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/128396
Letters to the editor .hould be sent to Voice., Cycle New., PO Box 5084, Co.to Meso, CA 92628·5084; foxed to 714·751-6685 or emoiled to edilorilcyclenews.com. Publi.hed letters do not necessarily reRect the position of Cyete News, Inc. letters should not exceed 200 words, and all are subject to editing. Anonymous letteu will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's nome, oddress and daytime phone number... Editor. Why Stay? Would someone please ask l1at Mladin why he is staying in the AMA after six freakin' championships? What has he to prove here? Why is he scared of World Superbike? Or MotoGP? Please suggest to the AMA that a rider should not be allowed to race in a series after he has been crowned champion four times. They already have some type of rule in place for the 125cc class in motocross. Why not implement that throughout all AMA-sanctioned events? I agree that someone, anyone, should step up and beat Mladin. It does not help that I am a Honda fan. Sorry. David Guest via the Internet Plain and simple: Mladin likes it here. He's paid well, likes raising his family in Southern California and no longer has the desire to go to Europe. As for changing the rules to prevent champions fram continuing to race in their classes, Ricky Carmichael would also have to leave. The rule is in place for the /25cc class because it's supposed to be an entry-level class to the 250cc class. Mladin is a/ready in the highest AMA class - Superbike... Editor Where's Childress? I just read the interview with Mouse McCoy. I was surprised to find that when he was asked what he attributed his recent Baja 500 win to that he failed to even make mention of his teammate, Mikey Childress, who by the way rode three-quarters of the entire race while Mouse rode a quarter of it. Mikey Childress was the backbone of the 2005 Baja 500. Michael Nardini via the Internet Where's Childress? II I've now read three interviews with Mouse McCoy concerning Dust To Glary. In all three interviews the common theme is "me," "myself" and "I." There is no mention of Honda, his father, sponsors or the people that made it happen. There is no "I" in the word teamwork. Mouse would do well to stick to the film business - where this kind of attitude is expected - and let Cycle News use its limited space to concentrate on real racers. Mike Childress won the Baja 500. Mouse McCoy was a 90-mile "transfer-rider." Juliana Dunlavey Lafayette, CA We're not sure what other interviews you've read with McCay, but ours focused almost entirely an Dust To Glory and very little an the Baja 500. We talked to the three people responsible for the movie, and he was one of the three. We weren't there to talk about the Baja 500... Editor Thinking of Hayes I had the pleasure of meeting and riding with Josh Hayes about I I years ago. He had just started racing and was one of the friendliest, most gracious people I had ever met. I've been able to see him at a few 6 "My thoughts are with him and his family after Hurricane Katrina." races in the past years, and he always remembered and was pleased to see me. He is truly one of the nicest people around. My thoughts are with him and his family after Hurricane Katrina. Thanks for the article. I have been concerned for him, his family and all my other friends in the area. Van Scay via the Internet The Plij!ht of Picotte The last time I sUDmitted a letter to the editor was exactly two years ago, after Pascal Picotte had claimed his first of two consecutive Canadian 600cc Sportbike and Superbike titles (September 10, 2003, Issue #36) after being forced out of AMA Superbike competition. This time I'm writing to describe my disgust with what transpired at round eight of the Canadian Superbike Championship. Picotte came into the final round at Shannonville Motorsports Park having already relinquished the 600 Sportbike title to now four-time champion Steve Crevier. However, the Superbike Championship was still mathematically up for grabs with Francis Martin leading Clint McBain by 22 points and Picotte by 23. Picotte took the pole on Saturday, putting himself four points closer to Martin. On Sunday, he took the green and entered the first turn in second place, but by the second turn he was in the lead. At the halfway mark, Picotte led, with Suzuki riders Kevin Lacombe, Clint McBain and Martin battling for second, third and