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/128096
his High Performance Riding School for free. From now until May 30. visitors to CycleTrader.com can register to win enrollment in Spencer's school, which is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Code-named the OW-M 1 (the official name will be released at a later stage), the 2002 Yamaha four-stroke Grand Prix racer was tested by Japanese test riders recently at Phillip Island in Australia. The all-new, inline, four-cylinder powerplant with Yamaha's trademark five-valve head design features a chassis that comes straight from the latest YZRSOO. Many configurations were considered when deciding on an engine format for this chassis, with Yamaha concluding that an in-line-four layout offers the best balance of compactness, outright performance and power delivery. The "Ml" engine is also considerably lighter and more compact than that of the current YZF-R7 Superblke, according to Yamaha. Yamaha has officially announced what you've already read here: former 250cc Grand Prix and World Superbike Champion John Kocinski will be a test rider for the new motorcycle. Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa completed their European GP preseason testing program at a cool and windy Catalunya Circuit in Spain on March 8. The pair ended the two-day session feeling confident that their 2001 YZR500 machines are now well dialed in for the 500cc Grand Prix season that begins on April 8 at Suzuka, Japan, according to a release issued by the team. Cool weather, a strong wind and overnight rain kept lap times below the outright record-breaking '. ~ pace the pair has been proIIlIIlllOI'O ducing during its other preseason tests. But both riders lapped comfortably underneath Alex Barros' 1998 lap record of the 2.9-mile circuit in the rnilder conditions of the previous outings. The main objective of the test was a final evaluation of new engine parts and suspension settings tried during previous outings in Malaysia, Jerez in Spain and Estoril in Portugal. Biaggi, whose 1:46.0 best lap was less than a 10th down on the 2000 _ 11 According to sources at the racetrack. the reason that the start of the Daytona 200 by Arai was delayed some 45 minutes was due to a mandate by ESPN, with the network needing extra time to get ready for the race - which was shown on tape delay on March 11. Because of the three red Rags, the race very nearly finished in daylight. Discovery .Jones, a show geared for kids aged 7-17 years dedicated to teaching values and offering positive role models. recently filmed a segment with DM Sports·WSMX at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bemardino, Califomia. The show is set to air on Friday, March 30, and again on April 6 at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the INSP network. You may also view the show on I UFE DIGITAL cable, on Monday's and Wednesday's both in the moming and at 1 p.m. Two Harley-Davidson enthusiasts were married recently at Las Vegas HarteyDavidson, with the bride wearing a black satin dress with rhinestones and lace trim the groom sporting HarleyDavidson gear. The couple, Denise Summerville and Bob Carmona, said it was' their dream to have a Harley-themed wedding. "It's always been my dream to have a Harley wedding, and there is nothing traditional about this one, - Summerville said. pole-position time, found settings to overcome the vibration problems he had suffered during the previous tests. "I've been very satisfied with this test,· said Biaggi. "Even though the conditions weren't great, we've done some good times and have a good setup. I've had no vibration problems with the 16.5 or 17inch tires. We've mostly concentrated on engine parts and suspension here. It was good to test alone, as we were really able to concentrate on evaluating the work we've done up until now. Suzuka will be another important test, with the main focus getting set up for the first race.· Neither rider ventured onto the track in the moming, as overnight rain had left it damp, but Spaniard Checa used the aftemoon to try a race-distance simulation to prepare himself for the physical and mental demands of riding Oat-out for 45 minutes straight. "We have done a lot of testing over the last few weeks,· explained Checa, whose 2000 championship aspirations took a knock at his home Catalunya track when he slid off in wet conditions during last year's race. "We've had a very positive preseason with good results. I am feeling more integrated than ever with the bike. We have done quite a bit on engine, tires and suspension here, but it was important to also test my physical performance. I did a full-race simulation to check all the effects on my body, whJch is quite useful for my training program. Now I'm looking fofward to a week off before we go to Japan. I'll keep working, of course, but I hope to have a few days in the mountains as well.· The team will head off to Japan for the three-day test beginning on March 19. Biaggi and Checa will have the opportunity to set their bikes up for the Suzuka circuit. The team will then retum to Europe for a week off prior to the Suzuka race. Sf)( has announced that it has acqUired a majority interest in the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). a sanctioning body of professional and sportsman drag racing throughout the United States and Canada. The addition of the IHRA strengthens SFX Motor Sports Group's position as the leading promoter of specialized motors ports events, which also includes the USHRA Monster Jam Tour, the AMA-sanctioned EA Sports Supercross Series. the IFMA Freestyle Motocross Tour, and the National Arenacross Series. While the II-event IHRA Summit Drag Racing Series is the premier attraction on the annual IHRA calendar, the 31-year-old series also sanctions more than 30 divisional events. Based in Norwalk. Ohio. the IHRA has more than 13,000 members and sanctions events at 80 racing facilities throughout North America. The IHRA will continue to operate under the leadership of the present management team, including its President Bill Bader, who will retain a minority interest in the IHRA. Sf)( Motor Sports Chairman Jeff Lewis said. "SFX has a goal of significantly building our motorsports business in the U.S. and around the world in the next few years, and the IHRA is an important component of that plan. IHRA drag racing has been enjoying a steady rise in popularity. With the powerful promotional resources of Sf)( and our parent company Clear Channel available to support it. we plan to bring the IHRA to new markets in North America and possibly abroad as well.· CN •..............................•..............................•...........•........................................................... · . • Shae Bentley and Casey Lytle are scheduled to appear. Also scheduled : to appear are TheEdgeSports.com Kawasaki's Casey Johnson and Michael Byrne. MARRIED: James Bamke. owner of Bamke Performance. to Barbara Ballantine on December 21 in Santa Cruz, California. SIGNED: GNCC Champion Shane Watts. to be sponsored by Fastway Performance Products for the 2001 season. Watts will be using Fastway foct pegs. throttle tubes and brake savers. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At R&S West in Albuquerque. New Mexico, on March 17 from 12·' p.m. Newly recrowned Arenacross Champion Buddy Antunez is scheduled to appear. For more information. call 505/896-0200. CORRECTION: The White Bros. AMA Four-Stroke World Championship MX Series ad listed the location for round four incorrectly. The correct location is Lakewood, Colorado. The date is April 29. BORN: A baby girl. Sarah Marie Mclaughlin. on February 7, to Cycle News and Trail Rider correspondent Joe Mclaughlin and his wife. Kerry. OPENED: The home page for Excel-Pies Sports & News Photography on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.excelpics.com. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Tacoma Motorsports in Tacoma. Wash· ington, on March 24 from 12-1 p.m. Newly recrowned Arenacross Cham· pion Buddy Antunez is scheduled to appear. For more information. call 253/564-8678. NAMED: Bob Durand. to the newly created position of sales development manager for Victory motorcycles by Mark Blackwell. general manager of Victory motorcycles. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Highlands Kawasaki in Highland, Texas. on March 23 from 7·8 p.m. Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's and Team SplitFire/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ricky Carmichael. Stephane Roncada. OPENED: White Plate Rat Trackers Association' s home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.wpfta.dirttrackpro.com. · . .............................................................................•...................................•.................... cue. _ n _ ....:os • MARCH 21. 2001 3 o o o o CJ 'I w ,....., o o o o J J J ~ J o o o o o 8 o CJ CJ o o o J J 8 J 8 o n