From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

COLD AND WET SHROUDS VALENCIA TESTS. A strong contingent of 2005 SBK and Supersport Championship contenders, attending an unofficial test at Valencia on 13 and 14 December, found their plans to test their new machines somewhat hampered by the cold and generally wet weather conditions. After a first day blighted by early rains, and the wet track taking time to dry, many of the teams’ hopes were pinned on better weather on day two. Another day of early wet conditions, and a track that held water all day in the single digit temperatures, meant that most teams finished their sessions early, looking to early season tests in 2005 to complete their planned improvements. Valuable wet weather information was nonetheless gathered for official tyre supplier, Pirelli.

PITT TAKES SECOND HELPINGS. 2005 Yamaha signing Andrew Pitt had his second test on the YZF-R1, having spent three sun-kissed days at Valencia in mid November. With new suspension, slipper clutch and engine mapping modifications to test, Pitt worked through the days but was not able to try out all the new parts for his official Yamaha. He set a best time approaching the 1:40s bracket.

MORE NEW YAMAHA INTEREST. Yamaha power has shown to be the choice of the DFX Racing team this year, the former Ducati runners having their first combined tests with three riders, Jose Luis Cardoso, Marco Borciani and Miguel Praia. With ultimate fastest times from the test proving to be near meaningless in the poor weather conditions, local rider Cardoso nevertheless set competitive times while long term DFX employee Borciani and 2004 rookie Praia needed time may need time to make the transition to four-cylinder power, after their Ducati seasons in 2004.

DUCATI STILL FAST. Despite the absence of the official Fila Ducati squad from this unofficial test session, one Ducati rider put his name right in with the best – Lorenzo Lanzi. The 2004 factory Supersport rider makes the jump to Superbike in 2005, and at Valencia was running his Scuderia Caracchi 999 hard to set a 1:40.0 lap time. Affected by the weather as much as any other, Lanzi had an off on day one, saving his best lap for day two.

WALKER TESTING SUSPENSION. The PSG-1 Kawasaki team of Chris Walker and Mauro Sanchini doggedly lapped Valencia, as Walker attempted to overcome some issues of rear end performance on his 2005 machine. He tried different rear shocks and swingarms on his ZX-10, as he searched for a useable set-up to take to the next tests.

BERTOCCHI KAWASAKI. Giovanni Bussei was one of the many Kawasaki riders on display, setting a best of 1:40.9 on his big ZX. Alongside the World Superbike riders, Kawasaki racing also featured at Valencia, testing race kit parts for development purposes. The GMT endurance team had Davide Checa in attendance, running to a best of 1:40.1, an impressive result in such conditions.

SUPERSPORT

Some expected top competitors in the 2005 Supersport battle had outings on their new machines, with Yamaha showing off its official entry, the Yamaha Motor Germany team, for the first time. New signing Broc Parkes and existing rider Kevin Curtain sang the praises of the new front end and engine response of the R6, with Curtain nonetheless limiting his lap count in the tricky conditions.

The Team Italia Megabike squad, not in possession of their new Hondas quite yet, had Fabien Foret and Michel Fabrizio lapping the 4km Valencia circuit. The fastest rider on show in Supersport was Gianluca Nannelli (Scuderia Caracchi Ducati 749) who set a lap of 1:41.3.

UNOFFICIAL TIMES

SUPERBIKE

Lorenzo Lanzi: 1:40.0 SC Ducati 999
Davide Checa: 1:40.1 GMT Endurance
Andrew Pitt: 1:40.5 Yamaha Italia
Jose Luis Cardoso: 1:40.7 DFX Yamaha
Sebastien Gimbert 1:40.8 Yamaha Motor France
Giovanni Bussei: 1:40.9 ZX-10 Bertocchi
Chris Walker: 1:41.5 Kawasaki PSG-1
Mauro Sanchini: 1:42.4 Kawasaki PSG-1
Stefan Nebel: 1:42.7
Marco Borciani: 1:43.3 DFX Yamaha
Miguel Praia: 1:43.7 DFX Yamaha


SUPERSPORT

Michel Fabrizio: 1:40.4 Team Italia Megabike Honda
Gianluca Nannelli: 1:41.3 SC Ducati 749
Broc Parkes 1:42.00 Yamaha Motor Germany
Kevin Curtain: 1:42.00 Yamaha Motor Germany
Fabien Foret: 1:45.00 Team Italia Megabike Honda
Pere Riba: 1:45.00 Kawasaki
Jurgen van den Goorbergh: No time given. SL Ducati 749.

