Ups And Downs

UPS AND DOWNS

UP: To “MTV Sports,” for focusing its cameras on roadracing. Jamie James, Larry Schwarzbach and Colin Edwards rode their Vance & Hines- and Southwest Motorsports-sponsored Yamaha racebikes for a recent edition of the highly rated cable television series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, site of the third round of the AMA National roadrace series. In addition to Charlotte, James, the 1989 AMA Superbike champion, also rode for the cameras at Willow Springs International Raceway, repeatedly wheelying and sliding his Jim Leonard-tuned OW01 around the nine-turn circuit.

MTV producer Gene Cernilli was visibly impressed with the riders.

“You can’t do what these people do without being under control,” said the 34-year-old Cernilli. “I can’t say enough good things about them.”

UP: To the ATV Safety Institute, for training more than 100,000 ATV riders. “Exceeding 100,000 ATV riders trained is an achievement this industry can admire,” says ASI president Alan Isley. “I don’t know of any other motorized product that offers a full day of free training with the purchase.” A division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, the ATV Safety Institute has more than 1100 training sites throughout the country, served by a network of 1400 instructors. Anyone who is interested in taking the ATV RiderCourse should contact the ASI at 800/447-4700.

DOWN: To “Good Morning America” host Joan Lunden, for her demeaning remark about motorcyclists. During a Father’s Day segment of the morning TV show, Lunden was showing co-host Charlie Gibson the latest in necktie fashions. After introducing a tie illustrated with motorcycles, Lunden remarked, “...not that motorcycle riders have all that chance to get formal.”