National UpdateRicky Carmichael is in a familiar place-a strong lead and tons of momentum have him in position to rack up his 10th AMA outdoor title. James Stewart's win at round one ended RC's overall win streak at 27. But Bubba crashed out at High Point and suffered a broken-crank-induced endo at Southwick, which cost him precious points. He missed round four to allow a deeply bruised bone, from the High Point mishap, time to heal. Lost points and missed motos won't allow Stewart to knock the G.O.A.T. off his mountain. For now, it looks like RC will retire on top, just how he'd like it.
In the Lites class, mechanical DNFs at the 'Wick put the Pro Circuit Kawasaki team in a huge hole. But Ryan Villopoto didn't let it go to his head and has bounced back with commanding performances that put him within reach of the surprisingly patient point leader Mike Alessi. This could come down to the final round, and we're guessing it's going to be completely worth the price of admission.
Letter Rip Special Edition: ThumperTalk!When our August issue hit the newsstands in mid-June, we knew we would be receiving a good bit of mail concerning the Internet bike test. But once an online debate fired up on ThumperTalk.com regarding Jimmy's less-than-awesome impression of its bike, the letters raced in like fire ants to the company picnic. In light of this, we put together a ThumperTalk.com edition of Letter Rip. This is only a small taste of the letters we received on the subject. OK, ready on the left? Ready on the right? Letter Rip! -Chris Denison
Please send mail to drmail@primedia.com or Dirt Rider, Attn.: Letter Rip!, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., 17th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90048. All letters may be edited at our discretion.
Astoundingly Not UnderstandableSo it seems a lot of DR-Z owners are upset with DR (mostly Jimmy) for comments made about the bike. The harshness of Jimmy's comments had to be spurred by some behind-the-scenes personal problems with the DR-Z builders. I can't think of any other reason comments that spiteful would have been included in the actual article. The excess noise of the DR-Z and how it was corrected by inserting a different tip should have only consumed two short sentences. Instead, it was dwelled on incessantly and you apparently thought it was justification for using words like "stupid" and "disrespectful." Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
DR, you asked for a bike that represented the forum, and at TT, DR-Zs overwhelmingly represent the forum. Dirt Rider magazine may not be, but many TTers are very interested in supermoto conversion "kits" for their DR-Zs. Most TTers are not interested in motocrossing it, so sending it to you in anything but dual-sport form (with the plus of supermoto conversion-whether you like it or not, we do) would have been a misrepresentation of the TT forum. But DR focuses on motocross bikes, causing you to miss the number-one appeal of the DR-Z-its versatility.
The Internet bike test was a great idea for an article. I was really impressed with the (potentially) fresh story idea. But DR ruined it by (1) making it a comparison/shootout in every way but the title, (2) injecting personal behind-the-scenes bad feelings into the article and (3) reviewing the bikes for traits you thought they should exhibit and not what the forum members wanted (that was the point of your own article, and you managed to miss it-that is just astoundingly not understandable).-Kevin Kowalczuk