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/128607
"This guy helped out a total stranger when he didn't have to give me a. second thought." showed up at the emergency room to lend their support. Thanks, Cycle News, for printing the facts. yard, I tried to pay Destry for his efforts. He wouldn't take a dime. He just asked us to root for him in the race and he wished us luck. Chris Sutn£rla"cI I know a rider of Destry's caliber gets his parts for free. To me that means nothing. This guy helped out a total stranger when he didn't have to via the Internet Carets and letters can be sent to Matt Wait at 290 Idlewild Dr., Lodi, CA 95240... Editor New Hero Team Green's Destry Abbott I wanted to let you know about my latest hero. I had driven down to the National Enduro in Arizona from Colorado to race my new KX250. I went out on the jetting loop to make sure it was running well, which it was, but on the return to the pits, the engine seized up. Since the bike was only a month old, I was somewhat dismayed to say the least. I had no top-end parts and give me a second thought. I am even more certain that my bikes will always be green as long as Kawasaki continues to employ people like him. He is a true hero. Thanks, Destry. Dean Hutton Wheat Ridge, CO Morehead's the Man I think it's great that Steve Morehead is working for the AMA. I think he's just the person to get dirt track racing back on track. He was a racer and he knows just how the racers feel and what they need to put on a good, safe race. I'd The Wait Facts I have been a die-hard road racing fan for 20 years and a personal sponsor of Matt Wait for a few years. I met Malt at Willow Springs on March 18 to watch him test Carry Andrew's bikes. After six months without road racing, Matt was eager to go out on Sunday and have some fun testing/ racing. With no WSMC club points, Malt had to start the first race of the day (600cc Supersport) on the ninth row. Halfway through the race, it was awesome to see Matt outbrake four guys into turn one to take the lead, and victory followed. Matt went on to win 750cc Supersport and then started in the 27th position for the F-l final. He worked his way up to fifth, but the little 750 on DOT tires was no match for the four R 1s ridden by savvy locals not too far ahead of him. Finally Matt gridded for the Formula Two event on the ninth row, but a great start had him up to 10th by the end of the first lap. On the eighth lap, Matt reeled in Chuck Graves and passed him for the lead in turn eight. Graves' R6 had some power on Malt's and he motored by again just before the start/finish line. Matt obviously had corner speed on Graves, despite the fact that Graves was using slicks and Malt's bike was fitted with DOTs. But the rest is history. On the last lap, Matt had a big highside and ended up hospital bound. I've got to thank Kenny Kopecky and the rest of the WSMC crew who used the greatest of care in loading my injured friend into the ambulance. Some racers whined about the delay, but it was well worth it. Matt will not only walk, but he'll also race again. Thanks also to Sammy Tanner, Peter Starr, Carry Andrew and everyone else who three hours to get Jeremy's autograph. When we finally reached him, he was so nice. He gave her a big hug and posed for a photograph with her. At this point, my camera malfunctioned and I panicked. As I scrambled to replace the film and batteries, my daughter started to cry and the security guards started to move us along. Then Jeremy interrupted and told the guard to give us a chance to get our camera working. Although it seemed like an eternity, moments later we captured a photograph of Jeremy and Elizabeth. She could not have been happier. For those who have never met Jeremy McGrath, I must tell you he is much more than a great athlete. He is truly a gentleman and someone who our children can look up to. To Jeremy, I would like to say thank you. You made my daughter happier than I've ever seen her. John ana Elizabeth Sinopo/e OFallan. MO Trip of a Lifetime Jeremy McGrath and his biggest fan, Elizabeth Sinopole. the sun was starting to go down on Saturday afternoon before the race. My only thought was to richen the bike even more than it already was, and try to baby it through the race. Then I remembered seeing Destry Abbott in the Pro pit area. After introducing myself to him, and explaining what had happened, he drew a map to his house, gave me his phone number, and told me to meet him there. I grabbed my buddy, loaded the bike and headed for Destry's. We were somewhat nervous about going, but I figured I had no choice. As it turns out, we had nothing to worry about. Destry introduced us to his family, made us feel at home, and helped tear down my bike. He supplied all new parts to put it back together, gave advice when I was making a mistake, and just generally was great to be around. After firing up my engine and test riding it around his also like to thank him for handling a small problem that the racers and mechanics were having at the Daytona Short Track. The people working the gate in the stands didn't want any racers, wives or mechanics to go up into the stands to watch the races. They wanted all of us to go into the infield area to watch and there isn't enough room out there for all of us. Plus, that area is for the mechanics of the riders who are currently racing. When I approached Steve with this problem, he immediately went over and took care of it. We didn't miss any races. Thanks, again, Steve. Denise Varnes via the Internet Loving Jeremy Our daughter, Elizabeth, is Jeremy McGrath's biggest fan. At the St. Louis Supercross we stood in line for cucla Thank you, Cycle News, for the trip of a lifetime. Our flight, accommodations and VIP tickets combined to make our Daytona trip perfect. TravelCraft did a great job ensuring that our trip went smoothly and the Cycle News staff at the event was very helpful and friendly. We were able to see all the action from the box seats, the racing was absolutely fabulous and the sun was shining the entire week. We were able to ride all the new bikes from the manufacturers' demos, saw the International Motorcycle Show and even hung out on Main Street. Needless to say, we were exhausted at the end of the week. I had to go back to work and get a vacation from my vacation. Again, thanks for everything. David Mallett Park City, UT Mallett was the Grand Prize winner of our Daytona Sweepstakes... Editor n a _ S • APRIL 5, 2000 5