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/128223
fifth and 11 th place overall, respectively. The three U.S. qualifying rounds will be held on July 19-20 at Grattan Raceway in Michigan; August 16-17 at Thunder Hill in California; and on September 1314 at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. WERA will host rounds one and three, while CCS will host round two. Each round will feature practice, a 20minute timed qualifying session, a dedicated race with a $2500 purse paying back to 10th place and Suzuki Cup points, A Dynojet Dyno and scales will be on hand to enforce the 135 horsepower and 375 pound limits. Qualifiers are open to any rider aboard a 20012003 Suzuki GSX-R750 with at least one 750cc Suzuki Cup point. Entry fee is set at $65, "We're excited to again be a part of the World GSX-R Cup Final," said Suzuki's Morgan Broadhead. "With the Suzuki Cup Contingency Program, the Suzuki Cup Final in Atlanta, trackside support at AMA and WERA events, and now the World GSX-R Cup, Suzuki continues to offer our riders the best support in the industry." The three Suzuki team members will also receive a Team Suzuki Sport support ride in 2004 consisting of the use of a 2004 GSXR750 and a parts budget to keep them at the front of the pack. More information, rules and regulations can be found at www.suzukicycles.com. The July 3 edition of the San Diego Union featured a page-two interview with Jeremy McGrath. Although the interview focuses on McGrath's return to action in the SuperMoto Series that gets started at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, on July 12, there's one quote that almost jumps off the page. "You may see me in a few Supercrosses next year," said McGrath. "You never know. That isn't for certain yet, but there are a few places where I'd really like to race ... places I'd like to visit again." The article was penned by Bill Center, the Union's motors ports editor. AMA Pro Racing has partnered with Outdoor Life Network (OLN) and Echo Entertainment to televise the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship in an innovative, nontraditional way, according to a release by the sanctioning body. Instead of broadcasting each race in the typical motors ports fashion, where racing is presented in an editorial, linear format. the championship will be presented as a series focusing on the personalities and lifestyles of the sport as well as the actual racing, the AMA says. The first show will air on October 16, 2003, and run for five consecutive weeks. Plus, there will be special live coverage of the championship finale from Las Vegas on November 21. "It is our intention to completely break the mold in terms of conventional motorcycle racing television," said AMA Pro Racing vice president. director of communications, Kerry Graeber. "Our show will present AMA Supermoto in a highly engaging, interesting way by telling the story on the track as well as off. This will not only appeal to existing racing enthusiasts but also the casual fan who may not spend a great deal of time watching motorcycle racing on TV. Many of the top names in motorcycle racing will be competing in this series, and we will place a great deal of emphasis on showcasing their individuality." Producer Hugh Arian of Echo Entertainment shares that sentiment. "Our company has tremendous experience bringing action sports and their personalities to life, and we jumped at the chance to work with AMA Pro Racing and OLN in producing this series," said Arian. "Whether it's surfing, mountain biking or snowboarding, we've produced awardwinning programs for virtually all of the major networks, and we're excited about highlighting the stars of the championship. Guys like Mike Metzger, Jeremy McGrath and Kevin Schwantz are not just great racers, but they're interesting people, too, and we plan on telling that story." OLN's Brian J. Williams will be the coordinating producer of the series. His experience as a producer/director is deep and includes both mainstream sports as well as sports in the action/adventure category. Williams said OLN is committed to the motorcycle category. "We're placing a 9reat deal of emphasis on expanding our coverage of motorcycle racing, and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will be the cornerstone of our commitment. OLN's unique lineup of action adventure programming is the perfect home for this new championship." The AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will begin July 11-13 at the Dunlop Supermoto Classic "." " · · ~ · ~ at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The six-event series will wrap up in Las Vegas at the Red Bull Supermoto A-GoGo! in November. SoBe Suzuki's Sean Hamblin will miss the remainder of the 2003 outdoor season as a result of a knee injury that was more debilitating than initially diagnosed. After tearing his ACL at round four of the 2003 AMA/Chevy Trucks Motocross Championship, Hamblin underwent intensive physical therapy in order to return to competition at Red Bud. After attempting to ride for the first time last week, Hamblin realized that the flexibility in his knee was still too limited to allow him to compete. Hamblin explained in a press release issued by his publicist; "I wanted to finish the season, but I went riding