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/128602
a second slower," said Chili. who was on hand for both tests. Corser tested a new clutch as well as several different Dunlop tires. "I'm delighted with the Aprilia RSV's potential," Corser said. "Now I know that we can be a big surprise for somebody next season. The engine is really fast on top speed and at mid-range, and the chassis is beginning to feel how I want it. I have a good feeling again with the Dunlops that I last used in 1994 on the Fast By Ferracci Ducati in the U.S. Championship. I got a good feeling with the front. and I also tested many different solutions for the rear." Kawasaki held a press conference/ employ· ee briefing last week at its company headquarters in Irvine, California. to outline the launch of buykawasakLcom, an e-commerce site that will provide customers with the ability to shop for and purchase Customers at buykawasakLcom will be required to select a supporting dealer prior to making a purchase, and that deal- The website will also feature an electronic parts catalog that Kawasaki customers can access, though the parts themselves won't be offered for online purchase. KawasakLcom, the company's corporate website that opened in March of 1996, will continue to operate· with the site averaging 7,309,692 hits per month, according to Kawasaki. Kawasaki views buykawasakLcom as another way to build the Kawasaki brand while enhancing customer satisfaction and promoting sales. Also, with the company's ability to update its online accessory catalog instantly, customers wilJ be able to see the very latest from Kawasaki's accessory line and will be able to purchase those items without having to worry about whether their local dealer has the item in stock - thus making availability a non-issue. Dealers will also no longer be obligated to handle retums as the Irvine (Califomia) distribution center will serve as the national consumer retums center for buykawasakLcom. "How excited are we about the potential of buykawasakLcom for Kawasaki customers and dealers?" asked Bob Shepard, KMC's executive vice president. ·Within our corporate offices, people have been volun" teering to be involved in this project, both during regular work hours an'd afterward. They know that this site will really set us apart." Buykawasaki.com will be open 23 hours and 45 minutes a day, making after-hours shopping possible for Kawasaki customers. KTM''s Joel Smets won all three motos at the Beaucaire International Motocross in France, February 20, but the big news of the day was the injury to four·time World Champion Stefan Everts, Competing for only the second time on the factory Husqvarna four-stroke, Everts went down in the second moto, breaking his left arm in two places. Everts was flown back to Belgium, so he could have the anm set by his personal doctor. Surgery was required, and Everts is scheduled to be released from the hospital on Thursday, February 24. Everts' team manager, Dave Grant, h.ad this to say about the incident: "He missed the star! after stalling the bike at the start of the second moto. He thought about coming in but was enjoying riding the bike and stayed out to get some extra time on the bike. He then came to pass a slower rider, and the rider moved over on him. Stefan then landed on a post on the side of the track, and he knew his arm was broken at that moment." Everts is expected to miss just one race, the opening round of the FIM World Championship 500cc MX Series in Broadford, Australia, on March 19. Despite the injury, Everts and Grant are still hopeful of a fifth World Championship. "It's only the start of the season," Grant said. "One race won't lose the championship. He will only miss the Australian GP and be back for the Italian Grand Prix on April 2." Smets. meanwhile, breezed to victory at the Beaucaire event, the first major motocross race of the year in Europe. "The KTM I am riding is very good," Smets said, "We did a nttle work in the offseason, but this bike was already good, It's just up to me to get a little more familiar with it, then I think I can do even better." Frenchman Yves Demaria, on a Yamaha, finished second overall, folJowed by Mickael Maschio, on a Kawasaki, Mickael Pichon, on a Suzuki, and Frederic Bolley, on a Honda. Geoff Meyer Kawasaki accessories ooline. The site, which will open for business on April 5, will integrate established dealership service channels with a national-level inventory of Kawasaki accessories, including clothing and gear. according to Kawasaki. "We're giving our dealers the opportunity to make a quantum leap in the type of service they can offer their customers in the apparel and accessories area," said Rodger Howe, KMC's general manager of acces" sories. "In one day, they'll go from being part of a traditional 'brick and mortar' mar· keting channel, to being an innovative 'click o KTM factory rider Eric Hallgath underwent knee reconstruction surgery on February 8 at Henry Mayo Hospital in Valencia, California. Hallgath is expected to return to racing shortly and will contest the AMA National Hare & Hound Series on a 250 and the Big Six Grand Prix Series in the 125, 250cc and Open classes. ~ o n u er will receive credit for the sale, as well as 60 percent of the gross margin from the sale. Initially, some 7500 items will be avail" able at buykawasaki.com with orders being fulfilled by Kawasaki's Atlanta, Georgia, dis" tribution center, a center that Kawasaki says offers not only