Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

responsible for Ducati Corse's Superqike Program, also confirmed that Davide Tardozzi will be in charge of the sporting direction of the factory team, with technical direction in the hands of Ernesto Marinelli. Xaus, born in Barcelona 24 years ago and resiPent in the Principality of Andorra, has finished sixth in the World Superbike Championship with a Ducati in the past two seasons. In 2002, the Spanish rider finished on the podium 10 times (twice second and eight times third) with a total of 249 points. Xaus has already tested the new '999, during one of the bike's early shakedown sessions in September. "I'm really happy to be able to continue to ride for Ducati," Xaus said, "and I hope I can continue to get the best possible results for the team. It feels strange because, although I'm only 24, I feel like one of the oldest guys around in Ducati this is my fourth year with them. The new bike looks and feels great and I can't wait to put it through some serious testing out on the track." Neil Hodgson, who was confirmed as 2003 factory 'der in June. finished third overall in the 2002 World Superbike Championship on a HM Plant Ducati 998 with 326 points, stepping onto the podium nine times <'two seconds, seven thirds). Hodgson becomes a Ducati factory rider for the second time in his career after a twoyear spell with the Italian team in 1996 and 1997. "I'm over the moon about my factory Ducati ride," Hodgson said. "It's like a dream come true. I'm also pleased because it is a sort of reward for all the hard work I've put in with GSE over the past few seasons. Everything feels really positive at the moment and I expect to be right up there at the front at the end of next year's championship." Hodgson, born in Burnley 28 years ago and a resident of the Isle of Man, has already tested his new 2003 Ducati at Mugello at the start of October, and at Valencia this week, when he recorded encouraging times on the Michelin-shod 999. Despite rumors to the contrary, Colin Edwards still believes he will be riding a factory Aprilia Cube in next year's MotoGP World Championship. "My understanding is that it's 99-percent done," Edwards said of the deal with Aprilia. "I'm going to Aprilia. I have a letter of intent, but I haven't signed anything hardcore. All I know is that I'll be riding a motorcycle next year. For the most part, I think it'll be an Aprilia." Rumors during the recent Australian Grand Prix suggested that it was still likely that Edwards could be on either a Yamaha or a Honda in next year's MotoGP Series. According to Doug Chandler himself, the three-time AMA Superbike National Champion will be back on track in 2003, racing No Limit Hondas in the AMA 600cc Supersport and Formula Xtreme Series. Chandler also doesn't rule out the possibility of riding in the Superbike class. "I get to race again, so that's cool," Chandler said last week from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he's doing some riding in conjunction with a Freddie Spencer Riding School session. "We'll do 600s and Formula Xtreme, but it really depends on the ruling. I think we could race this thing [Honda 954] in Superbike. I'm just here to meet everybody, goof off and ride a little bit. We've got Erion's 600s from last year and a pretty stock 954." No Umits will have all new equipment by the time the season gets started, Chandler says. "I've been doing a lot of riding," Chandler said. "I'm coming out to Willow [Springsl on Sunday to do Keith's [Code] school on Monday and Tuesday [October 28-291." Former speedway rider Donny "Too Tall" Odom is now importing 85cc and 50cc junior speedway bikes that are used in the youth speedway programs in the Scandinavian countries of Europe. Known as Robins, the machines will accept various European and Japanese two-stroke motocross powerplants to create an easy entry-level machine for younger riders. "How this got started is that I wanted to get my son involved in junior speedway, but as most people who have been involved or have wanted to get involved with the sport over here already know, most of the smaller machines you'll find in America are ancient, and the more modern ones are based on big bikes, which can make them pretty dangerous in the wrong hands," Odom said, "So I called Greg Hancock over in Sweden, and I told him that I was looking for one of these. One thing led to another, and the next thing that I know, Greg and Per Jonsson [1990 World Speedway Championl helped me get set up to import them." Odom expects to have units in stock by the end of November, and is hoping to work with all American speedway promoters and get them to incorporate the class into their race programs. Odom said that he is also working on haVing a rider come over from Europe to make an appearance in California in the Youth Division, and he hopes to arrange for an American Youth rider to compete in the Youth Grand Prix in Berlin, Germany, next summer. Photos of the bikes are available on our website, www.cyclenews.com. For more information on the bikes, contact Odom at: J-O Company, 24458 Park St.. Torrance, CA 905056513, 310/375-2996, 310/375-3066 to the AMA. The Hurt Study, officially called "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, was completed by lead researcher Harry Hurt more than two decades ago. Yet it remains the most comprehensive study to date on the causes of motorcycle crashes. After repeated calls by the AMA for new