From a press release:

Keigwins@thetrack 2005 Schedule:

2/12-13 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

2/18 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA

3/5-6 Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

3/21-22 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

4/25-26-27 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

5/6 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA

5/9-10 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

5/29-30-31 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

6/4-5 Reno-Fernley Raceway, Fernley, NV

6/13-14 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

7/3-4-5 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

7/12-13 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

7/31 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

8/1-2 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

8/27-28 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

8/29-30 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

9/4-5-6 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

9/19-20-21 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

10/8-9 Reno-Fernley Raceway, Fernley, NV

10/15-16 Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

10/24-25-26 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

11/12-13 Thunderhill Park, Willows, CA

12/20 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA

For additional information, e-mail [email protected] or call (650) 949-5609.

From a press release:

SULLIVANS USA™ and JOE ROCKET® SHIFT GEARS INTO THE FUTURE.

After 28 consecutive years attending the International Powersports Dealer Expo, Sullivans USA Inc.™ have decided to change their marketing and Dealer show plans in order to better situate themselves as industry leaders, both presently, and in the future.

“Staying ahead of the curve and accommodating the demands of our dealers has necessitated some positive changes,” said Bobby Sullivan, President of Sullivans USA™. “Implementing these changes has resulted in our decision not to attend the International Powersports Dealer Expo. There has been a shift in the industry over the last few years and premium dealer service has become a large priority for us. The recent opening of our 100,000 sq foot warehouse in Dallas Texas is a reflection of those priorities.

“2004 has been a record sales year for Sullivans USA,” said Derrick Welch, Sales Director for the company. “Our decision not to attend the International Powersports Dealer Expo will result in resources and programs that will prove to be more fruitful to our dealers in 2005 and beyond.”

“Joe Rocket® has become the leader in motorcycle apparel by being proactive in its marketing and business planning,” said Randy Robison, President of Joe Rocket.® “With the profusion of regional shows across the country, the value of the International Powersports Dealer Expo has been diminished. This decision will allow Joe Rocket® to address the unique demands of the motorcycle apparel market with specialized sales programs that retail dealers need to be successful.”

From a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi Ducati:

ENDED IN VALENCIA THE TWO DAY TEST FOR SUPERBIKE AND SUPERSPORT

Dark cloudy sky and cold in Valencia for the final day of the test scheduled for the 2005 World Superbike and Supersport teams.

Lorenzo Lanzi on the 999RS Superbike has done a long work on the setting, forced to start by zero because the set up found yesterday in wet conditions wasn’t obviously good for today. The work upgraded so step by step, following the track conditions that was drying, also if it remained large wet areas. They have been tested several new tyres solutions developed by Pirelli.

“The track hasn’t never been full dry.” – said Lorenzo Lanzi at the end of practices – “Actually three quarters of the track were good for slick tyres, but it remained a couple of very wet points that, with this temperature, never more as 10 °C and missing the wind, never dried. So it was more safe to use an intermediate tyre, at least at the front, and only at the end I’ve been able to use the slick. In such bad weather conditions we’ve not been able to complete our test program, we found however a good set up for wet conditions yesterday and I’m happy about today’s work because, also if some of the factory top riders were missing, I believe that nobody has been faster as my 1:40.0 lap time.. Now at home we have to go on with the developing job, then next January we’ll control our actual position at the first test with all the teams.”

A lot of job also for Gianluca Nannelli on the 749R Supersport. The Florentine rider worked strong on the rear suspension, looking for the best handling. Unfortunately a new rain shower at the beginning of the afternoon, just when the track was going to be dry, prevent to finish the scheduled work on the new tyres.

“This stupid weather ruined all our test program.” – commented a disappointed Gianluca Nannelli – “In this occasion we gave the priority to the tyres and suspension setting, let the engine as it was in Magny Cours, but we have not been able to exploit at the best that occasion because at the beginning of the afternoon, when the track started to be dry in the racing line, started to rain once more. Just a few minutes, but enough to ruin everything. I found the bike better, also with a slippery track like today, better handling and I got a very good feeling about the bike and now I open the gas with better confidence. My best lap time today has been 1:41.3 and I’m quite satisfied. The team is working very hard to get the bike I want. I’m really happy with them, they work without pressure and this is very important for a rider, also if maybe sometime I’m rather impatient, like I believe is for all the riders.”


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:

World Superbike and Supersport squads in rain dance at Valencia

Despite wet weather and cold ambient air temperatures, Yamaha Motor Italia’s world superbike team and the Yamaha Motor Germany’s world supersport squad tested in Valencia on 13th and 14th December. The test proved a good opportunity to try out both development and race kit parts on the 2005 YZF-R1 and YZF-R6. Even allowing for the far from perfect conditions the teams proved to be satisfied with the performance of their latest spec machinery, which will be tested in a more complete fashion at Phillip Island in late January.

