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/128207
Mickael Pichon (Suz) won the overall at the International of Italy StarCross in Mantova. Italy. on March 24. Pichon topped Andrea Bartolini (Yam) and Brian Jorgensen (Hon) in the first race. while the second race win went to Stefan Everts (Yam) over Jorgensen. with Pichon finishing third. The third and final race was won by Everts. with Pichon second and Pit Beirer (KTM) third. Albert Cabestany (Bell won the Spanish round of the World Indoor Trial Championship on March 22 in Madrid. topping Adam Raga (Mon) and Takeshisa Fujinami (Mon). Raga now leads the championship over Dougie Lampkin (Mon). 197-179. Lampkin did not make the final. ending a string of 10 straight podium finishes. Following rumors that spread in Salamanca. Spain. during the second round of the Individual World Two Days' Enduro Championship. FIM President Francesco Zerbi sent out a note to all the presidents of National Federations concerned and also to the industry. confirming that the third round of this championship will effectively be held in Tetouan. Morocco. on March 29 and 30. according to the FIM. "As already clearly indicated by the International Jury in I LI Salamanca. Spain. last weekend. the Enduro World Championship event in Tetouan. Morocco. on 29-30 March next will be held as planned." Zerlbi said in a press release. "Morocco is not a country involved in the current conflict in Iraq. and the Moroccan Federation. as well as the competent Moroccan authorities. have assured us that the riders and the teams will be safe and that the event will be run smoothly. It is the responsibility of the FIM. the FMNs concerned and the Industry to make sure that one of the very first Enduro World Championship held outside Europe is not boyl ' cotted for reasons that have nothing to do with the current political situation and that Morocco is not offended by the motorcycle sport community. " r G B o J o o C No Limit Motorsports Honda was on hand at the Infineon Raceway test in Sonoma. California. and the team was accompanied by Tom Brandon. a new addition to the team who fills the job of team manager. Gary Medley. the team's crew chief. was happy with the progress made during the day at Sonoma. according to a release issued by the team. The team only rode their CBR954RR Formula Extreme Hondas at the test. though they will be campaigning the new CBR600RR in Supersport competition throughout the AMA season. Riders Doug Chandler and Jason Curtis both made good strides in getting the bikes set up to suit their individual styles of riding. the team says. And both riders had praise for the revised track layout at Infineon. with 2 APRIL 2, 2003' cue • e some reservations about turn 11 and turn one. according to the release. Pacific Track Time has announced the launch of a Novice orientation school for Beginner riders at all 2003 season events. This is open to Beginner (C Group) riders only and includes a mix of classroom orientation work-shops and on-course guidance. Informal instruction and group monitoring will still be proVided for Intenmediate and Advanced riders as well. Unlike track organizations that charge extra for orientation programs. Pacific Track Time believes that providing basic orientation schooling for new track riders should be an included component of a successful track day program, according to a release issued by Pacific Track Time. "One of the biggest challenges for new track riders is finding an environment where they can feel comfortable and confident from their first lap" says Todd Robinson. event director for Pacific Track Time. "We saw a clear need to equip new track riders with the basic orientation skills to help them become safe and happy track riders. This is certainly not meant to supplant formal riding education from professional riding schools like our associates at Freddie Spencer School. Rather. our focus is reaching those people who would otherwise very likely not attend a riding school or track day due to their concerns about stepping into an unknown environment. It's our sincere desire to help those individuals build confidence while learning track riding basics." For more information call 877/809-2170 or visit www.pacifictracktime.com. With 2002 sales up 9.4 percent, the U.S. motorcycle market is celebrating 10 consecutive years of rising sales. according to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). In 2001. new unit motorcycle sales topped 850.000 in the fourth straight year of double-digit increases. Continued strong demand for twowheelers beat that mark in 2002. with total motorcycle sales of more than 937.000. according to the MIC. "The expanding popularity of motorcycling and a growing desire for new and ever-better products offered by the manufacturers has kept the industry healthy for an entire decade." said Tim Buche. president of the Motorcycle Industry Council. "Even during uncertain economic times. Americans still want new motorcycles." Another mark the industry has surpassed is that of new unit retail sales dollars. amounting to more than $7.5 billion for all segments of twowheelers in 2002. up 13 percent over 2001. In total retail revenues. including new unit sales. parts and accessories, services. plus state taxes and licensing, motorcycling is a $19-plus billion industry. Collectively. the