Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

"And I didn't even finish the race, But a lot of people probably figured I was cheating, so at least it shows that I wasn't, I'm really happy with the deal. It's for 600s this year, but I'm hoping to do well so that I can get a Superbike ride next year." Stauffer will begin his tenure with the team on Monday, April , 4, when he takes part in the Road got hurt to help him through his contin- Honda representatives have also exam- those who take part in legal transporta- ued recovery. " ined the video records generated by the Suzuka Circuit's on-site surveillance The following press release is from Telefonica MoviStar Honda on the condition of its rider, Daijiro Kato: "The Team cameras, but the video evidence is not sufficient to determine the cause of the tion and recreational activities such as motorcycling, ATV riding, snowmobiling, skiing or horseback riding. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) introduced simi- Telefonica MoviStar Honda informs that rider Daijiro Kato has spent the night in the intensive care unit of the Mie Med- examined the motorcycle and analyzed lar legislation in the Senate earlier: S the available data regarding its operation 423. The bipartisan measures are in response to action taken recently by federal bureaucrats that legalized health- Atlanta test. Yoshimura Suzuki team ical Center in Yokkaichi, where he manager Don Sakakura is also pleased to welcome Stauffer to the team, arrived on Sunday, April 6, after being involved in the terrible accident at the "We've got the equipment, and we have Erion Honda's Roger Lee Hayden underwent surgery to the scaphoid bone of his left wrist on April 8 in San Francisco, California, and the Kentuckian will now miss the next round of the AMA Formula Xtreme and 600cc Supers ports Series at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, May 3-4. "I'm all right," Hayden said, "[Dr. Art] Ting put a screw in my scaphoid - it's the injury I've been riding with all year [Hayden suffered the injury during practice at Daytonal. I'll miss Sears, again, I believe, I guess you could say I raced this weekend [at California Speedway] with it broken. I had an made any official medical statement yet, but the Japanese doctors have informed that there has been a slight improvement in Daijiro's condition. Team manager Fausto Gresini, who joined his rider at the hospital right after the accident occurred, said: 'We all keep on praying for Daijiro: it is the only thing we can do now: there is nothing we can say, just wait and see what happens.' Also joining Gresini at the hospital is Kato's wife, his chief mechanic Fabrizio Cecchini and the team's commercial director Carlo Merlini, who all wish to stay close to Daijiro during these dramatic moments. The team is awaiting for- further news from the hospital's medical team as well some information on what could have caused the terrible accident: They will remain close to their rider and infonm of MRI after Daytona, but it just showed that it was bruised, maybe cracked. On Monday, I went to Ting's and you could clearly see that it was broken in half." any improvement of Daijiro's state. Gresini has added that he will go and check the zone of the circuit where the Japanese rider crashed on Sunday. " but found no irregularities. Based on the currently available information, we have not been able to determine the cause of insurance discrimination against riders. the accident. " In the 1990s, Congress passed a law meant to bar employers from refusing to cover motorcycle-related injuries in the health-insurance coverage they offer employees: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. But federal bureaucrats reversed that law, writing rules to allow health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who engage in legal activities like skiing, snowmobiling, ATV riding or horseback riding. "Medical bills from an accident can easily total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, "Without insurance, that can amount to a devastating blow to any rider." Mcinnis noted that the regulation Suzuka Circuit. The hospital has not a mechanic, so I think it will work out well," Sakakura said. "I think he's shown a lot of potential in the last couple of races." aCCident. Honda Racing (HRC) has Hayden said he would still go to Infineon as a spectator. Off-road racer Tim Staab took one of his biggest steps down the road to recovery since his crash at the Las Vegas 200 one year and four months ago. On Saturday, April 5, Staab finally got to go home for the first time since the crash. Mike Clark, a friend of Staab's, said via e-mail, "He recognized his street and his house and was very excited and seemed to be overwhelmed when we pulled into the driveway. Tim is recovering great, and we all feel that this move home is going to be the next big step for Tim. He can now enjoy the group of friends that he had before he · ~ Honda released the following information regarding Kato's condition on April 11: "We would like to thank everyone for their concem about the condition