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/143897
through Coliseum Gorge! The road through the gorge was easy to follow, and the scenery was spectacular. Why does the Sierra Club attempt to mislead the public with inaccurate statements to the media? Is that the only way the Club can hang its "Members Only" sign on the entire California Desert? JACK McCLURE Costa Mesa, CA WBST Multiple stars possible America's weekly motorcycle newspaper Sharon Clayton, Publisher Caroline Gendry, Executive Secretary to the Publisher Lisa Schorr, Advenising/Editorial Assistant Editorial Dale Brown, Senior Editor. Lance Bryson, Editor. Karel Kramer, Editor. Jim Bowman, Editor. Advertising Skip Johnson, National Sales Manager. Terry Prall, Sales Manager. Duane Johnson, Sales Manager. Steve Wilson, Sales Manager. Linda Brown, Advervising Coordinator. Nancy Danger, Advertising Assistant Graphics and Production Kristin Cooper, Graphic Artist Rona Kramer, Assistant Marion Hatashita, Typography. Dennis Greene, Laboratory. Accounting/Data Processing Mike Klinger, Comroller. Donna Bryan, Accounts Receivable Coordinator. Geneva Repass, Assistant. Terry Dailey, Credit Manager. Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager. Michelle Hanna, Sarah Taylor, Debbie Walker, Lyna Hood, Assistams. Want Ads Nancy Danger, Want Ad Sales. Dealer Sales and Service Nancy Erode Brogger, Dealer Sales Manager. Service and Support Chris Aitcheson, Receptionist Gregory Hanson, S&S. West 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 908010498 (213) 427-7433; L.A. Line 636-8844. East 4190 First Ave., Tucker, GA. P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30084-0805. (404) 934-7850. Cycle News/West (USPS 141-340) is published weekly except the first and last week of the calendar year for $20 per year by Cycle News, Inc., 2201 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806. Second class postage paid at Long Beach, CA. POSTMASTER: Send form 3679 to Cycle News. P.O. Box 498. Long Beach. CA 90801-0498. Subscription rates: One year, second class mail, $20; two years, second class mail, $35; three years, second class mail, $53; 25 weeks, $11. Foreign rates available on request. , Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such material, if published, becomes the exclusive property of Cycle News. Such accepted material is subject to revision as is necessary in the sole discretion of Cycle News. Unsolicited material which is not used will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope. All unsolicited material will be handled with reasonable care, however, Cycle News assumes no responsibility for the safety, loss or damage to such material. Repriming in whole or part only by pennission of the publisher. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sem upon request. See S.R.D.S. Copyright Cycle News. Inc. 1982. Tredemat1l Cycle News registared U.S. Patent Office. All rights reeerwd. ON THE FRONT PAGE: Rick Johnson aviates to the Fourstroke National Championship. Photo by Jim Bowman. 4 A friend of Jon Woo The recent death of Jon Woo at Laguna Seca was a terrible thing to have happened. Jon was a good friend and by far one of the U.S.A.'s best Superbike riders. The past year has been a bad year for motorcycle deaths in road racing. As a road racer myself, I feel 'there is something very wrong with the racing in this country. Most of these accidents are related to poor track preparation, as in insufficient haybales, . and too many exposed dangers such as posts, guardrails, etc. As this sport only gets faster we must somehow get together as professionals and make our tracks safer, but to do this we need to get together and form a riders union that will and can do this. At the recent Ceasars Palace race, the AFM-Pro got all the AMA top riders together and proposed this idea. Everyone agreed to help, but as before, the idea seemed to fall through. We need to get together and do something about making this a safer sport for all who road race. RHYSHOWARD North Vancouver, BC EI Mirage update Nov. 19, 1982 was the day that the California Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee Toured the EI Mirage Dry Lake/Shadow Mountain area for the possibility of forming another state SVRA. Chairman Jim Livermore opened the meeting at Victorville City Hall with a report from Hank Ortman, project manager for Parks and Recreation's looking into the feasibility of making this El Mirage Dry Lake area an SVRA. He stated that if there were an SVRA, there would be regulations by which motorcyclists and four-wheel-drive users would have to abide. There would be ranger coverage, where now because of the size (40,000 plus acres) little coverage is afforded to property owners and residents. It