From a press release:

Richie Morris Racing along with Daytona Harley Davidson/Buell announced its 2005 racing season plans today. Due to a career ending injury sustained at Road America in 2004, Morris will not be the rider in 2005. However the team will stay in tact with Morris being team owner, Daytona Buell is staying on as the main sponsor, Glen Veatch will be the head tuner, and Clint Brotz the rider. The team will make a bid for the championship in the Formula USA, Thunderbike class.

“The only thing that took so long was choosing a rider. I made sure that Glen had a large part in choosing a rider and our first choice was Dave Estok. It was a done deal way back in October; Then Dave had some personal problems, which I am happy to hear have been cleared up. But when an 11 year sponsor says no to a rider choice, you have to listen to them. I talked to Dave several times about it and he truly understood that it was out of my hands. Glen and I both wish him the best. He is defiantly the one to beat on the track. And I know for a fact that he can turn everything around for the better in his life. I truly consider him a friend.

This is defiantly not to take anything away from Clint. He is a proven winner in the class and will fit in good with the XB. He has ridden for Brotz Motorsports the majority of his life. And the owner of Brotz Motorsports just happens to be my father in law. So racing can not go in front of family, it can get a little tedious. However we as a family have went over every thing and all is cool. Clint will ride soley for Richie Morris Racing LLC. And Brotz Motorsorts will be one of our valued sponsors. Last year he was having difficulties with the bike as was I and many others in their first year with the XB. The fuel injection just takes some getting used to. I feel he was a little discouraged. This year he knows Glen rocks with the computer and can make the Buell fly. Therefore, he is in training and looking forward to running with the podium crowd. Also I want to thank all of the racers that applied for the chance to ride on the team. Especially the ones, that flew or drove up to Elkhart Lake, to discuss the ride in person. It was an honor says Morris.”

The team will run Pirelli tires. I have been with Pirelli since 1996 and I see no reason to change. Moose with Trackside Race Supply told me he would sponsor the team and that is good enough for me. A contract is not required. Moose is one of the few people in this business I would base the season on a promise.

Other expected sponsors will be: Buell Motorcycle Co and their contingency program, Brotz Motorsports, EBC Brakes, Suomy helmets, Traxxion Dynamics, Tsubaki chains, Vortex Sprockets, and more are expected to join in.

As for those who are interested in Richie’s health, after the April, 2004 crash at Road America. As stated in the beginning, it was career ending. The right knee was crushed so badly, that a total knee replacement was necessary. The surgery was considered a success. With the damage done there might be a slight limp that will hang around forever. “It is life changing say Morris” There are so many things that I will not be able to do now with the leg in this condition. But what the hell, no need to whine, I should have quit when Scott Russell did, but it is hard to quit when you are fortunate enough to still be running up front. All and all I had an ok career replied Morris”

In closing we look to be one sponsor short this season. It is not final yet, but after the hurricanes and the R.O.C. being moved to Homestead last year. We may have lost 10 year sponsor, The Ocean Deck. Dick told me to see him in March, so we will see. If not, I have another place in mind that will take good care of the racers while in Daytona. Also we have big plans for a throw down at Elkhart Lake in April. We will let you know at the track about all of the off track FUN and the sponsors making it happen.

From a press release issued by CBS News:

You think you know Jesse James? Think again. Correspondent Vicki Mabrey sits down with the king of “Monster Garage” for his most revealing interview ever, on 60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY, Feb. 23, at 8:00PM ET/PT.

His millions of fans know him for transforming automobiles into monster machines, but there’s a lot more that makes this master mechanic tick.

James has become one of the most respected builders of custom motorcycles in the world. From very humble beginnings just a few years ago, he’s now hand making some of the fastest, sexiest and most expensive choppers on the planet.

And his list of clients reads like a who’s who of Hollywood’s rich and famous. James takes us along for the fastest ride of his life on 60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY.

From a press release:

George Taylor, owner/rider of Team 2Old Racing announced today that for the first time in five years, 2Old Racing will have two riders at the AHRMA Vintage National Road Races at Daytona on March 7th and 8th.

