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/127991
Happy association I received my copy of Cycle News last night and immediately went through it as I always do. The significant element for me in this issue (recognizing that I'm always stoked to see a cover photo of Mazda/Chaparral's Jeremy McGrath) was the open letter from Carrie Coombs from the National Promoter Group. The announcement in that letter of the creation of a $200,000 NPG riders fund for the 1999 AMA Mazda Truck Motocross Nationals is very significant and exciting. It's to the credit of the NPG, under the Coombs leadership, that the diverse series sponsors and affiliates can pull together in such a formidable way. As Mazda is the title sponsor of the outdoor AMA series, I'd like to express my appreda tion to the NPG, the associated series sponsors, and the AMA for the obvious level of support, cooperation and enthusiasm for the growth of the Nationals. Mazda is very proud to be associated wi th these organiza tions, and I can personally attest to the great working relationship we have with all the individuals involved. The combination of the NPG riders fund and the Mazda riders fund, the exposure on espn2, the related promotional activity from Mazda, our advertising agency Doner, and our publicrelations agency Hill & Knowlton, and, hopefully with the support of the critical journals of the sport, Cycle News included, we will have a synergistic effect to make the 1999 Mazda Truck Motocross Nationals the greatest in memory. Again, my thanks to the NPG for their drive and commitment. Jack Stavana Irvine, CA Stavana is the group manager of marketing for Mazda's North American operations ... Editor Brandon Layton Memorial We want to thank the Hemrnes for putting on the Brandon Layton Memorial race on April 18. It gave us another chance to help Brandon's parents, who are going through grief that we cannot begin to comprehend. I admire the strength they showed by being there. I know that this was a very difficult thing for them to do. We also wanted to let them know that it may be hard for others to show them the comfort they need right now, but we all know by going to the races Ezra Lusk and Ricky Carmichael (center and right) every week that Brandon is still a big part of our lives and he is missed by everyone. Not a weekend goes by that he isn't talked about or remembered in some way. Even though he had lived in California for only eight months, he immediately made an impact on all of us and his absence is hard to believe. Every race that goes by, we all wish we could hear the announcer calling his name as he leads the pack. Brandon was a part of our racing family. We think about him every day and pray for Allen and Lori - that their pain will ease with time. Brandon will live in our hearts forever. The Garcia family Hesperia, CA What a weekend Kenny Roberts Jr. wins in Malaysia. Larry Pegram wins Willow Springs. Troy Corser and Carl Fogarty duking it out, with Colin Edwards third - and beating Aaron Slight. Was April 18.a good day for America or what? Best damn day of racing on the television in years - tllanks, Speedvision. Hey, is it time to add some weight to those Ducatis? Oh, wait, I forgot - the last time we added weight to the Ducatis, they got faster. Never mind. Mike Rush cbrlOOO@home.com You do the math I just read where Ezra Lusk says he has bea ten Jeremy McGrath more times than McGrath has beaten him. I just want to know - is this some kind of new math he is using? Jim Morgan jimm@esl.com You do the math II Please clarify for me Ezra Lusk's comments about him beating McGrath more times than McGrath has beaten him. Don't all the riders start behind the same gate every weekend and have the same ellance for victory? Don't they go "head to head" at every race? I'm not a blind Jeremy supporter (actually, I'm a Jeff Emig fan), but with McGrath pushing 60 wins and now six championships, I really think no one but there can say they've beat McGrath more times than McGrath has beaten them. Jef A. Morgan morganja@prodigy.net. Vintage dirt track Having finished reading the latest letter regarding "The Mulder Gripe" by Louis Joseph, who was commenting on the George Cummings letter, we felt we had to respond. First, Louis, where it is true that tracks can't be prepared to everyone's liking, we would suggest that your decision to "finish a main event with a jammed throttle, using only a kill button" for the prize of a trophy would at best be considered poor judgement, and without doubt renders your opinion as to track conditions questionable at best. (By the way, Louis, flat-track motorcycles have never had front brakes.) Second, and more importantly, everyone who enjoys vintage dirt track would agree that dirt track racing coming back is a great thing and it's wonderful to have a track to ride on. However, to have many tracks to ride on (i.e., a series), we need a national organization. AHRMA is essential to that end. lt is a national organization with both national and regional events. Without suell, many car-racing gr~ups. and class- es have died, and so will vintage dirt track racing. These events increase rider participation, motorcycle value, and quality of race tracks. If you don't believe that the recent increase of AHRMA dirt track events has increased the value of oUr old dirt track bikes, try to buy a bike for the recently added '70s Singles class and see how much the price has gone up. AHRMA has a set of rules for everyone. We don't agree with all the rules, but in (any) large group not everyone does. However, they are set to make fair and safe racing for all concerned - causing more rider involvement and racing on more and safer tracks. Promoters who don't like the rules and decide to run races against AHRMA events are at this time very bad for the sport. We don't have enough competitors to. split them up. By the way, we are not including Gene Romero's series, as we believe that his series is a stepping stone for Semi Pro and Pro riders and is not competing with Amateur organized competition. In addition, the record should be set straight. The recent National at Willow Springs did not make money for any AHRMA officers, board of directors, etc., nor did an AHRMA officer promote it - the Garage Company promoted it. Mr. Gary Davis has worked tirelessly (working for free!) to establish a West Region and National Championship circuit. Let's see how many "promoters" will go to the other tracks and do tem, etc., at their own expense. We doubt you will see many. All promoters who want to run events are expected to go by the rules. If you want to ellange them, run for the board. When a promoter doesn't follow the rules, they don't get permits it's that simple. Tom Horton and Art Fredenburg Newport Beach, CA 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. en en en ..... 5