Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

c c C " " n L.J u u I " w motorcycling fatalities in recent years followed 17 consecutive years of declines. From 1990 through 1999 alone. motorcycling-related fatalities dropped by 48 percent. The AMA noted that one significant reason for the increase in motorcycling-related fatalities in recent years is that motorcycling has seen an enormous increase in popularity, with sales of new street bikes up more than 100 percent over five years - from about 243.000 in 1997 to more than 500.000 in 2001. Moreland and his staff in the AMA's Washington. D.C.. office are working on Capitol Hill to get $3 million in funding for an in-depth motorcycle crash study. That funding would be part of congressional reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 st Century. More than 60 federal lawmakers have signed a letter delivered to U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska). chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. urging him to back this study to find ways to prevent motorcycle crashes. The last such study - "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures." commonly called the Hurt Report (after lead researcher Harry Hurt) - was conducted more than 20 years ago. Rider-training and motorist-awareness programs are just two of the efforts to improve motorcyclists' safety that were prompted by the Hurt Report. W[}uCfJi] 8JfliJ8J [JJ®CfJ@ [JJCfJ@!Jm~ \!llrJDD [jJ@ Dm fl@@r{j Reflecting the changing motorcycle marketplace, needs of the manufacturers, benefit to racers and, most importantly, the interests of fans, AMA Pro Racing has revised its class structure for the AMA U.S, Superbike Championship, according to AMA Pro Racing. The new class structure will be implemented beginning with the next racing o Q n u n u n u n w """' season. "The task of developing an all-new class structure is an extraordinarily complex process, and it is impossible to satisfy everyone: said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "Our primary objectives are to deliver the best possible show to our fans while focusing on the market development of professional motorcycle racing in the United States." The new classes include Superbike, Supersport, Formula Xtreme and Superstock and are outlined as follows: Superbike: 900cc-l OOOcc four-stroke, any number of cylinders. Supersport: 600cc four-stroke, twin and four cylinders. Formula Xtreme: 600cc four-stroke, four cylinders; 750cc fourstroke, twin cylinders; 250cc-330cc two-stroke, All highly modified. Superstock: 750cc-lOOOcc four-stroke, four cyUnders; up to 1350cc air-cooled twin cylinders This class structure has been approved by the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors for 2004 season implementation, according to the AMA. Technical rules within this class structure are subject to a 30for us at Road Atlanta. as we were able to get further ahead with the bike." said Mladin. "With the new bike we have had a lot more input and attention from Suzuki, who sent out two of their leading technicians for the test. To have these people present at the test is invaluable. We can learn so much from it and getting a better understanding of what we are doing with the bike. At the end we were consistently qUicker than the other guys. so that's the main thing. We were qUick from when we first rolled the bike out of the truck on the first day. so that's a nice feeling in itself. We have been able to improve the chassis setup of the bike immensely over what it was early in the year. It's a shame we aren't heading back to Daytona to race this year. because the bike is running so much better now than what it was in March, and we have sorted the chassis out to a point where we are getting much more improved tire wear. The new Suzuki is coming along nicely, but we are still down a little bit on top-end speed, which does come down to the aerodynamic package that we have. Some of the other teams have spent a lot of time working on this area, but we are still to do so." With the Road Atlanta test completed. Australia's Mat Mladin may be leading the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks/U.S. Superbike Series. but this position has not altered his Yoshimura Suzuki team's attitudes to continually improve the Suzuki GSX-Rl000 that they are campaigning for the first time in the championship. according to a release issued by Mladin' s publicist. Fresh from a double victory at the California Speedway in Fontana CApril 6). Mladin has had little time to relax. as he and his Yoshimura Suzuki team have completed two valuable test sessions at Road Atlanta (Georgia) and Pikes Peak (Colorado) recently. As he has been for much of this season. Mladin was the fastest rider at the three-day Road Atlanta test. With all of the major teams present, Mladin recorded a best time of 1:23.88 around the Georgian circuit. outpacing teammate Aaron Yates, who recorded the second-fastest time of the test with a 1:24.18. "It was a good test : · · · · · · day public comment period upon pubUcation and all AMA Pro Racing credential holders are invited to submit comments for consideration. New technical rules are expected to be issued in early May. Merrill Vanderslice, AMA Pro Racing director of competition states the new classes represent a logical and equitable evolution of the current structure. "Each class was scrutinized to see that it makes sense to the racing community: said Vanderslice. "We adjusted the Superbike class so it remains the premier class in our championship but also took a close look at each of the support classes. For example, we must objectively recognize the current state of two-stroke development but at the same time remain mindful of the needs of the small but loyal group that enthusiastically follows that particular class of racing." Hollingsworth added, "Larger grids, expanded media opportunities and increased business opportunities will be the result of our new class structure. Additionally, we recognize that the structure set forth by AMA Pro Racing ends up being the world standard, and we take that responsibility