Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Roberts will make limited riding appearances - Daytona and laguna Seca are most prominently mentioned - and that Wayne Rainey would be the team's rider. However, Gary Howard, manager to both Roberts and Rainey, says nothing is definite: "Kenny has not made a decision, I can assure you of that. We are exploring all kinds of avenues, and rumors of this type would be premature. We hope to have things wrapped up by the end of the week, and you'll be the first to know." We've heard reports that 1984 Maicos are available in Europe now. but the picture of who will be distributing them in the U.S. is less clear. Maico personnel we talked to had received no word from official sources on their future. American Honda 'has made a pair of changes within its Motorcycle Sales Division. Mr. Ikuo Shimizu has been assigned as manager of the newly organized Motorcycle Marketing and Research Department, where he will organize Honda's national marketing research activity. Former assistant manager Jon Row has been promoted to the position of manager, Motorcycle Advertising. Victorious Team Hammer members (left to right) Joey Osowski, John Ulrich, Bruce Hammer, Steve Baron and Ken Hoogland gathered recently for a celebration of the WERA Endurance title. Photo by Lori Tyson. It was a busy trials weekend in south- ern California, with two events being held. The first was the December 10 Schreiber Cup in Little Rock. The event, appropriately enough, was won by Bernie Schreiber on his SWM. Second wa Montesa-mounted Kip Webb and third was SWM rider Andy Saum. The next day, the feet-up artists moved to SaddJeback Park for the Trial de Espana. Schreiber once again put his World Trials Championship experience to good use, dropping 12 points to take the win. Webb, with 36 points lost, was second again and Montesa-mounted Oli Thordarson tallied 59 to come home third. Check next week's issue for the complete coverage of both events. Asked about his plans for next year, Schreiber was non-committal. "Things are pretty much up in the air," he said. He did mention that there is a chance he will curtail his ridil'lg activities and accept an offer to train Italian riders for the upcoming Trial des Nations. As to the rumors that he may head a new Yamaha trials team, Bernie replied, "I don't think Yamaha will even have a works team. " 2 Another participant at the Trial de Espana was C~n-Am star John Martin. When OIle of the checkers asked 'why M~' lin, a National Enduro winner and gold medalist in ISDE competition, was riding in the Novice class, Martin innocently replied, ·'Well. th is is my first trials." Martin won his class. "Wheelie Champion" TIlson Shumate had a nice surprise waiting when he got home after setting his 102-mile record last week. His wife and neighbors had arranged a little celebration that included spotlights, banners and fireworks. Tilson practices his routines for about two hours every day around the house. "All the neighbors and the kids know about my wheelies, " said Shumate. Then he quickly added, "And the police. " ''I'll be doing the same thing I did last year, riding in Europe for Yamaha and Marlboro," said road race star Eddie Lawson when we contacted him by phone. Lawson, fourth in the world last year, seems to be on an alternative-competition kick these days. After finishing the tough Barstow to Vegas hare and hound a few weeks ago, Lawson rode a motocross on December 11, finishing second in the 250cc Pro class in an Adelanto, California, event. As to who his teammate will be next year in Europe, Lawson said, "I don't really have any idea. I'll probably read about it in Cycle News." Rumors on what Kenny Roberts will be doing in 1984 are rampant, with the most prevalent being that Roberts will stay in America and direct a team going after the AMA Grand National Championship. Such rumors also state that Simpson Helmets invited members of the motorcycle press to their Torrance. California, facility to introduce a new line of helmets made principally of carbon fiber. The new helmets are 40% lighter than comparable fiberglass models and Simpson says the material is stronger and all the new models carry Snell 80 stickers. "We have been working on this project for five years." said Simpson vice president Craig Quigley, "And our big break came when we were able to get sufficient quantities of carbon fiber at a reasonable price. We will continue to make fiberglass helmets, but believe that the carbon fiber models will enjoy enough market success to make that a short-lived