w
'."
W
th the imminent departure of
Chris Vermeulen to the factory
Suzuki MotoGP squad, and the confirmation that he would not be riding for
Honda or anyone else in World
Superbike again, James Toseland seems
poised to sign for the Dutch-based
Winston Ten Kate squad for 2006.
Fired from the factory Ducati
Xerox squad (along with his teammate
Regis Laconi) to make way for Troy
Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi, Toseland
traveled to Holland with his manager,
Roger Burnett, to discuss details of
their expected deal on October 22. An
announcement is expected imminent-
ly, but, as of Saturday, the tug-of-Iove
for Vermeulen's affections has prevented any notification of Toseland's
signature.
13 Years Of
Growth
>
g
D
g
When Toseland is confirmed, there
will also be a place in the factory
Superbike team for Karl Muggeridge
again. With this Ten Kate lineup in
place, all other things should fall into
place in World Superbike shortly
~
a:
thereafter.
Sebastien Charpentier is confirmed
for the Supersport Ten Kate squad. as
World Champion in 200S, but the second spot, if not filled by Michel
Fabrizio, is still up for grabs.
Craig jones, one of the team's preferred options for second Supersport
rider after his wild-card ride at Brna
this year, is no longer available, having
Motorcycle and scooter sales jumped
than during a strong 2004, according to
Motorcycle Industry Council statistics.
Among 12 of the leading brands, sales
of on-highway models for the third
quarter of the year are up 16 percent
compared to the same period in 2004.
From July through September, scooter
sales among these brands climbed 6S
percent, according to the MIC.
Sales are on track to eclipse the I million mark for the third straight year, again
reaching levels last seen three decades
ago, the MIC says. At a time when gasoline prices are topping $3 per gallon
nationwide, motorcycle sales are ready
recently signed as the second rider in
the Foggy Petronas World Superbike
to go up for the 13th consecutive year.
"Motorcycle sales have been on the
team.
rise for more than a decade, through
economic times both high and low,"
said Tim Buche, president of the
Motorcycle Industry Council. "While
there's no study or survey that directly
Gordon Ritchie
James Toseland looks set to replace Chris Vermeulen on the
Winston Ten Kate Honda team.
correlates increased fuel prices with the
popularity of two-wheelers, we do
know that dealerships, motorcyclists
and scooterists are fielding more questions from other motorists about what
Canadian Series Tests Pirellis
have a good feeling these tires will be durable
and last over a race distance. I think they'll be
With Pirelli set to be the spec tire of choice for
the 2006 Parts Canada Superbike Series, the
for a new line of 17-inch tires for the Canadian
a good tire for our championship."
kind of mileage they're getting. There
series, which mandates the use of stock 17-inch
The test also included Parts Canada
Superbike champion Francis Martin and fellow Suzuki rider Clint McBain, Honda racers
Steve Crevier, jordan Szoke and Andrew
Nelson, Yamaha's Pascal Picotte, and jeff
Williams on a Kawasaki.
are a lot of great reasons to ride, and
series promoters held a two-day test with some
rims, according to series promoters.
"We would have liked to have a warm sit-
try the tires at
Shannonville Motorsport Park last week.
Representatives from Pirelli's Italian head-
uation to look at the broader range of harder
compounds," Barbier said. "In spite of cold
quarters, including racing activities manager
temperatures, we haven't seen any bad tear-
Giorgio Barbier, attended the evaluation, which
ing or wearing on the tires, so the colder
was held in cool but mosdy sunny conditions on
weather has given us some good information.
We are using the same tires used in World
James, on a Buell, and Ducati's Derek
Vammus also evaluated DOT tires on behalf
Superbike and World Supersport, and we are
getting the same feedback from these riders
as we do in World Superbike. "
of the Thunder series.
of the top racers in the series to
Monday and Tuesday, October 17-18.
Despite the uncertain weather, there was
an overwhelmingly positive response from
both competitors and the Pirelli staff, according to the series promoters.
Canadian Kawasaki Motors rider Tom
Canadian
Thunder
champion
Darren
Martin recorded the fastest 600 Sportbike
time with a I:4S. 730 on his Suzuki GSX-R600
on Tuesday.
better fuel economy only adds to the
positives. "
The MIC recognizes 1973 as the
high point for annual motorcycle sales,
when Americans purchased more than
I.S million bikes. Sales in 1979 topped
the I million marik, but tapered during
the
I980s
and
early
1990s.
Motorcycling rebounded in 1993, and
the numbers have grown every year
since then.
"More and more Americans are discovering
what
motorcyclists
have
The Pirelli crew brought a selection of
DOT and slick rubber options. Slicks were
available in both 17-inch and 16.S-inch sizes.
Kipp set the best time over the two days with
a I:44.373 on his Kawasaki ZX-IOR. He
recorded that time on the first day, when
won the 200S Hindle Exhaust Pro 600cc
Sportbike title for the Diablo Honda team. "It
The 16.S-inch tires were similar to those
conditions were cool but sunnier than on the
seems we're adapting well. The product is
ibles. The experience of the trip itself
used in the World Superbike and World
Supersport Championships, where Pirelli is
also the spec tire supplier.
second day.
"I'm very happy," Kipp said. "The tires
seem to do a lot of things very well. They
absorb the bumps well. There's good grip. I
good. 1think there's great potential."
Pirelli has signed a three-year deal to provide the spec tires for all five classes of the
Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
becomes just as important, or more,
than the destination. It's a great sense of
Information from this test will fonn the basis
"I'm pretty impressed," said Crevier, who
known for a long time," Buche said.
"Bikes are really the ultimate convert-
freedom and adventure that starts from
the end of your driveway."
U.S. New Unit Motorcycle Sales
Supercross Goes CBS!
fans in 2005-06, according to Clear Channel.
The CBS broadcasts will be produced by
Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports
Clear Channel Entertainment's television
division has announced that six Amp'd Mobile
division.
"We are excited to bring supercross to
World Supercross GP/Amp'd Mobile AMA
win for everyone and the perfect platform to
give back to our loyal sponsors."
"We are thrilled to begin a relationship
with CBS Sports," said Charlie Mancuso, president of Clear Channel Entertainments' Motor
Sports division. "We're on the brink of anoth-
Supercross Series races will air nationally on
CBS Sports for the first time," said Rob
CBS Sports in 2006. In addition to the six
Correa, senior vice president of CBS Sports.
er successful supercross season, and we look
races,
air
"Our new relationship with Clear Channel
forward to its continued growth on CBS
December 2S, at S p.m. EST - totaling seven
hours of coverage on the CBS Sports network for the 200S-06 season.
In 2006, the following races will be covered on CBS Sports: Anaheim I and II, San
Entertainment's Motor Sports division and
supercross allows us to showcase an exciting,
Sports. This is now the best television package
Francisco, San Diego, St. Louis and Seattle.
Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael. "It's
opportunities like this that will position our
over the years. CBS Sports is the perfect plat-
sport to a new audience as well as giving our
showcase the great sport of supercross."
existing fans the great coverage they want. By
placing supercross on CBS Sports, it's a win-
A complete schedule with times will be
announced shortly, Clear Channel said.
1992 - 278,000
1993 - 293,000
1994 - 306,000
1995 - 309,000
1996 - 330,000
1997 - 3S6,000
1998 - 432,000
1999 - S46,OOO
2000 - 710,000
200 I - 8S0,000
2002 - 936,000
2003 - 1,001,000
2004 - 1,063,000
a season
preview show will
The combined television package of CBS
Sports and the previously announced cable
package with Speed Channel will deliver
supercross to an unprecedented number of
12
upcoming sport and help grow the fan base."
"This is the biggest thing to happen to
supercross in history," said four-time AMA
NOVEMBER 2, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS
the sport has ever seen. Taking the sport to
network television for six races and a preview
show on Christmas is a testament to the quality of growth that supercross has experienced
form for the riders, teams and sponsors to
Source: Motorcycle Industry Council
