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/128369
"Though I didn't get him a Christmas present, Cameron is the best freestyle analyst in the industry." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.....,. letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cyde News, PO Box 5084, Costa /lAesa, CA 92628-5084; foxed 10 714-751-6685 or emoiled '0 edilor@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cyde News, Inc. leiters should not exceed 200 words, and all ore subject to editing. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. A1llettefS should contain the writer's nome, address and daytime phone number... Editor. No More cc, Please Gibson Says Thanks Hey, AMA and all the others involved: Do us all a favor and at least drop the "cc" at the end of all documentation involving supercross and motocross. Obviously, it's meaningless now and all it does is confuse the newcomer to our sport. I would like to take a moment out of my recuperation to thank everyone for all the kind visits, e-mails, cards and phone calls that I received after my accident. It's great to know that so many people in this field look out for one another. As many of you may know by now, I broke the C6 vertebra in my neck during practice at Indianapolis. I am a very, very lucky guy. I will be in a neck brace for about three months, but there is no spinal-cord damage (again, very, very lucky!). I'm doing some training now and hope to be ready for outdoors. I can't wait to see you all soon and thank you in person. My family and I both appreciate your warm concerns. Thanks again. Mark Weston Citrus Heights, CA Old-Time Vent As a longtime dirt-oriented Cycle News subscriber, I really enjoyed Scott Rousseau's Archives column on Jeff Ward's one-point victory in the 1985 Supercross Series. I remember it well - what a finish! I particularly liked the reference to the Rose Bowl race, where Jo Jo Keller came in fourth, in front of the two main title contenders Glover and Ward. Who was Jo Jo Keller? Keller was and is one of New England's most-loved riders, rising out of New England's regional NESC series (same as John Dowd and Doug Henry later on) to do battle with the best in the world. As a coincidence, Keller's picture is in the February issue of another magazine, in the "Mr. Know It All" column, getting totally sideways on his CR over a Southwick sand tabletop, pre-dating the "Bubba Scrub" by many years. Complete with his characteristic openface helmet and NESC 39x number plate, it was a classic photo that I purchased as a poster at the time. The only problem is the magazine identified the rider as Danny "Magoo" Chandler. A quick call to Dick Bettencourt of Bettencourt Honda, Keller's longtime sponsor, confirmed my Keller observation. This kind of injustice really gets every loyal NESC fan's blood boiling. The only consolation, I guess, is to be able to say to "Mr. Know It All" after all these years: "You really should have known!" I know this wouldn't have happened in Cycle News. Thanks for letting me vent. Paul Kosciuszek Weare, NH New Daytona Sponsor What a coup Honda pulled off by sponsoring the Daytona 200 and having the only three factory bikes in the field so that the trio of Duhamel, Zemke and Roberts are all but assured podium finishes. But wouldn't it just wouldn't be great if a not-so-great rider on a not-so-great bike took the factory down "Old School"? I can't imagine people will be anticipating the Daytona 200 as they did in years past. Now, if they want to run 200 miles around the old AMA track at the Pomona Fairgrounds parking lot, I'm in! Steven OeLaMora Fontana, CA Jeff Gibson via the Internet Thank you to Mr. Nutter, his son Jeff, Roy, Rick, Ted, Gary and all your crew for spending the day with our injured rider. There was also another crew on the scene that stayed with Kellon all day until the ambulance (a 4x4 truck driven by Manuel) arrived at the scene at around 4 p.m. Thanks also to Butch and his crew (from Las Vegas) who somehow found us where we were prerunning on the northern end of the course near Zoo Road later that afternoon to tell us what happened. Not only did these people stay with Kellon all day, they loaded up Kellon's bike and his cousin's bike onto their buggy and brought the motorcycles to us at our hotel that night. They were also very concerned for his well being. Desert people are the best' Thank you again!! Patty Moare Apple Valley; CA Bernardo To the Defense Stand I have never been a fan of the Voices section of the magazine being used as a platform for whiners. Many are taking their shots at nit-picking Todd Harris and Cameron Steele's Supercross coverage, claiming they can do better and whatnot. As an announcer in the industry, I can say that there are many facets to television that some readers cannot grasp. Yes, Cameron has a wide-open and unique style, and no, he has not accomplished on a bike what David Bailey has. Though I didn't get him a Christmas present, Cameron is the best freestyle analyst in the industry. The bottom line is no matter who announces supercross, someone will whine about what they don't like. When you are on TY, you put yourself up for critique by millions. Yes, maybe they aren't always nailing the commentary, but ESPN has faith in their talents. That's why they have their jobs. Let me and Cameron come over to your house and sit on your TV and we will tell you what we don't like about you. See if you like it. If you don't like it, turn off the sound and do your own commentary. Jerry Bernarda via the Internet Thanks From Walch's Crew Thank you to the team of SCORE Series car number S19 for spending a full day with our injured Red Bull KTM motorcycle rider Kellon Walch. Kellon suffered a broken femur in San Felipe, Mexico, while prerunning his section for the Tecate 250 race. The incident took place around I I a.m. on February 22, and he was brought back to the U.S. and had surgery the next day. He will be riding again in six weeks. Kellon was seen by several racers who were prerunning for the Tecate 2S0 race and also by the team of car number 5 19. How Good Is RC? As I listen to Supercross live or watch it on ESPN, I look and wonder how good Ricky Carmichael really is. The preseason hype was phenomenal, but Ricky's training and desire to win is far above everyone. I do not belittle the efforts of Chad Reed, Kevin Windham and Mike laRocco because they also have tremendous heart, work ethic and desire to win, but nobody does more training than Ricky and it shows. Ricky's attitude toward the challenges is positive and professional and respectful towards his competition. I believe Bubba Stewart is a solid talent but lacks respect and training effort. He will continue to ride on the edge and hurt himself until he sets his training goals to become more physically fit. Bubba claims he's "confident not cocky," but until he can race with the strength of these riders for a full season, the racing community will hold its breath. This is Bubba's fourth season and, unlike Reed, Bubba has intimidated the competition by staying back an extra two years. My statement would be if you were so used to winning and have won so much, why did you wait? Travis Pastrana stepped up to 2S0s, and Reed did as well. I should say that the respect would be given if he walked the walk with the premier class two years ago. Ricky, Reed, Windham and LaRocco continue with the professionalism and hard work as we can see it in their interviews and riding. Bubba, hope to see you soon to walk the walk and ride like you say you can. Lesson time will be given or taken hopefully at Daytona. Christopher Whiteside via the Internet Stewart is not expected to return to action until the Orlando Supercross... Editor CYCLE NEWS • MARCH 16,2005 5