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/146704
VOICES Letters to the editor INSIDE What if...? FEATURES POINT STANDINGS Who did what in '92 INTERVIEWS Cycle News Rider of Lhe Year Wayne Rainey Grand ational Champion Chris Carr Supercross and MX champ Jeff Stanton Motocross ace Damon Bradshaw World Superbike Champion Doug Polen RIDING IMPRESSIONS The 1993 Kawasaki·Ninja sport bikes ~ Honda's 1993 CR125 and CR250 MXers .. ~ Kawasaki KLXR250 dual sport bike 6 12 16 26 28 20 34 38 GREETINGS Season's greetings froIll Lhe Cycle News staff 33 40 ROAD RACE Daytona tire test 54 SUPERCROSS Stanton, McGraLh hot at Geneva Supercross 58 OFF·ROAD Ashcraft aces Laughlin Hare Scrambles 60 SHORT TRACK Price is right at Timonium . Indoor Short Track 64 DEPARTMENTS EDITOR'S MEGAPHONE LOCAL RACING RESULTS CALENDAR WANTADS Thanks for the recent Time Forgotten column on Ed "Iron Man" Kretz. 1 was 'at Carroll Speedway the Sunday that he won the lOO-mile IT. It was rumored that he might race that day and the crowd really showed its sentiments when he did. There were two loo-mile IT races that year. Tex Luce won the first one on a 40-inch Triumph. He rode an Indian TT Warrior in the one that Kretz won. I won't take anything away from Kretz, but I would like to have seen Luce on a comparable machine that day. The Warrior blew a tire and Luce retired. 53, 63 66 74 76 82 Ed Leary Santa Clara, CA Hot machine I'm in much need of help, either from you or in the way of guidance to other contacts. I have a Yamaha RZ500N motor (motor only) and I would very much like to build, at the least, a very hot, competitive National-caliber machine. I would like to contact people who could give me ideas and also help in building this project bike. I would like to know if the latest model Yamaha dirt bike cylinders will fit or adapt to this engine, or what else will. I'm thinking of using an FZR400 as a starting point for building the rest of the bike. I'm also considering fuel injection for the engine now that it's becoming more available to the public. I sure could use some guidance and advice. ON THE FRONT PAGE: Road racer Wayne Rainey fought off the opposition and serious injuries to win his third-straight World Championship. He was our editorial staff's unanimous choice as Cycle News Rider of the Year. Tum to page 6 for an interview with the champ. Photo by Kinney Jones. America's weekly motorcycle newspaper Volume XXIX Michael Klinger, Publisher Caroline Gendry, Executive Secretary to the Publisher Editorial Jack Mangus, Associate Publisher/ Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Paul Carruthers, Associate Editor Donn Maeda, Associate Editor Chris Jonnum, Assistant Editor Edwina Mangus, Calendar Editor Graphics and Production Ree Johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy Loo, Production Manager Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. tacey Guest, Graphic Artist Amy Faught, Graphic Artist Carolyn Branham, Typeset~r Deater Sales Steve Gotoski, Dealer Representative Marketing Be Promotion Mark Thome, Manager Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas R. Gonter, Western Sales Manager Steve Gotoski, Western Sales Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator Carla Borden Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Sounds like you have cabin fever, Gary, or just a lot of time on your hands. Whatever, we recommend you contact Tom Fortune of the RZ/RD500 Owners Group at 313 Yacon St., Vista, CA 92083, phone 619/7265786... Editor. Say no to drugs Circulation Rheba Smith, Manager Sarah Taylor, Billing Coordinator Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator In the report of the 4th Annual D.A.R.E. America Hre and Police MX Nationals in the December 9 issue, the event's sponsors were overlooked. This was probably due to a communications error on my part. We would greatly appreciate it if we could list them and thank them. Without their support, we would not be able to exist. Thanks to A-Spark Auto, Best Cycle, Trick Products, Cycle World Accessories, FMF, Gatorz, JT Racing, Maxima, Oakley, Mike Bell Sports, Motul, Noleen, Plus Products, U.S. Suzuki, Western Guns & Ammo Brea, White Bros., Langston's Kawasaki-ATK, Roko, Scott USA, Cover Design, Yoko, Motorcycle Stuff, and GFI. Thanks also to Goat Breker's dad, Richard, fOJ:' the track preparation. And thanks to, last but not least, ESPN and MotoWorld. We look forward to their support next year. Additionally, in the Battle of the Sponsors race, Cycle World Accessories was first, Temecula Cycle second and Best Cycle of Riverside third. