From a press release issued by the AMA:

BILL TO CLOSE LOOPHOLE RELATED TO MOTORCYCLIST HEALTH INSURANCE PASSES U.S. SENATE

The American Motorcyclist Association and All-Terrain Vehicle Association report that a bipartisan bill to end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists and ATVers has cleared the U.S. Senate.

The measure, S. 423, now goes to the House for consideration. AMA Government Relations Department officials hope the House will give final approval to the measure, and urge all motorcyclists, ATVers and others to contact their U.S. representatives to support the bill.

The measure would bar health plans from denying benefits to people injured while riding motorcycles, ATVs, horses, snowmobiles, skiing, or engaging in other legal recreational or transportation activities.

Acting in the wee hours of the morning on November 21, the Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent.

“Americans who enjoy recreational or transportation activities such as riding motorcycles should have the right to the same health insurance protection whether they are injured on their bike or in their home,” said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who co-authored the bill. “I thank the American Motorcyclist Association for their support as I drafted this legislation, which more clearly defines health insurance regulations to ensure that people participating in legal recreational and transportation activities are covered under an equal standard of protection.”

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), who co-authored the bill, agreed.

“If Americans want to enjoy legal transportation and recreational activities, the thought of being refused medical coverage shouldn’t stop them,” Feingold said. “That’s why I have been fighting alongside U.S. Sen. Susan Collins to pass this bill giving people the protection they deserve while taking part in activities like motorcycling, which so many people in my home state of Wisconsin enjoy.”

Edward Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, and AMA Washington Representative Patrick Holtz, were elated that the Senate passed the bill, but noted more work needs to be done.

We can’t let up, they said. We need to get this passed in the House.

In the House, U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio) plans to work for passage of the bill.

“I am pleased that the Senate has taken action to end the discrimination in health care coverage against those participating in recreational and transportation activities,” Strickland said. “I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the House to pass (the bill) to close up the unfair HIPAA loophole that allows this discrimination.”

In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which prohibits companies from denying access to employer-sponsored health insurance for motorcyclists and those who participate in other recreational activities. However, federal regulators created a loophole that allows the denial of benefits under various conditions.

The AMA, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Motorcycle Industry Council and various state motorcyclists’ rights organizations are working to get this loophole-closing legislation approved.

You can find out who your U.S. representative is and contact him or her to support the passage of S. 423 by going to the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com and clicking on the AMA Rapid Response Center button on the left. There, you will find a message that you can send immediately.

From a press release issued by Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.:

KAWASAKI ANNOUNCES 2005 AMA ROAD RACING TEAMS

Reigning Supersport champion to defend his number one plate; Attack Kawasaki to challenge the Superbike, Formula Extreme and Supersport classes

IRVINE, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2004) – Fresh on the heels of clinching both the title and the runner-up position in an exciting AMA Supersport Series, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. announced its road racing teams for the 2005 season. Leading the effort will be reigning AMA Supersport champion Tommy Hayden and runner-up Roger Hayden, both of whom will race the all-new Kawasaki Ninja® ZX-6RR motorcycle in the AMA’s highly competitive Supersport class. Both riders will also race Ninja ZX-10R sportbikes in the Superstock class.

Along side Kawasaki’s factory effort will be Team Attack Kawasaki’s Josh Hayes and new-comer Ben Attard. Hayes will race the Ninja ZX-10R in the AMA’s Superbike class, while Attard will compete in the Formula Extreme and Supersport classes on the ZX-6RR.

Mike Preston, manager of Kawasaki’s factory road racing effort, said the 2004 season was especially exciting for Kawasaki as the Hayden brothers battled for the title at the very last round – and that Kawasaki racing fans can expect more intense action in 2005.

“It was amazing to see these two guys from Kentucky battling each other for every inch of the race track,” said Preston, “Kawasaki was extremely pleased with their performance and we’re happy to have them riding for us again in 2005.”

