Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

.. letters 10 the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, PO Box 5084, Costo Mesa, CA 92628-5084; foxed to 714-751-6685 or emoiled 10 edilo~cydenew5.com. Published letters do not necessarity reRect the position of Cyde News, Inc. letters should not exceed 200 words, and all are subject to editing_ Anonymous letters will nol be considered for publication. AU letters should conloin the writer's name, address and daytime phone number... Editor. as opposed to going to the channel to find squat tag in the asparagus patch." Good Riddance? Good RC, Bad Bubba My husband and I just spent the weekend at Hangtown. We had beautiful weather, great racing and an awesome time. There was only one disappointment, and that was Bubba Stewart. I spent the weekend getting autographs from the Pros for my nephew. On Saturday, I was able to get Ricky Carmichael's and Chad Reed's autographs without any hassles. Both riders were more than willing to not only sign my nephews shirt, but I (with my heart going pitter-patter) got my picture taken with Chad Reed and my husband (with his heart probably doing the same) got his picture taken with Ricky Carmichael. My nephew was very grateful for all I did for him, but he really wanted Bubba's autograph, too. I had heard someone in Stewart's pit area state on Saturday he would be signing autographs on Sunday only and that we needed a ticket. Being the auntie that I am, I headed straight to Bubba's semi when I arrived to the pits on Sunday. After waiting in line for only 30 minutes or so, a Kawasaki employee handed out the tickets. I was stoked thinking how the line wasn't too bad and I didn't have to wait forever. The fans were told Bubba would be signing at around I I a.m. That is when my antennas went up, because it was already I I:05. But I figured he would be out in another minute or so. Well another half hour went by and still no Bubba. We were finally told around 20 minutes before the pits closed that Bubba was napping and would not be signing any autographs before the motos. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy. I wasted my valuable time for nothing. I could have been getting autographs from racers who know the sport wouldn't be what it is without the fan base. And my husband and I have been fans for over 20 years. All I have read about is how Bubba Stewart is so great with the media and takes time with his fans. Well, I certainly did not experience this at Hangtown. I have to wonder if the media presents Bubba in a different light, rather than exposing him for his true colors! Karma came back to bite James Stewart in the butt, though. His nap did not help him hang with the big boys! Ricky, once again, proved he has what it takes to be a Champion, and he is a wonderful ambassador for the sport. My nephew couldn't get over how cool it was when he saw Ricky letting this toddler take his picture with him right before the practice on Saturday. I'm just glad my nephew witnessed such a generous gesture on Ricky's part. It helps wash the sour taste we got from Stewart's actions. Amy Keene via the Internet Would someone please make an effort to contact me on how I can contact the AMA or let me know who I need to contact on the subject of the 125/250cc F-c1ass riders and what seems to be the never-ending "take-out moves" in both supercross as well as outdoor motocross? I am a 30-year veteran of this great sport and Iam appalled with how much these guys can get away with on the tracks. FYI - I'm spending most of my free time (and money) tutoring/coaching Amateur racers these days, and it is so hard to explain to some of the younger kids and their parents that what they see on TV is not part of racing. Try to convince an 8-, 12- or 14-year-old who has the ability to do a 60- to 70-foot triple that it's not okay to blatantly take a guy out just because he got stuffed by that guy on the last lap in the first of his two motos and just because the Pros do it. Our great sport has come a long way since my first race in 1974, and I personally feel that our sport is not being managed properly nor promoting itself either by letting this "rough riding" (as Steve Whitelock puts it) and selfish tactics continue without stiffer ground rules. We need to set an example for the upand-coming riders/racers as well as the current talent at the Pro level. Johnny Pappas via the Internet Volume Where's Jamie? All I can say about OLN's coverage of the Hangtown National is - where's Jaime Little? Tim Murphy via the Internet Bostrom Hype With all the hype surrounding Eric Bostrom's wins at Pikes Peak, I find myself comparing this achievement to being the tallest midget in the world - not very impressive. David Bell Son Francisco, CA 125cc Death March I witnessed some awesome racing at the opening round of the AMA Motocross season at Hangtown. It was great racing in the 125cc class with several racers having a shot at the win, including Broc Hepler, Mike Brown, Josh Grant, Ryan Hughes and the eventual winner, Grant Langston. The one race yesterday, that won't get any mention will be the last chance qualifier. I believe I witnessed the death and burial of the 125cc two-stroke. The final nail was put in the coffin with Brett Metcalf riding the wheels off that yz 125 to come in sixth, one position from making the show. I could tell he was trying his best