Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

lITo blame Ricky for hitting him would be like blaming the conductor of a train for hitting a car that ignored the pretty red lights/I Forgetting Haines I just finished reading Blake Conner's Baja Mar piece (Issue #6, February 13). As a longtime off-road motorcycle visitor to Baja and former SCORE motorcycle class champion, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Conner's ability to capture the flavor of riding in Baja, and the absolute necessity to be prepared. Baja is an absolutely great place to ride and Conner described the fun and flavor well. I was disappointed, though, to see in your sidebar on Baja motorcycle tour outfits that you omitted the oldest, and arguably the best, organization - Chris Haines, Motorcycle Adventure Company (Baja Off-Road Tours) - which is also a long time Cycle News advertiser. I hope that situation will be remedied. RIck Brownell VIa the InffNnet Ooops. For more information on Haines' tours, call 949/640-0455... Editor Helmets And Such anyone booing Travis when he knocked down practically everyone at the Indy race a few years ago. Well, I know I am going to be cheering for RC in hopes that it will help cancel out the boos from some drunk idiot who probably couldn't ride a bike if he owned one. If you are booing him for switching colors on his bike, look at the worthless payouts those guys get and think what percentage that is of the money raked in. Better yet, just shut up and enjoy the racing. Davtd McCullough ColumbIa CIty, IN And More Why don't we paint Ricky "The Intimidator" Carmichael's Honda black?Then paint Travis "The Kid" Pastrana's Suzuki blended shades of the rainbow, and take this year's supercross season to a whole new level. Just a thought. Ray Merkle V1a the InffNnet Ricky you need to keep it clean and win with class. D.ADlckens VIa the In~met Okay One More I just returned form the Indy round of the Supercross Series and had to write. I have lost all respect for Ricky Carmichael! The way he took out Travis Pastrana was totally intolerable and inexcusable. I was a backer of RC even with the switch to Honda; however, it is obvious his attitude has changed along with the switch of brands. At the introduction of the riders before the race, RC got as much or more of the applause from the sellout crowd than anybody. However, after taking out race leader Pastrana, every lap after that around the track he got nothing but boos. On the podium after the race, you could not even hear his post-race interview for all of the boos. I hope the dirty on-track moves and big bucks from Honda were worth it because you have lost a going to get the "gold medal" in supercross this year, it rests squarely on his shoulders. The fact that he was the only American in six podium finishers at Minneapolis (125 and 250cc) blows me away. It's time we get behind our rider and cheer him on. The guy trains hard, races hard, has a good positive attitude, and he's a winner. What more can we ask for? Todd Wuchevtch Prospect; PA To Mr. Caneva and all the others who think the AMA is wasting membership money pursuing anti-helmet legislation, join the AMA and when the association conducts a poll asking what is important and what should be fought for or against - answer them with a "don't try to block helmet laws/don't waste my membership dues." Until they join, then it's none of their business how our money is used. Mike Brown, the third-place finisher in the 125cc Supercross in Minneapolis, is also an American... Editor An Apology For All Sorry, Ricky Carmichael. Sorry for the Indy fans. You and all the riders put on a great show for us and many of the fans rewarded you with boos (and for all you skeptics - I am not an avid RC fan, just an avid motocross/supercross fan). I'm not sure it was you or the fact you got around Pastrana for the lead that drew boos. I am sure of the irony that when David Vuillemin was first introduced only a few boos covered the sounds of the crickets in the RCA Dome. Then, when Vuillemin took the lead away from you, there was a deafening cheer for him. The Indy fans embarrassed me. Not one rider on the supercross track deserves to be booed, even if the rider is not a favorite of the fan. All the riders have a talent that most fans can only dream of having. I hope all the kids in attendance, my young son included, realize that the booing Indy fans aren't true racing fans, just ticket holders with bad sportsmanship. True racing fans love motorcycles and the excitement of competition - even if their favorite rider doesn't win. Dave SIebert VIa the InffNnet Terry He" South Haven, Mt Travis And RC I was at the Indy Supercross. I could not have had a better line of view of e contact between Travis Pastrana and Ricky Carmichael. I have to tell you that Travis (the guy I was rooting for) slid out. That is he lost traction in that corner and lost the rear end. To blame Ricky for hitting him would be like blaming the conductor of a train or hitting a car that ignored the prety red lights. Carmichael had a full head of team and tried to stop. Then came he booing and yelling. It sounded ike a pro wrestling event. Travis was aving problems with corners all ight. Travis lost his position because e highsided in a corner. The contact rom RC was after Travis parked his ike in that corner. I don't remember And The Last One guess Ricky Carmichael feels he can't win without coming to blows with other riders. The pass, or should I say ram, on Travis Pastrana was uncalled for at best. Then Ricky, in the post-race interview, put the blame on Travis. Ricky, you need to look at the TV footage, you will see who was in the wrong place - you were. lot of your fans after leaving the Indy round. Chuck60ad VIa the InffNnet Stand Up For RC I don't know if RC got the boo treatment at the Minneapolis Supercross like he did at Indy, but J'ake up people. The guy is the only American with a shot at the supercross title at this point. If the good old USA is IllU""·. n • _ s • FEBRUARY 27. 2002 5

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