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/830616
CN III VOICES W H A T Y O U A R E S A Y I N G "We'll continue to tune in for the racing, but it'll never be quite the same." Springfield Mile Whoever is responsible for the Indian engine design and per- formance is doing something right. Catch up, Harley! Adam Wright Archives: Ragin' Cajun, Jamie James I saw Jamie ride the wheels off that 851 at Elkhart Lake in 1990. Thought for sure he'd bend the frame the way he willed that bike into third. An amazing display of skills. I bought a 1990 Paso that fall. I figured if Ducati could make something last the way Jamie abused it, my mild riding, it would last a lifetime. Bill Wren Nicky Hayden Thoughtful magazine cover, a fitting tribute to our American Hero. Darold Neff My best friend and I took a road trip from upstate New York in 2008 to the first Indy MotoGP and watched Hayden battle with Rossi for the win. (Valen- tino got him that day.) It was a crazy, stormy weekend with the rain (but not the wind) letting up just long enough for an enter- taining race. We also got to see Nicky make an appearance at the fairgrounds that Saturday night for the Indy Mile. Other- wise, we only saw him on TV umpteen times at AMA, Mo- toGP and WSBK races—always hoping the Kentucky Kid would pull off the win. We'll continue to tune in for the racing, but it'll never be quite the same. RIP, Nicky Hayden. Stephen Farenell I could not think of a better person to represent the United States in the motorcycling world. Above all his racing accomplishments, he elevated the image of America wherever he went, truly a class act. As a person, Nicky was also a world champion. He will be dearly missed. RIP #69 Ed Else I am a huge fan of Nicky. I remember most when he won and his brothers finished sec- ond and third at the Springfield TT. Excellent flat tracker. Will miss you, Nicky. God bless. Dave Brown Carruthers Says Nice work, Paul, you summed up what so many of us want to say about Nicky. He was like you say the one that could light up a room—tremendous charisma while being so very humble. We had the opportunity to meet Earl and Rose years ago at Miller Raceway at the motel we were staying at. Sometime late in the day Earl came whooping and hollering through the parking lot yell- ing to anyone and everyone: "Nicky just won!" Nicky was in Europe somewhere competing in a MotoGP race. We then had the additional opportunity to sit down with them and talk about the boys. It was no different than talking with your favorite neighbors. They were just people like us; they love their boys and they love racing. Al Banta I raced flat track with the #96, sort of tribute to #69, but fully realizing I wouldn't ever even remotely be in his league, or universe for that matter. So many have watched and read everything they could about Nicky over the years. He's been a source of great excite- ment, pride in country, and just pure enjoyment of his skill on and off the track for so many, myself included. How could he go 120 down a straight away, dragging his knees, sliding around corners, and be perfectly fine, and then this? I guess it's just life, unfor- tunately. But, boy, did he ever show us how to live it, and live it to the fullest! Thank you Nicky! Robert Fury 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 P6