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/128181
r::; Continued from page 3 motorcycle racing. The event, presented by Troy Lee Designs and produced by ':=:: professional Hollywood stuntmen Kenny Alexander and Jimmy Roberts, sets out I....> f""'. to bring back a tradition born in the late \..."j '50s and early '60s when motorcycle"""'\ loving moviemakers and stuntmen created the Westlake GP, a Grand Prix-style motorcycle race that was held on an actual working movie set. The event will F take place at Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale, California. Last year's ;=.. event served as the backdrop for a documentary film produced by TLD Entertainment (Troy Lee Designs) and Dirty Racing Inc. A Day In The Dirt, The Movie is now available for purchase at www.troyleedesigns.com or by phoning 909/371-5219. For more information on .., this year's event, call 661/263-8722. '=' u ...., U n u James "Bubba" Stewart Jr. has received a nomination for the 2002 AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year Award. This summer, Haines City, Florida's Stewart won the AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. 125cc Motocross Championship on a Kawasaki, The 16-year-old rookie sensation set a slew of records in his rookie season, including becoming the first true rookie to win the first AMA Motocross National entered and the youngest rider ever to win an AMA Motocross National title; his 10 victories set a new record for the most AMA 125cc National Motocross wins in a season. Stewart was also recently named AMA Motocross/Supercross Rookie of the Year. "Getting this nomination is awesome," said Stewart, the first African-American to win an AMA Motocross Championship. "It's really icing on the cake after the season I had. Becoming a pro and winning a National Championship is really something I've dreamed about since I was a little kid. The fans were unbelievable to me, and it really made for a year I'll never forget. " o o o o o 8 o o o Former AMA Washington, D.C. representative Jim Bensberg was elected Tuesday to the EI Paso County (Colorado) Board of Commissioners, beating Democrat and Libertarian opponents handily. The Republican Bensberg, 47, garnered 56 percent of the vote, compared to 39 percent for the Democrat and less than five percent for the libertarian. "I want to thank all of my friends in the motorcycle community for their unwavering support," said Bensberg. Bensberg will join four other commissioners January 14, when he is sworn into office. The Board of County Commissioners is responsible for carrying out the laws of Colorado, and commissioners oversee a $200 million annual budget and 2100 employees. Because of recent growth trends, EI Paso County is projected to soon be the most populous county in the state, according to Bensberg. Bensberg will continue in his current role as Area Director for U.S. Senator Wayne Allard until he assumes office in January. Bensberg may be ~o o o o o o o ~ o n 72 N.OVEMBER 20, 2002' cue South African Grant Langston (pictured) is the King of Bercy 2002, The KTM factory rider won the final night's racing at the 20th annual Bercy Supercross, held in Paris, November 8-10, In taking the final win, the 20-year-01d was also rewarded with the King of Bercy crown. Langston went 2-2-1 for the three nights for five points, followed by Chris Gosselaar, who went 1-9-6 for 16 points, and Travis Preston, who finished third after scoring 4-1- J J for J 6 points. While Langston won the individual award, the American team easily won the team award, beating the French and Rest-of-theWorld teams. The performance from Langston was his swansong in the 125cc class, a division he had dominated in Europe in 2000 and in which he came so close to winning a National 125cc championship in 2001. "I am stili having some trouble with my knee," Langston said. "It didn't click on the first two nights, so I am happy to get the win on Sunday and the overall victory." Several of the lead riders suffered terribly on Sunday, including J 25cc World Champion Mickael Maschio, who failed to appear in the points, while Preston was never in contention, finishing J lth. Preston headed a great showing by Amsoil/Dr. Martens Honda riders by taking the night-two victory, following his on-form teammate Gosselaar's win on the opening night. Preston looked brilliant on the second evening of the most prestigious Supercross in Europe. The West Coast 125cc Supercross Champion led Langston and young Yamaha of Troy rider Josh Hansen. The final was stopped twice, the first occasion after a first-turn crash left many riders stuck, then again when a rider crashed on the finish-line jump, causing the race to be red-flagged. For team USA, the win by Preston and consistent results from his teammates put the Americans in a very strong position to win the team section of the event, with six Americans finishing inside the top 10. For Preston, it was about taking his time and working on his technique on the super-quick Bercy circuit. "It's quick out there for sure," Preston said, "I'm always a slow starter and was looking at improving over the weekend. I really hooked up in the whoops and could make some great time there." reached via his website at www.bensbergforcommissioner.com. Rodrig Thain got the holeshot in the main event on the first night, followed by Gosselaar and Langston, while Joaquim Rodrigues