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/1542352
l-- -rx txe llrvtND l Ped Bull KTIY's leff Alessi swung a leg over a bike again and competed in his first race since in,uring his anklet earlier in the year. Alessi, who was set to compele in the Supercross Lites East Supercross Series before Setting hurt, competed at an REM motocross mce at Glen Helen l'4X Park, on April 8. He finished second behind his older brother. Mike. Jeff is expected to return to the Pro rank for the openinS round of the AMA Toyota National Motocross Series at Hangtown on Play 21. The AMA is commend jn8 West Virginia for enactinS a law supporting the goals of the AMAs "Justice for All" campaign. The Reckless Driving Bill, also known as "Danny's law'' after West Mrginia motor- cyclist Danny Kneisly, passed unanimously in both houses of the state legislature and was signed into law April 4 by Governor Joe Manchin, who is an avid motorcyclist. The new law increases penalties, includ- ing iail time, for reckless-driving viola- tions. lnstrumental in the passage of Danny's Law was ABATE of West Vir- 8inia, along with Kneisly's family and other motorcyclist activists. 'Wesr Vir- ginia motorcyclists can be proud, as we are, thar their legislators and their gover- nor value justice," said lmre Szauter, AIYA Legislative Affairs Specialist. "We urge other states to follow West Virginia's example, and we encourage all motorcy- clists to work with the AI4A and with state motorcyclists' rights organizations to change rhe way the iustice sys(em sen- tences drivers." Suzuki has announced Yoshimura as the new naming-ri8hts sponsor of its Aus- tralian Superbike team - Team Yoshimu- ra Suzuki. The deal sees Yoshimura step up its support of the team with the view to developing a long-term relationship between the race team and Australian Yoshimura distributor, Mat l'lladin lmpons. On a global level, Suzuki has had a long and sustained connection with Yoshimura and its products, and the rela- tionship has obvious advantages for both parties- "The fit is a very natural one that will benefit all parties and encourage information sharing betlveen Australia and America,'' Mladin said. "While my U.S. racing commitments don't allow me (o 8et home as much as I might like, this is the perfect way for me to increase my interests in the Aussie race scene.'' Sport- ing updated livery Team Yoshimura Suzu- ki will take ro the track for the flrst time this weekend, April 7-9, for round one of the 2006 Ausrrahan Superbike Champi- onship at Sydney's Eastern Creek lnterna- tional Raceway. Rocker Ted Nugent will perform at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgas, South Dakota on Thursday, August I 0 during the annual Stur3is Motorcy(le Rally. Nugent will join a reunited James Gang with.loe Vr'alsh. The Progressive Group of lnsurance Companies has announced that its Pro- gressive Direct brand, which is sold by phone and online, is now a sponsor ofthe 2006 Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series. fu pan of the sponsorship, Pro- gressive Direct will reward ride6 who get the holeshot lead, in the main event at each race for the remainder of the sea- son. ln the AMA Supercross class, riders who get the holeshot will receive $1500, while in the AMA Supercross Lites class, riders will receive $ 100O. The agreement also includes prominent on-track siSnage, on-site and lnternet promotions, give- aways and broadcast exposure. "We're thrilled to be part of bringing AMA Super- cross racing to families across the U.S.," said Miriam Deitcher, advertisinS manag- er, Progressive Direct. "Rewarding the rider who gets the early lead in the main event is a perfect fit for Progressive Direct, since we've been leading the way in insurance innovation for years." The MRO Community Center and Fit- ness Trailer will be available to all mem- bers of the AMA racinS community at Barber lvlotorsports Park, April 2l-23. The lvlRo Community Center will have activities available for children two years old and up, as well as activities for those who are older. The l4RO Firness Trailer is a mobile workout facility containing the most recent Life Fitness exercise equiP- ment, according to MRO. The community centeT and fitness trailer will be available for free to riders, crew members, offi- cials, media, etc. and their families. For more information, visit www.go2mro.com. The Pikes Peak lnternational Hill Climb has announced that tickets are now on sale for the 84th runninS ofthe Pikes Peak lnternational Hill Climb at all Front-Range King Soopers and Tick- etswest locations and ohline at www-tick- etswest.com or www.ppihc.com. The Yamaha Dealers Series gets stan- ed on May 2l at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, with racers set to use the same track the AMA Pro riders will race on durinS the Prequel Warm-up MX Race on May l3 and again at the 125/250 AMA MX National on September 10. Pre-Entries are online at www.glenhelen-com. lf you sign-up with your local Yamaha dealer. you will get $5 off mce-entry coupons and you can also save $5 by pre-entering online. The AMA and Nationwide Mutual lnsurance Company have announced a new partnership that makes Nationwide the AMAS "Motorcycle lnsurer of Choice." Under the terms of the three- year agreement, Nationwide will ofler Al4A members its Rev & Ride motorcycle coverage at discounted rates. ln addition, new Nationwide motorcycle policyhold- ers that aren't members of