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/128227
1!ll@[?D([J @G!J[j)@[?WC[Z@ []!J@W ~ fillJ@@o 1Jfj[l@ @Dfi]~~ Hot on the heels of the announcement of the addition of the Fay Myers Suzuki Supermoto Classic comes word that both Jeremy McGrath and Jeff Ward would be competing in the event. "This is huge news for the event," said Cameron Gray of RPM, "These are two of the biggest names in motorcycle racing and not coincidentally two of the top guys in Supermoto here in the U.S, This sets the stage for a first-class event, and we expect more riders of the same caliber to be signing on soon." '-' r L r L [ r U As unbelievable as it may seem, FGSport Group, the promoters of the World Superbike Championship, made it official on Thursday, July 31, that beginning with next year's series, the World Superbike Championship, the World Supersport Championship and the World Superstock Championship will all be spec-tire classes, and all riders participating in those classes will use Pirelli tires. "Starting with the forthcoming season, Pirelli will be the exclusive supplier of tires for all the teams that take part in the 45 races in J 0 countries for the title of World and European Champion," the release from FGSport states, "The program will enable all the participants to compete under the same conditions with respect to tires, which makes the performance of motorcycle manufacturers, team members and riders all the more important." The agreement guarantees that Pirelli will supply tires for the Superbike World Championship for the next two years - 2004 and 2005. According to the release, the teams will also get "additional advantages such as: Guarantee of continuity and quality of the tires supplied and the relevant services to all the teams and riders, in all the nations hosting the championship; continuity of the technological development of the tires; tires supplied will be of uniform high quality and available at advantageous and identical prices for all teams; availability, for the entire duration of the partnership, of a Pirelli prize fund dedicated to riders, also to attract young, talented riders to participate in the championship," The president of the FGSport Group, Maurizio Flammini, commented: "The agreement with Pirelli, a world leader in the manufacture of tires, guarantees the development and the continuity of the Superbike World Championship, which has been the primary thought behind our Group that has been committed to the organization of the championship since 1988. Moreover, the agreement strictly adheres to the philosophy of the championship that is to offer equal racing conditions to all participants. In this respect, we would like to thank Pirelli for the significant organizational and technological efforts that it will undertake over the next few years, which, we are certain, will create the ideal conditions for new, important developments for motorcycle manufacturers, teams and riders in the Championship and in racing itself." Stated Ugo Forner, general manager of the Pirelli Motorcycle business unit: "For our tires department, the Superbike World Harley-Davidson has issued a press release announcing that its factory dirt track racing program will join its drag racing program in being managed within the Harley-Davidson Parts & Accessories Division and promoted under the Screamin' Eagle brand. Mike Kennedy, director of marketing for Parts & Accessories, becomes responsible for HarleyDavidson's racing strategy, plans and programs under this new alignment. In a related move, Anne Paluso is named to the newly created position of racing manager. "Harley-Davidson has a long and proud history of motorcycle racing. This move will tie our racing efforts directly to our line of Scream in' Eagle performance parts, which will be beneficial in the development and expansion of our products," said Ron Hutchinson, vice president parts & accessories. In light of this news, Cycle News contacted Harley-Davidson factory mechanic Bill Werner, who has been with the dirt track race program for nearly 40 years and has been instrumental in most of the AMA Grand National Championships won by the Harley factory team since 1975. Werner said that he was not alarmed by the decision and commented that he believes it will have positive benefits. "This is something that has been talked about for a while," Werner said. "I think that it could be a good step forward for our [dirt track] program. The Screamin' Eagle brand certainly ties in with racing well, and my initial impression is that we will benefit from it. They (P&A Division) are very enthusiastic about racing and have already indicated that they are behind us 100 percent." Wemer suggested that the long-term benefits could include an increase in resources for the team, both promotional and financial. "A lot of things have been discussed," Werner said. "It's all so new. We'll just have to see what it all means in the long run." Part of the change could mean a fresh look for the dirt track program. which will likely be dressed in the decidedly more modern-appearing Screamin' Eagle livery, beginning in 2004. "I'm sure you'll see lots more Screamin' Eagle signage once our 100th Anniversary is over," Werner said. "As far as things like the orange stripe on the team riders' leathers, I'm not sure that things like that will completely go away. It has been a tradition on the factory team since the '60s, but I think you could expect to see some changes in the appearance of the riders and the crew." o C J b (""i Road racer Kurt Marmor has announced his new relationship with '-' ............................................................. " ,.