Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

II A new Interceptor with an 820cc V-five... Hmmm." The V-Five For nearly two decades Honda was determined to win the most prestigious four-stroke-engine-based road racing series in the world using Vfours. From the introduction of the original Interceptor in 1983, Honda continued to develop competition machines for AMA and then World Superbike using the same basic Vfour platform - until giving in to the V-twin crowd this past season. They even resorted to the use of the wellchronicled oval piston V-four for GP racing. Since the news of the new V-five surfaced, I have been considering Honda's approach to the new GP rules. They have always chosen what they feel is the best design for a particular task and stuck with it through failure and success, refining and developing all along. Occasionally, they give in and adopt other designs: V-twin Superbikes and liter-class fours with 17 -inch wheels, for example, but they always stick their corporate pride on their latest design. It was with this in mind that I thought, too, that a production machine with the new V-five is a definite possibility. Honda has displayed another very predictable trait, the four-year life/production cycle of machines. With the current, and only remaining, V-four in Honda's lineup at the end of this cycle, it would seem only normal to see its replacement carry this new engine. A new Interceptor with an 820cc V-five ... Hmmm. work, an honest 10-percent increase in horsepower and proper working (track by track) suspension - just like the other guys! Harley, and John Baker, is that too much for an American Superbike fan to ask for? MIchael Rumng YTa the Intemet What's In A Name? I have read with great interest about the changes in the Grand Prix rules that will allow four strokes to compete. I can't wait to see (and hear) the newall-out racers. What should they call this class at the pinnacle of our sport? Why not Formula One? F1 is the name of the top class of car racing; 250s can be F2 and 125s can be F3. . Surely you can see the writing on the wall that the 250 and 125cc classes will likely be filled with four strokes sometime soon too, so why not plan the names for that eventuality. Makes sense; it's easy to follow. George Leavell YTa the Internet Sign My Bear We had a tremendous time at the Anaheim III Supercross, except for one negative aspect. Our son wanted the McGrath Extreme Bear (which was advertised on the Jumbotron). The tag on the bear states: "When Jeremy comes to your town, have the champ sign your bear." Then, after waiting two-and-a-half BanyCtum hours in line, McGrath is not allowed YTa The Intemet to sign anything other than posters. This was tough to explain to a five- Harley's New Boss Memo to John Baker: Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig. KalWllson Shadow Hills, CA The VR1000 year-old. When visiting the Kawasaki pits, all of the riders were exceptionally friendly and showed interest in our little boy - too bad there wasn't a bear for any of those riders to sign. I would like to show my sincere thanks to the Kawasaki team, and a great big thank you for Ricky Carmichael for making our time I can't believe what I have just read. After eight years of struggling and now after supposedly adding a little new energy via John Baker into the program, the best he can come up with is: "I believe there is potential left in this design"? The "only" American Superbike needs a shot in the arm and it needs it now. To not show up at the early rounds of tire testing and to tack on another year on a road-weary, at best, platform does not alleviate our fears of another lackluster season. Through Cosworth and a supposed 35-50-percent increase in budget, the minimum we "Harley fans" should see is modern, aerodynamic body- worthwhile and our little boy so excited that he got to talk to him. ROHWal1h Sparks, NY RC And History My hat is off to Ricky Carmichael for doing something incredible. He is the first and only person Jeremy McGrath has ever finished second place to in back-to-back Supercross main events over the last eight years. That's an amazing feat for the champ himself - I guess that's why he has seven Supercross titles. :JImmy WIlliams San Jose, CA Good Job, Vipers First of all, I would like to commend the Desert Vipers for putting on another outstanding race at the Adelanto Grand Prix, although it was under some very stressful political pressure from the AMA District 37 officials. As was reported in a previous issue, District 37 was insisting on the Vipers making all racers join the District just to race this event - no "Pie Platers." This race has been very successful in the past and this requirement had the potential of reducing the entries by as much as 30 percent. As a result, the Vipers decided to put the race on as a non-District event due to the additional expense that would be imposed on the riders. Unfortunately, they suffered because of this decision. The District, in an underhanded ploy to insure the Adelanto Grand Prix would be a failure, scheduled a double-points-paying Grand Prix at a nearby track on the same weekend with the same classes scheduled to race at the exact times as the Vipers' race. What the hell is wrong with this picture? Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the idea was for us to all work together for a common cause. For several years, I was an AMA/District 37 member and was even active as an officer. During my membership, I saw the District negotiate away our riding areas with no input from its members, utilize coercive tactics to prevent me from protesting a race that was in direct violation of the District rules, and instruct their members to not wear their club colors or District numbers at the Barstow-to-Vegas protest. They didn't want to "make waves." Why should I be surprised that they tried to impose these restrictions on the Vipers? The District has had a declining membership for some time and they a re getting desperate to try to increase that membership any way they can and to hell with the riders. For some time, the District has tried to take the Adelanto Grand Prix away from the Vipers so they can dictate the rules and recoup the revenue. The Desert Vipers is a reputable club and do more than their share when it comes to supporting the sport. They are active in joining other groups, such as the Blue Ribbon Coalition, miners, ranchers, etc., in trying to keep open lands open and also take on the greenies to get the B-to- V back. Some may not be aware that they always give back to the city of Adelanto for their support and cooperation in putting on this event, n a U a •• including providing the city with a "Jaws of Life" for their rescue unit. The relationship that the Vipers have cultivated with the city of Adelanto is commendable. Without the city's support, there would be no race. The Vipers also put on multiple races each year for the District members to participate in. Without clubs like this, there would be no District. Now I hear that the District is contemplating kicking the Vipers out of the District. Maybe they will end up with the Grand Prix with this approach. I would like to ask all District and non-District riders and racers to support the Desert Vipers in their tough road ahead. Until the District and the AMA realize that it is all about fun and not about politics and corruption, they are destined to perish in the offroad community. Unfortunately for us, that means we are too. John Fuller Glen AvO/'\. CA Edmondson vs. AMA I read the court decision on Edmondson vs. AMA and your blurb In the Wind. I notice you chose to focus almost exclusively on the "AMA wins battle; war yet to be decided" angle of the story. The reduction in damages certainly seems big news. However, I hardly think the AMA can claim much of a victory when three appellate judges refer to their business practices as "unethical," "pernicious," "unfair, rt "deceptive," and more. Frankly, I was largely unaware of the details of the case before this decision and hadn't thought any worse of the AMA over the affair. But after reading the judgment in favor of the AMA, it seems to me they are the ones who come out of this the poorer, regardless of what Mr. Edmondson receives in the end. RHenry DelMar,CA e _ s FEBRUARY 21, 2001 5

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