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/128146
"While Mr. Manco is racking up more trespassing fines, we hope he'll be patient with us." 60t It Covered Your Daytona preview cover is the best since the last one I did. Plus Willie's Indian! You guys are shaping up. JeffGundlach Ashevflle, NC Fight Night The "fight" involving Stephane Roncada and David Vuillemin is not earth shattering. Perhaps it raises, or should raise, some questions from which the industry can learn. First of all, it was not much of a fight. It is unfortunate Vuillemin let it get to a physical point, but it was not scary. An extreme fine for that incident would be an equal injustice. I do not condone fighting, or crashing, but fans probably are always on the watch for either. What is "detrimental" to the sport? (Something bigger than this, I'm sure.) I think that the rarity of these types of actions speaks volumes for the sportsmanship and integrity of the riders. No, we don't want to give open season to disputes of this nature, but we should recognize the inherent attributes of human nature and highlevel competition. Has anyone questioned the fans or sponsors for their take on the incident, or like incidents? Are they pulling out? No. Nor are our young kids seeing a heated argument for the first time. In fact, they may learn how difficult racing is and how it can bring out the best and worst. Finally, I think the sanctioning body might consider a new and broader avenue for bringing protests up for review. It is reasonable to expect disputes. There needs to be a defined method for the resolution. If the riders knew they had an official means of expressing their concerns or knew they could be held responsible, they might not feel so inclined to take out their frustration so randomly and publicly. Let's go easy on these two, and like any good racer, learn from our mistakes. Lance $orton Yucaipa, CA New Jersey Response The AMA extends a heartfelt apology to Pete ."'\anco (Voices, Issue #9, March 6). He's absolutely right we've been neglecting New Jersey. Not that we haven't tried, of course. Like working with local riders to originally open the Garden State Parkway to motorcycles. And lobbying to preserve OHV access to New Jersey's Pinelands. And writing model language for a bill now in the New Jersey General Assembly, mandating tougher penalties for Violating motorcyclists' right-of-way. And establishing seven AMA Community Councils in the state, to tackle local issues. In the future, we promise to pay attention to more important matters like legalizing "mean stand-ups" and "sweet no-footed endos." While Mr. Manco is racking up more trespassing fines, we hope he'll be patient with us. TomUndsay Plckerfngfon. OH Lindsay is the public information director for the AMA. .. Editor 1990s. Riders like McGrath and Kevin Windham need to move on and new riders need to reinvigorate the sport. Hopefully, the beer sponsor and these purported "quasi" factory teams will go the way of the wind. Works bikes need to come back and to inspire, and the factories need to have the major teams - not "outside" sponsors. RonNlcoiem 61endale, CA I'm starting to believe that we may need to adopt a modus operandi of our own: Be intelligent or don't write letters... Editor L1I' John I have to agree with Dean Lane (Issue #9, March 6) about inducting John Hateley into the Hall of Fame. John has rare talent on two wheels. He has still been proving this with movie stunt work until being recently sidelined with a knee injury. John also has legendary status with his racing peers for the many pranks he always managed to come up with for his own entertainment. And I think you can add, "One lap record at Ascot in a Ford van" to his many accomplishments as well. Phil KJoer VIa the Internet Dead or Alive? Lil' John II I totally support Dean Lane's motion to vote Lil' John Hateley into the Hall of Fame, but I find his trivia a little confusing. He said that Hateley and Kenny Roberts were the only men to win the Astrodome TT. I know I watched Rick Hocking whip the 750s on a little TI500 in '76. And I think Skip Van Leeuwen took the first one in '69. Maybe he meant the only men to win two TIs. No, Steve Eklund did it at least twice. Sorry, Dean, but thanks for reminding me about the Boone's Farm commercial. I had forgotten. John Thompson VIa the Internet Say What? I would anticipate that this would be Jeremy McGrath's last year. This guy is so over-rated. Unlike Bob Hannah, who had class and won both indoors and outdoors, literally lapping all the factory riders sans Kent Howerton, who was usually in second place and would have been eventually lapped if the race went longer. Hannah was loyal to his sponsors and stayed with them to the end. The factories need to adopt the "win or walk" modus operandi that was employed in the 1980s and early gency medical technicians and myself. I really want to send my warmest thanks to the entire staff on the arenacross circuit and let them know that they were very cooperative and helpful. Although I have one more surgery to go through, I hope to be back for the Nationals. It is because of a few select people such as my doctor, Dr. Weiland, and the entire staff on the arena cross tour that I will be able to compete on the National circuit in just a few short weeks. Jonny Barber Bedfbrd, NY Reincarnated Regarding your recent coverage of the Adelanto Grand Prix, not only did the dash down the city street get the spectators out of their chairs, it also got Don Anderson out of his grave. He died five years ago, but he's pictured on the far right of the photo. Is it a file photo? Pete Brown Long Beach" CA According to the photographer, that photograph was taken at this year's Adelanto Grand Prix, so either the man you say is deceased is actually liVing off his life insurance in the high desert, or he just looks like the man you say is deceased... Editor Block Pass? After watching the Atlanta Supercross on TV the other day, David Vuillemin should indeed be fined - not only for throwing punches after the race, but for the cheesy move he called a block pass. Block pass? You took him out watch the film. There is no way you can call that a block pass. You want to see a clean block pass, watch the film of the clean block pass Roncada put on you in the first corner. Get real David Vuillemin - film footage doesn't lie. MIchael SWank Austfn.MN Treated Well I am a professional motocross/supercross rider, and on January 18 I was at the Bridgeport Arenacross where I broke both of my wrists very badly, while preparing for the 125 East Coast Supercross series. When I look back at it (even after the surgery and being hospitalized for two days), I still feel very lucky for the way the staff handled my injury. Both the referee and his assistant were more than helpful to the emercue I e n eVIls • MARCH 20. 2002 5