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/128365
CgcleNews Volume XXXXII Sharon Clayton - President Michael Klinger - Publisher EDITORIAL Paul Carruthers - Editor Kit Palmer - Off-Rood Editor Scott Rousseau - Managing Editor Blake Conner - Associate Editor Brendan lutes - Off-Rood Assistant Editor "I'll look for the ignorant guy wearing the old, worn-out Datsun shirt." letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, PO Box 5084, Costo Meso, CA 92628·5084; faxed 10 714·751-6685 or emailed to editar@cyclenews.cam. Published letters do not necessarily reAect the position of Cycle News, Inc. leiters should not exceed 200 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _...".._'"""" words, and 011 ore subiect to editing. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publicotion. All letters should contain the writer's nome, oddress and daytime phone number... Edifor. Henny Ray Abrams - Contributing Editor Alan Cathcart - European Editor Critic I Critic II David R. Holther - Regional Events Editor Kimberly Pellman - Copy Editor In Cycle News (Issue #3, January 26) you printed letters from Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Frederick regarding ESPN2 coverage of supercross. Mr. Hoffman is absolutely correct. We should all be thankful that ESPN continues to cover our sport, and the fact that they have started airing the broadcast later in the afternoon and evening makes it even better - just in case you were out riding in the afternoon and not in front of the television. Heck, Anaheim III is scheduled for "prime time" coverage at 10 p.m. Thank you, ESPN2! Although you felt Mr. Frederick's letter was "pretty harsh," he is also absolutely correct. Over the past few years it has become painfully obvious that Mr. Harris and Mr. Steele had little knowledge of the sport until they were assigned to cover it. While I'm sure they are nice guys, they are simply not the right guys. The broadcast team should be made up of people who have a true passion, knowledge and involvement with the sport. I would guess that neither of these gentlemen own a dirt bike, and if I'm wrong, I'd still bet that they don't clean their own air filters. It was a refreshing change to have Denny Stevenson, Davey Coombs and Tim Ferry involved with the San Francisco coverage. This is an example of the right guys, along with Jamie Little, who also knows the sport and does a great job. It was nice to be able to turn the volume back on to hear the bikes and the crowd, something I had missed the previous three weeks. There is nothing wrong with construc- I wanted to let you know that I took your advice and considered Mr. Hoffman's letter in last week's Voices. He is right: We are very fortunate to have next day coverage. I am grateful for the fact that I can watch the race before I know who wins if I choose to avoid certain internet sites before Sunday afternoon. Even though I'm understanding of the lack of cleanup time between taping and airing, I still do not feel as though the announcers are doing their homework. It is obvious that Cameron and Todd love the sport, but that is not enough to elevate the TV coverage to the next level. It may not even be enough to keep it at this one. Todd and Cameron, I apologize for blasting you guys. I am not backing up for what I said, but I wish I had taken the time to say it in another way. I believe our sport needs to have the expert analysis of someone like David Bailey or Rick Johnson. We need to have better information during the race than knowing that the announcer was in the riders rig. Hey, Mr. Editor, you stated that "ESPN2 does a solid job of bringing 5upercross to the masses." I would suspect that a great percentage of the masses are existing riders or enthusiasts. It is very reasonable for us to expect profeSSional coverage and commentators. You, of all people, should understand what a mediocre mentality can do to a business or to an event. Here's something for you to consider: Read your coverage of the race. Does it sound anything like the ESPN2 coverage? I know that these are two different types of media, but solid, profeSSional information will always promote our sport better than hype. Dave Frederick via the Internet ADVERTISING· WESTERN STATES (714) 751-7433 TetTy Pratt - Notional Accounts Manager "'1arlt Thome, Forrest Hayashi. Dan legere, Rod Hipwell, Aaron Austin - Western Soles Managers ~honda Crawford - Advertising Coordinator Ashlcigh Klein - Assistant ADVERTISING· EASTERN STATES (77011790304 Carla Allen - Office Monoger & Advertising Coordinator 'iheri Russell, Suuie Smith - Eastern Sales Managers MARKETING· PROMOTION Mark Thome - Director Forrest Hayashi - Manager Aaran Austin - Support BUSiNESS AND CIRCULATION DEVELOPMENT Kirk Holland - Manager NEW MEDIA DEVELOPMENT Kory Klinger - Site Manager CLASSIFIED ADS Ashlcigh Klein GRAPHICS· PRODUCTION Kathleen Lawlor - Production Manager Sunju Kwon, Robert Martin, Christina Pcndon - Graphic Artists ADMINISTRATION Judy Klinger - Coordinator Pam Klein - Administrative Assistant ACCOUNTING· DATA PROCESSING Donna Bryan.Diamond - AiR Coordinator Geneva Repass - Assistant Stacy Ryan - Credit Manager CIRCULATiON Alma Anguiano - Circulation Manager Carol Maggio - Processing Coordinator Megan Carmona - Dealer Coordinator SERVICE' SUPPORT Bridgett Bobrofsky - Receptionist Robert Escandon - Service and Support NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 3S05·M