An update on Jason Perez, who crashed during the Supersport race at Mid-Ohio July 25, from his father, Dave Perez:

After a few days of rest Jason saw an orthopedic surgeon last Thursday. Unfortunately the damage to his shoulder is a little worse than originally thought. The X-rays showed a fracture in his shoulder at the top of his arm. Finding this out, we sought out Dr. Art Ting for further consultation.

The fractured bone is being held in place by the surrounding tissue, therefore no surgery will be necessary. This is great news considering he was airlifted away (from the track) and we feared the worst.

We would like to thank everyone for the enormous response of e-mails. Jason can’t wait to get back into action and is confident that he will be at full steam by Road Atlanta.

See you there!

Dave Perez
Brentwood, California


See related post:

7/27/2004 Young Gun Perez Recovering At Home

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

THE SECOND EDITION OF CENTOPASSI 2004 – THE MULTISTRADA CHALLENGE – WAS CONCLUDED AT SAINT VINCENT WITH A VICTORY BY RENATO ZOCCHI

Bologna – After five exciting legs on the Western Alps, Centopassi, the motorbike challenge inspired by the versatility and performance of the Ducati Multistrada, was concluded on the 25th July with the final arrival at Saint Vincent.

Renato Zocchi, on a Honda 450, is the overall winner of the Competition Class and has taken home the grand prize – a Ducati Multistrada – with a total of 77 points acquired on the ability trials and time checks along the route.

In second place is the winner of last year’s challenge, Alberto Pignat, on his Ducati Multistrada, with a total score of 74 points, followed by Guido Zocchi in third place with a score of 58 points, also riding a Multistrada.

Participants of both categories – Competition and Iron Biker – have spent 5 days on the most fun roads and challenging passes of the Western Alps. Departure was from Nice and on day one participants passed by Cagnes sur Mere, Col de Turini, Sospel, Col de Tende to arrive at Limone Piemonte. On the 22nd of July, the route from Limone Piemonte to Sestriere touched places like, Borgo San Dalmazzo, Vinadio, St. Etienne de Tinée, il Col de la Bonette, il Col d’Izoard, Brian?on,the pass of Mont Genevre, Claviere and Sansicario. On the 23rd July Claviere, Villeneuve, Col du Galibier, Albertville, Bourg St. Maurice, Bardonecchia and Oulx were amongst the places reached.The following day from Sestriere the challenge headed towards l’Alpe d’Huez, Col de la Croix de Fer, St. Jean de Maurienne, St. Michel de Maurienne, Modane, Lenslebourg, Col du Mont Cenis, Susa and Cesana Torinese. On the 25th July, the last leg took all participants from Sestriere to Saint Vincent passing through Moncenisio, Col d’Iseran, Col du Petit St. Bernard, Aymavilles, Verrayes.

CENTOPASSI is born with the spirit to challenge the driving skill of motor bikers on the most fascinating and demanding mountain passes. This year the appeal has reached motor bikers from various nations: Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium and Holland. As in 2003, the event was open to all brands of motorbikes and the participation categories – Competition and Iron Biker – are characterised as follows:

Competition Class: Open to single participants or as part of a team of 3 riders. During each leg participants take part in ability trials and are awarded points for their driving skills and performance. Throughout the leg they must also go through various time checks.

Iron Biker Class:It is for those riders who prefer a non-competitive experience and who wish to take in the stunning scenery. Expert riders accompany the group and give advise on mountain riding.

Ducati Motor for the second year in a row is the main sponsor of the event, and the subtitle “Multistrada Challenge”, celebrates the versatility of the moto-best seller which the Bolognese factory has created to face every road type: from tortuous mountain passes to highways and even busy city centres. Centopassi had also the support of: Superga, leading company specialized in footwear and clothing for leisure time, Pirelli, one of the worlds leading producer of tyres cables and systems, APT Servizi, Emilia Romagna Tourist Promotions Office and Grandi Navi Veloci, navigation company part of the Grimaldi group.

Centopassi would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of the Italian Street Police and of the Hosting Municipalities: Nice, Limone Piemonte, Cesana Torinese-Sansicario, Sestriere, Oulx , Saint-Vincent. Centopassi is an event organised by Dream Engine with the support of Motoclub Terni “Libero Liberati”, Team Curve &Tornanti and under the aegis of Federazione Motociclistica Italiana.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A new motorsports country club called Autobahn Country Club, located in Joliet, Illinois, just south of Chicago and only a few miles from Chicagoland Speedway, is currently under construction.

