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/128116
company campaigned its own purposebuilt race bike, the RS750. The SuperTracker Series, in contrast, employs machines based on production-built, four-stroke twin-cylinder engines displacing 900cc to 125Occ, depending on the method used for engine cooling and valve actuation. This displacement differCagiva USA has announced that its parent company, MV Agusta Motorcycles SpA, and Piaggio Hoiding SpA, have entered into an agreement that provides a 20-percent investment in MV Agusta by Piaggio. "Piaggio entering the capital of MV Agusta signifies that immediate financial, industrial and commercial synergies will be developed by the two groups, both strong in their brands of extraordinary prestige and fame worldwide that identify with the motorcycle history regarding style, technology, innovation and top racing commitment," the press release from MV Agusta states. "The European manufacturers have at their disposal an unequalled patrimony of innovative know-how, technology and style," said Dante Razzano, president of the Piaggio Group. "MV Agusta, with its products and the titles list held by its brands MV, Husqvama and Cagiva, is the flagship of the industry and the Italian motorcycle world. The agreement arrived at today is in complete accord with Piaggio' s strategy to deliberately be an active part of any industrial synergy, and of any possible initiative of integration, that may enhance the European competitiveness and hence creating a critical mass such that will render us competitive with respect to our global contenders. The agreement with MV Agusta, further to representing the first step towards a possible further integration of the two companies will allow from now on to put together two important and perfectly complementary and functional experiences in order to launch successful enterprises." Claudio Castiglioni, president of MV Agusta, stated: "The entry of Piaggio in the capital of MV Agusta represents both a recognition and a starting point. The recognition goes to a group of people, Massimo Tamburini, Miguel Galuzzi, Ampelio Macchi and all their assistants, who like me are spurred by the passion for motorcycles and able to create products which are so innovative, unique and beautiful that they represent the real and only 'state of the art' of the Italian and European motorcycle. The starting point is the challenge to integrate this pool of extraordinary know-how into a leading group such as Piaggio that also unfolds a great history, can claim an exceptional industrial and commercial strength, unique management skills and at the same time great inventors of unique solutions in the realm of light vehicles." Piaggio also recently purchased Derbi. The press release states that MV Agusta built 23,000 motorcycles in 2000, while Piaggjo sold 480,000 vehicles under the Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera brand names in 2000. SuperTrackers into Grand National racing. it's clear to see that this move will indeed broaden the span of the premier level of flat track racing. In doing so. we are opening new opportunities to sponsors, we will expand our fan base and best of all, we will enhance the racing action for everybody." Harley-Davidson's purpose-built racer, the XR750. has long dominated the GNC class. although Honda found a significant degree of success in the 1980s as the ential is designed to compensate for the engineering allowances inherent in production-based designs, as opposed to engines conceived on a drawing board specifically for track use. So far, Suzuki has been the most active newcomer, campaigning machines based on the TL 1000 powerplant in SuperTrackers. as well as a modified SV650 in Grand National class competition. Ducati, Yamaha and Buell have also been involved, while other manufacturers continue to develop plans. "Everyone connected with both series is excited to begin competing handlebar-to-handlebar," Vanderslice said. "We've been monitoring lap times, top speeds and horsepower figures, and we will soon publish our findings so we can firm up the guidelines for a new. combined format that will be competitive, with as much parity as we can engineer into this newly expanded series." According to Vanderslice, a new set of Grand National-class regulations will be drafted near their development curves, but that's to be expected,' Vanderslice said. "Overall, we will witness the advent of a new and exciting chapter in dirt track competitian. and the racing will be better than ever. T&MX News reports that Frenchman Yves Demaria, who raced this year for Free Time Yamaha, has inked a deal to campaign the 2002 500cc World Championship Motocross Series on the KTM factory team. According to the report, Demaria will campaign a 540 SX four-stroke alongside 2000 World champ Joel Smets, thanks to a two-year deal signed with the Austrian firm. Brit James Dobb. who is currently leading the 125cc points, is expected to move up to the 250cc class for KTM next year, where he will help develop a new powerplant that should be in production for 2003. Norwegian Kenneth Gundersen has also signed with KTM. though it's not known whether he' II contest the 125 or 250cc division. In addition. Erik Eggens has re-signed with Champ KTM in the 125cc class. The Baltimore County Trail Riders and the Cockeysville Optimist Club have announced the schedule for the seventh the end of the 2001 dirt-track season, and AMA Pro Racing will seek input from teams and other members of the racing community before the new rules are finalized. "Naturally, down the road there will be a need for adjustments in August 10. For more information, see regulations as machines advance along their website at www.BCTRA.com. annual Kevin McNichols Memorial Short Track Series. The next round is Wednesday, August 1 with rounds to follow on August 3, August 8 and eN By ALAN CATHCART • • Piaggio Wrangling cyclenews"com reader poll question of the weel< Do A. B. C. 100 you feel that Travis PlISlrana shou d be tollqJlU.ing..l--ld~e~s~Sl~·:~::~::~=::::~~~ Absolutely not. No of aa-hlick SUcceA Is ,_ or. Yes, but only as 10 Ii Ie.JisU chance to win the i!DD I I i!Scc National MX Championship. Absolutely. Motoc riders don't let injuries stop them. AuGUST 8.2001 • cue • e nevvs To cast your vote, log on to http://www.cyclenews.com.