Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

"Regarding Mike, Kevin and I made it clear that as riders we should not be put in a position to pick the team." letters 10 the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, PO Box 5084, Cosio Mesa, CA 92628.5084; faxed 10 714·751-6685 or emoiled to edilor@cydenews.cam. Published letters do not necessarily reRect the position of Cycle News, Inc. letters should nol exceed 200 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . r -..... words, cnd all ore subject to editing. Anonymous letters will nof be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number... Editor. RC's Letter traveled together on a private jet that I had [Issue #34], I've changed my mind. Instead, I wish that I could write one of these when arranged for the East Coast events. Mike I'll buy two. everything was perfect. Maybe next time? attended dinner at my mom and dad's Hey, Moron, why all the cheerleading for America? How about the fact that this is the I am writing this to hopefully shed a little house for "Family Night" every Tuesday - light on this mess with Brownie [Mike he is family. We have discussed the issues one and only race during the year that isn't Brown] and the Motocross des Nations. I Mike has been haVing with his equipment about the individuals, isn't about the manu- want to begin by letting you know that Mike and I have not had any falling out at all. Mike has been a guest of mine for weeks at a time this season and is always welcome at my house. I have always been there for Mike and consider him a valued friend. This has not changed. I am a little upset about the press release that Dan Dilkey [Mike Brown's manager] wrote this week. I understand that he is upset for Mike and he wants to make his opinion known, but he doesn't seem to have his facts straight. For instance, Dan wrote about a meeting that did not include Mike, implying that he was not invited. The fact is that Mike had already left the track and was to be included in the brief meeting that Kevin [Windham] and I attended with Steve Whitelock on Sunday after the race. This meeting covered several topics ranging from approving our helmet deSigns for the team, to the hotel information for the trip, to a possible film crew follOWing us to document our trip, and, of course, our concern for Mike with his struggles these past few weeks. and the difficulty of racing at the top level as facturers... it is a team effort where nation a privateer. I have seen how frustrated that competes against nation, where we rally Mike has become these past few weeks; he behind or team, in hopes that our country even packed up his stuff after Millville and wins? Department of Defense or the left my house without saying anything Republican National Committee? Don't because he was so frustrated. When asked look now, but your political views are by my mechanic where he was going, Mike showing. told him that he was going home and that Kirk Bassett San Clemente, CA maybe they should pick someone else to ride on the MXdN team. I knew that he was just frustrated, and didn't take his leav- Campbell Kudos ing as anything other than that. I'm also sure A couple of weeks ago, my 15-year-old son that being at home with his wife and son and I made the trek from San Diego up to Glen Helen to ride the Pro track. As fate would also help his spirits. Like me, Mike is supercompetitive. He would have it, I got a front flat one hour wears his heart on his sleeve and kills him- into the ride. I did not have a tube or irons self to win. I think that his struggles over the to fix the tire, but I saw a Precision past several rounds of the series are both- Concepts box van in the parking lot and fig- ering him more than this MXdN trip. I try ured they would have some tools and to remind myself that Mike did not write equipment. I walked up and asked if they the press release, and I understand that had a tube I could buy from them. There people around him are very upset about was a rider working on his bike with a cou- this decision. I spoke to Mike on Tuesday ple of mechanics. He said, "Sure, what size night before the press release went out, do you need? Do you also need to borrow and he and I are fine; that's why I was so my tire irons?" surprised to see the message online the next day. I told him it was the front tire, and that I needed the tools. He turned around and Regarding Mike, Kevin and I made it I feel bad for Steve Whitelock, too. The walked into a plain white box van. As he clear that as riders we should not be put in MXdN venture is extremely expensive and turned around, I saw the name "Campbell" a position to pick the team. We are totally packed with pressure for everyone. The on his jersey. I looked at the bike and saw committed to the MXdN and don't just manufacturers huge that it was a Honda CRF450X with the want to go - we want to win. However, we expense to send over a full staff with parts number I N. johnny Campbell walked out should not be put in a position to pick the and equipment with the expectation of win- of his box van holding a brand-new tube. team or, in this case, determine if a chosen ning. I'm sure that Steve has been pulled in He then reached into a fanny pack and rider should be removed from the team. I all directions and will take the blame for grabbed two tire irons. Before he handed are absorbing a suggested at this meeting that in the future most of this decision even though I'm sure them to me he asked, "What kind of bike we should send the 125 Outdoor National that it was not his decision alone. do you ride?" I told him it was a CRF450R. Champion, the 250 Outdoor National In closing, let me say that I'm sorry for I offered to pay him for the tube. He Champ and the next best available rider.

• Cover