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/128183
III Will remember this day for the rest of my life. 11 The U.S. 6P I am writing to give my opinion on the U.S. Grand Prix planned for Homestead. I think that it would be a big mistake to not bring the entire show. GP racing is about more than the MotoGP class. We need the 250 and 125cc classes also. I have no idea why Dorna is going to include the AMA Superbikes in the schedule. Is this for real, and if it is, whose idea was it? I hardly believe the people at Dorna would want to leave out the 125s and 250s. If Dorna does not bring the whole show, they are doing the U.S. GP fans a huge disservice. Here is a message to the AMA: Leave the Superbikes at home, bring the GP 125s and 250s, and keep the AMA 250cc GP class so that when (or if) the GP comes to the U.S., we can see some American 250cc wild-card riders. And don't even get me started about when you abandoned the AMA 125cc GP class. Chad Wasffeskl Newam.DE Man With Connections Since we live so far in the boonies in Mexico, the only things we get on a regular basis are sunshine and Cycle News. When we do receive Cycle News, it comes in a big bundle from our office in Southern Califfornia with about 6 to 8 weeks of publications. Needless to say, I read them cover to cover and was really pleased to see Scott Rousseau's article about his early experiences with speedway. As you know, I've had some exposure to speedway, and reading about your learning experiences was really entertaining. If you're serious about riding again in 2003, I can possibly help you get on the program. I used to have some influence with the people that run Costa Mesa, and I'll see what I can do for you. Good luck and keep up the articles. HanyOxley via the Intemet Oxley is the Godfather of American Speedway and the founder of Costa Mesa Speedway... Editor Liked The School On Sunday, November 18, Mercedes Gonzalez-Natvig held an all-day benefit motocross clinic for the Women's MX League at Perris Raceway in California. Mercedes and the worldrenowned Rick Johnson spent the day teaching 20 women the secrets of being a better rider and racer. The class was flawlessly organized, and each rider got specific individual feedback from both of the world-class instructors. There was an assortment of skill levels and age levels, as evidenced by the attendance of Missy Giove, champion downhill mountain-bike racer; Gale Webb, MX Mom (58 years old); Kristen and Katie Rupert (13 and 10 years old); Bonnie Warsh, WML Pro racer; and Stephanie Johnson, who has been riding just three months. I guess Rick was just too busy until recently to teach his wife to ride. By the end of the class, she was clearing the tabletop. At the end of the day, Tami RiceHasse handed out embossed certificates of attendance and gave a special thanks to Perris Raceway for donating the track time for the school. I have been to numerous motorcycle classes, and this was the most well-organized, concise and effective class I have ever attended. I was truly impressed how much individual information on improving personal technique they could give for each section of the class: starts, straightaways and braking, turns, and jumps. Augle Augusto via the Intemet Women's MX Props Unfortunately, with today's fast paced lifestyles, credit isn't always given when due. I'd like to extend gratitude towards Miki Keller, the Women's Motocross League (WML) preSident and ringleader. She has done a superb job of promoting women's motocross. Women have always ridden motorcycles, but just a few years ago, you'd be lucky to see one or two ladies racing motocross every once in a while. Now almost every track has a Women's class and even offers skill-level divisions. The WML works hard with the AMA to bring women their own national motocross series that coincides with the AMA Pro Racing Outdoor National series. It's not uncommon to see professional women rider profiles and stories in popular sports magazines or on television. I remember watching round two of the AMA/WML National MX Series at Hangtown in 2000. There were about a dozen Pro Women racers and maybe a dozen Mini-class and Amateur-class racers combined. Fast forward to the AMA/WML National MX round at Washougal in 2002, and the same three Women's classes were offered - Pro, Amateur and Mini. All three classes had full gates. Even more, it's debatable that these National races could be broken up into more skill levels. While the third stop in Anaheim of the EA Sports AMA Supercross Series in 2002 enjoyed another sold-out crowd, Miki set up a WML booth back in the pits and invited a few women racers to get some publicity. They had an autograph line longer than the tobacco companies' bikini models. Motocross is well known as a family sport, but now, instead of just watching from the side of the track, moms, sisters, girlfriends and daughters alike are all racing. I know first-hand this makes for awesome bench-racing and less exclusion. Miki Keller has guided the women's motocross movement in the right direction and created opportunities for women to excel in a predominately male sport. Miki and her assistants have done and continue to do an excellent job for basically no monetary compensation. The WML is a nonprofit organization that has opened a door for women worldwide to step into the spotlight and deserves support from all motorcycle enthusiasts. It is much easier for women to experience the benefits racing motocross offers to all of its participants: confidence, self-esteem, setting goals and attaining them, the adrenaline rush, the feeling of accomplishment, and the physical and mental exhaustion and other attributes motocross brings to improve our everyday lives. But the bottom line is, men enjoy a pretty face smeared with dirt. So, next weekend at your local track, take some time to watch the female riders and give them a thumbs-up. And the next time you see the Women's Motocross League tent at a race, go over and offer your support. It looks like they're here to stay, and our sport needs all the strength it can get. Once we got on the track, Stewart started riding with us and showed us how fast he was. We could not believe he was so friendly to let us stay on the track, and riding with him taught me and my friends some real fast lines. We got to ride with him for a bunch of laps and again on the big track. I will remember this day for the rest of my life. If James only knew that riding with him was the most fun I have ever had on a motorcycle. I want to say thanks to James and the people who put on the riding and racing at Monster Mountain. Jacob Baumert Loulsvlffe, KY Baumert is 9 years old... Editor The benevolent Bubba. Shawn Bushneff via the Intemet Riding With Bubba This past weekend, I traveled from Louisville, Kentucky, to ride at Monster Mountain in Tallassee, Alabama. My dad said I would be able to watch James Stewart ride during the Fox Racing-sponsored ride day at the track. I brought my KTM 65 so I could ride the Mini practice. I saw Stewart riding on the Supercross track with one other rider, so me and my three friends took our bikes and thought we could get on the track for a lap or two before someone told us to leave. cue. e n e _ s • DECEMBER 4, 2002 5