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/128142
Letters to the editor IIBreaking the lawl endangering livesl running from the policel guns and shootings. eive me a break. should be senlto Voices. Cycle News. P.O. Box 5084. Costa Mesa. CA 92628· 5084. faxed to 714/751-6685 or 11 e·mailed to editorg-' cyclenews.com. Published letters do Amateur SX Fiasco I've been following the discussion following the amateur supercross fiasco at Anaheim and am somewhat puzzled. What did you expect? Races held at venues the day after a supercross are always a zoo - without exception. It doesn't matter who runs it, but with CMC putting this one on I expected there would be some semblance of control. Unfortunately, in their quest for bigger profits, Clear Channel had to butt in, and had a major part in screwing things up (and these are the people who want to run the whole show?) Have we learned anything? Consider these points next time you think about entering one of these wastes of time and money. Any race of this type without a firm limit on entries is going to be a joke. The promoter should accept pre-entries by mail only, with a starting and closing date for the entries (like Mammoth has done for years). When the pre-established entries are filled, they send back your money. If the promoter is not a major, well-established group, don't bother going. If CMC and Clear Channel can screw up this bad, think about how big a disaster Billy Joe/Jim Bob's Promotions would do it. Consider whether you should even be there in the first place. Supercross is for super riders - period. Amateurs have absolutely no business inside a stadium riding on a track made for supercross riders. I remember the first-ever amateur supercross at the Coliseum after a Superbowl of Motocross - the ambulances didn't stop running all night! Sure, the promoters always say they will (and usually do) tone down the track a little, but it's still way over the ability of 90 percent of the riders, whether they realize it or not. Add to that the pressure of riding in a stadium with Grandma Martha and girlfriend Tiffany watching in the stands, and little Johnny Thinkshesfast is going to ride way over his head - and most likely get hurt. After nearly 30 years of motocross announcing, one of the biggest conclusions I've come to is that "amateur" and "supercross" are two different concepts that should never be combined - indoors or outdoors. Mix in a little greed and you get what you pay for. Keep supercross indoors and for experienced riders only - and stay home and support your local motocross track. Hal Sangulneffl 61endale, AZ Unhappy Mother I was reading the article on the CMC Amateur Supercross 125cc Intermediate class. It said "Cody Hertel came in a quiet third." I would like to say that Cody was caught behind Alessi when Alessi fell and was second to last and also worked his way through the pack for the third-place position. Why do the Alessis get all the attention? There are a lot of dedicated and determined riders out there who do not get much recognition for their hard work. I know Cody Hertel along with 100s of riders who were out in the hot sun for three and a half hours waiting their turn to practice while a lot of riders practiced two to three times and held up the races. I give a hands up to all the riders who waited in that line. These riders are truly dedicated and honest. I hope next year they only have a pre-entry, no quads and no pros. This is to be an amateur supercross. ShIrley Hertel MIra Loma, CA Arrivederci After five seasons living and racing in the States, I have decided to retum to Italy, and it seems to me that the occasion calls for some thank yous. I had some good results last year, from my point of view - first place in the Vet class of the National Hare £, Hound Series (and seventh overall), and first place in the 400cc FourStroke class of the National Reliability Enduro ("Qualifier") Series. That was all possible thanks not only to my training, but to my sponsors as well. I have been quite satisfied with my TM motorcycles, which are distributed by TWS' Pete Vetrano. I have also had positive experiences with my sponsors, without whom I surely would never have been able to give my best at the races: MSR, Scott USA, FM helmets, Maxxis, Braking, Motion Pro, GPR, Trick, IMS, WRP, Maxima, Cemoto, Diadora and Locatelli Intonaci. Thanks also to my mechanic, Mike Hanley. Now I find myself in Italy, working with Braking. I will be present as a rider-support representative at several rounds of the World Enduro, Motocross and Motard Series, as well as some important Italian events. I am also involved in the development of new products, and in cooperating with our sponsored teams. I remain dedicated to lDY career, and I haven't closed any doors behind me; I have only tried to begin opening new doors. I am sure that I will return in America, for vacation and otherwise, and I hope to again see the people who helped me and who are now my closest friends. Luca Trussardl Clu50ne, Itcly not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News. Inc. Letters should not exceed 200 words and all are subject to editing. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the A multi-time off-road champion in Europe, Trussardi competed for several years in the U.S... Editor writer's name. address and daytime phone number .. Editor Not Happy Regarding your story called "The Fast (D In However, the more I read about Clear Channel Entertainment, the more they seem to be the Ticketmaster of their market. And there is no company that I (and many others) despise more than Ticketmaster for their monopoly-inspired greed. But perhaps, more importantly, the AMA is bringing three hours of live coverage on Speed vision. My God, that would be like having 16 Super Bowl parties in a row at your house! I hope the AMA and CCE can work out a compromise but, whatever you do, don't give up the Speedvision package, or the extra east-coast rounds. DavId :JamIson Peachtree CRy, GA £, the Spurious" (Issue #5, February 6) - what a piece of garbage! Why would you guys print something like that? Breaking the law, endangering lives, running from the police, guns and shootings. Give me a break. That crap does not belong in Cycle News. Why don't you change your name to Biker Magazine? You guys start printing garbage like that, and you and I are through. John B. RIchey E Centerville, UT Happy I really enjoyed the feature on street racing in Los Angeles. I commend Jimarillo for exposing the underground scene that has been around for years. I know a lot of Cycle News readers will be writing in to criticize, but the truth is they're racing on public streets every night of the week across the country. Not long ago, there was a legal drag strip in Long Beach. All the racers went to quarter-mile there, and it was a success. Unfortunately, the owner was forced to shut the track down due to high insurance rates. With nowhere for the racers to run legally, they went back to the streets. In my opinion, the solution would be for the city of Los Angeles to open up a legal drag strip for the public. The racers and the people who love to watch would congregate there, thus allowing the police to respond to important 911 calls. Kevin Henriques Blythe, CA A Concerned Fan I attended the Anaheim III Supercross and was amazed at the attitude of Jeremy McGrath. I, like many, am a McGrath fan and hope to see him back on top of his game. Attitude and confidence can make you or break you. I am not referring to McGrath's disappointing race, but to the introductions. He seems so defeated. During the "hot lap," he just rode around the track like it was the first time on a supercross track, while Carmichael, Pastrana and Vuillemin did some "showing off." I am sure Jeremy is disappointed in his results, as are his fans, but most of us still appreciate the fact he is the King of Supercross. MC - have some fun! You're still the king in many of our hearts regardless of what place you end up in at the end of the night. Enjoy the spotlight while it is there. Throw a "nac-nac" at us or something. I felt that I knew what the night's result was going to be just by your "hot-lap" attitude. You are still the King - act like it. David W. Nelson VIa the Intemet AMA vs. CCE At first, I was very skeptical of the AMA's position on the supercross split, as they have lost all credibility with me as a result of the Roger Edmondson fiasco, the Air Fence stalling, etc. cue' e < 0 -n n .. _ os • FEBRUARY 20. 2002 5