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
Barros Fined for Contract Breach he Paris Court of Arbitration has fined Camel Honda's Alex Barros $2.9 million in a contract dispute with Altadis, the parent company of Gauloises, according to a press release from Gauloises Racing. The Brazilian must pay $2.9 million plus interest at a rate of 3.85 percent on the amount "so awarded from November 2003 until payment," the release said. Barros also has to pay 70 percent of the $150,000 in court costs and an additional $180,000 "as contribution to Claimant's costs and expenses T incurred for this arbitration." The award is immedi- ately enforceable. The dispute arose after Barros switched teams at the end of the 2003 season. Having signed a twoyear contract with Altadis to ride a Gauloises Yamaha at the end of the 2002 season, Barros chose to abandon the contract at the end of the 2003 season for a seat as Nicky Hayden's teammate on the Repsol Honda. The breach of contract caused Altadis to take legal action and sue Barros before the Paris Court of Arbitration, "not only to protect its own interests but also for the good of the sport itself," the release said, adding, "The decision issued by the Arbitral Court on this procedure is definitive and without any possibility of appeal." Barros moved to the Camel Honda team at the end of the 2004 season and finished third in 5unday's rain-sodden British Grand Prix at Donington Park. A French court has ordered that Alex Barros poy $2.9 million, plus interest and court costs, as punishment for prematurely abandoning sponsor Gauloises in favor of a Repsol Honda ride at the end of 2003. I Briefly... Yamaha's Jason Raines won round six of the 2005 AHA 5ports National Hare 5crambles 5eries at Dutch Sport Park in Bloomingdale, Michigan, on July 24. Raines outdistanced Kawasaki's Chuck Woodford, his closest rival in the series points standings. KTM's Robbie Jenks was third. With the win, Raines stretched his series points lead over Woodford to 24, I22-9B. Brian Garrahan (KTM), who finished fifth at the Bloomingdale round, is third in the points, with 81. Jenks is fourth, with 72, and Patrick Garrahan (KTM), who finished ninth at Bloomingdale, is fifth in the points, with 68. Round seven is schedule to take place in Logan, Ohio, on July 31. Australian Chad Reed will compete on home soil this year, heading the Aussie lineup at November 12-13's clash between New Zealand and Australia in the Oceania Motocross Championships (OMXq, to be staged at the Barrabool track at McAdam Park near Geelong in Victoria, according to event promoters. The race will be Reed's only appearance on an Australian racetrack this year. Reed has thrown his weight behind the SMCC's mission to save the much-loved Barrabool track at McAdam Park, with the club hoping a profitable event will generate the finances to purchase the property from the family of the late Clive McAdam. "It's been too long since I've raced motocross in Australia. and I can't wait to come back and compete against all my Australian mates," Re~ said. "We need to put those Kiwis in their place. To lose a motocross track like McAdam Park would be disastrous, so I'll also be doing what I can to help the club save it. It will be a serious hit out for me, racing against the Kiwis, as the tough competition will be instrumental in preparing me for the 2006 American Supercross season, which starts in early January. Hopefully, a big crowd will show up, and I'd like nothing better than to beat the Kiwis as part of a winning Australian combination." Loretta Lynn herself will introduce hiphopper Vanilla Ice's return to motocross when he performs live at the 24th annual Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn's Ranch on August I. Ice will perform cuts from his new album, Platinum Underground, and will be introduced on stage by the first lady of country music herself, Loretta Lynn. The next day, Vanilla Ice will take to the track he once raced on alongside another Loretta Lynn's graduate, seven-time AMA Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath. "We're very excited to bring Vanilla Ice back to the ranch, this time as a performer," says Thor Motorsports manager Hylton Beattie. "This is a once-ina-lifetime pairing of Loretta Lynn, Vanilla Ice and Jeremy McGrath, and we're glad Thor was able to make it happen. The only way to see this is to be at the ranch on Monday and Tuesday:' Ice will perform at the conclusion of the rider's meeting on Monday night in the Amsoil Arena, and Lynn will make an appearance there as well to welcome the racers and introduce Ice. "You Continued on page I I CYCLE NEWS • AUGUST 3,2005 9