Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

c c [; Continued from page 3 achieve, due to the introduction of strategic new models for each of the three brands that will finally be able to enter into production, Husqvama will be able to begin production of the 2003 model range including the sought-after twin cam four-stroke, In March we will finally begin producing the MV Agusta Brutale, which is renowned by critics worldwide, During the same month we will begin producing the hyper sport F4 SPR and subsequently the exclusive and commemorative F4 AGO, Last but not least, Cagiva will offer the Raptor range with the 125cc model and the new version of the XTRA, In addition to our relaunch, 2003 is the 100-year anniversary of Husqvarna as well as the 25-year anniversary of Cagiva, To mark this important event. Husqvarna will be producing in limited edition the new 510, tribute to the original four-stroke motorbike from the 1980s, These are the main steps in our relaunch plan, a plan which would not have been possible without the support and faith of all our importers and dealers, To all those who have supported us and especially to our customers and fans, we would like to express our gratitude and our commitment to fulfill all of their expectations, • " \.....; r LJ r U Fontsere (manager of Octagon/Esedos) and representatives of the Trial Manufacturers: Miquel Cirera (MontesaHonda), the president of the Trial Manufacturers' Association nRMA). Marc Teissier (Sherco) and Philippe Aresten (Scorpa), The main topics of discussion were the possibility - as a way of improving the dynamism and accessibility of trial - of adopting non-stop rules in the sections as from the 2004 season, and the harmonization of the sporting rules in sight of the introduction of four-stroke engines, according to the FIM, However, it is essential to find - and test - a system that is easy to apply for the section observers, and easy to understand fore the spectators, For the same reason, it was agreed to consider whether a reduction in the time to cross the section should already be applied in 2003, the FIM says, Finally, with an aim of improving the quality of the sections, it was agreed that it was necessary to contract one or two experts to help -the different organizers design and prepare the sections for all World Trials Championship rounds. in order to harmonize the level of difficulty of the sections. o C o [J '"' LJ o o 8 c f' \.....; " LJ r LJ American Suzuki and its employees, in cooperation with Canyon Acres Chil· dren's Services. has announced a raffle contest benefiting the abused and neglected children served by Canyon Acres Children's Services, The winner of the raffle will receive a Suzuki Volusia Cruiser complete with accessories, The total value of the prize is $7500, The draWing for the motorcycle will be held on April 1, All proceeds from the raffle will fund one of the Canyon Acres group homes for an entire year, Tickets for the raffle are available for a $2 per-ticket donation, Tickets can be obtained from Canyon Acres Children's Services at 714/921-6084 and at selected Suzuki displays, There is no purchase necessary to enter the draWing, Ticket donations can also be purchased by check or credit card, C o o c A program has been developed by AMA Pro Racing and WERA Motorcy· cle Roadracing to give leading WERA riders a better opportunity to compete in the AMA Chevy Trucks U,S, Superbike Championship, according to the AMA. Riders finishing in the top three in WERA's 600 and 750 National Challenge classes will be awarded free AMA Pro Racing licenses and a set number of free entries for the 2003 season, The program will work as follows: First place riders in WERA 600 and 750 National Challenge classes will be prOVided a free AMA Pro Racing license and seven free entries into AMA Chevy Trucks U,S, Superbike Championship events, Second-place riders will receive the license and five free entries, and third-place riders will get a license and three free entries, Entries may be used for any class in which the rider is licensed to participate in 2003, 'We see WERA as a valuable partner in developing America's road-racing talent,' said Scott Hollingsworth, AMA Pro Racing CEO, "We would like to provide WERA's best riders a better opportunity to make a smooth transition into the AMA Chevy Trucks U,S, Superbike Championship, and this program will help make that possible,' For additional information on thiS program, contact AMA Pro Racing at 614/856-1 gOO or via e-mail at proinfo@amaproracing,com, c o o o o c c c c c c c c c c Parts Unlimited has announced its Free Ride Tour for 2003, Race fans attending rounds of the AMA/Chevy Trucks U,S, Superbike Series will have the opportunity to win motorcycles from Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha by registering at the Parts Unlimited rig at each and every round, For more information. visit www.parts-unlimited.com. Metro Racing will sponsor this year's AHRMA National Flat Track Series, according to a release from AHRMA. The company that specializes in motorcycle-logo racing gear and other clothing, decals, lighters, mugs, steins, mechanic's aprons, tool rolls, fanny packs and more will join The Classic Motor Cycle magazine in sponsoring thiS year's series. "We are pleased that Metro will be joining with The Classic Motor Cycle magazine in backing our c " ~ U '"' A meeting was held on Monday, January 13, at the FIM headquarters among the Bureau of the Trial Commission, made up of Ignacio Verneda (president), Jean-Marc Crumiere and David Willoughby (vice presidents), Joan 80 FEBRUARY 19, 2003' .. U .. I e n e _ os national flat track series