Cadillac Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 P.O. BOll 5084, Costa Mesa. CA 92628·S084 (714) 751·]433 • FAX (714) 751-6685 EASTERN OFFICE 2775 Cruse Road, Suite 2603 Lawrenceville, GA 30044 (770) 279·0304 • FAX (770) 279-0360 E-MAIL· INTERNET www.cyclcnews.com editor@cydel1cws.com subscribe@cyclencws.com advertising@cydenews.com C\'cle News tUSPS l~l·J..lOl is published wet~ly excepl the lastlwo 1Y~~5 01 the caleodar year for $56.00 per i'eal by Cytle News. Inc 3505-M Cadillac Avtnue. Costa Mesa. CA 92626. Peril)dkals Postage Paid II Costa ties•. CA ~nd at add,lional mailmg GlI,ce Canada PoSllnlemal;onal Pubkcabons Llail_546515 tive criticism and, at the same time, recog- nition and appreciation for ESPN. To show my thanks, I would like to volunteer my services to ESPN, at no charge, and offer to help cover any supercross round as part of the broadcast team. I'll pay my own expenses, so if you think I did a bad job, you will have lost nothing. I know it's never as easy as it looks, but I know I can do better. Tony Schummel Wallkill, NY POSTMASTER Send Iddress changes 10 Cycle N,"",s. P.O. 60_ 508-l, Costa ~les. CA 92628-S08-1 To dtl~mm~ the ~_pililtion dale 01 your subSClipllOn, check Ih~ four numbers on lh! firsl t,ne 01 your addIesslabel. The hrsltwo d,grts indicale the lasl ISsue numbtr ~OIJ II meive and the lasl two characlers ,ndinte the yeal 01 !he last issue Subscriphon rates Rales lor the United Slates and lIS possessions 'orm~~~rr..e~~~si~~~dii.:~\~V:ute(~r; ~sC:::)~~~~~1 ~~'~d~il and Fore.gn. ona \'eal (SO issues). SICl5.oo: tlVO years (100 ISSueS~ $19500 Sil months (2S issues), 55500: trial sub (15 issues), 54200 Cycle News welcomes unsolicited edrtorial matenalll"ltludlng !tonu, cartoons. pholos. etc Such matl'liaL II published. ~omes ~~ve~~I::r:i~:~t~~ ~~~~S~~:A::~~:~~g,~e~~~ clrculahlln In~llon part \'jIll be sent upon request. SN S.ROS W/SPA V .._,. 01 \llll"!' \1111' Illall Printed in U.S.A. Copyright «:l Cycle News. Inc. 2005. Trademark CyCle News legislered U.S. Palent Oltlce. All righls reserved Although I'm not sure as to whether or not Todd Harris can ride a motorcycle, I know that Cameron Steele is an accomplished rider. I have no ideo if he cleans his own oir filters or not - though I'm not certain what the air filter reference has to do with him having "knowledge of the sport." I'm the editor of Cycle News and happen to know a little about the sport, but I'll schedule a root canal if it will get me out of cleaning my own air filter!... Editor Trials Rules I just wanted to say thanks for the great job Cycle News has done covering trials. It had been many years since I let my subscription expire because of a lack of trials, but I decided to renew one year ago after seeing the great articles covering the World and National Championships by Mario Candelone and Shan Moore. This past year was even better, the coverage has been terrific, so I'll renew my subscription. Thanks again. Please keep it up. Matt Liberatore Herndon, VA Response to Not rmpressed I'd like to respond to Steve Hackett's "Not Impressed" babble in the Voices section of the Cycle News (Issue #5, February 9). Steve - please do the rest of California a big favor and don't attend another Supercross for 25-plus years. Supercross races get consistently sold out and no one wants to see any seats wasted on someone who leaves before the first heat race is under way. Steve, the opening ceremonies start at 7 p.m., not the racing, you should have known. The "unhappy looking guys carrying flags from countries they couldn't find on a map with the aid of Christopher Columbus" are in fact the flaggers for the evening's event, all of whom are working for free. I personally know that many of them are varying degrees of profeSSionals just wanting the chance to be on the floor of the stadium, to be close to the action and to help out when required. I know it's been a long time Steve, but Datsuns are now called "Nissans." Have you been spending those 25-plus years you mentioned in a cave somewhere near Yorba Linda? I'll keep an eye out for you at the outdoor Nationals, Steve. I'll look for the ignorant guy wearing the old, worn-out Datsun shirt. Greg Robertson Palmdale, CA World Superbike TV Gentlemen: We, the passionate-about-ourroad-racing public, have started a campaign over at the Speed TV message boards to get the channel to change its broadcast time for round one of the World Superbike Series on February 27. Currently, the broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, March I at 12 and I p.m. That's right - we will not have same-day coverage of a series that is seeing extraordinary participation from the bike manufacturers for 2005. And do I need mention the names Haga, Bostrom, Laconi, Corser, Toseland, Chili, Walker, Pitt and Kayagama? This isn't a hate mail campaign - Speed TV is to be commended for bringing us same-day coverage of AMA, MotoGP and World Superbike. But I have got to believe that Brian D., Greg W., Dennis N. and even Dave D. over at Speed TV have heavy, heavy hearts with respect to this development for the dedicated fans that tune into their channel. Your help in our cause is appreciated. Bob Close via the Internet Turn a negative into a positive, Bab. Ga ride your motorcycle on the Sunday of the race, and then bring a TV to work on Tuesday. If your job won't allow for that, visit your local sports bar for lunch and World Superbike racing... Editor CYCLE NEWS • FEBRUARY 16,2005 S