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/1546195
Team Moore Racing's Michael Blose was the Most Improved Privateer at the Mil- lville National MX, August 13. Blose cap- tured the weekly award presented by Wonder Warthog Racing (WWR) by improving 10 positions from his 33rd over- all at Washougal to 23rd at Millville. He is the second Blose brother to win this sea- son, as his brother, Chris, won it at the Detroit SX back in April. Michael Blose will receive a check for $500, sponsored by Dana K. Business Parks and Mike Alessi. Travis Pastrana will compete at the Jere- my McGrath Invitational. Taking place October 6-7 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, this first-ever Super- cross-style race will showcase unique head-to-head race action, never-before- seen track designs, exciting entertainment and the largest purse ever offered in the sport of Supercross racing - $500,000. "This event not only sounds like a lot of fun, but I am really looking forward to rac- ing some of my old friends," Pastrana said. That head-to-head racing action is some- thing I haven't done much of, so it'll defi- nitely be something new and exciting for me." Via the strategic partnership formed between Jeremy McGrath and Wasserman Media Group, event organizers have also obtained commitments from 12 other top Supercross riders to race. Confirmed rid- ers include Michael Byrne, Tyler Evans, Tim Ferry, Josh Hansen, Jeremy McGrath, Davi Millsaps, Travis Pastrana, Travis Pre- ston, Nathan Ramsey, Andrew Short, Heath Voss, David Vuillemin, Nick Wey and Kevin Windham. Event coverage will air on NBC on October 22 - post a Nextel Cup NASCAR race. Call 1/888-MCRACE1 or Ticketmaster for tickets and visit www.jeremymcgrathinvitational.com for additional event information. Wonder Warthog Racing, in conjunction with Dana K., DeCal Works, and other sponsors, is announcing the creation of a new rider-development program. This "Internship" will provide support for two deserving riders who would have been otherwise overlooked. Dana Kellstrom, of Dana K. Business Parks, will fully fund the system for the 2007 Supercross season. Two team slots will be established - one each for the West and East Coast Super- cross Lites series. This will be a unique program that will strive to provide more than an excellent racing platform. There will be an equal focus on helping the interns build life skills - skills that will be assets during and after they are finished racing. There will also be a structured sys- tem for graduation to the Supercross class as well as a "no holdback" policy. "The Warthog guys have been doing great things for the sport for several years now. When they mentioned the concept of an intern- ship position on one of the teams, it sparked my interest," said Dana. "I believe that there is a need to get young riders ready for everything that comes in life after they've hung up their boots. Our interns will have to work very hard to make it through our program, but it will be worth it. Everyone is going to win." Dana K., as he is known, will be selecting the two rid- ers from a large pool, including the ama- teurs, current AMA pros, and even the GPs and other international racing circuits. Scott Kandel, chief altruistic officer of Wonder Warthog Racing, is very excited about Dana K.'s contribution - money, knowledge of riders and racing, and most importantly, his proven ability to help peo- ple reach their potential. "This program will help us live up to our tag line - Dare to be Different," said Kandel. "Of course, we will continue to run our other Team Warthog programs that reward all the pri- vateers, not just these two positions." The selection and acceptance process will be demanding, as the riders and their families must sign up for a rigorous activity-based system, similar to a boot camp. The pro- gram is structured to test and build the intern riders, both on and off the track. The interns will be riding out of the Team SoCal Racing/P-LoK/Lucas Oil tent. Darrell Saldana, team manager, said, "We want to create the opportunity of a lifetime for these kids. Dana K. and Wonder Warthog Racing just seem to know how to think outside the box and make positive things happen." The selection process will begin immediately. Inquires about the program can be made to scott@wonder- warthogracing.com or dsaldana@srtusa2.com More information about the program can be found at Won- derWarthogRacing.com. Toyota announced that the company will sponsor Yamaha's Josh Hill for the remain- ing four 2006 AMA Motocross races and through the 2007 season as part of the Toyota Motocross Team (TMX). TMX sup- ports amateur motocross riders by provid- ing them with sponsorships, integral train- ing and exposure to help them move forward in the sport. Hill, who was just signed to the factory Yamaha team earlier this week, becomes the second member of the TMX Team for the 2007 season. Last week at Loretta Lynn's, Sean Hackley won his chance to move forward to the pros, via the TMX Athlete Program, as well. The TMX Athlete Program saw 20 riders com- pete for their chance at the "grand prize," a sponsorship and truck from Toyota and a place as a pro rider on the Motoworld Rac- ing PPG Yamaha team. "It's thrilling for us to see the TMX Team come together with the addition of Josh Hill on the heel of sign- ing Hackley at Loretta's," said Doug Fris- bie, engagement marketing manager for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Josh is such a talented rider, it's great to have him join the TMX Team and we can't wait to see him out there racing as a pro for the first time this weekend at Millville." As a Toyota-sponsored rider Hill will receive a Toyota truck, training and exposure through Toyota marketing efforts. TMX Team member and factory Yamaha rider Hill will be sporting Toyota logos at his first race this Sunday at Millville. Hill will be running number-X375 aboard his Yamaha YZ250F in the remaining 2006 Toyota AMA Motocross Lites class and the 2007 Supercross Lites and Toyota AMA Motocross Lites series. AMA 2005 Horizon Award winner Stevie Bonsey inked a deal with Kenny Roberts Sr. to go road racing. Bonsey, who comes from dirt-track roots, as do the Haydens, Bostroms and Roberts, was courted by fac- tory Suzuki and was asked