Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Suzuki has announced it will return to 500cc Grand Prix road racing in 1987 with the all-new XR71, a two-stroke, water-cooled, reed valve· equipped, inclined V·four. Suzuki claims the XR71 puts out 140 horseDower at 11.500 rp~. ' With the ink still drying on his 1986-87 Acerbis contract. Supercross and 250cc MX National Champion Ricky Johnson celebrates the deal with Acerbis Plastica Italia founder Franco Acerbis (left) and Acerbis USA vice president Fabrizio Persico (right). R.J. will use and endorse Acerbis products which include gas tanks. fenders, h.and guards and other items for MX, off-road and dual-purpose bikes. cooperating in the future on a reha· bilitation fund for his brother Mark. who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident four months ago. Mark Ander on was active with the MIC and the SVIA. To find out how vou can. pledge money to uppon 'the' Society's effon . call 714 937·5030. Californian Sam Ermolenko. America's sole entrant in the speedway World Final, finished a disappointing seventh in the event which was held'in Chorzow. Poland. 'on August 30. Hans Nielsen of Denmark won the World Champio'nship. edging out Jan Pedersen of Sweden by a score of 14 to 13. Kelvin Tatum of England was third with 1 2 points. Ermolenko scored nine points. MOVED: Duro Tire Corporation. to new headquaners at 6262 Executive Bldg.. Huber Heights. OH 45124 ..'J 15 233·4472. Chris Carr (W-R) won the August 30 Springfield (Illinois) Short Track round of the AMA Central Regional Dirt Track Championship Series, but it was eighth place finisher Scott Adams (Han) who won the Central Regional Championship, beating out Tim Mertens (Hon), who finished sixth, for the title. The nation's hottest Junior, Bryan McDowell (H-D), won the Junior class final at Springfield. The ProAm final was won by Canadian Steve Aseltine (H-D). ACCREDITED: American Motorcycle Institute of Daytona Beach, Florida, by the accrediting Commission of the Council for oncollegiate Continuing Education, the primary accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education serving the non-degree granting continuing education field. National Champion Scott Head (Beta) won the August 30 Middletown, Pennsylvania. round of the AMA National Championship Observed Trials Series, edging out Ryan Young (Bet) by two points. 11 to 13. The following day in Cayuta, New York, another round of the series saw Head win again over Young, 61.4to 79. Kip Webb (Beta) took third in both rounds. _ The trustees of the American Motorcycle Association met in an Antonio, Texas, on Augu t 17. in conne tion with the outh Central Road Riding Convention ho ted by the Randolph Motor· cycle Associ~tjon and the Texas Mo· torcycle Riders Association. Chairman john Hasty reponed on the finance committee's annual bud.geting meeting that LOok place in Westerville on july 24, and staled that the proposed 1987 budget would maintain a trend of retaining approximately 5% 'in earnings which the ommittee considers appropriate to the goals of a non-profit, member service organization. Membership Development Director Mark Mederski presented a detailed repon to th~board on 1986 programs and described solicitation plan for 1987 that will include magazine advertising, heavy emphasis on direct mail, and tests of new telemarketing renewal techniques. He reported continuing membership growth passing 140,000 in june and additional modest growth in july. Road Ret> Training Coordinator Nancy Clay oescribed a new program aimed at improving the sales skills, personal confidence, and overall effectiveness of the Association's corps of volunteer membership and public relations spokesmen. The Road Rep program, launched 10 years ago, ha evolved into a mjaor positive influence on the Association's image and a mainstay contributor to membership growth. .President Ed Youngblood reponed that the Association's liability and 'insurance audit. begun in February. is nearing completion. Actions undertaken by the Association as a result of the audil include: -Revi ion of release language aimed at beller protecting the Association and its district organizations on all kev documents connected with 01'ganiz.ed amateur and road riding activity. -Distribution of" tatementofrisk" po ters LO the organizers of all amateur competition and road riding events. -Extensive revisions in amateur and road riding rule books to be submilled for approval to the AMA Congress in October. -Development of ne'w referee report forms and filing procedures. -Developmel1l of all. internal risk management procedure aimed at avoiding litigation and providing more rigorous defense of the Association and its district organizations when suits are filed. -Revision of district organization guidelines that will be circulated LO the AMA Congress for comment to be considered by the tru tees during approval procedures prior to january-l, 1987. -Development of a sanctioning procedure and risk management workshop to be conducted for cl ubs in conjunction with 1987 sanction meetings. Youngblood reported al 0 that negotiations have taken place with insurance suppliers to seek a policy year more compatible with the annual planning and scheduling procedures of AMA clubs and di Lrlcts. The trustees discussed litigation in Michigan tha~ has played a significant role in the AM A's liability and insurance reforms and instructed Young' blood to meet with District 14 oHicers to develop a program for legislative ton reform and support of legal fees on the distria level. SOlllhwe t Regional Trustee Bob 'Perkins discussed a recent study on the role and influence of the Associa,tion in the Los Angeles market and cautioned the board against any policy that would limit future flexibility tqward this importantcemer of AMA activity. The trustees heard a repon from the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation board recommending that action be taken attheearliest po sible date to create an expanded exhibit of historical vehicles and memorabilia at the AMA's national headquarters based in pan on the fact that fund raising has been insufficient to envision a separate facility at this time. The trustees reviewed repprts (rom recent meeting of pmfessl naJ racing advisory commillces al}d noted that there is su'ppon in all a~eas of the sport toward a program of substance testing'to begin in 19 7. . Dwaine Williams was appointed to the professional road race advisory committee as all. ex pen on Battle of the Twins racing. Youngblood reported that negotiation are being conducted with Ceico Insurance for all. improved AMA/Cyc1e-Card program for AMA members. He stated that the centennial veal' motorcycle exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution is receiving strong public attention, and that interest is high toward the new AMA silver MasterCard that will become available to members soon. The trustees moved into executive sessIon to consider a variety of topics, including the Association's 1987 budget which received approval. The AMAanticipates $4,684,700 in income and 4,481,680 in expenses during 1987. Capital investments will in. clude purchase of the headquarters building late in the fiscal year. The properly is appraised at approximately double ils $303.000 purchase price. The AMA board of trustees will next meet in Washinglon, D.C.. on November II, following a reception a'tthe mithsonian Institution on the evening of November 10 to officially close the centennial year of motorcycling. - 3

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