Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126995
Michigan riders swept the top two
awards at the 16th Annual Florida
Winter Olympics which took place
at Gatorback Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, ovember 24-28. Brian
Swink (Kaw) was presented the
Bronze Boot Award as the top Youth
division rider and John Kitch (Kaw)
received the Golden Goggle Award
for being the top Amateur division
rider. Both Swink and Kitch won all
their races in the TT, MX, stadium
MX and Grand Prix competition.
Riders from 33 states, totahng 1900
entries, competed at Gatorback.
Complete coverage next week.
Rick Johnson (Hon) won the
November 29 Japan Supercross
in Tokyo's' Jingu Stadium. Jeff
leisk (Hon) got the holeshot at the
start but was soon passed by Ron
lechien (Kaw) who opened up a
gap only to see a red flag at the
end of the opening lap due to three
riders having crashed. The restart
saw Johnny O'Mara (Suz) pull the
holeshot but it was Johnson who
soon passed him and then romped
home the winner. Jeff Ward (Kaw)
finished second. five seconds
behind Johnson. with Micky
Dymond (Yam) finishing third.
Diamandis Communications Inc.
has combined the saJes and marketing eHOIts of Cycle and Cycle World
magazines under the direction of Jim
Hansen. Hansen, vice president and
publisher of Cycle World since 1982,
will assume responsibility for Cycle
as well. Larry Little, advertising
director of Cycle World since. 1985,
has been named national advertising
director of both Cycle and Cycle
World magazines. Jim Frahm, who
was publisher of Cycle, will remain
with the company in an as of yet
unannounced position. Randy Pelton, who was advertising director of
Cycle, is no longer with Diamandis
Communications.
FORMED: PM Communications.
by Pat Murphy who will be handling AMA race marketing activity
and taking on a limited number of
other clients; 8755 Rincon Ave.•
Sun Valley. CA 91352.818/5040721.
The Southern California Professional Bench Racers Association, an
informal group of motorcycle industry members best known for its
annual group ride from the Los
Angeles area to the Laguna Seca
races near Monterey, is being dissolved. In a letter to members,
Kawasaki's Mike Vaughan, an
"officer" of the associa tion, said, "It
was decided that in view or the
potential liability risk... that the
Southern California Professional
Bench Racers Association would be
dissolved. It was our attorney's
consideration that if we ("o££icers")
were brought to court, we would
probably be absolved. but in order
We reported the purchase of the design and worldwide manufacturing
rights for England's Armstrong MT500 military motorcycle by HarleyDavidson in an earlier issue. Pictured above is the Rotax-powered
Armstrong MT500. Richard Teerlink. president and CEO of the
Motorcycle Division of Harley-Davidson. Inc.• said. "We are currently
evaluating a bid request from the U.S. Department of Defense. . . it
is investigating the use of military motorcycles." The MT500 has been
sold to the British. Canadian and Jordanian armies. The U.S. Department
of Defense is reportedly seeking a supplier of from 3500 to 21.000
motorcycJes. In addition to Harley-Davidson. Cagiva and KTM are seeking
Uncle Sam's business.
to do sb, it would probably cost us
25.000." The group received adverse
publicity when members were
injured i.n accidents during the L.A.to-Monterey ride.
The board of directors of International Speedway Corporation.
Newly crowned 500cc road race World Champion Wayne Gardner (right) and 1986 World Champion Eddie
lewson spent Sunday. November 22. in a Reno. Nevada. photo studio posing for an American Honda-sponsored
safety advertisement. Coordinated by Dennis Kanegae of Dailey & Associates. the ad will have Honda's Gardner
and Yamaha's Lawson delivering the message that they never use the street as a race track. they always
wear protective clothing. and they never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The advertisement
will reportedly appear in enthusiast publications by the end of the year.
following its November 24 meeting in Daytona Beach. Floridll.
announced several changes In
management positions. Will....
H.G. France (Bill France. Sr.) was
elected chairman of the boerd
emeritus. William C. France (BiB
France. Jr.) was named chairman
of the board and chief executive
officer. Jim France was promoted
to corporate president from his
position as executive vic.president; he also serves as assistant treasurer. Jim Foster. formerly vice-president. was elected
executive vice-president for cor·
porate communications. John R•
. Cooper. currently chairman of the
board of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United
States (ACCUS). was appoi
a corporate vice-president and,
president of Daytona International Speedway.,John D. Rickie.
formerly vice-.president and
general manager of the Daytone
facility. was elected' vicepresident for public affairs.
H()uston Lawing, 79, a member of
the International Speedway Corporation board of directors, passed
away recently. Lawing, whosuffercd
a stroke in late August, was for many
years the man who put together the
programs for Daytona International
Speedway's events.
OPENING: Pro-Italia. a new
dealership specializing in Italian
motorcycles. on December 5. at
3518 North Verdugo Rd.• Glendale. CA 91208. 818/249-5707;
Pro-Italia will handle Cagiva.
Ducati and Husqvarna intitally.
and plan on expanding to sell
Moto-Guzzi and Laverda.
Pirelli will sponsor the 1988 Florida
Winter AMA MX Series, according
to WoridSports South (SuperSpons/
Bill West).
SPLIT: The Gold Belt Line and
to operate independently; The Gold Belt Line. Inc. will
continue to make their line of
kidney belts and sewn goods;
Gold Belt's new a