with a bunch of fast guys last week, and I was really struggling. I had a lot of numbness in my foot, and I just wasn't ready to race. I decided to have surgery sooner rather than later so I didn't do any more damage and make the situation worse. Now, I can recuperate and know that I'm ready for the 2004 season." Dr. Arthur Ting repaired Hamblin's torn ACL on Monday, June 30. The Sun City native will begin physical therapy near his home next week and is expected to begin riding in approximately seven weeks. Hamblin's prognosis is excellent; he is expected to make a full recovery. Annandale Honda rider Craig Connell had surgery on Monday, June 30, on the broken right arm that he sustained in a fall at Brainerd International Raceway on Friday, June 27, during AMA Formula Xtreme timed qualifying, The two-hour surgery was performed by Dr. Arthur Ting, who inserted a rod in Connell's right humerus (upper arm bone), as well as screws and two wires to stabilize the bone, which was broken in three places. For three weeks the Australian will wear a hard cast from his shoulder to his fingers to limit movement of the bones and muscles. After the cast is removed, he will be able to begin physiotherapy on the arm to regain strength and mobility, according to his publicist. "The accident was unfortunate, because we had really made a lot of progress on both bikes, but the 600 [CBR600RRJ in particular, and I was looking forward to doing well on it," said Connell. "We had changed some things in the front end, and the engine felt really strong," Connell will join the Annandale Honda team at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the combined AMA/World Superbike event over the July 12-13 weekend and is expected to return to racing for the team at round 10 of the AMA Superbike Series at Virginia International Raceway, August 29-31. Cards and messages can be sent to: Craig Connell, c/o Annandale Racing, P.O. Box 529, Cresson, TX 76035, craigconnell@sbcglobal.net. American Honda Motor Company has signed an agreement to sponsor a junior Supermoto class in support of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship, according to a release by AMA Pro Racing. The Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge presented by the HRCA will feature riders between the ages of 12 and 15, competing on identically prepped 2003 Honda CRF150F motorcycles. Bill Savino, assistant manager, HRCA, says this is another example of Honda's leadership role in motorcycle racing. "Through a regional selection process involving HRCA (Honda Rider's Club of America) and Danny Walker (American Supercamp), youngsters will have the opportunity to earn a ride at a round of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship," Savino said. "From there, top finishers : "" . . • . SIGNED: Road racer Jamie Stauffer to a contact with Sidi Boots. 6 from each of the series' six rounds will be invited to the final event to compete in the championship finale." Additionally, AMA Pro Racing will award a U.S. Savings Bond to the top three finishers in the Jr, Supermoto Challenge, providing they hold a B average in school. "Encouraging young racers to succeed in school while they pursue success on the racetrack is something everyone can support," said Kerry Graeber, vice president, director of communications at AMA Pro Racing. "We're proud to provide this opportunity to youngsters participating in this series." Savino went on to say that competitors in the Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge presented by the HRCA will receive the full "factory rider" treatment on race day. "In addition to racing a professionally prepared CRFI50F, each rider will be provided the use of a complete set of Alpinestars gear and will be pitted out of a Honda support rig," Savino said. "All the rider has to do on race day is show up with their helmet and ride. Honda will take care of everything else." SIGNED: Zach Andrade to a contract with I.Moto for the upcoming 2004 Amateur motocross season. For more information, visit www.imotoracing.com. OPENED: A new dealership, Roseville Yamaha, in Roseville, Califor- nia. The shop is located at 2014 Taylor Road, near the intersection of Interstate 80 and Highway 65 just outside Sacramento. For more information, call 916/784-2444, or visit www.roseville-yamaha.com. RE-SIGNED: David Vuillemin to a contract with Sidi Boots. : RESIGNED: Micheie Versteeg from her position at DeVol Engineer- SIGNED: Road racer Lee Acree to a contract with Sidi Boots. According to the Annandale Honda team, Connell's bike had a rear wheel bearing seize, resulting in the axle backing out and causing the crash. A new process to secure the axle nut to the axle rather than the swingarm is being developed to prevent a recurrence of this unfortunate accident. the team says. ACCEPTING: Provalve is currently accepting resumes for its race ing, effective immediately. All inquiries regarding rider support should be directed to Garrett DeVol. according to DeVol. support program. Resumes can be sent to Provalve, 1281 Logan Ave.. Unit G, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, attn: race support. : cue I e n e _ S • Continued on page 96 3 JULY 16, 2003 o o o o o o o o o o o o o 8 o o o o r' o o o n ' -' '"""' w r: l..J o o o r LJ 1'\ LJ n 1... C S