Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

asis and we are totally committed to aking this bike a winner." Telefonica oviStar Suzuki will be attending a wetrack test at Michelin's factory in France efore the French GP at Le Mans on ay 19. Bayle also took part in the test. along with the Aprilia team. arlboro Yamaha team riders Cars Checa and Max Biaggi completed a o-day test at Mugelio, Italy, May 8-9, here they evaluated more development arts for the YZR-M1 's electronically ontrolled engine-braking system. But According to sources close to the Valvoline EMGO Suzuki team, Australian Marty Craggill has inked a deal that will see him continue in his role as replacement rider for the injured Josh Hayes. Craggill, who surprised many with his third-place finish in the Formula Xtreme race at Sears Point in what was his AMA debut. will be on-hand at Road Atlanta and beyond. ain spoiled much of the session and it as oniy during the last hour that they ere able to run slick tires, so results emain inconclusive. Now the team crew ravels to Le Mans, where they will test he parts more fully during practice and ualifying for next weekend's French rand Prix, according to a release sued by the team. "The rain hasn't een a big help to us, but at least I manged to test the chassis in the wet for he first time," said Checa. "We finally ad a dry track for the last hour or so, hough that wasn't enough to properly st the new parts. Now I'm just looking orward to trying them at Le Mans, here I hope the weather is better." iaggi said: "We couldn't really push out here until the last hour, so I can't say uch about the parts, but the data e've gathered here should be useful r our Japanese technicians." Marlboro amaha Team director Davide Brivio dded: "We couldn't do much in these onditions, but it was better than nothg. We will really have to wait until we et to Le Mans to properly evaluate the ew parts." French GP practice and ualifying commence on Friday, May 17, ith racing on Sunday, May 19. Last ear, Biaggi and Checa scored a oneo at Le Mans, riding their YZR500s. he Red Bull Yamaha team of John opkins and test rider Jean-Michel Cycle News spoke with Rich Oliver on May 9 while he continued to recover in Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa, California, following his crash dUring 250cc Grand Prix qualifying on Friday, May 3 at Sears Point Raceway. Oliver is in reasonably good spirits considering the circumstances following the complications from his injuries. Oliver suffered a compound fracture to his right forearm and lost the tips of a couple of toes in the crash. He was scheduled to be released on Monday but suffered sever swelling in his arm in the aftermath of it being plated. The swelling got to the point that his arm had to be cut open, in an operation similar to a compartment syndrome (Carpel Tunnel Syndrome) surgery, to relieve the pressure on Sunday. Doctors were able to close his arm back up in another operation on Tuesday. Oliver is currently resting and awaiting his next operation, a skin-graft surgery. Oiiver still isn't sure what caused the crash, but he suspects that water from another rider's radiator was on the track at the exit of the carousel. He also isn't exactly clear what he hit after crashing that caused the damage to his arm. Oliver voiced his concerns over the safety of Sears Point Raceway, but felt that it was the turnone area that was the issue more than anything. "Last year, we would go thor- ........ ough turn one in third gear, wide open," Oliver explained. "But this year, with the reconfigured section between turns 12 and one, it's more like wide open in fifth gear." Oliver hopes to be out of the hospital soon. Fans of the late Ricky Graham might want to consider making plans to attend the third annual Ricky Graham Memorial AHRMA Vintage Short Track scheduled for May 17 at the Salinas Valley Fair in King City, California. The event, which is hosted by the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club, will feature a full slate of AHRMA vintage classes along with several support classes, including an XR 100 race and an Open Pro race with 100-percent payback. The gate fee is $10, with kids 12 and under admitted free. Proceeds will benefit the Clayton Memorial Foundation and the Hospice Foundation. For more information, call 831/394-6294 days, 831/484-9489 evenings, or check out the following Web sites: www.salinasramblersmc.org or www.salinasvalleyfair.com. East Coast speedway fans: Action Park East is set to reopen after a 13year layoff. Jason Bonsignore, a 26year-old professional hockey player and speedway promoter, recently purchased the property on which the popular track sat and is rebUilding the oval. Action Park East, located off RT 12 in Greene, NY, was a well·known operation in the 1980s and attracted large and enthUSiastic crowds to its Saturday-night Speedway races. The facility has, in recent years, been called The River Valley Speedway and has not hosted motorcycles since 1989. Jason