this year.' said David Lamberth, AHRMA executive director. "As an active vintage dirt tracker himself, Metro's Don Miller knows there's no motorsport that's more exciting." AHRMA's national dirt track circuit has 13 confirmed rounds for 2003, with more to be added. The series gets under way with a trio of nationals during Bike Week - February 28 in Jasper, Florida; March 1 in Savannah, Georgia; and March 5 in De Leon Springs, Florida. The series is open to everything from pre-war motorcycles up to Single-cylinder four-strokes from the late 1970s. For information. visit www.ahrma.org. Team Embry's Brian Stokes and Geoff May set the quickest lap times during a two-day test hosted by Pirelli Tires at Jennings GP in Florida, according to the team. Pirelli invited a number of its privateer AMA riders to attend the test. held February 4-5. The riders participating included Stokes, May. Opie Caylor, Mike Himmelsbach, Scott Harwell, Bill St. John and Scott Carpenter. The purpose of the test was for the riders to sample the latest tire offerings from Pirelli, including DOTs, slicks and qualifying compounds. The fastest lap of the weekend was set by Stokes. On the second day of the test. Stokes set a fast lap time of 1: 16. 18 on his Suzuki GSX-R750 that he will ride in AMA 750 Superstock this year. He was testing a set of soft DOT tires at the time. The AMA has announced that AMA Sports and FMF Racing have signed an agreement extending FMF Racing's title sponsorship of the AMA FMF Racing National Enduro Series through the 2005 season and adding FMF Racing as the title sponsor of the AMA FMF Racing National Hare and Hound Series. "We're very happy to expand our title sponsorships with AMA Sports," said Don Emler, president of FMF Racing. "We've enjoyed our first three years sponsoring the AMA National Enduro Series and look forward to the next three years. We also believe that the AMA National Hare and Hound Series is the world's premier desert-racing series." "FMF Racing has helped the National Enduro Series gain more recognition." said Bill Amick. vice president of AMA Events & Entertainment. "In turn. our oldest championship program has helped to showcase FMF Racing's product line. Having such a respected manufacturer and distributor of accessories and apparel for the off-road market as title sponsor is a great fit, and adding our National Hare and Hound Series to the package extends our relationship into the desert-racing market." The 10round 2003 AMA FMF Racing National Enduro Series will open on February 16 in Coalinga, California. Championship contenders will include five-time champion Mike Lafferty of Millville. New Jersey, and FMF-sponsored six-time cham- pion Randy Hawkins, runner-up to lafferty in 2002. Les Griebling. the founder of the MidOhio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, passed away Thursday afternoon in Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Florida. follOWing a brief illness. He was 78. In 1961. Griebling designed. built and opened Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on rolling farmland near Lexington. He owned and operated the racetrack until selling to Jim Trueman in 1981. The Griebling family remains connected to Mid-Ohio today, as youngest son Tracy supervises the track maintenance department. Son AI retired in 2002 after a long career at the track, while son Gary has spent countless hours in various capacities as well. "The entire TrueSports family is saddened by the passing of Les Griebling," said Michelle Trueman Gajoch. president of TrueSports. Inc. and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. "As a pioneer of road racing and founder of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, his vision remains an inspiration to us all. His was a passion we remain committed to. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are extended to his family." Though most often associated publicly with Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Griebling lived a remarkable life. Born June 16. 1924 in LeXington, Les caught the racing bug early. winning Mansfield's first Soap Box Derby in 1937. One of his first businesses, Les Griebling Garage. grew into Suburbanite Motors Foreign Car Dealership, which he owned for over 30 years. His love for high speeds wasn't confined to sportscars. During World War II, Griebling was a pilot for the National AdVisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Cleveland, a forerunner to the current NASA program, where he tested experimental engines. Les is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Pittenger Neer Griebling; his four sons and their wives, Gary Griebling of Mansfield, Doug and Susan Griebling of Pittsburgh, Alan and Sharon Griebling of Galion. and Tracy and Jean Griebling of LeXington; two stepsons, Daniel Neer and Michael Neer, both of Galion; his stepdaughter and her husband, Kimberly and Walt lindsey of Loudonville; his grandchildren. Lesley and Dan McKinney and Jessica Griebling. all of Pittsburgh, Dawn Griebling of Shamokin. Pennsylvania. and Collin Griebling of Lexington; his stepgrandchildren. Stephanie lindsey and Lauren lindsey, both of Loudonville, and Dustin Neer and Danielle Neer, both of Bellville; his brother and his wife, Carroll and Faye Griebling of Lexington; and his Sister-in-law, Helen Griebling of Colombia, South America. Memorial contributions may be made to The Building Fund of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 48 Church Street. Bellville. OH 44813. or Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1605 County Road 1095, Ashland, OH 44805. eN

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