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/128152
liThe health and welfare of our riders should be paramount in the sport we all love so much." Agreeing With Oliver I would like to respond to the comments made by Rich Oliver as stated in your Briefly column from your Califomia Speedway race report. I agree with Rich. The 250cc Grand Prix class definitely should not be cut from the AMA schedule. In a previous issue, Don Emde wrote a letter about the Daytona 200. He said that people would not turn out in big numbers to watch guys race on stock motorcycles, and that when people can see something exotic, the entertainment value goes up. The 250cc GP bikes are the most exotic machines showing up at an AMA event. To see these machines (which are the only machines designed and built to be raced from the start) go would truly be a crime. America needs real Grand Prix racing. Chad WaslleskJ \ITa the Intemet Safer Tracks Now that the AMA and Clear Channel have solidified a long-term contract to promote and sanction supercross races across the U.S., it's time for the AMA to focus on making the tracks safer. If you haven't noticed, about one-third of our top supercross riders are out of action due to some of the serious injuries as a result of the nonforgiving design of the stadium tracks. As a rider and spectator over the last 25 years, it appears that the supercross track designs have taken a radical change with respect to layout and technical designs lending themselves to "make it or break it" challenge to the riders. It's time to establish specific design standards that incorporate more flexible engineering practices, allowing riders a broader margin for mistakes and mechanical failures at critical jumps. Understanding that there are many non-riding fans who like the huge double and triple jumps, I think there could be a happy medium by including off-cambers, sand sections and some of the old sweeper sections which use to be included in the earlier track designs. The health and welfare of our riders should be paramount in the sport we all love so much. I'm not talking about removing the jumps or taking away from what attracts many fans. I would ask your support in getting our national promoters to consider a softer approach when designing these tracks. George Stephenson VIa the Intemet A Terrible Day? What a terrible day for supercross. I'm referring to the announcement in Cycle News of a seven-year agreement between the AMA and Clear Channel. I guess supercross will still have third bilIing behind high school cheerleading and bowling. I was really looking forward to AMA live coverage in 2003 of supercross on Speed Channel. But, now I can only read about the results of each race and maybe watch some week-old races on ESPN after I already know the results. Whoopee! Clear Channel thinks having live radio coverage on satellite radio is progress. I remember when my granddad told me about sitting around the radio and listening to baseball live (for free). The only difference now is that you have to pay to listen to satelIite radio. And that is supposed to be progress. If Dorna would just get smart and strike a deal to show live european motocross on Speed Channel, then I could watch real outdoor motocross heroes (who follow in the footsteps of DeCoster, Mikkola, etc.) and forget about the American guys who I can only read about. Come on, Dorna, wake up. Oh, and by the way, thanks for publishing my last letter. I'm the real David Evans (telephone man), longtime motorcycle rider (street and dirt), AMA member and hare scrambles racer. No offense to the other David Evans (Kawasaki/Chevy employee), but I can have my own opinion without being afraid of stepping on someone's corporate toes. And I don't try to use someone's name to get attention. Keep up the good work on your weekly magazine, even if you and all the other motorcycle industry people are influenced by the powerful Clear Channel Entertainment conglomerate. DavtdEvans VIa the Intemet New Basketball Fan I don't particularly like basketball, but I used to watch the Bulls because of Michael Jordan. I will now watch the Celtics because of John Dowd. Best wishes to John and his family for as long as he can keep the dream alive. Ronald Connors VIa the Intemet M3 Racing Response While I cannot offer a response to what happened on the start of the F750 race at Daytona International Speedway, as I was not at the first corner to view the start, I will offer that there were never any tire marks on any part of the CR750 that Gary Nixon was competing on. And, as for Rob Iannucci's request for me to build a bike to his rules ... I did! Back in 1997, at the AHRMA National Road Race at the Road America racetrack, our CR750 Honda with OEM streetbike front brakes, pads and forks, running period CR carbs, dominated the Team Obsolete Rocket III of Dave Roper after giving him a one-mile head start (Adam Popp had to start after the second wave left, due to a stalled engine). Also, running our same-spec Honda CR750 Dick Mann Replica, Cycle World writer Don Canet beat the Team Obsolete BSA Rocket III of Yvon DuHamel at the AHRMA Daytona race in 2000. Also, our two AHRMA National Road Race Championships (19981999) were won while using the early period-type CR Keihin racing carbs. MatkMc6rew Hawfey,MN Cheating? At round three of the National Hare [, Hound Series, a new strategy was put forth by a competitor. Ty Davis was caught taking an illegal line at the end of the bomb run. This placed Davis in the lead, which he maintained throughout the race. Although observed by numerous people and protested by a few riders who could afford the club's fee, the results were not overturned. Apparently, it is easier to downplay the issue and forget about it - even though riders and spectators documented the incident. Now that we are aware that rules no longer apply in off-road racing, what is our sport's future? Of course, we must all thank the honorable Ty Davis for showing us fans how to win at all costs. ScoftHunt VIa the Intemet Down On Team Green The AMA National Hare Scrambles event on April 14 was a memorable experience for me, and I'm sure for most of the others who attended. In this part of the country, we don't often have the opportunity to see the top-level off-road racers compete. At the conclusion of the race, Team Kawasaki filed a protest with the AMA claiming it stopped the race short of the required time limit. At the award presentation, what happened to Team Green? Neither rider showed up, nor did anyone from Kawasaki. The Team Green semi didn't leave the track until well after the awards were given out. The Leahy family - Ann, Pat and Dave - who own and operate the track, did a good job in track prep cue. e and in the running of the race, especially considering that this was their first National Hare Scrambles event and the current drought we're suffering through. All the track workers, which I was one of, ate a lot of dirt to keep things going as smoothly as possible and we loved every minute of it. We would all like this race and those riders back again. What Kawasaki did was very disrespectful to the Leahy family, track workers, fans and other riders. Team Green was certainly unprofessional that day. My personal opinion, and many others I heard voiced, is that Kawasaki didn't win any fans. If we want egos as big as the Hindenberg, we can go to a CART or Fl race. Remember, the track owners, workers, and fans who put on and support racing are the ones without whom you wouldn't have the great job doing what you love to do. If you have a problem with the AMA, take it up with them - don't shun the rest of us. Philip Kononuk Greeley, CO Small Bike, Big Fun I have been riding motorcycles for almost 40 years. In that time, I had the opportunity to ride everything from the real "works" Hondas of the '70s to all of the bikes available to us in 2002. As a tester for Motocross Action magazine, I ride them all. At the recent White Brothers FourStroke race, I was given a chance to ride a BBR mini-bike both days. What a blast. A true works bike in both looks and performance, the BBR made this 48-year-old feel like a kid again. Thanks to White Brothers and BBR for a great weekend. Richard Elerstedt Yorba Undo, CA n e _ s • MAV1,20025