Preston added: “It will be interesting to see how the new season develops –Tommy’s determined to keep his number one plate, but Roger would love to take it from him in ’05.”

Returning to Team Attack Kawasaki – Kawasaki’s satellite team – is Josh Hayes. Despite a slow start and a painful get-off early in 2004, Hayes’ quiet, workmanlike attitude and top-ten finishes in 12 rounds earned him an impressive 8th overall in the Superbike class. Now, with a year of experience on the ultra-high-performance Ninja ZX-10R, the Mississippi native and former 750 Superstock champion is renewing his assault on the Superbike crown.

“Josh did an excellent job on the ZX-10R, and we’re happy that he and Attack Kawasaki are going for the Superbike title in 2005,” said Preston. Hayes’ teammate is relative new-comer Ben Attard. The 24-year old Attard grew up racing motocross in his native New Zealand before switching to road racing in 1998. With five years of experience racing in Australia and a 250cc Production class championship title in hand, Attard made his way to the United States in 2003 where he had several top ten finishes and two wins in the American Suzuki Cup. Attard’s obvious skill on two wheels drew the attention of Kawasaki, which recruited him to race the Toyota 200 at Willow Springs Raceway in 2004. His podium finish there convinced Team Attack Kawasaki owner Richard Stamboli that Attard is championship material.

“Ben proved himself to be the talented rider we were looking for,” said Stamboli, “and we’re excited that he’s riding for us. Between Josh and Ben, our 2005 effort is looking very strong.”

In addition to its championship riders, Kawasaki has introduced a new 600cc-class sportbike that will raise the performance standards in the Supersport series. The 2005 Ninja ZX-6RR features a new chassis and suspension, a more powerful engine and an aerodynamic design that makes it the most streamlined bike Kawasaki has ever created.

Mike Preston commented: “Tommy and Roger’s first and second place in the Supersport series proves that the previous model is a great race bike, but this new ZX-6RR is just that much better. I have no doubt that our bikes will be out front in 2005.”

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, utility vehicles and power products through a network of more than 1,500 independent retailers, with an additional 8,400 retailers specializing in power Kawasaki products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with more than 350 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters. Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.™”, is recognized worldwide and the brand is aggressively carrying its heritage of leading-edge power, performance and exhilaration into the 21st century. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.



And now some feedback, from an Attack Kawasaki crew member:

Ben Attard hails from Queensland, Australia, not New Zealand.

They even managed to spell Richard’s surname incorrectly! That’s the world of motorcycling for ya!

Thanks.

Craig Massey
Attack Kawasaki
Santa Fe Springs, California

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

First Person/Opinion

By Bob Holcomb

Quick report from the Pierre Terblanche lecture Friday, November 19 at the Larz Anderson Transportation Museum in Boston. First, the guy is a very tall South African! I always imagined he was a very short Italian.

It was a packed house. Many unhappy people were turned away at the door after the building reached capacity. The crowd was an unusual mix of tweedy gray-beards, elegant women, designer types and road race people. The latter cleaned up pretty good! Among the crowd, cocktail talk ranged from Terblanche styling cues to new club race packages planned for 2005.

Pierre started us out with a glimpse of the Ducati beginnings and progressed through the challenges and solutions in the design of the 851, Supermono, 916, current 900SS, MHe, 999, Multistrada and finally the ‘Classic’ series yet to enter production. Many rare sketches were screened as he took us through each design project. He emphasized that advancing design tools made their mark in each new challenge. These were drawn from the likes of VW, Porsche and even Toyota. Yet, capital, time and component constraints shaped every project as we would guess with a small company like Ducati.