2Old Racing has signed Chris Spargo to ride the team’s Yamaha TR3 in the Formula 500 race, along with George Taylor riding the team’s Yamaha TD3 in the Formula 250 race.

George said: “It’s been five years since my co-founder of Team 2Old Racing, Brad Palmer, had to retire from racing due to a knee injury, so I’ve been going it alone. But this year is going to be different. I’ve signed Chris Spargo to ride my TR3 at Daytona. I’m really pleased to have him riding the Formula 500 race for Team 2Old Racing!”

From a press release issued by SPEED Television (at least it mentions Performance Machine, home of former AMA 250cc GP Champion Roland Sands):

TELEVISION’S LONGEST RUNNING MOTORCYCLE SHOW CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY!

Speed Channel’s American Thunder is celebrating its tenth anniversary! Mayhem will be had by all in Daytona Beach on March 9 at Performance Machine’s compound located on Beach Street. American Thunder is the longest running motorcycle program on television. This popular motorcycle television show brings the world of American motorcycle culture, customs and bikers rumbling into 68 million Speed Channel homes every Tuesday evening.

American Thunder featured Hollywood actor and motorcycle enthusiast Michael Madsen for its first 13 episodes. Hosting duties were passed on to Chad McQueen for a season before handing over the reigns to blond bombshell and Playboy cover girl Michele Smith. She continues these duties today.

The show has also showcased America’s greatest custom bike builders such as Dave Perewitz, Jessie James, Matt Hotch, Arlen Ness and countless others who were introduced to television audiences years before other networks jumped on the Chopper bandwagon.

This year at the 2005 Daytona Bike Week rally American Thunder will celebrate a decade of success in conjunction with its oldest sponsor, Performance Machine. Coincidentally, they are celebrating their 35th anniversary as leaders in the custom wheel and brake industry.

Please join the American Thunder crew, host Michele Smith, and the gang from Performance Machine in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Wednesday, March 9 at the Performance Machine compound on Beach Street between 12 noon and 3 p.m. ET for autographs, photo opportunities and some cake. Cameras will be rolling!

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Troy Corser and Yukio Kagayama head to Qatar this weekend with their brand-new GSX-R1000 Suzuki’s for the first round of the 2005 World Superbike Championship.

For former WSB Champion Corser and British Superbike number three Kagayama, it will be their first opportunity to see how the new machine performs under race conditions: In recent WSB Team tests at the middle-eastern circuit, Kagayama set the fastest overall lap time ahead of his team mate on the 2005 race bike.

The Losail circuit is a new purpose-built venue near Qatar¹s capital city Doha and features huge run-off areas designed with F1 in mind, but it will be the first time that WSB and Supersport have competed there.


TROY CORSER:

“It is too early really to have a WSBK race because the team is still building the bikes and Yukio and I are still getting used to them and seeing what they can do. I am not saying that we will not be competitive right out of the crate, but, it’s difficult to predict how it’s going to go. At least nobody else has ridden there before, so we’re all going to be in the same boat.”

YUKIO KAGAYAMA:

“For me it is good to start at a circuit no other rider has raced at, so I will not be disadvantaged that way. Of course, my problem is that I am still learning about Pirelli tyres and how they behave. This makes me a little behind most of my competitors, but it will not stop me from trying my hardest. It is the only way I know how to ride!”


JAVIER FORES – World Supersport:

“This is going to be a very interesting experience for us all. Last year, the GSX-R600 Suzuki was not as competitive as some of the other bikes, but our team has been working hard to make it as good as it can be. It is good that I can approach this race track for the first time like my competitors, so I hope that I can start the season with a positive and good result.”

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From www.cdnsuperbike.com, used with permission:

Toronto, ON – Parts Canada Superbike Championship organizers Professional Motorsports Productions of Toronto, ON, today confirmed the Rules package for the upcoming Canadian National road racing tour. Following meetings between manufacturers, sponsors and affiliated team members, and event staff, a variety of changes are in place.