to travel to Japan in September. But the latest word is that the deal with "King Kenny" is solid. It is also said to be a multiple-year contract, and no word has been released as to what make engine will power Bonsey. But with the huge success of Kenny Jr. with the Honda, it could be speculated that the Honda connection would prevail. Love the hit reality TV show American Chopper? Then head to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum on August 19 for Cus- tom & Cruiser Culture Saturday. The event will be an opportunity for motorcycle enthusiasts to trade tips and pick up new ideas for customizing their bikes. One ride that should provide plenty of inspiration is the event's featured bike, a Panhandler by Skunkworx and winner of the 2005 Easyriders Bike of the Year award. All cus- tomized bikes are welcome at the event; metric and American, accessorized cruisers and chopped customs, modern and vintage. Visitors are invited to enter their bikes, free of charge, in one of the three classes of the Custom Bike Show. Custom & Cruiser Cul- ture Saturday will include demonstrations from pinstripers and painters, tattoo artist Tom Boyce working his body-art magic, and motorcycle historian Ed Youngblood pre- senting the illustrated history of motorcycle customizing. Admission for Custom & Cruiser Culture Saturday is only $10 ($5 for AMA members) and includes access to all museum exhibits, including the expansive "Motocross America" and the newly opened "SuperMann," which chronicles the career of the legendary Dick Mann. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the address is Motorcycle Hall of Fame Muse- um, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, Ohio 43147 (20 minutes east of Colum- bus). For more information, phone 614/856-2222 Shoei will be accepting applications for sponsorship starting September 1 through October 31, 2006. Shoei says it will be accepting all sponsorship applications through SponsorHouse. Resumes submit- ted via e-mail, mail, or any other method will no longer be accepted. To submit your sponsorship application, visit www.spon- sorhouse.com. Create a free account, build your online profile, and submit your appli- cation early for first consideration. Fees may apply for upgraded services, but you can contact Shoei directly at no charge by following these instructions. Mike Kidd Entertainment Group (MKEG) has announced that BooKoo Energy Drink has signed as the title sponsor for the BooKoo Energy Supercross to be held during the Oklahoma State Fair in Okla- homa City on Saturday, September 16. "We are very excited to announce the BooKoo Supercross during the state fair in Oklahoma City," said Mike Kidd, president of MKEG. "The fair is going all out this year celebrating their 100th anniversary and we are proud to be a part of this historic event." Shane Schaefer, event manager added, "The track will be constructed in front of the main grandstand of the half- mile dirt track giving room to create a track that will be fun and challenging for the riders, while entertaining to our fans." Over 500 riders are expected to compete in front of a full grandstand of racing fans. Professional racing will consist of two classes: 250cc and 450cc, along with a vari- ety of youth and amateur classes. Discount tickets can be purchased at House of Kawasaki in Oklahoma City or at all tick- ets.com outlets, including the State Fair Arena box office, at participating metro- area Homeland stores in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, online at www.tickets.com or by calling 800/511-1552. A convenience charge may apply. Additional information and entry forms, contact Mike Kidd Enter- tainment Group, 7429 Airport Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas, 76118. Phone: 817/595-5844. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and AMA Pro Racing have extended the registration price of $2000 for the package tour to the 2006 Motocross of Nations Tour for all AMA members. This year's Motocross of Nations will be held on September 23-24, at the Matterley Basin circuit in Winchester England. The special tour package is a weeklong trip that pro- vides tickets to the Motocross of Nations, and includes roundtrip airfare from New York, accommodations, a grand tour of London and ground transportation. All reg- istration forms must be received by Thurs- day, August 10 at 5 p.m. Eastern; $2000 (per person double occupancy) for all AMA members; $2300 (per person double occu- pancy). The 2006 AMA Motocross of Nations Tour departs from New York on Tuesday, September 19 and arrives in Eng- land on September 20. On Thursday, Sep- tember 22 the travelers will take a Grey Line tour of London, visiting famous land- marks such as Westminster Abbey, Buck- ingham Palace, Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral. The itinerary also includes lunch at an authentic English Pub. On Fri- day, September 22, the party will travel by coach to the hotel in Basingstoke. On Sat- urday and Sunday (September 23-24) the travel party will be transported to the Mat- terley Basin circuit to watch the 60th annu- al Motocross of Nations. On Monday, Sep- tember 25, tour goers will have a day to tour London independently and on Tuesday, September 26, the American contingent will fly back to the United States aboard British Airways. The 2006 Motocross of Nations Tour includes Team USA gear (MXoN hoodie, tee shirt and hat). Only 50 seats are available and reservations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. For additional details contact Cyndi Freeze- Cain at 614/856-1910 ext. 1232. The following is a release from Jess Roed- er Blue Spring H-D Racing Team: It is with a troubled heart that Jess Roeder announces that his and Skip Eaken's part- nership has come to an end. Jess stated the he "totally respects Skip and what he has accomplished, but unfortunately, things were just not working out. Nobody wanted this relationship to be successful more than me, but at some point you have to face facts and realize some things just don't work out. I don't blame Skip in anyway for my less-than-stellar season, I just had to make a change and this was it." Jess has struggled for almost the entire season, only AUGUST 23, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 10