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/128178
ward to this coming season and bringing another championship back to the Erion Racing Team." Erion Racing president Kevin Erion has been representing Honda as a factory satellite team for 10 years. In those 10 years his riders have won eight AMA titles. And he's looking forward to getting his ninth title this year with Zemke. "I've known Jake for six years, four of which he's been associated with our race program," said Erion. "I've really studied Jake's slow, methodical growth path - which is something I like very much. Jake doesn't go out and take too big of steps, which is key when discussing longevity in this sport. He came close to the Formula Xtreme title this year and we'll be expecting that he win it next year. " The newly formed Ducati Austin Racing Team, backed by the Ducati Corse factory race program, announced on October 16 that it has signed Anthony Gobert to a one-year contract to race the AMA Superbike Series Speedway motorcycle manufacturer Jawa has developed this new unitized four-stoke engine for use in a variety of applications. Known as the Type 870, the engine is a water-cooled double overhead cam, four-vaive single that shares cylinder head technology with Jawa's DOHC speedway engine. It can be had in several different displacements, including 250cc, 500cc and 6oocc. The version shown here displaces 625cc, with a bore and stroke of 94 x 90mm. It utilizes a trick Japanese-made ignition system that automatically retards the timing for easy starting. The stock carburetor is also a Japanese 41mm Keihin FCR. The engine also features a counterbalancer to reduce unwanted vibration. Claimed output on premium unleaded gasoline is 72 horsepower at 8000 rpm, The transmission is a six-speed with a wet clutch. The entire unit weighs 77 pounds. The Jawa Type 870 is available through Cody Racing Products, the longtime U.S. distributor of Jawa speedway motorcycles. Cody has acquired the first two production units to be released. '" haven't done anything with it yet, but I'm interested in having it used in a fiat-track chassis," Cody said. "If it runs well, and I get some demand for them, then I'll bring in some 500s." The engine was developed by Jawa for use in singles road racing and Supermotard, which begs the question as to why the Divisov, Czech Republic, company did not decide to build a complete machine, as it does with its speedway products, "Jawa isn't interested in doing that," Cody said. "They just want to build the engine. I'm not sure what their intentions are for down the road." For more information on the Jawa Type 870, contact Cody Racing Products, 13862 A Better Way, il9C, Garden Grove, CA 92843, 714/638-5951,714/638-8237 (fax). in 2003. Ducati Austin Racing Team owner Terry Gregoricka was pleased to announce the appointment of Gobert as the team's number-one rider, adding that they, along with Ducati Corse, are expecting big things right away from the experienced Australian rider. "Anthony Gobert is a proven winner and will now be backed by the name most often associated with motorcycle-racing excellence - Ducati Corse," said Gregoricka. together and go race. After a certain amount of kilometers you change this, program. With new products, a very after a certain amount more you change and great dealers, we expect 2003 to be bikes under the team name" Austin Bleu that. "The Ducati Corse racing program a very good year. " Bayou." The newly formed relationship with the European-based Ducati Corse allows you to focus on nothing other than results. And that is what Gobert Maxxis International has announced racing program is something that Gre- and the Ducati Austin Racing Team plan that it will be the title sponsor of the goricka has had in the works since he on delivering." Said Ducati North Ameri- opened his first dealership several years ca Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer, Joe circuit." Since 1998, Gregoricka and his Austin-based race program has been running the Harley-Davison VR 1000 good team that Terry has assembled, "In addition, to ensure a successful 2003 season, we're putting together the ago. "Ducati Corse delivers race-ready Piazza: "Ducati North America is very 2003 U.S. Open. The two-day event. often referred to as the world's richest motorcycle race, brings the world's best bikes, and we plan on delivering a cham- excited to be working together with riders to the MGM Grand Garden Arena most experienced race team possible to pionship," says Gregoricka. "There's no Ducati Corse - Italy in supporting Terry in Las Vegas every October to compete represent Ducati on the AMA Superbike R&D to deal with. You just put the bikes Gregorika and the Austin Ducati Racing for the largest prize in Supercross $100,000. A total of $300.000 is divided between the champions of each the 2003 racing season. Resumes can be sent to Ten Racing, attn: class. "Increasing our level of sponsor- racer support. 1800 Sheridan St.. Pittsburgh, PA 15104. ship to Title Sponsorship of the U.S. Open marks a major step forward in our RELOCATED: The October 26-27 weekend event of the commitment, and we are pleased to con- orth/South/Pac-NW "Final Showdown" in CMC's 21st Annual Trans- tinue to be a part of such a leading Cal MX Nationals has been relocated from Competition Park in San event," said Michael McGunagle, mar- Jacinto. Califomia, to Riverfront Park in Marysville, California. For more SIGNED: Destry Abbott to a multi-year contract with Motonation. America's Sidi boot importer. "Destry has been a Sidi rider for years, we all know that desert racing has its perils and with Motonation being staffed With riders it"s perhaps easier for us to accept a rider's tough year than other boot companies who only are interested in a guy"s last ride," said Motonation's Alex Baylon. "We are looking forward to a great year with Destry in 2003. SIGNED: Aaron Yates to a contract with Motonation, America's Sidi boot importer. keting manager at Maxxis. information. call 949/367-1141 or visit www.cmcmotocross.com. Team Hammer Inc. is establishing a RESIGNED: Chris Williams. from Maxxis Tires. Williams can be new rider-development program reached at 678/938-0929 or cwilliams@motoedge.com. aimed at launching qualified riders into professional road racing careers. One of ACCEPTING: Regina USA is currently accepting racer resumes for the 2003 season through December 6. Resumes can be sent to Regina the team's most recent success stories USA. 824 Chesapeake Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613. Attn: Race Sup- is 2000 AMA 750cc Supersport Cham- port. pion and 2001 AMA Formula Xtreme Champion John Hopkins. now racing in ACCEPTING: Team Motokazie is now accepting resumes for the the MotoGP World Championship. With 2003 season. For more information. see their website at Team Hammer's gUidance, Hopkins www.motokazie.com. Team Motokazie will accept resumes and essays went from racing in the Aprilia Cup to until March 1, 2003. MotoGP in three years. The team, which ACCEPTING: Galfer Braking Systems is currently accepting racer Champions and FIM World Champions PROMOTED: Mark Abemethy to senior director of marketing for the resumes for the 2003 racing season. Resumes can be sent to Galler early in their careers, is now looking for motorcycle division of Clear Channel Motorsports, effective immediately. Abernethy replaces Dan Kroiczyk, who will become the director of • business development for the Minnesota Radio Cluster in Minneapolis, Braking Systems. 57 W. Mc Farlane, Ventura, CA 93001 , attn: Sandro a new batch of talented Americans. The Milesl. most promising two prospects in the ADDED: Cannondale motorcycles to the fleet of motorcycles carried by MotoExotics in Brea. California. MotoExotics is also an authorized Benelli and MZ dealer. MotoExotics is planning a grand opening event on Saturday, November g from g a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information. call 714/256-6705. effective October 25. has helped a long list of AMA National program will earn Team Va/valine EMGO CANCELLED: The 10th Annual No Wimps Dual Sport ride, sched- Suzuki rides for the 2003 Suzuki Cup uied for November lOin the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern ACCEPTING: Ten Racing is currently accepting racer resumes for Finals and the best rider may be offered California, due to fire-threat closures. a full ride with the team for the 2004 cue I ... n ... - - - - - - - Continued on page 100 _ S • OCTOBER 30, 2002 3