In March, three nuclear power stations melted down at Fukushima after their cooling systems were knocked out by a tsunami. Radioactive material was released from the plants into the air, groundwater and nearby ocean. Twin Ring Motegi, owned by Honda and site of this year’s delayed but now-upcoming Grand Prix of Japan, is less than 100 air miles from Fukushima.

Some MotoGP riders, notably series points-leader Casey Stoner and reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo, have said they will not compete at Motegi because they distrust official statements that radiation levels have returned to normal at the circuit.

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Fred Nix was one of the best mile racers ever. In 1968, he won every mile. Photo by Walt Mahony

Former racer Dave Ijams phoned me the other day and told me a story of what he says is the best motorcycle racing quote ever.

“Novices quaked at the thought that one day, if they became good enough, they’d have to race the mile,” he began. “The mile was big stuff, almost of religious significance. Everybody knew it took four years before you got good enough—if you were ever going to—to win on the mile.

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I’m BORED, Kevin…

Dear Cycle World,

I read a column by Kevin Cameron years ago.  In it, he told the story of the BSA (I think) factory moving. Once relocated, they tried to bore BSA cylinders, but could not get them parallel. Finally they brought in the old technician that used to bore the cylinders. They hoped he could show them how to do it.

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Photo by Tim White

Last July, heading into Round 7 of the 2010 AMA Pro Road Racing series at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Graves Yamaha factory rider Josh Hayes already had four race wins under his belt and would claim three more en route to winning his first American SuperBike title. This time around, Hayes has two victories to his credit and trails Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Blake Young by 11 points.

What’s changed? I asked. “The Yamaha YZF-R1 is in its third year of a four-year [cycle] and development isn’t happening as fast,” he replied. “After Daytona, when the bikes were at ‘home,’ the guys worked really hard and improved our machines. But for the last several weeks, the bikes have been on the road. At the same time, Suzuki has stayed one step ahead of us.”

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American MotoGP stars Colin Edwards and Ben Spies are on a roll. After a bumpy start to the 2011 season, particularly for the 27-year-old Spies, the former Monster Yamaha Tech 3 teammates have now turned in a trio of podium finishes, including an all-laps-led victory for Spies this past June at TT Assen in the Netherlands.

While the 37-year-old Edwards stayed with the French-based, Herve Poncheral-led Tech 3 team this season, Spies took over the factory Yamaha slot that opened up when nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi left for Ducati. Spies has since been confirmed to remain with the squad for 2012, as well.

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In war, there are many casualties–and not just to people, buildings, animals, infrastructure and good taste. Sometimes even motorcycles must suffer, in this instance a perfectly good Pamir 125. Will the mechanic helped fashion 26-inch ape hangers from shotgun barrels, along with a suicide shifter and highway bars with the stirrups made out of chain. A custom air filter, rigid frame, custom headlight, and a seat off of a Harley round out the list of modifications.

In the attached picture from left to right: Will, Josey, and Wales, whose names have been changed and faces covered for security reasons and to hide their sniggering, somewhere in Afghanistan…

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