Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

shock over what took place in New York, Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh on Tuesday. "It's unbelievable and it puts things in perspective," Mladin said. The AMA has announced its motocross-rider numbers for the 2002 season, and although the relatively new numbering system means that many riders will use the same digits, there are some notable changes. For example. Mike Brown's new 125cc National MX title means he is entitled to a permanent one-digit number. and he has chosen 3. the number formerly used by Jeff Emig (Brown was number 100 this yearl. There are several other riders who ran three-digit numbers in 2001 but who will receive two-digit numbers for next season: David Vuillemin switches from 934 to 12: Grant Langston changes from 111 to 22: Scott Sheak moves from 105 to 30; Ryan Hughes changes from 120 to 31 (though he announces his retirement in the "Voices" section of this issue): Michael Byrne goes from 990 to 35; and Bobby Bonds changes from 129 to 43. There are many changes above number 20, including Errnesto Fonseca (24), Nathan Ramsey (25), Nicholas Wey (26), Rodrig Thain (27), Greg Schnell (33), Danny Smith (37). Heath Voss (41) and Tallon Vohland (52, though it appears he'II be retuming to the GP series). Interestingly. Sebastien Tortelli has elected to retain number 13, and Travis Pastrana will keep number 1gg. Also of note is offroader Shane Watts' earning of a top100 number (93). Beating Ricky Carmichael to the punch in his expected announcement of joining Team Honda, amateur racers Mike and . Jeff Alessi have announced that they will compete on Honda CR80R and CR 125R motorcycles in the upcoming 2002- '03 motocross seasons as members of the Plano Honda team. the official Honda professional 125cc satellite squad. "Our goal is to bring these youth racers up through the amateur ranks and into our pro team in the future," said Plano team manager Kenny Watson. Plano Honda will feature the Alessi brothers at selected races nationwide. while still being a part of all amateur nationals. They will make their first official national appearance on Hondas at Branson USA in Galena. Missouri, on October 5-7. The Alessis have also signed multi-year deals with FMF. AMA Pro Racing has announced the creation of a new forum for two-way communication with the racing community, an avenue that provides racers with the means to review and comment on proposed changes regarding racing rules. The proposed rules changes, which apply to all AMA professional racing disciplines for the 2002 and 2003 racing seasons, have been posted, and a 30-day comment period for input regarding these changes will open on Friday, September 14. The proposed rules changes can be viewed at AMA Pro Racing's new racing community website, www.amaproracing.com/ridersonly.This website is password protected for exclusive use by AMA Pro Racing credentialed riders. team owners and managers. mechanics and other key industry members. First-time users must register with the site, which will also serve as one venue for collecting feedback regarding the proposed rules changes. As another option, credential holders will also receive a mailing that contains the proposed rules changes, and written comments may be returned to AMA Pro Racing via mail and fax. The comment period serves as the official forum for AMA Pro thoughts clearly heard on the issues that will affect them," added Vanderslice. In another step designed to better serve the racing community. AMA Pro Racing also announced that separate. disciplinespecific rulebooks will be utilized in 2002. The move away from one rulebook for all racing disciplines will allow for better organization and more clarity for each venue's set of specific rules and regulations. Racing participants to communicate their thoughts and reactions to the proposed rules changes, and comments are encouraged. This new venue for two-way communication is the first in a series of anticipated changes in the rules-making process designed to engage the racing community in an early and more active role in the process. The catalyst for this newly formalized means of active communication is an outgrowth of a sixmonth consulting study by former Indy Racing League executive director Leo Mehl for the expressed purpose of enhancing consensus and participation within the racing community. Mehl gathered input from participants of each AMA Pro Racing discipline and melded that with the best practices from other race sanctioning bodies in his recommendations. On a regular basis. rules changes are proposed. drafted and recommended to and by AMA Pro Racing Competition Advisory Boards in each racing discipline. These advisory boards consist of riders. mechanics, other team members. manufacturer representatives and promoters. These boards meet quarterly to discuss potential rules changes for proposal to the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors. In cases that carry safety implications or may require more urgent action, the 30-day comment period may be bypassed. "AMA Pro Racing has always had the objective of providing a level playing field, a