was during the audience participation that we really felt the problem this commul'lity is having. Otto Wismer, local resident, presented a 10 point prognm to the committee for its consideration, including having Parks and Recreation make a dry run now, hav- ing toilets, having the noise .factor controlled and having BLM and Rangers give out information to users as to where they can go for fun. Paul Davis of the El Mirage Improvement Association felt that for so many years OHV people have been destroying property, violating property owners' rights and privacy, that the whole area could become a serious problem. Rick Hammel, president of District 37, stated that he was aware of all the OHV problems with property owners and that if something is not done soon, there will be some tragic injuries. Ron Rawlings, legislative officer for Parks and Recreation, said that under the existing budget proce'ss he does not feel that money can be allocated for this project any faster than the 1984/85 budget. Property owners want action now. It was suggested that a special committee be appointed that consists of property owners and OHV users to start working on a coordinated effort to bring the EI Mirage Dry Lake under control. This was passed on a motion. It is strongly suggested that all motorcyclists, fourwheel-drive owners and other users of EI Mirage Dry Lake should be aware of property owners' rights in the area and cooperate with this soon to be committee in studying the feasibility of making the Mirage Dry Lake area another SVRA. If you have an input or information request on this new study project for a possible SVRA call or write to Hank Ortman, Department Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box2390,Sacramento,CA95811, 916/322-9572. ED WALDHEIM Los Angeles, CA Sierra Club wrong again Coverage of the 1982 Barstow to Las Vegas protest ride by The San Bernardino Sun contained a statement by Sierra Club official Ike EastvoId that is not substantiated by an eyewitness, myself. Eastvoldsays "The majority of riders were riding crosscountry through the (Coliseum) gorge.. ." I say the truth is that every rider I saw between Cima Road and Stateline was riding on an existing road! I saw no riders traveling cross-country We riders and members of the Sports Riders Association of Colorado would like to give our opinion on the recent problems with AMA and the motorcycle manufacturers. The AMA proposal of one Grand National Champion seems like we are depriving many stars a chance to be champions in their own right. Surely in a country of 200 million, we can honor more than one champion without taking anything away from the others. We use class champions in Colorado with a membership of 1500 and still have plenty of glory to go around. Let's keep 125, 250, 500cc and Supercross champs. We understand the factories wanting to cut the season and expenses, as everyone else in business is trying to do, but don't feel their idea of run- ning all three classes in one day will work as there is not the time in a day to run that many quality events. We're sure some other solution can be worked out. We all love Supercross, but please don't do anythig to jeopardize outdoor motocross, for it's racing in its truest form. TERRY&SANDYFRYDENDALL Denver, CO Hammer on the move Recently Bruce Hammer was released from the hospital and is now an outpatient still undergoing therapy. He has started driving a spedal van. The cost of Bruce's hospitalization, therapy and van is staggering. There has been support from individuals and companies but help is still needed. On Jan. 2, 1983, near California City, a fund raiser and dirt poker ride will be held. There will be lime from the golf course at the north end of California City. The poker run is optional and will be held on an easy to ride seven-mile course. Any 70cc or larger trail bike will have no trouble. Even beginning riders will find this a fun event. One of th~ first to support this event was the Duck, Louis McKey. He will be riding double with his wife, Mary. If you would like to start the new year off right, plan on meeting positive thinking Bruce Hammer and a host of past desert riders who belong to the Dinosaur Association. At II a.m. there will be a club event for members riding pushrod, four-strokes. After that event, at approximately 12 noon, the optional poker run will be available. Bruce is such a positive thinking person that he is planning on entering the wheelchair division of some 10 kilometer races this coming spring. Please join us and support Bruce Hammer of Team Hammer fame on Sunday, Jan. 2, 1983. PAT OWENS Temple qty, CA Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Send letters to Voices, Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801.