Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Cycle News 2002 06 19

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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pened with the crowd taking to the racetrack at the recent Grand Prix in Mugel10, Italy. The letter is as follows: "It was inevitable. Motorcycling races have been also the victims of fanaticism and imbecility. Thus, as stadiums are often invaded to protest provoking material damages, now the tracks where the World Championships are held are also subject to the same evil. If, for whatever the motive, the invasion of a football stadium is serious, the invasion of a racetrack is even more serious. On the latter, the invasions now take place while the riders are still racing on their bikes at very dangerous speeds, for themselves and for others. The imprudence and the stupidity of those who, without the least concern in the world for the most elementary form of education, civil responsibility or self-control, put their own life as weli as the lives of others seriously at risk, has no justification. Especially if, as that which happened last Sunday at Mugello, the organizers cannot be held responsible in any way for what happened. Indeed, the protection barriers on the track were installed, the crowd of spectators was not more than the number of people that the circuit could cope with, and the number of officials was more than sufficient. On the other hand, are we sure that we at the FIM, the riders and their teams, are exempt from errors? The FIM has done enough to dissuade the participants at events from provoking, either through joyful demonstrations which in themselves are neither dangerous or rough, a public behavior which could later be transformed into dangerous euphoria and irresponsibility. And the riders, teams, did they do everything in their power to avoid such situations? I repeat: perhaps it is nice to see Valentino [Rossil or any other rider throw his racing clothes and his shoes to the public, but are we sure that this does not incite the public in its turn to violate the rules, apparently in a friendly way? In order to avoid, as far as possible, that tomorrow we mourn victims of the - apparently inoffensive - irresponsibility of those who break the rules, let us try to impose on everyone, immediately, the respect of the existing rules and a rigid application of the regulations, at the risk of having to take disciplinary measures, even if these measures are unpopular and apparently retrograde. " Signed Francesco Zerbi, FIM President. also feature workshops, trade displays, professional marshaling and many other attractions. Coordinated by track-day expert Sportbike Track Time, with the assistance of Team Promotion, the event will cater to female motorcyclists of every skill level. The test fleet will include the Mille Superbike, the streetsport Falco, the sport-touring RST Futura, and the new 2002 CapoNord adventure touring motorcycle. Coinciding with the last round of the AMA Superbike Championship, Femmoto aims to give women the chance to sample the Aprilias in a safe, friendly environment. Event sponsor Parts Unlimited will ensure women have the opportunity to see and purchase the latest in riding apparel by Alpinestars, Teknic and many other accessory manufactures, focused on providing women with the best in safety garments and motorcycle gear. Virginia International Raceway will waive the usual $10 entry fee - which also gives you access to the AMA Superbike qualifying session - to the first 100 applicants of Femmoto. For more information on Aprilia's Femmoto, or to download the registration form, go to www.sportbiketracktime.com. visit Aprilia's Web site at www.apriliausa.com. or call 877/APRllIAx120. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. An original airbrush painting donated by artist/racer J.T. Southern is being auctioned by the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association to benefit injured vintage dirt tracker Ramon Perez, of Mountain View, California. Perez was seriously hurt at an AHRMA national dirt track last August. The painting shows Perez powering out of a corner on his 1956 BSA Gold Star. Bids will be accepted until August 1. For details on how to participate, visit the news flashes page at www.ahrma.org. Seventeen-year-old New Zealand MX GP rider Ben Townley will race the Budds Creek, Maryland, round of the AMA/Chevy Trucks 125cc Motocross Championships on June 16, according to Cycle News contributor Geoff Meyer. Townley has been one of the sensations of the 2002 125cc World Championship Motocross Series, with two runner-up finishes. The Kiwi is fifth in the FIM points, and despite crashing out of the French Grand Prix (where he scored no points), the Vangani KTM rider has shown he is a contender. Townley will reportedly have support from the Red Bull KTM team at Budds Creek. Nicky Hayden, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Series points leader, launched his first dedicated line of merchandise at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colorado. Hayden has reached an agreement with AMA Pro Racing's new merchandising partner, Wateree Sports Group, that will allow fans to purchase his gear at AMA Superbike events and also online at www.amaproracing.com/speedshop. "Nicky is a great addition to our AMA Pro Racing project," said Jeff Reeves, vice president of Wateree Sports Group. "We are very excited that a rider of Nicky's caliber will be a part of our new merchandising program. The fans will finally have a source for great, new Nicky Hayden products at their favorite dealer, online, or at each AMA Superbike event." Chris Bradley, AMA Pro Racing's associate vice president of commercial development. said, "We're thrilled to have Nicky on-board. One of the main goals of our licensed-merchandise program is to increase exposure for the great athletes who compete in our sport." Bradley added, "Nicky is clearly one of the most talented Superbike