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/128137
"If you want to boo someone, go o a WWF match - otherwise, show the respect that is deserved." Booing Boo Birds Announcing Woes? he Anaheim Supercross produced While attending the opening round of ome real surprises. One big surprise the 2002 Supercross season, I got to hear the Carmichael boo-birds first Perhaps I am showing my age, but when I go to a motorcycle race, I What Happened? as the poor judgment shown by hristopher Gosselaar. He messed up the whoops and Rodrig Thain assed cleanly. To take the same line s Thain in the next whoop section nd keeping it pinned risked the safeof both riders. I know he was excitd and frustrated by his mistake, but e AMA should fine Gosselaar for nsafe riding. Thain should also be fined for the taliation by the awards presentation fter the race. These are both fine oung men and hopefully they will arn from this experience, but they hand. I am disgusted that people (they are not worthy of being called "fans") would boo a champion like R.C. Every rider out on that track deserves the utmost respect, from the last place Last Chance Qualifier rider to R.C., the defending champ. If you want to boo someone, go to a WWF match - otherwise, show the respect that is deserved. Dean SWeet ConcordCA Lay OfT Carmichael ust be disciplined. On the lighter side - speaking of hoops, I hope someone like David ailey or Roger DeCoster will correct e degradation of motocross lingo. I ear guys interviewed like RC and astrana and they pronounce whoops s whups. Whoops is short for hoop-de-dos, so just remember it is hoooops! We don't want a whole eneration to be led astray. Don Wallace Redlands, CA he Numbers 6ame have been going to Supercross for he past 11 years and will be going to he Dallas race in April. I know that he AMA has changed the way riders et their numbers, but I truly believe hat if a rider wins the number-one late then they should have to sport it. What Ricky Carmichael is doing is slap in the face to past champions, specially Jeremy McGrath, who is a even-time 250cc Supercross Chamion. When Jeremy won the numberne plate he always sported it the ext season. While McGrath showcass what a true champion should be, armichael showcases how to be a hump instead of a champ. Carmichael has no idea on how to e a champion, and what happened o him in Anaheim proves it. He canot handle the pressure of being the unted, while riders like McGrath, usk, LaRocco, Pastrana and others re the hunters. The hunt is on in 002 and Carmichael is the prey. an he defend his number-one plate? r will he lose it to someone like cGrath? Frank DaMomm/o YTa the IntrNnet Although I am a lifetime fan of Jeremy McGrath because of what he has done for the sport of Supercross, I wanted to say something about Ricky Carmichael. When he was introduced at Anaheim, he was booed. He told Terry Boyd that the crowd didn't like him. Carmichael has said in the past that things like that bother him, and they would bother me too. I believe booing someone is ridiculous! It shows a lack of class, and a lack of respect to the guys out there putting on a great show while risking their lives. I always want to see Jeremy win. However, when Ricky crashed, I no longer cared who won. My thoughts were focused only on the well-being of a guy who just had a horrible crash. All I wanted to see was him move his legs. He did and, furthermore, he got up and walked off the track. This guy is tough. He has the heart and the courage to push himself beyond reasonable limits. In the last few years, he has achieved many successes, but has also suffered many disappointments. Anaheim was one of those disappointments. With all the hype going on about this season, it should be no surprise that Jeremy had arm pump and Carmichael crashed. These guys are being pushed more now than ever. Jeremy will regroup and, thankfully, Ricky will heal. This letter is to tell Ricky that there is one guy out there who appreciates the courage he showed at Anaheim. Honda, Kawasaki, crown or not, you showed what it is to be a champion. Thanks for the effort, see you guys in San Diego. 6eotr Patterson YTa the Internet expect to see racing while being informed by knowledgeable announcers. The first Supercross of the year at Edison Field was a spectacle - a motorcycle race it wasn't. Between uninformed, punk rock announcers and more attention being paid to their agenda than racing, we left before the Last Chance Qualifiers. Numerous heats were started without mention, due to announcer inattention, and then much of the action was missed or overshadowed by hype and hyperbole. Less than 24 hours later, I watched the fine coverage on will treat riders to a two-day lesson in slidin' never to be forgotten. You won't believe how fast you can go on a Honda XR 100 until the likes of Carr, Walker and Johnny Murphree show you how it's done in a controlled environment. Wipe that smile off your face, misterl ABC of both the 125 and 250cc finals from the previous night's event. There was great coverage, great announcers, and the parking/refreshments were much cheaper! I am a lifelong motorcyclist and enjoy all forms of the sport from own- :JIm Bensberg Colorado Springs, CO ing to riding, racing, collecting and competing. The monetary insult was bad enough (compliments of Disney For more information on the Supercamps, check their Web site at www.americansupercamp.com. et al), but to add insult to injury the announcing staff (re: female screaming interviewer) was too much for my tastes. I am glad I did not, and will not, purchase any more Supercross tick- Dakar Journal I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying Chris Jonnum's Dakar coverage. It's seldom that we can get ets for this year. I realize that, to grow the sport, a larger fan base must be catered to. But my suggestion is this this kind of daily international race coverage. The "journal" feature helps to get the true flavor of the event. (Clear Channel, AMA or any promoter): Don't forget the true enthusiast (the ones who got you there in the Chilly White YTa the IntrNnet first place) when promoting/presenting your events. I realize the likes of David Bailey or Dave Despain may not be available for every event, but with the prices being charged, please get some personnel that are both knowl- Jonnum will continue to post daily updates and journals {rom the Dakar Rally on our Web site. Check it out at www.cyclenews.com.... Editor The SX Saga edgeable and entertaining. Otherwise, television coverage is getting better I'll keep this short. Three hours of live television coverage versus exclusive agreements with a few arenas. Who all the time and I may just put a satellite dish on my touring bike and forget live attendance at Supercross do you think the factories will back? Like Jerry Bernardo said - enough whining. Concerning Douglas M. Holt's letter (Issue #50, January 2) how many people know what NASCAR stands for? P.S. It's not redneck for nice car. Terry Denemar/( forever! 8IUce Enderle YTa the Internet Supercamp Kudos Two words and a prediction for motorcyclists who want to experience American Supercamp: try it, you'll like it! From the beginning novice to Monncello, IA I'm not sure if I would call Edison Field, Bank One Ballpark, Pacific Bell Park, etc. "a few arenas"... Editor the seasoned pro, three-time AMA Grand National champ Chris Carr and Supercamp founder Danny Walker cue. e n e _ S • JANUARY 16, 2002 5