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/128086
o o To further improve on·track awareness for racers in the 2001 AMA EA Sports Supercross Series. AMA Pro Racing will unveil a new accident indicator lighting system at the series opener on January 6 that will wam competitors of downed riders in technical areas of the racetrack. according to the AMA. The accident indicator lighting system will consist of lights placed in strategic areas of the track that will flash signals to riders. The system includes two different sets of lights. The primary set includes a yellow and red flashing strobe light combination that will be placed near each of the Supercross track's two technical triple jumps where AMA Pro Racing f1aggers are already stationed. The yellow light will flash if a rider is down in the triple jump area to caution oncoming riders as they approach. The red strobe light will be displayed simultaneously as a second waming for riders to proceed with caution. These lights will complement the official flaggers who are already working those areas of the track, and will augment their yellow and red cross flags with a more visible warning. Officials closest to the racing action will operate the systems remotely. Another set of yellow strobe lights will be used in areas of the track where riders' sight lines could be blocked. such as where two-way sections meet. or where over-under bridge track styles are utilized. These new accident indicator lights will now wam competitors earlier of downed riders as they Mesa near Captial Reef National Monument, and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. On December 22 a federal judge gave pro-access recreation advocates a stunning victory when he ruled against a national preservationist group's legal effort to ban off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on millions of acres in Utah, according to the Blue Ribbon Coalition. After listening to six days of evidence and arguments, U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball denied a motion for preliminary injunction filed by the Southern Utah Wildemess Alliance (SUWAl that sought to ban OHV use in nine popular recreation areas managed by the BLM. Beyond denying SUWA's request for an injunction. Judge Kimball granted a motion to dismiss filed by the Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) and the Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALU and ruled that the Court had no jurisdiction to consider SUWA's claims regarding the disputed areas. While BLM had opposed SUWA's request for an injunction, it failed to join in the recreational groups' motion to dismiss. "Hopefully this decision will help stop the 'management through litigation' model that seems popular with some activists," said Paul Turcke, lead attomey for the BRC and USA-ALL. "The court recognized that administrative agencies. not federal courts. are the proper place to create effective solutions to recreation management challenges." The areas SUWA unsuccessfully sought to close to motorized vehicles include the San Rafael Swell. Behind the Rocks near Moab. Indian Creek in San Juan County. Wildhorse The Superstars of Moto 2001 calendar is now available for purchase and delivery. according to the makers of the calendar. Featuring top Supercross. road race and freestyle motocrossers in poses that are sure to entice the ladies. the calendar can be ordered by sending a check or money order for $19.84 to Bokasmo; attn. Alex Striler. 2141-A EI Camino Real, Oceanside, CA 92054. This year's Hall of Fame Museum Breakfast, set for the moming of Saturday, March 10, 2001 in Deland, Florida, will feature two-time Daytona 200 winner .Joe Leonard. A fund-raiser for the museum, the $15 breakfast. is open to the public and features a talk by Leonard, the first champion of the AMA Grand National Series who has won 27 Nation· als in the disciplines of n, mile, half-mile and road racing. He won the Laconia Classic three times. the Peoria TT a remarkable seven times and is a threetime Grand National Champion. The breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. at the Hoiiday Inn in Deland. All donations to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum are tax-deductible and will be used to support the mission of the Museum to preserve the history and heritage of motorcycling. For reservations, to find out how to become a sponsor or for more information. contact the museum at 614/8562222, ext. 1234. approach. Ducati has announced that general rnanager Massimo Bordi has officially left the company. Among hiS achievements during his tenure at Ducati was the development of the Ducati 916 and the desmoquattro engine. "Ducati takes this opportunity to thank Mr. Bordi for his contribution to the company and we wish him every success in the future." said Carlo Di Biagio, chief executive officer of Ducati Motor Holding. "The company hopes to have the opportunity to work with Mr. Bondi in the areas of racing and engine development in order to benefit from his extensive experience." "I have spent the greater part of my career at Ducati working on many exciting projects,· Bordi said. "I am particularly proud of the growth the company has seen over the last decade. In the last four years - with Ducati's truly international team - we have worked together to create a truly global company which has enjoyed spectacular results. A part of my heart will always remain at Ducati." Ducati does not plan to replace Bordi, the company said. SFX Motor Sports has announced that the EA Sports Supercross Series will air twice on ABC Sports this year. The Pontiac, Michigan, round will air on Sunday, April 8 at 5 p.m. (Eastem) and 4 p.m. (Pacific) and the Salt Lake City. Utah, round will be shown on Sunday, April 29 at 5 p.m. (Eastern) and 4 p.m. (Pacific). The White Brothers World FourStroke MX Championship at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bemardino, Califomia. will now be held on April 22 so that it no longer conflicts with the Easter holiday, according to White Brothers. For more information. call 714/692-3404. OPENED: RPM RaCing, Inc.