MIC member companies who distribute motorcycles in the n e _ s United States account for nearly 75 percent of the market (according to the 2002 MIC Retail Sales Report. which includes all the major manufacturer/distributors). Among them. Honda. Kawasaki. Suzuki and Yamaha combined continue to lead with nearly 65 percent of total motor-cycle sales last year. New unit sales of on-highway motorcycles accounted for 62 percent of the market in 2002, with off-highway machines topping 31 percent. Current manufacturersuggested retail prices (MSRPs) of onhighway motorcycles range from only $2999 for entry-level models to more than $20.000 for high-end sport and touring bikes. The average MSRP of today's "street" or on-highway motorcycles (not including on/off-highway dual models) is about $11,500. Among the on-highway models, cruisers continued to lead the market in 2002, posting more than 56 percent of sales. Sportbike sales came in second with more than 21 percent of on-highway sales. while touring models accounted for just over 18 percent. Traditional on-highway models (street machines now often marketed as "naked" bikes) represented 3.9 percent of on-highway sales. American Suzuki has posted $5900 in contingency funds and American Honda has posted $13.500 for the AMA Women's Pro-Am being held April 5-6 at Cycle Ranch, near San Antonio. Texas. according to event promoters. For more information. contact WMX at www.wmxpromotions.com or 972-294-2018. Jim Pomeroy will be the guest of honor at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Swap meet and Show on Sunday. April 6. at the York Expo Center at the York Fairgrounds in York. Pennsylvania. Pomeroy became the first American to win a World Championship Motocross race when he won the Spanish Grand Prix in 1973. Pomeroy will pick the "Pomeroy's Choice" winner in the bike show as well as sign autographs and visit with the fans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Old Main BUilding. Show hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Preregistration for swap meet space is recommended. For more information, call the AMA call center at 614/856-1900. support a critical new national study into the causes of streetbike crashes. U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-Wisconsin) is asking his colleagues to sign a letter addressed to U.S. Rep. Don Young (RAlaska). chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. urging him to support a comprehensive. in-depth motorcycle crash study to find ways to prevent crashes. The last such study - "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures." commonly called the" Hurt Report" (after lead researcher Harry Hurt) - was done more than 20 years ago. "With motorcyclist fatalities increasing 50 percent in just the last five years, the time to act is now." Green said in the letter. "Initiated in 1976 and completed in 1981, the Hurt Report remains the benchmark of motorcycle crash research and. sadly, the only such comprehensive study ever undertaken in the United States." Green's letter went on to say. "The 1981 publication of the Hurt Report was a catalyst for the development of motorcycle crash countermeasures such as rider training and motorist awareness programs." The AMA Government Relations Department is working to get $3 million for an indepth motorcycle crash study written into legislation now being conSidered for reauthorization by Congress: the Transportation EqUity Act for the 21 st Century CTEA-21l. The new crash research would involve detailed at-the-scene study of at least 1000 crashes to find out what goes wrong for riders. "The Hurt Report is the study that people turn to when they're trying to figure out what causes motorcycle crashes and what can be done to prevent crashes." said Ed Moreland. AMA vice president for government relations. "But that information is outdated. For example. motorcyclists now are sharing the road with a new mix of vehicles compared with the late '70s and dealing with drivers who face a lot more distractions." Motorcyclists can urge their members of Congress to sign the Green letter and to support funding for a comprehensive motorcycle crash study by sending a message through the Rapid Response Center at the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com. Desmo of Indiana has announced its 2003 track day schedule. Track days will be held at Putnam Park Road Course located in Mount Meridian. Indiana. on May 25. August 2 and September 27. A track day will be held at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven. Michigan. on July 7. Preregistration is required. For more information. go to Desmo of Indiana's website at www.desmoindiana.org or write them at P.O. Box 4193, Lafayette. IN 47903. Tony Meiring, Jamie Hacking, Damon The AMA is urging motorcyclists to contact their members of Congress to Buckmaster. Aaron Gobert and Jason DiSalvo. For more information. call 909/889-2761. Chaparral Motorsports in San Bernardino. California. will play host to several of the top road racers set to compete in the AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Superlbike round at California Speedway in Fontana. California. April 4-6. Chaparral will hold its Fan Appreciation Night on Thursday, April 3 from 7 to 8 p.m. with the following riders scheduled to attend: Eric Bostrom, Tommy Hayden.