Ups And Downs

UPS AND DOWNS

ROUNDUP

DOWN: To nationally syndicated columnist Bob Bruss. for proclaiming motorcycle racetracks “publicnuisances." Bruss’ recent editorial, titled “Nuisances—what they are and how to deal with them,” defined, according to Bruss, private and public annoyances. Asked by Cycle World why he specifically included motorcycle racetracks with the likes of “a house of prostitution, an abandoned building where unsavory people gather and an odoriferous sewer works,” Bruss responded, “Motorcycle racetracks are as bad as auto racetracks. They are an example of noisy operations. They are obnoxious and noisy. If you don't understand my point, you should take an objective viewpoint. No one would want to have their house next to a motorcycle race-track.” Sorry, Bruss, but we'd take a noisy racetrack over an unsavory, obnoxious, odoriferous nuisance of a columnist any day.

UP: To W. Goebel Porzellan fabri k, manufacturer of the popular and highly collectible Hummel figurines, for using motorcycles in its advertising. A fullpage ad. w hieh appeared in the April, 1991, issue of Smithsonian magazine, features motorcyclist John Drim-

J

mer and his Honda FT500 Ascot during a cross-country motorcycle journey. The copy accompa-

The copy accompanying the photograph relates how the young Drimmer remembered Mother's Day during his trip with the purchase of, you guessed it, a Hummel figurine.

UP: To Jeff Ward, for proving he can still race with, and beat, his younger motocross rivals. One w'eek before his 30th birthday, Ward decimated the competition in winning the Oklahoma round of the AMA Camel Supercross Series, his 20th supercross career w in. The victory in

Oklahoma moved Ward into third on the all-time win list behind Rick Johnson and Bob Hannah. With the recent retirement of Johnny O'Mara, he also becomes the oldest active supercross rider.

UP: To California Governor Pete Wilson, for keeping his w'ord. Following through on a promise made during his 1 990 gubernatorial campaign. Wilson announced that he would not approve a proposal to transfer $8 million from the state’s Off-Highway Vehicle fund to the general fund in order to help balance California’s $ 14.3-billion budget deficit. Commenting on the proposal, Wilson said, “These funds have been committed for pending legislation to support an OHV park.” You've got our vote on this one. Governor.

UP: To CycleVision, for simplifying the search for hard-to-find motorcycles, parts and accessories. Eight years in the works, CycleVision is a computerized listing of nearly two dozen categories, organized in alphabetical order. Published monthly, the handy directory offers a simple, easy-to-read format and costs $28 for a one-year subscription. Contact CycleVision, 3 19 Southern Court, Highland Springs,

VA 23075; 804/328-1058.

For The Record: In our story titled “From Sportster to Speedster” in Ofs June edition, the telephone number for HES Performance Products, which supplied the Harley project bike's dual-coil kit. was incorrectly listed. The correct number for HES is 213/397-3195.

I[you come across a motorcycle-related item that you think should he singled out [or an UP or DOWN, send the information to CW Roundup, 853 W. 17tli St.. Costa Mesa. CA 92627.