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/128131
30 YEARS AGO•.. NOVEMBER 30, 1971 A couple of mystery riders were pho· tographed for the cover of Issue it46 catching air at the Payallup, Washington, Trans· AMA Motocross. Bel· gian Suzuki riders pret· ty much dominated the event, with Joel Robert taking the win with a 1-3-1 moto tally and Roger DeCoster finishing second with an ultraconsistent 22-2 ... Desert racer J.N. Roberts was injured while doing stunt work for the movie "Speed Limit· 65 mph" in Venice. The scene called for Roberts, who was doubling for actor Virgil Fry, to jump a chopped Harley 74 into a station wagon, and because he wasn't supposed to be wearing a helmet for the scene, Roberts suffered severe facial lacerations... Suzuki· mounted Rich Thorwaldson won the Turkey Run at Red Rock Canyon, Califor· nia, putting him closer to the desert num· ber·one plate. 20 YEARS AGO... NOVEMBER 25, 1981 Team Yamaha's local boy Broc Glover dominated the final round of the AMA Supercross Series in San Diego, California's Jack Murphy Stadium. Team Honda's Jim Gibson and Donnie Hansen rounded out the top three overall, but Team Suzuki's Mark Barnett, who fln· ished seventh overall in San Djego, easily won the Championship with two rounds remaining. The event also marked the flnal race of Marty Smith ... Husqvarna's Terry Cunningham won the AMA National Enduro Series fmale in Tulsa. Oklahoma, but his teammate Dick Burleson used a second· place finish to win his unprece· dented eighth consecutive Enduro title ... Tommy Clowers won the Junior Cycle Novice class at the San Diego Amateur Supercross, while Kyle Lewis won the Junior Cycle Expert and aocc Intermediate classes. Kawasaki Team Green's Billy Liles won the 250cc Pro class ... Ron Lechien and Rick Johnson topped the 125 and 250cc Pro classes, respectively, at the Jack Clawson Memorial Pro Race at Barona Oaks, near San Diego, California. 10 YEARS AGO... NOVEMBER 27, 1991 Issue *46 was our special Dual·Sport Issue, and featured a dual· sport rider cruis· ing across its cover. Our premier dual·sport story focused on a trek to catch a glimpse of Christo's "The Umbrellas, Project for Japan and USA.' Because )-5 was clogged with peo· pie who wanted to view the piece of art, Team Dual Dogs decided that riding to it off· road would be the best way to view it • and a great excuse for motorcycling... The team made up of Larry Roeseler. Ted Hunnicutt and Marty Smith won the Baja 1000. They finished the 754. l-mile race in 13 hours, 35 minutes and 25.4 seconds. Second overalJ went to the team of Danny Hamel, Jimmy Lewis and Dave Ondas ... Jean·Michel Bayle (Han) clinched the Masters of Motocross Championship with his win at the Monte Carlo Supercross, even though there were still two rounds left in the six·round series... Ron Lechien (Kaw) showed he was taking his comeback very seriously as he topped Brian Swink and Steve Lamson for the win at the Osaka Supercross in Japan. sewhere in this issue, we've devoted a substantial amount of space to seriously examining the recent announcement by AMA Pro Racing that it was splitting with promoter Clear Channel Motor Sports starting in 2003. /l's a serious issue, completely devoid of any humor· or so YOU'd think. In a valiant effort to lighlen the mood somewhat, we've taken a Dr. Demento·esque, tongue·in·cheek approach to this issue's editorial. Dh, what the heck; just take it for what it really is • a desperate, 71 tho hour attempt to qUickly fill space on the last page. E It seems that the factories play an important role in which series is ulti· you guys instead of the current promoter? "There's been a change of heart." mately successful. The current race promoter has sanctioned a road-race How far do you think you can take series and a dirt·track series without the support of the factories, and they supercross? "Into the great wide open." haven't done so well. But you've still got a lot of plan- "Yeah, they're free-falUn '." ning to do, especially considering the fact that you've never promoted a Yerso bad. "Hey, that's my line! Stop draggin' motorsports event. "Well, we're learning to fly, and my heart around." Dh, sorry. Anyway, it would seem we ain't got wings." that there's an opportunity to make a lot of money in the sport of super- So you guys must be chomping at the bit to get started in 2003. Is that cross. correct? "Sure, the waiting is the hardest part." As you know by now, the current But you do have to wait, because sanctioning body of supercross rac· the other promoter has one year left on its contract. ing has announced that, starting in 2003, it will be joining with a new "Yep, it'.s their last dance with Mary Jane. Dne more lime to kill the pain." promoter. We had questions, and we decided to call this new promoter to get the answers. Some guy on the other end picked up the phone and The other promoter is bound to put up quite a fight with its own series after that, however. Are you ready for claimed to be a high'ranking official who had just returned from a tour with musician Tom Petty' who the that? "Well, I won't back down." promoting company represents. The interview follows. So, what would your message be to the other promoter? "Surrender. " So, how was life on the road, G? "Hey, did you just call me a road· ie?" And what is your message to the other stakeholders in this sport? "It'll all work out." Uhh, no. Why, are you? "Not as far as you know." Well, okay. First of all, thanks for It seems that the sanctioning body and the current promoter have been at odds for a long time. How would taking some of your valuable time to speak with us and to clarify some things on this important issue. We know you're usually on a busy schedule with your other endeavors. "Yeah, you got lucky, babe." We actually have quite a few ques· tions for you here. "Breakdown. Go ahead, give it to me." How did you come to be contacted by the sanctioning body? "Even the losers get lucky some· you describe their relationship? "They're two gunslingers." And after the smoke cleared, the "Yeah, and too much ain't sanctioning body picked you. This enough." has got to be a momentous time for But with all of the concerns with your company. where the factories are going to race, "You don't know how it feels." it seems that the privateers could get lost in the shuffle. Are there any plans How do you characterize supercross' role within the current state of to improve their lot? motorcycle racing? "Well, they don't have to live like a "It's the best of everything." refugee." You've obviously heard the con· times." Do you remember who first contacted you? We've heard that while the current cerns of those who think that your promoter is responsible for 70 per· involvement could send supercross cent of the live entertainment in the • She was an American girl, I U.S., your company is only responsi- down a dangerous path. "Yeah, we know· straight into think." ble for the largest portion of the darkness." What was your initial response to the sanctioning body? "So, you want to be a rock 'N' roll star, huh?" remaining 30 percent. Is this true? "Who told you that? I need to supercross is maintaining its current When you sent in your proposal to the sanctioning body, what was going through your mind? "I was running down a dream that would never come to me." What will be the telltale signs that know." growth trend under your promotion? "You gotta listen to her heart." Sorry. We can't reveal our sources. "Come on. Don't do me like that!" You've clarified a lot of things for us. Can we contact you if we have No, really, we can't say. "Dh, man. You 'rejammin , mel" any further questions? "No; don't come around here no eN Anyway, so why do you think that more." the sanctioning body chose to go with CDmingupin Cycle News • Berey Supereross • First Ride: Buell Firebolt • Albany Arenacross cue I e n D _ S • NOVEMBER 21, 2001 95