All involved agreed that the 2006 series rules package will be finalized for announcement this October, so that the last minute discussions regarding 2005 can be avoided for the following season.

For 2005, Weight and Horsepower for the principal classes will remain the same as in 2004. Superbikes will be allowed to produce no more than 170 horsepower post race on the official series Dynojet Dyno, while post race weight can be no lower than 360 pounds.

In the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike and International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike classes, maximum power measured immediately post race remains at 115 horsepower as certified by Dynojet, while the minimum weight is 350 pounds on the official PMP scales.

During 2005, there was much discussion concerning a possible change to fork specifications, allowing for larger internal parts than found on the original equipment (OE) stock bike. However, there will not be a rule change in this area, and forks parts must continue to match their stock internal specifications.

In 2005, Data Acquisition will continue to be allowed on bikes competing in the series. It has been decided that in 2006, data gathering will only be permitted for the engine, and chassis data acquisition will no longer be allowed. Two way electronic communication with the motorcycle, of any sort, is not permitted.

For 2005, teams will be allowed to make their swing arm pivot adjustable, as long as no modifications to the frame of the motorcycle, including the pivot area, occur. Following the 2005 Parts Canada Superbike Championship, this area of the Official Series Rulebook will be reviewed, with the intention to streamline and simplify the class standards. Related cost savings guidelines will also be considered. Quick shifters are still not permitted, but this request will also be reviewed following 2006.

Complete Rules information, including standards and specifications for the Suzuki SV650 National Championship and the new Thunder National Championship for twins, will be presented at cdnsuperbike.com in upcoming weeks.

From a press release:

GEICO to become title sponsor for C.R. Gittere for 2005 season

CHARLOTTE, N.C, – Gittere Motorsports Inc. announced today that GEICO Motorcycle Insurance will become title sponsor of AMA rider C.R. Gittere for the 2005 AMA Superbike season.

Gittere has been racing in the AMA for the past three years, but this year marks the first time that he will be participating in the entire Superbike season.

“I’m excited about doing my first full year in Superbike,” commented Gittere. “It can be difficult to finance a season when you’re a privateer in the series, but thanks to the commitment of GEICO Motorcycle Insurance I’ll be able to compete at every round.”

Gittere’s first race of the AMA Superbike season will be the opener at Daytona International Raceway on Saturday, March 12. He will be on the Michelin-shod No. 81 GEICO Motorcycle Insurance Superbike. Last year, Gittere started off the season by moving from 27th to an impressive 12th at Daytona.

GIVI motorcycle accessories have decided to increase their involvement as an associate sponsor for 2005.

“GIVI is a great company to have as an associate sponsor,” enthused Gittere. “They have a long history in motorcycle road racing that extends back to when the CEO, Mr. Visenzi, was a privateer racing against the likes of Giacomo Agostini.”

RepairManual.com has also renewed their relationship with Gittere. Gittere stated that, “It is so important to me to have Repairmanual.com return for 2005. They have been such an integral part of my racing program for the last four years.”

Also returning is Autodata Publications, who publish motorcycle repair information in print and compact disc formats.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Daytona Beach, Florida Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden is hoping to bring down noise levels during the annual Bike Week event in March with the new “Ride Quietly, Please” promotion she announced Monday, according to a report appearing on www.local6.com, the website of WKMG-TV Central Florida.

