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/128129
"Our sport has no room for booing someone who is a winner in every sense of the word. 11 NoWey knew the deal with Nick Weyand eremy McGrath's team was doomed rom the start. With Skip Norfolk as mechanic, it just wouldn't work. They could never advertise the team as "Norfolk and Wey - man." Or maybe you already thought of hat. John Johnson Via the Inmmet You're one step ahead of us... Editor Don't Brown Bag, Or Bag Brown I've noticed several letters banging Mike Brown for not being a gentleman motocrosser, citing how Ricky Carmichael graciously allowed Jeremy McGrath to pass in a past occasion as an example of how motocross is supposed to be done. Well, maybe you should go back and review some of the National motocross television footage and just look at how Ricky comes through the pack - it's rarely gentle, rarely illegal, but always with authority! I think the real fact is that Brown has never gotten the respect deserved by a veteran and charger, sort of the way Mcgrath never accepts LaRocco as a threat. The riders probably have, but the fans seem to need to be made more aware of Brown's talent, skill and, especially, drive. If you look at those two green-bike riders and remove the numbers, I don't see much difference in the passes. F.M Weiland Renton, WA Kudos to Bevo I would like to publicly thank and recognize Bevo Forti of Scott USA and Davey Coombs of Racer X for their assistance and contribution to the World Trade Center rescue workers. When I heard on the radio that the rescue workers were in need of eyewash solution and work goggles, it occurred to me that motocross goggles would offer much better protection than the industrial eye protection I saw the workers wearing. I called Davey and asked if he could put me in touch with Bevo. He immediately responded by contacting Bevo and offered to help in any way he could. Bevo got in touch with me and informed me that Scott had already donated thousands of eyewear, but would send me every available pair he had so I could get them into the workers' hands right away. He shipped me a huge box that 1 brought directly to the workers' staging area that weekend. No doubt it was greatly appreciated. They both deserve a pat on the back. Thanks for your support, guys. Curt Bush Via the Inmmet The Number 3 I feel I'm not alone when I say that I was somewhat offended when I read that Joe Kopp had chosen National Number 3 for 2002. To the legions of Ricky Graham fans, this just does not seem right. Joe may very well say he chose it out of admiration, but if Will Davis had achieved a single-digit number, would it be all right to take his? To the Ricky G. faithful, it still seems like yesterday that we lost him, and with five single digits to choose from, why the number 3? Maybe Joe is of the age that he does not remember Steve Eklund, Gary Scott, Randy Goss and Mike Kidd. Joe Kopp is a talented rider and a credit to dirt track, but the numerals I, 2 and 3 seem like they should be reserved for the select few who have truly paid their dues. I'm sorry, Joe, but you're just not there yet. BIll Allen Allentown, PA The Last On Booing RC Having witnessed the deplorable actions and read the recent "rationale" for their conduct, I feel the need to add my two cents to the peanut gallery. First off, I felt mildly ill when I heard a vocal minority boo Ricky Carmichael at the U.S. Open and the comment from a mullet-coifed "fan" who yelled "Sell out!" What heinous crime did Mr. Carmichael commit to warrant such behavior? He changed teams, thereby increasing his salary, among other things. How could he do such a thing! No one else in the history of motocross has done anything like that! Except McGrath switching from Honda to Suzuki to Yamaha, Emig from Yamaha to Kawasaki, Dymond from Husky to Honda, Ricky Johnson from Yamaha to Honda, and Ron Lechien and Hannah (for you oldschool guys). The bottom line, in my humble opinion, is that he - like all other riders - owes nothing to the motorcycle manufacturers they once rode and won championships for. They were employees who, through their talent, brought acclaim to themselves and the companies they rode for and were paid by. It's their job! I find it hard to believe that those who use this rationale find so much loyalty to the gas station or quickie mart they work for to not "turn their back on them" in order to make more money. And how could Honda "steal" him away? If 1 were Honda, I would be doing anything I could to win a championship. They are in the business to sell motorcycles and win championships, and championships sell those bikes. Here's an idea: don't buy a Honda. Sounds like a good way to protest to me. Carmichael is a good champion. He isn't dirty, doesn't talk trash and lets his actions speak for themselves. All I've ever heard him say is that he gives 100 percent all the time and wants to win more than anything. J applaud him and McGrath for dominating the sport. I sometimes get bored watching them win everything, and I hope the competition steps up and gives them a run for it in '02. My hat's off to McGrath as well. Despite horrendous luck at the Open, he charged and gave his all, never giving up and riding it out. Watching him carve through the pack was inspirational and the mark of a champion. I am glad he took time to acknowledge his fans at the end as well. Our sport has no room for booing someone who is a winner in every sense of the word. In 2002, I eagerly anticipate an MCjRC battle and will be pulling for and admiring both of them (perhaps a little more for the underdog). But, regardless, 1 will applaud the performance of the winner - they deserve it. ErfcO'Ha"a Via the Inmmet across the country. We can no longer afford the status quo. It speaks sadly of the sport when the primary track safety device, the hay bale, is the same today as it was 50 years ago. This is the 21st century. Certainly there must be devices out there to make tracks safer. Let's make some noise and get things done. Let's make these tracks safe, so these courageous warriors can race another day. Pemr Reynolds Bolse,ID Testing Kudos Dirt Track Safety Randy Kremiacek's letter (Issue #41, October 17) is the same letter I have been thinking of writing for the past couple of months. The overriding term I would use to describe this year for dirt track racing would be tragic. Yes, there has been some good racing, but at what cost? Too many riders have been seriously injured, and words fail me in describing my feelings about the deaths. Over the years, Cycle News has reported pages and pages of text on the crusade to improve road racing safety. Great steps have been taken in recent years to improve track safety at road courses around the world. Dirt track safety has also graced the pages of your paper, but not to the same degree. I think it is time to start another crusade. We - meaning the promoters, the riders, the media, and the fans - must demand improvements in track safety cue I e n I wanted to give my kudos to Cycle News for their unbiased testing of the 2001 250cc motocross bikes. The Honda prevailed, and said victory was well deserved as the bike has a revamped powerplant, excellent suspension and state-of-the-art perimeter frame that all manufacturers need to implement SOOl). The Suzook also was given kudos due to excellent suspenders and a much-improved powerplant. Unlike the intellectual dishonesty of some of the other magazines, Cycle News did not attempt to trash the Honda's state-of-the-art powerplant and pander to the Yamaha. Frankly, anyone can win on any of the top five bikes, and preference should boil down to price, dealer support, and even color. Your unbiased testing points out the positive attributes of each one, inclusive of the KTM. This builds credibility with the readers. Hopefully, we will see perimeter frames utilizing trick aluminum alloy on all the new bikes - they look sano, handle better, improve durability and resale value. Hopefully, the makers of the KX will take note when they design their 2003 bikes. Ron Nlcoleffl 61endale, CA _ .... s NOVEMBER 7, 2001 5