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/128406
"Looks like I will be up in Sacramento watching live racing, while taping the Superbikes." Letters 10 the editor should be senllo Voices, Cycle News, PO Box 5084, Cosio Meso, CA 92628-5084; foxed 10 714·751-6685 Of emoiled 10 edilorikyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reRect the position of Cycle News, Inc. leiters should not exceed 200 words, and all ere subject 10 editing_ Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number... Editor. Worth The Fight The sport of motocross and supercross has come a long way in the past five years due to champions like Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael. Recently, I read in Cycle News that we will have major network coverage of our sport in 2006. Since I'm old enough to remember ABC's "Wide World of Sports," I can't wait to be able to see our sport at a normal-viewing time slot. But anyone who loves this sport should have a major concern. Over the past year, your great paper has reported some type of inflammatory remark or fistfight involving the Alessi brothers - almost monthly! Since I'm an East Coast person, I have no real experience from a local perspective about the family or personalities... what I'm saying is, I do not know them [well enough) to cast judgment. What I do know, however, is that where there's smoke, there's fire. Something that has and always will be an issue with our sport is, we have kids (and sometimes punks) participating in it. The AMA would be chastised if they implemented minimum age limits before you could turn pro, but maybe waiting until 21 years of age would encourage [choosing) college or the military before a racing career. The maturity would help the sport. Look at NASCAR as an example; when the sport grew, they cleaned up the fights. In closing, we all can only hope that the image we show on CBS will not stereotype the sport with the "biker gang" mentality the casual viewer will see when riders ghost-ride their bikes at each other, intentionally take out a rider, stand on someone's bike, start a fight, etc. If the jail time would not have been in a foreign country, Steve Bonifice should have opted for that instead of an apology letter! Rick Spivey via the Internet Helping Josh It was great to read about so many stars of road racing and flat track banding together to help young Josh Serne and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As a member of the Merrimack Valley Trail Riders (New Hampshire), it has been my privilege to help put on the New England Classic Charity Trail Ride to benefit the CFF each June. This year was the ride's 25th anniversary. During that time, the average life expectancy for a child with CF has increased from 13 to 35 years. New drugs and therapies have increased not only life expectancy but quality of life as well. The defective gene was isolated in 1989 and there have been great advances in research since then. A cure seems tantalizingly close. 6 The Classic is part of the AMNSuzuki National Dual Sport Series. American Suzuki, the title sponsor, generously donates a DRZ400. The riders raise pledge dollars for a chance at winning the bike. This year our ride raised over $140,000 and pushed the 2S-year total over the $1 million mark. These numbers qualify MVTR as the top AMA Charter Club nationwide for charitable funds raised. Rodney Smith, Steve Hatch and Buddy Antunez have all represented Suzuki at the Classic over the last few years. This year ATV champ Doug Gust came back to two wheels for the first time in years, and he had a ball. When you donate to the CFF, you are giving money that will actually go to research - not to corporate overhead. According to Smart Maney, the magazine of the Wall Street Journal, the CFF is annually in the top three charities for percentage of funding going directly to research - over 90 cents on the dollar. How do they do it? Volunteers, like the MVTR and riders in the other N ETRA clubs, and when people like Mat Mladin, Chris Carr, Michael Jordan, and you get involved. If Josh is anything like the people I know who deal with CF every day, he is an incredibly focused and uncomplaining, young dude made wise beyond his years, determined to live his life to the fullest. My dream for Josh, besides a cure, would be for the Pros who Signed the print to [pool) together their considerable resources and purchase it and then present it to Josh along with a humongous check for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Whoever ends up top bidder will certainly get his money's worth. In the best motorsports tradition, 200S sponsors of the New England Classic are American Suzuki, New Hampshire International Speedway, American Airlines, Dunkin' Donuts, Trail Rider magazine, Spectro, Torco, Factory Connection, Koehler, Irwin Marine, Laconia SaVings Bank, Pepsi, and The New England Trail Rider Association. John O'Connor Alton, NH Not Happ'y With ScheCiule I just saw the revised schedule from the AMA on your website. Don't these people look at their own calendars? What dumbass schedules; an AMA Superbike race and an AMA Motocross race on the same weekend (when they are just far enough apart that you can [only) either go to one or the other). They say it is a unique opportunity to see NOVEMBER 30,2005 • CYCLE NEWS both disciplines in one weekend. Look at a freakin' map, people. It sounds like an opportunity to waste lots of gas and time to see jack, as you will still be in your car. So once again the AMA screws up a wet dream. Thanks for making me choose between the two. Looks like I will be up in Sacramento watching live racing, while taping the Superbikes. Since I am on the subject, what dumbass thought of the new class names? There is nothing "lite" about hucking a 200-pound motorcycle 50 feet thought the air while getting beat on by 40 of your formerly closest friends. And please clarify the road-race classes. Super what? Stock, sport, bike, Superfreakincalafragalistic bike. If most loyal fans have a hard time figuring out what is what, how is an outside person (i.e., sponsor) supposed to figure it out? I could go on, but I feel a little better now. Allen Zino San Francisco, CA EnduroCross Rules EnduroCross is the best "new" thing since Supermoto! I just got done reading the race recap online and could hardly contain my enthusiasm. To see championship-level riders from various disciplines compete is sort of like King Kong vs. Godzilla - lots of different weapons and no way to pick a sure winner. I will definitely go to the next one if it is anywhere near my town. Lance Gorton Yucaipa, CA EnduroCross Rules II Another spectacular event! This has to be the most exciting racing of all time, and to be able to see the best of the best battle it out one on one. Unbelievable. I was there last year, and got my tickets early because it was certain to be a sell-out! Please tell me someone got pictures of Lafferty and Caselli coming across the finishline log in their semi! I would love to have a copy of that if by chance someone has it and could e-mail it, unless of course you're going to print it. Maybe a shot of Lafferty getting pummeled by his bike during his Sighting lap. It's not very often you see the champ hit the ground. Thanks to all. You guys do an amazing job with the paper. I've Been a loyal reader since I was just a pup. Tom Schwarz via the Internet Check out our coverage of the EnduroCross, starting on page 16... Editor