A message from Scarlett-Golden to Daytona Beach visitors (located at http://www.daytonachamber.com/vending/mayor_letter.html) outlines some of the new laws that have been added to the City Code regarding Bike Week, Spring Break, etc.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

SUPERBIKE – SUPERSPORT
SUPERSTOCK – SUPERPRODUCTION
Listing of FIM homologated motorcycles for 2005

SUPERBIKE

Model Production period as from

APRILIA RSV 1000 RP JAN 01 – end
APRILIA RSV 1000 RP JAN 03 – end (+ optional fuel injection instrument)
APRILIA RSV 1000 RR JAN 04 – present (+ optional fuel injection instrument)

BENELLI TORNADO 3-900 LE JAN 01 – present

DUCATI 996 R (H2) JAN 01 – end
DUCATI 998 R (H2) JAN 02 – end
DUCATI 999 R (H4) JAN 03 – end (+ optional fuel injection instrument)
DUCATI 999 R (H4) JAN 05 – present (+ optional fuel injection instrument)

HONDA CBR 900 RR (SC50) JAN 02 – end
– (CBR 900 RR for euro model),
– (CBR 954 RR’ for USA, J model)
HONDA CBR 1000 RR (SC57) JAN 04 – present
HONDA VTR 1000 SP2 (SC45) JAN 02 – present (+ optional fuel injection instrument)

KAWASAKI ZX 9 R (F) JAN 02 – end
KAWASAKI ZX 10 RR JAN 04 – present

MONDIAL PIEGA 1000 JUL 03 – present (+ optional fuel injection instrument)

MV AGUSTA F4 1000 (MT) JAN 05 – present (Tamburini model)

PETRONAS FP-1 JAN 03 – JUL 03 (+ optional fuel injection instrument)

SUZUKI GSX R 1000 (K1) NOV 00 – end
SUZUKI GSX R 1000 (K3) JAN 03 – end
SUZUKI GSX R 1000 (K5) JAN 03 – present

YAMAHA YZF R1 (2002 model) JAN 02 – end
YAMAHA YZF R1 (2004 model) JAN 04 – present



SUPERSPORT

Model Production period as from

DUCATI 748 R (H3) JAN 01 – end
DUCATI 748 R (H3) JAN 02 – end
DUCATI 749 R (H5) JAN 04 – present

HONDA CBR 600 F JAN 01 – end
HONDA CBR 600 FS JAN 01 – end
HONDA CBR 600 F4i JAN 01 – end
HONDA CBR 600 RR (PC37) JAN 03 – end
HONDA CBR 600 RR (PC37) JAN 05 – present


KAWASAKI ZX 600 K (ZX-6RR) JAN 03 – end
KAWASAKI ZX 600 M (ZX-6RR) JAN 04 – end
KAWASAKI ZX 600 M (ZX-6RR) JAN 05 – present


SUZUKI GSX 600 R (K1) JAN 01 – end
SUZUKI GSX 600 R (K4) JAN 04 – present

TRIUMPH DAYTONA 600 JUL 03 – present

YAMAHA YZF R6 JAN 01 – end
YAMAHA YZF R6 JAN 03 – end
YAMAHA YZF R6 JAN 05 – present



SUPERSTOCK & SUPERPRODUCTION

Model Production period as from

APRILIA RSV 1000 RP JAN 01 – end
APRILIA RSV 1000 RP JAN 03 – end
APRILIA RSV 1000 RR JAN 04 – present

DUCATI 996 S JAN 01 – end
DUCATI 998 S (H2) JAN 02 – end
DUCATI 999 S (H4) JAN 03 – present

HONDA CBR 900 RR (SC50) JAN 02 – end
– (CBR 900 RR for euro model),
– (CBR 954 RR’ for USA, J model)

HONDA CBR 1000 RR (SC 57) JAN 04 – present
HONDA VTR 1000 SP (SC45) JAN 02 – present

KAWASAKI ZX 9 R (F) JAN 02 – end
KAWASAKI ZX 10 RR JAN 04 – present


MV AGUSTA F4S (+1) JUN 01 – present

SUZUKI GSX R 750 (K2) JAN 02 – end
SUZUKI GSX R 750 (K4) JAN 04 – present
SUZUKI GSX R 1000 (K1) NOV 00 – end
SUZUKI GSX R 1000 (K3) JAN 03 – present
SUZUKI GSX R 1000 (K5) JAN 05 – present


YAMAHA YZF R1 (2002 model) JAN 02 – end
YAMAHA YZF R1 (2004 model) JAN 04 – present