Cycle News

Brief'Y··· Continued from page 13 RCOn NASCAR Ricky Carmichael was featured in a news story penned by Amy Rosewater in an edition of USA Today last week in which he spoke of making the move to NASCAR when his current contract with Suzuki expires. "Definitely, I'm interested in NASCAR," Carmichael told USA Today. "I've had a good opportunity to talk to some folks, and it's something I'd like to try." According to the story, Carmichael tested a Late Model, a stock car often used as a steppingstone to NASCAR's top circuits, for Ray Evernham in August. "It did feel fast," said Carmichael. "It was just fun. It was challenging for me. It was a lot harder than people think. People say, 'Oh, you just get in and turn left.' But it ain't that way, let me tell you." Carmichael got in touch with Evemham, the former crew chief for Jeff Gordon who runs his own NASCAR Nextel Cup operation, through Kasey Kahne, who drives for Evernham, according to the USA Todoy report. Carmichael said he also has spoken with J.D. Gibbs, the son of Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and president of Gibbs Racing, about potential rides. "I can't get ahead of myself," he said. "Motocross is what I've always done, and it's what I love." Carmichael began the defense of his 5upercross title on December 3 with a second-place finish in Toronto, Canada. race as a professional. "I feel like Red Bull is the best energy drink out there, and I appreciate them getting behind me at this level," said Stewart. "Red Bull sees James as a very talented and highly unique athlete," said Dane Herron of Red Bull North America. "We align ourselves with the athletes we feel are at the highest levels of ability within their chosen sport, and James is a perfect fit for our brand." Robert Ade endured a night outside in cold and rainy conditions to earn the first lifetime pass issued in the 37-year history of Infineon Raceway. Ade arrived at Infineon Raceway at 9: 15 a.m. on a Wednesday and braved low 40-degree temperatures to become the first fan to purchase a ticket in person when the raceway officially opened ticket sales for the 2006 Big 0 Tires Racing Season the next day. "I'm 50 excited right now, but I'm very tired," said Ade. "I've been coming to the Woods Back on Top in BooKoo AX The K&N Presents BooKoo Arenacross Championship Series brought to you by Toyota headed into the E Center in West Valley City, Utah, for round four of its 12round racing series, with the closest competition ever seen. Team Babbitt Enxus rider Josh Demuth was hoping to add to his four-point lead over Team Fun Center Suzuki rider Josh Woods at round four, but instead Woods came out of the two-day event with the series points lead. Shane Bess captured his first BooKoo Arenacross Series win in the 250c( main on Friday night, with teammate Woods finishing a close second. In the 450cc main, Bess was looking to repeat, but a huge pileup caused the red flag to come out, and the race was restarted. On the restart, Bess led early, but Woods overtook him to win, while championship points leader Demuth, who made a hard charge from the middle of the pack, finished second. Sano Systems HIRED: Jon Row, by the Motorcycle Division Press Department of American Honda. Row takes over the leadership of the press department follOWing Lee Edmunds' new assignment as national advertising manager. Row has more than 32 years of experience with Honda in product development, service and sales. His most recent job responsibilities saw him oversee the motorcyclewarranty and export-service departments. HIRED: Dana Legere, by the DVS Shoe Company, as moto team manager. Legere will work with the team and oversee all moto-related marketing efforts. Legere most recently worked for Cycle News in the sales and marketing department. ACCEPTING: Michelin North America is currently accepting rider resumes for the Shogun PPG Yamaha rider Tommy Hofmaster finished third. Saturday night's 250cc main once again showcased a Woods/Demuth battle for the championship points lead. Woods took the top podium spot, with Demuth finishing in second place and Hofmaster finishing third. The 450cc main finished in almost the exact same order, but Team BooKoo Energy AI Lamb's Honda rider Tiger Lacey held off Hofmaster at the end for the final podium spot. Lacey also won the Dash For Cash. His two DFC wins for the weekend gave him five total for the series and an eight-point lead in the Dash For Cash, over Demuth. Leaving Utah, Woods' three victories for the weekend gives him the championship points lead by three points over two-time National Champion Demuth, 242-239. The BooKoo Arenacross Championship Series heads next to Long Beach, California, December 9-1 I. 2006 motocross and off-road season. Resumes will be accepted until January 31, 2006. Resumes can be sent to: Michelin North America, 2 Wheel Dept., P.O. Box 1900 I, Greenville, SC 29602. No resumes will be accepted via fax or e-mail. OPENED: Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division's new home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.supercross.cc.com.ltis the offkial website of the Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp'd Mobile AHA Supercross Series. OPENED: Mid Carolina Powersports, featuring Kawasaki