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

From a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

TROY PIPPED TO THE POST BY HIS TEAM MATE!

After dominating almost all the sessions during the two-day Qatar tests, Troy was pipped to the top spot by his team mate Yukio! There was less then six minutes remaining when the Japanese ride took advantage of a clear track and shot round the 5.380 kilometre course with a time of 2:01.480 – less then a tenth of a second quicker then Troy. But Troy was far from disappointed because he was very happy with his and the team’s performance over the two days. Also, he had started the tests suffering the effects of ?flu and was still not fully fit by the end of today. Third fastest today was Cardoso (Yamaha), ahead of Laconi (Ducati) and Gimbert (Yamaha). Current World Champ suffered a nasty highside today and ended up tenth, but fortunately didn’t have any serious injuries.

TROY
This is good, eh! It’s pretty good for us to end 1-2 at the end of the tests – especially when they’ve gone so well and we’ve learnt so much. Everybody in the team has worked so well together and we’re delighted to finish with the first and second quickest times. I had a bit of a sneaking suspicion that Yukio might do the business at the end and I was ready to go out and try and beat him again, but Cardoso ruined my plans. I was just about getting ready for a quick one, but Cardoso was hovering and looking as if he wanted to latch on to me for a tow. Well, I couldn’t have that, so I eased off a little. Then, when I did exit the last turn and try and go for it, my top speed on the straight was way down compared to a flying lap and I just couldn’t do it. But this wasn’t the main point here in the two days. We wanted to improve the bike and we did that. We wanted to learn the track and we did that. Considering that I was really crook the day before the test and am still not 100%, I’m really happy. I guess the other guys now know that Team Alstare mean business and hopefully Yukio and I will be still at the front of the pack next weekend. This track changes quite a lot, so I hope all the work we’ve done here will pay off if the track changes again next week. It’s going to be a great start to the season, for sure.
See ya.

OVERALL BEST TIMES (2 days)

1 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:01.480, 2 TROY CORSER (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:01.554, 3 Cardoso (E-Yamaha) 2:01.797, 4 Laconi (F-Ducati) 2:01.827, 5 Gimbert (F-Yamaha) 2:01.956, 6 Silva Aberola (E-Yamaha) 2:02.194, 7 Walker (GB-Kawasaki) 2:02.442, 8 Borciani (I-Yamaha) 2:02.548, 9 Haga (J-Yamaha) 2:02.591, 10 Toseland (GB-Ducati) 2:02.639

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC
Willow Springs International Raceway
Rosamond, California
February 20
Provisional Race Results:

Graves Motorsports Open Superstock:

1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Robbie Dowie (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Brad Puetz (Suz)
4. Robert Rockafellow (Suz)
5. Kenny Kopecky (Duc), DNF

750cc Modified Production:

1. Jacob West (Suz)
2. Ritchie Thorup (Suz)
3. David Littlebrook (Suz)
4. Brant Wiwi (Kaw)
5. Jason Caldwell (Suz)
6. David Siminski (Suz)

500cc Superstock:

1. J.C. Gibbs (Kaw)
2. Clinton Whitehouse, III (Suz)
3. Chris Shadoan (Kaw)
4. Mark Guzman (Yam)

500cc Singles:

1. Larry Cochran (Hon)
2. Dean Chin (Yam), DNF

Line X Racing.com Formula 40 Lightweight:

1. Mark Watts (Yam)
2. Stan Bates (Yam)
3. Tom Sera (Yam)
4. Joel Manes (Hon)
5. Stephen Hewitt (Suz)
6. Gene Redmon (Yam)

Formula 50:

1. Howard Lynggard (Yam)
2. Jeff Rheaume (Suz)
3. David Molitor (Suz)
4. Steve Slaughter (Buell)

2 Stroke Production:

1. Patrick Tracey (Apr)
2. Michael Pastore (Apr)
3. Kris Provost (Apr)
4. Jamie Lenore (Apr)
5. Robert Gosney (Apr)
6. David Steinhoff (Apr)

Vintage Heavyweight:

1. Russ Lomanto (Hon)

Lightweight Twins:

1. Chris Shadoan (Kaw)
2. Larry Cochran (Hon)

Track Daz 650cc Superbike:

1. Damon Buckmaster (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6RR)
4. Mickey Lane (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Jamie Hacking (Yam YZF-R6)

Harley-Davidson/Buell of Glendale Middleweight Twins:

1. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 749R)
2. Michael Sirolli (Duc)
3. Steve Slaughter (Buell)
4. Tim Martinez (Suz)
5. Jonathan Lowery (Duc)
6. Andy Palmer (Suz)

Sport Tire Services 600cc Superstock:

1. Damon Buckmaster (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Jamie Hacking (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Mickey Lane (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6RR)
6. Sam Carnibucci (Yam YZF-R6)

Motorcycle Riders, Inc. Open Superbike:

