Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

lIlt seems quite obvious Who earned the number-one plate for 2001." The Supercross Saga many of the venues currently being raced on by our Supercross heroes. The AMA might have a hard time with touring bikes, cruisers and other things that the hardcore race fans who make up the bulk of Cycle News' drawing the world's premier racers to Here we go again. Although I appreciate the AMA for fighting for the rights of motorcyclists of all kinds, time and time again it has shown that readership don't give a rat's behind a bunch of "hokey" arenas with sub- about. par tracks, lower-level riders and Chuck Ball Springdale, AR it has no business running/promoting all forms of motorcycle racing. I can't wait to see what a mess the Supercross series will be in 2003. How much money will this one cost AMA members? Sure motorcycle racing has had tremendous growth the last few years, but has it grown at the rate of other sports? I think not. My gosh, lawn mower racing gets better television than motocross. Who watches TV on Saturday mornings anyway? The Supercross Saga III one, call Bill France and save motorcycle racing. Sean Rocke Y1a ftle Internet The· Supercross Saga II Insport at another time when the As soon as they realized they weren't king of the hill after all, they came crawling back with their tail between Looking at the new Clear Channel 2003 Supercross schedule, I must their legs. Every time the AMA pulls this ask: Is there going to be a Daytona garbage with Supercross, it never has Supercross? Is any other firm going anything to do with what is best for to put on the race? If not, it's going to the sport, the fans, the riders or the really hurt Bike Week - don't you factories. It has to do with power and think? money - in that order. Mike Perry Y1a ftle Intemet of all types will never get the respect, the AMA at the helm. Please, some- seem to recall something called AMA tried to fix what wasn't broken. In my opinion, motorcycle racing growth and exposure it deserves with Secondly, in the words of Ronald Reagan, "There they go again." I lower payouts. up with something so ridiculous. Use your last chance race for a regular night - not the biggest race of the year. Think about it. I hope the factories go with Clear As it is currently run, the title of Channel and tell the AMA to stick it! "number one" is based on the L Greer evening's final race - and only the Sprfngdale, AR The Daytona Supercross has never final race. Not an accumulation of been promoted by Clear Channel (PACE, SFX, etc.). It has always been part of the series, but has always that evening's or even yearly points Well, looky here: Savioe and a "rat's behind" bike - all on one cover... Editor been promoted in-house by Daytona earned by a rider and his overall performance. Why even bother with the rest of the program? In years past, Wanting Recognition International Speedway. The fact that it is not on the Clear Channel sched- this title has been given based on points, with the highest scoring rider ule for 2003 likely means that it will earning the championship. Makes be on the AMA schedule instead ... I hate to say it, but the AMA has apparently shot themselves in the foot over this whole deal with Clear Channel. This will no doubt bring Recently, Costa Mesa Fairgrounds Editor held its annual National Champi- Well, the promoters of this track onship for Speedway motorcycle rac- seem to have their own interest in Mladln And The World sense, doesn't it? mind with no regard to what is appropriate for this particular event. Even with no recognition for it. Fans stood about many problems involving ing. Only one rider proved himself a true champion - yet he walked away with the majority of the riders attend- in disbelief - how could this happen? Supercross, the AMA and its rules, I have one simple question: Perhaps I the teams, the fans, and most impor- missed something, but why is Mat Josh Larsen was the only rider scoring method, it has remained the tantly the riders themselves. same for the past few years and kept ing meetings to protest the current Mladin still in the AMA Superbike with a perfect score of 16 points and, Now, more than ever, it will be Series? Especially since Alstare needless to say, he was a huge crowd this championship event running like important for the riders to become Suzuki seems to be having its share pleaser. He is also the overall points some sort of circus act. This isn't the involved in their sport. The riders of trouble on the world level. leader for the year, winning three of first year we've seen this happen. may very well be put in a situation to I find it pretty silly that he is con- the four major speedway events of It may work out well for the pro- have the final word over this whole tent with winning the AMA Champi- the season. It seems quite obvious moters, but for someone like Josh matter. A rider's union should be put onship over and over. who earned the number-one plate for Larsen, who has dedicated his life to 2001. the sport, the event was the final together before the start of the 2002 Mam Robinson Supercross season to hopefully work Y1a ftle Internet together with the AMA and, more The title instead went to Chris crush. Now he is finished - done. Manchester, a rider who snuck into Because he can't do any better than he already has done. Not one rider importantly, Clear Channel Entertain- Two reasons: Mladin likes it here and the final race on a "last chance" ride ment. he's never been approached with an designed for riders who did not do proved to be better than Josh Larsen offer that intrigues him enough to go well over the course of the evening. that Saturday night. He earned a per- His overall points earnings for the fect score and is the highest scoring Clear Channel obviously has the upper hand in the whole mess by announcing a schedule for 2003 and a TV deal through 2005. But, then again, every rider in his/her right elsewhere... Editor Been There, Done That night was only an eight. How could rider of the year. He is the best. He is this possibly be considered a profes- number one. He didn't need a last- sional or fair way to conduct a cham- chance race to prove it. pionship event? Nowhere else will mind will go for the AMA titles. It sure HoItyDoan you find a professiona I sport that San Clemente, CA would sound funny fighting for a I have two comments. First, I think "CCE" title now, wouldn't it? Another Angelle Savioe deserves a Cycle offers a "last chance" spot on a thing to look at is the fact that Clear News cover. Especially now in the off championship program. Leave it to Doan is the sister of Josh Larsen ... season when we typically find covers the promoters at Costa Mesa to come Editor Channel has promoting rights at cycle n • _ s • NOVEMBER 28, 2001 5

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