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/128222
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Continued from page 3
sional Motocross Grand Prix Calendar is
as follows: March 7 - Reserve; March 21
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Having released the schedule for the 2004 World Motocross
Championships last week, Giuseppe Luongo and the YouthStream
had more news for the series as he held a press conference in Spa,
Belgium, on June 29. It is now clear that the format for the World
Motocross Championships will consist of two 250cc motos and
two I 25cc motos, while the 650cc class will be dropped from the
Grand Prix weekend.
"The 650cc class will be made like a World Cup or something
like that," Luongo said. "We will call the 250cc class the MXl, and
the 125cc class will be called MX2. We will run the same technical
rules as this year, with 250cc four-strokes in the MX2 class, and
450cc four-strokes in the MX 1 class. We will probably run the
motos over 35 minutes, plus two laps."
Other news from Luongo is that the series is headed toward
expansion with countries like South Africa, Australia, Japan and
Brazil in talks with the YouthStream about hosting events in those
countries.
"At this moment it looks like we have a good deal with at least
one of those countries to join the series in '04, although it is also
possible we could have them all next year, and probably all three
in 2005. Australia is easy to work with. they look like they will
support the race again, also the manufactures are interested, so
we really try hard to make that Grand Prix work. America is a
problem. We have people interested in America, although it is very
political, and we don't want to work against the lobby groups in
America who don't want a Grand Prix there. We lost a lot of money
doing the last Grand Prix in America, and also Jonathan Beasley,
the promoter, also lost money - although he is passionate about
the sport, just as we are and wants to maybe do something. We
want a World Championship, not just a European Championship."
Across America to benefit children's
charities. Since then. the event has
logged over 24.000 miles. involved over
3000 riders, and generated over $3.5
million for children's hospitals across the
country. "Motorcyclists, as a group. are
among the most active and generous
\..)
"
Americans," said Robert Rasor. president of the AMA. "Through his Charity
Ride Across America. Kyle Petty has
shown extraordinary leadership. showing
what can be accomplished through commitment and passion. and he's most
- Agueda, Portugal; March 28 - Bellpuig.
Spain; April 25 - TBA. Italy; May 2 Teutschenthal. Germany; May 16 - TBA.
England will also be a major
stop in the championship, with
YouthStream in talks with three
tracks in England for the 2004
series.
"We are in talks with Rushmore, The Isle of Wight, and
another in the South of England, the same one where we will run the Supermoto round: Luongo said. "From what we hear, the track at the Isle of Wight is very
impressive and one we look forward to possibly working with them
next year. The British people deserve two Grands Prix - I mean the
crowds in England are always great, the racing is passionate, and I
look forward to going back there:
Namur, in Belgium, is more than likely on the calendar,
although it also depends on what sort of crowd they can attract at
the famous facility on July 20. Zolder and Genk are two other
tracks in the running for a 2004 Grand Prix in Belgium, while
Valkenswaard might be taken from the calendar.
"We have to look at what happens in Namur: Luongo said.
"The doors are open for a Dutch Grand Prix; Valkenswaard needs
to do some work on the track. It was once a very good track; now
it's not very good. We have to do something in Holland.ยท
Track preparation will also be one of the important aspects of
Luongo and his team.
"We want to work on the tracks," Luongo said. "Make sure the
ground is tumed over a long time in advance and that the watering
is done correctly. Many of the facilities now have very bad circuits,
and that is something we want to change."
Geoff Meyer
California Race Services will be
providing tire service at Laguna Seca for
the AMA Red Bull Supermoto races for
Pirelli. They will have Pirelli's new Supermoto rear tire on hand as well as rains.
intermediates, slicks and DOTs. according to California Race Services. For
more information, call 714/305-6846.
The World Superbike Championship
round scheduled for July 11 -13 at Laguna Seca Raceway will once again set the
stage for the annual presentation of
Ducati Island. Located in the infield of
signings will be held on Ducati Island.
A 16-round series for the 2004 World
Motocross Grand Prix has been put
forward to the FIM by series promoters.
and here are the dates and some
venues for the series. While the Belgian
and British rounds are at present not
official, it is certain that Namur (Belgium)
will run on August 1. while Rushmore
stadium will likely be the site for the
British round. The other Belgian round
Belgium; May 23 - Sevlievo, Bulgaria;
June 6 - TBA; June 27 - TBA. Austria;
July 4 - Uddevalla. Sweden; July 18 TBA. England; August 1 - TBA. Belgium
(probably Namur); August 8 - TBA. Luxembourg; August 29 - Gaildorf. Germany; September 12 - TBA, France;
September 26 - TBA; October 3 - Dubai.
United Arab Emirates; October 10 Motocross des Nations. Lierop, The
Netherlands.
Former road racer Phil McDonald is
awake and has been taken off a respirator follOWing his recent streetbike accident, though he was still in intensive
care on June 25. "I was just at the hospital, and Phil is wide awake now." his
father. Norm McDonald said. "He's off
the respirator. and he's watching TV.
He's in for a long recovery. but he's
tough." McDonald was hit by a car while
riding his Yamaha on the street. and he
ended up with compound fractures in
each arm, the worst of which is the left.
where he ended up losing five inches of
artery. That has been replaced by a portion of an artery that was taken from his
leg in a recent surgery. McDonald also
suffered a broken left foot and damage
to his left shoulder. McDonald is currently in intensive care at St. Francis
Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but his
father expected that he would be taken
out of ICU and placed in a private room
on Sunday. June 29. "He is scheduled
to have more surgery on Friday morning," Norm McDonald said. "The problem is they're just not sure how much
use he will have in his left arm. Right
now he has some loss of feeling, but
hopefully it's just the swelling." Cards
and letters of support can be sent to Phil
McDonald at K&N Motorcycles. 6105
the racetrack between turns two and
three. the island is restricted (parking.
at least!) exclusively to Ducati motorcycles. Ducati owners will be treated to
could be held at Kester or one of the
other old-school circuits. The Motocross
des Nations will be held in Lierop. Hoiland. which is great news for the
Benelux area. as this year's des Nations
will also be held in Belgium