From a press release issued by Fastrack Riders:

John Barr Memorial Fund Ride A Thon

Fastrack Riders will be staging a Ride-A-Thon for the John Barr Memorial Fund at their November 27th & 28th California Speedway AMA Track Day event.

All riders are challenged to get sponsorship for the day they ride and make contributions to John Barr’s fund. The Memorial Fund was established by the San Diego Harbor Police to assist family members and officers in times of need.

Sunday, November 28th Fastrack Riders will be running their Yamaha R1 bike in every session of the day to raise money as well. Several sponsors will be sponsoring the bike including Cycle Parts of Los Angeles, Dunlop Tires & Sport Tire Services, Road Racing World Magazine, Shoei Helmets, L & L Motorsports, Erion Racing, and Yamaha. Chatterbox is providing food for all the riders.

All motorcyclists or any individual that wants to assist is welcome to visit the Speedway to watch the activities and make contributions as well.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

PUPPIES ARE COMING

The ultimate Italian stuffed animal, the Ducati Cucciolo, a collaboration between Ducati and Accademia creates a collectable animal that celebrates the first Ducati sport motorcycle, the “Cucciolo” of the 1940s and 1950s.

It all started with a little puppy. In 1926, the Ducati brothers founded an appliance business in a suburb of Bologna. Their motorcycle breakthrough came in 1946. The Cucciolo or “Puppy” was no more than a 48cc four-stroke engine bolted to a bicycle frame. But Italians loved it and more than a quarter of a million were sold over the next decade. These early scooters, fast, reliable, efficient – with a robust little engine – laid the groundwork for a motorcycle revolution that led to high performance sport bikes like the 916 and 999 and cult motorcycles like the Ducati Monster and Multistrada.

Today, Ducati celebrates the birth of the Cucciolo with a range of children’s stuffed animals manufactured by Accademia. Designed to closely resemble the original puppy that appeared in Ducati advertising for the Cucciolo, the animals are made of fine plush material with a stuffing of 100% polyester. Puppies come with Ducati bandanas and tee shirts or logo caps with the Ducati Corse symbol and race graphics. The Puppies are available in four sizes, 15 centimeters, 20cm, 30cm and 60cm. In addition, there is a keychain version.

Beginning in April of 2005, a range of vintage Puppies will be launched, dressed in the historic “Meccanica” logo and graphics that celebrate Ducati’s heritage which dates back to the founding of the company in Bologna in 1926.

Founded in 1995, in the span of just a few years, Accademia has become a European leader in the back-to-school business. Since 2001, the company has been expanding in the gift business with noted success in stuffed animals. The collaboration with Ducati began in 1999 with a collection that includes stationery and back to school items – segments in which Accademia is a European leader. Distribution of the line is strictly controlled to only the best boutiques and distribution outlets.

“Ducati is thrilled about its first-ever collection of stuffed animals,” said David Gross, Ducati’s Creative Director, “The Cucciolo is one of the most beloved of Ducati icons and the first sport motorcycle produced by the company.”

From a press release issued by Macau Grand Prix organizers:

Rutter makes it five wins with a hat trick in Macau

Michael Rutter, on board the 1000cc Red Bull Honda, made it three wins in a row when he won the 38th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix-Hotel Fortuna this afternoon.

The 31-year-old racer from Leicestershire had to work hard for his win, the fifth of his career in the Far East Classic, after rival John McGuinness (999cc Monstermob Ducati), who had been fastest in practice, took the lead at the start of the 15-lap race.

Rutter admitted that he thought his rival had pulled too far away to be caught on the opening lap, but decided to ride as hard as he could and hope that McGuinness would make a mistake.

Rutter’s chance to take the lead came on lap eight when McGuinness, the 32-year-old from Lancashire, was slower than normal on the fast straight to Lisboa Bend and Rutter was able to pull out of the slipstream and pass him on the brakes.

McGuinness refused to give in though, and was only half a second down on Rutter at the chequered flag.

It was a good day for the Cumbrian-based Paul Bird-owned Monstermob Ducati team with 21-year-old Scot Stuart Easton finishing third.

Austrian Thomas Hinterreiter (1000cc Yamaha), was fourth, nearly 13 seconds behind Easton.

Three Americans pulled off a major surprise by filling the next three places. Josh Hayes, 29, on the 1000cc Attack Kawasaki making his debut at the race, was fifth, 24 year-old Geoff May on the 1000cc Hot Bodies Racing Suzuki was sixth and Jeremy Toye (1000cc Roadracingworld.com Yamaha) took seventh place.