the most expertise in the back·end portion of the business, but one that is also strategically located to offer the fastest delivery. According to Kawasaki, 81 percent of all zip codes are located within three shipping days of the Atlanta distribu- and mortar' enterprise." AMA dirt track racing veteran Steve Morehead has been hired by AMA Pro Racing and will join the management team of the AMAlProgressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships. Morehead, who has retired from active competition after racing full time with AMA Pro Racing for 26 seasons. will serve in a new role to improve communications among AMA dirt trackers, teams, and headquarters staff. Morehead's responsibilities will also include supervising track inspection and pre-event preparation, as well as coordinating other event logistics at the races. "If I didn't think I had something to offer to help make this sport better, there wouldn't be anything to get excited about," Morehead said. "I understand where the riders and teams are coming from. and I think I can help nip some things in the bud before they become a problem. I think [AMA flat track managerl Bruce Bober is a great guy, and he needs the help, week in. week out. 'I'm also impressed with [AMA Pro Racing CEO] Scott Hollingsworth, and what he's been able to accomplish in 11 short months. He realizes AMA Pro Racing needs proper staffing to make this all work. " tion center. C " LJ 8 manager Steve Johnson was also at the race, working with the new Cal Wells team and driver Scott Pruett. Pruett finished 15th in the Grand National race on Saturday and 19th in the Daytona 500 on Sunday. MotorcycieUSAcom has announced the launch of Fantasy Racing 2000, and fantasy racers can now sign up and create their team in preparation for the first race at Daytona on March 13. Motorcyc1eUSAcom and Alstare Suzuki are also making it possible for one player and Among those spectating at the Daytona 500 car race on February 20 were Mike Hale and Steve Morehead. Hale was hanging out at the hauler of his agent, Cary Agajanian. while Morehead was seen checking out the Craftsman Truck Series prior to heading off to the AMA headquarters in Ohio, where he will soon start his new job. Former Muzzy team guest to meet Pier-Francesco Chili and Katsuaki Fujiwara of Team Alstare Suzuki in the pits at Laguna Seca during the World Superbike round in July. For more information, see MotorcycieUSAcom's home page on the World Wide Web. Freestyle motocrossers Brian Deegan and Mike Metzger will go head-ta-head in a freestyle motocross contest at the Monster Jam World Finals, scheduled for March 25 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 25, For more information, call 800/974-1010. Ken Maely phoned the Cycle News offices to tell us about how he went "under the knife" on Friday, February 4, at Kaiser Hospital in Riverside. Maely, who will celebrate his 80th birthday in May. underwent outpatient surgery in order to have a pacemaker installed. "They had to put it in to slow me down." Maely said. "But I went in for a couple hours and then came home and got back to work. making steel shoes." So far, Maely reports that there have been no complications. "Hell no." Maely said. "I'm too busy for complications. " NAMED: Uni Filter, as the associate sponsor of TheEdgeSports.com's FreeRide Moto-X Championship Tour. NAMED: Pace American, as the official trailer of AMA Pro Rac• ing. Pace American will also be the title sponsor of the AMA U.S. Hillclimb Championships. NAMED: Corbin-PaCific, Inc.. as the official motorcycle seat of AMA Pro Racing. OPENED: Factory Effex's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.facto. published by GTIF Publishing. the publishers of American Road & Racing (formerly American Roadracingl. CORRECTION: The Pro Clean Women's Intemational Motocross Championship. scheduled to be held in England on August 19, will not be co-promoted by OM-Sports Management, as reported earlier. For more information, call TRPromotions at 909/520-0948. OPENED: Hardline Products' home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.hardlineproducts.com. OPENED: Hale on Wheel's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.haleonwheels.com. OPENED: FantasyRacer.com's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: http://www.fantasyracer.com. ryeffex.com. MOVED: The Gravity Agency to 1875 Pomona Road, Unit A. Corona, CA 92880, 909/817-9084. 909/817-9084 (fax). ANNOUNCED, A new publication, Motorcycle Street & Strip, as the official publication of AMAIProstar, beginning with coverage of their first race in Gainesville, Rorida. The magazine will be NAMED: The G.M.D. Computrack Network as the official title sponsor of the WERA National Endurance Series for 2000. The series gets underway on April 8 at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Bob's Cycle Supply in SI. Paul. Minnesota, on Friday, March 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. Team Amsoil/Competition Accessories/Jack in the Box/Factory Con· nection Honda's Mike laRocco is scheduled to appear, along with the teams of FMF/Honda, SplitFire/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, Bill's Pipes/Motorious.com Suzuki and A.M. Leonard/KTM. For more information, call 651/482-8181. . .•............•••..•......•••.•..•.......•.•••............•.••........•..•.............••.............•........••.•..•.....................................••.•••...........•........ 2 MARCH " 2000· cue I e n e vv s