the AMA will receive a one-year AMA membership. The partnership also offers Nationwide opportunities to sponsor maior AMA events. ''We've been looking for a part- nership like this for a long time, and we're thrilled to be working with Nationwide," said AIYA Chief Executive Oflicer Parricia DiPietro. "The insurance discounts will be a great benefit for AMA members, and Nationwide's commitment to helping the AMA grow is a testament to the power of this program." Makita USA, lnc. has announced the winner of its Maximum lmpact Sweep- stakes. Karen Hearn of Chatham, Virginia, won the Max'd Our Nadonal Grand Prize consisting of a Weekend with Ricky and a Suzuki RM-2450. The Weekend with Ricky is an all-expense paid trip for two to Carmichael MX Kamp with the reigning 2005 AHA Supercross/Motocross Cham- pion Ricky Carmichael, plus she will get $ 1000 spending cash. Karen Hearn entered the llaximum lmpact Sweep- stakes online at makitatools-com while registerinS her husband's new l'4akita power tool. Parts Unlimited by SBS has announced a new contingency proSram cominS to WERA for the 2005 season. The payout will include all National and Regional events, including the National Endurance Series, totalinS $87,000 in contingency money. Racing 2 Save Liyes Executive Director Stan Foxworthy has announced that Yamaha Motor Corporation has ioined on as a major sponsor for the Eric Bostrom Chariry Event at f'liller l'4otor- spons Park. to be held April l3-16. "We are thrilled that Yamaha has recoSnized us for the positive work we are doing in the motorcycling communaty," says Foxwor- thy. "This will help pave the way for an even better 2007, with more events around the country-" ln addition, Red Bull has donated five pairs of general admission passes to the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix that will be included in a silent auction. For more information. visit www.racing2savelives.ore The Xtremeys has announced thar Mal- colm Smith will present RoSer Decoster with the 2006 Xtremey Hon- orary Achievement Award. The awards will take place on l'lay 9 at the Shark CIub in Costa Mesa, California, For more infor- mation, visit: www.xtremeY. net. FIM World Endurance Championship organizers FGSport have announced an agreement with website www-MotorTvit that will see the official championship- hiShlights program made available online. The 26-minute television proSrams will feature EnSlish language commentary by Clive McNeil. They will be available online to all World Endurance fans on the Friday after each race, and there will also be short video clips providing interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The first round of the World Endurance Champi- onship will be held at Assen in Holland on the Monday following Easter, Apral 17. More information, visit www.worldEn- durance.com and www.MotorTVit. For the last 25 yea6, the AMA has helped bring riders and enthusiasts to the ISDE/ ISDT events throughout the world, and this year is no different. The Al4A has already started taking reservations for this year's ISDE event in New Zealand. For more information on the travel package, visit hft p://www.amadirectlink,com/travel/ trips.asp#ISDE or call 800/860-5710. AMA/Prostar has announced that it has signed a multiyear agreement with Lock- hart Phillips USA as the new sponsor of the Supersport class- The class began in 1995 as 600 SuperSport but as the l000cc bikes took over in popularity, the l000cc machine evolved as the leader in factory and participant involvement, according to Lockhart Phillips, The class has produced champions such as Keith Dennis, Rickey Gadson, l''larty Ladwig and Ryan Schnitz- I'lazda has announced it has extended its existinE contract with the Sports Car Rac- ing Association of the lvlonterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) and will remain the title spon- sor of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for at least five more years. The iust- signed contract eitends the two organiza- tions' current relationship throuSh l'1arch 201 l- "(3ur successful partnership with SCRAMP and Laguna Seca over the past five years has made the raceway our home away from home. The two-and-a- half-mile circuit is the ultimate zoom-zoom for racers, race fans and Mazda enthusi- asts everywhere," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of MNAO (Mazda North America Operations). 'lAnd with the extension of our relationship, the best times at lYazda Raceway Laguna Seca are yet to come-" Yamaha's lamie Staufer has won four sraight races in the Australian Superbike and Supersport classes, the former Yoshimura Suzuki AMA Supersport rider winning eveD,thrng in si8ht in the openinS round of the series at Eastern Creek on April 9. "lt's certainly been a great week- end for us. The bike was perfect in every way and really used its tires very well - there is a real synergy between the YZF- Rl chassis and the Dunlop race-tire pack- age" said Stauffer. "The quality of the field was very high, and I really had to keep focused on the job at hand with so many of the big-name riders from Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki close behind.'' Al1A Supermoto and X Games racer Steve Drew will compete in the 450cc class for East Coast Wheels and Pinit l4otorsports KTH, and Wisconsin native Cole Walsdorf will compete in the Super- moto Lites class. Jeff Roberto from East Coast Wheels will manage the team. 8 APR[. 19, 2006 . CYCLE NEws