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/128182
the screws had come slightly adrift. and he recommended that the best thing to do would be to have a stronger plate fitted. That operation has been carried out now. and the restriction on my ankle won't be too severe." Walker will be making his debut on the HM Plant Ducati at a preseason test in Valencia on December 7-9. Then. he will return to the hospital to have one of the screws removed. so that he can begin his personal training regime in time to continue the test program and focus on the first round of the 2003 Superbike World Championship at Valencia in March. "I have met with Chris and am sure that this was the best course of action to take lunder the circumstances." said HM Plant 'Ducati Team Manager Colin Wright. "While we are concerned about his fitness in the short term. it is more important to adopt a mid- to long-term view. So. rather than being a setback. I would prefer to look positively on the situation and ensure that he is well on the road to a full recovery. In this case. it is better to take one step back before taking two steps forward ... AMA Pro Racing announced on November 11 that it has appointed Kerry Graeber as vice president. director of communications. Graeber, to be based in AMA Pro Racing's recently established West Coast office, will direct the communications efforts of the organization and will serve as an additional liaison between the motorcycle industry and AMA Pro Racing and manage relationships with key media, among other things. Graeber was set to start November 20. Graeber, a motorcycle-industry veteran. leaves American Suzuki Motor Corporation as associate director. brand marketing & advertising where he oversaw the company's advertising and brand marketing programs. A lifelong motorcyclist and former amateur off-road racer, Graeber holds a bachelor's degree in communications from California State University. Fullerton ... Kerry brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position and deepens the talent pooi at AMA Pro Racing." said Scott Hollingsworth. CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "Improving communications with our stakeholders is a high priority, and, as a respected industry executive, Kerry is perfectly suited to the task. Additionally, locating Kerry in our Los Angeles office further demonstrates AMA Pro Racing's commitment to expanding our Southern California presence. The West Coast is the unofficial heart of motorcycling in the United States, and there Kerry will have regular access and contact with the major OEMs. motorcycle media and race teams ... KTM made it official last week that 125cc World Champion Arnaud Vincent, winner of five 125cc Grands Prix in 2002, will race for the Red Bull-backed team in its debut season in 2003. "With KTM I have the best chance to defend my World Championship title." Vincent said. "The KTM-Red Bull team structure. including the best brains, and the speed with which KTM became the dominant force in off-road motorsports convinced me." ©D@fi][f ©DDfi][JD[JD@D ·5j[JD[JD@GD[JD@@~ r!ll@[fD@) ©GD[f)@[?@[l@~~ @!p ©fJ©DDD[f) Clear Channel Entertainment released the following information regarding the THO World Supercross GP Championship: On December 7, 2002. the sport of supercross will make a historic leap forward toward becoming a global championship that will be recognized throughout the world. The 15 supercross events that have been traditionally produced and presented by Clear Channel Entertainment Motor Sports in the United States will be joined by two selectlntemational events to create the THO World Supercross GP championship. In 2002-2003. this international series will include two THO World Supercross GP events in Western Europe: December 7. 2002 at the Palexpo In Genev<\, SWitzerland. and December 14. 2002 at the Gelredome in Amhem. Holland. In addition. the 15 rounds to be held in the U,S. (along with the Daytona. Aorlda. supercross event) comprise the AMA Supercross Series and represent a 16 event, stand-alone domestic championship. Serles Structure. The THO World Supercross GP will be organized using the traditional rules. event format and structure that have been develop~ over three decades in the U.S. for the AMA Supercross Series. There will be no changes to the class structure. technical rules or event formats. Current FIM rules reqUire the use of unleaded race fuels; however, the FIM has agreed to delay Implementation of the unleaded fuels requirement until the 2003-2004 season. The international events scheduled for December 2002 will include the premier class for 250cc two-stroke and 25Occ-plus fourstroke machines. The 1250c support class at the international events will be for international riders only. The support class for U.S. events will remain the same with the 125cc eastern and western regional supercross championships. The final 125cc round. the Dave Coombs Sr. 125cc EastlWest Shootout. will be held on May 3. 