and Suzuki's full lineup, in Burlington, North Carolina. For more information, call 866/513-4588 or visit www.midcarolinapowersports.com. 14 DECEMBER 14,2005 • CYCLE NEWS track since I was a kid, and I can't wait to come out for all of the events for the rest of my life." Ade, a resident of nearby Santa Rosa, was even offered $500 from another race fan for his place in line, but he refused. "It wasn't worth it," he said. "I waited all night for this, and I wanted to be sure that I got my lifetime pass." A second lifetime pass to the raceway was won by Mel Petersen of Sebastopol as part of a free drawing as the raceway celebrated the 2006 on-sale date with a festive day in the Sonoma Valley. The day featured guided track tours, coffee and doughnuts, as well as a gift for every fan who purchased a ticket in person. Infinean Raceway features an action-packed schedule for 2006 that includes the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, IRL IndyCar Series, motorcycles and more. Call 800/870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com for complete information on tickets to all events for the 2006 season. ever-growing District 37 Grand Prix Series. The Vikings MC will host an exclusive event dUring the series. For the second time since his incarceration in 200 I, a judge has denied bail for former Supercross promoter Mike Goodwin, the man accused of orchestrating the 1988 killing of legendary auto racer Mickey Thompson and his wife, Trudy, according to reports in a recent edition of the Pasadena, California. Slar News. The Thompsons were killed on March 16, 1988, and Goodwin has been the only suspect in the case. If convicted, Goodwin could face life in prison without parole. On Wednesday, Pasadena Superior Court Judge Teri Schwartz denied the request for bail made by Goodwin's attorney, Los Angeles County Public Defender Elena Saris. Schwartz said evidence presented against Goodwin, 60, was strong enough to prove guilt. Saris argued that there was not enough proof to presume her client was guilty, citing a lack of forensic evidence and the fact that the shooters were never caught. She said denying bail to Goodwin for four years was "an absolute abomination for anyone accused of a crime." "He shouldn't be left to rot in jail," Saris said. "One shouldn't have to be a movie star or someone famous in order to walk the street." Saris' reference to actor Robert Blake's criminal trial did not impress the judge, according to the Slar News report. "The Blake case has really no relevance to me," Schwartz said. Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson said the evidence presented in the preliminary hearing "speaks volumes." A hearing regarding access to evidence will take place at 8:30 a.m. on December 8 in Pasadena Superior Court. NASMOTO has ruled that SM I championship class winner Justin Ross was ineligi- ble to compete in the Reno, Nevada, event due to his previous top-10 finish in the AHA Pro Racing points series. NASMOTO has determined that Ross' quaJifications were Pirelli has reached an agreement to supply the Richmond Kawasaki team, which will be competing in the Amp'd Mobil AMA Supercross Series in 2006. Richmond Kawasaki riders Darcy Lange and Teddy Maier will be competing in the Supercross Lights West series, while teammates Kyle Chisholm and Donnie McGourty will compete in the Supercross Lights East series. Racer Lange has won two AMA National Arenacross Championships, the most recent one in 2004 and on Pirelli tires. Pirelli's marketing manager, Chris Wall, said: "We are very happy to be working with Richmond Kawasaki as they step up to a new challenge. We have great confidence in the team and their talented riders and look forward to a year of many successes." This will be Richmond Kawasaki's first year competing in the Supercross series and the second year that the team is sponsored by Pirelli. The AMAlDistrict 37 Big 6 Grand Prix Series has announced that the GP Series has expanded and will include seven rounds for 2006. In addition, the Big 6 GP Series has announced the Vikings Motorcycle Club as the seventh AHA-sanctioned GP club of the discussed in advance of the Reno event, but a misunderstanding about his previous results forces this decision. "NASMOTO and the AMA regret any negative impact the ruling may have on Justin Ross and his team, but the situation leaves no other option. All other class championship results have been thoroughly reviewed to ensure the integrity of NASMOTO results." The revised NASMOTO Reno 5M I championship results are: I. Travis Ellis; 2. Danny Casey; 3. Vincent Guisande. Following the approval of the FIM Management Council, the Track Racing Commission has announced the reintroduction of the qualification system for the Speedway Grand Prix. This qualifying system will consist in 2006 of three qualifying rounds and a grand final. The first three riders from the Grand Final will be qualified for the 2007 Individual Speedway World Championship Grand Prix (SGP). The calendar is as follows: July 8 - qualifying round one, Tarnow, Poland; July 8 - qualifying round two, Miskole, Hungary; July 9 - qualifying round three, Zarnovica, Slovakia; August 19 - grand final, Vetlanda, Sweden.

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