Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

I I A should fie "l was sure I had just seen Superman in action." t shhhhhh! Reading the San Bernardino (California) announcement on the reasonably equitable agreement that was worked out, I ran across mentioo of the Califomia OHV 96 decibel limk. How in the world did the AMA get so far on the noise issue? The GPs at the turn of the century were quieter than AMA Supercross and motocross events today. The Namur 250cc/500cc GP lwit- nessed in 2000 also didn't require earplugs. How much more damage will noise do before we get out act together as a sport? How about 95 decibels for 2007 and let everyone be dealinS with the same power- reduction issues. Given the horsepower the top team's bikes put out, I imagine they can take the horsepower hit without affecting lap times one bit. lf we want to keep the sport growing and riding areas open, let's turn the volume down before we lose more areas, Safetywise, how about the track builders only having left-hand stans followed by a whoop section to thin the riders out after the stan? lt's past time to start thinking out- side the box with ideas like taking the ruts out of jump faces between heats and motos. A wise man said never gamble what you can't afford to lose. The next time I go on my annual "two slow motos (because of disc issues) save my sanity" ride lwill be using a Davi l'4illsap-like helmet collar device and hope others do too. We have to make the sport safer - end of story Michdel Rigdon io the lnteriet The Riverside Predicament As a California desert native, I watch the developments there, long distance from my home in Utah. I've been riding 40-plus years off-road, but frankly, have some sym- pathy for the other side. My neighbors have obnoxious doSs that are allowed to bark 24-7, and they really do ruin my quality of life and my sleep (maybe my health), People have a right to pea€e and quiet on their own little piece of earth, l'm not sure what is worse - barking dogs or bark- inE dirt bikes. Mike loy.e Rol, UT Bud Ekins - Superman! ln the article about the TrailBlazer's ban- quet (lssue # 14, April l2), special attention was paid to Bud Ekins. I decided I have to get my two cents in as well. I sarted riding in 1953, and I'm a real enthusiast who sub- scribes to U.S., British, and German maga- zines and am still riding. lt those days, there was a lot of print about people like Geoff Duke, Sammy Miller, John Surtees, Gustaf Adolph Bauhm, and right up there, were our contingent of riders - Joe Leonard, Brand Andres and Bud Ekins. It's one thing to read the articles, but another thingto see them in person, I had the opportunity to ride up to New York and watch the Fishkill Scrambles in the early 1950s. Some of the California guys were there. The course was a goat trail up and down a piece of the Appalachian Mountains. lt was a narrow path winding between large oak trees of all sizes, There were exposed granite boulders in the trail, as well as a lot of humongous roots. lt was scary just thinking about rid- ing on that course. ln prerunning the cou6e, I saw two Villiers-powered bikes - the lirst dedicated dirt bikes that I had ever seen. And they got stuck going up the side of the thing. The other real dirt bike there was a Maico. There were Triumphs, BSAs, an Adler, a I25 Suzuki twin and - believe it or not - a 74 Harley and a bunch of other types. I remember the roar as the bikes were given the green flag. Shortly afterwards, the leaders came charging down the mountain, touching the ground occasionally, ri8ht into the hairpin at the bottom, and then right back up the side of the mountain. ln the lead was Bud Ekihs, He came into the cor- ner too fast and slid a bit, and glanced o{ one of those oak trees with his shoulder. The impact bounced both wheels of the Triumph six inches back out into the trail, but he remained upright and in control - just like he planned it that way. lwas sure I had iust seen Superman in action. Needless to say, he won the race. lt was probably the most impressive piece of rid- ing that I have ever seen - and I've seen a lot of good riding. One other thing happened in that race: The big Harley hit a bump wrong, at high speed, way up along the side of the mountain and took a big bounce off the side of the course. lt came down the mountain bounainS from tree to tree iust like the ball in a pinball machine. Anyway, I ,ust wanted to say that Bud Ekins is one of the very Breatest motorrycle people I haye ever had the privilege of reading about, talking to and seeinS in action in real life. Brd,d Waldron West Hirrr, CA Middleweight Shootout Maybe Yamaha should start getting their tachs from Ducati... Keep up the good work. Porker Newbonk Wolcott, CO Happy With Hank I really enjoyed your article on Hank Scott. I had the privilege of working with Hank on the development of the NS750 and RS750 Honda flat-track motorcycles. Hank was one of the most knowledgeable people I ever worked with. He wa5 also one of the best Mile riders of all time, in my humble opinion. I can stillsee him peeking under his arm coming off the corners on the miles. I will always believe Honda made a mis- take by not putting Hank on the team. Many people contributed to the success oI Honda's dirt-track program, and Hank had a big pan in it. Hank w"s not ony a good guy to work with, but he was a good friend and a sraight shooter. I will always think qf Hank as an uncrowned champion - he did more with less, than a lot of the factory 8uys, He was also a great Half Mile rider and all-around good guy. Keep up the good work; I really enjoy the stories from the past. terry Grtfrrh io the lnternet No Fan Of Nicky I was arnazed to read Mr. Abrams editorial ("Chicanery" lssue # 15, April l9) listing the multitude of excuses why Nicky Hayden was doing such an incredible job as Honda's number-one factory rider. Let's see, poor Nicky has competed in around 45 GPs with the backing of the biggest financial and technological power- house in motorcycle racing. His score is five podiums and one win on his home rack. Vvlat is incredible is that with all that back- ing, this is all he has donel Honda's future is Dani Pedrosa (or Casey Stoner or Marco Melandri), and I am predicting that when the season is all said and done, Dani will beat poor, disadvan- taged Nicky in points. But, Nicky will still have to put up with having to work under the hardship of riding a work bike instead of a "customer bike." lohn Thontton Torronce, CA 9O5Os dolrime 6 APRIL 26, 2006 . CYCLE NEWS Egoleflews votuma xLttl Slffi Chrton -PE d.rn R.b.rt fl.raub - P!6X1ff EDITORIAI. ?L'l C.,ruttEB - Edltor (h P.lmr - qt-Ao.d ldr..r s..Y! A.hr -ls.io.. Edtlt H.ni, i., Abffi - Cod,lllar,rr Edh.. 5h, Ho@ - Cori.lrori,r Edrot A.n C:tlE t -E r!r.n E/itd Drdd R, HcldEr - R.!tono, EEnr Edlio. Mindlc B.ird - CoL Edto, ADVERTISTXG ' WESTERH STATCS (7 r4) 75 r -7+31 En, ?r.tr - Alotir-t &s4ri' /vrorE!* Eoffit H.FIH, iFr i.irtill - Ith.r.rn S.kr /l4onqs Rhdd. C6wlord - Nrtlonoi rdvlrtir,q C@rd,@rct Al*lrh Xldn -rtltldr ACCOUNTING . 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