2003 in Las Vegas. The THO World Supercross GP will crown the inaugural THO World Supercross GP champion at the traditional supercross banquet that is held annually on the day after the final supercross race in Las Vegas. Additionally. the AMA Supercross Series champion will also be crowned at thiS banquet. Rider Eligibility. Each round of the THO World Supercross GP will feature a prestigious 40-rider field. The 40-rider field for the 250cc class in Geneva, Switzerland and Arnhem. Holland will be comprised of 20 riders based on 2002 final points standings and 20 riders from other nations. In order to qualify for the THO World Supercross GP championship. riders must compete in the international rounds. However, to be eligible to win the AMA Supercross Series championship. riders will not be required to participate in the international rounds. Riders who compete solely in the 16 rounds conducted in the U.S will be eligible for the AMA Supercross Series title only_ Riders who participate in the events held outSide of the U.S. will be required to have an FIM license to compete. Information on FIM licensing will be provided to all riders invited to participate In the intemational rounds. Event Purses. The purses for the THO World Supercross GP events will be $70.000 per round. Purse payouts for each finishing position will be the same for all rounds. Series Bonus Awards. Clear Channel Entertainment - Motor Sports has established a $250.000 THO World Supercross GP points fund_ The THO World Supercross GP Champion will receive a bonus in the amount of $100.000. In addition, there will be a $100.000 privateer points fund that will be distributed by Clear Channel Entertainment - Motor Sports. The distribution of this points fund will be based solely on the finishing positions of the privateers who participate in the AMA Supercross Series. To be eligible for any THO World Supercross GP bonus awards, riders must participate in both international rounds and attend the series banquet in Las Vegas on Sunday. May 4. 2003. Any bonus money earned by riders that do not attend the banquet produced each year by Clear Channel Entertainment - Motor Sports will be distributed equally to all eligible riders from the series that attend the banquet. Exceptions to thiS provision will be made for riders who are unable to attend the banquet because of injury or documented family emergencies, A separate points fund in the amount of $250.000 will be paid to riders based on their finishing positions In the AMA Supercross Series events. Traveling and Shipping. American riders who are invited to attend the THO World Supercross GP events scheduled for December 7 and 14. 2002. will receive a travel reimbursement in accordance with the existing provisions established by the AM. Riders will receive travel and lodging reimbursement for each rider and one mechanic per rider, In addition. Clear Channel Entertainment - Motor Sports will pay the cost of shipping motorcycles and related spare parts and equipment to the international events. Shipping arrangements for the December 7 & 14 events will be handled by Entertainment Logistics. a company with extensive experience In handling the shipment of such products throughout the world. All motorcycles and related eqUipment will be shipped by air and will be insured for damage or loss while in transit. Motorcycles that are shipped to the EUfClpean events will be returned to the U,S, immediately following the December 14th event_ The Yamaha Belgarda SUPersport team concluded the first of its winter tests at Valencia in Spain. though they weren't able to accomplish much with the crash of lead rider Paolo Casoli, In addition to Casoli's crash. Jamie Whitham didn't take part in the test because he was meeting with his doctors in England to have his knee checked. That left most of the testing on the team's new R6 to Italian Gianluigi Scalvini. who was substituting for Whitham. Casoli suffered what the team calls "cranial trauma" in the crash, but doctors have indicated that there is no serious damage. "We have not succeeded in collecting all the data we wanted," said Yamaha Belgarda technical director Silvano Galbusera in a team press release. "We had quite a lot of lot drawbacks. but we believe the bike has a lot of potential. We will retum to our base and carry on our development program and get ready for the next tests. We are happy with what we could do and also with our first experiences with Pirelli tires." nia. This year's donation brings the total SCRAMP has donated to community organizations over the past 45 years to more than $10 million. "SCRAMP is an organization built on volunteerism in the community," said Kathryn Hayworth, SCRAMP president. "So today is a very rewarding day not only for the volunteers, service clubs and charities that are receiving their checks, but also for the 25 SCRAMP directors and 250 assistant directors who have dedicated themselves to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and the SCRAMP mission, It is with great pride that we are able to give something back to a community that has given so much to us over the last 45 years. " In addition to promoting world-class racing events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) has been an active and highly visible part of the community for 45 years through its ongoing financial association with local charitable and service groups. Every racing season. in excess of 2500 volunteers from more than 60 Central Coast service organizations offer their time and energy to help make events at the track possible, according to SCRAMP, In recognition of their efforts during the 2002 season. SCRAMP distributed $371.873 to participating charities and civic organizations during a reception last week at the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay, in Seaside. Califor- cue I e n On Sunday. November 24 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Sport Bike Night in Sacramento. California. will present a fashion show. featUring the release of the 2003 e _ S • Continued on page 96 3 NOVEMBER 27. 2002 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o c c c o o n o " u o c t c o o o n