Interestingly, Terblanche repeatedly pointed out that the motorcycle basically designed itself. He clarified his remarks by suggesting dimensions of various peformance components drove the ultimate shape and proportions of the finished product. He screened and pointed out a few styling achievements he dreamed up that were dropped in the course of producing an effective machine. He also pointed out a few important structural components he insisted on developing in order to produce the most appealing overall design. Some of these he apparently did himself in the wee hours when engineers refused to try. My take is that the concept of ‘form following function’ is central to Ducati style. Yet at Ducati, it is important that the function part be done in an artful way.

Many fine pieces were displayed at the event, including a very special show-quality Supermono from Supermoto Italia. No bombshells were offered, but Pierre did tell me he was trying to get his people to let him design a killer Dual Sport.

The Terblanche lecture was sponsored by Eastern Cycle Ducati of Massachusetts, with support from BCM Ducati in New Hampshire and Supermoto Italia of New York. U.S. Desmo organized and ran the event.

From a press release issued by Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.:

DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING ANNOUNCES FIRST NINE MONTHS 2004 RESULTS

Sales decreased in third quarter, Ducati reviews 2004 target

Bologna, Italy – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Borsa Italiana S.p.A: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, today announced first nine months 2004 financial results.

Revenues for the first nine months 2004 were Euro 268.0 million, down 4.5% excluding forex effects, (or down 5.8% including forex effects) versus last year. Revenues from motorcycles for the period decreased 11,1% to Euro 204.2 million and represented 76.2% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products, including spare parts, technical accessories and apparel, increased 9.6% to Euro 58.9 million over the comparable period in the previous year.

Gross margin was 37.2% versus 35.2% last year, thanks to product cost reduction and operational efficiencies and related product sales increase, partly offset by a negative forex effect. EBITDA was Euro 26.1 million, or 9.7% of revenues, down 6.9% excluding forex effects (or down 15.5% including forex effects), versus Euro 30.9 million, or 10.8% of revenues in first nine months 2003.

At EBT level, the result was a loss of Euro 9.8 million versus a loss of Euro 7.0 million including Euro 3.5 million restructuring reserve in the first nine months 2003, due to a lower EBITDA and higher financial charges.

The Company’s net debt at September 30, 2004 was Euro 112.4 million, in line with the Euro 112.2 million at the same date a year earlier and down against Euro 117.2 million at December 31, 2003. The company’s gearing ratio was 75% at September 30, 2004 versus 74% at the same date a year earlier and versus 74% at December 31, 2003.

In the first nine months of 2004 unofficial Ducati worldwide registrations, were down 4.4% versus last year, with non-subsidiary countries down 1%, Italy down 3%, France down 4%, UK down 13%, Germany down 16%, Japan down 17%, Benelux down 18%, and while the US was up 20%.

“After reporting a positive first half of 2004, Ducati business reversed over the summer, due to a difficult market situation and the delayed introduction of our high volume new model Monster S2R and high margin new 999”, said Federico Minoli, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “Market environment and the continuous devaluation of the dollar turned 2004 into a more difficult year than anticipated. The good acceptance of our new products and the production start up in November of the new models will allow us to recover part of the losses before year end and to look with confidence to 2005”.

“Despite our forecast of a better fourth quarter, full year results are now expected to be lower than 2003 with unit sales decline of 5%, flat revenues at costant forex and a post-tax loss in the range of 6 Million Euro”, said Enrico D’Onofrio, Chief Financial Officer of Ducati. “However we expect a recovery in sales in 2005 with a good EBITDA level, a return to profit and a lower net debt, fueled by the new entry level S2R, the Multistrada 620 and the already pre-sold Sport Classic line”.

As for the third quarter, revenues were Euro 47.0 million, down 36.0% excluding forex effects, (or down 37.6% including forex effects) over the same period in 2003, due to lower bike sales.

Gross margin was 43.3% of revenues, up versus 37.7% in the same period a year ago, thanks to product costs and operational efficiencies. EBITDA resulted negative for Euro 1.9 million, versus a positive Euro 5.0 million of 2003 due to lower volume.