of Daijiro Kato following his unfortunate accident. This statement is an update on the developments since the accident. Immediately after the accident Mr. Kato was taken to hospital, where he continues to undergo medical treatment. However, there has been no change in his condition, and he remains unconscious. The cause of the accident was investigated by the Suzuka Precinct of the Mie Prefectural Police Department, and related parties were interviewed, but the specific cause was not ascertained. " The Kevin Schwantz Road Racing School sent us an update on Kevin Schwantz, who was injured during the STTARS Supermoto event at California Speedway in Fontana, Califomia, on Saturday, April 5. Based on X-rays taken in Atlanta on April 7, Schwantz has three broken metacarpals (the three larger fingers). They are broken at the base of the hand and are in good alignment, and therefore he will not need surgery. Schwantz was put in a splint until the swelling subSided and then had a cast put on. It will be about 6 to 8 weeks or so until he is back 100 percent, according to his doctor. written by federal bureaucrats to carry out the original law .. grants protective status to recreationists without any substantive benefits. This (new) legislation Spectrum Ducati has three replica versions of the Ducati 999 in Corse FILA World Superlbike colors, according ensures that the original intent of the [original] legislation that passed overwhelmingly will be upheld." Strickland called it "sad" that Congress had to step in on the issue. "When Congress passed (the original law). we intended to make sure someone who is motorcycling, snowmobiling, running or walking couldn't be denied health-care coverage," Strickland said. "I'm pleased to be the original co-sponsor of a bill that would ensure these individuals receive the medical coverage they need in the event they are injured while doing one of to a release sent out by the shop in Irvine, California. The 999 mono and 999s replicas are available for immediate delivery with the R version to be delivered in the near future. The 999 mono version sells for $20,995, the 999S version is $25,995, and the 999R version will be $35,995. For more information, call Tony Bell at 949/859-3186. The AMA reports a measure has been introduced in the U,S. House of Representatives to ban health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists, ATV riders and others. U.S. Representatives Scott Mcinnis (R-Colorado) and Ted Strickland CD-Ohio), joined by 49 colleagues, have introduced HR 1749 - "The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act of 2003" - which would bar health-care discrimination against these legal activities." Moreland wanted to thank all those involved. "We got a lot of help on this issue, which goes to show how motorcyclists can get things done when they band together," Moreland said. "ABATE of Wisconsin and ABATE of Ohio were particularly helpful in getting this legislation introduced." Participants of the AMA's "Introduction to Washington" seminar also worked hard to lobby, as well as members of the Mid-South MILE from Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Among those also involved in the effort to end health-insurance discrimination are the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, National Ski Areas Association, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, and the American Horse Council. Riders and others who want to end this type of insurance discrimination are urged to send letters to their members of Congress asking them to support the Mcinnis-Strickland and Collins-Feingold bills, You can do this by using the AMA Rapid . . "" : APPOINTED: Stephen Lazoff, as area manager for Triumph Sales, : • area three - North and South Carolina and eastern Tennessee - effec- : tive immediately. APPOINTED: Ron Greene, as area manager for Triumph Sales, area one - New England and New York, with the exception of New York City . effective immediately. MOVED: The Tony D. Motocross School scheduled for April 26 has been moved from Echeconnee MX Park to the Paradise Off Road Park on April 26. For more information, call 410/635-6916. SELECTED: Pro Valve Suspension in Costa Mesa, California, by WP AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At the Off-Road Ride For Kids Charity Fun Day in Washington, Georgia, on May 4 from 8 to 10 a.m. Yamaha's Randy Hawkins, Honda's Scott Summers, and KTM's Allen Gravitt are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 800/253-6530. Suspension USA. as an official product line distributor and factory authorized service center. For more information, call Pro Valve directly CANCELED: The April 19-20 WERA National Challenge Series round at 7141708-2583. at Banber Motorsports Park, according to WERA. · ................................................................................................................................ " . . eye. e n - - - - - - - Continued on page 108 e _ S • APRIL 23. 2003 3 j J J o o o o o o J J J J J J J o CJ o o o 8 o o o o o o o o o

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