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/127997
World Championship. Smiling, relaxed and even radiant in the sunlight, Doohan was quick to point out, however, that his stay in the hotel is no holiday. "I'm staying at a hotel but realistically I'm still hospitalized," Doohan said. "I can go out for a meal, and so on, but the doctors really don't want me running around the place too much." Asked how long he plans to spend at the hotel, Doohan said, ''I'll stay here until I'm fit enough to walk out of here. At this point in time, I'm going to Assen and Donington towards the end of June. Hopefully, I'll be on crutches by then, and I'll be doing some sponsorship obligations and I have a meeting in Holland around the time of the Dutch Grand Prix. Then I'll come back to San Francisco for some more rehab, just so 1 have the same doctors telling me the same things, rather than seeing another doctor who has his own ideas on what I should be doing." Doohan watched a delayed telecast of the French Grand Prix, and despite feeling a little despondent about not being able to compete, he was full of praise for Criville, whom he says must now set the pace a the most experienced 500cc rider active in the championship. "It's a little bit different watching from thousands of mile away," Doohan said. "The pressure's changing a bit for him (Criville) from having to try and beat me to having to win. He's done a good job the last couple of race, and hopefully he can continue - that's what I'd like to see for our team and for him." Discussing his comeback to racing, Doohan reaffirmed his date with the Czech Grand Prix on August 22, but added that it is not set in concrete. "Hopefully, I'll be back for the Czech Grand Prix. But if I' 00 not strong enough - I'm sure my arm and my shoulder will be 100 percent - but if I can't put 100-percent strength through my leg, I'll po tpone it to the following race:' The AMA will host the second annual AMA Events Promotion Convention in Worthington, Ohio, October 2-4. Designed as a weekend of seminars, presentations and networking for motorcycle-event organizers, the 1999 convention will begin with a banquet on October 2 that will also serve as the official closing of the 1999 AMA Congress. Off-road racing star Scott Summers will be the featured speaker at the banquet, and a distinguished list of event promoters and organizers will talk at the seminars. The second annual Cruising for the Good Life, a fund raiser for children's Also on the BMW front, the company has announced that Berthold Hauser will take over a new position and will be responsible for all BMW motorcycle-racing activities, including off-road rallies such as the Rally Dubai in November and the Rally Paris-Dakar-eairo in January 2000. charity, will be held September 10-12 at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Beach, California. Participants will spend the weekend riding for the Orange County Marine Institute's "Ocean in Motion" educational program for children. The cost is $500 per person and includes Friday's welcome reception; Saturday's breakfast, buffet lunch and champagne reception; Sunday's farewell ride; and a group photograph and keepsake gifts. Accommodations are available for all participants at a special rate beginning at $175 per night. For more information, call 949/489-5897. According to sources in Europe, it now appears definite that Jean-Michel Bayle will replace Simon Crafar on the Red Bull Yamaha 500cc Grand.Prix team. Bayle recently tested the Yamaha YZR500 at Bmo in the Czech Republic, de pite being under contract to Kenny Roberts' Modenas team. The Women's Motocross League is currently accepting entries for the remaining WML/ AMA Nationals to be held at Budds Creek, Maryland (July 19), Washougal, Washington Guly 31), and Broome-Tioga; New York (August 28). For more information, call 949/8372206. Those interested in making sure that the motorcycle-repair program at Los Angeles Trade-Tech continues may want to consider voting for Nancy Pearlman, who is running for the Los Angeles Community Board of Trustees - a nonpartisan, open seat. For information on Pearlman, call 310/202-7553. The program at Los Angeles Trade-Tech is currently the only community college motorcycle-repair program in existence. IMS/Pro Series and Race Tech have combined forces for their race support efforts. "With IMS/Pro Series and Race Tech combining efforts, we are now able to better serve our riders to the level they've expected from the best," said race team manager Mike Farmer. For more information, call 909 /594-7755. The Big Easy Ride is scheduled to be held October 15-17 in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a three-day celebration of the 30th anniversary of the classic movie "Easy Rider." Presented by Indian Motorcycle and produced by the nonprofit Big Easy Ride Foundation, the three-day weekend will benefit children's charities and will include a concert, a party and a Sunday morning ride along the Mississippi. For more information, call 504/566-RIDE or visit their web site at www.thebigeasyride.org. Club road racers will get the opportunity to race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course when the AMA Mid-Ohio Cia ic takes place in Lexington, Ohio, July 14-15. Produced and promoted by the AMA and FASTTRAX, the MidOhio Classic is open to all racers from all recognized road racing organizations. 