Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Brief'Y··· Gibernau To Ducati MotoGP MSR and Factory Red Bull KTM rider Nathan Ramsey announced that the two parties have reached a two-year agreement for Ramsey to use and endorse MSR apparel through the 2007 racing season. Ramsey, who finished second in the 200S AHA 12Scc Western Region Supercro55 Series, said that he is excited about joining the MSR team "This is a great opportunity for me, and I am really looking forward to being part of the MSR team," Ramsey said. "Right now I feel great, the gear looks great, and this tends to make me ride really well." MSR marketing manager David Casella 15 equally excited. "I couldn't be happier about bringing Nathan on board," Casella said. "He is a class act, and we see nothing but great things coming from this partnership." Ramsey's MSR deal replaces his relationship with Acerbis, which is rumored to be pulling its riding apparel lineup from the U.S. marketplace. S ete Glbernau will replace fellow Following the Spaniard Carlos Checa on the final MotoGP of Marlboro Ducati, the team the season in announced after the final MotoGP Spain on round in Valencia, Spain, on November 6, Sete November 6. The contract is for Gibernau signed one year, with an option for 2007. a controd that "I believe Sete is a very strong will see him rider," said Ducati's MotoGP projreplace Carlos ect Uvio Suppo. "This Checa on the Marlboro Ducati season has bMn very tough. Every MotoGP squad. time he's had a setback, he's been able to come back and fi&ht at the front. This rMaI1S that he is mentally strong." For Gibernau, it's a lifeline after he lost his Gresinl Honda ride to Toni Elias. Gibernau was the favored son of sponsor Telef6nica, but the Spanish telephone giant pulled Its sponsorship from the paddock when Dani Pedrosa was put on the Repsol Honda team. Having groomed Pedrosa from the start, Telefonica wasn't pleased to see its investment go elsewhere. Glbernau was in discussions with Sito Pons for a ride on his Honda tearn, but there were two significant barriers. The first was that Pons couldn't supply a factory machine. Honda Racing Corporation had previously said there would be two factory machines for the Repsol Honda riders, Nicky Hayden and Pedrosa That didn't stop Glbemau from asking Pons to inquire, which he did, on the Friday of the GP weekend, only to be rebuffed. Then Pons lost his Camel backing on Sunday night, which threw the future of his team into turmoil. Gibemau and Suppo first spoke at the Czech GP back in July. The pair kept in touch, with the Spaniard visiting the factory during the summer. "We realized that during the season Sete was available," Suppo said. "We had to do it. Sete came straight after the race to sign the contract." Suppo believes Gibemau has the same motivation his teammate Loris Capirossi had when he came to the tearn in 2002. manacer, "When I speak with Sete, I see the special light in his eyes," Suppo said. "I really believe this was the best choice for Ducati. One real advantage of having Sete Is that when we started this project In 2003, neither Loris [Capirossij nor [Troy) BayliSS had another four-stroke experience [Bayliss had ridden a Ducatl Y-twin In World Superbike). When we signed Carlos [Cheal, we knew that he'd ridden the Yamaha, and now Sete has vast experience of Michelin tires and Honda. So now we are able to understand from him where we need to improve our bike. The rider will never take away the secrets of Honda, but we will know the good points and bad points of our bikes when Sete rides." Suppo was asked whether Italian Max Biagg; would have been a better choice. "Honestly, I don't think that would be possible at all," he said. "Can you imagine how hard it would be to manage a tearn with Loris Capirossi and Max Biagi? A real clash of personalities. lWo big-name Italian riders - we'd find it an Incredibly diffICUlt challenge." Henny Ray Abrams Toyota To Back AMA National Arenacross For Three Years Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports division has announced that Toyota has signed a three-year agreement as the title sponsor for the AMA National Arenacross Series. The official title, Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series, is effective immediately. "We are proud to welcome Toyota as the title sponsor of the AMA National Arenacross Series," said Ken Hudgens, vice president of marketing for Clear Channel Entertainment's motor sports division. "During the next three years, Toyota will be an important contributor towards the continued growth of this great series." Toyota's involvement as title sponsor of the AMA National Arenacross Series began on Friday, October 28, in Albany, New York, and sets a new precedent in the sport of Arenacross. "It's important for Toyota to be where our customers are, to support their interests and activities," said Jim Farley, vice president Toyota marketing, Toyota Motor Sales USA. "Those that ride off-road motorcycles also drive trucks; the two go hand in hand, which means Toyota should be part of this industry." As part of Toyota's title sponsorship of Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports' AHA National Arenacross Series, Toyota will be Included in all print, television, radio and electronic advertising promoting the series. Toyota will also have significant presence within AHA National Arenacross Series on Speed Channel, starting in January. In addition, throughout the series, promotions will be implemented by local Toyota dealerships in each race market to strengthen Toyota'S involvement with the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series championship and to offer fans the opportunity to become more familiar with Toyota trucks. Select events will feature the pop- ular "Tacoma Off-Road Test Drive," where fans can actually get behind the wheel of Toyota's Tacoma truck and maneuver through a series of dirt obstacles, including hillclimbs, off-camber turns and other challenging elements. For more information on the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com. While attending the MotoGP season finale at Yalencia over the November 5-6 weekend, Cycle News correspondent Gordon Ritchie picked up on the following World Superbike chatter: Fonsi Nieto's plans for SBK are still up in the air, as his intended move to the Kawasaki PSG-I team may be scuttled, If rumors of a Regis Laconi move to the team prove true. Laconi was linked with a return to the SC Caracchi team for 2005 (having previously ridden for them in 2(03), but that berth looks more likely to go to Ruben Xaus, who would seem to be on his way back into the World Superbike paddock. Another move to Selmat Ducati seems to have been prevented for both Gianluca Nannelli and Laconi, as funding is still an issue - a common characteristic of the end-of-season negotiations for almost everyone. Jurgen van den Goorbergh was at the Valencia GP and confirmed that he was trying to land the second Supersport ride with Ten Kate. "It would be a great mix to have a Dutch rider in a Dutch team, and I only want to do something next year if it can be done properly," said van den Goorbergh. The other rider still in the running is Gianluca Nannelli, who has not yet agreed to terms to run on a Ducati and has a strong recent pedigree to draw on, thanks to a successful season on an SC Caracchi 749. Arnaud Vincent was linked with a move to the World Supersport Championship at Yalencia, the 30-year-old Frenchman having a torrid time in 250 GPs on the Fantic this year. AHA Grand National dirt tracker Tim Eades signed a one-year extension with Reggie Amos Custom Homes Inc. for the 2006 AHA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship. "We had a good building year last year and are expecting very good things in the future," Eades said. The team finished tied for 18th in the 2005 championship and is aggressively seeking out a Harley-Davidson dealership to strengthen its program. The tearn is also currently supported by 5ilkolene, Shoei, Motion Pro, Supertrapp, Outerwares, EBC, Monsterplates and Rekluse. Conlinued on page 9 CYCLE NEWS • NOVEMBER 16,2005 7

• Cover