Letters
LETTERS
Manx memories
When Steve Thompson writes, “there is nothing else like it, anywhere..."regarding the Isle of Man (September, 1987), it literally brought tears to my eyes.
I feel extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to see Duke and Armstrong (1955), Surtees and McIntire (1959), and Hailwood and Agostini (1969), so my Island education has covered most of the Golden years of the T.T.
In 1959, on the day before the Senior TT, John Surtees, John Hartle and I did a lap of the mountain course in my Porsche with John S. doing the driving. We stopped for tea at a small café in Parliament Square in Ramsey. During our conversation I asked Surtees why he chose to do another lap (particularly in a car) on the day before a race.
He answered that no matter what the mode of transportation or the speed involved, he always learned something new about the circuit.
The masters such as Duke, Surtees, Agostini, et al would certainly agree with Steve Thompson that the course really is 37.73 miles long and about one foot wide.
Let’s hope Steve goes back next year for Terry Shepherd's advanced course, which is “Manx 1 10.’’
Thomas K. McGeachin Santa Monica, California
Don’t leave home with it
On May 21, 1987, the local CBS affiliate, KENS TV, ran an American Express commercial during the network news which depicts two persons aboard a motorcycle committing a purse-snatching. As I began to watch this commercial. I actually thought it was about motorcycling in some way, so I paid very close attention. When the motorcyclists were suddenly shown to be criminals, I felt a sense of betrayal, especially since the riders were shown to be wearing full protective gear and full-coverage helmets—the very image of responsible, safe motorcycling.
I am an American Express cardholder, as well as a full-time motorcyclist. My displeasure at this advertisement cannot be easily described. After such a positive experience as the recent Kodak commercial which depicts a motorcyclist as a traveling adventurer through America, the AMEX protrayal of riders as criminals is unfairly negative, discriminatory towards a minority, and extremely inappropriate.
I immediately cut my American Express card in half and will not renew my membership. Perhaps enough of that sort of reaction will get back to AMEX and make them realize that creating the commercial was wrong, that airing the commercial was wrong, and that they should create another commercial depicting motorcyclists in a more positive manner.
Michael J. Jones
Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Assn. American Motorcyclist Assn. ABATE of Texas San Antonio, Texas
The Cagiva difference
I'm writing to inform your readers that there are some good things to be found on the Cagiva Alazzurra 650SS (Sport Twin comparison, September, 1987), since all you could do was to cut it down.
First off, $4412 is not unheard of considering the bike’s quality craftsmanship, excellent handling (on decent roads), a tried and true Ducati motor with gobs of torque (thanks), not to mention its styling and comfort. The grips are hard, so what? Get some Grab-Ons. Cagiva is putting out some damn good machines at reasonable prices, and they're different.
Eddie Conway Youngsville, North Carolina
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