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/128329
LANEiSTON'S NEW RIDE Nissan North America Inc. recently recognized Grant Langston's 2003 AMA Superrnoto Unlimited and 2003 AMAOutdoor National Champ ionships. Mike Grollman (pictured with Langston), Nissan's lifestyle marketing sen ior manager presented him with the keys to a brand-new 2004 Nissan Titan pick-up truck . "Nissan is about performance, and Grant has certainly proven his ability to excel with his two championsh ips," said Grollman. "We know he will enjoy the new Titan and its outstanding capabilities." "This truck is very cool," Langston said. "It has everything that a racer could ever want in a pick-up. It is definitely an open-class machine; I've never driven a truck that runs this strong. I can load my bikes and my gear in the bed of the truck; Chelsea , my dog Slink and I can sit up front , and we still have plenty of room. This is a great way to celebrate my 2003 Championships - in style. I am very grateful for Nissan loaning me this truck." KTM and Nissan have enjoyed a close motorsports marketing relationship over the past three years. Nissan's re -emergence in the U.S. market has been solidified by its presence in major sporting events such as the AMA Clear Channel Supercross Series. You may be able to catch Grant with his KTMs in the back of his new Titan as he trains at local tracks in the So Cal area. BIG WIGS AT HANGTOWN The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) was present at the AMNChevy Trucks National Hangtown Motocross Classic at Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area, with its tra il-access education booth on vendor row. With over 40,000 fans in attendance to watch Honda 's Ricky Carmichael win the 2S0cc class and Team Kawasaki's James "Bubba" Stewart take the win in the 12Scc class, there were plenty of spectators in attendance to educate about trail access. The Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club (DDNMC) hosted the event, and their hard work showed in the excellent condition of the track . DDNMC and AMADistrict 36 also invited a number of elected officials and dignitaries to come and learn more about the sport of motocross and responsible offhighway vehicle (OHV) recreation. U.S. GOP Senate candidate Bill Jones was on hand for the festivities and was joined by a number of other legislators and staff. Ruth Coleman , state director for the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and RoyStearns, deputy director for DPR, were there to observe the event and the growing popularity of the sport. Scores of BRC members from local clubs including Far West Motorcycle Club, los Altos Dirt Bikers, California Enduro Riders Association, East Oakland Moto Bros, Redding Dirt Riders, High Sierra Motorcycle Club, Sierra Trail Dogs, Nevada County Woods Riders, and others stopped by the official BRCWeekend Warrior trailer to share their concerns about the current state of OHV access and the "green-sticker" program in California. Jones stated, "I really liked seeing all the families enjoying the sport of motocross at Hangtown today. It shows just how important it is for elected officials to work hard to provide quality trail opportunities for mountain bikers, off-roaders, equestrians, hikers, and other outdoor users in California." Don Amador, western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, said, "I am glad to see that more legislators are beginning to take an interest in our sport and now realize just how popular OHV and other forms of recreation are in California. It was great to have Bill Jones and other VIPs at the event so they could see the massive number of families interested in public land access. "I also appreciated that RoyStearns stopped by the BRC booth, where I relayed to him that a growing number of riders are concerned about the OHV program being unbalanced and 'upside down' with most funds being spent on consultants, law enforcement, and restoration. OHVers want to be treated fairlyand think grant funds should be restored to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail and campground programs ," Amador concluded , Which scenario is most likely to happen? A. Ricky Carmichael will win every 250cc National mota B. James Stewart will win every 125cc National mota C. Both will win every mota D . Neither will win every mota On-line poll results from last week With the AMA Superbike series now past the halfway point in the season, who do you think has the best chance of stealing the title from Mat Mladin? Miguel Duhamel Jake Zemke Neither, Mladin will win again 1599 320 582 Replies ; 2501 www.cyclenews.com (63.93%) (12.79%) (23.27%) CYCLE NEWS • JUNE 23, 2004 105