In superbike Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia, YZF-R1) made progress on what was an updated version of the machine he tested for the first time at Valencia in mid-November. New suspension components and revised engine mapping, combined with work on a slipper clutch, were the primary points of interest, even if testing time was cut short by with the slow-to-dry track surface on day one. A patchy surface to start and one final return of the rains on day two foreshortened further meaningful trials of new components.

In the supersport class, for 600cc machines of an even closer relation to a showroom machine than a production based superbike, the all-Australian pairing of Kevin Curtain and new Yamaha signing Broc Parkes had their very first taste of the latest YZF-R6. Even allowing for a shortened combined first day lap count (20 for Parkes and only six for Curtain) the riders expressed great confidence in the front end feel and feedback levels of the new middleweight marvel. Parkes, a new signing for the 2005 season, tried both 2004 and 2005 machines, voting the latest race-kitted model a clear improvement, even at this early stage of his Yamaha career.

Rider Comments
Andrew Pitt: “We continued with the new bike, building on what we had at the last test here in November. I did about 40 laps today, around 50 yesterday and I set a best lap in the 1:39 the first time I went out with slicks on front and rear. The surface was patchy with water in some areas but pretty much dry the first time I went out on slicks. Just as soon as I came into the pitlane again the rains came back. We worked on the mapping and injection systems a lot, to get the best response from the engine. We also tried some rear shocks with new settings, and so on. With it being so wet it was hard to get some of the info but we could definitely feel some improvements. I also tried out some different clutches and I think there are still a lot of progress to be done on that aspect of the set-up. Our next tests is at Phillip Island in late January, so we should have much better weather there.”

Due to contractual reasons Yamaha’s second 2005 season Superbike rider will not be announced until January, with his first test on the YZF-R1 taking place at Phillip Island on January 23-25.

Yamaha Motor Germany Team Manager – Terrell Thien: “The new R6 has certainly impressed the riders already. Even Broc, who is a new signing, could feel the improvements made between last year’s bike and the 2005 one. Kevin has a lot of experience on the previous bike so he rode the new one, and he was immediately happy with the front-end feel. Even if it was wet or damp all the time, the riders put in some good laps.”

Kevin Curtain: “Even with the rain these tests have been really good for us because the new bike feels incredibly different compared to the previous one. The new front end feels a lot more stiff and planted during turn-in and mid corner. The engine is still in the relatively early development stage but already the horsepower is smoother and appears over a wider spread. I only did about a dozen laps in total on day two. The track was wet again when we got here this morning and takes an incredible amount of time to dry so there were a lot of damp patches around the tarmac. I think I did a 1:41.5 lap but the track surface was dangerous in these conditions. If we had carried on we were going to get false information and in the early afternoon it started to sprinkle with rain again. We learned enough to realise, even now, that this bike is an even better package than the previous R6.”

Broc Parkes: “The test’s been pretty good and it’s nice to be working with Yamaha. They are clearly putting in a really big effort and the bike is excellent. I started on the old one and ended up on the new one, but it was a big step upwards in every aspect. It’s a shame the weather meant that we didn’t have a fair test, just because of the limited time we had on the bike. Conditions have been terrible. I was starting to dry out but two laps after lunch it started spitting again. Kevin and I flew in on Sunday from Australia and we’re flying out again tonight, Tuesday. My body and mind are still on Australian time! Kev is a good guy and along with the all-German team we’ve been working very well to test as much as we could.”

From a press release issued by White Buffalo Racing:

White Buffalo Racing is launching our new online shop to better help our customers shop online for the products they want. Discount pricing is available to registered customers of White Buffalo Racing. The discount prices can be viewed after a registered customer logs onto the online shop. To register, go to the link for the new online shop on our website www.whitebuffaloracing.com and follow the easy steps for registration. Please allow 30 minutes after you register to re-login so the proper fields can be filled for your discount pricing. Many items are now on the shop, and more are added daily. Please check back frequently for new products.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IMS SHOW BRINGS OUT THE BEST MONSTER CHALLENGE ENTRANTS TO DATE

Each round of the Monster Challenge has increased the competitive level and the Long Beach show demonstrated some of the best Ducati Monsters yet.

Cupertino, CA – December 14th, 2004 – The search for the coolest Monster in North America continued with round three at Cycle World’s Southern California motorcycle show. The competition was the fiercest yet, with amazing Monsters from Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. Also on display at this show was the Desmo Chopper by MotoCreations. This bike drew huge crowds of Ducatisti, Harley, and other riders.

