6 minute read
BACKFIRES
LETTER OF THE MONTH For The Love of Moto!
Impressive issue once again. Black and white photography somehow always eclipses color, and that was an amazing array of photos from long ago in the June edition. And remember, those shots were printed on paper in a place once called a “darkroom,” where chemicals were used and a red light was the only one allowed so as to not fog the prints. And before digital there was stuff called “film” that came in little plastic canisters containing either 24 or 36 exposures, and that roll better be rewound before you opened the back of that 35mm SLR… otherwise you’d have shite!
I was an Army reporter and combat photographer in Vietnam in the year 1966. Got a medal for my photos, in fact. What today’s generation might find interesting and yet hard to believe is that when I returned from the Mekong Delta to Saigon with my film I thought I might have some good shots — but never really knew for sure until they were developed. Assuming I got the shutter speed correct and the light meter dialed and, most importantly, was my 35mm lens in focus and not covered in slime? (This was Vietnam, after all). Had to be sure the canisters were clamped tight, as I was many times up to my waist in rice paddy water.
Will never forget waiting with my Editor for the contact sheets to return and looking at his face as he smiled, a smile that said I’d nailed it. I am sure Bill Petro did the same thing when anticipating his Jim Pomeroy shots. And he, too, must have smiled when he saw that contact sheet, because he nailed it, too.
Brian Halton | San Francisco, CA
Red Light Blues
Joy Burgess’ Red Light Blues article really hit home. Like most motorcyclists I have struggled with traffic signals not recognizing me and my motorcycle. It is annoying and in a way can create a dangerous situation. Here in California, many intersections are now controlled by, I believe, video devices, which do not always “see” motorcycles. These devices also change the signal timing to better regulate the flow of traffic. At times, I have approached one of the two of these in my town where I am the only vehicle approaching the intersection from my direction. If there is another vehicle in the opposing left-turn lane I am given a quick yellow and then red while giving the other vehicle the green to go ahead. This sometimes causes me to brake quite hard approaching the intersection, which could almost be considered a panic stop. This is definitely a hazardous situation for motorcyclists, as it could possibly cause a fall, or worse, running a red light and possibly resulting in a collision. Motorcycling is hazardous enough without DOTs throwing up additional hazards.
Karl Bishop | Quincy, CA
Pomeroy and DeCoster
Great photo of the late, great Jimmy Pomeroy. The cross-up photo I have is similar and my all-time favorite. Not sure who photographer was (Codiva?) but I’m fairly certain it precedes the one of Pomeroy. (Check out the helmet.) I was sent this image from Mr. Roger DeCoster after my mother wrote him a letter for me. We got a wonderful letter and this photo of him in return. My
Letters to the editor are the opinions of the AMA members who write them. Inclusion here does not imply they reflect the positions of the AMA, its staff or board. Agree? Disagree? Let us know. Send letters to submissions@ama-cycle.org; or mail to American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.
parents took my brother and I all over the Midwest to see the European riders when they came to visit during those Inter-AM races. Cherished memories!
Gary Duden
More Moto Love
I just received the June issue of American Motorcyclist and have to say that this is the absolute best issue of any magazine I have ever received. Putting the Jim Pomeroy photo on the cover was an absolute stroke of genius. Your focus on the roots of American motocross was extremely well presented, and the photos were fantastic. As a young boy growing up in Iowa I was infected with the motocross virus that, thankfully, there is no cure for. Growing up far away from the West Coast scene I could only read the magazines that documented the stories of these motocross gods. I could only dream of someday being as good as these members of MX royalty. And your closing photo of Marty Smith was perfect. Again, thank you for the great issue!
Dan Ackart
Calling Super Hunky!
Not since the early ’70s reading Rick “Super Hunky” Sieman’s writings in Dirt Bike magazine have I been as entertained as I was reading your June issue and the articles recalling the early days of American motocross! Those who grew up — like me — during arguably the most exciting days of American motocross surely had numerous memories ignited by the issue. As a young teen addicted to everything moto, I was fortunate to grow up just 12 miles from Red Bud. To have the opportunity to attend those early Trans-AMA and AMA Nationals was a thrill I’ll never forget. Thanks, Mitch and Co., for printing the history, the photos and your memories for moto nuts of all ages to enjoy!
Doug Duschek | AMA#2862303
More On May!
Here is a picture of our 9-month old granddaughter reading the Girls On Fire! issue. She picked it up by herself and was looking at it when her Grandma took the pictures. She’s a little young, but a balance bike and other two-wheeled powered devices are in her future.
Dennis Harvey | AMA Life Member #670053
The Shot
The Jim Pomeroy cross-up photo is not arguably but undoubtedly the most iconic motocross image ever. When the print issue arrived — and may I add to the chorus, thank you for printing this magazine! — I jumped up, showed my wife and told her my story about this picture. I first saw this photograph when I was 15 and proceeded to trace it onto a t-shirt, then ink it in. That became my “motocross” t-shirt because of the gloriously elegant and dynamic photo that Bill Petro took. Naturally, my best friend and I jumped our Schwinn Sting Rays to pieces trying to master the “Cross-Up.” I had never hung a magazine on the wall until the April issue of American Motorcyclist. To make a long story short, my Malcolm Smith shrine overflowed to another wall, so I mounted the whole magazine. Now I’ve had to do the same for the June issue. How are we looking for July? P.S. That’s me in the middle picture.
Neil Winnemore | AMA#847782
Looking good, Neil! July is all about On Any Sunday, so we’re thinking you’re gonna need even more wall space! — Ed.
Even More Moto Love
Whoa! My heart skipped a beat when I finished reading the latest copy of American Motorcyclist magazine. With “For The Love Of Moto” emblazoned on the cover next to an almost biggerthan-life picture of Jimmy “Bimbo” Pomeroy, one of my first racing heroes, doing that fabulous cross-up, I just had to dig in. And I enjoyed it all. I just wanted to thank the editorial staff for this wonderful trip down memory lane, with pictures and stories of such a wonderful time in motorcycling! As a lifelong motocrosser I’ve sometimes felt a bit neglected in these pages, seeing all the articles on touring and road racing (all good stuff, of course), but this issue makes up for it. Thanks again.
