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/275014
CN III VOICES L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R "Guess we'll see just how fast these "aliens" really are." Wanting High Tech Regarding Michael Scott's article "Keys-In-The-Hat Future" (In The Paddock, Issue #9, March 4)… As a motorsports life-long fan, when NASCAR went to the Car of the Future," I quit watching. When Formula One went to the spec-engine, I quit watching. Guess what will happen when MotoGP goes spec- racer? Premier classes should keep competition between all manu- facturers to foster engineering breakthroughs. It's as important to some viewers (or more so) as the inter-personal drama. Michael Chambers Via Facebook The Berkeley Burner Again That was a nice article by Larry Lawrence about John Williams. In that 1980 race at Sears Point with John, I wasn't racing one of Newton's 900cc Ducatis, but my own 1974 Sport - a 750cc non-desmo model. I remember the race a little differently than the article re- lates. I recall a back-and-forth dice with each of us on point at different times. I remember leading into the final turn and John diving inside me, and watching him struggle to keep control. It was a bold move and he pulled it off. I enjoyed that race. John was fast and brought out the best in me that day. It was the only time I turned a lap under two minutes at Sears with my 750 Sport. It was effectively the last race for my Sport, a bike I still own, and I thank John for making it memorable. Paul Ritter Albany, OR What Slump? I'm responding to the headline, "Villopoto's Slump Continues" in Cycle News. I was at Indy and got to see Ryan Villopoto and Ken Roczen tangle, Ryan pick up his Kawasaki, then pat Roczen on the back and take off on a mission. Ryan rode like a "Mad Man on Rails" and it was a pleasure watching him pick off one rider after another. Yes he finished fourth, but he made a believer out of me that he is for real and a true champion. Thanks for the show, Ryan. Awesome Job. Joe Wahrer Wapakoneta, OH Kawasaki Help? I recently got the bug to go riding again so I bought three 1989 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7'. One is almost finished being re- stored to factory specs - aside from the polished frame. I am interested in finding out how many of these were made and how many for North America, and specifically Canada. How- ever, after many hours of online research I cannot find anything that I'm looking for. I have read that they do not release these numbers. However, someone must know. Thanks for any help you can give. Doug Glover Via the Internet Anybody? Kawasaki? Class? Bueller?... Editor Ducati Goes Open How in the world does this make any sense? One factory gets to continue engine devel- opment while the others don't. Also, don't forget Magneti Marelli and Ducati pioneered this so-called restrictive com- puter software the Open class teams have to use. They also have the electronics engineers who worked on it. So Ducati can continue development of its chassis and engine while getting more fuel, more engines (12 vs. five) and even a softer tire to use while the other teams can't. Guess we'll see just how fast these "aliens" really are. Duffy Meister Via Facebook 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 P16