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/128391
"Not right now - it's time for the World Series of Poker. Gatta go." letters 10 the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, PO Box 508A, Costo Meso, CA 92628-5084; faxed la 714·751-6685 ar emailed la edilar@cyclenews.cam. Published letters do not necessarily reRect the position of Cycle News, Inc. letters should not exceed 200 words, cnd all ore subject to editing. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's nome, address and daytime phone number... Editor. Bad, Good Regarding George Stephenson II's letter (Issue #30) - Really? Regarding Steve Asa's letter - Amen! Ken Rogers Coeur d'Alene, 10 Jamie Fan Jamie James is one of the nicest guys in the paddock. At Mid-Ohio we spotted Jamie from the upper level of the paddock building. Working for Ohlins now, he was helping the teams in the pits and I yelled down to him, "Hey, Jamie." He looked up, smiled and waved. Next thing we knew, Jamie was behind us. Wow, a four-time Champion took time out of his busy morning to come up to visit with us. How cool is that? Thanks Jamie! We really enjoyed the time! Shelle and Dwayne Young via the Internet Not Pleased Well, I'm sitting here watching the program that ESPN replaced the AMA National Motocross Series with - the final round of the U.S. Open of Competitive Eating - and the excitement is killing me. I particularly like the eaters' "eating" gear. Yes, since the AMA has lost their collective mind, I've been forced to find a new sport to enjoy before they change all the rules. Stuff like a 12Scc class with no 125s, a 250 class with almost no 2S0s... should I mention Daytona and the "Xtreme" biz? Nah, not right now - it's time for the World Series of Poker. Gotta go. Dick Archer via the Internet Cheap Watch? When John Kocinski moved up to 500cc Grand Prix racing, Kevin Schwantz said that he was going to come apart like a cheap watch. Sorry to disappoint Mr. Stephenson, but Bubba Stewart is doing the same thing. So Stewart is challenging Carmichael by landing on top of him at Unadilla? Some style. William Parker Hercules, CA Happy Man Thanks to Speed Channel and OLN for their fine broadcasting of motorcycling events. It seems that the couch potato/ potatoes have the money in this country. The people who are targeted by advertising are people who drink a lot, eat a lot, drive a lot of cars and trucks, and lay around on the couch on beautiful Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 6 I couldn't care less when they air their fine racing coverage; I have now learned how to use my VCR. Saturdays and Sundays are now mine to spend in my garage, ridng my motorcycles, or going to races. When girls, guns and beer are on, I can now click my way back to Road America, or Laguna Seca, or Bristol, or anywhere. I hope I am never dependent on networks to determine when I can watch. Thanks also to Cycle News for all their fine coverage. Thanks to Alan Cathcart and Scott Rousseau and Greg White. Ralph Watten Superior, WI The Brothers Bostrom If my memory serves me correctly, I think Ben and Eric Bostrom have both won AMA Superbike races at Laguna Seca. I think both of these guys are great competitors who work hard at their professions. I'm with Rene LaPrevotte when he stated, "If I were Mr. David Bell, I'd consider racing on another continent." Backmarkers should not deride and critique any of the guys winning and always finishing up front! Not when they qualify Brd and finish 29th in the Laguna Superbike race. But then maybe the unwarranted sting of David Bell's remarks was what helped Eric finish 28 riders ahead of him! Frank Vaughn San Diego, CA A Doubleheader The advantage of being a Canadian subscriber is that sometimes the mailman delivers two issues on the same day. Today was one of those lucky days. Yahoo! Keep up the good work. Brien Smith via the Internet Liked Camp I just want to mention that Dan Brown and the Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tennessee, put on another great venue this year. Young riders from all over the country gathered together to what I think is motorcycling's best-kept secret - trials! Dan's staff and volunteers are top-notch. Not only are they dedicated to supporting and promoting trials, they are damn good teachers, too. I am a firm believer that you have not fully accomplished the skill of riding a motorcycle until you have mastered the basic techniques of trials. Balance and control rule. Both my kids have been riding this event for the last few years, and they take home new skills each time. They are in total control of their machines and they know their AUGUST 17, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS own abilities and limitations. How many kids are there out there riding dirt bikes who don't even know how to use the front brake? The same goes for a lot of adults! I thiok it's the perfect way to introduce kids to motorcycling - not to mention that it builds confidence, allows them to experience success when they "clean" a section or failure when they "five" a section. The mental aspect of trials is sometimes h~rder to master than the actual riding. I encourage anyone and their family to give the sport a try and then spend a week at the TIC Trials Camp/Youth National Week, and they will understand what I am talking about. The TIC rocks! Dave Allen via the Internet Too Much Math Can someone please tell me why Ricky Carmichael only wins a $1500 purse for each moto win at an AMA National? No wonder he's on a two-year win streak. Did you see his house on MTV Cribs? You gotta win a lot of motos to pay for a house like that. Seriously, though, it may not mean a whole lot to a guy like Ricky or IS or so other guys, but what about the 185 other guys entered in each National? The AMA boasts an ever-increasing fan base and an average of 20,OOO-plus spectators at every National. Ticket prices for Sunday are only $30 each. At a minimum, they are bringing in $600,000 on Sunday alone. Probably half of those people are actually paying $40 for a two-day ticket. The riders are paying $12S each in entry fees times 200 riders (100 max per class as allowed by AMA), so the riders are paying in $25,000 and the AMA and National Promoters Group are paying in $30,000 of the $55,000 purse. That works out to just over a 200-percent payback. You might expect that at a local race, but at a National? So really, the AMA and NPG are bringing in over $600,000 per National and only paying out $30,000 to the riders. That works out to 5 percent of the gate to the riders who are drawing the crowds and 95 percent to the AMA and promoters putting on the race. That seems a little lopsided. If you ask me, a more equitable way to do it might be a guaranteed 20 percent of what comes through the gate. That way when you have a crowd of 26,000 people like at Washougal, the riders would be paid 26,000 times $30 times 20 percent = $156,000, plus $25,000 from entry fees, for a total payout of $181,000. Then Ricky wouldn't have to worry about winning so much. Bill Abrigo via the internet