comprehensive research on the subject, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended giving the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) $2 million to begin updating its 23-year-old study into the causes of motor-vehicle crashes. For the past several years, the AMA has asked the NHTSA to conduct a nationwide study of motorcycling accidents that would help identify elements that can improve rider safety. In 2000, the NHTSA and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation released a National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety to serve as a blueprint for improving motorcycling safety. Representatives of the AMA, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and others interested in motorcycling safety were part of a team that helped shape the plan, which calls for more research into the causes of motorcycle accidents and potential ways to reduce them. In earmarking the $2 million, the U.S. House committee made it clear that motorcycles should be an important part of the new motor-vehicle crash research. "While NHTSA continues to utilize the data from this old study, the information is clearly outdated. For example, the use of minivans, light trucks and sport utility vehicles were virtually nonexistent 23 years ago: vehicle technologies, such as antilock " braking systems and stability-control systems, did not exist, and distracting devices, such as cell phones and in-vehicle navigation systems, had not been introduced," the committee said in a report accompanying the appropriation recommendation. "An updated study is necessary so that NHTSA can continue to work on achieving substantial reductions in highway fatalities and injuries, particularly in those hard-to-reach areas such as alcohol-related fatalities and motorcycle fatalities,· the committee said. The Senate hasn't taken a position on the appropriation. Edward Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, urged motorcyclists to contact their U.S. representatives and senators to ask them to support the House funding for motor-vehicle safety research that is included in HR 5559. The funding is a far cry from the amount needed for a comprehensive motorcycle-accident study, but it's a move in the right direction, Moreland said. "This funding proposal isn't a done deal, so it's extremely important that motorcyclists contact their lawmakers," Moreland added. "It will take a lot of work, but I'm confident that through the efforts of AMA members and others in the motorcycling community, we'll see the beginning of new motorcycle crash research." This summer, Moreland testified before Congress on the need for an in-depth study into the causes of motorcycle crashes. (fax). A new slate of complex reporting regulations mandated by Congress is facing the motorcycle industry starting in 2003. To help clarify the new rules, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, and the National Truck Equipment Association will host a seminar on the new Early Warning Reporting Requirements, as reqUired by the Transportation Recall. Enhancement. Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act enacted in 2000. The seminars, scheduled for Washington D.C., will be held on November 14. For more information, call 703/416-0444. A key U.S. House committee has taken the first step toward updating the famous Hurt Study of motorcycle accidents by earmarking $2 million for detailed safety research into motorcycles and other motor vehicles, according can be sent to Sponsorship-Management.com, P.O. Box 665, Colton, CA92324. ACCEPTING: RS Taichi is currently accepting racer resumes for the 2003 racing season. Resumes can be sent to RS Taich; USA, all: racer support program, 2531 W. 237th St.. Suite #109, Torrance, CA 90505. MOVED: Montclair Yamaha, to 5505 Moreno Street in Montclair, CA 91763. The shop's new phone number is 909/946-8488, while the tollfree number, 800/RIDE-YAM, remains unchanged. ACCEPTING: ASV Inventions is currently accepting racer resumes for the 2003 season. Resumes can be sent to ASV through www.sponsorhouse.com or by mail to ASV, 16560 Harbor Blvd.. Suite R, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. ACCEPTING: Sponsor-Management.com, a full-service sponsorship management company dedicated to race sponsorship development and coordination, is currently accepting resumes for the 2003 season for the following companies: 661 Protection, Acerbis Plastics, Sidi Boots, OPENED: Team Dual Dogs' Dual Sport Shopping Network. The site can be found at the follOWing address: hllp:!/www.dualdogs.com. MOVED, Krause Racing, to 601 Sidwell Court, Unit B, St. Charles, IL 60174,630/513-1000, effective immediately. ACCEPTING: Krause Racing/Sidewinder Products, is currently accepting racer resumes for the 2003 racing season. Resumes can be sent to Krause Racing/Sidewinder Products, alln: racer support, 601 Sidwell Court, Unit B, St. Charles, IL 60174. BORN: Mallhieu Legrand, to Mota Crampons and Mota Journal USA correspondent Stephan Legrand and his Wife, Karen, on October 28 in Ivry-sur-Seine, France. . . . ....•........................................•.•.....•......................•................•..........••••.•...................•.... Smith Goggles, and Xtreme Motocross Gear and Helmets. Resumes cue' _ n _ _ s • Continued on page 84 2002 3 NOVEMBER 6, o o o o o o o 8 o o o o o o 8 o o o o o o o o o ~o o o o o o 8 o o o o o o o

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