--, . Championship represents a challenge from both a technical and technological development point of view, the maximum expression of live trials that support and finalize advanced research and development carried out in oUf laboratories all over the world. It is further confirmation of the imporlance that Pirelli has always attributed to the competition for two- and four-wheel production vehicles, in order to experiment innovative solutions and accumulate know-how that can be implemented in producing our high-performing tires." With Pirelli not currently supporting any of the AMA factory teams, the spec-tire rule for 2004 basically means that there will be no wild card rider participation from any of the AMA Superbike Series competitors, the majority of which use Dunlop tires. Race Promotion Management (RPM) president Dan Murphy, the promoter of the World Superbike event at Laguna Seca, knows the value of the wild card entries at the Laguna round. He knows that part of the spectacie of his event is seeing how the AMA Superbike men stack up against the World Superbikers, He also is smart enough to see that the Pirelli-only, spec-tire rule that World Superbike will use next year basically puts an end to any wild card rider involvement for next year's race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. And he's not happy about it. "There are two things, really," Murphy said upon hearing the news at his office in Denver, Colorado. "One, I don't like It because I don't think it's good for our event, Two, I plan on seeing if our wild cards can run on our tires, and I'm sure I'm not the only promoter of a World Superbike race who will be making that same phone call. Put it this way: There will be no wild card riders in Japan and no wild card riders here." If there's no provision for allowing the likes of Mat Mladin to run Dunlop tires next year in the world round, another option for Murphy may be to have an AMA Superbike doubleheader in addition to the World Superbike race. "We could do the 600 race on Friday, an AMA Superbike on Saturday, another AMA Superbike race on Sunday and the World Superbike on Sunday," Murphy said. "I think that would give good value to our fans and make up for the fact that they wouldn't be seeing the wild cards in the World Superbike race. Maybe that's a better weekend for the fan." Hall's Gas Gas of Springfield, Illinois, and motorcycle manufacturer Gas Gas of North America. Marmor will become the first factory support rider from Gas Gas in AMA Pro Racing, according to Marmor. Gas Gas will offer full factory support with the latest bikes. technology and mechanics through Hall's Gas Gas with Marmor set to compete in the AMA/Red Bull Supermoto Series. "I'm very excited about my new relationship with Hall's and Gas Gas," Marmor said in a press release. "The guys at Hall's believe in me, and I believe in them and their products, With their assistance and my experience we can't help but win. This new series will take America by storm in popularity and excitement. There's not one place on the track that the fans can't see the action." Marmor's first race for Hall's . . ~ RESIGNED: Dave "Ozzy" Osterman, from his position as the 125 Supercross/Motocross team coordinator for the Red Bull KTM racing team, effective July 29. Osterman can be reached at his home office number 661 /253-1721 . OPENED: Tornado Motorsports. offering Italian motorcycles, accessories, and apparel. Tornado Motorsports will be offering the complete Mota CORRECTION: Lem rider Brandon Atkinson of Manquin, Virginia, was incorrectly identified as Brian Atkinson in our coverage of the July 3, 50cc 4-6 Junior class main event at the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships. Brandon Atkinson was the winner of the race. BORN: A baby 9irl. Danielle Marie Natvig, to former motocross champion Mercedes Gonzales and her husband, Derek Natvig, in Southem California on July 14. Guzzi lineup and it is also the exclusive New Hampshire/Maine/Vermont Benelli dealership. In addition, the deatership will atso carry the Vertemati brand. The dealership is located in Manchester, New Hampshire. For more information, call 603/626-1606 or visit WN\N.tornadomotorsports.com. BORN: A baby boy, Austin Joshua Tarantino, to Pro motocrosser Josh Tarantino and his longtime girlfriend, Marie. on June 30 in San Diego, California, GRAND OPENING: Ducman. a new Italian motorcycle enthusiasts store in Orange County, California. is hosting its grand opening on Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be free refreshments, PROMOTED: Fran O'Hagan. to executive vice president of the Indian Motorcycle Corporation, effective immediately. O'Hagan was most door prizes. specials on apparel. accessories and service. This is a new management. recently senior vice president of sales. service, marketing and product facility, designed to cater to the Italian bike enthusiast - Ducati, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta. Ducman is located at 14726 Goldenwest Street. Suite "i". Westminster, CA 92683,714/903-3822, www.duc- STOLEN: Two motocross motorcycles - a 2003 Honda CRF450, VIN #JH2PE05393M 100069. and a 2003 Yamaha YZ250, VIN man.com. #JYACG 13C03A000076. The bikes were stolen from a residence in Rockfield. Kentucky. Anyone with information regarding the the theft or MOVED: Applied Racing. to 42345 Avenida Alvarado, Temecula, CA potential recovery is asked to e-mail: DBR777vet@aol.com. or call • 92590,800/853-0555,909/694-3267.909/694-32679 Cfaxl. 270/842-2382.270/791-9483 or 270/320-8365. " " "" "" " """ " " "" " "." "" "" .. 2 AUGUST 13, 2003' cue I e ne'UVs . and Gas Gas will be August 30 at South Boston in Virginia. According to the FIM, due to injured riders and logistical problems, the United States team entered for the 2003 Speedway World Cup has been forced to withdraw from the competition. A team from Italy has agreed to stand in to maintain the participation of 12 national teams. Acerbis. the Italian manufacturer of plastic accessories for motorcycles and apparel for motorcyclists, has reached an agreement with Dorna Off Road, the promoters of the FIM Motocross World Championship, to be the title sponsor of the final two events of the series - the Ernee. France, round on September 14 and the Motocross of Nations, scheduled for Zolder, Belgium, on October 5 The two events will be officially entitled the Acerbis Grand Prix of France and the Acerbis Motocross of Nations, respectively. The Maxxis Stadiumcross Series was set to begin on Friday night, August 1, at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, with the five-race series using a new track design. Practice at the events starts at 6 p.m. with racing starting at 7:30. The series continues each Friday throughout August - the 8th, 16th, 22nd and 29th. The entry fee is $25 per class, with. no membership required. The gate fees are $10 per adult, and children 6-12 are $5. There will be practice on the stadiumcross track every Thursday during the month of August from 4 p.m. until dusk. Cost for practice will be $20 per bike, which includes the national, vintage, pee wee and stadiumcross tracks. For more information, go online to www.glenhelen.com or call 909/8803090. Continued on page 102