·s home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.rpmraceciub. RETIRED: Hook Taylor. of Smith Sport Optics. manufacturer of goggle and eyewear products, announced his retirement after 19 years with the company. Taylor. vice preSident of Smith's Powersports Division. will be stepping down from his current role effective January 1, 2001. but will continue an affiliation with the company in a consultative/advisory capaci· ty. The company's current director of sales, Mark Phares, will be taking The Women's School of Motocross will be holding motocross schools in Southem California on January 13 at Elsinore Raceway in Lake Elsinore and in Northern California on January 20 at E Street in Marysville. For more information, call 949/837-2206. over as general manager of the powersports division. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Malcolm Smith Motorsports in River- side, California, on January 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Team Suzuki's Kevin Windham, Travis Pastrana. Danny Smith and Rodrig Thain are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 909/687-1300. ACCEPTING: Boss Bearing is currently accepting racer resumes for CORRECTION: Contrary to information originally received from Fast CORRECTION: Arai helmets would like to apologize to AMA Pro Thun- by Ferracci, the 50mm factory Marzocchi fork on Steve Lamson's Husqvama 250 CR featured on our "Bikes of the Stars" page of Issue #49 was not modified by Pro Circuit. der Champion Jeff Nash for misspelling his name in an advertisement the RELEASED: Motocross photographer Mitch Freidman from the hospi- tal. following a three-week stay and three major surgeries. CORRECTION: The second·placed team In the SCORE Baja 2ooo's Over-40 Pro ciass consisted of Bret Leef, Scott Gray, Paul Ikeda, Doug Haas, Mark Barlow, Tim Flooks. Steve La Rosa. Bill Wheeler. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Chaparral Cycle Supply. in San Bernardino, California, on January 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Over 40 riders have confinmed to be on hand, inciuding Chevy Tnucks Kawasaki's Ricky Canmichael, Team Suzuki's Travis Pastrana and Kevin Windham, Team Honda's Ezra Lusk. Sebastien Tortelli and Ryan Hughes and Team Motowarld's Damon Huffman. For more infonmation. contact Chaparral at 909/889-2761. MARRIED: Race announcer and North End Cycie race director Larry Witmer and longtime girlfriend Sue Keller. December 27 In Las Vegas. NAMED: Patrick McGuinn, as director of operations at Sears POint Raceway In Sonoma. California, effective immediately. McGuinn will be the 2001 season. Resumes can be sent to Boss Bearing, 1915 W. Front St.. Statesville, NC 28677. company ran in our last issue. The Gary Bailey Motocross School is also gearing up with some January sessions. the first of which will be held on January 9-11 at Hard Rock Cycle Park in Ocala, Florida. Bailey will then come to California for a session at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino on January 23-24. For more information, call 540/650-1759. MOVED: Fastrack Riders, to 3219 75th Street West. Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond. CA 93560. NAMED: Danny DiNardo, as general manager of Fasltrack Riders. effective immediately. For more information, call 661/256-8660. OPENED: Two Brothers Racing's new home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: www.twobros.com. OPENED: Places To Ride's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the follOWIng address: http://www.places2ride.com. Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. has announced that it is reorganizing the structure of its product development and marketing activities. as well as expanding its corporate headquarters in Irvine. California. Company president Masatoshi Tsurutani has announced that executive vice president Bob Shepard will assume the newly-created position of executive vice president. marketing group, with vice presidents Barry Beehler, Mark Kelly and Bob Moffit slated to report to Shepard. The expansion of company headquarters by 115.000 square feet is scheduled to be completed by December. OPENED: DP Brakes' home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the follOWing address: http://www.dp-brakes.com. RESIGNED: Neil Calvesbert, from his position as president and chief executive officer of Fox Racing Inc.. effective immediately. NAMED: The Assen Circuit in Holland as the 2000 Organizer Award winner, In recognition of their efforts dunng the 2000 World Superbike Championship, by Superb,ke International, the series promoters. responsible for on~track activities and the operations of the raceway's • major events. OPENED: HRP Sports' home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.hrpsports.com. OPENED: The Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: • http://www.salinasramblersmc.com. MARRIED: Five-time Pikes Peak winner Scott Dunlavey to Juliana Sud- OPENED: The Sunset Ramblers' home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: www.sunsetramblers.com. APPOINTED: Dick Allen, as the southwestern sales manager for ATK PURCHASED: Bellevue Suzuki/Ducati/Polaris in Bellevue, Washington, by road racers. Super n racers and dirt bikers Alan Thain and Scott • Casey. For more infonmation, call 4251747·7360. · .... .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. brack on December 2 in Lafayette, California. : Mike "Bart" O'Brien. 43, died on December 6 of pneumonia in Urbana, illinois. O'Brien was a former Grand National dirt track racer who was also the service manager at Sportland Motor Sports in Urbana. He was the Senior Class III i- Motorcycles. For more Information, call 661/510-8512. OPENED: Gary Semics Motocross School West's home page on the • World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.gsmxswest.com. "" ,. ,............. . .. cue' u Continued on page 90 n ... _ S • JANUARY 10, 2001 3 J J J '1