From a press release issued by KTM:

KTM 2005 in the 250cc Moto GP class!

The secret is out! Now it is official! Mr. Pierer (managing director of the KTM Sportmotorcycle AG) confirmed yesterday at the Grand Prix in Brno (CZ) officially, that KTM is preparing at full throttle to enter the 250cc Road Racing World Championship. Please remember the word “enter”.

It is very clear that we have a lot of work in front of us to prepare a competitive bike within the next 6 months. The first year will be for testing and to collect experience. Nobody can build a winning bike behind closed doors, so we will follow our successful philosophy of developing bikes under hardest conditions. This can only be in the Road Race World Championship.
At the moment it looks like Casey Stoner is committed to developing this project along with KTM.

Concerning the 125cc class Mr. Pierer defined our clear target for the coming season.
Following the entry season in 2003 and our success this year, we want to fight for the World Championship crown in 2005. At the moment we have not defined the riders that will take to the 125cc start line.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

2004 AMA Supermoto Championship kicks off with doubleheader at Copper Mountain Resort and Village

Challenging track layout awaits riders

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Aug. 24, 2004) — This weekend’s doubleheader race at the Copper Mountain Resort and Village on Aug. 28-29 in Copper Mountain, Colo., will be the kickoff for the 2004 AMA Supermoto Championship.

The AMA Supermoto doubleheader weekend is part of the second annual Suzuki CycleFest. Highlighted activities include celebrity-lead rides, grueling on- off-road excursions, charity rides, rides for kids, and a massive motorcycle mall. Qualified motorcycle license holders are welcome to try new bikes on the manufacturer demo rides. Seminars, parties, and concerts will also be part of the weekend. Copper Mountain Resort and Village is located in the picturesque Rocky Mountains approximately 70 miles west of Denver directly off of exit 195 on I-70.

The AMA Supermoto Championship doubleheader season opener will feature top riders from motocross, road racing and flat track racing. This is the second year of the AMA Supermoto Championship. AMA Supermoto features tracks consisting of both dirt and pavement and combines elements from motocross, flat track and road racing, plus the unique Parts Unlimited UrbanCross section, which features a series of metal jump ramps that create motocross-style obstacles.

And speaking of the track, the Copper Mountain course layout will be one of the most unique in the series. With the scenic slopes of the Rockies serving as a backdrop, the track will incorporate a two-racing-line rhythm supercross-like section and a wide blue groove left-hand turn flat-track section, as well as a high-speed road racing course highlighted by UrbanCross ramps.

The Copper Mountain AMA Supermoto doubleheader will be taped and later telecast nationally on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN). For additional information on the Suzuki CycleFest and AMA Supermoto doubleheader contact (303) 377-3278 or visit the website www.cyclefestco.com .


Schedule of Events

AMA Supermoto Championship

Round 1-2 – August 28-29, 2004

Copper Mountain Resort – Copper Mountain, CO

Friday, August 27

3:00 – 6:00 PM – Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors, Media & Guests

3:00 – 6:00 PM – Tech inspection

6:00 PM – Entries Close for All Classes for both Rounds

Saturday, August 28

7:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Registration: Crew, Sponsors, Media & Guests

7:00 AM – Tech Inspection Opens

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Practice: 1. Supermoto Group A – 10 minutes; 2. Supermoto Group B – 10 minutes; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 10 minutes; 4. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge – 8 minutes

9:00 AM – Mandatory Riders Meeting

9:30 AM – Timed Qualifying Session #1: 1. Supermoto Group A – 12 minutes; 2. Supermoto Group B – 12 minutes; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 12 minutes; 4. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge Practice – 8 minutes

10:30 AM – Timed Qualifying Session #2: 1. Supermoto – Group A – 12 minutes; 2. Supermoto – Group B – 12 minutes; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 12 minutes

11:30AM – 12:00 PM – Lunch Break/On Track Autograph Session

12:00 PM – Heat Races: 1. Supermoto – 4 races, 8 laps; 2. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge – 6 laps; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 2 races, 8 laps

2:00 PM – Opening Ceremonies

2:15 PM – Semi-Finals: 1. Supermoto – 6 laps; 2. Supermoto Unlimited – 6
laps

2:45 PM – Supermoto Superpole (top 8 riders from heats)

3:10 PM – Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge Final – 10 laps

3:30 PM – Supermoto Final – 24 laps

4:00 PM – Intermission (track prep)

4:30 PM – Supermoto Unlimited Final – 24 laps

Sunday, August 29

7:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Registration: Crew, Sponsors, Media & Guests

7:00 AM – Tech Inspection Opens

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Practice: 1. Supermoto Group A – 10 minutes; 2. Supermoto Group B – 10 minutes; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 10 minutes; 4. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge – 8 minutes

9:00 AM – Mandatory Riders Meeting

9:30 AM – Timed Qualifying Session #1: 1. Supermoto Group A – 12 minutes; 2. Supermoto Group B – 12 minutes; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 12 minutes; 4. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge Practice – 8 minutes