stable rules environment for our competitors and an entertaining product for our fans. This latest move further enhances our ability to do that," said Merrill Vanderslice. AMA Pro Racing director of competition. in the AMA Pro Racing press release. "There are many aspects to be considered when adopting new rules. Hopefully, this newly formalized process will allow a greater number of participants to make their According to a press release issued by the FIM. two 500cc Grand Prix motocross racers have been found to be "not in accordance with the rules of the FIM Anti-Doping Code." The racers, Italian Andrea Bartoloni and Dutchman Gert-Jan Van Doorn, were tested at the Swiss Grand Prix on August 12. Both failed the tests. according to the FIM. "The sample of Mr. Bartolini contains a concentration of 45 ng/ml of nandrolone (anabolic steroid), and the one of Mr Van Doom contains amfepramone (stimulant, derivative of amphetamine)." the FIM release states. "Both products are sanctioned by Art. 10.3, Prohibited Classes of Substances. Mr. Bartolini asked for a counter-test with the B sample. which confirmed the results of the A sample (45,1 ng/mD. Mr. Van Doom did not ask for a counter-test. Both cases will be judged within a few days by the International Jury. who is entitled either to take a decision or refer the case to the International Disciplinary Court." Former AMA Superbike racer Dale Quarterley drove his Land 0 Lakesbacked Chevrolet to victory in the NASCAR Busch North Series PTM Racing 150 on Sunday. September 9 at Scarborough, Maine's Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. Quarterley won by .32 of a second for his first stock car win. Quarterley also made a return to motorcycle racing two weeks ago when he competed in a Loudon Road Racing Series event at NHIS. "I came out of retirement last week and went motorcy· c1e road racing at the Loudon Road Racing Series," Quarterley said in a press release. "We ended up winning the show. winning our ciass. and ran fourth overall on a small bike against big bikes. So I basically won two weeks in a row. This is great; this is absolutely great. If we can keep going like this we'll be styling ... .•....••.......................................•....•...•......•.••.•••.•....•..•.•..•.•••...••••.•.••.•••••••....•.•••••..•.•...•.... · . . · · · · · · ... 6 ~==:M====- _ BORN: Twin girls, Kylynn Rose Quinn and Taylor Baley Quinn, to KTM Sportcycles USA's race team coordinator Justin Quinn and his wife. Jessica, on September 6 in San Diego. Califomia. STOLEN: A 2002 Honda CRF450R (VIN #JH2PE05312M000031J on September 14 from the Woodland • Hills. California, area. The bike a press bike belonging to American Honda. For more information, call 310/532-9811. BORN: Leilani Marie Moore. to Glen Helen announcer Mark Moore and his wife, Janet. on September 13 in Wildomar, California. BORN: Layton James Smail, to three-time AMA Four-Stroke National Champion Lance Smail and his wife, Marie. on September 6 in Federal Way. Washington. ACCEPTING: Fasst Company is currently accepting rider resumes for the 2002 racing season. Resumes can be sent through www.sponsorhouse.com. or to Fasst Company, attn: Cole Townsend. 25 Savona Walk, Long Beach. CA 90803. REOPENING: Ducati and Triumph of Marin in San Rafael, California, will have a reopening on September 28 with a customer appreciation barbecue scheduled for September 29-30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information. call 415/456-3345. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Olde Dominion Motorsports in Danville, Virginia, on September 27 from 6 to 7 p.m. Team Kawasaki's Doug Chandler and Eric Bostrom are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 804/799-8000. ACCEPTING: Race Tech is currently accepting rider·support applications for 2002 via the internet. To apply, log on to www.racetech.com. and go to the rider-support page. Applications for the 2002 season will be accepted through October 31 . • Kawasaki cancelled its dealer meetings. scheduled for September 15-18 in Anaheim, California, "In tlie wake of today's tragedies in New York and Washington, D.C., Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has cancelled its annual Dealer Meeting. which had been scheduled for September 15-18, 2001 in Anaheim, California," a press release from the company stated. "The meeting will not be rescheduled. More than 3500 representatives from Kawasaki dealerships SIGNED: National Hare & Hound Champion Destry Abbott. to a multi-year contract with Race Tech. ACCEPTING: Smith Sport Optics is currently accepting race • resumes. Resumes can be sent until until November 30. to Smith • Optics. attn: Brian Berry. 1599 Superior Ave. Suite B-6, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. • BORN: Alexa Nicole Donati, to Advanstar's Dan Donati and his • wife, Liane. on September 11 in Newport Beach. Califomia. · . ........•..............•.....•.•.•..•..•............•..........••••..•..••••••••...................•••.......••••.•.•••...•••••••••.•. aye •• n Continued on page 88 e _ S • SEPTEMBER 26, 2001 3 o o o o 8 o o o o o o o o 8 CJ o o o o o o o 8 o o o o o ~J J J J CJ 8 R

• Cover