Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

"...the road to the true World Championship still goes through the U.S. of A." Bailey's a Hero Recently, we attended the St. Louis Supercross and it was my daughter's first professional motocross race. I have been involved with motocross for over 23 years, from racing to presently buying and restoring vintage motocross bikes. I thoroughly enjoy sharing my love for motocross with my daughter. What really made our day extra special for both of us was the fact that we had been given Prestige passes from David Bailey. This was arranged through a family member (for which we are very thankful). We were able to roam with the racers and see a lot of the sport that we normally would not have been able to see. The day after the race, Bailey called me to see if I had received the passes and talked to me about the race. I have followed Bailey throughout his career and consider him to be the model for all racers. To date, I still cannot believe that I talked to him. Thanks, David Bailey, for making the St. Louis Supercross a day for my daughter and myself to remember forever. Kent 'Pelaez Centralia. IL Confused? I read with interest Eric Johnson's interview with Giuseppe Luongo (Issue #12, March 29), and while his efforts to bring GP motocross to a higher level are admirable, some of the views he expressed seemed a bit confused. For example, he states that GP riders "who go to the USA have top results there," concluding "this shows that the level of competition in Europe is higher." Really, Giuseppe? Let's examine those statements more closely. During his final three years in Europe, Greg AlbertYl1 dominated first the 125, then the 250cc GP class, defeating everyone in his path including Belgian great Stefan Everts. He proceeded to struggle for years in the U.S. before finally obtaining a single AMA championship. Let me say that I admire Greg for both his commitment to the sport and his character, but this short review of his career does nothing to support Luongo's view. Nor does the recent success of David Vuillemin, who has yet to set a wheel on our outdoor circuits. Sebastian Tortelli will probably be a champion in whatever outdoor series he contests, but what of the rest of the GP regulars? The last time Everts rode in an AMA National, he managed an admirable fourth or fifth - not bad, but certainly not at a "higher level" than his competition that day at Unadilla. In fact, just try to match any 10 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I- !f "- apologies if I am wrong, but your response to Mr. Cahill gave me an impression of a negative tone regarding the human half of the Iditarod sled dog team. Let me begin by saying that as an AMA National Pro motocrosser from 1981-1983, I competed on Florida sand, Hangtown mud, Kingdome ruts, and most everything else in between. Ryan Hughes: Is his competition not as stiff? Thirty years after my first motocross race, riders from Europe with our top 10. I still manage to win an occasional The true World Championships are Plus-40 race on the local circuit. So still being held on this side of the while I never made it in the big time, I Atlantic. Let's see how 125cc World nevertheless have a pretty good idea of Champion Alessio Chiodi does in the physical demands a motocross America this year. He's lucky Ricky race places on the human body. Carmichael moved up. With that in mind, I would also like And what of Ryan Hughes? After to say that my current residence is in getting cheated out of running the first a place known as the "Dogmushing moto in Spain, he smoked everyone in Capital of the World." While I myself the second. Again, not trying to take don't mush dogs, I do live near severanything away from Ryno, but I don't al kennels, one of which my 12-yearrecall him ever doing that in America. old daughter works at part time. I Yet Luongo refers to Hughes' current recently competed in a snowmobile competitors as "the best in the world." race known as the "Iron Dog" which No chance. follows the Iditarod trail to Nome and One other item that caught my then continues on to Fairbanks for a attention was Luongo's reference to a total of 2000 miles across the "one-heat-per-c1ass" format. While I Alaskan wilderness. The point being admit that this issue is clearly more that I also have a pretty good idea as subjective than that of rider talent, in to what kind of conditions exist on my opinion outdoor motocross is a the Iditarod trail and what the mushtwo-moto sport. The use of one moto ers themselves go through. in Supercross was an original feature Trust me when I say that while of that discipline, but something as yes, the dogs are the ones that are traditional and integral to motocross running, not unlike the fact that the as running two heats should not be motorcycle is the vehicle that does altered. It's like suggesting that basethe movement in a motocross race, ball games be five innings long. Once the mushers themselves expend upon a time, we were able to run physical energy on a level that is three classes at our Nationals with hard to imagine without actually seetwo motos each, so it can be done. ing it for yourself. Much of the time (In fact, I'd like to see that happen they are running behind the sled, or again, with an Open class similar to even leading the dogs during intense the FIM's, but that's a subject for going. And remember, this is not another letter.) And with intelligent pavement, but through soft snow, announcing on quality PA systems, blinding snowstorms, open water, even the casual spectator would be through overflow (a conditions where able to follow this format. water underneath ice comes through In conclusion, I support Giuseppe and saturates snow into a consistency Luongo's efforts to strengthen GP that makes Blackwater mud look like motocross, but I would like to remind asphalt) and in general through conhim that, as Albee, Tortelli and others ditions you cannot possibly imagine have realized, the road to the true without seeing it yourself. Nine to 14 World Championship still goes days of this torture combined with through the US of A. caring for the dogs and sleepin~ outSteve Farenell side, sometimes in temperatures of Saratoga Springs. NY 50 degrees below zero, saps the body in a way that, while perhaps not as DoS Days intensely aerobic as a motocross race, is nevertheless worthy of a great I would like to respond to a letter in deal of respect in its own way. your March 29 issue titled "Physically I guess my point is that your Demanding?" Please accept my cue I e response to Mr. Cahill reminded me of the days when misinformed people would attempt to demean the physical demands of motocross with comments such as, "Gee, riding a dirt bike must be pretty tough on your right wrist." We all know how ridiculous those comments were, so let's not be like those people and demean things we don't fully understand. Also, please remember that the groups that spread nega· tive propaganda about the Iditarod are the same types who spread negative propaganda about motorcyclists. We love to ride and those dogs love to run. Motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and, yes, even dogsled teams, are all being attacked by people who don't understand us. Instead of attacking each other, our energies would be better focused on our common enemies. Jim Stewart Willaw.AK More on Luonso Applause for the Action Group - they deserve to be commended for trying to elevate Grand Prix motocross to a higher level of popularity. I suggest, if the Action Group is going to have a round of the World Supercross Series in the U.S., they might want to try having it in the Supercross-starved northeast instead of the Supercross-saturated west coast. 'Rick 'Perez Cherry Valley. NY The race has already been scheduled for Los Angeles... Editor Wantins Bay SX Why are there three Supercross rounds in Southern California and none in the San Francisco Bay area? There are thousands of fans up here that would be happy to have just one round. There are plenty of large facilities up here to accommodate such an event. Please help us, EA Sports. Bart Fisher Soquel. CA n e _ s APRIL 12. 2000 5

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