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/128139
"Can 1 the racers decide what the t best tire for the track is?11 Be Like Bubba just saw James Stewart race for the rst time and it hit me: Now I know hy Ricky Carmichael switched to onda. Allen Smlttl Oriando,R Not Number l? ill everyone please stop calling icky Carmichael "The number-one late holder." How about "the numer-one ranked rider?" or perhaps, the defending champion?" After all, the number-one plate ould have a number one on it ouldn't it? Bitt Bouman San Clemente, CA Wyn's Trick 500 fter seeing Wyn's RZV500 (Issue 3, January 23) I continue to believe at the Japanese factories owe us ne last batch of 500cc Grand Prix eplicas before the class turns fourtroke. Even if they are not street gal here, we will find a way to get em. Twenty -five years of history hould be commemorated. On a side ote, I also still believe that when the our-strokes begin to dominate the lass, the two-strokes should be iven additional displacement as an qualizer. DavtdBelI Castro Valley, CA Get Jeremy Naked noticed that Jeremy McGrath is upposed to be in the February issue f Playboy. I'm going to have to buy t, even though I am a girl. Someone needs to encourage Jeremy to go in Playgirl nextl nnaUeb VIa the Intemet leave It To Beaver? Mr. Bruce "Bitchen [, Bizarre" Enderle, better known as Beaver, dominated MRA Roadracing in Colorado during the mid and late '70s on a Kawasaki Z-I. So yes, Beaver, you are showing your age. I first met Beaver at Woody Creek Raceway in Aspen, Colorado, in 1977. Beaver never complained about the safety boulders that lined the outside of the Aspen Race Track. Yes, Virginia, big boulders the size of Volkswagens were just 20 to 30 feet from the edge of the pavement at Aspen. But Beaver never complained about going 130 mph a few feet from them. Now in his letter "Announcing Woes" ("Voices," Issue #2, January 16), Beaver refers to the way that the punk rock announcers looked at the Anaheim Supercross. Well, you should have seen Beaver in his prime back in the '70s. Beaver resembled either Black Beard the pirate or a Manson family member with his long black hair and long black beard. But Beaver was a hero due to his talent and courage, winning races on that evil-handling Z-I. Beaver, go ahead and complain about the announcing at the supercross, but just remember what you looked like back in your prime. We love ya, Beav. Dr. Bob Brownell VIa the Intemet African American? In the coverage of the San Diego Supercross you said James Stewart was the first African American to win a Supercross. What about Greg Albertyn? :Jerry :Jetton Diamond Bar, CA Albertyn is from South Africa. And he's not an American... Editor Sunday Is For Riding Let's see. Supercross live on Saturday night or warmed over later the next day, week or whenever? What we have had has been good, but this can be better. My Sundays are for riding and racing. When the supercross is close by, I am in attendance at the stadium with family and friends. Live racing coverage to watch on Saturdays can only make for more fun on Sundays for us old "Ex-pro, go-fast amateurs" and for anyone else who wants to ride and/or watch. This includes "pavement pounders," i.e. street riders (don't sweat it, I like the street too!). The AMA is comprised of riders, racers, bike and aftermarket manufacturers, race promoters (large and small), and many other professionals. The decision to change I'm sure was made with the greater good in mind. But, one thing to reflect on, even Penske came back! Long live supercross (motocross too). Mlke:Jones VIa the Intemet An Apology Jerry Bernardo was right - now is not the time to whine. I am guilty. My hat is off to the supercross racers. Carmichael, McGrath, LaRocco, et al. deserve credit for their courage and skill. These are the heroes who give the sport a huge boost. in light of the recent political ramblings. My comments toward Ricky Carmichael have been blunt, but I must defend him for his work ethic, his competitiveness, his desire, and his tenacity. Carmichael waved McGrath by after a f1uked pass; and I never remember another racer exhibiting such cordial behavior in a main event. That maneuver earned my respect. Shame on me for judging someone by their communication abilities, or lack thereof. LaRocco received a bad rap for not being a crowd-pleaser. LaRockets racing does the talking. Racers never deserve to be booed at any event. People show their ignorance by exhibiting that type of behavior. The riders are risking their lives and limbs - they deserve our respect. Thanks for your defense. Tell Terry Denemark that I know what NASCAR, CART, IRL, FIM, AMA, SX, WFO, DNF, and AHOLE are acronyms for. I, truly, remember what it was like to spectate at outdoor supercross races in Charlotte and Atlanta. I hope that the factories exercise prudence and place rider safety first when they decide what avenues to race in 2003. This is one subscriber who will no longer write critical letters. My passion for the sport clouded my judgment. Happy trails race fans. missed him. Gobert saw Erick walking away dejected, came over and signed numerous items and showed him his bike. Erick was on cloud nine and talked about it often. Tom Kipp had done the same thing for Erick in Las Vegas several years ago. Erick thought highly of all the riders. As I approached the Yamaha tent where Anthony, Wayne Rainey, and one or more of the Hayden boys were signing autographs, I was openly crying and could barely get the words out. Anthony was very kind and patient and signed several items as well as saying some very nice things. Mr. Rainey was just as kind as were the Haydens and the Yamaha people in the tent. I then went over to where Kevin Schwantz was signing autographs and the same crying, understanding, and patience were in evidence. I stayed a while longer, then rode home on Highway 1 remembering the good times and what wonderful people motorcycle racers really are. Several months later, I went over a cliff on my beloved FJ1200 with 301,000 miles on it and promptly broke my back and totaled my bike. Quickly, members of the FJ1200 club on Yahoo! responded by sending much-needed cash and parts for the FJ. Several members made their way up here and are in the process of helping me rebuild the bike. Some have come from hundreds of miles away just to talk and make sure that I was all right. I have received money from Australia and parts from all over the world. I continue to be a mess both physically and psychologically. With all of the negative things you read and hear about bike riders, I just wanted to say how grateful and privileged I feel to be a part of motorcycling. Erick was always the first one to tear into the Cycle News as it reached the mailbox. Thank you all. I miss my boy. But riding my bike again will keep me close to him in my heart. Douglas M. Holt Nashville, TN Goodyear And TheAMA Why does the AMA see fit to alienate motorcycle manufacturers, and now tire manufacturers? Why is the AMA trying to all but kill competition in dirt track racing? Is Goodyear "donating" a new wing to the motorcycle museum? If I could race on my local level (D-ll) without an AMA card, I would cancel my membership and urge all the racers I know to do the same. Can't the racers decide what the best tire for the track is? Oh, well - just one more nail in the AMA's race-promoting coffin. :John M. Butts VIa the Intemet Gobert Kudos For over 20 years, 1 have ridden to Laguna Seca to attend any and all motorcycle events held there. For the past five years, I was always joined by my son, Erick, who loved motorcycles and loved participating in all of the events at the track and on Cannery Row in Monterey. This last March 21, Erick, who was 16 years old, took his own life. I wasn't sure if I could make the race in July as I was and continue to be a walking basket case. I decided to ride to the race in Erick's honor and did so up the Highway 1 as we both had done many times before. My main reason for going to the races this time was to obtain an autograph from Anthony Gobert, as he was Erick's favorite rider. The year before, Gobert went out of his way to make Erick's day. Anthony had just finished signing autographs in the paddock and Erick had just cue' • Chris Knudson AJcscadero, CA n • _ S • JANUARY 30, 2002 5