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/128153
o o o o o Continued from page 3 According to SoBe Sr. VP of Marketing, Renee Coughlin, "The sport of motocross is a perfect fit with the fun, edgy Image of the SoBe brand. Motocross popularity is growing at a phenomenal rate, and we're looking forward to taking our involvement In the industry to the next level. SoSe jumped Into the moto arena with sponsorship of the SoBe Suzuki racing team last season, so sponsorship of the Nationals was a natural progression for us. It's certainly an indication of where we believe motocross as a sport is headed." tion treatment and I am quickly making up," Chili said. "Indeed, I have already ridden a bike in France, any hard engagement, of course, just to ride together with my French fans. It has been a pity that we must miss the 200 Miles of Imola, it would be a very good chance to run in front of my public and also to make a good training for next September's round, but of course it's better to not take any risk. Domenico Brigaglia and the other guys are working hard to have the bikes ready for Monza race. That's a too important appointment: I am sure to make up completely for that date and all the team want to be at the best to do finally a good result. See you in Monza!" o o o o o o o o o o o There is now an east coast-based Supermotard racing series with events scheduled to get going on May 4 at the Oakland Valley Race Park in Cuddeybackville, New York. A second race will be heid at the same facility on May 25. According to event promoters, Husqvarna has committed to $12,500 in contingency money. For more information on the new series, see www.supermotard-usa.com. o o o o Contrary to initial medical exams, Robbie Horton did not break his wrist at the Pontiac Supercross, according to his team. Horton will be back on the Team Nielsen EnterpriseslWSA Snocross/TiLube team for the final round of the series in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 4. o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o Former Supercross Champion Mike Bell has left Oakley to take the position of VP of marketing and brand development for White Brothers. Bell, who won the Supercross title on a factory Yamaha in 1980, has been at Oakley for 18 years. "The bottom line is I am a dirt bike guy through and through, - Bell said. "Having the opportunity to work with the best dirt bike accessory manufacturer in the world, White Brothers, was just too good to pass up. White Brothers is a great company and an industry leader in many different categories. We have some visionary plans for the company and its products, and I look forward to being part of the team that will solidify White Brothers' position as a premier perfonmance company." According to a press release from the company, Harper's Moto Guzzi in Greenwood, Missouri, likely has more Guzzi inventory than anyone in the world. This after 38 crates of parts termed to be obsolete by Moto Guzzi arrived at Harper's on April 11. For more infonmation, call 816/697-3411. o o o o SoBe Beverages has announced the company's official sponsorship of the AMA/Chevy Trucks US Motocross Championships. This sponsorship solidifies the beverage company's presence in the motocross and supercross industry, and makes the SoBe program the most comprehensive outside-industry sponsorship in the history of the sport, according to a press release issued by OMS, Ltd. o o 104 MAY 8, 2002 ,. c u e • • Honda-Aprilia dealer Spectrum Motorsports will hold its second track and school day May 9 on the big track at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California. There will be three skill levels: beginner/street, intermediate/advanced, and race. The guest instructor will be AMA racer Steve Rapp, who will assist the advanced/race group, and Spectrum's Vicky Jackson-Bell, who will provide a mix of classroom and track instruction for the beginner/street and intenmediate riders. Race Tech's Paul Thede will put on a suspension seminar and then have his technicians available to assist with suspension setup on riders' motorcycles. Spectrum has enlisted Pacific Track Time and its staff to put together the infrastructure of the day and provide a support staff with course control. Continental breakfast, a catered lunch, photography, and refreshments will be included. The cost is $225 and includes all of the above amenities. For more infonmation, contact Spectrum Motorsports at 949/859-3186. Legendary racer Joe Leonard will be the grand marshal for the Vintage laconia motorcycle racing events at the start of the historic "Laconia" Race and Rally week June 8-10. Leonard, a multi-time AMA Grand National Champion and multi-time USAC champion, is considered by many to be the American counterpart of John Surtees with his twoand four-wheel championships. Leonard was the AMA Grand National Champion in 1954, '56 and '57, and won at Laconia in 1954, '57 and '61. The AMA. responding to new motorcycling-related fatality statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSAl, has again called for a comprehensive nationwide study of motorcycle-accident data. Figures released Monday by the NHTSA indicate that 3067 motorcyclists were killed on the nation's roads in 200 1, up from 2862 the previous year. The preliminary estimate represents a 7.2-percent increase over 2000. The AMA expressed concern over the increase in motorcycling fatalities, but observed that the raw numbers offer no clear explanation for the increase. "The death of any motoncyclist is a tragedy," said Edward Moreland, vice president of AMA government relations, "but because there's no recent research, we don't know the reasons behind the