In the third quarter of 2004, result before tax were a loss Euro 13.3 million versus a loss of Euro 5.4 million last year. The decrease was mainly due to lower EBITDA and higher financial charges.

By the end of September 2004, the Company had re-purchased 3,325,995 shares, equivalent to Euro 3,545,511 or 2.09% of its stock capital.

From a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

Camel Honda announces 2005 line-up
Troy Bayliss and Alex Barros to ride the yellow RC211Vs


The Camel Honda team announced its rider line-up today for the 2005 MotoGP World Championship.

The Camel Honda team, led by former double-World Champion Sito Pons, finished third in the 2004 Team Championship and for the forthcoming season welcomes into its ranks two new riders: Brazilian Alex Barros and Australian Troy Bayliss.

With the incorporation of these two highly experienced and successful riders, the Camel Honda team will look to consolidate its position over recent years as one of the top teams in the championship and make a concerted effort to win the World Title. Both riders will be riding the yellow Camel Honda RC211Vs on Michelin tyres.

Troy Bayliss, World Superbike Champion in 2001, joins the Honda family after two years competing in the MotoGP World Championship with Ducati. The Australian from Taree has scored 4 MotoGP podium finishes in that time, although a maiden MotoGP victory has so far eluded him. His aggressive style and personable nature has made Troy an extremely popular rider both inside and outside the circuits and he enjoys a massive following around the world. Troy will be assisted by Santiago Mulero, Head Technician and Ramón Aurín, Telemetry Engineer.

Alex Barros makes a welcome return to the team led by Sito Pons. Alex rode for four seasons with the Honda Pons team from 1999 to 2002, during which time he won 5 GPs and scored 14 podium finishes. He is one of the most experienced riders in the paddock, with over 240 GPs to his name, and he will be looking to call upon his wealth of experience and knowledge in his quest for the 2005 World Title. Alex will continue to work alongside Ramón Forcada, his Head Technician for the 2004 season, and with whom he worked throughout his previous time with the Honda Pons team, and Lluis Lleonart, his Telemetry Engineer.

Sito Pons:
“After two highly successful seasons the Camel Honda team now moves up a gear with the incorporation of two highly gifted and experienced riders. With Alex and Troy leading the charge, I am confident that the yellow Camel Honda bikes will be constantly battling for the leading positions in every race. I would like to thank Honda, Camel, Correos and the other team sponsors for their constant support and whilst we clearly have a lot of hard work ahead of us this winter, I am confident that this exciting new project will bring much success to everyone concerned once the 2005 championship gets underway in April in Jerez.”

Roberto Zanni
(JT International – Worldwide marketing and sales Senior Vice-President)
“For the third consecutive year, the prestigious Camel brand will take part in the MotoGP World Championship. The thrilling exploits of the Camel Honda team will continue in earnest in 2005, with a brand new line-up. We welcome our two new riders, Troy Bayliss and Alex Barros, to whom I wish a season full of satisfaction and success. I would like to thank Honda for lending their support once more, and for having contributed to the continuity of our MotoGP project. I am certain that the RC211V, our team, and our riders will hold the Camel name up high next season, on the long and challenging road that is the MotoGP World Championship.”

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM CONTINUES WINTER TEST SCHEDULE IN MALAYSIA

Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi and his 2005 team-mate Colin Edwards began a three-day test in Sepang, Malaysia today, continuing the work they began in Valencia earlier this month. Rossi tested both the prototype of Yamaha’s latest-spec 2005 M1 machine and his 2004-spec bike, while team-mate Edwards carried on set-up work with the 2004 version of the M1.

The Factory Team was able to take advantage of a dry day with a peak temperature of 37 degrees to test from 10am to 6pm alongside Suzuki, the only other MotoGP team present.

World Champion Rossi, who took the seventh of his nine wins of 2004 at this track in October, completed 55 laps and recorded a best time of 2:02.50. Edwards completed 75 laps with a best time of 2:03.10.

