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/128128
"If you are an AMA member, votel If you are not a member - joinl" Make Some Changes I just received my October 17 issue today and am moved by the Voices page to write. My letter has two parts, and I would prefer that you publish the first part and do as you see fit with the rest. Mr. Miller deserves a public thank you and the racers deserve better representation. First, I want to thank Mark Miller for an unprovoked act of kindness toward my wife and I at the Vegas AMA race weekend in 1998. Mark may not remember, but he loaned us his pass after overhearing our discussion with officials who were denying us Friday access (this after we were allowed entrance on Thursday, and having been led to believe we purchased four-day passes). Now that Mark is retiring, I can thank him publicly for being such a stand-up guy. You really made our weekend. I, for one, would love to have seen what you could have done on a full-factory ride. Thank you and best of luck in your new adventures. Second, Mr. Kremlacek, there is something we can do about the dangers involved in racing besides hand wringing. There is an upcoming election for seats on the AMA Board of Trustees. This election will present an opportunity to elect members who really care about rider safety and growing the business of motorcycle racing at the same time. Take the time to educate yourself on the issue and find out who the racers will be voting for. If you are an AMA member, voteI If you are not a member join! At least that way next year you can act positively about your concerns instead of just hand wringing. Tony LeOalr VIa the Internet Boo Birds I had heard various negative remarks this fall (through the press) regarding Ricky Carmichael joining Honda, but I didn't put too much stock in it. Now I read that he was booed at the THQ U.S. Open. For all of you out there who think Ricky Carmichael is a weasel for leaving Kawasaki for a better paying job at Honda, consider this for a moment. Ricky has raced Kawasakis his entire racing career. That alone constitutes unbelievable loyalty. For all the money, time and effort Kawasaki contributed to Ricky, he rewarded them with many, many championships and professional records. He flat beat Jeremy McGrath in Supercross last year for crying out loudl Kawasaki had to be very aware " ~ I ~ ~ ~ z ~ L:I..O;..;...;...... I z -.-,;:..- that the other Japanese manufacturers were likely seeking Ricky. Kawasaki could have (and perhaps did) tell Ricky that if he got an offer to give them a chance to match it. Perhaps they couldn't afford him now that he's the hottest rider in the U.S., if not the entire world. Kawasaki got more than their money's worth from Ricky. I admire Ricky's loyalty to Kawasaki over many years and I also admire Ricky for being smart enough to take a better paying job when the opportunity presented itself. Kent Downs Ashford, cr Boo Birds II You don't see Michael Jordan getting booed by loyal Bulls fans because he now plays for the Wizards. Rather, you see seats selling like hotcakes when he plays in their arena. You didn't see McGrath getting booed by loyal Honda fans when he jumped ship to Suzuki. The fact that people boo Carmichael is ridiculous. I'm a fan of every professional racer and thoroughly respect their ability. Why should they be held to standards by fans who force them to be brand/team loyal? When your career life expectancy is as short as it is in this sport, who wouldn't try to make as much money as possible? I've owned Kawasakis and Hondas. I didn't boo McGrath because he switched to a bike I didn't ride. I respected his decision to do what was best for his career and to get as much money as he could. In fact, my interest in the sport was rejuvenated because he changed his winning formula and I was excited to see the results. That's exactly what Carmichael has done. Why is he held in a different light? Shane 60ebel VIa the Internet - - - I ~ sport. I have not had the opportunity to hang out with RC, but he seems to be sincere and we all know he is committed to the sport. MC, of course, is a likable guy. I have a few stories of my own of having the privilege of spending time with the champ after a race or two. The bottom line: I am glad that the man to beat the man was someone who is gracious and has not been a whiner throughout his career. Whiners don't become champs - just ask Ezra Lusk (sorry, I couldn't help myself). Boo Birds III I had to laugh after reading about Ricky Carmichael getting booed from fans at the U.S. Open. I hope he gets booed all year from true motocross fans. Let's see... Kawasaki gives him everything he wants/needs to be successful since his KX60 days with their anticipated investment of a National Championship. Then he wins and won't carry a number one (how many times has that happened?) and immediately takes the money from Honda. I relate this to hiring an employee, giving them all the tools they need to be successful, including investing my time and money, and then watching them leave to the competition. Shame on Ricky and shame on Honda, but paybacks are hell and the boos are deserved. I hope Honda hears the boos by fans of the sport by the fans not buying their motorcycles and products. ErnIe Wall Dallas, OR MX des Nations I was bothered after reading Craig Hoyt's letter "No MX des Nations" (Issue #40, October 10) - What? Craig compares the MX des Nations to his event. His event was already in progress on our own soil - Vail, Colorado, probably not a popular terrorist target. This is quite different from getting on a plane, flying across hundreds of miles of ocean and then traveling and spending days in a foreign country. I'm sad and disappointed also, but in lieu of the recent circumstances, I think the right decision was made. As for who made this decision, I don't know, but I'm guessing it was a joint effort between the racers, their families, the AMA, and other people involved. I'll bet a key factor in making this difficult decision was the concerns of the families of the people going over there. No, we cannot let terrorists control our lives and as a proud American I never willi But there's nothing wrong with protecting our people or postponing something to show respect to others in a time of such a tragedy. ScottMyers Colorado Spt1ngs, CO Boo Birds IV I'd like to let Ricky Carmichael know that there are a lot of us who are not booing him. I am not sure what the problem is. I ride a Kawasaki and didn't think a thing of his switch. Anyone with a brain knows it's a business decision and in our personal lives if there is something we can change at work or in our personal lives to make it better we do it whether everyone agrees or not. I think it's more because McGrath has such a huge following, and it's tough for them to accept that he is not on top at the moment and may not be again. I can't wait to see the '02 Supercross season. But I look at it like this; both of those guys are mature and are good reps for our cue. e Pete Noneman Max-atawny PA n e __ S • OCTOBER 31, 2001 5