Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

All I ever hear from them is how they did this in California 11 and that in California. II l Land Use I just found out from a publication called Cycle News that I can suggest off-road motorcycling be taken into consideration when forming an overall public land-use plan. To me, it just makes sense that off-road motorcycle enthusiasts be given the same legitimacy that other outdoor enthusiasts enjoy. We make our way down paths and trails, same as hikers, we just use internal combustion engines to increase the rate. We take risks, same as rock climbers, we just use wheels to change the thrill. We buy equipment, same as kayakers, we just fuel a different recreational industry. It is true that the engines and wheels pose increased threats to the areas you are entrusted to care for. More noise, more ecological pollution and quicker erosion are the inevitable result of motorized recreation. This is precisely the reason that you must address the issue. Should you choose to ignore motorsports, pretending they don't exist, the problems associated with them will grow and become more problematic. If you just ban motorsports outright, you'll toss an entire slice of the economic pie into the garbage. To be sure, recent history seems to have trail riders at odds with environmental protection agencies throughout the country. We need a meaningful dialogue, where problems are addressed and solutions found. This is why I contend that it only makes sense to treat outdoor motosports enthusiasts with the same legitimacy enjoyed by others involved in outdoor recreation. James MannIng Michels VIa Itle Internet It Wasn't Me After being asked numerous times by industry personnel about a letter that was sent to you via the Internet by an author with the same name as mine, I feel it is important for me to share with my industry contacts that with all due respect to the individual who wrote the letter, and his beliefs on the CCE/AMA split issue (I still have not seen the letter, so I am not familiar with its specific contents), that I was not the author. It seems I am the only industry person who does not subscribe, but I will be - starting now. So, just to be clear, the Strategic Marketing Consultant to Kawasaki Professional Racing/Pro Circuit David Evans, the "MX Edge" David Evans, the David Evans from Charlotte, North Carolina, (I think that's clear enough) was, in fact, not the author of the apparently controversial letter r~ently pubHshed by an individual with the same name as mine in Cycle News. Thanks you very much for helping me clear this up. DavtdEvans VIa the Internet New Jersey? Does the AMA do anything for people in New Jersey? All I ever hear from them is how they did this in California, and that in California. That's great for California, but I live in New Jersey. Although I am happy for them and all their progress, I think from now on I am going to take my membership dues and put them nothing much to hide and the benefit to the sport far outweighs any negatives. Also, America still does not have a GP. We are the nation with the most wins in the history of the 500 GPs yet no GP. The World Superbike races at Laguna prove that, had they stuck it out, the promoters of the U.S. GP would have ended up with a successful and profitable event. I really think the time has come for the merging of these two. DavtdBelI Castro Valley, CA Hall of Fame Okay, enough is enough. It's time for Lil' John Hateley to be in the Hall of Safer Tracks? Fame. Last year's Hall of Fame was I believe that the AMA, the promoters, and especially the track builders, should try to make supercross a little safer. I race and I know that supercross and motocross are inherently dangerous, but when you build a track that only a few top pros can get around clean, that is not fair and definitely not safe. Look at how many riders are hurt right now. Look at how many are severely hurt. What will it take? Will it take a big-named rider getting killed? Look at car racing. Only when a big-named racer dies, then, and only then, is their safety taken into consideration. Just look at this year - Bobby Bonds, Justin Smith, Michael Byrne and on and on. Is the riders' lives and health worth my $35 to see the race? No. If all the riders get wadded up, who will we watch race? Think about it and try to preserve the sport that we all love. And try to preserve the health of those gifted enough to race for our pleasure. John Hateley (98) leads Kenny Roberts (1). One is In the Hall of Fame, the other isn't. toward the trespassing and traffic tickets that have been stacking up because there are no places to ride dirt bikes here, and the cops harass sportbike guys constantly. I'm.not at all saying I don't do anything wrong - I can ride a mean stand-up, and can roll out some sweet no-footed endos - but that's not what I have been stopped repeatedly for. Maybe I am off base, but I would like to thank the AMA for nothing. Pete Manco Toms RlYer, NJ the Hall of Shame. Listen, Mr. Emde, I say we have Dick Mann, Dave Aldana, Kenny Roberts, Eddie Mulder and Gary Scott vote, or at least all the Davtd Alexander VIa Itle Internet fans who ever watched some of the events that Mr. Hateley competed in. Resume and trivia time. Who were the only two men to ever win the The Kelley Family Houston Astrodome IT? Answer: John Hateley and King Kenny Roberts. Who lapped the field at Hopetown on a Triumph? Answer: John Hateley. Who had a two-and-a-half-hour lead on the field at the Baja until AI Baker smoked old-timers, remember the Boone's Farm wine commercials? Yes, the old lady wheelying down the road was John Hateley. The Shane Kelley family would like to thank Ryan Hughes, Jeff Emig, Nathan Ramsey, David and Gary Bailey and everyone else who participated in the school with the donations going to the Shane Kelley Memorial Fund. After witnessing Bobby Bonds' accident, which happened right in front of Mr. Kelley, he felt compelled to donate half of the money from the Ryan Hughes school to Bobby. He wishes Bobby a speedy recovery. Thanks again to everyone who helped during this trying time. Dean Lane ChatsworItl. CA The Shone Kelley famIly VIa Itle Internet Open The Pits the clutch before the finish? Answer: John Hateley. If the FIM wants to promote the interest of spectators at MotoGP, I suggest that they end the secrecy in the pits. What gearheads want, especially in a somewhat esoteric sport such as motorcycle road racing, is to see the equipment. This is true for NASCAR, CART and drag racing. There really is I can't count the amount of times Hateley won at Ascot. And for you cue I • n e vw s MARCH 6, 2002 5

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