Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

The article on your website with an interview with AHRMA Race Director John Goodpaster about the need for bellypans, has an error in it. The error is that Jim Swartout was NOT riding a Honda CB350 but a Yamaha XS-kitted 750 when he blew an engine and crashed.

Now you have a post where the maker of bellypans for CB350 Hondas is promoting bellypans on the assumption that Jim Swartout was killed on a Honda CB350. This leads to a false conclusion on a variety of issues.

I was in the same practice as Jim Swartout and I viewed his bike after it was brought to tech.

Jerry Settle
AHRMA #601
Dixon, Tennessee




(Editorial note: While we regret the confusion–since corrected–the observation that all racebikes should be fitted with bellypans designed to contain liquids, to promote overall rider safety, remains valid. To anyone who would object on the grounds that such bellypans are not correct for the period in which Vintage machines were originally raced, we hasten to point out that nobody is wearing period helmets, either, due to safety considerations.)