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/128386
Briefly... Supercross 2005-06! Yoshimura Suzuki's Mat Mladin was the fastest rider at the recent Virginia International Raceway test, according to the racetrack. Mladin and all of the top AMA Superbike tearns tested at the facility in preparation for the AMA Supert>ike National there, August 26-28. Mladin lapped at a record I:24. I, bettering Miguel Duhamel's best from a year ago - a 1:24.404. "Obviously, most of that's got to do with the new bike. the GSXRIOOO," Mladin said in the track release. "So, it's all gone pretty well so far. We first threw a leg over this bike in February of this year, and it's still very young in its development process. We're certainly looking at developing it more and more as the year goes on." The event schedule for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will include three days of racing action, including two feature races for the headlining AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited as well as feature races for the supporting classes - including the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, AMA Repsol lubricants Superstock Series and Lockhart Phillips USA Fonnula Xtreme Series. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.virdub.com or www.rpmcolorado.com. Supercross Champion Ricky Cannichael will lead the troops into the series again in 2005·06. C lear Channel Entertainment-Motor Sports and AMA Pro Racing have announced the 2005-06 THQ World Supercross GPfTHQ AMA Supercross Series race schedule with the series featuring some familiar venues and one new one. "Once again, we are delighted to bring the world's fastest growing motor sport to some of the most prestigious stadiums around the country and into Canada," said Charlie Mancuso, president of Clear Channel Entertainment-Motor Sports, in a release. "The markets we will play in this year will allow tremendous exposure for the sponsors, the riders, the teams and the sport in general." AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth commented on the contin- ued strength of the THQ AMA Supercross Series. 'J\MA Supercross continues to be a great product," Hollingsworth said. "We've got the best riders in the world competing in the best venues in front of the most passionate fans. Rider and factory participation remains strong as does sponsor interest. Along with Clear Channel, we're looking forward to another tremendous year." Reigning THQ World Supercross GPfTHQ AMA Supercross Series Champion Ricky Carmichael will race for his fifth 250cc AMA Supercross Series Championship. Carmichael will race against a loaded field, including Kawasaki's two-time THQ AMA Regional Supercross Series Champion James Stewart, who missed most of 2004-05 with an iniury. and 2004 THQ AMA Supercross Series Champion, Yamaha's Chad Reed. The new stop on the schedule is Detroit's Ford Field, which was completed in August 2002 and is home to the NFL:s Detroit Lions. The $500-million facility has 65,000 seats and is in the heart of downtown Detroit. A 1.85-millionsquare-foot stadium, Ford Field has four levels of suites and a seven-story atrium. Ford Field replaces the race held at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, which is scheduled to be torn down in 2006. "Last year was a special season for me, and I look forward to returning to the stadiums that have been a part of my career for years," Carmichael said. "The addition of Ford Field is exciting because racing at a new venue challenges the riders and teams and gives the fans a new look at supercross. I enjoy racing on the West Coast, but I'm very comfortable on all of the East Coast tracks. I look forward to defending my title in 2005-2006 against talented riders like James Stewart, Chad Reed and Kevin Windham." The series schedule is as follows: December 3, 2005 - SkyDome, Toronto, Canada December 10, 2005 - B.C, Place Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia January 7 - Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California January 14 - Bank One Park, Phoenix, Arizona January 21 - Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California January 28 - SBC Park, San Francisco, California February 4 - Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California February I I - Qualcornm Stadium, San Diego, California February 18 - Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri February 25 - Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia March 4 - RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana March 10 - Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida March 18 - Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida March 25 - Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan April I - Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas April 22 - Texas Stadium, Dallas, Texas April 29 - Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington May 6 - Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada Texas Governor Rick Perry has signed into law a bill creating an off-highway vehicle program in the state, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. This legislation establishes an OHV trail and recreational area program, administered by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. The program will be funded through a decal fee paid by OHV riders and fines assessed against OHV operators for violation of OHV laws. The MIC, working in cooperation with riders in Texas and the Texas Motorcycle Dealers Association, took the lead in developing and advocating the legislation and coordinating stakeholder support. The new law, which was signed by the governor on June 17 and will take effect September I, will provide badly needed offhighway motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle riding opportunities in the state. Under the law, funding will be provided for the OHV trail and recreational area program to acquire, construct, develop and maintain OHV trails and other riding areas. Kathy Van Kleeck, MIC's vice president of government relations, commends the Legislature for recognizing the need to provide OHV recreational opportunities in the state and especially applauds State Senator Juan Hinojosa of McAllen for his tireless support and efforts to move the legislation through the process. Texas was second in the nation in the combined sale of ATVs and off-highway motorcycles in 2004 and ranks second in combined ATV and off-highway motorcycle population as well. Establishing trails and riding areas where these products can be used legitimately and in an environmentally responsible manner is a high priority, and the new law will serve to benefit not only the many thousands of OHV riders in Texas but the broader population as well. Continued on page 9 CYCLE NEWS • JULY 13, 2005 7