to get through the pack, but four laps is just too short after being near last at the start. I wish he could have made that pass at the finish-line jump. 50, for the first time ever, the 125cc class had only 250cc machines in the field. I guess it is time for the AMA to change the name since you probably will not see another two-stroke make the field this year. James Stewart will be the last 125cc National Champion. I would find it hard to believe Team Troy will have Brett on that bike at Mt. Morris next weekend. The 125cc machine is just no match for the fourstroke machine and its power. I am sad to see the I25 go away from the class, but I have now accepted that the 2S0cc four-stroke machine is King in the class. Curtis Dupuis via the Internet EDITORIAL Paul Carruthers - Editor Kit Palmer - Off-Rood E.ditor Scott Rousseau - Managing Editor 8131((' Conner - Auociate Editor Brendan lutes - Off-Road Assistant E.ditor Hcnny Ray Abrams - Cont"buling Editor Alan Cathcart - European Editor David R. Halther - Regional Events Edilor Kimberly Pellman - Copy Editor 6 JUNE 8, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS ADVERTISING· WESTERN STATES 17141751-7433 Terry Pratt - National Accounts Manager Mark Thome. Forrest Hayashi. Dan Legere, Rod Hipwell - Western Soles Managers Rhonda Crawford - Advertising Coordinotor Ashleigh Klcin - AssiJtant ADVERTISING· EASTERN STATES 11101179-0]04 Carla Allcn - Office Manager & Am-ertising Coordinator Sheri Russell, Suzzie Smith Eastern Sales Managers MARKETING· PROMOTION Mark Thome - Director Forrest Hayashi - Manager BUSINESS AND CIRCULATION DEVELOPMENT Kirk Holland - Manager NEW MEDIA DEVELOPMENT Kory Klinger - Sire Manager CLASSIFIED ADS Ashleigh Klein GRAPHICS· PRODUCTION Kathleen Lawlor - Production Manager Sunju Kwon, Robert Martin, Christina Pendon - Graphic Artists ADMINiSTRATION Judy Klinger - Coordinator Pam Klein - Administrative Assistant ACCOUNTING· DATA PROCESSING Donna Bryan-Diamond - AIR Coordinator Gencva Repass - Assistant Stacy Ryan - Credrr Monoger Class Structure As one of 27,000 plus fans at Hangtown, I was treated to the sight of one of the best racers ever dominate the 250cc (450) National. What was conspicuous was the lack of any meaningful racing going on in the pack behind Ricky Carmichael. There's been a lot of ink already about a rule to get riders out of the B I25cc (250) class and into the A 250cc (450) class. How about the AMA just using the rules it already has in place for Amateur racing and expanding them to include the top Pros? The AMA already tells a rider that he has to ride intermediate because he has too many points to ride novice any more - so why not tell the top 30 or 40 earned National numbers from the previous year that they have to ride the premier A 250cc (450) class and have "pointed-out" of the B class. This would keep veteran, multiple National Championship hardened pros (like Mike Brown and Grant Langston) and their like in the class they belong in and away from teenage Pros trying to make a name in the National spotlight. It would also serve to make the A 250cc (450) a lot more entertaining by not diluting taient into the lower class. It seems that everyone's riding for second right now, so I guess the manufacturers feel they need to seed top talent into the lower class to win the one championship still being contested. It sure made for an uneventful two motos in Sacramento. Alan Kuffel Reno, NV XLII Sharon CI"yton - President Michael Klinger - Publisher Take-Out Moves Let me be the first to congratulate OLN and the AMA for finally getting rid of ESPN. What a blessing. Now maybe we'll be able to see our favorite sport of motorcycle racing in a timely manor. Maybe when the guide says motocross/supercross, it will be there - as opposed to going to the channel to find squat tag in the asparagus patch. I will be looking forward with great anticipation. Jim Cooke Randsburg, CA CgcleNews CIRCULATION Alma Anguiano - Circulation Manager Carol Maggio - Processing Coordinator Megan Carmona - Dealer Coordinator SERVICE· SUPPORT Bridgett Bobrofsky - Receptionist Robert Escandon - Service ond Support NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 3505-M Cadillac Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 P.O. BOl( 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084 (714)751-7433· 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.cyclenews.com editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com advertising@cyclenews.com Cycle fie.,." IlJSPS 141-34\11', lIubhshf'd wee~ly tlce~t lh~ 1,1Q tl'>O week- ,)f the calen!l;H \'~aJ f'J< S:.a 00 pe' year IJ'y C\'Cle Nrw, h< 35lY.i-M Cal11~da fo,l luterna"onal Pub!lCil',,)ns Ma,i ~:>46615 POStMASTER. Sefid address Costa M~sa, CA 92628-50a-l "hd~~~" tel CYC'e N~w,. 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S29 00 tnal Cycle ~ew~ welcomes un5DI,c ted ed,tor,al mat~llal '>1{i"ij"'g ~t(lfles. cart)()ns photo~ H: Su<:h mati;flal 11 publ'shed beromes the e,cJU5;~e pr~pert~ of Cr~le r,el'os flelYtnllng on who'e CIf part on1r bv pernH5s,on (of lhf publ"hfr Adve'I,s,n9 rilteS ard ~,r~uldf,()f1 :!llClfmahol1 1'0,11 Dil seOi 1'lJ"11 rN'\I~,t Set S fl DS ."..-BPA .. , .•• '" \IIlIlll' llRt t I \111>' Printed in U.S.A. f',opynght eel CYl:le News, Inc 2005 Trademark Cycle News regislered liS Pillpnl Ollice All rights reserved

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