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/164511
CN III VOICES P18 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR "… their choice of silent retirement via MotoGP is a tough pill to swallow." Super Fan After just reading the letters to the editor concerning Laguna Seca, I felt compelled to chime in. I attended all three U.S. rounds this year. This was my third trip to Indy and my seventh Laguna Seca GP. As a California resident and huge MotoGP fan, I am dreading the thought of our local GP falling off the calendar. It is a favorite of fans and riders. I do not know the "official" reason we don't get the underclasses here, but I wish we would. I'm very happy we are still on for 2014. Austin is a fantastic venue and I'm sure they will get some of the rough edges figured out - possibly the roughest being getting out of the parking lot on Sunday afternoon. The new facility is awesome and Austin is a great town with lots to do in the evenings. I can't wait to go back next year. As to Indy, I get it that it is not a favorite of some of the riders, and that's okay. The track surface varies and there are some bumps and curbs to be dealt with, but the racing is fantastic. I thought all three races were great, with some great battles and exciting finishes (go Nicky!). From a spectator perspective, the venue is very easy to access as it is designed to handle 400,000 and the city has traffic management figured out. It is also reasonably priced as lodging is about half of what I pay in Monterey. The pad- dock access is the most open of all the U.S. rounds as well, with passes that can be purchased. You can't beat the midwestern hospitality, too. Having the Indy Mile Grand National on Saturday is a huge bonus. I hope we don't lose any of our GPs, but I don't see Dorna going to a 20 or more round calendar with Argentina, Brazil, India and more on the horizon. If a U.S. round has to go, I couldn't pick which one I would want to go away. I'm guessing it's not looking good for 2015 and beyond for Laguna. Barry Westervelt Bakersfield, CA Indy Kudos I've attended every MotoGP race at Indy since 2008. What an awesome experience for sure. The action in the support classes is worth the five-hour trip alone. Meeting all the racers after the races… it just gets better every year. And having a chance to watch Marc Marquez work his way from the 125s to Moto 3 and Moto2 classes very cool. Did you know about the other events going on outside the very viewer friendly speedway after the races? NHDRO hosted a drag bike event at the Lucas Oil Raceway Park (200 mph in the Pro Street class), AMA flat track at the fairgrounds, motorcycles on Meridian. There is lots for the fans to see and do. I've never had a chance to visit Laguna, but I hear it's nice. But if I want to see the AMA race, I'll go to a wonderful track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and watch them there. I may give Austin a chance soon, since they offer the MotoGP support classes. Thanks again to the great city of Indy and thanks Dorna. Allen Matlock Rockford, IL The Big Show When I hear Nicky Hayden say that his first choice is to stay in MotoGP, I get confused. The same way I felt when Colin Edwards signed on to ride a CRT bike, or when Ben Spies opted for a satellite Ducati ride in lieu of a chance to take BMW to their first World Superbike Championship. And again by Cal Crutchlow's recent decision to dice with the top CRT bikes for the next two years. The appeal to remain in MotoGP on anything but one of the four (capable) prototypes is beyond my own competitive comprehension. For many of these displaced GP riders, World Superbike seems like a last resort so I can only assume running parade laps in MotoGP pays better. As a lifetime fan of road racing, their choice of silent retirement via MotoGP is a tough pill to swallow. Brian Allison Pasadena, CA Letters to the editor can be sent to voices@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News. Letters should not exceed 150 words and are subject to editing. Anonymous letters won't be considered for publication and each letter should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number… Editor