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/128394
Briefly... Hopkins Stays With Suzuki ohn Hopkins will stay with Suzuki's J MotoGP team for two more years, turn- ong his back on rumored offers from Ducati and elsewhere. And his teammate might be none other than veteran former 12Scc and 250cc World Champion Loris Capirossi. Hopkins has made his decision and was expected to sign on the dotted line on Sunday, August 28, at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno, team boss Paul Denning said after qualifying. he knows at Motegi." Denning said that they had been in discussion with Capirossi for almost a month - vision" is one that incorporates catering to confirmed by the Italian rider's manager Carlo Pernat. "We have spoke and exchanged a lot of current team rider Kenny Roberts Jr.'s situation. current team. "He's not been pushing, and all options are open at the moment," Denning said. "He will sit down with Suzuki people that all ages of Beginner-Novice-Intermediateand Expert-level riders. They are actively searching for riders to campaign the all-new 2006 Yamaha and Kawasaki off-road machines. This began, according to Clinton, by organizing a professional environment that most Amateur riclers could only dream of. They have put together an all-inclusive sponsorship program with team bikes, parts, accessories, apparel, graphics, performance modifications and CCM bucks. "This is truly a grassroots program," race support coordinator Chris Morton said. "Our goal is to further the racing development and increase the exposure level of each Amateur rider along With providing additional contingency opportunities to help offset the cost of going racing. We are also excited to announce the Team CCM Racing sponsors: Troy Lee Designs, Sidi Boots, Dragon, Bill's Pipes, TM Racing Engines, Noleen, Pro-Taper, Ferodo, PJ I, Twin Air, Sunstar and Tsubaki." All resumes must be submitted to CCM by November 15 for e-mails during the summer break," Pernat said. "Suzuki is a new project, with a new engine and a lot of things changing at the factory. So it is very interesting." But Capirossi has also been speaking to Team Pons regarding a possible Honda ride, as well as with Ducati, to stay with his But there was no firm decision yet on Clinton County Motorsports in Wilmington, Ohio, has launched what it calls "one of the largest Amateur support racing programs in the country." Clinton's "immediate "We will meet with them in Bologna next week," Pernat said. Michael Scott --- John Hopkins will stay with Suzuki for two more years. Jarrett Jams At Millville OMA Jimmy Jarrett rebounded from a disappointing DNF at the previous round to win the seventh round of the Parts Unlimited Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals yesterday at Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minnesota, August 28. Jarrett wasted little time getting to the front on his Andrews Cycles/Kenda/Moose-backed Suzuki RM250 and reeled off lap after lap out in front. "Yeah, I wanted to get away early because it was tight," the defending series champ said. "I knew if I could get a little bit of time on them, they wouldn't be able to see me and I could keep a gap on them, and that's what happened. It was awesome." Round six winner Justin Williamson managed to rebound from problems to finish a strong second. Just before the start, his bike broke and he was forced to borrow a bike, a 2004 Honda CR250R. Williamson had little time to install his handlebar, numbers and backgrounds before the race started. Despite having not ridden the machine before, he got a good start, diced with KTMhutt.com/Fun Mart Cycles/Moose KTM 200 EXC-mounted Shane Watts and ended up in second place. Watts settled for third, though he made a run at Henry Goes Home Graves/yamaha Factory Supermoto racer Doug Henry checked out of the hospital on Friday, August 26, and returned to his home in Connecticut to begin rehabilitation from injuries suffered at the AMA Supermoto doubleheader in Copper Mountain, Colorado, the weekend of August 20-21. Henry was hospitalized following a practice crash on Saturday morning at Copper Mountain on Saturday, August 20, and he was by mail to 6002 North U.S. Hwy. 68, Wilmington, OH 45177; by fax to 937/283-2219; or via e-mail to raceteam@c1intoncountymotorsports.com. ple miles that found him just off Williamson's rear tire at the finish. Brian Garrahan, on the Rentone. com/NorCal Motorsports/Moose Suzuki RM250, broke away in the final three laps for a solitary fourth place, leaVing Cole Calkins fifth on his Throttlehead.com/Kenda/Moose Kawasaki KX250F in his first race back since breaking a wrist in March. Jarrett leads the series in points with 152. Williamson is second with 145. Lafferty Clinches Enduro Championship KTM's Mike Lafferty clinched his seventh AHA National Enduro Championship after winning the ninth round of the series in Cutler, Ohio, August 28. It was also Lafferty's fifth consecutive victory in this year's series. In Ohio, Lafferty dropped 16 points, topping the 19 points put up by runner-up review and consideration. Send resumes Williamson in the final cou- John Barlber, who rode a Gas Gas. Finishing third was Throttlehead.com/ Kawasaki's Steve Hatch, who dropped 20 points on the day. Rounding out the top fIVe were KTM riders Billy Russell and David Lykke. Russell carded a 20 and Lykke a 21. Lafferty had a smooth and consistent Jimmy Jarrett returned to his winning ways at the OMA National in Minnesota. ride, winning or at least tying for the quickest times in all nine special tests. His victory gives him an insurmountable points lead over Hatch, who is a lock for second overall in the series. The 29-year-old Lafferty is now tied for second with Randy Hawkins and Bill Baird on the all-time title win list with seven. Dick Burleson leads with eight titles. admitted to the hospital with injuries that included a collapsed lung, cracked peivis and a shoulder injury. Fresh off winning X Games gold and leading the 2005 AMA Supermoto Series, Henry's championship aspirations wili be postponed as his injuries will force him to miss the 1998 AMA National Motocross Championship, Henry is determined to add another AMA title to his resume. Already up and walking, Henry has started physical therapy with thoughts aimed toward the 2006 season. Cards and letters for Henry can be sent to remaining rounds of the AMA series. Yamaha Motor Corporation, attn: Racing A legacy firmly cemented in the annals of motorcycle lore as the pioneer of the four-stroke motocross revolution with the first-ever Supercross win, followed by the Department at 6555 Katella Ave., Cypress, CA 90630. Henry plans to appear at the October I Supermoto race in Reno, Nevada, to sign autographs and greet his fans. Motocrosser/supercrosser Josh Hansen has inked a two-year deal with Answer Racing that will see him in Answer gear for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. After almost winning the AMA 125cc Eastem Region Supercross title early this year, Hansen was forced to take the summer off to have surgery on his wrist and knee to prepare for another title chase in 2006. "We are superexcited to have signed Josh to a two year deal here at Answer," Answer's marketing manger Erick "Big E" Bartoldus said. "Just to have him in our gear is going to be a big plus for us in regards to where we are taking the brand. Add in the remarkable father and son aspect with his dad, Donnie, and you have the makings for a great story." Hansen will contest the two World Supercross rounds on his Red Bull KTM 250 SXF this December in Canada before starting his assault on the I25cc East Series on February 18, 2006, at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, according to Answer. The final round of the Worid Long Track Championship scheduled for New Plymouth, New Zealand, on November 5 has been canceled, according to the FIM. The championship will now consist of four rounds, with the final round slated for Morizes, France, on September 3. At round seven of the Racing Enterprises Motorsports' 19th annual Summer Series on August 13, the Whittley Murphy Scholarship Foundation announced its award recipients for 2005. The foundation was established last year in honor of 19year-old motocrosser, Whitney Murphy, who was killed while competing at a REM Continued on page 9 CYCLE NEWS • SEPTEMBER 7,2005 7