Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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WERA Rules! Two weeks ago my teammate, Mark Cernicky, and I participated in the WERA 6- Hour Endurance Race at Miller Motorsports Park outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Having never competed in a WERA event, I was blown away by the organiza- tion's professionalism, organization and ability to make every competitor feel like family and not just a source of revenue. This mentality has obviously rubbed off on the other competitors as well, as the level of sportsmanship both on the track and in the pits was amazing. There were plenty of obstacles to overcome, as WERA was the first racing event held at the brand-new track. But Evelyne and Sean Clarke, and their staff, handled all of them with ease, keeping the weekend flowing smoothly and on schedule - despite construction still tak- ing place throughout the facility. On that note, I must mention what a great facility Miller is - the track has to be considered one of the best in the country in terms of layout, safety and facilities. If you want to get more track time than any track day or sprint organization can offer, I would highly recommend grabbing a group of friends, preparing a bike and doing a WERA endurance race - it's the best bang-for-the- buck in all of racing. Blake Conner Orange, CA Turncoat Conner is now associate editor of Cycle World magazine... Editor Sorry! I am writing in the hope that the driver of the Harley-Davidson Rolling Museum truck reads Cycle News and accepts my apology for the gesture I gave him. I had been to the Syracuse Mile the night before, and took my anger out on the truck- er on my ride home. I saw the H-D on the truck and vented - sorry. Like a lot of the folks who went to the race, I was angered the race was called. Rider safety was the key words - and no, we don't want to see any- one hurt. We in the stands gave generously to the Terry Poovey family because we know that racing is dangerous stuff. A lot of old racers were in attendance, like myself, and the thought was, if you're in your 40s and things are not to your liking, put the bike on the truck, or make changes - mechanical or mental - and you always have the scare-o-meter in your right hand. I am thinking that if the official had talked to some of the riders who were in their 20s instead of running over to talk with the older guys, there may have been a race. I am sure I would have not been intimi- dated into not racing by someone who is scared. I might go for it in not great condi- tions and maybe beat them and their mil- lion-dollar equipment. I had looked forward to this race for months and I had talked oth- ers into going to see it. I had a real respect for riders capable of racing at that level. But I don't think they have any fans left here in New York, and now my only concern is for the lonely, unsuspecting Ducati rider who may be in front of the rolling H-D Museum somewhere in America. M. Chapman via the Internet More On Syracuse Wow, what a fiasco! Didn't anyone from the AMA even visit Syracuse to find out that when the sun goes down, it gets dark and the moisture comes back up? Our old dirt track was better lit with 100-watt bulbs, and anyone who lets a water truck near a run-in, oiled dirt track has just never been to a dirt-track race. I've contacted AMA Pro Racing looking for my hard-earned $30 back - fat chance. I've tried to be a good flat-track fan for over 30 years, but this sure looks like the last straw. Ed Fickess Pittsburgh, PA More On Syracuse II I attended the Syracuse Mile National and it was a great time - right up to the point when the main event was canceled. I still can't figure out what happened. The official explanation was the track became "too slip- pery." How can it go from an ideal track surface to "too slippery" in that short peri- od of time is beyond me. The main was temporarily delayed due to insufficient lighting entering turn one, which was amended in 10 minutes with portable lighting. They sent the riders out for a sighting lap and then the engines were shut down. According to the pre-race advertising, the rain date was Sunday, June 18. Why did- n't they run the main the next day? They would have had to if it were indeed raining on Saturday. J.B. Norris announced that due to prior scheduling commitments, that would not be possible. How can you sched- ule two separate events for the same day? It was rather obvious from the response of the crowd, with debris thrown onto the track surface and every garbage can tipped over, that they were not pleased. I've attended the Syracuse Mile since 1974. It's a sad state of professionalism at this level. We never had this problem when Don Brymer promoted the event. Kenny O'Brien Colonie, NY Handlebar Guards After watching Sete Gibernau and, years ago, Steve Rapp both turn into bowling balls for the same reason, it just makes sense that the FIM and AMA should create a new safety rule that implements hand/lever guards for road racers. The guards could either be incorporated into the bodywork or they could be the bark-buster type. I think the benefits would be better racing and thus more profit to the promoters, less crashes, less injuries to the racers and less cost to the racing teams. Guards would prevent inadvertent applica- tions of the clutch or front brake and would help protect the racers' hands against impacts and/or ground-down knuckles and fingers during lowsides. Lowsides, in many cases, would be less severe because racers would be able to maintain more control of the sliding bike by being able to hang on to it. It seems like a win-win rule to me. If someone has argu- ments against hand/lever guards, I'd like to hear them. You don't see clutch or brake pedals hanging out in NASCAR for a good reason. Go, Nicky! George Marshall Santa Rosa, CA Shav Glick I've been a longtime reader/subscriber of Cycle News and let me tell you, I haven't read a more touching and inspirational story than that on Mr. Shav Glick. What a great ambassador, supporter of the sport, historian and gentleman. To guess that it must have been an honor for those who have been fortunate enough to work with him throughout the years is probably an understatement. (Thanks for printing a picture of him - I'm hoping to seek him out for a chat, handshake and autograph at an upcoming event.) How refreshing to know that some- one of his stature and experiences sees a bright future for motorcycle racing in America. What a concept! With as much negative press and perceptions that the AMA has been receiving as of late, I believe Mr. Glick nailed it with this quote: "... but I don't think the AMA has been consistent enough about pushing the sport over the years." Will Mr. Glick be taking over the reins at AMA headquarters anytime soon? Alex Sokolov South Pasadena, CA I'm guessing that golf in Shav's retirement probably sounds better than running the AMA... Editor "I've tried to be a good flat-track fan for over 30 years, but this sure looks like the last straw." JULY 5, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 8 V o l u m e X L I I I Sharon Clayton – President Robert NorVelle – Publisher EDITORIAL Paul Carruthers – Editor Kit Palmer – Off-Road Editor Steve Atlas, Jean Turner – Associate Editors Henny Ray Abrams – Contributing Editor Shan Moore – Contributing Editor Alan Cathcart – European Editor David R. 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