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/241255
VOL. 51 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 14, 2014 and butter. He's been ripping laps around tracks like the one in Spain since he was four years old. He grew up with one in the backyard. And he's got a brother who's pretty damn good at this stuff too – live-in competition so to speak. Put it this way, Baker feels odd walking around… when his left foot's not in a steel shoe. Uncomfortable for most, it's a slipper to Baker. And, trust me, Marquez wasn't the first person he's put on the ground and it won't be the last. You don't get to be AMA Grand National Champion by riding meekly – especially on a short track. Baker wouldn't have made contact with Marquez like that on a half-mile or mile. That sort of stuff is taboo. It gets someone killed. But short tracks… bring it. As he says, Baker was built for 'em. Marquez… not so much. In fact, someone should promote an arm-wrestling match between the Spaniard and Bryan Smith. And the loser hangs from the rear-view mirror of Baker's truck for the summer. So the Superprestigio was a hell of a first-time event. It was streamed all over the world via the Internet and Baker (and dirt track racing) got more publicity out of it than he did from winning his AMA Grand National Championship. So now what? Well, if I'm in charge at AMA Pro Racing (God help us), I spend a good portion of my downtime figuring out a way of bringing an event like this to America. We promote a short track in an arena in California; have another one somewhere in the Midwest. We invite Marquez and his buddies to come race, work with the promoters who put on the Superprestigio, and put it all together as a nice little Triple Crown of Short Track. You with me Daytona? CN P91 LOOKING BACK 40 Years Ago January 22, 1974 Rain dampened the fun at the World Mini Grand Prix. A weekend-long downpour flooded Indian Dunes Raceway in California, but the kids still raced and some were pictured on the cover… The energy crisis caused Honda to stop their production of race motorcycles… We tested the Cooper 250 five-speed MXer from Mexico. We said it was a "pleasant surprise." 30 Years Ago January 25, 1984 A classic photo of Jeff Ward was featured on the cover for dominating the CMC Golden State National MX at Hollister… Terry Poovey won the second round of the Great American Shootout Flat Track at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Forth Worth, Texas… John Reinholt and Tom Rice were the big winners at the Florida Winter MX at the Orlando Sports Center. 20 Years Ago January 19, 1994 Photos from the 1993 Supercross Series made up most of the cover to accompany our preview of the 1994 Supercross Series, where Jeremy McGrath was set to defend his number-one plate for the first time. A photo from our annual 250 MX Shootout was also featured on the cover. Which of the '94s won? The Honda CR250R… John Dowd and Ezra Lusk highlighted the Florida Winter MX at Gatorback… Jeff Emig won the GFI Invitational MX at Perris. 10 Years Ago January 21, 2004 Our 125cc Motocross Shootout was featured on the cover 10 years ago and our pick of the best of the '94 two-smokers was the Yamaha YZ125… We reported the passing of OMS account executive Mark Reynolds who was attacked by a mountain lion while riding his mountain bike… Kevin Windham won the Phoenix Supercross but was docked 10 points for aggressive riding. Subscribe to nearly 50 years of Cycle News Archive issues: www.CycleNews.com/Archives