10:30 AM – Timed Qualifying Session #2: 1. Supermoto Group A – 12 minutes; 2. Supermoto Group B – 12 minutes; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 12 minutes;

11:30AM – 12:00 PM – Lunch Break/On Track Autograph Session

12:00 PM – Heat Races: 1. Supermoto – 4 races, 8 laps; 2. Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge – 6 laps; 3. Supermoto Unlimited – 2 races, 8 laps

2:00 PM – Opening Ceremonies

2:15 PM – Semi-Finals: 1. Supermoto – 6 laps; 2. Supermoto Unlimited – 6 laps

2:45 PM – Supermoto Superpole (top 8 riders from heats)

3:10 PM – Honda Red Riders Jr. Supermoto Challenge Final – 10 laps

3:30 PM – Supermoto Final – 24 laps

4:00 PM – Intermission (track prep)

4:30 PM – Supermoto Unlimited Final – 24 laps

From a press release issued by event organizer Brian Orton:

Speed TV’s Greg White Confirms Attendance and Participation in Seattle 100 on September 8th, Speed TV Cameras Coming Too

Northwest motorcyclists participating in the 2004 Renton Motorcycles “Seattle 100” charity event presented by 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction (www.2-fast.org, www.2-fast.org) can look forward to another special guest appearance on September 8th:

Greg White, host of Speed TV’s “Two Wheeled Tuesday’s” and “Greg’s Garage” will fly out with American Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore to ride in the fundraising event. White and Pridmore will join Josh Hayes and Tony Meiring of Attack Kawasaki, along with top Superbike privateer Jake Holden of Lion Racing / Hypercycle, in the Seattle 100. Speed TV will send a camera crew out to cover the event for a “Two Wheeled Tuesdays” episode on Speed TV.

“Greg White is one of the most recognized faces in television when it comes to motorcycle racing, and having him out with us on September 8th – along with Speed TV cameras – will be fantastic. Every motorcyclist participating in the Seattle 100 is pleased that Greg can join us, and 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction is pleased to host him at our annual fundraising event along with our other special guests,” said 2Fast Co-Owner Brian Orton.

The Seattle 100 is a unique annual fundraiser which began last year, and received national attention. Participants ride their motorcycles around the Pacific Raceway’s roadcourse in Kent, WA attempting to complete 100 laps by day’s end. Donations go to The NephCure Foundation (www.nephcure.org), a non profit organization dedicated to the cure of glomerular kidney disease, a devastating form of kidney disease which affects both adults and children. The Seattle 100 has set a goal for itself of $50,000 in net proceeds to be given to the NephCure Foundation.

For questions regarding the Renton Motorcycles Seattle 100, please visit the Seattle 100 links on the website of 2Fast Motorcycle Track Days & Instruction at www.2-fast.org. Event director and 2Fast co-owner Brian Orton can be reached by email at [email protected].



More, from a press release issued by SPEED Channel:

SPEED CHANNEL’S GREG WHITE TO PARTICIPATE
IN 2nd ANNUAL SEATTLE 100

2 WHEEL TUESDAY HOST READY TO “RACE TOWARDS A CURE FOR KIDNEY DISEASE”

Greg White, host of SPEED Channel’s 2 Wheel Tuesday (8 p.m. ET), will be participating in this year’s Seattle 100, a charity event conducted by the non-profit Nephcure Foundation with the goal of raising money for research in glomerular kidney disease. The endurance event will take place Sept. 8 and consist of 100 laps around the road course of Pacific Raceways in Seattle. Donations, rider pledges and proceeds from the sale of t-shirts will go directly to the Nephcure Foundation.

“I wanted to help a good cause,” said White, who has been riding for 17 years. “This event is a way for me to enjoy a favorite pastime while helping to raise money for kidney disease research. The Seattle 100 is a very innovative way to raise money and it would be nice to have people come out and watch and support such a good cause. It’s always great to meet new people.”

White began his career with SPEED in 1998 as feature talent and producer/editor for SPEED’s Motorcyclist and Bike Week. While working with SPEED, White continued to race the AMA National Superbike Series as a privateer. In 2002, White became a pit reporter for the AMA Superbike Series and in Feb. 2003, began hosting 2 Wheel Tuesday, while also racing the BMW BoxerCup at Daytona and competing in BoxerCup races in Europe.

In 2004, SPEED Channel is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. In addition, SPEED’s weekly programming schedule brings car enthusiast television to Prime Time Monday through Thursday. Now available in more the 66 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.

From a press release issued by CCS Southwest Region:

John Jewitt, Instructor of New Rider Licensing Clinic for CCS Southwest, would like to let everyone know that there will be no clinic at the Las Vegas round of the Formula USA National on September 17-19, 2004. There was not one scheduled and he has confirmed with Kevin Elliott that there will be no licensing clinic that weekend. John would like to apologize for any problems this may cause prospective new riders.

