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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A full field moves off the grid during the recent Supermotard exhibition events at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex during the Road America AMA Superblke weekend. The exhibition drew over 50 riders. website. He also takes a lot of time out of his day to go to different dealerships to hand out flyers. And you're starting to see some manufacturer support as well? Paul Brent, from MotoMaster USA, has put up some contingency and has offered many ideas to help keep the sport alive here in the U.S. Husqvarna and MZ have put up contingencies with the Superbikers2 series. Cannondale, Vor and Vertemati have all expressed an interest in helping out. More and more, companies are seeing that this is becoming a really exciting and fun sport, and they want to get on the boat before it leaves the dock. It's getting pretty fun. I Safe! Former World Superblke Champion SCott Ru. .en got In on tha act just wish I could ride more. A Q A at Road Amerlca. Au. .en picked him_if up from this Io_slde and ...,. went on to win one of the exhibition fi...ls. How would you describe the appeal of the sport to others? What's so fun about it? Going sideways into a corner, with that dirt-track style, but you're on the asphalt. DO you think that this type of racing teaches skills that could be applied elsewhere? Yes, but it's also really easy to go fast right off the bat. I've seen a lot of guys start going pretty good once they got the hang of it. It's not road racing. It's not motocross. If you sit and watch what other people are doing and ask a few questions, it's really easy to Q JUdgin g from the Road America weekend, it looks as though you might have a potential A Yeah, but unfortunately some people keep saying, 'It's Supermotard. You have to have a dirt star in your group. Talk a little bit about Ben section.' There are a couple tracks in Europe that Carlson, a.k.a "Benny the Bike Whore". don't have any dirt. I'd like to see dirt there, too, but (Laughs) I've never heard him called that, but we'll keep working with it like it is because it seems that title sure fits. I have a Husqvarna Nox that to work out well. eN Ben rides at all our events, and he goes really quick- What is your goal with Superbikers2? lyon it. He gave Kevin Schwantz and Mike Smith a Remaining 2002 Superbikers2 Supermotard real run for their money during the Road America get going. Challenge Series dates: weekend. That had to be one of your best events in TO keep it fun. We want it to be a relatively inexpensive way for guys who are tired of paying the big road racing tire bills to come out and go racing. It's a lot cheaper than road racing, and there's also more track time than you can get on any moto track. with guys like Scott Russell, Mike Smith and Kevin DO you have any contact with Don Canet's Schwantz, to name a few, everyone had a lot of fun. STTARS organization? Yeah, we talk. Don has been really helpful, and I ,""think that he's happy to see it grow. Since we've come along, there is also another group out on the East Coast, trying to make something happen. We [STTARS and Superbikers2] work on some stuff together. There's absolutely no conflict. If I have questions, I can call Don [Canet], and he's really help- Every time those guys took their helmets off, they ful. He's real good that way. August 25 Supermotard Challenge Series 415 Briggs&Stratton Motorplex/Road America Elkhart Lake, WI about the ideal track for Supermotard. A Q I A terms of rider and spectator turnout. It really was. It really wasn't a race. It was more of an exhibition, but to have our guys go at it had a grin from one ear to the other. There were quite a few people there, and we got a lot of positive comments after the fact. The Road America people were very pleased. That may be one of the biggest aces up your sleeve, that the Road America facility is just cue September 8 Supermotard Challenge Series 416 Briggs&Stratton Motorplex/Road America Elkhart Lake, WI Contact: Glenn Curtiss Superbikers2 P.O. Box 62 Plymouth, WI 53073 Phone: 920-912-3009 Website: www.superbikers2.com I .. n III _ S • AUGUST 14. 2002 27