Cycle News

CN III VOICES L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R "Let's not let the chair-polishers in DC get more of a grip on our passion…" Not So Happy Jack "Not So Happy Jack" (In The Wind, Issue 31, August 5) is not the half of it. Photos posted on the Arizona Game and Fish Department's announcement about booby traps set into ATV and motorcycle trails in the Mo- gollon Rim area show that the sharpened re-bar spikes ham- mered into the trail are shaped like broad point arrowheads - plus they are painted to blend with whatever ground cover is on that part of the trail. Be careful out there. So far only flat tires have been the re- sult of such foolishness. Sooner or later though, someone is go- ing to end up seriously dead. Jim Sweazy Via the Internet Tommy McDermott The story written by Larry Lawrence (Archives, Issue 31, August 5) was a fine tribute to a great all-around competitor in motorcycle competition and an excellent representative of America's contribution to motor- cycle competition - Mr. Tommy McDermott. I do believe Mr. McDermott may be one of few people that Dick Mann tried to emulate. Just my opinion after all these years. However, I do know that Mr. Lawrence bent history a little, though he probably did it by ac- cident. The very first American to win gold in ISDT competition was Mr. T.K. "Teddy" Hastings in the very first ISDT (1913 in England). Hastings (an early member in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame) was on a chain-drive Indian sponsored by the Indian Moto- cycle Company. He had ridden a similar machine in the prior year (1912) 1000 Mile Trial that was the precursor to the ISDT/ISDE. As an aside, Walt Axthelm was another gold medal winner in ISDT competition just 10 years after Tommy McDermott. I would hope some time to read a story by Lawrence about the inspirational career of Jeff Fredette, a 33-event American of ISDT/ISDE competitions as of this writing (12 gold, 20 silver and 1 bronze). He may be sched- uled to ride his 34th event this September with the rest of the American team as they journey to the 89th ISDT/ISDE in Argen- tina. The USA Trophy Team just might make history with its first- ever victory in this event. Mike Vancil Via the Internet Lawrence's response… "While it's true Teddy Hastings won the predecessor to the ISDT, in my research I find that while Hastings did compete in 1913, he did not finish the event and was not awarded a Gold medal. Please let me know if you've found research that proves otherwise. Fredette is definitely on my "wish list" to interview."… Editor. The Rise Of Dungey I don't see Ken Roczen chok- ing. I see him not being as dominant as he was in the be- ginning, but he's going to have to fall off more than he has to lose this title. I do, however, see Ryan Dungey ride more aggres- sively then he did in the first part of the season and I think that's the biggest difference to date. It's been a great season and I think both deserve the champi- onship, but only one will prevail. Stay tuned. Joseph E. Miller Via the Internet Three-Wheeled Motorcycles? Whether a three-wheeled machine is a car or a bike is a question that always gets a big response. I'd like to point out that we must all agree that they are motorcycles. The reason for this is clear and simple: If we allow them to be classified as cars, they will cease to exist. A cool machine like the Slingshot would instantly be legislated out of existence by bumper, crash standards, emissions, and who knows how many other safety and environmental regulations. Let's not let the chair-pol- ishers in DC get more of a grip on our passion than they have already usurped. John Light Via the Internet 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

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