Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

straight after they knew the oil was there." Asked what he told one corner worker, the 25-year-old said, "I just told him he was an idiot for not stopping the race, for having five ra ce bikes destroyed. The bike I was on was my favorite bike, so I had to a race with a bike I wasn't happy with." Edwards was joined by Akii'a Yanagawa, Noriyuki Haga and Pier-Francesco Chili in the gravel pit, and said there wasn't much talk as he and Yanagawa sat out the race. "We were shocked, really. I don't think there was much being said. I don't know, we've got a bunch of idiots running this organization and I'm not afraid to say so. They are freakin' idiots. How easy was it to see there was oil all over the track?" Signaling his intentions for the near future, Edwards simply said, "I'm ready to go 500 racin', boys - let's go!!' Dumped Red Bull Yamaha rider Simon Craiar has declared a burning ambition to stand astride a 500cc GP podium again following his sacking from the team after a string of poor results in 1999, reports Cycle News contributor DarryfFiack. The 1998 British GP winner has failed to rekindle his stellar form of last year, which was capped off by claiming the SODcc lap record in finishing second to Mick Doohan at the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island last October. "At the beginning of the season, I would've never imagined being in this position," Crafar told Barry Sheene during an interview on Australia's Ten Network. Seeking to build on his strong '1998 season, Crafar struggled through preseason testing on the new 1999 Yamaha YZR500, in addition to an enforced move to Michelin tires after spending most of his career on Dunlops. Failing to crack the top 10 in the opening races and dicing with privateer Honda V-twins set off rumors about the likable Kiwi's future that further eroded his shaky confidence. "Yeah, I heard all the gossip and what was actually real, and it's being going on since about the third race of the year," Crafar said. "I was determined to keep going, and how do I put it? You can only go so far in a bad marriage. You try for SO long and then you say, That's it: So we've come to a mutual agreement, and we're both going our separate ways. My aim from now on is finding a way to get back on that podium. The package I had with this team, Yamaha and, the tires wasn't working. I know I c<\n do it. I proved that in my first year. I've just got to get on another bike or another team and have a go at getting back on the podium." With con- firmed reports that former Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki works rider Daryl Beattie turned down an offer to take over Crafar's ride, it was only a matter of time before a decision was made. Still, it's been an object lesson in team loyalty and personal morale for the ex-Rumi Honda and Muzzy Kawasaki World Superbike star. "You've got to have the support behind you. It's just hard to go to the garage and get on the bils.e and not have that support. I've never had that before. Racing's a psychological thing, it's about confidence and getting ou t there and having a go for that bit more. Hey, I haven't done the job. I'm not blaming anybody else for what's happened, but you've also got to do it with support around you, and that's why I have to draw the line, and find another way to get there." With an eye to remaining in the 500cc class, while it stills exists, Crafar was keen to place his performances into perspective. 'There're guys out there who have been racing works bike for a long time who have never been on the podium. I'm not going to give up, and I know I can do i.t. I'll be on a bike next week for a test, but my main aim is to get back on a 500cc Grand Prix podium." a heart attack. Malsack was an institution at Carlsbad Raceway and Barona Oaks Raceway in Southern California. The legendary drag racing duo of Terry Vance and Byron Hines have teamed up with Top Fuel Harley racer Doug Vancil for the 1999 racing season. Vancil signed the deal on June 18, culminating Vance & Hines' desire to be involved in Harley-Davidson drag racing. Vancil started the season off right by setting both ends of the IHRA world record for Top Fuel Harley with a 6.56 e.t. at 213.52 mph. He has also won two of the first three rounds and leads the championship point standings. Englishtown, New Jersey's Raceway Park Motocross has received approval from the New Jersey State Police race track control unit to add a 6Occ, 7- to 9year-old mini class to its regular race schedule, beginning on June27. For more information, call 732/ 446-7800. Team USA IT 1999 - a three-man team from the United States that competed in the Isle of Man IT races - won the ACU International Team Award for its efforts. Dwight David Mitchell led the team. Troy Corser emerged from a two-day test session at the Misano Circuit in Italy with the fastest lap times - a 1:33.92. Second quickest was Colin Edwards II, the Texan lapping at 1:35.03, ahead of his teammate Aaron Slight and World Superbike Championship points leader Carl Fogarty. The fastest of the World Supersport riders who tested was Spaniard Pere Riba. Recently fired Red Bull Yamaha GP rider Simon Crafar also took part in the test, lapping at 1:37.0 on a Yamaha R7. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has announced that the HarleyDavidson Motor Company is now a funding member company, joining the, current membership roster of BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. As part of their membership, Harley will appoint Clyde Fessler, vice president, business development, to the MSF board of trustees. VP Racing Fuels will have AMA and FIM formula fuels available for racers at the U.S. GP motocross at Budds Creek, Maryland. Preorders should be called in to VP's Delaware office (302/368-1500) at least one week before the event. Yuasa and Tucker Rocky Distributing have signed on to be the title sponsors of Formula USA, with the official title now reading: Yuasa Formula USA presented by Tucker Rocky Dealers. The TravelCraft tour of Spain was a success and the group was fortunate enough to see some real action while they visited the Kenny Roberts Training Ranch near Catalunya. Among those who rode with the group were Nobuatsu Aoki and King Kenny Roberts himself. TravelCraft owner Randy Warren reports that he managed to pass Roberts on one occasion, though Roberts was standing still and conversing at the time. Formula one car and motorcycle boss Bernie Eccelstone, 68, is reportedly recovering nicely after having und ergone coronary bypass surgery. Eccelstone was released from the hospi talon June 16. Surgeon John Wright described the procedure as a rou tine opera tion, noting that Eccelstone should be back up to speed in just a couple of weeks. Moto Guzzi Corporation released its operating figures for the first quarter of 1999, which ended on March 31. According to Moto Guzzi, its sales tal- Motprcycie photographer Rick Malsack, 56, of Once Upon A Time Photography, died on June 12 after suffering lied $9.8 million for three months, down some 31.8 percent from the same period a year ago. Opera ting losses totaled -$3 million, compare'd to $470,000 last year. Guzzi cited lower production and sales due to component supply shortages arising from the company's weakness while waiting to finalize its merger with North Atlantic Acquisition Corporation. Since the merger, Moto Guzzi reports that production and sales were stabilized to the tune of over 30 units per day, far below demand from the market. CORRECTION: Last week's issue list-" ed an incorrect date for the Summercross event. The supercross event is scheduled for July 10 and not July 11 as reported. BORN: Erin Lee Ice-Johnson, to Cycle News contributor, trials rider and MSF instructor Christopher E. Johnson and his wife, Lisa Ice, on June 10 in Los Alamos, New Mexico. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Buck's Powersports in Valparaiso, Indiana, on July 2. Team Yamaha's Jimmy Button, John Dowd, Doug Henry and Yamaha of Troy are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 219/477-4700. OPENED: Web site for the book "The Psychology of Motocross" on the World Wide Web. The site can be reached at http://www.motopsych.com. PURCHASED: Forum2J Advertising, by powersports industry veteran Kevin T. Reese, along with two partners, Benjamin Ray and Tony Molinaro. For more information, call 303/595-3813. OPENED: G-Force Racing, by former Kyle Racing Et:'gines engine builder Mike Norman and Sean Koyano, in San Jose, California. For more information, call 408/244-8090. OPENED: GP Motorcycles' home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.gpmotorcycles.com. OPENED: Off Road Champions' home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.offroadchampions.com. BORN: Faith Olidia James, to HarleyDavidson Motor Company communications manager Paul James and his wife, Amy, on May 22 in Waukesha, Wiscon- sin. _ r----------------------------------------------------------------, (jJJI1[iJ!J 'lJJ:1J SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Name _ 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 monthly payments) o Every week for two years (100 issues) for $75.00 o Six months second class (25 issues) for $22.00 One year (SO issues), 2nd class Canada or Mexico and all other foreign countries L $86.00 (u.s. funds). First class and airmail rates available upon request. o This is a 0 New Subscription o Renewal o Please bill me o Bill 2 payments of $21.00 o Enclosed is my check or money order Charge my 0 Visa 0 Mastercard Signature MC/Visa# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Expiration Date I' @.li1fil!.JJ.JE1j, Send to: Inc. P.O. 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