Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Manchester, Overseas Finalists et the boot A merican speedway racer Chris Manchester is not the Overseas Champion and has been thrown out of the World Speedway Championship, along with 12 other riders. Manchester won "the final that never was" at Coventry, England, on June 9, but only after the FIM canceled the event because the majority of the field refused to race on solid-block tires. Now Manchester, as well as American colleague Mike Faria, faces an anxious wait to see just what punishment the FIM will enforce upon the "rebel" riders. Aussie duo Mark Lemon and Ryan Sullivan, along with England's reigning World L?ngtrack Champion Kel~ Tatum, have been seeded through to the Intercontinental Fmal along with riders from the Nordic and Continental stages. Speculation has been growing that a heavy fine and lengthy bans from World Championship events could be the outcome for the unlucky 13, although this will not , be known until early July. Not surprisingly, Manchester and Faria are furious with the outcome and are sure to appeal against any further punishment. Big question marks surround the very future of speedway's World Championship events, as the fact that Grand Prix riders have been allowed to race without the solidblock tires may open the door for mass protests in other World Championship events. The Grand Prix riders have not been happy with the solid-block tires, and it was only an eve-of-season compromise which brought this year's series up to the starting line as many of the top stars threatened similar action to that of the Overseas Finalists. The saga seems certain to rumble on, but the FIM is clearly determined to make its authority known in the matter, and that could mean the end of any Grand Prix dreams for riders like Manch.ester. John Hipkiss tionally running XR750 into a twingle. "It has occurred to me from talking to 'several different mechanics that a lot of them aren't sure of how to do it," Werner said. "There is really no mystery to it, and we certainly don't have anything to hide, so the information is going to be printed and made available to anyone who wants it. All they have to do is contact their dealer or get in touch with consultant to draft language that provides protection for motorcyclists. That language, entered into the Congressional Record and included in a House Ways and Means Committee report, ensures that motorcyclists and others who engage in a variety of legal activities away from the workplace are not denied health-care coverage by their employees. me." Pennsylvania motorcyclist rights advocates, led by ABATE of Pennsylvania, scored a major victory on June 18 when the state Senate approved a bill that would repeal the state's mandatory motorcycle helmet law, according to the AMA. Senate Bill 165, approved by a 27-22 vote, would allow motorcyclists to choose for themselves whether to wear a helmet as long as they are over the age of 20 and have mOre than two years of riding experience or have successfully COmpleted a rider-education course. Currently, Pennyslvania requires all motorcycle operators to wear helmets. Spanish motocrossers David Aviles and Moises Bernardez have been disqualified from the 125cc World MX round in Holland, held on May 12, because the FIM has found them to be in violation of the rules which monitor the lead content and octane of fuels. Both Aviles and Bernardez had their fuel samples taken during practice for th Dutch GP. either rider scored any championship points at the event. A major health-insurance reform act that could prevent workplace discrimination agains motorcyclists stalled in Washington, DC, because of differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill, according to the AMA. Earlier this year, both houses of Congress approved legislation that could curtail the growing practice among employers of restricting or eliminating health-care benefits for employees injured in motorcycle accidents. But a congressional conference committee made up of members· of both houses has failed to convene to reconcile differences between the two versions of the bill. AMA Washington representative Rob Dingman worked with an independent insurance industry Legend Malcolm Smith was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame on June 7. Smith joined car elites such as Johnny Rutherford, Mauri Rose, A.J. Watson, Lee Petty, Bill Jenkins, Peter Revson, Betty Cook and Henry Ford in earning the 1996 induction. The AMA's road-riding National Championships are set to run on their traditional Labor Day weekend (August 31September 2) in Springfield, Ohio. l:iundreds of road-going motorcyclists are expected to make the trip to western Ohio for three days of fun and competition in three events: the National Championship Poker Run, Field Meet and Timed Road Run. For more information, call Don Chisholm of the Tri-State Motorcycle Club at 513/325-8340. AMA Pro Racing has announced a new .promotion for the Grand ational