Clark, Eastern Sales Manager Carla Allen, Ad Coordinator Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Director Forrest Hayashi, Manager Kory Klinger, Dealer Represelltative New Media Development Rick Matheny, Webmaster Classified Ads Melissa Alvarado Graphics and Production Mandy Loo, Art Director Amanda Wollny, Lead Graphic Artist Paul Fisher, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Pam Klein, Administrative Assistant Accounting/Data Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant In response to the letter from Jody Mulder ("Voices:' Issue #12, March 31), I should start by thanking her for clearing up the confusion about the dirt track event at Willow Springs on Easter weekend. A group of us from Northern California had already decid-, ed not to attend the event, just because we though it was being promoted by Eddie Mulder. Last year the track was both dangerous and crappy - just because he didn't pay for good dirt to be brought in. Then he had the nerve to charge the highest entry fees ever, just to pad his own bank account. Mulder has never cared about the racers at all. Even at the Sacramento Mile, when it was postponed because of rain, those of us who had to leave to go to work the next day were refused a refund on our entries. He is always corning up with new ways to get into our wallets. At least there are people like Rod Lake, Gary Davis and Steve Monger out there looking out for our best interests. Thank you, guys. If Mulder isn't involved with Willow this year, then we will attend from up here. George Cummings Fremont, CA Theresa Milburn, Credit Circulation Alma Anguiano, Circulation Manager Carol Maggio, Processing Coordinator Joy Lau, Dealer Coordillator Service and Support Shannon Clark, Receptionist 11m 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 FAX (714) 751-6685 Eastern Office 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 subscribe®cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141~340) is published weekly except the last two weeks of the calendar year for $50.00 per year by Cycle News, Inc., 3505-M Cadillac Avenue, Co~ta Mesa, CA 92626. Periodicals Postnge Paid at Costa Mesa, CA and at additional mailing office. Canada Postlntemational Publica~ tions Mail #546615. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box. 5084, Costa M.esa, CA 92628-5084. To determi.ne the expiration date of your subscription, check the four numbers on the fustline of your address label. The first two digits indicate the last issue number you'll receive and the last two characters indicate the year of the last issue. Subscription rates: Rates for the United States and its possessions for one year (SO issues), $50.00; two years 000 issues), $95.00; six months (2S issues), $26.00; trial sub. (15 issues), $]9.00. Canada and Foreign, one year (SO issues), $90.00; two years 000 issueS), $175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; trial sub (15 issues), $38.00. Cycle News welcomes unsolidted editorial material including stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such material, if published, becomes the exclusive property of Cycle News. Reprinting in whole or pari only by pcnnission of the publisher. Advertising rates and circulation infonnation will be sent upon request. See S.R.D.S. llfIlJIIIAllOIUol Very ugly? I personally think the VR1000 is bu ttugly. It looks like before the bike was finished, someone was out testing it and ran into a baby carriage and decided to keep it on the front end for a fairing. Come on, Milwaukee, is tlus the best the USA can do? Is this the best aerodynamic shape? The Ducati looks like the F-16 fighter tha t it is. It's hauling ass just sitting still. The VR rooks outdated and doesn't igIute any enthusiasm from lliis superbike fan. Even if you manage to get the thing On the podium, that really won't do it for me. How about an F-117A Stealth-style (one piece) fairing design? Now that would kick ass. George Marshall Windsor,CA Mulder gripe Advertising ':f W/BPA "i: 'VI cerely hope this new partnership with Ford will have a positive impact for the VR1000. Susan Mrozovich Battle Creek, MI AHRMA gripe AUDITED CIRCULATION ~ Printed in U.S.A. 4 Co-,:,yrightC Cycle News, Inc. 1999. Trademark Cycle News registered U.S. Patent Office. All rights reserved. The VR1000 After reading a letter from .J ohn A. Muzika (''Voices:' Issue #10, March 17), I have to ask him one question: John, 'are you out of your mind? I totally agree that Scott Russell is a great racer and an all-around good guy. As for HarleyDavidson being the greatest American motorcycle, I hope you're not referring to the VR1000 that Scott now rides. The last time I checked, this motorcycle is not for sale in America or anywhere else in the world. Also, Harley-Davidson always had the brains to hire great racers. Miguel DuHamel rode the VR1000 in 1994 with less-than-stellar results. He joins Honda in 1995 and wins the AMA Superbike Championship. Doug Chandler Where's Stavish? A muddy Matt Slavish en route to finishing second overall in the Wilseyville Hare Scrambles. replaced DuHamel and also had a disappointing season on the VR. He joins ~awasaki in 1996 and wins the title in '96 and '97. Chris Carr, a champion from dirt track racing, couldn't do much on the VR1000, so he went back to dirt track. Thomas Wilson gave the VR its only podium finish when he ended up second at Mid-Ohio in 1996. Last but certainly not least is Pascal Picotte. During the 1998 season, he was usually rmming in the top five when the bike would qui t, ending his hopes of a podium finish. So you see, John, Harley-Davidson and the VR1000 never lacked the great riders to win a race. They lack a bike with the capability to match the riders' abilities. Harley-Davidson does not take its superbike racing seriously. I purchased a VR1000 T-shirt at MidOhio in 1995 and ha ve yet to find a new one to purchase. Harley does not promote its superbike program at the race track or at the dealerships. I sin- INSIDE: ISSUE #14 APRIL 14, 1999 CROSS COUNTRY Round 3 - AMA GNCC Series from' Cross Anchor, South Carolina 28 . FEATURES INTERVIEWS Colin Edwards II Ernesto Fonseca Gene Romero 6 22 .24 DEPARTMENTS QUICK LOOK RIDING IMPRESSION 1999 Suzuki SV650 10 , PRODUCT EVALUATlON EVENTS ARENACROSS Rounds 33 &34 - AMA/PP National AX Series from Salt Lake Oty, Utah 12 RESULTS MOTOCROSS Lake Whitney Spring National MX from Lake Whitney, Texas 14 Round 2 - World Championship 125cc MX Series from Cingoli, Italy .....16 Round 2 - World Championship 250cc MX Series from Megalopolis, Greece...18 . WANT ADS LEADERBOARD CALENDAR DRAG RACING Round 2 - AMA/Prostar Drag Racing Series from Atlanta, "Georgia 20 IN THE TAPES ..: : LOOKING BACK 26 26 30 42 44 45 54 .71 .71 ON THE FRONT COVER Suzuki's SV650; AMA/PJ1 Arenacross National Champion Buddy Antunez; 125cc MX phenom Emesto Fonseca; and Castrol Honda's Colin Edwards If. Your whole report on the AMA National Hare Scrambles round in Wilseyville, California, was all about Blackwell, Blackwell, Blackwell. What about the other stories that took place in such a physically demanding race? It's not every Sunday you see or participate in a race in those extreme conditions. The stories you get from tha t kind of race are the ones tha t the older generation can talk to you about all day. Matt Stavish was behind Doug Blackwell coming into the first corner when he fell and ended up last off the start. He had to pass everybody to get back to the front of the pack. and ended up swapping the lead all day. Wow! What a story that would have been. The-energy Stavish must have put out to not only pass but lap a large portion of the racers! You guys really missed one hell of a story. When a man has that kind of desire to accomplish something like that and tell you about it with a smile like no other - now that's motorcycle racing with heart. Kirk Kellermann Minneapolis, MN Wanting pads After reading about Kevin Windham's recent collarbone injury (his seventh, no

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