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/128600
Speedway racer Jack Milne was the first American to bring- home a World Championship. The luck of the Irish I would like to reply to Andrew Betts' letter (Issue #4, February 2) - "When a Brit isn't a Brit II." While you are correct in stating that I have been in the "Land of the Free" for quite a long time, some 17 years to be exact, it would certainly take much longer than that to erase the memories- of the Emerald Isle. How could I ever erase the memories of your fellow countrymen blowing away 13 innocent and peaceful demonstrators in Derry City on January 1972 - to name but one of the many atrocities your country has performed on this Emerald Isle. Besides, I spend an average of six weeks there annually. While a lot has changed there over the years, one thing that remains the same is that motorcycle racing both north and south of the infamous border knows no bigotry. In fact, I am so glad this was my passion while growing up during one of the most horrendous periods in the history of Ireland. If I may correct you, Mr. Betts, the province of Ulster has three counties which form part of the 26-county Republic of Ireland, so for your limited knowledge of the subject, it is incorrect to say "Ulster is the Province also known as Northern Ireland." I would also like to inform Mr. Betts that in a recent census it was discovered that over 76 percent of the population of British-occupied Northern Ireland avail of their right to carry an Irish passport - issued by the Dublin government (I wonder why?). So while I have no idea what passport Mr. McWilliams travels on, or for that matter do I care, chances are he does not even travel on a British passport. You see, Mr. Betts, what is really bothering me about this continuous reference to Jeremy McWilliams or any other successful sports personality from Northern Ireland, is if he or she were just average - or below average - they would simply be referred to as Irishman or Irishwoman. But if he or she achieves success, then right away you Brits claim them. A perfect example of this was the replacement of Jeremy McWilliams by Adrian Coates after McWilliams sustained injury at the Australian Grand Prix last season. Like McWilliams, Coates also hails from Northern Ireland. Subsequently, your very own beloved Motor Cycle News referred to him as "Irishman Adrian Coates" (his results were what one would expect from a Grand Prix rookie). As he now has a full-time Grand Prix' ride for 2000, it will be interesting to see what he is referred to as his results improve. I know you Brits are having a hard time in terms of talented riders in the real world of Grand Prix racing. Come to think of it, Barry Sheene must be counting his lucky stars that Kenny Roberts didn't decide to go Grand Prix racing until 1978. Sheene would probably be driving a truck or something by now, but for the grace of God. I think Mr. Betts must be suffering from a bad case of Mad Cow Disease. My sympathies to you, old chap. Sean McGloin Yonkers. NY Before this turns into a full-scale war, I'm going to stop accepting any British us. Irish mail. You 'ue both made your point. .. Editor Money troubles The RClf5 Thanks again to Cycle News and thanks to Alan Cathcart. I just wanted to tell you that your story on Colin Edwards' RC45 (Issue #5, February 9) was great. Alan, I think you have the best job in the world! How much fun could one man have testing the world's best race bikes? I have long been a fan of your post-season factory bike tests. The RC45 will be very missed. I hope Honda can still keep that th~ng of building race bikes differently like they always have, even with the if-you-can't-beat-them-jointhem RC51. Also, Alan, I war)ted to remind you of what a success the It looks like the investors in Excelsior-Henderson never heard of DeLorean. Harold "Parks Minden, NV Not the Baker, or the Roberts I just wanted to clarify a part of American motorcycling his~ory. I have read letters in Cycle News about American World Champions, stating who or who wasn't the first American to bring home a world title It was not Steve Baker or Kenny Roberts. Speedway racer Jack Milne was the first American to bring home a World Championship. He did so in 1937. Thanks for the use of your soapbox. Richard Mignano Cottonwood, CA Superbikes and Sturgis So who is the idiot who scheduled the final AMA Superbike race of the year at Pikes Peak International Raceway on the same weekend as the Sturgis motorcycle rally? I was under the apparently mistaken impression that the AMA wanted more people to attend the races - not fewer. Now spare me the demographics, please. I know Sturgis is a "biker" rally and that "bikers" don't attend superbike races in large numbers. Then again, who does? By the looks of the grandstands at Pikes Peak they had maybe 20,000 for the final on Sunday - tops. If only 10 percent of the 35,000 who show up at Sturgis were to take in the final superb ike round, that would be another 3500 at the track. It might not sound like many, but if a change in weekends could increase ticket sales by 20 percent or so - well, you do the math. With only nine venues this year, you would think scheduling conflicts like this could be avoided, Come on, guys, get a calendar. M.ark Mongeon mongeonmOmoif.hwpi.com 1986 VFR750 was here in the U.S. with Merkel, Rainey and Shobert in the pilot's seat. That one production model garnered five AMA Superbike titles. Your test on the RC45 will also help me stand tall every time my wife tells me to sell my 1986 VFR750. I'll just have to stick this issue in her face and tell her to read it. It will never be sold. I guess it will be my wife that will need the Kleenex. Thanks, Alan, and keep up the great work. Andy Smith means everything to us and you should be ashamed for allowing your reporter to do this. I am sure that my opinion doesn't count for much, but I am not alone in my feelings. I will not buy that issue and I am not sure if I will ever buy another one. I am not a fan of Jeremy McGrath's .to begin with, but that was the worst taste I have ever seen. Longmont. CO love the new "Bikes of the Stars" feature. I hope it is used regularly throughout the year. Even more gratifying is that a bike sponsored by my client (and one of your advertisers) EK Chain - was one of the first to be exposed. But I do wonder: With that big EK Chain sticker on Mike LaRocco's swingarm, why did the text say that he's using another manufacturer's chain? Van Wildhid Cindy Sanders CsancJers·storOnotmoi/.com The chain gang WWJD? This may not be important to anyone at Cycle News, but this topic is very important to me. You allowed one of your reporters to use the term WWJD in writing about Jeremy McGrath (Issue #4, February 2) and I found this offensive. Our family has four boys who have been racing motocross for 18 years now, and I was very offended when I opened your magazine and saw a term that my family and I use to remind our children and friends of what to do when trouble is in their lives. The Lord Jesus Christ G U G I e danOwildhlrt.com You are correct, we screwed up. The guilty party has been taken out and whipped with an EK Chain... Editor n e _ S • FEBRUARY 16, 2000 5