1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Jeremy Toye (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Jack Pfeifer (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Robbie Dowie (Suz GSX-R1000)
5. Howard Lynggard (Yam YZF-R1)
6. Robert Rockafellow (Suz)

Racers Edge 750cc Superstock:

1. Ritchie Thorup (Suz)
2. Ben Attard (Kaw ZX-6RR)
3. Jason Caldwell (Suz)
4. David Littlebrook (Suz)
5. David Siminski (Suz)
6. Brant Wiwi (Kaw)

Heavyweight Twins:

1. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 999R)
2. Jack Pfeifer (Apr)
3. Michael Sirolli (Duc)
4. Simon Williams (Duc)
5. Michael Luciano (Hon)
6. Steve Slaughter (Buell)

550cc Superbike:

1. Clinton Whitehouse, III (Suz)
2. Kris Provost (Apr)
3. J.C. Gibbs (Kaw)
4. Tim Martinez (Suz)
5. Andy Palmer (Suz)
6. Robert Gosney (Apr)

L&L Motorsports 750cc Superbike:

1. Ritchie Thorup (Suz)
2. Jacob West (Suz)
3. Kenny Kopecky (Duc)
4. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R750)
5. David Littlebrook (Suz)
6. David Siminski (Suz)

Golden Cantina Open Modified Production:

1. Robbie Dowie (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Stephen Hewitt (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Robert Rockafellow (Suz)
4. Brad Puetz (Suz)
5. Dan Tanger (Yam)
6. Randall Montes (Yam)

Roadracingworld.com/Redline Motorsports 250cc GP:

1. Mark Watts (Yam)
2. Bradley Adams (Yam)
3. Wincent Rolleri, II (Yam)
4. Gene Redmon (Yam)
5. Mike Lytle (Yam)
6. Michael Pastore (Apr)

Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One:

1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Damon Buckmaster (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Jack Pfeifer (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Jacob West (Suz)
5. Ben Attard (Kaw)
6. Mickey Lane (Yam)
7. Ritchie Thorup (Suz)
8. Chris Ulrich (Suz GSX-R750)
9. Stephen Hewitt (Suz GSX-R1000)
10. Jamie Hacking (Yam YZF-R6)

DNF. Robbie Dowie (Suz)
DNF. Jeremy Toye (Suz)

Golden West Trailers Formula Two:

1. Michael Beck (Yam)
2. Ryan Hoffman (Kaw)
3. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 749R)
4. Mark Allen (Yam)
5. Chad Lewin (Suz)
6. Robbes Stieglitz (Yam)

125cc GP:

1. Kevin Murray (Yam)
2. Brit Bohannan-Arechig (Yam)
3. Clint Solomon (Hon)
4. Joel Manes (Hon)

Middleweight Novice:

1. Jsaon Schnieder (Yam)
2. James Gominsky (Yam)
3. Lloyd Magruder (Yam)
4. Kevin Johnson (Suz)
5. Aaron Torres (Kaw)
6. Daniel Shaffner (Kaw)

Heavyweight Novice:

1. Christopher Gibbs (Yam)
2. Kirkland Fordham (Hon)
3. Scott Tillery (Suz)
4. Joshua Convy (Yam)
5. Norman Roy (Duc)
6. Mike Kinoshita (Yam)

600cc Modified Production:

1. Mickey Lane (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Michael Beck (Yam YZF-R6)
3. Sam Carnibucci (Yam YZF-R6)
4. Robbes Stieglitz (Yam YZF-R6)
5. Mateo Herreros (Yam YZF-R6)
6. David Siminski (Suz)

Lightweight Novice:

1. Lloyd Magruder (Yam)
2. Nicote Johnson (Hon)
3. Eric Angel (Yam)
4. Ryan Struz (Yam)
5. Amy Hronek (Yam)
6. Jonny Mack (Kaw)

Wheel Two Wheel Formula Twins:

1. Kenny Kopecky (Duc 999R)
2. Claudio Szyszkowski (Duc)
3. Jonathan Lowery (Duc)
4. Charles Baird (Duc)

500cc Modified Production:

1. J.C. Gibbs (Kaw)
2. Clinton Whitehouse, III (Suz)
3. Mark Guzman (Yam)
4. Chris Shadoan (Kaw)

Formula Singles:

1. Jason Caldwell (Suz)

More, from a press release issued by Kenny Kopecky:

Ducati Oceanside road racer Kenny Kopecky repeated his January performance by winning three Twins based classes at the second round of the twelve race WSMC series in Rosamond, CA. on Sunday.

“This month we skipped the practice days on Friday and Saturday due to the bad weather, and just ran the same set-ups we used in January”.

The wins came in BOTT Middleweight (Duc 749R-04), BOTT Heavyweight and Formula Twins (Duc 999R-05). The Formula Twins race had to be re-started due to rain finally arrving at the track late in the day. The riders completed the final two laps during the strongest downpour of the day. Earlier, Kenny finished a very close third to Richie Thorup and Jacob West in 750 Superbike after leading twice during the contest. Additional top finishes were recorded in F-40 Heavyweight (2nd) and Formula Two (3rd).