0 event-specific license is required, but AMA membership is. The two-day event will be run as two separate race days, with trophies at stake each day for the top five finishers in the 26 different classes of competi tion. For more informa tion, call 330/494-8410. Lance Holst has left his position of road race and road-test editor at Motorcycle Performance magazine, effective May 27. "Motorcycle Performance's publi her Nina Henderson is the best-hearted person that I've worked for," Holst said, "and [ wish her the best of luck. Unfortunately, our backgrounds, experience and priorities were very different and neither of us were able to .meet our expectations with the relationship. Nonetheless, I think we made remarkable progress building the depth and credibility of the magazine in the time that I worked there. I hope that the staff is able to carry on in the same direction and achieve their goals. I've had to hold off on a number of interesting opportunities due to magazine commitments in the past, and I'm looking forward to finally having the chance to pursue them." According to BMW of North America, BMW had its best sales month ever in April 1999, with 1088 motorcycles sold. April BMW motorcycle sales outpaced the previous record of 1085, set in 1988. "With back-to-back sales of 1000-plus units for March and April and the continued strength of new and existing models, we're poised for another banner year," said Edward A. Robinson, vice president of BMW of North America's motorcycle group. BMW has also enjoyed success in racing, with back-toback wins in the Granada-Dakar and Tunisia Rallies. Fast By Ferracci recently obtained judgement in United States District Court in a suit filed against Ghost Motorcycle Inc. of ew York for its unauthorized use of the Ferracci trademark and its sale of "counterfeit" Fa t By Ferracci eprom chips. The chips are an integral ingredient in upgrading Ducati motorcycles, according to Ferracci. Marlboro Yamaha's Carlos Checa was a fraction of a second off the la p record during his two-day test session at Bmo, the venue for the Czech Republic Grand Prix on August 22. The Spaniard rode alone for the two-day test, May 26-27, while his teammate Max Biaggi continues to recover from a hand injury suffered in the Frencll Grand Prix on May 23. Checa lapped at 2:02.37 - just .035 of a second off Alex Criville's lap record. Showcase Bike Night will be held at the Speedway International Racing Bistro & Bar in Newport Beach, California, on June 3 from 7 to 10 p.m., featuring special guests, exotic motorcycles and more. For more information, call FS Productions at 714/585-2930. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Don &: Roy's Motorsports in Brookfield, Wisconsin, on June 11 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Muzzy Kawasaki's Doug Chandler and Aaron Yates are scheduled to appear. For more infonnation, caU 414/786-3220. OPENED: Warp Drive/Pro-Action New York, iii Pro-Action franchise in upstate ew York.. For more information, call 716/254-{)66(). OPENED: Parts Magazine Online, an Internet edition of the printed magazine produced for Parts Unlimited. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.pa.rtsmag.com. OPENED: Cycle Pro's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.motorcyclepro.com. MERGED: Wiseco Piston Co., of Mentor, Ohio, with JE Piston, of Huntington Beach. California, to form Perfonnance Motorsports lne. While the two companies will retain operational independence, the merger "wiU provide both the opportunity to share technological resources with a strong financial base to remain in the forefront of the performance motorsports industry," according to a press release from Wiseco. MOVED: SMP Clothing, to 1939 S. Susan Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704, 714/431..()SOO, 714/431..()SOl (fax), effective lune 11. CORRECTION: The photos taken of Ryan Hughes (May 26, 1999, issue #20) for our interview with Hughes were taken by Geoff Meyer. CORRECI10 : We made a mistake in our coverage of the 1999 Lodi Spring Classic short track. Steve Mayfield did not promote the event this year. Il was promoted by the Lodi Me. a ·----------------------------------------------------------------, (jJJpf!I)1 Vi.: l:J SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM ame _ Address City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ Zip Order Date _ Please start my subscription to Cycle News: o Every week for one year (50 issues) for $42.00 (can be billed 2 montWy payments) o Every week for two years (100 issues) for $75.00 o Six months second class (25 issues) for $22.00 L One year (50 issues), 2nd class Canada or Mexico and all other foreign countries $86.00 (U.S. funds). First class and airmail rates available upon request. _ This is a 0 New Subscription o Renewal Please bill me Bill 2 payments of $21.00' Enclosed is my check or money order Charge my 0 Visa Mastercard Signature _ MC/Visa# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Expiration Date Send to: (j)JJl7[JJ!lI.J1.1!lJ, Inc. P.O. 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