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/128205
said MinoH in a press release. "We have asked him - and he has agreed - to continue to support the company in a consultancy role. which will allow us to benefit further from his deep knowledge of the company." "It has been incredibly exciting to lead Ducati through this dynamic period of product innovation." said Di Biagio. "I am now looking forward to concentrating on other professional and personal opportunities." Di Biagio was appointed CEO of Ducati in July 2000. Previously. as of May 1997. he was CFO at the company. As CEO. Di Biagio invested heavily in new product. including the new 999 Superbike and Multistrada. and led the company's eagerly awaited entry into the MotoGP Championship in 2003. Minoli was chairman and CEO of Ducati from September 1996 until July 2000 and subsequently remained chairman of the board. The assault by Corona Extra Suzuki on the 2003 AMA Superbike Series has raised eyebrows and expectation around the road racing world. according to a release issued by the team. Some of this arises from the team' s relationship with American Suzuki. a relationship that will involve the supply of Yoshimura kit parts developed for the GSX-R 1000 and made available through its catalog. the team says. To clear any possible confusion. Corona Extra Suzuki is not receiving the same level of support as that received by the Yoshimura Suzuki team and has no relationship with Suzuki Japan. the release states. Corona Extra Suzuki will field Jordan Szoke aboard the development GSX-R 1000 for the full 2003 AMA Superbike Series as part of the team's support contract with American Suzuki. Szoke will debut the new 2003 Team Corona Suzuki GSX-R 1000 Superbike at the second round of the AMA Superbike Series at California Speedway in Fontana. California. April 5-6. Road racer Eric Bostrom is continuing his relationship with Red Bull. according to a release issued by the factory Kawasaki star. "I'm really happy to have Red Bull step it up again." Bostrom said in the release. "They are such a good crew. and it's really nice to be a part of the team. It's also nice that Ben [Bostrom] and I share Red Bull as a partner. " American Honda Motor Co .. Inc. has . announced an extension of its longstanding relationship with Daytona iiJ!liJiiJ iiJ[JfJ[JfJ@GD[JfJ@@~ ©GD[fJ@[JfJiJiJ@(]@ ©@f?D@~ At a press conference at Daytona International Speedway, AI"IA Pro Racing lIflIIOWtced its Red Bull Supennoto Championship Series. The announcement, which was made before members of the world press, manufacturer representatives, title sponsors, and motorcycle racing stlIrs of the past lIJld present, ushered in the first all-new AI"IA Nationlll Chllmpionship motorcycle rlIcing series since the inception of supercross and, according to AI"IA Pro RlICing president and CEO Scott Hollingsworth, signals that AI"IA Pro Racing is a growing and developing company. "AI"IA championships are coveted around the world, and we have great expectations for. this new series," Hollingsworth said. "In a matter of time, we will be able to look back on this as an important part of our history and development. The six-race series, which will be televised on the Outdoor Ufe Network, will feature two classes encompassing the current equipment available by the majority of motorcycle manufacturers. The Red Bull Supermoto class will be reserved for 450cc machinery, which is currently produced by 11 manufacturers. Equal billing will be given to the KTM Unlimited Supermoto class, which will host the large-displacement equipment similar to that used in the F1M World Supermoto Championship in Europe. II After more and more discussions with the manufacturers, we realized that this was the best way to serve their needs," said V.P. of AMA Pro Racing's Los Angeles operations, Andy Leisner. "With 11 OEMs currently producing these machines, we anticipate more manufacturer involvement than in any other series.AMA Pro Racing officials announced a unique format for the series, one that will allow top riders in other AMA Pro disciplines to incorporate Superrnoto into their schedule. "Riders will eam points based upon the first five events, which will serve as a qualifier for our series finale in Las Vegas: said Chris Bradley: associate V.P. of commercial development for AMA Pro Racing. "The winner at Las Vegas will be crowned as the series champion." Bradley also said that AMA will crown a team championship and a manufacturers championship, both based upon an