fourth, respectively. Picotte built a six-second advantage at one point and closed another two points on the leader, haVing already led the most laps. The points gap was down to 17 and the championship was about to end in a 310-31 0 tie, with Picotte taking the title by virtue of having more race wins. Martin had almost no chance of passing McBain on the last lap, but Suzuki orders were out. With a half lap to go, Clint McBain slowed his number-9 Blackfoot Suzuki to allow Martin to pass. McBain would later claim tire problems caused the change in position, but for anyone who was there, it was grossly obvious what happened. He would have been better off allowing Martin to pass in the section of track not visible from the grandstand. The pass put Martin in a position to win the championship by five points even though Picotte won the race by almost three seconds. As a Picotte fan, I'm certainly biased, but I have no idea how anyone can be celebratory about a championship that is handed to them rather than earned. All hail Francis Martin and Team Suzuki (NOT!). It only took all of you to screw Pascal Picotte and Yamaha out of the championship. By the way, as I mentioned in my 2003 submittal, Pascal's one of the nice guys in racing, talking to fans and signing autographs up until 15 minutes before the start of the 600 Sportbike final (which he won). Pascal, thanks again for the signatures. Darren Wilson Hannawa Fails, NY A Bij! Thanks My daughter and' qualified for the 2005 AMA Amateur National Motocross SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Tennessee. A practice crash in late June left me paralyzed from midchest down. Thanks to a fund-raiser at the EI Cajon MX Park, Vicki still made it to Loretta's, where she finished third in the Girls' 65-105cc (9-1 3) class. In addition, essential alterations were made to our home to accommodate my new life in a wheelchair. What is a Motocross Miracle? It's people rallying in great numbers to help when something really bad happens. On Saturday, July 16, hundreds of you showed up at a benefit ride for me at the EI Cajon Motocross Park. Your generosity and emotional support helped reduce this disaster to just another bump in the road. Earlier this year, Ricky James suffered a spinal cord injury similar to mine at the Lake Whitney National. After that, the racing continued but with the added purpose of helping this young man. I now know firsthand how much that meant to Ricky and his family. I'm lucky to have so many friends and organizations do so much for my family and me: Devin Deforest, Craig and Cassie Monty, Dave McNeil, Doug Rahders, Scott Clark, Eddie Campos, Steve Economoo, Alfonso Yorba, Brandon Jeffries, Dusten Watson, Dax Billings, Matt Schmoke, Liann Bryan, Andy Harrington, David Hurley, Rosemary Martinez, Steve and Tina Walden, Lance Schoonmaker, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Miller, Donna and Freddie Edwards, Sean Puyear, Jim Woodruff, Lou Soto, Phil Cruz, Mike and Tracie Parsons, Sandra Lutsch, Steve Emter, John and Debbie Del Fante, Mike Young, Alfredo Contreras, Janice Ashrat, Craig Infeld, Kristen Mackwood, Brandon Ellingsen, Timothy and Tamara Larson, Lee Hoffman, Eric Ratza, Samuel Evans, Joe Cerrato, Craig and Beth Broderick, Johnny (Sprocket), Susan Ellis, Scott La Rosh, Robert Broguiere, Gary Weisbruch, Kenny Morris, Mary Lehman, Loren Barnes, Dean Welsh, Rodney Rutherford and Ashley West. Help also came from: Motoworld of EI Cajon, Fox Racing, The EI Cajon MX Park, Resner's Builder's Hardware, Precision Heating and Air, Ready Racing, Patriot Environmental, Custom Decals, Spy Optics, Precision Concepts, Maxima Racing Oils, Pro-Ride Sports, Bridgestone Tires, ProTaper, L E Schoonmaker Heating and Air Conditioning, Rainscape Environmental, MX Sports, Flo-USA Snow Boards, Sanyo Systems, One Industries, White Brothers, Utopia Optics, Perris Raceway, Cahuilla Creek MX Park, Sunline, Thor, Tag Metals, Scott Goggles, Fly, VP Racing Fuels, Big Gun Exhaust Systems, Doetsch Enterprises, No Fear, agio, RP Racing, Axo, Universal, LTL Graphics, Motovation Sports, Dragon Optics, Amateur MX Magazine, MX Girls and So-Cal Motocross. Thank you seems so inadequate. I'm sure it was never meant to cover something like this, yet there are no other words that can take its place. Thank you - all of you, both named and unnamed for turning out... Another Motocross Miracle! Most sincerely, Peter Golden £1 Cajon, CA