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/1546195
Reply To Final Reply After reading the opinions of Mr. Don Wann, I have come to conclude that Mr. Wann has obviously never heard of the old saying by our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln: "'Tis better to remain silent and be thought of as a fool, then it is to speak out and completely remove all doubt." I also have a question regarding the headline of Mr. Wann's last published letter, which was "Wann's Final Word." My ques- tion: Is that a promise? Bruce Bluemm Palmdale, CA Jim Pomeroy I am stunned as I read Cycle News Online on Monday, August 7. Taking a minute to catch up on the rest of the racing world, I am greatly saddened to read of our loss of Jim Pomeroy. Growing up in a very small town in southeastern Ohio in the early 1970s, Cycle News was our only contact with the world of motorcycle racing, so we practically memorized each issue. I was fortunate that my best friend, Brian Williams, and his father bought a Bultaco shop in 1972, so I spent all of the 1973 summer at the shop. When I read of Pomeroy's victory in the season opening Grand Prix, he instantly became a 15-year-old racer's hero. The picture of "Bimbo" wearing a victory wreath will never fade. A few years later at a Trans-Am race at Mid-Ohio, I got to meet my idol and he was friendly and outgoing and a little crazy. To say Jim changed the way the dominant Europeans regarded American riders would be an understatement. Following Gary Bailey, Dick Burleson (later a National Enduro Champion), and our first World Champion Brad Lackey, among many oth- ers, Jim paved the way for the USA's domi- nation of motocross. Bad Brad's title along with Danny LaPorte, Trampas Parker and Bob Moore (sorry if I missed anyone) vali- dated what Pomeroy first proved. The Red White and Blue never stops until we reach the top. We have big dreams and achieve great things, just like Jim Pomeroy. Godspeed Jim. David L. Patton, Jr. via the Internet Jim Pomeroy When I got to work this morning, I was met with the sad news of Jim Pomeroy's death. I had only met Jim last year, when I started to work with him and Tami Haase, sponsor- ing his MX schools. The guy was unforget- table. His energy was like that of a 9-year- old on a double espresso. You could not help but to be swept up by his love and enthusiasm for the sport. As I sit here trying to focus today, I'm sure I will catch myself staring at his signature on the helmet above my desk, missing someone I hardly knew, but who made you feel like an old friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. It was great to know you, Bimbo. You will be missed. Shannon Churchill Corona, CA World Enduro If the NEPG wishes to bring a World Enduro-style format to American enduros, as implied in the August 9 Issue, it should be done independently. It is foolish to smoth- er one of the finest forms of off-road com- petition for the commercial betterment of special-interest groups. The unique nature of the enduro sets it apart from other forms of motorcycle com- petition. The sport of enduro is not flour- ishing if compared to the changes that are happening in motocross and, to a lesser extent, GNCC and WORCS. Enduro riding is a grassroots sport and I don't think it needs any of the proposed changes. "Promotional opportunities" are a weak premise for change. Are these changes what American riders want? It cannot be denied that the popularity of enduros is low. Promoting the series for what it is, is a more positive course of action. A complaint surrounding the sport is the expense. A solution to the higher costs of enduro equipment is to outlaw costly computers. Computers could be limited to an odometer, clock and, of course, a roll chart. A family friendly, albeit grueling, form of racing should not assimilate into the ways of generic forms of racing. Zack Cinek Willits, CA Riding With Randy Great, great article on your ride on the back of the MotoGP two-seater with that psycho Randy Mamola. From a rider's standpoint, I'll have to agree with your sum- mary about doing it again. Yeah, I would. Maybe. Keep up the good work. My only regret is, although I attended the event, I sure would of liked to see your ride. Charles Halcomb via the Internet U.S. GP I have been going to Laguna Seca as a race fan and track-day enthusiast for many years now. I have held, at one time or another, every seat type at the World Superbike and MotoGP events from general admission to the pit-row suites. I think, in all fairness, track management deserves high credit for the many obvious improvements this year, from the food vendors to the souvenir shop, and merchandise selections to the on-site traffic management, restroom facili- ties and track-safety improvements. And the racing was as good as ever! Certainly the shuttle process must be improved significantly in order for it to meet fan expectations. However, one point I have not heard is the conduct of the fans themselves. Cycle News has printed, on many occasions, descriptions of how SCRAMP is set up and that the vast majori- ty of track workers are volunteers, police or emergency-service personnel. These people put up with the heat and the cus- tomer abuse in a way that most of us are able to avoid - standing and working all day in the sun. I was stunned to hear people (the vocal minority) hurling insults or otherwise creat- ing problems for these people who were just trying to do their jobs for our benefit. I also saw many track officials, team person- nel and vendors with golf carts picking up folks and helping them out all day long. I have nothing but the highest praise for the track employees at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway and I remind everyone that this is our U.S. GP and we must all work together to make it better, year after year. People also need to understand where they are going when the come to Laguna Seca - and remember to come prepared for long days in the heat and sun. This will go a long way toward everyone having a better time. Unlike many of the European venues, which have been running the premier event for many years consecutively now, we in the USA have had at it for just two years this time around. Given the progress from year one to year two, I am confident that year three will show similar major improve- ments, from which we will all benefit. One last point: Remember that kind words are free and help everyone have a better time. Let's all of us, the fans, the racetrack personnel and everyone involved in the U.S. GP work together to ensure that we have the ultimate moto party and we do not have a repeat of 1995! Doug McCloskey via the Internet "His energy was like that of a 9-year-old on a double espresso." AUGUST 23, 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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