The next scheduled CCS Southwest New Riders Licensing Clinic will be October 9,2004 at Firebird Raceway to be held in conjunction with the Lockhart-Phillips Sport Rider Track Day. If you have any questions please contact John at 480-206-5021.

From a press release issued by Laguna Seca Raceway:

Date Set for Return of MotoGP to the USA: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is July 8-10, 2005

MONTEREY, Calif. (August 23, 2004) – The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has released the pre-calendar for the 2005 MotoGP World Championship with July 8-10 as the date for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Tickets for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix are on sale now. General admission tickets and a limited number of paddock passes are on sale now via the track’s ticket office – 1-800-327-SECA (7322) – during normal business hours or online at www.laguna-seca.com/Tickets. Renewals will be sent to those who purchased tickets for the 2004 Honda Superbike Classic by the end of August. Non-renewed tickets/camping will be released to sell beginning Monday, October 25, 2004 at 8 a.m. via telephone at 800-327-SECA.

Support events for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix have yet to be determined.

Vendor information is available by calling Jeanie Sumners at (831) 648-5111 or [email protected], while hospitality information is available by calling Ann Bixler at (831) 648-5111 or [email protected].

More information on the MotoGP World Championship is available online at
www.motogp.com.

More information on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is available online at www.laguna-seca.com.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

BILL AMICK RESIGNS FROM AMA AFTER 30 YEARS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that Bill Amick, its Vice President of Events and Entertainment since 1997, tendered his resignation on August 19, 2004. The resignation takes effect August 26.

Amick, 53, completed his 30th year of service to the Association in May. Prior to his transfer to head up the AMA’s Events and Entertainment Department, Amick had served as editor of American Motorcyclist magazine and as department head in AMA Communications and AMA Pro Racing.

In his letter of resignation, which was accepted by AMA President Robert Rasor, Amick cited a desire to take time off to recuperate from a series of successful cancer-related surgeries before opening a small business.

Amick will remain as an AMA delegate to the Motocross Commission of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), where he has served for 18 years, through the completion of the FIM’s 2004 Centenary Congress in October. Amick’s future plans include the launch of an independent company specializing in communications, media relations and event management.

“My time at the AMA has been extremely rewarding and has provided opportunities, experiences and friendships I never imagined when I joined the staff in 1974,” Amick said. “The AMA will always be a big part of my life, and I will continue to be supportive of its work in any way I can.”

From a press release:

Spectrum Motorsports Bike Night

Spectrum Motorsports’ monthly bike night is Tuesday night, August 31st starting at 5:30 PM till 8:00 PM. All bike nights will be the last Tuesday of each month.

The “THEME” is Honda XR & CRF 50 best custom. Spectrum will award a $100 gift certificate to the judged by the audience as the best 50. Second place will receive a $50 gift certificate.

The August bike night will include the usual chili dogs and soda, a DJ, and an exhibition by Factory Mini Racing will be racing and performing stunts on Honda XR/CRF 50’s in the parking lot.

Be sure to mark the last Tuesday night of each month as bike night at Spectrum Motorsports in Irvine, California.

From a press release issued by Castle Combe Circuit:

QUICK CHANGE TO FAST CORNER

One of Castle Combe Circuit’s fastest corners is to be slowed down for the forthcoming Superbike Grand National meeting which takes place over the weekend of Saturday 25thand Sunday 26th September 2004.

The change to CampCornerfollows a visit to the Wiltshire venue by the works Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha Team, including team manager and ex Grand Prix rider Rob McElnea and riders Steve Plater and James Haydon.

The team expressed concern that the predicted entry speed to the corner of some 160 mph would be excessive and therefore the circuit has enlisted the help of Stuart Michael Associates of Newbury to design a new corner complex. This is intended to slow the riders into second gear on the approach to Camp, yet retain the character of the famous bend.

Stuart Michael Associates were responsible for the design changes at Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit over the last decade and for the corner complexes introduced at Castle Combe for the 1999 season, both receiving much acclaim from riders and drivers alike.

The biggest challenge facing the circuit however, is finding enough time in its busy calendar to complete the work in time for the meeting.

Circuit Chairman Howard Strawford explains: “The only window of opportunity for us to get the job done is to begin work immediately after the Classic Action Day finishes at 5 o’clock on Saturday the 11th September, with it being fully operational by 9am on Tuesday the 14th September. You could say it will be the fastest slow corner in British motorcycle racing history.”

The military style operation will be undertaken by local contractors, Ford Brothers of Cheddar.

Current British Superbike Championship leader and title favourite, Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds, will be out to set a new outright lap record in September and commented: “Safety is obviously of paramount concern and it’s great to find a circuit willing to listen to riders’ concerns. I’m sure the new corner will present additional overtaking opportunities too which is great for the riders and spectators.”

The change to the corner will only come into effect for bike meetings, with cars continuing to use the existing track.

Castle Combe Circuit Ltd, Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7EY UK
T: 01249 782417
F: 01429 782929/782392 www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk