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/128138
T 30 YEARS AGO••• FEBRUARY " 1972 he hype had started even before The smiling face of the executive director of the American Motorcyclist Association, Russ March, was placed on the cover of Issue #3 after he was named the Cycle News Man of the Year. He earned the title by reportedly growing the ~ _._ _ AMA's membership in spite of raising the yearly membership fee from $2 to $7 and for landing the 1973 ISDT in the United States, among other things... Bryan Myerscough destroyed the 100cc Junior class at an .ACA Motocross event at Saddleback Park in Irvine, California. Kawasaki's new prototype MXer made its debut at the event, with Bruce Baron on board. He actually led much of the second 500cc Senior moto before falling ... The OCMC put on a 100·mile Hare Scrambles in Lucerne Valley, California, with J.N. Roberts (Hus) taking his usual overall vic· tory. Second place was a bit more of a surprise, though, as Larry Bergquist (Bul) took the position on a 250cc machine for the 250cc win. the 2002 EA Sports Supercross Series opener at Anaheim, California, and with the completion of round two at San Diego, the phenomenon has reached full pitch: James Stewart is the hottest thing since sliced bread. At San Diego, he fulfilled a dream and made history, becoming a Supercross legend by virtue of both his age and his heritage. He has became the crowd favorite, as evidenced by the fact that he received the loudest cheer of any rider thus far in the season at San Diego. He is talented. He is intelligent. He is gracious. He is well-spoken. He is only 16. That's something that everyone involved in the sport - from promoter to the sanctioning body, from the media to the fans - needs to remember. So I'll say it again: James Stew- 20 YEARS AGO..• FEBRUARY 3, 1982 art is only 16. Why is it so important to remember this? Because for all its reward, fame can exact a heavy price on those who aren't ready to deal with it, and that can lead to dire consequences when people are thrust into the limelight - especially in supercross, an environment that encourages hero worship in much the same manner as acting or professional stick-and-ball sports. It's all rock & roll, baby. In covering the first two rounds of the 125cc Western Regional Supercross Series, I have been present to see first-hand this Stewart phenomenon. The demands being placed on him are great because he's the man right now. It is no different than the demands being placed on the rest of us like it is for Stewart and the rest of his competitors. One thing that I believe about the competitive personality is that it does not seek competition for the sake of fame and fortune - although they are welcome perks. In other words, if nobody showed up to watch them do their thing, true competitors would still want to be the best. They compete because they want to win regardless of the consequences. If they are truly dedicated, they place enough pressure on themselves in the process. They don't need to have that pressure compounded by the rest of us, all the fans and followers who love the supercross superstars, such as Carmichael, McGrath and Pastrana. They all go through it, but I'd be willing to bet you that if you asked any one of them if they have honestly ever felt moments when they wanted to run far away from the microscopic scrutiny that goes hand in hand with their celebrity, they would, each of them, say yes. It's part of the territory, I suppose, but what those of us outside the bub- racing, respect great talent, and often-times are a little overzealous when it comes to our fanaticism. Everybody loves a winner, and so everybody wants a piece. We want to be able to say we knew so and so, and we were "there when." I have already seen this happen with Stewart at the first two rounds of the EA Sports Supercross Series. People - most of them well-inten- ble so often fail to remember - or completely do not understand - is that heroes are people too. For many of us, who are well beyond Stewart's tioned - are tugging on him from every direction, his name called out age, it may be hard enough to remember what it was like when we so much that looking to find the direction from whence the last "Hey, Bubba" came snaps his neck like whiplash in a car accident. He smiles were 16, but I'll bet that signing huge factory contracts and racing in front of 60,000 people wasn't a reality for and handles it well, the best he can as a 16-year-old. And from speaking with his parents, it is obvious that they are incredibly supportive and nurturing people, the kind that you'd like to have in a situation such as this. In fact, I was impressed with his father, James Sr.'s remarks to me: "This is what he wants," not "This is what we want." That's a distinction that speaks volumes. But still, the stress has got to be there, and while I'm hopeful that Stewart will stay the course and become one of the great motocross stars of his generation, I'm also hopeful that his fans and supporters will remember that he is just a kid and help him to mature and grow as an adult - and a human being - not hinder him. In the end, I guess what I'm trying to say is this: In our fervor to embrace James Stewart as the next god of motocross, lets be careful not to crush him. Let Bubba breathe, and it will be better for him - and us - in the long run. Then maybe if he ever goes on to completely fulfill all the hopes of his fans everywhere, he will be able to take it in stride, as the same wonderful guy that he already is. Please worship responsibly. eN • Anaheim II Supercross • Guthrie, Oklahoma Arenacross • We Ride Troy Corser's Factory Aprilia Superbike 80 JANUARY 23. 2002· I: Y I: I e n e _ os Kawasaki's Eddie Lawson graced the cover of Issue #3, advertising the interview just inside. The defending AMA Super· bike Champion credit· ed the turn-around in the Kawasaki racing program to the addition of Rob Muzzy and said that, even though he loves the United States, his ultimate goal was to win the 500cc World Championship, so eventually "I've got to do it:'... Round four of the CMC Golden State MX Series saw Donnie Hansen (Hon) take the 250cc Pro-class victory over Bob Hannah (Yam), Jim Gibson (Hon) and Rick Johnson (Yam). Johnny O'Mara (Hon) and Danny Chandler (Hon) went one·two in the 125cc Pro class, with Jeff Ward (Kaw) finishing third. Brad Lackey (Suz) won the 500cc Pro class ... Kenny Keylon (Hon) won both motos on the way to the 125cc Pro win at round two of the P10rida WinterAMA MX Series. Chuck Sun (Hon) dominated the 500cc Pro class, while Keith Oelerich (Yam) used 2-3 finishes to top the 250cc Pro class. 10 YEARS AGO••• JANUARY 29, 1992 Team Yamaha's Damon Bradshaw whipped it on the cover of Issue #3 after winning the Houston Supercross, round two of the Camel Supercross Series, after passing Jeff Matiase· vich (Kaw) on the first lap. Guy Cooper (Suz) rode to a strong second place, and defending champ Jean·Michel Bayle (Hon) finished third. MX World Champion Stefan Everts started third on his Suzuki but finished ninth. Team Suzuki's Brian Swink passed early leader Doug Henry (Yam) late in the 125cc main to take the victory, as Henry had sucked up banners in his rear wheel. Henry finished second, and Jeremy McGrath was third in the East/West combined event. .. Timmy Ferry (Kaw) won the 250cc Pro and 250cc A classes at round three of the Florida Winter AMA Series, held as an Amateur Supercross in the Citrus Bowl the day after the venue hosted the nation's top pros. Other notable winners at the event included Bubba Stewart (Pee Wee), Matt Walker (65cc 7-11, 85cc 7-11). Ricky Carmichael (85cc 12- 13), and Kevin Windham (85cc 14-15).