increase in fatalities. " The last comprehensive federal study of motorcyn _ .... sa cling accident data was published in 1980 and dealt with accidents only in Southern California. The NHTSA figures also indicatEls that, although motorcycling-related fatalities were up for the fourth straight year, the 2001 increase was half that of the preceding year. The recent upward trend followed 17 consecutive years of declines. From 1990 through 1999 alone, motoncycling·related fatalities dropped by 48 percent. The AMA noted that one significant reason for the increase in motorcycling-related fatalities is that motorcycling has seen an enormous increase in popularity, with sales of new street bikes up more than 100 percent over the past five years, from about 243,000 in 1997 to more than 500,000 in 2001. For the past several years, the AMA has asked the NHTSA to conduct a nationwide study of motorcycling accidents that would help identify elements that can improve rider safety. In 2000, the AMA and other industry groups succeeded in incorporating a motorcycle-accident study in the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety, which was released by the NHTSA and the private Motorcycle Safety Foundation to serve as a blueprint for improving motorcycling safety. That motorcycleaccident study has not yet been scheduled. "With more motorcycles on the road comes the unfortunate probability of more accidents involving motoncyclists," said the AMA's Moreland. "It's imperative that the NHTSA conduct comprehensive research to define the reasons for motorcycling accidents. Only then can we put together effective programs to reduce accidents." The United States Grand Prix Riders' Union has announced the upgrading of two featured events on the 2002 125GP National Championship Series. The Western Region round, preViously scheduled to run concurrent with CCS at the Las Vegas Classic Course, has been upgraded to run concurrent with Formula-USA at Portland International Raceway, September 5-8. The Eastern Region round, which had been previously scheduled to run at Rausch Creek, has been upgraded to run concurrent with the Fonmula-USA Loudon Classic in Loudon, New Hampshire, June 13-16. Both events will feature open practice and multiple timed qualifying sessions as well as pre-event practice on the days prior to each event for a small additional fee. The Loudon practice will be a promoter-run event at $1 50 and Team Hammer will run the Portland event practice session. Complete series infonmation is available at http://www.usgpru.org or contact info@usgpru.org for more information. A Hodaka enthusiast reunion will be held June 14-15 in Athena, Oregon. This will be the fourth annual get-together of Super Rat, Combat Wombat. Ace 90 and the rest of the Hodaka family. A parade and a swap meet will be held in conjunction with the festivities. For more information, visit www.strictlyhodaka.com. Canadian promoter Buddy Ford has added a 505cc Pro-am & Expert class to his three-race CMRC 2002 HarleyDavidson Canadian Dirt Track Series. The series starts in Trois Rivieres, Quebec, on May 11. Round two will be in London, Ontario, on June 7, and the third and final round at the 7/8mile track of the Montreal Hippodrome. "I've had some phone calls from American riders inquiring how they will compete against the 600s in Canada," Ford said in e-mail. "In Canada, we've decided to wait at least one year before switching over from 600 to 505cc, but in order to satisfy the demand, we will run a 505 support class for our first year and see how it goes. There will be a $1300 purse for that class at each round, which will pay $500 to win. " The series will pay out over $33,000 in Canadian prize money for the three races. For more infonmation, you can reach Buddy Ford at 450/654-8193 or bye-mail at cmrcquebec@Videotron.ca. Close to 1250 people came to the Portofino Center on April 28 to participate in Houston's 2002 Ride for Kids event. The group raised a record total of $202,990 for the programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the U.S. Motorcycles of all shapes and sizes were represented, with every participant helping bring the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation just a little closer towards its goal of helping to find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors. Even the 2000 World Superbike Champion Colin Edwards, of the Castrol Honda team, was at the event. "This was the first time I ever rode a Gold Wing," Edwards said after the nearly 850 motorcycles parked for the Celebration of Life at Montgomery County Fairgrounds after the ride. "It was nice to be able to sit back and enjoy an easy ride for a change - while raising money for a great cause." SpeedFreaks , Cycle News and Dave & Busters will host an AMA Motocross season-opener party at the Dave & Busters at the Ontario Mills Mall in Ontario, California, on May 8 beginning at 7 p.m. Several motocross stars, who will be in action at Glen Helen Raceway in the series opener on May 12, will be on-hand to sign autographs at the party. For more information, call 909/9871557. Dr. Martens, Journeys, Clutch Films, Moto XXX and Racer X are all hooking up to sponsor a huge after-SX bash in Las Vegas on May 4. Fat Wreck Chords recording artists Strung Out are scheduled to perform live in their first show since the release of their new CD An American Paradox (www.strung· out.com). The party will take place at the Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, with OJ and Go-Go dancers to follow the band. Doors open at 11 p.m .. and the party (which is for those 21 and older) will continue until 5 a.m. Tickets will be available at the door for $21. eN