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/128341
No des Nations For America Carmichael vs. Everts in the Motocross des Nations? Not going to happen in 2004. AMA says. However, even adequate funding would not eliminate the obstacles facing U.S. participation . "There must be a value return on such an expenditure, and that clearly isn't there in the U.S. now," said AHA Pro Racingvice president of commercial development John Farris. "There are also logistical issues. Event scheduling and broadcast coverage are just two areas we'd like to see addressed. In spite of diminishing interest from the teams and riders, [Steve I Whitelock has put forth a tremendous effort in trying to assemble a team worthy of representing United States motocross. However, with each potential team, there were a number of issues that couldn't be overcome." Farris went on to say that as the financial burden to field a team continues to escalate, the American distributors will see less of a return on their investment. Costs, cou- pled with the timing of the event, make it difficult to justify supporting the event. "It's apparent that the American motor- cycle distributors and most of the riders competing in AMA consider Championships to be their main priority," MA Pro Racing made it official last week: There will be no Motocross of Nations team from the United States competing in this year's event in Holland. According to AMA Pro Racing were considered, but in all cases it was Whitelock. "While we had some riders impossible to ensure that there would be adequate support. "In spite of an advance planning process and an open dialogue with key members of express a willingness to represent the United said Farris. "Under the current circumstances, committing the resources neces- States. in most instances it was not possible sary to travel to Europe for the MXoN to secure the necessary approval and support from those riders ' contract holders." contesting the AMA Supercross and AMA Supercross/Motocross manager the motocross industry, in the end it proved Complicating the matter are the growing Steve Whitelock, a number of team options unrealistic to send a team this year," said costs associated with fielding a team, the A series No Aprilia Superbike Team For '04 great races together - Yamaha and I." It's official: You will not be seeing an Aprilia in this year's AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship. The word came at Road Atlanta from David Lewis, one of the principals with Italica Racing, the gro up whose splashy introduction at Infineon Raceway back in April has come to nothing. As always, it comes down to money. Lewis "They're the ones I feel most bad ly about," Lewis said. Mike Hale, in addition to ridingSupermoto for Rockwell Honda, is finishing his degree in finance. Matt Wait raced Formula USA at Barber Motorsports Park and had a Supermoto ride with Carmichael Honda. The plan is for the pair to con- explained that the main investor, an Australian with business interests in Europe. test the remaining AMA Supermoto rounds. Lewis decided that the wobbly financial condit ion of the parent company made investing in a race team a questionable endeavor. "Why invest in a brand that may not be there next year?" Lewis asked . tried arranging a ride with Corona Extra EBSCO Media Suzuki at Road Atlanta, but it didn't come together. He'd also like to Lewis said some of the smaller sponsors Aprilia Mille for the team. Then he showed up under the Corona Extra EBSCO Media Suzuki tent at Road Atlanta, working on Marty Craggill's Superb ike. Fasola had talked to team principal Landers Sevier prior to the race , but it was only on Monday that he got the call to join the team for the finaltwo races and possibly beyond . see them racingin the sea- were still on board, though they haven't been son asked to make a financial contribution. finale "They want to do it in the worst way," Lewis said. The future may become clearer in the coming weeks, when Lewis traveis to the Intermot show in Munich to meet with Aprilia. Until then, his main job is keeping his riders busy. Motocross seasons is a difficult business decision for everyone." "They finally pulled t he plug about a month ago," Fasola said of the Aprilia project , but not before he 'd invested considerable time. He'd begun work on the bike when the team was announced at Infineon Raceway the first weekend in May. The funds had dried up, but not before a host of broken promises . "It's going to be here, it's going to be here ; tomorrow never comes," Fasola Matt Wait (left) and Mike Hale (right). No ride for 2004 - at lea st with Aprilia. he said. "We had everything mocked up and ready to go." Fasola had specs to make plstons. valve springs, valves. con- necting rods . He'd gone to Texas for two weeks to work on the engine with Phil Darcy. On a computer engine-s imulation program, Fasola said the engine would have made close to 180 horsepower. "I think it had some potential ," he said. Once he got back to Georg ia, International Raceway . "Basically, they sat out all of the season," Lewis said. Georgian Vic Fasola, meanwhile, had been hired to develop the 10 SEPTEMBER 15,2004 • CYCLE NEWS at after having spent the past nine months Virginia there were plans in place to outsource the parts. 'lo'J l we need is the money," Fasola said. Henny Ray Abrams 40th Anniversary