Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

o o o c C r r Continued from page 3 c " The AMA has announced the corporate sponsors of the 2002 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference. scheduled for June 29 through July 3 at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia. Supporting the conference as Platinum Sponsors are: American Honda Motor Co. Inc.; American Suzuki Motor Corp.; BMW Riders' Apparel; Harley-Davidson/Buell Inc.; Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA; and Yamaha Motor Corp. Other corporate sponsors include Victory Motorcycles, a Gold Sponsor of the conference. and Aerostich, a Bronze Sponsor. "By their participation, these eight sponsors acknowledge their corporate commitment to the importance of women's role in motorcycling," said Robert Rasor. President of the AMA. "We appreciate their support, and especially their active involvement in the 2002 AMA Women & Motorcycling Conference." BMW, Harley-Davidson/Buell, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha will bring fleets of new models to the conference. offering free demo rides to attendees. Participants also can test their skills on a BattleTrax course, take off on self-guided tours through the Allegheny foothills. attend a variety of seminars and round-table discussions, and shop the vendor fair. A parade and street party in Buckhannon, a motocross demonstration, and special opening and closing celebrations are also planned. On the conference's final day, participants will have the option of attending a Women's Motocross School or a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Dirt Bike School. Speedway's biggest crowd for over 20 years, since the 1981 World Final at Wembley Stadium, witnessed one of the sport's greatest ever nights at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. And what an occasion it was for Australian Ryan Sullivan, who had the 40,OOO-plus-strong crowd on its feet stamping and shouting, as he lifted his first-ever Grlmd Prix title, All four riders in the final of the F1M Egg Grand Prix of Great Britain had never won a Grand Prix before, and with current championship leader Tony Rickardsson knocked out at the semi-final stage, it has thrown the title race wide open. Sullivan has been threatening to win a Grand Prix for several months but said: "Tonight, I opened the door and I intend on keeping it that way, It hasn't sunk in yet, this is what I have been dreaming about, and what a place to do it. The atmosphere here today was incredible, but I tried to keep it out of my mind. I didn't even think about the other riders in the final, despite two of them being Aussies." Sullivan lined up against Leigh Adams, Todd Wiltshire and Sweden's Mikael Karlsson in the final. Wiltshire made the gate, as he had done almost all evening. but Sullivan swept around the outside and never looked back. "I thought the last three laps were going on forever," admitted Sullivan. tion, says, "I agree with Congressman Radanovich that Boxer's plan will lead to visitors no longer being welcome on our public lands, except for the priVileged few. I think you will see a lot of local governments and user groups standing up to Boxer and saying that her efforts to designate 2.5 million acres of Wilderness in California will reduce the public's ability to use and enjoy our forest roads and trails." For the full content of Congressman Radanovich's letter, go to: http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/me dia/index.cfm?story= 124. The Trailblazers Motorcycle Club will present a "Competition Motorcycle Display" and the ever-popular" Lap of the Legends" at Gene Romero's Perris. California, IT races on June 29. The races are part of the West Coast Flat Track Series. For more information, call 909/940-0134. On Monday. May 13. a brush fire destroyed the home of Middy and Laurio Boggio. the director of the Midsonian Motorcycle Museum in Riverside, '-J f"'i Califomia. Some vintage cars and bikes in the house were bumed, but the museum suffered only minor damage, Unfortunately, all the records and guests lists were lost in the fire and the Boggios are requesting that anyone who has attended a Midsonian open house party to send a post card with name, address, and phone number to: Midsonian Museum, 14365 Oakley Dr.. Riverside, CA 92503. L C C r Pit Pro has announced that it will be at the Mammoth Motocross in Mammoth Lakes, California, from June 20 to June 30. Pit Pro's services will include tire mounting, tires, VP Gas, propylene oxide, jets, handlebars and other accessories. For more information. call 661/255-51 01. L [ n ~ WSMX Ohio trainer Tiffany Reed will hold motocross training classes every Wednesday at Wolf Creek Raceway in Proctorville. Ohio, beginning June 19. For more information. contact WSMX at 740/534-9324. Considered among some as the finest collections of rare American motorcycles worldwide, owner and curator Dale Walksler is preparing his move his Illinois operation Wheels Through Time east to Maggie Valley, located in westem North Carolina - an area known to most as The Gateway to the Smoky Mountains. The museum will focus on educating visitors about the history of the American motorcycle and its impact on American culture, according to a release issued by the museum. It will also feature Walksler's personal collection of rare American automobiles. Over 230 machines will be displayed in the new 38,OOO-square-foot facility, Walksler purchased he 45-acre property in August of 2001 and intends for the museum to be open this month. c c c c " The chairman of the National Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee sent a strongly worded letter to Senator Barbara Boxer CD-CA) stating that her Wilderness bill would affect mountainbike groups, motorized access. and water storage, according to a release issued by the BlueRibOOn Coalition. Representative George Radanovich (R-CA) said that he would oppose the designation of over 109,000 acres of Wilderness and 37 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers in the 19th congressional district. Congressman Radanovich says that Boxer's 2,5-millionacre Califomia Wild Heritage Wildemess U Act will impose mandates and restrictions f") that