Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Since Eric Loranger of Brentwood, California needs something to read, here’s a piece of news:
We went to the polls yesterday evening to vote. One of the offices being voted for was Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. I didn’t like either of the candidates running for office, so as it is OK to do, I wrote in a candidate. My vote went to Valentino Rossi.

Rossi is loved by our family! We would be honored for him to be our Sheriff.

Have a great day!

Mary Beechler
Phoenix, Arizona

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

CMRA racer John Orchard married Marian Krugers, October 24th in Flower Mound, Texas.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Nicky Hayden fastest Honda rider at Valencia MotoGP test.

The 2004 grand prix season ended last Sunday at Valencia but such is the level of competition the MotoGP that the teams have no time to relax and reflect on past performances. Many of the leading teams stayed on at Valencia to begin their preparations for the upcoming series of vital winter test sessions.

On the opening day of the two-day test Honda riders opened their winter test programme testing new Michelin tyres and the latest chassis development. The fastest Honda rider at today’s test was American Nicky Hayden. The former AMA Superbike Champion put in an astonishing 94 laps at the demanding 4.005km Ricardo Tormo Circuit on the outskirts of the city of Valencia. Hayden set a best time of 1:33.4 on his five-cylinder 990cc RC211V Honda.

Sete Gibernau, runner up in the 2004 MotoGP championship, was just one tenth of a second off Hayden’s best time. The Spaniard concentrated his day on tyre testing with the RCV the results confirming Gibernau’s fears that he had selected the wrong tyres for Sunday’s GP.

Italian Max Biaggi, fresh from his third place finish in the world championship, was next fastest with a time of 1:34.00 flat. Biaggi dedicated his day to testing various chassis configurations and completed just 34 laps of the circuit today.

Nicky Hayden (1:33.4) – 94 laps. “We had a good day today and I put in 94 laps. I managed to go faster than I did all race weekend at 1:33.4 and that was on race tyres. I tested the new Michelin tyres and they helped with the difficulties I had holding my line in the race at the weekend. We have another day of testing here and I hope we can continue to improve.”

Sete Gibernau (1:33.5) – 55 laps. “We tested tyres today and confirmed that I had chosen the wrong tyres for the race last Sunday. Today and tomorrow we will concentrate on finding the right direction for next season and will be testing chassis developments getting ready for the next tests we have planned.”

Max Biaggi (1:34.00) – 34 laps. “Today I only did 34 laps as we tried out several chassis changes. I could have been faster but the main purpose was to find the right direction we need to make progress in time for the next tests. We will continue on this line tomorrow.”

From a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki:

Limited edition JR title winning Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 now available – see it first at the NEC Show

CRESCENT is proud to reveal the limited edition John Reynolds title winning Rizla Suzuki Replica GSX-R1000, but with only 13 being produced, you’ll need to be as quick as the Champion if you want to get your hands on one.

Completely road legal, these 13 limited edition Superbikes have been produced exclusively by Crescent to celebrate JR’s third British Superbike Championship title. Each bike features decals on the tank corresponding to a round in the 2004 series. Bike number one is Round One, Silverstone, 28/03/04, bike number two is Round Two, Brands Hatch 12/04/04 and so on until the 13th bike which is Round 13, Donington Park, 19/09/04.

The decals are complimented by JR’s own Championship winning logo and original signature as well as number one logos on the rear seat unit. All of the logos are under lacquer and are verified by Crescent as authentic.

Based on the gorgeous ’04 Rizla Suzuki paint scheme, Crescent couldn’t resist the temptation to fettle with the bike slightly and it now comes with a weight-saving Bikestyle undertray and Yoshimura Tri-oval road legal end can to enhance performance.

JR is chuffed to bits having a limited edition Rizla Suzuki in his name, but is not sure which one he would buy: “It’s a tough decision which one I would like to buy,” he said. “Oulton Park when I won both races, Donington where I took the title, Croft where I had to dig so deep just to finish, Mondello Park where I ate humble pie after easing off on the last lap; they all mean something to me.

“Even the Thruxton bike is important to me. I broke my collarbone there and the reaction of the team supporting me was almost the defining moment of the season. Each one tells a different story and I hope they go to good homes where people will appreciate the effort and sacrifice each one represents.”

You can catch a first glimpse of this exclusive Rizla Suzuki Replica GSX-R1000 at the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show between Novermber 5th – 15th at Birmingham’s NEC on the Rizla Suzuki stand P5 in hall 7.

The limited edition John Reynolds title winning Rizla Suzuki Replica GSX-R1000 costs only £8695.00 on the road, including PDI, Registration Fee, Road fund License for 12 months and first service. For further details call Crescent on 01202-820170 or visit www.crescent-suzuki.com – but you need to be quick!

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON GAINS MUSEUM GREEN LIGHT

Milwaukee Common Council Approves Land Sale, Development Plans

MILWAUKEE (Nov. 3, 2004) – Harley-Davidson today reached a major milestone in plans to bring a world-class museum to its home town, as the Milwaukee Common Council approved the sale of 20 acres at 6th and Canal streets to the Company. In related actions, the Council approved property rezoning, site redevelopment guidelines and the creation of a Tax Incremental District.

“We are absolutely thrilled with this outcome and express our gratitude to the Milwaukee Common Council for its vote today,” said Lara Lee, Harley-Davidson Vice President responsible for museum development. “We also appreciate the tremendous support we’ve had during this process from Mayor Barrett and from the greater Milwaukee community. Harley-Davidson is excited to be moving forward with its museum development in the Menomonee Valley.”

Company plans call for a three-phase development. Phase 1 will consist of 110,000 sq. ft. for the museum and related facilities including a retail store, meeting rooms, banquet space and a restaurant, at an estimated cost of $60 million. Harley-Davidson plans to begin Phase 1 construction once the Milwaukee Department of Public Works facility currently located on the site is moved. The City of Milwaukee has committed to move the facility by February 28, 2006 and the museum is expected to be completed two years later. The Company’s target is to open the museum to the public in 2008.

Subsequent phases envision the addition of the Harley-Davidson corporate archives, a restoration shop, additional exhibit space and other future development, for a total of 230,000 sq. ft. over all the phases and an estimated total investment of $95 million.

“The quality of the Harley-Davidson Museum experience will be first-class in every respect, creating life-long memories for visitors from around the world and generating significant economic benefits for Milwaukee,” said Lee.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce has estimated that the Museum will generate $78 million in annual spending to help grow the local economy and $12.3 million in annual state and local tax revenue. The Museum is estimated to draw 350,000 annual visitors.

More information on the Museum is available online at www.h-dmuseum.com.

From a press release:

Team EMGO Taiwan is Back!

MARIETTA, Georgia (November 2, 2004) — After spending a season apart, Chris ‘Opie’ Caylor and EMGO International, Ltd are proud to announce that they are rejoining forces for the 2005 season. Caylor will compete as Team EMGO Taiwan in the AMA Formula Xtreme Series aboard Suzuki GSX-R600s.

“I am really, really excited to be working with EMGO and owner Emil Gomez again,” said Caylor. “I can’t tell you how happy I am about this announcement. Some really exciting things happened last time we worked together and I expect nothing less this time! I hated parting ways at the beginning of 2004. Emil and I had a lunch meeting back then and discussed the different opportunities that each of us had, but we always made sure that we left the door open for each other in the future.”

When asked about the return of Team EMGO Taiwan, Emil said, “I’m very happy that Opie and Team EMGO Taiwan are back! The people of Taiwan are very happy that Team EMGO Taiwan is back! We are all looking forward to next season.”

“2004 was a very busy year for EMGO International,” explained Emil. “With our markets continuing to grow not only here in America, but also worldwide, expansion was the only option. We focused our efforts on expanding the business. All of the offices have been moved into a newer, larger building just across the street from the old location. The old offices are now used for warehousing more product stock.”

