Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



My name is Norbert Katona, I just got back from the International Motorcycle Show in San Mateo. I live in Tracy, and drove about an-hour-and-a-half to get to the show.

The main reason why I went there is to see, sit on and feel the 2003 GSX-R1000. I was thinking of financing one and possibly even racing it next year.

When I got there it was not there. Suzuki had everything else, except the one that people wanted to see the most, the GSX-R1000. I ran into about 30+ people at the show including fellow racers and street riders, and everyone was dissapointed about not beeing able to admire, touch and sit on the new GSX-R1000.

The show was actually not as good compared to previous years, I hope it’s better next year. Just my 2 cents worth.



It is my meager opinion, that the allowance of electronic shifters in Supersport classes is just another example of how factory teams are always one step ahead of the privateer. After all, the whole point of having a Supersport class is so that the common club racer can try to take on the Pros on “equal” machinery. Obviously that dream will never be a reality.

Hugh Pestes
AMA #84



Reading ProAMA’s decision to eliminate ProThunder really got my blood boiling!

I thought about the last 3 years I have attended Daytona Bike Week Races. About my road racing friends, Chris Boy with the only Laverda out there without any real factory support, John Costa with the grass-roots Miami Harley S-1 Buell. All the other teams, the pits loaded with really cool bikes. The Tilley and Hal’s H-D pits. The excitement of Erik Buell as he looked on from the ready pits as sportsmen defended his company.

Now there is little reason for me to attend the Daytona races. The pits will be the hollow house of Manufacturer’s Row as the 200 moves further away from what the rest of us ride.

I applaud Erik Buell for denouncing ProAMA. I thank him for standing up for grass roots racing. It’s about time that Buell the company is clearly represented by Buell the founder in what can only be described as genuine.

The AMA will not increase attendance to events like the Daytona 200 because of BMW’s foolishly trying to be anything other than quick couches. The AMA will lose the flavor of a competitive multibranded series supported silently by multiple manufacturers. The spirit of the AMA will slowly become the product of arrogant ProAMA officials.

Thanks,

Frank Vidal