very seriously. AMA Pro Racing is the leading national sanctioning body for professional motorcycle sport in the world, and our initiatives have impact around the globe. This new structure represents a good combination of classes that will set the stage for an entertaining, highly promotable show." the team headed to Pikes Peak in Colorado where they tested for two days. In contrast to the Road Atlanta test. they were the only team present at Colorado. "Pikes Peak is certainly one track that I've struggled on in the past. so it was good to come up and get our bike onto an oval type track and see what happens," said Mladin. "The lap times were encouraging compared to what we did last year. so we were very happy with what we have achieved here along with last week's test." The federal Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) - the agency that banned three-wheeled all-terrain vehicles in the 1980s - will hold a new series of public hearings on ATV safety beginning in June. according to the All-Terrain Vehicle Association reports. According to a notice published in the Federal Register. the commission will hold a public hearing June 5 in Morgantown. WV. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. at West Virginia University in the Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center. The commission states that it is "concerned about the dramatic increase in ATV-related injuries and the continued increase in ATV-relat"" " : : . . . . . . . SIGNED: VP Racing Fuels has replaced Nutec as the fuel of choice for : Team ECC. according to the team's announcement after the Phoenix : 6. : Supercross round. "VP will give us the boost we need in the highly com· : : : HIRED: Janell Carlson as marketing manager for White Brothers. effec: : tive immediately. Carlson was previously employed by Oakley. petitive AMA 125cc class." said team spokesperson and general manager. Dave Ketcham. Bruce Hendel. Vp's global sales manager. added, "VP Racing Fuels will give ECC the added horsepower needed to be competitive in the AMA Supercross and National Motocross series. " SIGNED: Amateur motocrosser Broc Hepler to a contract with Traction Enterprises. Traction Enterprises is a sports management agency. serv• ing the marketing, publicity. sponsorship. legal and financial service needs of motorsport athletes and companies involved in motorsports. according to Traction Enterprises. RESCHEDULED: The Over The Hill Gang's motocross scheduled for May 4 will now be held at Victorville Motocross Complex in Victorville. Califomia. For more information. call 714/838-2864 or visit www.overthehill.org. SIGNED: Factory Effex to a sponsorship package with AMA Pro RaCing that will see Factory Effex as the official graphic sponsor of the 2003 : AMA Motocross series. Factory Effex banners and hay bale covers will be placed around each national track... Factory Effex is very excited about our relationship with the AMA Motocross Series." said Chris Williams. media relations coordinator. "Although Supercross is very popular. we feel that the National Series reaches a more core audience. Most of the spectators at a National ride. and this will give Factory Effex a great opportunity to market our products to them." .. .. .. 2 .. .. .. .. .. .. MAY 7, 2003' .. .. .. .. cue I .. e .. .. n e .. .. .. .. vv .. s .. .. : : : : AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Fairfield Cycle Center in Fairfield. Califomia. on May 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Team Yoshimura Suzuki. 1982 500cc World Champion Brad Lackey. and Supermoto racer Casey Yarrow are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 707/4321660, RESCHEDULED: The Eddie Mulder West Coast Vintage Dirt Track Series opening round doubleheader scheduled for March 15-16 was rained out. and the rain dates have been set for May 10-11 at the Tulare Cycle Park in Tulare. Califomia. .. .. .. .. . ed deaths and believes that holding a hearing will provide an opportunity for the interested public to share their concerns about ATVs and ATV safety." The commission will take testimony on issues ranging from the availability of safety training to whether there should be "performance standards" set for ATVs. The commission notes that there has been an increase in the number of injuries to riders using ATVs with engine sizes of 400cc and greater. The commission also will take testimony on a proposal by a coalition of groups made up of the Consumer Federation of America. the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition, the Bluewater Network and others seeking a ban on the sale of adult-sized ATVs sold for use by children under 16. The coalition originally called for a ban on all ATV use by those under the age of 16, but the CPSC said that it could not enforce such a ban. ATVA Director Doug Morris noted that under a longstanding agreement between the ATV industry and the federal agency. only the smallest A TVs - those with engines displacing 90cc or less have been sold for use by riders in that age group. In addition. Morris questioned the motivation behind some of the groups involved in this attack on ATVs. He noted that the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition and the Bluewater Network have never had any involvement with. or interest in, ATV safety. Instead. their agenda has been to block access to public lands for A TV riders and others involved in motorized recreation. "Including these anti-access organizations in this coalition makes for an odd alliance at the very least," Morris said. "since the interests of two of the coalition partners are in eliminating ATVs, not making them safer." To testify before the Consumer Product Safety Commission in West Virginia. contact Rockelle Hammond. Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission. Washington, D.C .. 20207. 301/504-6833, 301/504-0127 (fax.>. You can also send written testimony until July 5 to Attn: ATV Hearing. Office of the Secretary. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Washington. D.C. 20207. Continued on page 122

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