Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

As a long-time AMA and World Superbike fan, I have to take exception to the “press release” that Eric Bostrom’s publicist submitted to your site, as well as to a few other sites up and down “the dial.” While I appreciate the talent, drive, and determination of Eric Bostrom, especially in light of the fact that he is riding a bike with 200cc less displacement than pretty much everyone else on the Superbike grid and I also appreciate the obvious interest that Eric’s publicist has in Eric, what I do not appreciate is the publicist’s obvious need to convey his own personal opinion with regard to Aaron Yates.

So, Eric’s publicist thinks that Aaron is a bad man. We get it. Perhaps Eric also feels the same way. But the difference is, Eric’s publicist possibly saw fit to censor Eric’s true opinion of Aaron while communicating his own personal opinion.

With all due respect, we do not care what Eric’s publicist thinks of Aaron Yates. We do care what Eric thinks. So, in the future, perhaps Eric’s publicist can devote his time to publicizing Eric Bostrom and not himself.

Yes, he should.

Sean Bice
Columbus, Ohio



See related post,
7/16/2003 Badly Dislocated Shoulder Threatens Eric Bostrom’s Season



More, from publicist Dorina Clarke:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

After spending nearly the last three years doing PR for road racers, motocrossers, freestyle motocrossers and the AMA Superbike series last year I learned the proper way to inform fans about my clients. A cardinal rule was to NEVER bash a client’s competition in a press release. Everyone has a right to their opinion and if it’s going to be in print let it come from the involved parties’ mouths in an interview or press conference, not in a press release announcing the client’s results of a race weekend. I like Eric’s publicist very much but even I was surprised at the content of the press release when I read it.

“That’s racing” is a popular saying and most often, the reality of most on-track incidents. I watched the race and it appeared to me a most unfortunate accident that took out some riders, including Eric. I’m curious how many privateers out there have ever had some “unwelcome” contact with Eric when he’s trying to get through traffic in an AMA Superbike weekend.

Dare I say that the content of the press release was based on an emotional reaction of serious disappointment after hearing the extent of Bostrom’s injuries which could seriously, if not undoubtedly, take him out of contention for the Superbike championship which he is currently second in points?

Maybe the route to take for the press release should have been to focus on the positives of Eric’s weekend leading up to the incident and then switch the focus to Eric’s recovery, which may come quicker than projected simply based on Bostrom’s level of physical fitness and the sheer will and determination to get back on the bike as soon as possible.

Dorina Clarke
Olathe, Kansas