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and don't forget, say no to drugs. Accounting/Data Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit , Service and Support Chris Aitcheson, Headquarters Receptionist Leonard Herring, Service and Support Want Ads Toni Kerr, Want Ad Sales National Headquarters Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-0498 2201 P.O. (310) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FAX (310) 427-6685 Eastern Office Tucker, GA, 30084; mailing address P.O. Box 805, Tucker. GA 30085-0805. (404) 934-7850. FAX (404) 934-3112 4190 First Ave., Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly except the last two weeks of the calendar year for $50.00 per year by Cycle News, Inc., 2201 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806. Second class postage paid at Long Beach, CA. Canada Post International Publications Mail #546615. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-0498. To determine the expiration date of your subscription, check the four numbers on the first line of your address label. The first two digits indicate the last issue number}' u'U receive and the last two characters indicate the year of the last issue. Subscription rates: Rates for the United tates and its possessions for one year, (50 issues), $50.00; two years (100 issues), $95.00; six months, (25 issues), $26.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign, one year (50 issues), $90.00; two year (100 issue ), $175.00; six months (25 issues), 45.00; trial sub (15 issues), $38.00. Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such material, if published, becomes the exclusive property of Cycle News. Such accepted material is subject to revision as is necessary in the sole discretion of Cycle ews. Unsolicited material which is not used will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope. All unsolicited material will be handled with reasonable care, h,owever, Cycle News assumes no responsibility for the safety, loss or dama~ to suc,h' materiaL ~ Reprinting in whole or pan only by permission of the pnbl'i$her. Advertisin . ratesand_ ~'" circulation informa~ion will be sent upon requ~st. See S.R.D.S. nA W/B rl"\ V AUDITED CIRCULATION Copyrighl8 Cycle News, Inc. 1992. Trademark Cycle News regisleml U.S. )'alent Office. All rights reserved. 4 " Gary W. Johnson Fresno, CA Michael Dunn Fire & Police MX Nationals Riverside, CA <. God~~M1ke " .. J:""i We just heard the terrible, shocking news about Mike Norris. He's been murdered. Right now, all we have are questions, and feelings of sorrow, loss and anger. However difficult it may be, we must remember Mike for how he lived, not how he died. Most of you know Suzuki Cquntry Racing by names like Pestana, Metzger, Surratt and Ridgway. We kflow SCR as it really is - Norris. Mike, Marty and Pat have helped countless riders over the years both on and off the track. Mike worked long hours, took great pride in what he did, loved his family, and certainly deserved a much better fate than this. His mother Pat loved him like we wish all mothers could love all of their -.children. More than anything, we want her to understand that he knew this, and that it made a difference in him and in all of us. Mike will not be forgotten. Bob & Chris Ridgway Cypress, CA As reported in the In The Wind section, Mike Norris was shot to death outside his family'S dealership, Suzuki/Kawasaki Country in Norco, California, on December 9...Editor. NSR500 thingamajig In Alan Cathcart's very informative article about the Honda NSR500 GP bike in your December 16 issue, he mentions, and I quote, "...via a combination of the flap-type 'RC -valve' power valve (latterly controlled by a micro-computer fed by sensors which monitor the tacho needle position and carb slide height)..." Is it possible that the item you pictured and that neither you nor Cathcart could identify is the described RC valve? Hector Cademartori Laverne,CA No, but it is probably a micro-computer that is fed by sensors which monitor the tach nee- . dIe posilion and carb slide height. In other words, it's a Honda NSR500 thingamajig...Editor. Thanks from #3 Although we lacked major sponsorship, FIG Racing had a very gratifying year. We finished third in the Camel Pro Series, broke my lO-lap speed record at Springfield, and were the most consistent team on the circuit. I would like to thank the following who made the '92 season possible: Johnny Goad, Sarah Irby, Ed Fisher, Leeza Foreman, Danny Malfati, Arai, Hondaline, Jeff Weimer, Rob Long, Bob Platt, Bill Graham, CLawson Honda; Fisher Cycle, Steve Shaw, Jim France, Malt Rohr, Steve Short, Sports Fuel, Clu:is Buckner, Fox, Tsubaki, Lindeman, Sorrono, Mike Lightfoot, Salinas Ramblers, Buddy Robinson and Fred. I.am looking forward to carrying the success of '92 into the '93 season. See ya in Daytona! Ricky Graham Salinas, CA Letters to the editor should be sent to: Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-Q498. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters must contain the name and address of the sender, be signed by the sender, and not exceed 200 words. All letters are subject to editing.