When completed, the facility will include two road courses – a 1.46-mile, nine-turn North Course and a 2.10-mile, 14-turn South Course.

Both courses will be able to operate independently and simultaneously and can be combined into a single, 3.56-mile course.

A club house and dedicated go-kart track will also be located on the 320-acre site near the intersection of Interstates 55 and 80.

The course was designed by noted racetrack designer Alan Wilson, who designed Barber Motorsports Park, among many other tracks around the world.

Aerial photographs dated July 29, 2004 and posted on the track’s website, www.autobahncountryclub.net, show the North Course and paddock have been paved, but the South Course did not appear to have been paved yet.

According to its website, Autobahn Country Club has already sold out all of its Phase One Founding memberships, at $100,000 each, and approximately 100 Country Club memberships, at $15,000 each with annual dues of $3000.

The facility’s website did state that members who own motorcycles will have their own sessions on the track and that the possibility of hosting sanctioned motorcycle races is a possibility.

A call to phone number listed on Autobahn Country Club’s website was answered by an answering machine.

Donations to the Roadracing World Action Fund, Inc., a 501(3)c non-profit corporation dedicated to reducing racetrack injuries by encouraging the use of soft barriers, have reached $271,627.75 for road racing and $19,147 for dirt track, for a combined total of $290,774.75.

Before the creation of the fund, AMA Pro Racing deployed three 30-foot sections of soft barriers. AMA Pro Racing now has 57 sections of soft barriers. Before the creation of the fund, F-USA deployed no soft barriers. F-USA now deploys 25 soft barriers.

Before the creation of the fund, WERA deployed no soft barriers at its annual Grand National Finals/Suzuki Cup Finals at Road Atlanta. Since creation of the fund, WERA has deployed up to 35 soft barriers at the the GNF.

The fund has also caused the deployment of soft barriers by other organizations and racetracks nationwide.

To learn how soft barriers are installed, click here.

Support continues from motorcycle industry-sponsored donation programs, with Mark Brereton donating $790 from sales of the popular DVD, “RoadRACE,” and Racing Performance Services owner Marcus McBain donating $250. Brereton’s total contribution now stands at $3470, while McBain’s total of $5535, is less than he had anticipated, as he explains below.

Marcus McBain writes: “Great to be part of a safety solution for road racers again! Although a tremendous amount of business was generated through the observed efforts of RPS and Ty Howard breaking three track records in a row, RPS also experienced over $1200 in check fraud that was unfortunately turned over to the local district attorney. This unfortunate situation is preventing us from making a $1000 donation that we had originally earmarked for the Action Fund. Thank you for your hard work.”

For the third year in a row, a raffle benefiting the Roadracing World Action Fund was held at the annual Bandit Owners Southern Stampede sponsored by www.banditalley.com, a Suzuki Bandit motorcycle website. “B.O.S.S. 2004” was held in May at Two Wheels Only motorcycle resort in Suches, Georgia, and was organized by webmaster Pete Cedel, yielding $235.95, and bringing the 3-year total to $659.95.

Other recent donations include Thomas Jenson, $80, with thanks to Ed’s Honda; Ted Meyer, $75; Vinton Squires, $67; Alan Galbraith, $25; Jason Michelson, $25; Little Big Racing, $20; and James Elias, $10.

Summary of Recently Posted Donations
Mark Brereton $790
Marcus Mc Bain $250
“B.O.S.S. 2004” $235.95
Thomas Jensen $80
Ted Meyer $75
Vinton Squires $67
Alan Galbraith $25
Jason K. Michelson $25
Little Big Racing $20
James Elias $10

As of August 2, 2004

Accounting Details to Date
Road Racing Expenditure Details

Direct purchase of soft barriers: $137,700
Shipping/Customs: $9133.50
Bank Fees: $384.05
Air Fence* Deployment Crew Training: $700
Transportation & Installation: $4689.47
Corporation/Business Fees: $612
Online Auction Fees: $221.99
Printing Education Materials – $346.42
Misc Supplies: $39.59
Donation to AMA Pro Racing for Air Fence: $104,104

Total Spent: $257,931.02
Total Donations Collected $271,627.75
Misc. Income $92.32

Cash on hand: $13,789.05


Dirt Track Expenditure Details

Direct purchase of soft barriers: $9,200
Shipping/Customs: $2717.72
Transportation & Installation $2174.77

Total Spent: $14,092.49

Total collected: $19,147
Cash on hand: $5,054.51

All administrative costs, including the percentage taken by credit card companies on credit card donations, have been absorbed by Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

*Trademark of Airfence Safety Systems Australia.

