Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

I "Don Was truly blessed to have so many wonderful and loyal friends. " His Heart's In San Francisco As a long-time dirt rider/racer, I thought it was great having supercross return to the Bay Area. Pac Bell Park, located in downtown San Francisco, is an awesome place. The last time was San Jose State in 1992. The riders and fans really seemed to enjoy the new location. The walk through the pits and Jeremy McGrath's lap during the opening ceremonies made the whole experience even better. Thanks THQ and the AMA! I hope it will return next year. Dave Hili San francisco, CA Forget The Boos What's with all the boos? I went to the San Francisco Supercross, my first one since 1979. Ricky Carmichael is definitely becoming very dominant in every way, and Bubba Stewart's speed was incredible - he is definitely a future superstar. I have read all the commotion about rough riding, and it's not so much about physical racing as it is about riders trying to park each other . that's the problem. Also what's with the blind nationalism? Sure, I want the American riders to win, but supercross wouldn't be what it is without the Australians and French. Being a road race fan from the early '70s, I learned to appreciate our French Canadian neighbors as well as the Australians - and, yes, I wanted Eddie' Lawson, Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwanz to win. How can you not like to watch Valentino Rossi ride? Would he get booed in the States? As riding tactics go, motocross should take a cue from dirt track. Sure, trying to park somebody on the mile track would have grave consequences, but this is carried over to short track and TT as well. They stuff each other like there's no tomorrow and try to get by at all costs without just trying to park each other into the hay bales - it's that simple. I hope supercross doesn't become a WWF spectacle, but maybe that's the attraction that will make it grow even bigger. If that's the case, for marketing purposes, David Vuillemin should put on black gear and call himself "The Assassin.· But then again, this sure didn't work for football. David and Chad (Reed), we don't all dislike you in Northern California. We appreciate your speed. Get better starts, play the passing game not the parking game, and give Carmichael a race for his money. Bubba, we can't wait to see you on a 250, but we will be patient as you must be as well. How can something this good sound so bad? Michael Chordas via the Intrilmet No Fan Of Walker My family and I have been involved in off-road racing/riding for over 30 years. We will buy at least two new bikes this year, and who knows how many of our hard-earned dollars will be spent on aftermarket parts and accessories? This year, however, after watching Matt Walker intentionally take out Travis Preston and then admitting it on the podium, I promise my new bikes will not be Kawasakis. And I won't be supporting any of Walker's sponsors. Kawasaki should not tolerate this sort of behavior, and he should be held responsible for his actions and released from his contract immediately. Mark Petersen via the Intrilmet No Fan Of Walker II Hey, Mitch Payton, how does it feel to run a team of thugs and cheaters? At least your guys are getting lots of press and camera time lately. Although if I were one of your team sponsors, you can be sure I wouldn't be too happy. In fact, I would be shocked, pissed, and embarrassed to have my name associated with your organization. Tell us, Mitch, do you condone your riders' behavior? Do you have team meetings to discuss take-out strategy, who your next "target" will be, etc.? I hope not. But in the end, it doesn't really matter - your riders consistently ride dirty, and it is your team. So here's hoping you don't have to spend too much money this season on fines and bodyguards for your riders, and that Travis Preston chooses to pay back Eric Sorby and Matt Walker off the track, by kicking their punk asses, at the same time, in broad daylight! Bruce McGrew Colorado Springs, CO Walker was fined $1000 by the AMA for his actions at the San Francisco Supercross... Editor Defending Walker If the AMA is going to fine Matt Walker for impeding Travis Preston's line at Pac Bell, they should review the Tbone attempt Preston put on Walker at Phoenix. This wasn't a block attempt, but a submarine move intended to run Walker off the track and take him out. So when Walker plays by the same rules, he is fined? Preston's comments after Phoenix made me lose all respect for him· he's a dirty racer who, when unable to make a clean pass, will endanger his fellow competitors. Pay back's a bitch, so don't cry, Travis, when others utilize your tactics. MontsFoor via the Intrilmet He Likes Mike when he raced 125s) and that he continued in saying that he was actually in the way of the riders who were there to win and not just to have fun. Has this guy watched Travis at all this season? I'll give him the fact that Travis lasted only a few races, but look at the speed he had. In Anaheim I he was right up there battling with Carmichael in the heat race, then he returned to win his semi, and in the main he was battling for another top position with LaRocco. I don't recall him ever being in the way this season. He went down against RC, but he was certainly not in the way - they were just making for some good racing. As for his incident later on with LaRocco, he had no choice of where to land after coming over the jump and seeing LaRocco sprawled across the track. Pastrana is very dedicated, and he hasn't won a 250cc championship yet due to some bad luck with illnesses he couldn't control. Pastrana is extremely talented, and (using his own words here) he's a phenomenal rider. Travis is just out there to have fun, but isn't everyone else? Part of that fun is winning championships, and if you are not there having fun while trying to win these races, maybe the sport is wrong for you, but it is definitely not wrong for Travis. Oh, and for the letter writer's question as to why fans wait in such long lines for this racer's autograph· well, maybe it is due to the fact that he is one of the nicest, most energetic riders out there, and he loves the sport. Just talking to him about the sport is enough to make anyone else enjoy it that much more. Therefore, I feel 100-percent confident in saying Travis will win a 250cc Supercross Championship. Good luck, Travis. Heal up fast, and we'll see you at the races. Just a quick note to let you know how much I appreciate your inclusion of Michael Scott's Grand Prix commentaries in Cycle News. His knowledge, analysis and writing skills are a credit to your paper and one of the reasons I keep subscribing. Keep up the flat track coverage too, and don't forget the vintage racers. Rick Ferpuson Raleigh. NC Vesco Thanks On behalf of the entire Vesco family, we would like to express our sincere appreciate for the time that many of you took to attend Don's services. We were overwhelmed by the number of people who came to honor his memory. He certainly touched a lot of people's lives. We have received many messages of comfort and support and would like to thank all of you for your flowers, cards. thoughts and prayers. Don was truly blessed to have so many wonderful and loyal friends. He would have been very proud and amazed at all the tributes that were written and said about him, as he was a very humble person. We are sure Don is smiling down on us and thinking about what kind of practical joke he can play on us the next time we meet. Thank you again. The Vesco Family Defending Pastrana There is no way I can allow someone to put down Travis as much as one letter writer did last week. I'll admit that I am a Pastrana fan, so maybe I feel a little more strongly about this issue than I should. However, it was not the remarks on his maturity level that upset me as much as the fact that the man decided that Travis will never win a Supercross Championship (which he already actually did, cue I e Christy LaCureile Windsor, CA n eVIl's FEBRUARY 12. 2003 5

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