All the entrants at Long Beach had excellent Monsters, making judging a difficult challenge. So, Ducati recruited some professionals for the task. The celebrity panel of judges included Eric Bostrom from the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin AMA team, Doug Polen the 2-time World Superbike Champion, Brian Catterson of Cycle World, Jeff Buchanan of Robb Report Motorcycling, and Larry Williams of Moto-Euro Magazine.

The experts awarded 1st place to Bill Johnson from Mesa, Arizona for his turbocharged 1996 Monster 900. Bill’s bike makes 112 HP at the rear wheel with the forced induction system. Aside from the chrome appearance, the bike features a ceramic coated spaghetti pipe exhaust manifold which is a work of art itself. When asked what the favorite part of his Monster was, Bill said, “I’m torn between the turbocharger system or the chrome finish.” This is exactly what the judges concluded as well.



2nd place went to Las Vegas resident, Keith Myers and his 1999 Ducati Monster 900S. Keith’s bike was visually stunning and had the performance to back it up. With the Ferracci 12:1 pistons, 39mm flatside carbs, and a host of other goodies, Keith says he has no trouble keeping up with just about any other bike on the road. And he rides this beautiful machine regularly too; it is not a trailer queen.

Alvin Egerer’s “Terminator” 1995 Monster 900 placed third in the show. Alvin’s bike has already graced the pages of magazines with its unique tail section and paintwork. The 916 swingarm and forks are a nice touch too.

Ultimately, the fans loved the vintage look of John Pace’s Monster, awarding it the “People’s Choice” for Long Beach. John’s bike brought people back to the early days of Ducati with this historic paint scheme and custom under seat exhaust. But looks aren’t all that’s important, the bike also has a 944cc kit and 12:1 compression pistons.

From a press release issued by Premier Marketing:

Local Attorney and Bikers Support Our Troops for the Holidays

Temecula CA – Personal Injury Attorney, Timothy C. Kuzelka and local bikers team up to make this holiday season a little brighter for children who have a parent involved in Iraqi Freedom overseas. Bikers are giving cash donations to purchase gifts for the families from Camp Pendleton that are in need.

A special event will be held on December 18 at 11 a.m. to bring the families and the bikers together to celebrate the season with Santa, snow, and activities to cheer their spirits. Each child will visit with Santa and have their picture taken. The photo will be sent to their parent overseas with warm holiday wishes. The bikers will meet the families and have an opportunity to watch them receive their gifts.

Personal Injury Attorney, Timothy C. Kuzelka, sponsor of this event says, “Our Troops are fighting for us right now. They need our support, especially during the holidays. This is the least we can do for them.” Hell’s Kitchen, located on Ortega Highway in Lake Elsinore, is providing the facility and lunch for the contributors and soldiers’ families.

If you would like to show your appreciation to families of our soldiers by participating in this event, please call Hell’s Kitchen at (951) 609-3390. Each gift of $10 to $49 will receive a Hell’s Kitchen ride pin, each $50 contributor will receive a meal at the event, a commemorative t-shirt, and a Hell’s Kitchen ride pin. All donations are greatly appreciated.


Editorial Note: Hell’s Kitchen is owned by WSMC racer Tyler Paulson.

From a press release issued by Parts Unlimited:

PARTS UNLIMITED NAMED PROUD SPONSOR OF 2005 RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX

Janesville, Wisconsin (December 14, 2004) Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Dorna Sports, the Spanish-based company that holds the commercial and TV rights to the FIM MotoGP World Championships, has announced that Parts Unlimited has been named Proud Sponsor of the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 8-10, 2005.

“We are very excited to be involved in bringing MotoGP, the world’s premier form of motorcycle roadrace competition, back to America,” said Jeff Fox, President and CEO of Parts Unlimited. “Our involvement will surely enhance the Parts Unlimited brand image from exposure both on-site and through the worldwide television coverage of the event. It will be a perfect marriage with the ‘We Support The Sport’ campaign that we conduct in all major aspects of motorcycle racing in the United States. We look forward to an exciting weekend of action that will include dealer hospitality viewing from the Turn Five Chalet.”

The 500cc Grand Prix World Championship raced at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from 1988 to 1994. The series has since converted to the ever-growing and exciting MotoGP class as the premier FIM Grand Prix World Championship series and the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix will mark the debut of this class in the United States.

Parts Unlimited, the world’s largest distributor of aftermarket motorcycle parts and accessories, is headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin.

For Tickets and information call Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca at 1-800-327-SECA or 1-831-648-5111.