Callum Ramsay was the winner of the FIM 600 Supersport event, but a one-time 14 second lead had been cut to just over two seconds by Australian Cameron Donald (China Yuan XGJao Honda) at the end of the race.

Chris Palmer, Ramsay’s team mate, on the second Valmoto Triumph was third, just over two seconds behind Donald with the trio taking 19th, 20th, and 21st places in the overall results.

Cheung Wai On, the talented 23-year-old Hong Kong racer, made an impressive debut on a home-built 600cc Honda, finishing 25th overall out of the 34 starters and fourth in the 600 Class.


Macau Grand Prix Results:

1. Michael RUTTER, GBR, Honda, 15 laps, 37:30.397
2. John McGUINNESS, GBR, Ducati, -0.518 second
3. Stuart EASTON, GBR, Ducati, -24.821 seconds
4. Thomas HINTERREITER, AUT, Yamaha, -37.534 seconds
5. Josh HAYES, USA, Kawasaki, -52.457 seconds
6. Geoff MAY, USA, Suzuki, -59.116 seconds
7. Jeremy TOYE, USA, Yamaha, -73.969 seconds
8. Steve ALLAN, GBR, Kawasaki, -79.371 seconds
9. James McBRIDE, GBR, Suzuki, -99.698 seconds
10. Stephen THOMPSON, GBR, Suzuki, -102.024 seconds
11. Les SHAND, GBR, Suzuki, -102.728 seconds
12. Marcel KELLENBERGER, SUI, Kawasaki, -106.211 seconds
13. Martin FINNEGAN, IRL, Yamaha, -110.440 seconds
14. Markus BARTH, GER, Kawasaki, -130.865 seconds
15. Richard BRITTON, GBR, Suzuki, -136.480 seconds
16. Rui REIGOTO, POR, Suzuki, -141.406 seconds
17. Horst SAIGER, AUT, Yamaha, -143.594 seconds
18. Jos LEITE, POR, Kawasaki, -143.951 seconds
19. Callum RAMSAY, GBR, Triumph, -146.007 seconds
20. Cameron DONALD, AUS, Honda, -148.454 seconds



More, from a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

DOUBLE ROSTRUM FOR MONSTERMOB AT MACAU GRAND PRIX

MCGUINNESS AND EASTON SECOND AND THIRD IN FAREWELL RACE FOR DUCATI

MonsterMob Ducati riders John McGuinness and Stuart Easton claimed second and third place respectively in today’s 38th Hotel Fortuna Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix as they gave the Paul Bird Motorsport team a glorious send-off in their final race for Ducati.

After four memorable years with Ducati, whereby the team has accrued a total of 40 race wins from 102 starts with a further 44 podium finishes also, the VK MonsterMob F04 pairing were hoping to add to the race victory tally having qualified in first and second on the grid.

32 year old McGuinness, from Morecambe, led for the opening seven laps chased hard by last year’s winner Michael Rutter (Honda) with 21 year old Easton keeping a watching brief in third place as they pulled clear of the field.

At half distance, Rutter hit the front but McGuinness, who won the race in 2001, shadowed the Honda man but despite his best efforts, couldn’t get past and had to settle for second place once more around the Far Eastern 6.12km street circuit.

“It was very frustrating as when Michael took the lead, he was holding me up in the ‘Town’ section but I just couldn’t put a safe pass on him. I had a look at a couple of the hairpins and was hoping to do it on the last lap but I’m really disappointed I couldn’t pull it off. The team deserved this win but it wasn’t to be,” said the six times TT winner.

Meanwhile Easton, reunited with the team that he won the 2002 British Supersport title with, rode an exceptional race to clinch third place on the rostrum ahead of a number of experienced Macau veterans. On only his second ever superbike race at the former Portuguese colony, the Hawick born but now Dalbeattie based rider was happy with his performance.

“A rostrum is perfect for me and is what I came here to achieve. It was great to work with the team again and it’s a pity we couldn’t have sent them away with a win on their swansong with Ducati but a double rostrum is a good result for us all,” said the young Scot.

Team boss Paul Bird spoke highly of his riders afterwards, and of the emotion in the camp: “I could have asked for no more from them, they both gave 100% and that’s all I can ever ask of a rider. Of course it would have been nice to win our final race for Ducati and it was very frustrating for John that he couldn’t re-pass Michael as I reckon he could have won that and as for Stuart, he was simply sensational. I’m very, very proud of my team and can honestly say that this is an end of a very special era. Even John had a tear in his eye which is most unusual!” said the Penrith businessman.

From a press release:

Fullerton, CA – WSMC GTU Champion Matthias Jezek and IJSBA Pro Watercraft Racing World Champion Kenny Ritchie are collaborating to create www.LArace.com, a Southern California-based race team that will compete in the 2005 WERA National Endurance Championship Series.

