Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper Volume XXXVI Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher No permanent numbers 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 Advertising Western States (714) 751-7433 Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Monager Rhonda Crawford, Ad Coordinator Bridgett Bobrofsky, Assistant Advertising Eastern Sta tes (770) 934-7850 Greg Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager Jim Clark, Eastern Sales Manager Carla Alien, Ad. Coordinator Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Director Forrest Hayashi, Ma.nager Kory Klinger, Dealer Representative 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 KJein, Administrative Assistant AccountingfData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordi/lOtor 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 Headquarters 3505-M Cadillac Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-~ (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 , Collarbones Permanent numbers in supercross? I think I'm gonna be sick. While they're at it, why don't they knock down all the jumps and build a big, banked turn at each end of the st(ldium? Then they could bolt little fiberglass Monte Carlo and Taurus bodies over the motorcycles. Of course, the AMA comes up with a system that is more confusing than the one currently in place. Individual sport knowledg~ i~ usually a source of fan pride; just ask any stick-and-ball fan. So why should supercross cater to an uninformed fan base? Those who want to know why Larry Ward is number seven this year when he was number four last year will ask. Those who don't care aren't going to leave because all those numbers confuse them. Achievement should be rewarded and a supercross racer's most visible sign of achievement is a number plate with a number in the top 10. Why should that be changed so some drunk in the stands can act like he knows what's up? Sam Kistler Birmingham, AL I'd like to make some points in response to Jon Thomas' letter (Issue #14, April 14} regarding Kevin Windham's collarbone injury and the 'use of shoulder pads for all riders. Although wearing a chest protector with shoulder pads could prevent some colIar1?one injuries, most collarbone breaks occur when the edge of the helmet slams down on the bone during a crash. A neck brace seems to be the only solution for this problem, but most ri· - . ers wouldn~t want to deal with the reduced mobility caused by a neck brace. As for the AMA requiring the use of shoulder pads, although a collarbone injury is painful and can keep a rider off his bike for a number of weeks, the injury is in no way debilitating,. so steps should not be taken to "protect" the rider from this type of injury. I don't believe any top Pro racer would choose style over substance. Namely, if the benefits provided by wearing a chest protector outweighed the inferior mobility provided by this gear, you'd see everyone wearing them. .Obviously, this isn't the case. Pam Falcioni Bend,OR In defense of Scott . Recently it has come to my attention that Mr. McGloin and other letter writers ·have been defaming Scott Russelb As a personal friend of his, I am very disturbed by your allegations and question your persistence to mislead the public. I would like to address some poin ts in which you've shown your ignorance regarding Scott. First, he is extremely dedicated to his sport. He maintains a regimented schedule that enables him to be successful. Secondly, your reference to the "Scott Ru$$ell bar brawl" leaves one to wonder why you are so determined to find fault with Scott. Therefore, since you have chosen to be Scott's great attacker, I will leave jt up to the public to decide what Scott is like. You believe you are' an influence in writing your letters. However, you and I both know that people are capable of making up their own minds without your great words of wisdom. Amy Chandler Conyers, GA The Bud Man e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com I liked the cover of Cycle News featuring the "Bud Man," Buddy Antunez (Issue #14, April 14). He definitely deserved a Internet http://www.cyclenews.com I! ... ~ ,. • ~ Q Floyd is the voice of the AMA/PJl National Arenacross Series... Editor Arrogance or stupidity? In your BMW test ("In the Lap of Luxury," Issue #8, March 3}, there is a remarkable quote from BMW's Mr. Robb. "We at BMW are fortunate to be the only manufacturer in the world that produces both automobiles and motorcycles..." Have you ever heard of an obscure outfit called Honda? Or Suzpki.? Rudi Zacsko Sr. Edmondton, Alberta, Canada INSIDE: ISSUE #16 APRIL 28. 1999 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 C,dillnc Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Periodicals Post.1se Paid at Costa Mesa, CA and al additional mailing office. canada Post International Publications Mail #546615. II shot a t the cover for winning the las t three Arenacross Championships. I also think he should be considered for a nomination as Rider of the Year. Anyone who has been to an Arenacross in the last three years knows how hard it is to duplicate his feats. Each one of those riders competing for the title rode four main events on a weekend - for 17 weeks. This has to be the most grueling sched ule in motorcycle racing. It is good to see that Cycle News covered the series to the extent that it did. You put that many talented riders in a bullring and you know it's going to be a good show. My hat is off to the "Bud Man" : his number-one plate is well-deserved. Robbie Floyd Denton, TX POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 9.2628-5084. To determine the expiration date of your subscription, check the four numbers on the first line of your address label. The first two digits indicate the lasl 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 (25 issues). 526.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign, one year (50 issues), $90.00; two years (100 issues), $175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; tri

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