Ups & Downs
Ups & Downs
DOWN: To the lnsurance Institute for Highway Safety, for its poor publishing proclivities. The April, 1998, cover story of its in-house magazine included a photo of a motorcyclist wearing a bandana emblazoned with the words, "organ donor." As if that weren't enough, the article's author spouts, "Mythicized in films like Easy Rider, motorcycles are American icons. Think open roads, black leather, freedom. Now picture ruined brains, harvested organs, unpaid hospital bills. Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas are certain to face these gory issues now that legislators will allow adult motorcyclists to ride without helmets." Lovely.
UP: To Costa Mesa Speedway, for keepin' on keepin' on. This year marks the 30th anniversary of weekly Speedway racing, held under the lights at Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California. In celebration, the venue is passing out commemorative posters and discount admission coupons. Enthused Speedway public relations types, "Costa Mesa Speedway is not only a great night out with family and friends, it is the best entertainment bargain in Southern Cal~ornia." See you at the races!
UP: To Design News magazine, for pledging to include motorcycles in its annual automotive issue. Just as it has done in past years with car, truck and SUV owners, the enginee~ng-o~ented magazine is asking new-bike-buying readers to maintain a 100-day log, beginning the day they take delivery of the machines. The final direc~ve is to describe the bike's performance-from an engineering perspective, of course. As an added bonus, the magazine promises to pay for contributions.