“We’re hoping to improve the bikes at the upcoming meets, but all in all they are working really well. The race in the rain was a surprise…I think it was maybe my second rain race in the last 10 or 12 years out at Willow. The Dunlop rain tires were superb, and as I gained confidence I ran my fastest wet weather time ever on the last lap to secure the win”.

The next WSMC meet is March 18-20, 2005 at Willow Springs.

From a press release issued by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation:

As the morning sun began its ascent into the sky, washing a path of warmth across the palm trees of south Florida, over 600 motorcyclists rolled into the staging area for the start of the 22nd season of the Ride for Kids® program. This inaugural south Florida event for 2005 launched into the history books as being recorded as one of the most successful first time Ride for Kids events in history with $59,491 in donations turned in for the day.

Virtually every brand of motorcycle was present with riders from all walks of life and numerous divergent motorcycle organizations. This was truly a day of “coming together” by representative riders from the entire motorcycle community!

Not only was the day blessed with incredibly sunny, 80º weather, but the riders were also escorted by an outstanding team of police officers from the Broward County Sheriff’s Department and Coral Springs PD. Once under the Big Top tent for closing ceremonies the riders were treated to a day of emotional and uplifting comments made during the “Celebration of Life” by young brain tumor survivors who enjoyed a regal day as the Stars of the event.

While each motorcyclist present contributed to the days total, Rick and Rita Case were warmly recognized as the Top Individual Fund Raisers with $5,000 in donations, the HRCA Florida Sports Red Riders were the Top Chapter with an amazing first year total of $19,683 in contributions and Florida Sports Cycles was the Top dealership with a tremendous $20,253 collected, all destined to support the work of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in its search to find the cause and cure of brain tumors and to provide support to the patient families. The Honda motorcycle was won by an ecstatic Maree Moscati of Pompano Beach, FL. Thanks also goes to Allstate Insurance Company and numerous south Florida companies for their support of the event.

When the day’s activities were completed, a tired but overjoyed Rhonda Friedenberg volunteer Task Force Leader for the event said, “to see the joy on the kids faces and how very proud the motorcyclists were for their efforts, makes all the time we spent getting ready well worth the work of all of our volunteers”.

The next Ride for Kids event will be on May 1st in Houston, TX. For more information about the Ride for Kids and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation please visit www.rideforkids.org or www.pbtfus.org or call 1-800-253-6530

From a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki:

JR pays tribute to friends and fans of Rizla Suzuki

BRITISH Superbike Champion John Reynolds says `thank you’ to the friends of Rizla Suzuki who helped him to return to the UK over the weekend and also to his legions of fans that have inundated the team HQ with well wishes.

JR broke his right leg in a testing accident at Valencia in Spain on Friday. He was flown to England by private jet yesterday and is now undergoing treatment at the Queens Medical Facility in his hometown of Nottingham.

“All I can say is a big thank you to everyone,” explained JR. “I wouldn’t have got home to England as quickly as I did if it wasn’t for Rizla Suzuki’s team friends. Jonathan Palmer from Motor Sport Vision arranged a private aircraft to collect me in Valencia and Stuart Higgs from the MCRCB liased with the hospital and sorted an ambulance once we landed.

“As a result of these efforts and the hard work of the team, I’m now home and in a position to get the best treatment possible. My thanks also go to the two pilots John Scurr and John Daly for their smooth landing!

“I am humbled by the messages of support and well wishes from the Superbike race fans. Thank you to everyone for their kind words and support, they have and will continue to help me more than you can imagine.”

JR will undergo surgery to repair his broken right leg today. The team will consult with the specialists after this operation to determine the likely recovery time required.

Stuart Higgs, MCRCB’s Race Director for the British Superbike series said: “Our first concern is for JR’s health and we assisted the team in making the necessary ground arrangements to take him directly to the Queens Medical Facility from the airport. I am delighted we could help and wish him the speediest of recoveries.”

Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Robert Wicks said: “Thank you to Jonathan Palmer, Stuart Higgs, the Rizla Suzuki team staff – in particular Niall Mackenzie who flew back to the UK with John yesterday – and everyone who has helped us to get JR back to the UK so expediently. It means JR is receiving specialist treatment and that gives him the best chance to return to racing as early as possible.”

Rizla Suzuki Team Owner Paul Denning said: “Despite the less than ideal circumstances, Rizla Suzuki is very grateful to its friends and the broader Superbike family for coming together to help at this difficult time. That includes the many generous offers of assistance from fans of the team – thank you all. My particular thanks to Jonathan Palmer who accepted our calls at 11pm on a Friday night and got the job done with no questions asked. We can’t say exactly what John’s recovery time will be at this stage, but we’ve come back fighting in the past and intend to do so again.”