Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.


I am writing this in response to a letter written by a Mr. Tony Bell and posted on the Roadracing World magazine web site on 11 November 2002. I realize space is money in your publication, so I would be extremely grateful if you could please publish this response. Or better, please post it on your web site. I think this letter is relevant to the work you do at Roadracing World, be because I see your publication as one that embraces the culture of motorcycling racing.

I am a subscriber to your magazine and I am always impressed by the content of your publication. It is the only magazine I know of that consistently documents the multicultural and multiethnic character of the motorcycle racing community. More significantly, you also emphasize the presence and importance of women motorcycle racers. I am appalled by the last line in Mr. Bell’s letter: “but until then I think it looks like we will have to travel down to Cuba, oh sorry, I mean Homestead.” I realize the posting is a letter written by an individual and does not reflect the views of Roadracing World, but I am disappointed and very surprised that you would post a letter which blatantly insults a large community that has a large number of road racers. I am writing this letter because I feel strongly that comments like Mr. Bell’s contributes significantly to the proliferation of bigotry, and someone needs to bring attention to the issue.

I am a first generation Cuban American and I have been hearing those kinds of comments for my entire life, and I have no tolerance for that crap. Yes, there has been a strong Cuban AMERICAN community in South Florida since the early 1960s, and that led to the development of South Florida as a culturally diverse community. Cuban Americans are extremely proud citizens of this country, and just as American as Mr. Bell. (As Americans we should be embarrassed for one of us to have to write words like that last sentence that in year 2002). If Mr. Bell wants to know why Homestead is presently the favored site to host the USGP, the reasons have been clearly explained by Mick Doohan and Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Please feel free to print this if you want: I was born in Miami in 1965 and lived there until I was 17. I live in California now because I am a geologist, I love riding motorcycles, and I love surfing. California is a much better place than South Florida to practice these disciplines.

Antonio F. Garcia
Cal Poly State University
Physics Department
San Luis Obispo, California



I thought Tony Bell stated his case quite well and I was quite impressed, right up until his last statement: “Cuba, oh sorry, I mean Homestead.”

Where did that come from?

I’m not Cuban, but I do live in Miami and, I enjoy the diversity of culture here.

Mr Bell, as motorcycle racers we deal with enough bigotry on a day-to-day basis as it is, I can’t help that you’re a racist, and I don’t care, but out of respect for the rest of us, please keep your views to yourself.

Joe Delaney
Miami Beach



(Editor’s note: Tony Bell is a naturalized American citizen of English origin.)