and Andrew Short crashed in the first comer. Thain rode a great race, leading the main for six laps, but Gosselaar excecuted a block pass and took the lead. Thain lost time during all of this, and Langston, Brock Sellards and Ivan Tedesco also passed him. Eric Sorby (mechanical problems) and Malt Walker (crash) lost their chances for top finishes. Langston pushed hard behind Gosselaar, but the Honda rider had the race under control and took the win, followed by Langston and Tedesco. Sellards and Walker also crashed in the second part of the race, and Preston finished fourth followed by Steve Boniface and Hansen. For the team classification, USA was leading, followed .ll§illl'ol';;';;' by France and Rest of the World. "This crowd is awesome," Gosse~ laar said. "This feels as good as winning an American race. I love this place. We really had some good racing tonight; this format makes for close combat." Geoff Meyer lowing west-coast tracks in December and January: December 7-8 at Cycleland in Chico; December 12-13 at Hollister Hills; December 29-30 at Madera Speedway in Madera; January 2-3 at Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale: January 9-10 at Thrasherland in Glendale, Arizona; February 6-7 at EI Cajon MX Park in EI Cajon, California. For information, contact DHMA at 719/495-2624 or visit www.DHMA.com. The AMA has announced that an AMAchartered organization will be honored by the FIM for their environmental practices. The Northland Motorcycle Riders Association (NMRA) has been recognized for its efforts during the 2002 United States Grand Prix, held in June at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minnesota. The event was part of the FIM World Championship Trials Series and was organized in conjunction with the Wisconsin Observed Trials Association and the Upper Midwest Trials Association, both of which also are AM Achartered organizations. In 1996, the FIM adopted a strict environmental code to address concerns related to motorcycle competition, and it annually recognizes organizations and individuals that best exemplify the application of this code. The FIM's environmental officer, Kattia Hernandez of La Libertad, El Salvador, attended the United States Grand Prix to ensure compliance and is said to be using the event as a model for other organizers. "We're honored that the FIM has recognized our environmental efforts," said the NMRA's Sarah Claire Ahlers, who served as the event's executive administrator. "This award is a tribute to all of the people whose hard work made the 2002 United States Grand Prix successful." Ahlers will formally accept the FIM' s award at a ceremony in St. Vincent Val d' Aosta, Italy, on December 21,2002. In a letter dated October 29 and signed by David Lamberth, AHRMA's executive director, Jack Turner was notified that his contract as road-race director for AHRMA was not being renewed, according to Turner. Turner, AHRMA's road-race director since 1991 and executive director from 1999 through 2001, was instrumental in the development and management of AHRMA's road-race program, according to Turner. who also claimed no reason was given for the termination. In addition, no one from AHRMA had contacted Turner prior to the aforementioned letter that Turner received by priority mail on October 31 , Turner says. Turner can be reached at 913/634-4842. Former National Motocross and Supercross Champion Donnie Hansen will be holding motocross schools at the fol- The AMA has announced its 2002-2003 schedule of AMA Swapmeets produced by Will Stoner: November 10 at A Supermotard race will be held on November 17 at the Stockton Motorplex kart track in Stockton, California, according to event promoters. Gates open at 7 a.m., and racing beains at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 916/408-0758 or visit www.supermotousa.com. PHOTO BY GEOFF MEYER Richland County Fairgrounds in Mansfield, Ohio; January 19 at York .Interstate Fairgrounds in York, Pennsylvania; February 16 at Richland County Fairgrounds in Mansfield, Ohio; March 3-4 at Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida; and April 6 at York Interstate Fairgrounds in York, Pennsylvania. The March AMA Swapmeet will coincide with Daytona 200 Bike Week and will be held in the infield of Daytona International Speedway, in conjunction with the American Historic. Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) vintage road races. The 2002-2003 AMA Swapmeets continue the tradition of featuring "Guests of Honor" at selected events. Bubba Shobert, three-time AMA Grand National Champion, will appear at the Mansfield swapmeet in November, along with his tuner, Skip Eaken. Mert Lawwill. 1970 AMA Grand National Champion and star of On Any Sunday, will appear at York in January, Gene Romero, 1970 AMA Grand National Champion and Daytona winner, will also be an AMA Swapmeet Guest of Honor - more details about his appearance will be announced soon. For more information about the 20022003 season of AMA Swapmeets produced by Will Stoner, visit www.AMADirectlink.com or call 1-800-AMA-JOIN. According to a release issued by the team, Powerhouse has just signed Steve Mertens to a one-year deal to ride its Yamaha YZ250Fs. Mertens will compete in the AMA Western Regional 125cc Supercross Series as well as all of the outdoor nationals on his Tim Pilgtuned Powerhouse YZ250F. Mertens joins Daniel Blair on the team. eN