A collection of talent is being brought to the table with old-time AMA 250cc GP road racer and Team USA participant at the Isle of Man TT James Henderson as team manager and Steve Stricklin of watercraft racing fame as chief mechanic.

LArace.com is offering partial team ownership options. For this and more info, please visit www.LArace.com

From a press release:

ROSSI ATTENDS YAMAHA CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION FACTORY VISIT

Recently crowned MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi made a historic journey to Yamaha’s head office today in Iwata, Japan to visit the facility and the people that supported his 2004 campaign. He also received a personal ‘thank you’ from the company’s president Mr. T. Hasegawa. The flamboyant Italian arrived at Yamaha Motor Company’s Communication Plaza by helicopter and was greeted by the huge applause of management and factory staff upon his arrival.

After receiving a personal message from Mr. T. Hasegawa, Rossi then made a number of appearances throughout the Yamaha complex before participating in the official press conference. It was at that moment that Mr. T. Hasegawa presented Rossi a certificate of ownership for a YZR-M1 – the very YZR-M1 which he piloted to his sixth world title.

“Valentino Rossi is more than the world’s best motorcycle racer; he is a personality that is not limited to just the confines of the MotoGP championship,” explained Mr. T. Hasegawa. “From the moment you work with Rossi you instantly become a fan, and you are naturally driven to give more than 100 percent to support him. It is this very trait, and his ability as a rider that led to him winning the world title in his first year. Because of this skill and personality I am proud to present Valentino with the YZR-M1 as a sign of our appreciation for his efforts this year.”

A very happy Rossi said: “This is the best gift I could wish for. I must say thank you to Yamaha and Mr. Hasegawa for giving me my very own M1 to take home. I’m not sure where I will keep it, maybe next to my bed, or maybe in a safe at a bank!”

Rossi was then taken on a private tour of the Yamaha prototype factory where the components of his YZR-M1 are produced, before attending an official Yamaha championship celebration dinner in his honour in nearby Hamamatsu.

Rossi and Yamaha’s Factory Team now head to Malaysia for a test at the Sepang circuit next week, where Rossi will make his second outing aboard the 2005 prototype YZR-M1.

From a press release:

Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson/Buell race team wins four Championship Cup Series Regional Championships in debut season.

SVHD Racing took a pair of 2003 Buell XB9Rs, added a few performance parts, a killer orange and black paint job, and a couple decades of racing experience on rice burners, and turned it into a bunch of race wins and Championships.

Original plans for the team in 2004 had rider Arthur Diaz (three-time Summit Point Track Champion) and crew members Rodger Martin and Ken Strauser getting familiar with the new bikes while taking a shot at the CCS Summit Point Track Championship. A review of the points after the first two races at Summit Point showed the team also leading the Overall Mid-Atlantic Regional point standings and running in the top three of several class championships. Despite giving the rest of the teams a head start by missing two early season events at Daytona and Roebling Road, the team decided to contest the rest of the season.

By striking the right balance of speed and consistency, the team earned wins at three out of the four tracks in the region and finished the season with the following CCS Regional Expert Championships:

Mid-Atlantic Region

· Overall Points Championship and the #1 plate for 2005

· Summit Point Track Championship

· Unlimited GP Class Championship

· Top Three in Ultra Lightweight Superbike, Lightweight GP and Middleweight GP



South East Region

· Overall Points Championship and the #1 plate for 2005

· Top Three in Roebling Road Track Championship and Ultra Lightweight Superbike

Arthur Diaz was also selected to receive an award at the 14th annual Wisconsin Motorsports Charities Recognition Dinner. The charity banquet draws top drivers from various racing series and has raised $350,000 over the last 13 year for Ranch Community Services, a facility for developmentally disabled adults and children.

The team of sponsors behind the SVHD Racing was a critical part of the team’s success.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

2nd Annual Sonoma Valley Cyclocross Comes to Infineon Raceway, Nov. 27

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – The steeplechase of cycling will invade Infineon Raceway for the second consecutive year on Saturday, Nov. 27, with the 2nd annual Sonoma Valley Cyclocross.

Cyclocross is the latest cycling rage: a hybrid of mountain biking, road biking and running all in one race. Infineon Raceway Cycling/Napa Valley Velo will host the event, which will be sanctioned by USA Cycling, the largest cycling sanctioning body in the country.

The 1.5-mile temporary course at Infineon Raceway will be laid out behind Turn 2 and will include a variety of terrains and elevations, as well as barriers and stairs. Competitors will race their bikes, as well as dismount and carry them over barriers and up stairs.

