Ups & Down
Ups & Down
ROUNDUP
DOWN; To the crass commercialization of Ducati. Following in the footsteps of that “other” American-owned motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati is branching out into all sorts of nonmotorcycling products, such as toys, watches, perfume and now that last bastion of decency, underwear! Actually, to be fair, these men’s briefs aren’t official Ducati products, and the “Hilfiger” logo graces the oldand newstyle Super Sports reproduced thereon. But it’s Ducati underwear just the same. All we can say is, shame they aren’t BMW boxers...
UP: To SFX Motorsports, for pumping up the volume. The AMA Supercross promoter reports average attendance this year is 50,212, an all-time high. Ten years ago, the average was 34,852. “I couldn’t be more pleased,” said Ken Hudgens, SFX’s marketing VR “Longtime fans and newcomers alike have been supporting what has turned out to be one of the most amazing seasons ever.”
DOWN To the California Wilderness Coalition, for “trashing” dirtbikes. The Davis-based non-profit group, which exists to “defend the pristine landscapes that make California unique, provide a home to our wildlife and preserve a place for spiritual renewal,” wants minimum $1000 fines for intrusion of motorized vehicles in wilderness. And just what does the CWC consider wilderness? More than a dozen areas that currently welcome off-road vehicles. Executive Director Paul Spitler told the San Francisco Gate, “If you throw a bubblegum wrapper out the window of your car, it can cost up to $1000, but if you take your off-road vehicle into the wilderness, it can cost only $50.” Exactly what do dirtbikes and litter have in common, Mr. Spitler?
