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/128208
COl II lJCD OUK3A \X/uffi . · o o o o o o o o o o o o o u alternative but to cancel this event, which would have been the first Enduro World Championship event held in Africa. The FIM accepts this cancellation. but considers that the attitude of the teams and riders is totally unjustified and contrary to the interests of the sport, according to a release issued by the FIM. Having sent the official bikes to Japan to prepare for the first Grand Prix of the season at Suzuka on April 6, the Ducati Marlboro Team continued with the Desmosedici's development schedule with test rider Vittoriano Guareschi testing at the circuit of Mugello in Italy for two days last week. In front of the technical staff - led by Ducati Corse's technical director, Filippo Preziosi - Guareschi completed a series of important tests, alternating between the two available test bikes and testing severai different configurations that concentrated specifically on rear suspension setup. After two days of intense testing, Guareschi completed 90 laps - despite a crash on the first day. 8 o Road racer John Hopkins is kicking off the Hopper 2003 MotoGP publicity campaign in an effort to get the sport more mainstream coverage ... In America, MotoGP exposure could be expanded dramatically with a concerted effort," a release from Hopkins said. "With the sights, the sounds and the spectacular show MotoGP proVides, it should generate the type of exposure seen in the U.S. by other world-class sports. And if a Grand Prix is to come to America in the near future, then the time is ripe to get the ball rolling on helping Americans learn more about the sport, its teams and riders." Never before has the sport of Grand Prix racing been more poised to put forth a PR effort in America, the release states. Hopkins, along with his manager, Doug Gonda, will develop and implement a public-relations campaign to generate publicity for Grand Prix motorcycle road racing in the U.S. ''I'm willing to invest my time and money to help publicize motorcycle racing in America," the 19-year-old Suzuki Grand Prix rider said in his release. "I've seen how big thiS sport is in other parts of the world. I don't think NASCAR has anything on MotoGP. But we need to start promoting this sport over here." The Hopper 2003 MotoGP publicity campaign is working to increase the visibility for the sport in America. This publicity program plans to do the following: 1. Retain one of the most experi- o o o KTM Sportmotorcycles has announced a sizable contingency program for owners of 2002 or newer KTM 450SX or 525SX models competing in the 2003 Formula USA K&N Filters National Dirt Track Series. KTM will post over $200,000 in cash contingency for the ninerace series, KTM racers who register and who are competing aboard either a 450SX or 525SX production-based motorcycle' or KTMpowered motorcycle wijl be eligible for the follOWing payouts for overall finish in the Formula USA Pro Singles class. Not only is KTM offering event contingencies. but KTM riders who compete on a KTM motorcycle for the entire sedes wJll be eligible for big championship bonuses. The championship bonus to an eligible KTM rider is $15,000. KTM-mounted runner-up and third-place series finishers will receive $8000 and 4000 respectively. enced publicists in motorcycle racing in America to implement the campaign; 2. Provide for MotoGP race and qualifying results to be filed with major news services; 3. Provide for MotoGP race and qualifying results to be filed with USA Today and other major American newspapers; 4. Pitch stories to significant American sports and men's magazines; 5. Pitch various TV programs on MotoGP-related feature stories; 6. Coordinate PR efforts with other related PR efforts by Dorna, Suzuki and Red Bull; 7. Develop industry support; 8. Develop interest in an American Grand Prix event. "An increase in the coverage for MotoGP will undoubtedly increase interest for the entire sport of motorcycling," said Doug Gonda, president of Protac and Hopkins' manager. "It's gratifying to see that John, at just 19. recognizes the importance of stepping up the publicity of MotoGP racing in America. He is initiating this project with his own investment and hopes to show the value this type of effort can bring to his sponsors. This is one of the most innovative things I can remember a rider doing, not only to bring added value to his own sponsors, but to unselfishly try to raise awareness of the sport in general." The Hopper 2003 MotoGP publicity campaign will jump into gear with the first MotoGP race of 2003, at Suzuka, Japan, on April 6. Neil Hodgson's victory in the World Superbike race in Austraiia on March 30 took on special importance for Ducati, as it came on the 50th anniversary of the Italian manufacturer's first-ever victory in a competitive race, according to Ducati. On March 30, 1953, Silvio Malaguti won the first leg of the first Moto Giro d'italia 1953 from Bologna to Rome (275 miles) in the 50cc category of the Up-to-75cc KTM Motorcycle (Engine/chassis) $5000 1st 2nd $2000 3rd S1500 4th $1200 5th $1100 6th $1000 $800 7th 8th $600 9th $400 10th $200 class. The racing debut in the Moto Giro that year saw Ducati finish an overall second and third. Buell Motorcycle Company will host the 2003 Buell National BattieTrax Series. a free motorcycle event that challenges riders to compete in a controlled environment and rewards skill and consistency. The National