Dirt Track Series - the Dayco Bonus Challenge - a $10,500 cash awards program for top performers. To be eligible to participate in the Dayco Bonus Challenge, rider need to display Dayco stickers on their motorcycles and racing leathers and must also list Dayco on their list of sponsors. Dayco will award $4500 ($2000 to first, $1500 to second, and $1000 to third) to the top three riders in the points who are qualified to participate. Dayco will al 0 present an additonal $6000 to the top three Dayco riders at the Del Mar, California, GNC finale on October 13 ($3000 to first, $2000 to second, and $1000 to third). Dayco produces high-performance belt-drive systems for motorcycles. AMA schedules released A MA Pro Racing ha released its 1997 ational Championship schedules for Grand ational Dirt Track, ational Motocross and AMA Superbike racing. "Our field managers have worked dosely with all site promoters so that our event schedules are available for sponsors, riders and manufacturers well ahead of time," said Merrill Vanderslice, Competition Director for AMA Pro Racing. "Budgets need to be set and commitments need to be made; it's important for the sanctioning body to take the lead in setting its National Championship schedule, so that our customers can determine their direction for next season." The AMA Grand National Championship will enter its 43rd season, and is slated to encompass 22 events. The G C circuit will once again kick off with the Daytona short track on March 8, and condude with the Southern California-based Del Mar Mile on October 12. AMA Superbike Series racing will feature an expanded program in 1997, with a tentative 14-race circuit. Phoenix Inte.mational Raceway will return to host the seasonopener on February 14-16. New to the series will be Colorado International Raceway on August 15-17, with the championship once agaiI:I ending at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 3-5. Gatorback Cycle Park will once again kick off the the AMA National Motocross Championship on March 2. A new Southern California site is being explored for May 11; the series will once again be comprised of 13 events. Early-season dates and facilities are still.under nl:gotia~ion for the 1997 AMA Supercross Series and a championship schedule will be available m the next few weeks, according to the AMA. . 1997 AMA PRO RAQNG CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEPULES (TENTATIVE) 1997 AMA Superbike National Championship February 14 Phoenix, Arizona March 9 Daytona Beach, Florida March 23 TBA April 6 Pomona, California April 27 Monterey, California May 18 Miami, Florida June 8 Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin June 15 Loudon, New Hampshire July 13 Lexington, Ohio August 17 Colorado Springs, Colorado August 24 Sonoma, California September 21 TBA October 5 Las Vegas, evada TBA Brainerd, Minnesota 1997 AMA National Motocross Schedule March 2 Gainesville, Florida May 4 Sacramento, California May 11 TBA (Southern California) May 25 Mount Morris, Pennsylvania June 15 Budds Creek, Maryland June 22 Southwick, Massachussetts July 6 Buchanan, Michigan July 20 New Berlin, New York July 27 Troy, Ohio August 3 Millville, Minnesota August 10 Washougal, Washington August 24 Binghampton, New York August 31 Delmont, Pennsylvania 1997 AMA Grand National Dirt Track Schedule March 8 Daytona Beach, Florida (Short Track) AprilS Pomona, California (Half-mile) May 25 Springfield, illinois (Mile) May 31 LaSalle, lIlinois (Short Track) June 14 TBA June 21 Sedalia, Missouri (Half-mile) Lima, Ohio (Half-mile) June 28 Lake Odessa, Michigan (Hall-mile) July 5 July 13 Du Quoin, lllinois (Mile) Oklahoma Gty, Oklahoma (Half-mile) July 19 July 26 Hagerstown, Maryland (Half-mile) August 3 Peoria, lllinois (Tourist Trophy) August 6 Rapid City, South Dakota (Half-mile) August 9 Lincoln, Nebraska (Half-mile) August 16 Indianapolis, Indiana (Mile) August 23 E. Moline, Illinois (Half-mile) August 31 Springfield, Illinois (Mile) September 7 Syracuse, New York (Mile) September 13 Rossburg, Ohio (H:alf-mile) September 20 Knoxville, Iowa (Half-mile) September 27 Sacramento, California (Mile) October 4 Pomona, California (Half-mile) October 12 Del Mar, California (Mile) \0 0\ 0\ in three rotating, 30-rider sessions. For FatBoyz Racing will host a full day of open practice at Pocono International Speedway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, the day before the North American Sport Bike (NASB) event on August 29. The practice will be limited to 90 riders more information, call Murphy Anderson ill at 908/846-7577. Malcolm Smith Motorsports in Riverside, California, will host a World Superbike Night on Friday, June 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Special ticket offers for ,....; the World Superbike round at Laguna (1) Seca will be available as well as give- >-. aways and a video showing of the most ~ recent round of the World Superbike ~ Championship. For more information, call 909/687-1300. l~ 3

• Cover