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/128604
Wow, utilizing ram-air pressure to the gearboK provides additional power. Cool! How's Bau? Several issues ago, you mentioned that Italian female motocrosser Stefi Bau would be coming to the States to challenge the guys in Supercross. What ever happened to her? I have a friend who was a big· name rider in the '70s and early '80s, and he once told me that while fooling around one day, he wore a long, blonde wig under his helmet during practice at an outdoor National. He said the other riders were trying to run him off the track, thinking he was a female. Do you think there is any correlation to that today? Gary Hart Fir t of all, Charles, don't exaggerate. According to mapquest.com, the Pontiac Supercross was 556.5 miles from your town, and the Indianapolis round was 594.5 miles away. Also, espn2's Supercross coverage is typically aired just over a week after the event. Not that you don't have a point. We would also like to see live, non-pay-per-view Supercross coverage. Voice your opinion to the following viewer-comment lines: ESPN/ espn2, 860/585-2236; Fox Sports, 3]0/369-9] II; Speedvision, 203/4062637; TNN, 203/965-6000...Editor 'Pro-Clark The article by Charles Clark ("Guest Editorial," Issue #8, March 1) is just another example of the AMA being there primarily to support the big-four race teams and the special treatment those teams get. In 1978, my entry for the Superbowl of Motocross in the L.A. Coliseum was accepted. On the way there, my van broke down, and I missed tech inspection by about 15 minutes. Even though there were still open entries, and practice was two hours off, the AMA said I could not ride unless I paid a $500 penalty for HorfscapeOearth/ink.com motorcycles has not applied for homologation in AMA Supercross or motocross. I would think anyone interested in racing a motorcycle not approved for AMA competition would first contact the AMA, request a rulebook and homologation information, and ask to speak with someone in charge. Mr. Clark suggests that Husqvarna, KTM, Yamaha and Gas Gas have bypassed AMA homologation procedures and therefore competed illegally in AMA Supercross. This is patently false. All of these manufacturers have complied with AMA homologation procedures. If Mr. Clark would like to see the paperwork he claims does not exist, he should contact me. Mr. Clark further demonstrated his lack of familiarity with AMA Pro Racing rules when he stated that the suspension on Jeremy McGrath's bike costs much more than AMA rules allow. Mr. Clark must have read the 125cc Supercross rule, which indeed does limit the cost of suspension systems. Clark then applied that rule to all other classes in both motocross and Supercross, where no such rule exists. Mr. Clark also states that to insure fair competition, AMA Pro Racing should enforce the cubic-displacement and weight limits. AMA Pro Racing Tech Inspectors regularly check weight and displacement on race bikes, and enforce a host of other technical rules during the postrace impound. If Mr. Clark would have requested AMA Pro Racing homologation information before he arrived at the track, and more carefully read the AMA Pro Racing rulebook, he would have a better understanding of why the TM motorcycle is not currently eligible for competition. 'Rob King We have absolutely no idea about how your blonde friend correlates to racing today, but we can update you on Bau. She attempted to qualify for the evening program at several AMA/EA Sports Supercrosses and a PACE Arenacross, but didn't have much luck. She's still planning on contesting the Women's Nationals and several amateur motocrosses like Loretta Lynn 's, so she'll most likely remain in the U.S. through the season. By the way, Mr. Hart, is your blonde "friend" named Donna Rice, and were you once caught with her on a yacht called Monkey Business?... Editor Me TV Once I awaken, I think about motorcycles throughout the day. I read everything available on them, and try to find television coverage whenever possible. This is where the problem begins. Everyone constantly talks about how the popularity of motorcycle racing here in the U.S. is increasing at unbelievable rates. However, for the people living in rural America, this popularity is difficult to notice. Our closest Supercross race is 1200 miles away, and expensive to attend. We are lucky enough to have several outdoor events within 200 miles, but run on days we race or ride ourselves. Television would be the answer, but coverage in our area has migrated from TNN, to ESPN, to espn2, to Speedvision, constantly one network ahead of our backward cable supplier. Also, the air times are 3 a.m. or worse, and are two or three weeks after the event. They also have no set times or days, and are preempted for every pathetic reason possible. If we want motorcycle racing to approach NASCAR levels, run the races on normal channels, and don't even think about a Pay-PerView special. Would NASCAR fans put up with any of this crap? Charles Voss Newmanstown. PA Team Green Kawasaki's Stefl Bau My word! What will the brilliant engineers at Kawasaki dream up next? To quote your Kawasaki ZX-6R test in Issue #7 (February 23). "and a straighter ram air hit of cool breeze to the gearbox, which improves cylinder filling at high speed." Wow, utilizing ram-air pressure to the gearbox provides additional power. Cool! The rumor mill has it that the replacement SX- 7 will have a phasecoupled, uni-pulse transducing hyperdrive-linked injection system with a broad-array photon-enhansed positrak ignition. I sure hope they include the ram-air gearbox, too. I love your mag, and don't find many typos; you folks are very good. Kevin Scholler kevinOannuify 1.com We hope so, too, but what we really want to see is a multi-valve headlight... Editor being late. This was obviously a loophole for the factory guys to get in, no matter how late they were, and to heck with the privateers. Since I stopped racing pro, I have never been an AMA member. 'Rick Hay Cave Creek. AZ We have as much fun as anyone bagging on the AMA, but the obviousness of this particular loophole is lost on us... Editor Anti-Clark Charles Clark's guest editorial in the March 1 issue of Cycle News was so replete with inaccuracies that I'm left wondering who made Mr. Clark responsible for making sure that a TM motorcycle is eligible for AMA Supercross competition. First, let me say that as National Technical·Manager for AMA Pro Racing, I don't recall ever speaking with Mr. Clark, and the importer for TM C Y Die 'Pickerington, OH King is the National Tech Manager for AMA Pro Racing... Editor n e _ s • MARCH15,20005