Athletes will be faced with a steady flow of obstacles, including tricky turns on dirt, speedy pavement straightaways and a challenging run up four flights of stairs to the Earnhardt Terraces (Turn 2). Lap times are in the 5-7 minute range, and races range from 30 minutes for novices to 60 minutes for professionals. Bicycles are usually road bikes with more powerful brakes, custom gearing and meatier tires.

More than 175 cyclists turned out for the inaugural event last year, with San Anselmo’s Rachel Lloyd and Nevada City’s Jason Moeschler emerging as the winners in the women’s and men’s elite races, respectively. It was the first-ever Cyclocross event held at Infineon Raceway.

The event will span from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with action in several categories for men and women, based on experience level. Entry fee is $25 and $5 for juniors (ages 14-18). Riders must have a USA Cycling license to compete – a one-day license may be purchased through Infineon Raceway Cycling/Napa Valley Velo on the day of the event. For more information, visit www.napavalleyvelo.org/svcx/. Spectators are free.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Dillon Family Fund, which benefits Ross Dillon, a Sonoma County cyclist who suffered severe brain injuries as the result of an accident in 2002. Dillon will attend the event on Nov. 27. For more information, visit www.rossdillon.com.

The cycling theme will continue in 2005 at Infineon Raceway with the Infineon Cougar Mountain Classic, slated for Sept. 9-11. The event, which was held for the first time in May as the California Outdoor Sports Championships, will feature various cycling disciplines including: road circuit racing; road criterium racing; mountain bike cross country; mountain bike short track; and gravity disciplines such as mountain cross and downhill racing. For the second straight year, Infineon Raceway will partner with Sea Otter Classic LLC on the event.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Nobuatsu Aoki, who has ridden for Kenny Leroy Roberts’ Proton Team KR MotoGP team since 2002, will serve as a test rider for the Suzuki MotoGP team and may race the Suzuki GSV-R as a wildcard in 2005, according to a translation of a posting on Aoki’s website.

Aoki wrote that he has already tested the GSV-R in Japan and plans to attend another test with the Suzuki MotoGP team at Sepang, in Malaysia, next week.

Proton Team KR plans to test at Jerez, Spain, next week using a KTM V4 engine in the team’s existing chassis. Kurtis Roberts is scheduled to ride at the test even though he has not committed to the team for 2005.

Proton Team KR also plans to use the test to decide whether it will stay with Dunlop tires or switch to another brand next season.

From a press release issued by Fastrack Riders:

4th Annual ToyRide.Org Ride for Kids

If you can make it, it is a great cause and Fastrack has donated 4 track-days to be given away. Please come on out to support the kids or you can just make a donation.

When: Sun Dec 12th 2004 (Rain or Shine)

Begin: Edison International Field (57 Freeway and Katella in Anaheim, California)

Final Stop: Edison International Field

Route: To Be Determined

Benefit: Hollygrove Children’s Home (AKA Los Angeles Home for Orphans)

Registration starts at Edison International Field at 8:00 am and ends promptly at 9:00 am. Line up for the ride will begin at 9:15 am with photos. Ride will begin at 9:30. The registration fee is $10.00 and a new unwrapped toy valued at $10.00 or more. Your registration fee includes a raffle ticket and lunch catered by 211 Catering, in Huntington Beach. Each toy donation worth $10.00 or more will receive a raffle ticket. Raffles are based in $10 increments. If the gift is $20 the rider will receive 2 tickets, $30 will receive 3 and so on. Multiple $10 donations will receive multiple tickets. Cash donations are also accepted. Please come gifted up and ready to go. The group will follow a set route, which can be viewed at www.toyride.org. The ride will end at Edison International Field with refreshments and raffles.

Remember, Pre- Register and get an extra raffle ticket! All types of bikes welcome!!!

Gift donations of new unwrapped toys will be collected at Edison International Field beginning at registration. The average age of the children is 8-10. Gifts may also be purchased on www.amazon.com. Click on “Wish List” and search for “Hollygrove.” Please print out the receipt and bring it with you the day of the ride to receive the proper raffle tickets. To bring a toy for a specific child, please contact Michelle Lee at [email protected].

Cash donations may be made to ToyRide.org for the purchase of gifts on the day of the event or via PayPal at [email protected]. All cash donations will receive raffle tickets. Tax ID Information is available prior to event by request. Tax ID 501(c) information will be with each registration packet during registration.

Pre-Registration is at the following webpage click here to pre-register http://toyride.org/pre-reg.php

Please arrive prior to 8:30 if you plan to register at the event. Cut off for pre-registration is Friday December 10th 2004.