BattleTrax Series, which kicked off March 8 dUring Daytona Bike Week, showcases Buell's latest motorcycles - the Lightning XB9S and Firebolt XB9R. "Buell motorcycles have always emphasized the importance of mass centralization and frame rigidity, and low unsprung weight. which gives riders improved handling and agility," says Erik Buell. chairman and chief technical officer. "BattleTrax is a great way to showcase these performance attributes, which proVide benefits in any type of riding." BattleTrax is a closed-course motorcycle event involVing a well-marked, circuitous route on a paved surface. The event is designed for all experience levels, giving every rider an opportunity to test their skills. Riders travel the course - one at a time - as efficiently as they can. An electronic timer monitors each rider's performance. The winner of each regional event - determined by a timed. bracket-style format - will receive a trip to Las Vegas to compete for the National Championship on July 16, 2003. Buell Motorcycle Company will proVide each winner with roundtrip airfare to Las Vegas and two nights' hotel accommodation, aiong with a special Buell prize. The National Champion will receive the Buell National BattleTrax Series Championship trophy and bragging rights for a lifetime. The 10-event national series continues thiS spring and summer, giving riders the chance to test their motorcycles and themselves. For : "" " """ " . of Troy's Brock Sellards and Ivan Tedesco, and Shogun Motorsports' : Josh Demuth, Tom Hofmaster and Phil Lawrence are all scheduled to : : appear. For more information, call David Walters at 972/423-4089. .................................... · : " · • ~ . "' : . . HIRED: David Casella. as the U.S. brand manager for Alloy MX Inc.. • effective immediately. A ~ SELECTED: Amsoil/Chapparal Honda 125cc motocrosser Ryan Mills : NAMED: Bobby Gorman, who has worked in both marketing and opera- tions capacities at Infineon Raceway since 1999, has been named direc- has seiected Action Sports Management as his exclusive management agency. according to Action Sports Management. tor of operations. raceway officials announced. Gorman, a native of Sonoma, Callfomia, is responsible for managing all off-track operations for the facility's major events, including traffic flow, parking, guest shut• ties, security, facility layouts and guest services. SELECTED: Boost Mobile/Yamaha of Troy rider Josh Hansen has AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Central Yamaha in Plano, Texas, on RESCHEDULED: The opening round of the West Coast Vintage Dirt April 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. Team Yamaha's Tim Ferry, Chad Reed and David Vuillemin, Mach 1 Yamaha's Heath Voss and Nick Wey, Yamaha Track Series was rained out March 15-16 and has been rescheduled for· May 10-11 at the Tulare Cycle Park in Tulare, Califomia. · .. .. 2 .. .. ,. APRIL 9. 2003· selected Action Sports Management as his exclusive management agency. according to Action Sports Management. It cue I e n e _ s . . .. Engine only $1500 $1000 $750 $600 5550 $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 more information, see your local Buell dealer or visit www.buell.com. SITARS SuperMotoIT has announced the 2003 Moto-Connection Southwest SupermotoTT Championship. STIARS' Don Canet and Moto-Connection USA have teamed up to put together the series and promises te> bring the likes of Scott Russell. Kevin Scwantz, Ritchie Alexander, Doug Chandler, Joe Kopp and more to their races. This years' format includes class groupings for all ages and skill levels - from the Mini-Motard to the Open class. For a series schedule, class breakdown and series sponsor inquiries. visit www.supertt.com or www.moto-connection.com. The series kicks off April 4-6 at Califomia Speedway in Fontana, Califomia. After 41 years, thrust-powered vehicle speed records are now listed separately from wheel-driven vehicles in the world speed record book maintained by the FIA. the venerable sanctioning body that has tracked records for more than a century. Starting with Rick and the late Don Vesco·s Turbinator, the FIA has granted. for the first time, a new designation of: "The FIA World Wheel-Driven Land-Speed Record," further distinguishing the more mechanically complicated record-setting vehicles from jet- and rocket-powered vehicles. In October 2001, Don Vesco drove the family streamliner to a new Category A. Group 9, Class 3 record of 458.481 mph/737.402 kph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, eclipsing a 403mph record set by the late Donald Campbell of England in 1964. Team Vesco not only brought the record home to the United States for the first time, it now holds the historically significant honor of being the first vehicle to own the World WheelDriven honors. "We've given up a lot of blood, sweat and tears to earn thiS record." remarked Rick Vesco. "I am absolutely elated that we have finally been recognized as a more complex and technically challenging record setter." World land-speed records are attained in a variety of classes and categories, further distinguished by varying engine sizes and types. In the early 1960s, classes were added for jet-powered veh icles that can attain dramatically high speeds. These high speeds garner much public fascination and attention, but are not considered automobiles because the performance is not summoned from the wheels. relying instead on the exhaust ----..:...--=-- Continued on page 122