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/128388
X-Fighters To Webcast n Thursday, July 21, one of the biggest freestyle motocross events will be held in a bull-fighting arena in Madrid, Spain: the Red Bull X-Fighters. And Americans will be able to watch it in the comfort of their homes or offices, thanks to a live webcast. The webcast is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern) on July 21 at www.redbullxfighters.com or www.spiketv.com. In O addition to checking out the action from the main camera, viewers can select from two web cams focusing on the riders' area and another one broadcasting images of the jury. A live ticker will also provide updates on everything that goes on in the stadium. The live stream will be featured via Windows Media Player. The action can be watched via broadband connections using Microsoft Internet Explorer v.5.0 or higher (on Windows versions running as Win95 or higher). For best reception of the live stream, you'll need Macromedia Flash Player and the current Windows Media Player installed on a Windows-based machine running Win95 or later, according to Red Bull. The event made its debut in 2002 with local hero Edgar Torronteras talking the win. In 2003, American Kenny Bartram won, and in 2004, it was Travis Pastrana taking home the victory. All three previous winners will be present in Madrid along with American Ronnie Renner, who, on April 22. won the first Red Bull X-Fighters match outside of Europe at the Monumental Plaza de Torros in Mexico City, witnessed by over 45,000 fans. Also slated to compete are Spaniard Dani Torres, Nate Adams, Australian Robbie Maddison, Norwegian Ailo Gaup, Brit Kris Brock, German Sebastian Wolter and Swiss Matt Rebaud. For more information, visit www.redbullxfighters.com. Schnitz Wins NHRA Denver National It took eight races, but there has finally been a advanced past the opening round. Though out- repeat winner on the NHRA Powerade Drag numbered, the Suzuki's were not completely Racing tour, as Muzzy Buell's Ryan Schnitz rode to victory at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at shut out as Brown advanced to the final by beating Karen Stoffer, Hines and Mateo Tools Bandimere Raceway in Denver, Colorado, on Suzuki's Craig Treble in the semifinals. July 17. Schnitz, who scored his first career NHRA win in Columbus, Ohio, last month, was the class of the Pro Stock Motorcycle field as he shut down U.S. Army Suzuki's Antron Brown in the final round. Schnitz, a former AMNPro Star champion, Schnitz made the quickest run of the opening round with a 7.47 against Michael Phillips, then moved on with a 7.48 against Tonglet's Screamin' Eagle V-Rod before stopping Chip Ellis overcame Brown's slight starting line advantage other side of the ladder, the fans in Denver were guaranteed to see a V-twin vs. four-cylinder to take the victory with a 7.51 elapsed time. At the finish, Brown was less than a bikelength behind with a 7.S5 effort. '.'The bike was great all weekend, really," Schnitz said. "We were number-one qualifier Friday before a couple of guys got around us yesterday. Then we just ran great through eliminations. "Now, our focus has definiteiy changed," Schnitz added. "When we started this year with the new Buell, I think we would have been ecstatic to have a top-five points finish. Then we won in Columbus, and with the way we ran this weekend we'd be selling ourselves short not to think albout winning it all. Our focus right now is to win the championship. We just need a few more weekends like this one." Racing in the thin air of Denver, the large dis- placement Buell and Harley-Davidson V-twins figured to have an advantage over their four-cyiinder Suzuki counterparts. That was certainly the case in qualifying, as twins claimed six of the first eight qualifying pos~ions, including a track record 7.43 by reigning NHRA champ Andrew Hines. in the semifinals. With the Buells of Ellis and Schnitz on the final. Though he came up short in the final, Brown remains the hottest rider on the NHRA Powerade tour. He has reached the final of the BORN: Landon Hideo Kai, to Suzuki advertising specialist Garrett Kai and his wife, Diane, in Laguna Niguel, California, on Wednesday, July 6. Landon is the Kai's first child, and his birth kept diehard race fan Garrett from attending the Red Bull U.S. GP. Papa Kai is no doubt pleased to hear of Laguna's later date for next year's GP that will allow him to not only be on hand for Landon's first birthday but to also attend the GP. HIRED: Kirk Holland, as marketing tions' Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows, effective immediately. Holland most recently served as business and circulation development man- lenger for the Powerade championship and the $50,000 bonus that goes with it. Mired in ninth ager for Cycle News Inc., publisher of Cycle News, Personal Watercraft illustrated and Moto Kids magazines. "I hate to lose, especially in a final round, but we've got to look at the big picture, which is the World Championship," Brown said. "We just team never quit. We just worked until we found a combination that worked." Tonglet and Schnitz are ranked first and second in the points, but Brown is just 49 points back in third. The race for the championship will likely in La Quinta, California. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Sun Enterprises in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, July 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. Riders from Team Amsoil Chaparral Honda, Team Honda, Team Kawasaki, Team Pro Circuit Kawasaki and Team KTM Red Bull are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 303/287-7566. OPENED: The official home page of the Siovalk ISDE. The site can be found at www.isdeslovakia.sk. The English version can be found by clicking on the British flag in the upper right-hand corner of the home page. HIRED: Dean Thompson as the direc- BORN: Eden Victoria Watts, to KTM off-road racer Shane Watts and his wife, Carrie, on Wednesday, July 13, in Winter Springs, Florida. need to keep winning rounds at every race, and that's what we did this weekend. Because of the altitude, the V-twins had a definite performance advantage this weekend, but our U.S. Army keting director for global direct response marketer Thane International manager of Advanstar Communica- last three events and has become a serious chal- place earlier this year, Brown has rocketed to second and is just one point behind leader Tonglet with seven rounds remaining. ately. Meirovitz was most recently mar- tor of communications for the Motor- cycle Safety Foundation, effective immediately. Thompson is responsible for promoting the MSF's key safety messages through media relations MOVED: The Familie/WMG Management, to 1545 Faraday Avenue, Suite 10 I, Carlsbad, CA 92008, effective immediately. The phone and fax numbers remain the same. efforts and public information programs, and for communicating the organization's positions on matters of motorcyclists' safety. Thompson will oversee the strategic development and production of print and video materials HIRED: Tony Meirovitz, as external relations specialist for the Victory that support these efforts. Thompson preViously worked on the American The twins dominated on race day. Schnitz, come down to the wire as there are currentty just Motorcycle and Polaris Snowmobile Hines, points leader G.T. Tonglet, Chicago winner Chip Ellis and rookie Matt Guidera all III points separating the top seven riders. Kevin McKenna Honda account at Dailey & Associates divisions of Polaris, effective immedi- Advertising in Southern California. 12 JULY 27, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS