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/128389
Briefly... Continued from poge 9 A fter months of speculation, the AMA /""\held a press conference at round seven of the AMA National Motocross Series in Lakewood, Colorado. announc- ing the three riders selected to represent the United States at the Motocross des Nations. Ricky Carmichael of Havana, Florida, Kevin Windham of Centreville, Mississippi, and Mike Brown of Johnson City, Tennesssee, will be heading to Ernee. France, for this year's Motocross des Nations. This year, the des Nations will be returning to the old format with three classes: MX I, MX2 and MX3 (formerly 125, 250 and Open). The best overall team score takes the victory. Carmichael will be competing in the MX2 class, Windham in MX3 and Brown in MXI. Carmichael will be aboard an RM-Z450, Windham a CRF450 (with no big-bore kit) and Brown will ride a CRF250. As in past years, Roger DeCoster will manage the team. 50, what does the unofficial team captain, Carmichael, think about the team's chances at the prestigious event? "I don't think I can guarantee you guys a win, but I do know one thing: The people up here [Windham, Brown and DeCoster] definitely want to go, and I think that is important," Carmichael said. "I do believe we have the best shot to win, better than anybody. I don't think anybody can beat us. I look forward to going. It is going to be fun. I am glad everybody could come to terms and get this going. I am really looking forward to it. " As for Windham, after some serious consideration he decided to go. "This is a race I had to think about wholeheartedly," Windham said, "and put myself in several positions. We all came to the conclusion that we can do this, we want to do this, and we want to bring that trophy back to America. I am honored to be part of the team and honored to be going this year." For Brown, the race is especially meaningful, since he was supposed to be racing in Europe this year. He feels he has something to prove. "It's exciting," Brown said. "This is the third time I have been asked to go, and the other times it has not happened. It's great to be on the team representing America. I can't wait to get over there really. I have a lot of things to prove. I was supposed to be over there this year. I am looking forward to it." Advanstar's Arenacross Series Schedule Advanstar Communications has released the schedule for its 2005-06 Arenacross Championship Series, a 12-race series that kicks off at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, November 4-6. 'J\dvanstar's commitment to building a breakthrough Arenacross Championship Series, including an all-star race program produced by a handpicked veteran staff, will enable us to capture the hearts and minds of fans, riders and teams at every stop along the way," said Mike Kidd, race director for Advanstar Communications. "Backed with strong industry support, we have designed and created our new series to enhance Arenacross racing. From opening ceremonies to the final checkered flag, that's exactly what we'll do." The schedule is as follows: November 4-6 - Folt Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas November 11-13 - The Family Arena, ____S;,;t::...;,;lo",u""is, Missouri November 18-20 . Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado December 2' E-Center, Sail a e CW, UlBh December 9·11 - long Beach Arena, long Beach, California December 16=18 - andale rana, Glendale, Arizona January 6·8, 2006 - Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania January 13-15, 2006 - lawrence Joe Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Winston·Salem, North C~roljna January 20-22, 2006 - Cricket Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina January 27·29, 2006 - Augusta-liichmondl:ounty CivicJ&!ller Arena, Augusta, Geo'llia Feb 3-5, 2006 - Target Center, Minneapolis, MN ebruary 10-12, 2006 - Tulsa Convention Center Arena, Tulsa, Oklahoma won't find two people more different than Vanilla Ice and loretta Lynn," MX Sports director Tim Cotter says, "but this pairing fits perfectly with this event. Every summer, people from all walks of life, young and old, come together to compete and perform at Loretta's, and everyone has a good time. Seeing that as our guide, this really makes a perfect match." On Tuesday afternoon, Ice will take a few hot laps on the track alongside McGrath, who won an AMA Amateur National Championship at Loretta's in the C class in 1987. Ice, racing under his real name, Robbie Van Winkle, qualified for and raced the National in 1985, so both riders are returning to their roots. McGrath, a special guest of Thor, will take time out of his busy schedule at ESPN's Summer X Games to come back to the ranch and take a lap with Ice, as well as to sign autographs for fans. AMA Pro Racing has announced that the 2005 AMA Supennoto Championship will be televised on OLN beginning on Sunday, Au,gust 7. Each telecast will be an hour long and feature racing and highlights from each AMA Supermoto class: AMA Supermoto for 450<:c equipment, AMA Supermoto Utes for 250<:c equipment, and AMA Supermoto Unlimited for Open-class equipment 490cc and above. Former AMA motocross and AMA Supercross Champion David Bailey is set to host the telecasts, joined by veteran broadcaster Robbie Floyd. Rebecca Staub will be the pit reporter. "We're pleased to bring the AMA Supermoto Championship to a national television audience," said John Farris, AMA Pro Racing vice president commercial development. "For the continued growth of this relatively young series, as well as expanded commercial opportunities for the riders, teams and manufacturers competing in our championship, television is an important part of the equation." The 2005 AMA Supermoto season began on June 4 at Road America in Elkhart lake, Wisconsin, with KTM's Thierry van den Bosch and Yamaha's Doug Henry splitting wins in the Supermoto doubleheader finales, with David Baffeleuf and Mark Burkhart capturing wins in the Supermoto Unlimited and Supermoto Utes classes, respectively. Round two heads to USA International Raceway in Shawano, Wisconsin. on July 30. The schedule is as follows (all times EST, check local listings): Road America, Sunday, August 7 at 4 p.m. (repeat airing on Thursday, August 18 at 6 p.m.); Shawano, Sunday, September 4 at 5 p.m. (repeat airing on Thursday, September 15 at 6 p.m.); Copper Mountain, Sunday, October 3 at 5 p.m. (repeat airing on Monday, October 24 at 3 p.m.); Nashville, Sunday, November 5 at 5 p.m. (repeat airing on Wednesday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m.); Reno, Sunday, November 12 at 5 p.m. (repeat airing on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m.). Harley-Davidson Motor Company has named Gary Stippich as its Flat Track Manager. In his new position, Stippich will oversee and manage the Screamin' Eagle Flat Track racing program including day-to-day operations, continuing development and performance of the race team, according to Harley. Stippich, who is celebrating his 25th year with Harley-Davidson, has extensive experience with race engine design and most recently supported Buell racing efforts. Stippich will work with chief engineer Bob Farchione and engineer Brad Bishop, who've been working on the program, to help advance Harley-Davidson's role in flat track racing, according to Harley. "This was a great move for the company because Gary has been dedicated to Harley-Davidson racing for a long time and he has the knowledge to continue to move the program in the right direction," said Screarnin' Eagle racing manager Anne Paluso, to whom Stippich will report. "We've been working on rejuvenating the sport of flat track, and this is just one more example of our commitment." Stippich is looking forward to tackling the challenges of the new position. "Flat track racing is one of the most exciting fonns of racing. and we want to do everything we can to work with the AMA and our dealers to keep growing the sport," Stippich said. This year, Glen Helen Raceway is donating money from the I I RV pads and 23 premium overnight parking spots sold for "The Finals," the 10th annual Giant RVracing.com I25ccl250<:c Motocross Nationals on September II. All the money over the standard price of an RV spot or the premium overnight parking spots will go toward the Invitational Golf Benefit that benefits the Emergency Trauma Care Center at Loma Unda University Medical Center in Loma Unda, California. 50 far, Glen Helen has raised over $8000 with one more week to go. There are still two RV spots and five premium overnight spots available. To place a bid, e-mail silent-auction bids to auction@glenhelen.com. In addition, the sixth annual Racer X/Chaparral/Glen Helen Raceway Invitational Golf Benefit will be held on September 8 at the Jurupa Hills Country Club in Riverside, California. For more information, call Bill at 951/313-8260 or visit lomalindagolfbenefit.com. Restaurateur Don Ashton will host a benefit dinner for injured road racer Vincent Haskovec at his Tazzina Bistro restaurant in Woodland, California, on September 12. The cost of the dinner is $50 per person ($15 per child), with the proceeds split between the Wegman Fund and the Roadracing World Action Fund. The restaurant will run a continuous showing of the movies Faster and Fosler and Faster and will hold a raffle, and a MotoGP 2 Xbox challenge. For more information, visit www.tazzinabistro.com. Bipartisan bills have been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate that would end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists and ATVers, according to the AMA. U.S. Representatives Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas) and Ted Strickland (DOhio) introduced H.R. 2793, "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act." This bill would bar employers from discriminating against those who take part in activities such as motorcycling, ATV riding, snowmobiling or horseback riding in the health-insurance programs they offer their Continued on page J 5 CYCLE NEWS • AUGUST 3,2005 11