The team will continue testing tomorrow and Wednesday.

LAP TIMES:

Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2:02.50 (55 laps)
Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 2:03.10 (75 laps)

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM MAKES DEBUT APPEARANCE WITH BRIDGESTONE TYRES

Jerez de La Frontera, 22 November 2004 – Following the announcement of a collaboration agreement with Bridgestone to take part in the 2005 MotoGP World Championship, the Ducati Marlboro Team will be taking to the track this week for its first appearance with the Japanese manufacturer’s tyres. Three days of testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain will be the first, important test session for this new partnership in preparation for the 2005 season. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the Ducati Marlboro Team will be present with its two factory riders, Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa, to work on the set-up of the bike and to gain confidence with the new tyres.

This is also a significant debut for the Italian team for purely emotional reasons. “Tomorrow will be a really special day” declared Livio Suppo, Ducati Marlboro Team director. “For the first time our riders will test the Desmosedici on Bridgestone tyres and we will start to work with our new partner in preparation for next season. It will be the first appearance for the new partnership, with new faces in the pit garage, and after two years of close and constructive collaboration in MotoGP, it will be a strange feeling not to have Michelin technicians working alongside us. We must however now concentrate on 2005 and take advantage of every lap on the track to give the Desmosedici the possibility of recovering from 2004 and expressing the enormous potential of this fantastic bike. We have three days of testing here at Jerez and two more next week at Valencia. Let’s hope that the good weather gives us a hand so that Loris and Carlos can get used to the new tyres and work in the best possible way.”

Immediately after the Jerez tests the Ducati Marlboro Team will remain in Spain, this time at the Valencia circuit, where on November 29 and 30 it will be continuing testing work in preparation for the 2005 season. At Jerez and Valencia, in addition to Capirossi and Checa, the World Superbike championship runner-up Régis Laconi will also be present in the unusual role of test-rider with the Ducati Corse development team Desmosedici.

“In these last tests of 2004 we will also be helped by Régis Laconi” concluded Suppo. “Régis has considerable experience in GP and for this reason we asked him to give us a hand in these tests. Loris and Carlos will focus on tyres, while he will work with the development team engineers on several new components for the GP5, components which have already been tested by Vittoriano Guareschi and which will be tried out by Régis to speed up the development of the Desmosedici before being given to Loris and Carlos. The presence of Régis in our development team is purely one-off and Vittoriano will continue to be the official test-rider next year again for the Ducati Marlboro Team.”

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

LIMITED EDITION DUCATI 999R FILA NOW AVAILABLE

In honor of James Toseland’s recent World Superbike Championship, Ducati is proud to offer a special edition 999R Fila.

To commemorate Ducati’s 14 WSBK Championships and Toseland’s recent victory, Ducati is offering a replica of the 2004 winning 999R Fila.

The 999R Fila is an exquisitely crafted machine built with the lightest materials and finest components found anywhere in the world. For information about ordering one of these limited edition bikes, please contact your local Ducati dealer. There will only be 75 of these motorcycles for sale in North America.

Technical Highlights:
. . Based on the 2004 999R
. . Full Fila/Ducati Corse WSBK graphics, preinstalled and clear-coated
. . Carbon fiber side and upper fairing
. . WSBK-inspired braced swingarm
. . Deep-sump, short-stroke 999R engine with 146 hp
. . Magnesium head covers and headlight support
. . Ohlins front fork with radial calipers, Ohlins rear shock, and
Ohlins steering damper
. . Forged aluminum wheels
. . Price: $24,995 MSRP (USD)

999R Fila Styling
This model has the same design as the 999, but all the bodywork parts are formed from exotic carbon fiber. The choice of carbon fiber is part of the specific effort to reduce weight, which also led to the adoption of magnesium for several components, including the front headlight support. To finish off the exclusive design of the 999R Fila there is a limited edition numbered plate, affixed to the top triple clamp.