“2005 is already shaping up to be a great season. After finishing 8th last year in my first Daytona 200, I am really looking forward to running the race aboard my Team EMGO Taiwan, Formula Xtreme, Suzuki GSX-R600. I think the new format is great. The race will have all of the great battles we are accustomed to seeing but everything else is going to be different. The pit stop strategies, the lap times, and the racetrack itself,” added Caylor. “Also, Craig ‘Huey’ Stewart is back with my team again this year. In the past he’s been a bike owner/builder for me and the publicist for my website. Now he has a wrench instead of a pen as my crew chief.”

“I can’t wait for Daytona!”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2004 AMA Superstock Champion Aaron Gobert married longtime girlfriend Melanie Riley October 30, 2004 at Yarranabbe Park, Rushcutters Bay off the Sydney Harbour, near Sydney, Australia. The wedding and reception were attending by 65 guests, according to Gobert’s mother and manager, Sue Gobert.

Gobert’s original wedding, scheduled for October 6 at a different location, was cancelled due to the postponement of the AMA season finale at Virginia International Raceway

From a press release issued by Ducati:

DESMOSEDICI RR: START ENGINES!

The Ducati project continues with the development and testing of the exclusive V4 engine.



BOLOGNA – Officially presented to the “Ducatista population” in May during World Ducati Week 2004, the development of the Desmosedici RR project is continuing. In fact, for the last few weeks the new desmodromic 4-cylinder L engine that will be used for the first real MotoGP Racing Replica has been on the test bed of the Ducati R&D department for the first reliability and durability tests.

In particular, the Desmosedici RR engine is undergoing motoring and firing tests aimed at testing the life and strength of the individual components subjected to the stresses deriving from the high power this engine can develop.



Testing of this engine will proceed as planned, awaiting the dynamic tests and the demanding and complex development course that will take this new Ducati gem from the track to the road.

An ambitious and extremely demanding project, the new frontier of Ducati technological development preserves all the basic concepts of the bike used in the MotoGP World Championship. A dream come true, and once again testifying to the courage and passion of Ducati, as well as the ability to transfer the experience and fascination of the racing world to a product also intended for road use.

This project offers a truly high technological level. The Desmosedici RR engine accurately reproposes the MotoGP engine: the traditional Ducati desmodromic timing system combines perfectly with the modernity of the 989cc 4-cylinder (4 valves per cylinder) L structure, using cutting-edge technologies intended exclusively for racing, such as camshafts driven by a cascade of gears, entirely removable 6-speed gearbox, in addition to the use of high-quality materials and alloys, like sandcast aluminium for the casing and heads, titanium for the connecting rods and valves, and magnesium for the engine covers.

The exclusiveness and uniqueness of the new Desmosedici RR will be stressed by meticulous care to details and assembly. And all this, together with top performance, will make the Desmosedici RR a new reference point in the motorcycle world.

As planned, the bike will only be revealed in its final form in November 2005, on the occasion of EICMA in Milan, while delivery of the first Desmosedici RR will take place at WDW 2006 where, precisely on the stage that saw the presentation of the project, the first machine will be handed over to a symbolic and lucky Ducatista, representing the pride and joy of this great Italian motorcycle manufacturer.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

OK,

You guys are the best, blahblahblah.

The season is over and the news of the day is a little slow. Can’t you make something up and post it just so losers like me will have something to read?!

Thanks,

Eric Loranger
Brentwood, California

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

According to Corporate Communications Manager Bob Starr, Yamaha Motor Corp. has asked Laguna Seca officials to run the entire AMA program in conjunction with the U.S. MotoGP event scheduled to run at the Monterey, California racetrack next July 8-10.

Yamaha is funding track changes needed to homologate the racetrack for MotoGP.

The schedule for the MotoGP weekend is subject to approval by Dorna, the series promoter.