riders in the world, and he also has a very likeable personality off the racetrack. Having him involved adds an attractive dimension to this program." '" am very excited to launch my own line of authentic merchandise," Hayden said. "There are so many great fans out there who support me and support motorcycle racing in general. This will give them all an opportunity to showcase that support in a big way - with apparel and merchandise with my logo on it!" For more information about the new merchandise program, contact Wateree Sports Group's Jeff Reeves at 803/ 327-2776. The crowing of a Grand National Champion starts at the 79th Annual Loudon Classic in Loudon, New Hampshire, June 14-16, when road race and dirt track motorcycle racers will begin a 10-race series consisting of five dirt track and five road race events from the Formula USA National Road Race and Dirt Track Series. The first Grand National Championship event will be held Friday, June 14 at the 10th Annual Ben Campanale Laconia Half-Mile on the Rochester Fairgrounds cushion dirt track located in Rochester, New Hampshire. Round two will take place at the New Hampshire International Speedway on the road course, June 15-16. Larry Pegram, a former dirt track and road .. 10 10 .. 6- ====~l.::=====::::============:::11 • APPOINTED: Road racer Andy Deatheridge as the AMA National Road Race track representative for EBC Brakes, effective immediately. • MOVED, The AMA's Washington, D.C .. office is moving to a new location, closer to Capitol Hill, effective June 1. The new address is as · Jim O'Neal, the founder of O'Neal Racing, earned rare class victories in two classes at this year's SCORE Baja 500. The 55-year old from Chatsworth, California, won both Class 30 (motorcycle riders over 30) and Class 40 (motorcycle riders over 40), but the way he was forced to do it will always have an asterisk. O'Neal, the defending Class 40 SCORE season champion, heroically left a hospital bed at Scripps Hospital in San Diego, starting the race in both classes, but riding less than 25 yards with a neck brace on before turning his Honda XR650R motorcycles over to co-riders. O'Neal suffered severe head, neck, eye and shoulder injuries when he fell down a 25-foot ravine while pre-running on the course the Wednesday prior to the event. SCORE rules require that a driver or rider of record must either start or finish a race to earn the finishing position and the points for the race. O'Neal then returned to the hospital to complete recommended treatment. O'Neal is expected to make a full recovery. follows: American Motorcyclist Association, 101 Constitution Avenue, NW. Suite 800 West. Washington, DC 20001 - Ed Moreland: 20217424301, Pat Holtz: 2021742-4302, 2021742-4304 (faxl. • : race national winner now riding the factory supported Hooters Suzukis, said, "The road racers are dialed-in and ready. Using the Houston and Dallas events we ran last month as a testing ground for my dirt trackers will certainly payoff when we hit the track in Rochester. With the Suzuki's motorcycles and my experience on both dirt and pavement, we have a great chance of winning the Grand National Championship. " EBC Brakes has announced that it will post $3000 for two WERA National Endurance events: round seven at Summit Point. West Virginia, on August 3; and the GNF Final's endurance round at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, on October 25. Cash postings will be $1000 for each overall win and $500 for the Middleweight Superbike class per both event dates. Ducati Motor Holding S.p"A. has announced that it is relocating its North American subsidiary to California, in a move to get closer to the center of the U.S. motorcycle industry. The North American market is a priority for Ducati and represented 23 percent of total revenues in 2001, according to Ducati. The relocation signals the Company's determination to capitalize on the immense potential in California, already the largest market the U.S. - representing about 20 percent of Ducati US retail sales - and is home to many of the America's most important motorcycle manufacturers and media. A presence in California gives the company access to a large, specialized talent pool, closer contact with opinion leaders, vicinity to major racetracks, and excellent weather conditions for dealer training, product tests and brand-building motorcycle events, Ducati says. The relocation is part of a program aimed at re-organizing operations in North America. Ducati is currently stream-lining its U.S.-based business by out-sourcing the management of spare parts and the distribution of motorcycles, based on the proven success of the company's business model. "Our move to California is a key strategic move toward creating a structure which will be able to unleash the huge potential for Ducati of the U.S. market," said Joseph Piazza, CEO of Ducati North America. "We currently have a number Female motorcyclists will have the opportunity to spend the day on Aprilia sportbikes when the Italian company hosts the inaugural Femmoto women's ride day at Virginia International Raceway on August 9. In addition to the opportunity to ride the bikes, the day will .. .. .. .. .. of products which are proving to be a great success in California and beyond. In particular, we are excited about the popularity of the innovative, new, fuelinjected Monster 620, which is bringing Italian design and style to city centers and twisty roads all over the country. " .............................................................. "" """ "" BORN: Karsyn Taylor Kesler, to dirt track racer Jim Kesler and his Wife, Angie, on June 1 in Newport Beach, Califomia. GRAND OPENING: At Factory Team 2 Racing & Motorsports in Diamond Springs, California, on June 29. For more information, call 530/622-2092. """ 'O • • • • • • • • 'O 'O cue . 'O I .. _ n - - - - - - - Continued on page 116 __ S • JUNE 19, 2002 3 o o o o o 8 o o o o o o o o 8 o

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