Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

liTo see him waving the American and Spanish nags after congratulating his teammate and race winner Sete 6ibernau motivated me." Motocross Thoughts After watching the last outdoor AMA Motocross National, I just wanted to express a few thoughts about the 2001 season. First and foremost, my hat is off to all of the competitors in both the 125 and 250cc classes. Now to the AMA. I am wondering why the AMA does little to enforce existing rules of competition. And why the AMA seems to be in the business of putting out fires instead of preventing them. In the 125cc class this year, Duke Finch apparently turned a blind eye every time Mike Brown took someone out (ask Fonseca, and Sellards, for starters). And then when Grant Langston takes it to Mike Brown, Mr. Finch feels the need to talk with both of them. Earlier in the year, some people were talking trash about Grant for taking out Bobby Bonds. If anyone watched the race on TV, they would have seen that Mr. Bonds drew first blood with a lot of uncalled-for tactics. So, again, Grant took it to Bobby. The problem is, the AMA allows this kind of activity in the first place. Sort of like closing the gate after the horses are out. Now the AMA wants to adopt a rule limiting four-strokes to 450cc in the 250cc class. I guess they are following the FIM. Funny, I don't think a four-stroke over 450cc's made it in the top five of the year-end results. Kind of ironic too that this rule came out just before Honda released their new four:stroke. And since the AMA thinks that NASCAR has such good ideas, perhaps they should impound a few of these "factory" bikes (in both classes) right at the finish and have an independent firm test the bikes for legality, and rear-wheel horsepower. I wonder how a power-to-weight ratio would look? Dale 'E' Covington Sunland,. CA Benefit Thanks On September 30, the second annual Freddy Wiechers Memorial Benefit Motocross was held. Freddy was a Pro motocross racer and his life tragically ended at the age of 17 when a teenage driver in a truck hit him on a crosswalk while he was out training on his bicycle. Freddy's race is an annual event that lets the Wiechers know that he is still in our hearts. Some of the proceeds go toward the Freddy Wiechers Scholarship fund at the "I Can Do Anything" Charter High School and the rest goes back into a race fund to make Freddy's race bigger and better each year. This event "gives back" to racers and their families for their dedication and sacrifices to the sport of motocross. The day is filled with free food, fun, raffles, prizes, good racing and a good family/friend atmosphere. I had over two pages full of people and businesses that donated time, food, raffle items, money, and prizes. I want to say a huge thank you for making Freddy's race such a big success. The event could not be held without you and/or your support and on behalf of the Wiechers and myself we appreciate everything you all did. I would love to list each of you individually, but they don't allow me enough space in the editorial section. You know who you are - the best businesses and people in the west. More than 550 racers along with their families came from all over the West Coast to support Freddy's race and words can't say enough about how the Wiechers family and myself feel about all of you. You're the greatest; we love and appreciate each and everyone of you. Thank you for your support! On behalf of the racers and their families, we want the Wiechers to know that Freddy is and always will be in our hearts. He was a great guy and you make us realize how special everyday is to be able to have and hug our kids and friends because life can be so short. Phyllis Mason Mtnden,NV Brown Fan? I have been a Mike Brown fan prior to his first Budds Creek win while wearing number 92, but he has lost a lot of my respect for him this year due to his inappropriate and aggressive riding tactics. I encourage Mike to earn back this respect while representing the prestigious number one. Intentionally. slamming someone from behind is dangerous for not only the victim, but also any surrounding riders and the aggressor. This should not be tolerated. I recall Ricky Carmichael slowing and allowing Jeremy McGrath back around after an inadvertent tap during a Super· cross earlier this year. That is racing and sportsmanship at it finest. We should not have to regulate sportsmanship. Larry Ward, Doug Henry and Travis Pastrana are the type of role models our aspiring young riders should receive influence from. These guys are true professionals. Let's not allow AMA Professional Motocross to sink to the level of the barbaric WWF due to blatant disregard of sportsmanship. If the riders cannot control their actions and their employers (i.e., sponsors) condone this behavior then the sanctioning body needs to regulate the common sense and consideration that sportsmanship deserves. Congratulations, Mike, on your AMA Championship. Represent it proudly. Mark Lambert Whllelbrd,. MD fans at races and such, and a big thank you again for autographing my Pro Circuit-era poster and also for the jersey. Best of luck to the Hughes family. Ryan Kosanke sacramento, CA No MX des Harley And Hughes Nations - What? I've never written or e-mailed a publication before, but the last couple of weeks have been shocking.- and that is not even broaching the heinous attack on our country. First came the announcement that Harley-Davidson was pulling the plug on the VR 1000 program. Even as a big fan of H-D and the VR, I cannot deny that the VR had a ways to go to be a champion. That Hog was ready for the museum and needed to be replaced, and I'd hoped it would be next year for the 100th Birthday with direct competition for the Ducati and Aprilia on the showroom floors as well as the track. But Milwaukee poured ice water on that wet dream." wish Pascal Picotte and Mike Smith the best of luck they both deserve top notch rides next year. Well, unless Victory or Indian has something up their sleeves, all the weight lies on Buell's shoulders for a championship-winning race bike. What is the story with Buell trying to get the Firebolt okayed for 600cc Supersport? Will it be competitive? On another subject, I would like to state that it sucks that Ryan Hughes was forced to retire do to his injuries. But I'm glad he's doing it and putting his family and his health ahead of his passion. Retiring must have been a hard decision to swallow. At least he will still be involved with the sport he loves. I would like to thank Ryan Hughes again for being so cool to his cue I • I am a team manager for a mountain bike race team and we were at the Mountain Bike World Championship in Vail, Colorado, when the terrorists attacked. There was a lot of talk about canceling the event, but it was decided that we would go ahead and race. We cannot let terrorists control what we do. I am very sad and disappointed that the U.S. will not be defending its title in the Motocross des Nations. I don't know who decided not to go, but in my opinion it was the wrong decision. It just goes to show that we can be controlled. Craig Hoyt VIa the Intemet Patriotism I just wanted to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the actions of Kenny Roberts Jr. following his hard·fought third-place finish at Valencia last weekend. To see him waving the American and Spanish flags after congratulating his teammate and race winner Sete Gibemau motivated me. Watching him fall to his knees and plant the two flags while seeing other American flags waving in the crowd was not just a statement of his patriotism, but also of how great the motorcycle racing community is in general. Trent Ferris VIa the Intemet n • _ S ' OCTOBER 10, 2001 5

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