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/128024
aVe you heard of a guy named Scott Parker? A vote for Scotty cott Parker has won more National hampionships than Kenny Roberts, ay Springsteen and Chris Carr comined. He has won more Nationals an any two of the aforementioned ombined. He has been dirt track racg for more than a decade, yet he asn't in your century wrap-up. He asn't even mentioned. Get real, guys. Mark Havill Do recordbreaking victory and championship tallies a Rider of the Century make? Some Scott Parker fans think so. Penn Yan, NY And another ey, guys, what's with Springer being amed Dirt Tracker of the Century? ave you heard of a guy named Scott arker? I believe he broke every ecord there was. You should reconider. Karl Kegel Rockford. IL In total agreeml?nt just finished reading about the Riders f the Century and I couldn't agree ore. Kenny, Roger, Springer and alcolm have made motorcycling hat it is today. To them, I say thanks. Ph;//;p Doyle Pulaski. VA When a Brit isn't a Brit hen are you going to stop referring o Jeremy McWilliams as a Brit? Get it nto your geographically challenged ead - Mr. McWilliams is an Ulsteran. Ulster is one of the four rovinces on the island of Ireland erefore he is an Irishman. I know the Brits have not had a ero in Grand Prix racing in many a oon, so they are only too willing to dopt an Irishman to fill a void in imes of drought. However, if said Irishman were just making up the numbers on the grid, he would be referred to as simply an Ulsterrnan - if 'ndeed at all. This is not my first time to write you on this issue. I do not need a geography lesson from you as a reply. I happen to know better - I grew up on the island. Sean McClain Yonkers. NY I absolutely refuse to be a sarcastic smart-ass - something to do with a New Year's resolution. Until next time... Editor Safety first Regarding "A Day in the Dirt/A Day in t e Hospital," Mr. Stanley has made s me very good points regarding safe: ty, but has failed to mention that it is the responsibility of the riders to see what is safe and what is not. I see the riders failing to notice this responsibili- . ty time and time again. With respect to Donovan Mitchell and his misfortune, my heart goes out to him and his family. I have first-hand knowledge of the confusion and pain that he is experiencing at this time - it is overwhelming. Because my career-ending injury is directly related to the lack of use of a neck roll and chest protector, I have devoted my attention to the public by speaking at schools, hospitals, fairs and motorized events. I attempt to convey the negative effects of alcohol and drug use on the human body, why helmets, chest protectors and neck rolls are so important, and the need to create mandatory use of these safety items by professional riders. A portion of my time is spent instructing young athletes how to ride dirt bikes while attempting to enforce the need for safety gear at all times. When a young individual responds to me by saying that Jeremy McGrath or Ricky Carmichael, among other leading riders, don't wear neck rolls or sometimes even chest protectors, so why would I, I quickly inform them that males aged 16 to 26 have the highest risk of obtaining a spinal-cord injury. I educate them on the ways to prevent these types of injuries and tell them that what they view on television and read in magazines is not reality. These riders could be only one crash away from ending up in my situation. So with that in mind, I continue to promote the use of the equipment while racing at AMA Pro events and I encourage other promoters to do the same. I know that this will minimize the number of lawsuits. I recently attended the opening of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum and the 75th anniversary of the AMA in Ohio. I accepted my award and was interviewed and I talked about how the AMA should be more concerned about the safety of the riders than such things as minimum weight requirements and production rules. I attempted to inform the AMA that spinal-cord injuries are as equally important to prevent as head injuries. Like the helmet, neck rolls, spinal support and chest protectors should be mandatory safety items. For the sake of your children and this sport, speak out today. Life in a wheelchair is no cakewalk and it can be prevented by intelligent decisions. See you all next year at "A Day in the Dirt." Danny·Magoo ~ Chandler Truckee. CA Progressive Insurance recently became the title sponsor of the AMA Grand National Championship... Editor Mad as hell I don't know about anybody else, but I am mad as hell about Clinton's proposed National Forest policy. Any trail less than 50 inches wide will be off-limits to off-highway vehicles. How can a government tax us on lands for use and then turn around and ban us from the same land? How can the U.S. Forest Service - that we help fund through our tax dollars not even inform us of a public comment period? For our government to screw the people that support it is revolting, to say the least. Then we sit back and let it happen. I will no longer fly the American flag or recite the pledge of allegiance - to do so would be a mockery of a country that treated everyone fair. This is a free country as long as you do what the government and squirrel groomers want you to do. This is B.S. - off-road outlaws we will become. Magoo can be reached at 530/5872944 or 530/587-1882 (fax) ... Editor Behind every good man.. I just want to say that I really enjoyed the article on Chris Carr (Issue #50, January 5). He is truly a champion, but his wife, Pam, is also. She is a wonderful lady who supports her husband tremendously. She is just like Chris in that she always has time for the fans who want to share in their celebrating. The Carrs are a great example of what good people there are in dirt track racing. Good luck to them for continued success. Crystal Miller Steve Heck Heyworth. IL Anoheim,CA Going Progressive Steve, you don't have any weapons in the house, do you? .. Editor can't thank Progressive Insurance enough for getting involved in our sport. I'm buying all my insurance through your company - starting right now. I've been racing at the Amateur level for 30 years. I was even leading the pack once when a little Mark Barnett passed me on top of a berm like a rocketship. And a young Chris Carr has also passed me. I've always loved and involved myself in racing - either by contributing to race payouts, or extra bonuses for winners. I love it. Also, hello to Bruce Bober - he used to be my tuner, the best there ever was. The Baker did it With all due respect to Frank Weeink and Michael Scott, didn't Steve Baker win a World Championship in the 750cc Formula One class before Kenny Roberts won his 500cc title, thus making Baker the first American to win a World Championship? Mike Show Mikell8osaber.net Steve Baker was Formula 750cc World Champion in 1977 - the same year that he won the Daytona 200, which was part of the series that year... Editor De:nnis Corlesa r art Col/ins. CO cue •• n e _ S • JANUARY 19, 2000 5