Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs

ROUNDUP

UP: To Can-Am, for making a comeback—at least on four wheels. A motocross phenomenon in the Seventies, the Canadian-built, Rotax-powered two-strokes swept the AMA 250cc class in 1974, going 1-2-3 with Gary Jones, Marty Tripes and Jimmy Ellis (shown). In 1987, parent firm Bombardier-awkwardly pronounced Bom-bar-deeyay per the French-dropped dirtbikes to concentrate on trains, planes, watercraft and snowmobiles. In 1998, the company added ATVs to the lineup and for 2007 has wisely chosen to rebrand them as Can-Ams. New ad slogan; “I CanAm. Can you?”

DOWN: To the Hells Angels, for being too disorderly, even for partyoriented Amsterdam. In fact, the government of Holland, fed up with the illicit activities of the club, has sought to outlaw the outlaws, and not just in the city famous for its smoky “tea” rooms and red-light district, but the country in its entirety. “It’s become sufficiently clear the activities of the motorcycle club are in conflict with public order,” the national prosecutor’s office said regarding the club’s involvement with weapons, largescale cannabis growing, fraud and more. This is the first attempt in Holland to institute a national ban on the club as past attempts have focused only on local chapters.

UP: To Valentino Rossi, for showing such class and sportsmanship after his crushing loss to Nicky Hayden at the final round of the MotoGP Championship in Valencia, Spain, late last year. “I’m very happy about Nicky winning the title,” said the eight-time World Champion. “In my personal ranking, if I don’t win, Nicky is my favorite because he is a great guy, apart (from being) a great rider.”