Chassis
True to its racing inspired origins, the 999R Fila is fitted with the best possible components. The Marchesini wheels are made from forged aluminum alloy. This is the same process used in the production of racing wheels, creating a wheel of higher torsional rigidity and lower weight. The wheels on the 999R Fila 2004 weigh 3.2 kilos less than those of the 999 and 999S, and one kilo less than the previous R series model. This means a marked reduction in the un-sprung weight and the moment of inertia, which improves handling.

Like the wheels, the brake and suspension systems are top-of-the-line race quality products. The brake system consists of discs mounted further outward for better cooling, radial mounted four piston/four pad brake calipers, and brake master cylinders with an integrated reservoir. The rear shock absorber and fork are by Ohlins, adjustable for pre-load, plus rebound and compression damping. The 43-millimeter diameter fork stanchions have a titanium-nitride treatment for improved suspension. This model also comes equipped with a fully adjustable Ohlins steering damper.

Engine
The Testastretta engine fitted in the 999R Fila chassis is a racing inspired upgrade to the base model 999. Bore has been increased from 100mm to 104mm while stroke has been reduced from 63.5mm to 58mm At the same time, the compression ratio has been increased, from the 11.4:1 of the 999 and 999S to 12.3:1. The result of these changes is a power output of 139 Hp at 10,000 RPM with 80 ft-lbs of torque at 8,000 RPM. These results have been achieved while still utilizing a catalytic exhaust system in accordance with the Euro2 standard for street-legal motorcycles.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

(Listed in chronological order)

APRILIA CHALLENGE (All Aprilia RS250)
1. Patrick Tracey
2. Kris Provost
3. Jamie Lenore
4. Robert Gosney
5. Peter Esquivel
6. David Steinhoff

VINTAGE HEAVYWEIGHT DINOSAURS
1. James Dobson (Yam)
2. Scott Fabbro (Suz GS750)
3. Russ Lomanto (Hon)
4. Ed Milich (Moto Guzzi)

BATTLE OF THE TWINS LIGHTWEIGHT
1. Jim Rau (MZ)
2. Michael Gougis (Kaw EX500)
3. Tom Nichols (Kaw EX500)
4. Steve Baker (Yam)

GRAVES MOTORSPORTS 650cc SUPERBIKE
1. Will Eikenberry (Kaw 636 ZX-6R)
2. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Marc Palazzo (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Mickey Lane (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Chad Lewin (Suz GSX-R600)
6. Sam Carnibucci (Yam YZF-R6)

SANTA BARBERA MOTORSPORTS BATTLE OF THE TWINS MIDDLEWEIGHT
1. Richy Headley (Duc 749R)
2. Michael Sirolli (Duc 748)
3. Kurt Spencer (Suz SV650)
4. Bradley Adams (Suz SV650)
5. Tim Martinez (Suz SV650)
6. Kurt Whittington (Suz SV650)

VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHT DINOSAURS
1. Clinton Whitehouse III (Yam)
2. James Dobson (Yam)
3. Warren Spradlin Jr. (Yam)

From a press release issued by WCM:

‘shoutingdog’ join the push for success with the Blata V6 project

International multimedia development company ‘shoutingdog’ have formed a partnership with WCM to capitalise on the marketing potential of the Blata V6 MotoGP machine.

As development of the V6 continues in the Czech Republic the interest in the unique V6 project continues to increase. Not surprisingly the exciting Blata machine has sparked considerable interest in the USA where more of everything including cylinders is always considered an advantage.

With particular skills in developing transatlantic media potential ‘shoutingdog’ will help capitalise on the interest being expressed.

Following meetings between, WCM’s Director of Racing Peter Clifford and ‘shoutingdog’ Marketing Manager Steve Hawthorne the two companies have laid out an agreement and strategy that should bring a lot of exciting ideas not only to the Blata V6 project but to the whole of MotoGP.