goes against his belief in collaboration between government and private interests to protect our public lands and waterways. Don Amador, the western representative for the BlueRibbon Coali- u o o c C n 116 JUNE 19.2002 • cue I • More than 2000 people came together on Sunday, June 2, to help children with brain tumors at the 19th annual Atlanta Ride for Kids. This year's warm and sunny ride offered a new n e _ s Wiltshire, who started racing at Wimbledon in 1988, said it was the greatest night of his speedway life, "This is what I have been working for," he said. "I finished third in my first GP but nothing since. This was terrific, and what an atmosphere in front of such a crowd. It was a great night for Australia, especially on the day that it was confirmed that the final 2002 GP will definitely be going ahead at Sydney's Olympic Stadium in October." It was another fine display from Karlsson, who has now firmly established himself at the highest level. "I just need to move on to another step," he said, "but I am there or thereabouts now and I hope it is only a matter of time." Championship leader and defending World Champion Tony Rickardsson bitterly complained to referee Tony Steele after his semi-final elimination. Rickardsson felt that he was not ready for the start of the race, but Steele thought otherwise and refused a rerun. American Greg Hancock had a dismal meeting, going home after just three rides, with BiUy Hamill making it through to the latter stages before crashing out in race 21. Hancock finished with four GP points, and Hamill on seven. Sullivan and Rickardsson are now joint leaders in the World Championship on 58 points, with Jason Crump and Tomasz Gollob sharing third place with 43 points, John Hipkiss route for motorcyclists, who rode 50 scenic miles from Atlanta to the rolling hills of Dahlonega. Georgia. The oldest and largest Ride for Kids event in the country proved once again to be a success, raising $282.665 in donations for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the U.S. The Foundation works to find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors through medical-research grants and family support programs. The highlight for participants was when Mandy Dean, a brain tumor survivor who has attended the Atlanta Ride for Kids for the last eight years, was awarded the most recent PBTFUS educational scholarship by foundation president Mike Traynor. She told those in attendance their support did make a difference and received a standing ovation when she announced her career goals. "Now I want to help children with cancer," she said. Top fund-raising individuals at this year's Atlanta Ride were Tommy and Connie Smith, who raised $18,850 for brain tumor research. The top fund-raising chapter was the Gold Wing Road Riders Association GA- T, bringing $46,200 in donations. Once again, the top fund-raising motorcycle shop was Gary's Hobbie Shop, with customer's bringing in $60,219, The next Ride for Kids event will be June 22 in Knoxville, Tennessee. For more information about the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the U.S. or the Ride for Kids visit www.ride4kids,org or www,pbtfus.org online. or call 800/253-6530. The fifth annual Vintage Iron World Championships is slated for June 20-23 at Glen Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, This year's highlights will include a Parts Unlimited Dealer Challenge, sidehacks. quads and a U.S, vs. the World theme to the YROC competition. with six U.S, riders of note taking on six former stars from around the world. The line up is taking shape with previous winners Broc Glover and Jim Holley topping the list. Fellow Americans Gary Jones, Marty Moates, Ron Lechien and Captain Cobalt Jimmy Ellis will round out the U,S. squad. Five-time World Champion Georges Jobe will head the International team with Thorlief Hansen, Jacki Vimond, Hideaki Suzuki, Stephen Gall and Peka Vekonnen joining the team. Each rider will compete aboard 2002 Yamaha YZ125, 250F, 250 and 426F models for individual and team honors. Naturally. classes for all eras of old motocross machines will also be offered during the two days of competition, For more information and an entry form go to www.vintageiron.com. IFMA Freestyle Motocross is headed to the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, August 9-10 with 17 of the world's elite Freestyle Motocross 'pilots' scheduled to compete in the XBOX Pro of Freestyle Motocross. The Friday and Saturday event will feature the extreme sport made popular from the IFMA Freestyle Motocross Series, the X-Games, Gravity Games and the Vans Triple Crown of Freestyle Motocross. This will be the second consecutive year that the Vans Triple Crown has made a stop in the Tacoma Dome. The XBOX Pro of Freestyle Motocross will be broadcast on NBC Sports, September 15, and on Fox Sports Net, October 17. Check local listings for time and channel. Tickets for the XBOX Pro of Freestyle Motocross can be purchased at the Tacoma Dome Box Office by calling 206/628-0888. Reigning 250cc Supercross and Motocross National Champion Ricky Carmichael could become the first rider to win three-consecutive U.S. Open championships October 11-12. Last year, Carmichael made history, as he became the first rider in U.S. Open history to win two titles at this coveted event. In perfect Carmichael style. he dominated the field in his Team Honda debut. Seven-time Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath. who finished second overall in last year's competitive field, could win his first U.S. Open championship, the only major American title he doesn't own. Former champions of this event include Damon Huffman ('98) and Jeff Emig ('99). Other attractions to the weekend will be the four-stroke race, aocc mini invitational. freestyle motocross, 50cc mini challenge, and 125cc manufacturers' cup, On October 13, the second-annual Amateur Arenacross World Finals will take place. Tickets for Las Vegas' MGM Grand's Fifth Annual U.S. Open can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 702/474-4000, the MGM Grand Box office, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com and WWW.ussx.com. eN

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