accumulation of points over all six rounds. The format calls for 40- to 50-rider fields in each class, with 24-rider grids for the main events. The series opener is scheduled to take place at Laguna Seea in conjunction with the traditional AMA Superbike National held there. The announcement appeared to find favor with several recognizable names in racing, many of whom are scheduled to contest the series, including former 500cc World Road Racing Champion Kevin Schwantz, five-time Daytona 200 winner Scott Russell, and threetime and defending AMA U.S. Flat Track Champion Chris Carr. "The reason I'm interested in this series is that I was fortunate enough to compete in the last few Superbikers events that were held International Speedway. A new seven-year agreement will position Honda as the "official motorcycle. ATV. scooter and personal watercraft of the Daytona Motor Speedway." Motorcycle division vice president Ray Blank said. "We are very excited about this new chapter in one of Honda' s most treasured relationships. Both the Daytona Motor Speedway and Honda are synonymous with racing. and we look forward to working together to ensure a bright future for our sport. " Daytona International Speedway officials. meanwhile. have announced that Dunlop Motorcycle Tires has been on Wide World of Sports in the '80s: Carr said. "Now, 18 years later, when AI"IA announced this series, I knew that I had to jump on it, because It was a lot of fun then, and I think that it will be even more fun now with the types of motorcycles that are available to us.' The complete Red Bull Supermoto ChlImpionship schedule has yet to be finalized, but in addition to the Laguna Seca opener lIJld the Las Vegas finale, a round will be held at Pikes Peak, Colorado, in conjunction with the AMA Superbike event there. Scott Rousseau o o o o o 'l u n L /' U n w J Ij o named the "Official Tire of Daytona 200 Week." The 62nd Daytona 200 and the first time a trials event of this caliber has been held in the Gold Bar/Reiter location. as the site served as a round of the 1976 World Championship Wagner Cup - an event won by Martin Lampkin. the father of current World Champion Dougie Lampkin. The Gold Bar/Reiter area is located approximately 70 miles northeast of the Seattle/Tacoma airport on U.S. Highway 2 (actually three miles east of Gold Bar). For more information. including directions to the Gold Bar/Reiter area. visit the event's website at 32nd Daytona Supercross By Honda headlined Daytona 200 Week. "Dunlop has a storied success at Daytona. and it's fitting that they're now the official tire of Daytona 200 Week." Speedway president Robin Braig said. The third and fourth rounds of the AMA/NATC Ryan Young Products National Observed Trials Championship will be held in Washington State. May 25-26. The Puget Sound Trialers of Washington will host the two rounds that will be held on the Gold Bar/Reiter course. This is not the AMA Pro Racing has announced that long-time sponsor Pro Honda Oils BORN: Sarah Laine McLeod. to Vreeke & Associates art director Heather McLeod and her husband. senior Pro motocrosser Brad McLeod, on January 17. OPENED: KTM's off-road rider Joey Lanza's home page on the World .. " "" """ " "" " " " .. " " " ship of the AMA U.S. Supersport Championship. being one of the longest-running sponsor relationships in AMA Pro Racing history. In addition to being title sponsor. Pro Honda Oils will be awarding a Pro Honda Oils Championship Bonus of $24.000 divided among the top 10 riders in the series. "Pro Honda Oils is extremely proud to continue. our association with AMA Pro Racing," said Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: httpJlwww.joeylanza.com. OPENED: Ben Bostrom's home page on the World Wide Web. The site . can be found at the following address: httpJ/www.benbostrom.com. " " " " .. " " .. " cue I "" e - - - - - - - Continued on page 112 n e _ S • MARCH 19. 2003 o o o o J J J 8 J 1 J 'I \...! www.pugetsoundtrialers.com. will continue its involvement as title sponsor of the AMA U.S. Supersport Championship. This marks the 10th anniversary of Pro Honda Oils' sponsor- APPOINTED: Francesco Rapisarda as head of communications of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. Rapisarda will report directly to Federico Minoli, chief executive officer of Ducati Motor Holding. The new appointment will also include his involvement as press officer of the Ducati Marlboro team during the MotoGP Championship. o o o o o o o o o o o o 3 \....,.1 J 'I LJ n u o g J 1 CJ