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/128159
"Thus World Superbike will become a farce like NASCAR..." Defending Ty for what he has already done. Marco Deblois V7a ltIe Internet I was blown away today reading the blast that a John M. Butts had against Ty Davis in your Voices col- Blunder? umn. His comments rated along with The World Superbike organizers have one I heard directed at Jeremy McGrath a few years ago by a local made a giant blunder. When it out here who raced desert. He asked a 33-percent displacement advantage him why he didn't come out and race over fours was too much, the sensible thing would have been to reduce their the desert with the "men." Because Ty mostly chooses to stay out west where he lives isn't a slam. He is currently leading the National Hare and Hound series and became apparent that allowing twins advantage to say 850 or 900cc. Instead, they're allowing all of the bikes to be 1000cc and then they're going to 'equalize' them with restric- the WORCS. His schedule, with all of tor plates somewhere in the intake. the races he competes in, is huge. Thus World Superbike will become a farce like NASCAR, with the organiz- He has been recognized as one of the most talented all-around riders at this ers continually tweaking restrictors to great race going on for second place, but at the end all we saw on Speed was Tommy Hayden riding alone way out front on the last lap. That was one of many similar incidents so far this year. I think that Speed is doing a pretty good job overall, but I also feel that they need to "look" at their coverage more from the perspective of a race fan. Come on guys, help us lobby for some "easy" improvements in coverage. Kent Sheldon Pleasanton. CA Apologies? I think there needs to be some apologies given to two of America's time. make the racing close. The trouble Mr. Butts admits he doesn't really follow Davis' career and then he with this is that technical develop- motocross/supercross greats who were slandered in your last issue. ment of the engines will cease to Emig an apology. First off, while R.N. Henry was writing have any relation to real, on-the-road sportbikes. The one thing there is way, and he definitely did not throw it all away. Mr. Cox, you owe Jeff of Team Suzuki, he lists Jeremy slams him. If racing in the trees is the only way to really judge a rider and respect him, I think someone should tell people like Ricky Carmichael, Mike LaRocco, Kevin Windham, etc. I'm sure they would immediately stop what they are doing and head for the woods. No matter what types of events are chosen by particular riders, whether it be flat track, desert, motorcross, etc., give them their dues. I watched the WORCS race in Price, Utah, and was blown away by the talent of the top riders. Davis and Kiedrowski were a testament to hard and flawless riding - but, gee, there weren't any trees. It must have been worthless. Why be petty? Just enjoy the sport and its many variants for what they are. absolutely no reason to restrict is air. JefMorgan VenttJrq. CA TV Time about DeCoster's troubles as leader If they restricted the fuel flow, we McGrath's worst year ever as adding to "The man's" pain. Well, in super- might get more fuel-efficient bikes. If they restricted rear-wheel power, we cross that year, McGrath pulled second in the championship. Second in might get more-aerodynamic or lighter or easier-to-ride bikes. But the world's supreme supercross series would be great for over 95 per- air? Air is free! cent of the pros racing today. Of This rule just moves World Super- course, Carmichael would rather die bike closer to Winston Cup, the WWF of motorsports. than get second, but let's stick to the BrentMeeker Camarillo CA with second, considering their previ- point. Team Suzuki had to be happy ous standings. Jeremy did get a fluke Dear Speed flat at one of the rounds that year, which might have kept him from win- Channel ning another championship, but Jeff Please tell Kevin Molyneux (Voices, Issue #22, June 5) that BBC television in the UK is only free for visiting Americans. Brits have to have a license to even own a television set (approximately $150 per year). This pays for BBC programming, and whenever the BBC goes over the revenue from the television licenses, the government, read taxpayer, pays the overage from the general tax funds. Free? I think not. He may want to compare the quality, but if he compares the price to the viewer, at least compare apples to apples. Emig held tough for the title that year 1 have been reading the comments about Speed Channel in the last few Petersta" and I wouldn't take anything away from Jeffs win. V7a ltIe Internet No Crap Track issues, and I would like to place my vote. Thank God for Speed. I had to point. In Steve Cox's interview with buy add-on packages that I never Sean Hamblin, Cox evenly compares naive letter in the June 5 issue. First, watch to get Speed via DirecTV too, the wasted talents of Emig and Ron but it's worth it to be able to watch MotoGP, World Superbike, AMA road I must say I am a volunteer AMA field representative. Road Atlanta is not a could cohesively link Emig's one crap track anymore than any other arrest (wasn't it a misdemeanor?), track in this country. The Panoz fami- and Kawasaki's decision to terminate, with "throwing it all away." ly has invested more than a million Could you guys use your influence as the leading journal covering Emig had a full career with the afore- motorcycle racing to help get a couple of ideas across to Speed that I mentioned Supercross Championship elsewhere. The sad truth is that, in what happened to him at HMC Ducati, we can't ask for more. It is probably just what he needed to kick feel would enhance the quality of their programming for all of us? and the National title the same year and I believe a 125cc title further back in time. I do remember that Jeff this country, most people think racing is turning left in a concrete bowl. The AMA does not build tracks or him in front with the other guys. Pascal is a great guy and a fantas- 1. Run your commercials earlier came back after his termination and even promote the races; we are just and let at least the last three laps of a tic racer. I'm so happy that he now race go uninterrupted; 2. When there smoked everyone at the U.S. Open while riding a privateer Yamaha. the sanctioning body. I would love to have the great tracks we see on TV, Mark Allen V7a ltIe Internet Vlve 10 Picotte Being a French Canadian living in Montreal, our local hero Pascal Picotte is really making my racewatching a pleasure this year. After racing and now AMA Flat Track - a great addition. Which brings me to my second Lechien. There is no way anyone I must respond to George Hennums's dollars in this track. There are no tracks like what we see in Europe and has all the tools at the level of his tal- is a runaway leader in a race, don't After bad luck set in and brought but there are none in the country. ent. I always find a big smile on my face when I see his name over Doug follow him his entire last lap when there is racing going on behind him. along some broken bones (both wrists at the same timel), I feel he The only answer is to quit racing completely. Is this what you want, Chandler in the race results and the championship points standings. All my congratulations to Pascal A case in point is the AMA Pikes decided to give it up. Emig had a George? Peak Supersport (600cc) race. Roger Lee Hayden and Tony Meiring had a great career and didn't go to Betty Ford's or live on the side of the freecue I • Robert Deignan Canton. SA n e _ os • JUNE 19. 2002 5