Bonsignore Racing (JBR) has scheduled an entire season of Saturday-night races to be held in 2002, kicking off with The Grand Reopening/East Coast Spring Classic Series May 25th. One of the most prestigious events that Action Park East held annually was the New York State Championship, which JBR will bring back from the dead, slated for August 24th. For more info, call the track office at 607/656-8885 or visit the Web site at www.jbrspeedway.com. The creators of the hit television shows "My Classic Car" and" Popular Hot Rodding Television" will soon launch MRide On," their first show in the motorcycle category. Corbin Saddles, one of the best-known and most respected companies in the motorcycle aftermarket, has signed on as title sponsor. Corbin's "Ride On" will debut June 11 th on Speed Channel's Two-Wheel Tuesday at 11 p.m. Eastern. Corbin's "Ride On" is a fast-paced, locationbased show designed to capture the enthusiasm and excitement of the motorcycle hobby. Episodes contain coverage of events and rallies, features on particular motorcycles, celebrities and collections as well as product/howto segments. Dennis Gage, host of "My Classic Car" and co-owner of Bradley . ~ AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Roseville Cycle in Roseville. California, on May 18 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's • Ezra Lusk, Stephane Roncada and James Stewart Jr. and Pro Circuit/Kawasaki/Chevy Trucks' Mike Brown and Eric Sorby are sched· • uied to appear. For more information, callg161782-3663. HIRED: Fred Petrivelli as Vice President of Sales, North America, for David Productions Inc., is executive producer of Corbin's" Ride On." He will also play an occasional on-camera role as a guest correspondent on the new show. "There has never been a show that really covered the entire motorcycle hobby from this perspective," said Gage. "Also, with our experience and high production values, 'Ride On' will raise the bar for motorcycle programming." Mike Corbin, founder and CEO of Corbin Saddles, said, "We've wanted to get into television for some time because we believe it's the most effective way to reach our customers, and this is a perfect match-up. We make the best seats and accessories in the motorcycle aftermarket, and Bradley David Productions are leaders in motorsports television. We're very excited." SIGNED: Motocross legend Bob Hannah as a product-deveiopment PJH Brands CPJ 1/VHD. Petrivelli brings 25 years of sales and market- advisor for Sixsixone protection products. For more information, call .. ing experience to the organization from positions as Vice President of 661/257-2756 Sales and Marketing at Proiong Super Lubricants and a 20-year career with Cooper Automotive, Champion Spark Plugs, Anco Wiper Blades, Beiden Wire and Cabie, and Wagner Lighting. To bring more attention to its new Dirt Track Wave Rotors, Braking USA has announced a contingency program for the 2002 Formula USA National Dirt Track Series. Contingency dough is available in both the Pro Singles and 80cc classes. Product use and decal placement are required. For more information, contact A&A Racing, 650/6541669. A&A is the exclUSive distributor of the Braking Dirt Track Wave Rotor. OPENED: The Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club's home page on .. the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: The Road 2 Recovery Slots of Golf Tournament was a huge success, according to event promoters. The tournament, held May 2, in Las Vegas, Nevada, paired motocrossers such as Sebastien Tortelli, David Pingree, Kenny Bartram, Chad Reed, Brock Sellards, Ivan Tedesco, Ernesto Foncesa, Chris Gosselaar, Jeff Tilton, Nathan Ramsey, Michael Byrne, Danny Smith, Ryan Clark, Jimmy Button and Bobby Moore into foursomes, making for a memorable day of golf at the Badlands Golf Course. ,i, http://www.hangtownmx.com. NAMED: Brian Jackson as manager, vendor displays and special events, at Sears Point Raceway. as was announced by raceway officials. BORN: Vance Jakob Coombs, to Racer X Illustrated editor Davey Coombs and his wife Shannon, 0n May 7, after over 26 hours of labor and no drugs Cat least for Shannon). NAMED: John Grise as brand manager for the Answer Racing prod- uct line, by Tucker Rocky Distributing, effective immediately. OPENED: Activentura's home page on the World Wide Web. The new company in centrai Mexico offers motorcycle, quad and SUV driving OPENED: Big Gun Exhaust's home page on the World Wide Web. The schools and tours. The site can be found at the following address: site can be found at the following address: http://www.biggunexhaust.com. http://www.activentura.com. ................................................................................................................................................................... " " .. - - - - - - - Continued on page 100 eye I e n e _ S • MAY 22, 2002 3 o o o o o o ~ o o o o o o o o o o o o o 8 8 o o o o o o o o o o o o 8 o !' [] o o

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