project." Carbon fiber is made by heating nylon string through a series of ovens until it turns into carbon, and then the fi bel'S are bonded together with resins in their final applications. Carbon fiber has been used- quite extensively in the military and the aerospace industries, a well as in auto and motorcycle racing. Complete Formula One car chassis are made of the stuff, as well as components like wheels on many of tricker factory GP bikes such as Freddie Spencer's NS500 Honda or Randy Mamola's Suzuki. The Motorcycle Dealernews Pro Rider Benefit Fund auction held at the Anaheim Motorcycle Expo December 4 raised $4000 for the fund. That brings the total for the year up to $25,000. The fund was created at the end of 1982 to raise money for AMA Pro riders injured in competition whose medical expenses exceeded the AMA's medical insurance. Husky's Dick Burleson announced that Husqvarna will be posting a Pro-class contignency program for the 1984 CMC/Skoa) Bandit Golden State Series. The per-event contingency pays $1500 for an overall win, S750 for second, $500 for third, $250 for fourth and $ I00 for fifth in each Pro class. A Husky rider winning a Pro class in the series' final standings would pocket $5000, while a runnerup would receive $1500 and a third placer would get $500. Jimmy Felice and tuner Eddie At· kins have a new sponsor for the 1984 AMA Grand National Championship/Camel Pro Series. The new backers are the Harley Owners Group, and we'll have more details next week. New fees for useof off-highway vehicles in California State Vehicular Recreation Areas beginning January I, 1984 were announced by State Parks and Recreation Director William S. Briner. Fees for camping will remain unchanged, and the policy of no fees will be continued at Ocotillo Wells SVRA in San Diego County, at Hungry Valley SVRA in Los Angeles County, and at Clay Pit SVRA in Butte County. Fees during 1984 at Pismo Dunes SVRA in San Louis Obispo County. Carnegie SVRA in Alameda and San Joaquin Counties, and Hollister Hills SVRA in San BenitO County are as follows: Pismo Dunes SVRA - camping, $3 per night per vehicle (no change); day use (previously no charge), $2 per day for initial or transport vehicle; motorcycles, ATVs, and dune buggies hauled or towed to the beach, $1 per day. Hollister Hills - camping, $3 per night per vehicle (no change); day use, $2 per day for initial or transport vehicle (no change); off-highway vehicle use, $ 1 per day per vehicle (decreased from $1.50). An annual dayuse pass will be inaugurated. The gold pass, valid only at State Vehicular Recreation Areas during a calendar year, for initial or transport vehicle, can be purchased for $25 at any SVRA and will be available soon. The American Motorcyclist Association has reached an agreement with the Criterion Insurance CompanyofWashington, D.C., to offer a motorcycle insurance program to AMA members. The program, called AMA/Cycle-Gard, will offer members complete insurance coverage at competitive rates, with special discounts tailored to AMA riders. For instance, AMA/CycleGard will offer discounts to experienced motorcyclists - those who have been riding at least three years and have had no more than one minor traffic conviction during that time. That discount will apply to married riders over the age of 25 and single riders over the age of 30. There are also discounts for completion of Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider courses and a second-year renewal discount. Special services offered through AMA/Cycle-Gard (include $50 road-service coverage to pay for emergency service and towing) and theft insurance for off-road bikes owned by members who insure their street bikes through AMA/ Cycle-Gard. Most importantly, the coverage will include Criterion's 24·hour-a-day, seven-days-aweek, country-wide claim service network. No single insurance carrier was able to provide coverage in every state, but through Criterion, AMA/Cycle-Gard coverage will be available in 40 states and the District of Columbia_ The program will be open to AMA members in every state except Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina. To make the program accessible to members, Criterion has established a tollfree telephone number which AMA members can use to get more information and rate quotes. Members can call 800/638-8760 and ask for "extension AMA" for this service. Bald Hill, in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, two miles north of Highway 78 and t'Y0 miles west of Ocotillo

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