From a press release issued by Ducati Motor Holding:

THE DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING OFFER FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE MAJORITY STAKE OF THE APRILIA GROUP REMAINS UNCHANGED

Bologna – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A (NYSE: DMH, Borsa Italiana S.p.A: DMH) takes note of the decision of the Aprilia Board of Directors, taken on July 31 2004, not to extend the exclusivity and not to agree to the proposal, presented by Ducati on July 30 2004 in accordance with the terms of the sale process – aimed at guaranteeing the continued operations of the Aprilia company for the period necessary to complete the acquisition of the group.

Ducati will not modify its offer, which therefore remains valid. It reserves the right to protect its interests in the appropriate ways.

“We are certain that we have respected, in the form and the substance, the process and the procedures requested by the Aprilia advisors” – commented Federico Minoli, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “We are strongly convinced that our offer reflects the true value of the Aprilia Group and that it offers guarantees for all stakeholders involved in the transaction. For this reason we do not intend to modify our offer and we will leave the possibility of further evaluation up to the advisors.”

From a press release issued by Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation:

Two Ride for Kids(r) events brought together generous and caring motorcyclists from different parts of the country to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research. As part of the Annual Honda HomeComing Celebration in Marysville, Ohio, the 13th Annual Marysville Ride for Kids(r) was held on Saturday, July 31st. Under cloudy summer skies, 450 motorcyclists, fundraisers, volunteers and patient families gathered for a police-escorted ride through the Ohio countryside to celebrate the lives of young brain tumor survivors and to raise money for the research and family support programs of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

After enjoying a scenic route that included several covered bridges, the participants gathered under a gigantic, celebratory big-top tent for the touching Celebration of Life program. There, the four very special Ride for Kids(r) “stars” unfurled the grand total check to reveal that the motorcyclists had raised $142,100.

Martin Brena, MD, was on hand to share with the motorcyclists the importance of funding cancer research. The audience went silent as Katie, a 13-year old brain tumor survivor, thanked them all for their participation and told them that without their fundraising efforts and the work of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, she would probably not be alive today.

The Top Individual Fundraiser was Brent Sheares, who raised $11,519. GWRRA Ohio Chapter B2 of Bellefontaine, OH was the Top Club whose members raised $12,926. They were followed closely by GWRRA Ohio Chapter D3 of Marysville, OH whose members raised $12,326. The Top Shop spot went to Competition Accessories whose customers raised $21,062. Rich Silva of Cleveland, Ohio was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company.

Special thanks to Marysville Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders LouAnn McKeen, Altrece Hogans and their dedicated volunteer team for a successful event.


Across the country, surrounded by the Ramapo Mountains in the picturesque Hudson Valley Region, the 12th Annual Hudson Valley Ride for Kids(r) took place on Sunday, August 1, 2004. The motorcyclists, fundraisers, volunteers and patient families gathered despite the rainy, overcast weather to raise $91,112 for childhood brain tumor research. The riders were treated to a safe, police-escorted ride through mountainous twists and curves. After their ride, the participants gathered under the big-top tent to listen to the seven Ride for Kids(r) “stars” on stage during the Celebration of Life program.

Zach and Dan, both brain tumor survivors and recipients of Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation College Scholarships, were on hand to thank the motorcyclists for their dedication to the Ride for Kids(r) program. Little Emily, a five-year old brain tumor survivor, when asked what kind of pets she had at home, proudly remarked, “crayons and markers!” Tracy, a 20-year old brain tumor survivor, poignantly told the riders, “You can’t know how much you touch our lives just by showing up to a Ride for Kids event.” Dr. James Garvin, a pediatric neuro-oncologist, shared with the motorcyclists the importance of their fundraising efforts.

The Top Individual Fundraiser was Anthony Pessalano who raised $13,190. The Top Club was Ride for Liam whose members raised $13,940. New York Honda’s customers raised $5,946 earning them the Top Dealer position. Keith Rosario of Goshen, NY was the winner of a brand new Honda motorcycle donated by the American Honda Motor Company.

Thanks to Hudson Valley Ride for Kids(r) Task Force Leaders Jack Jones, Walter and Linda Buchanan and their volunteer force for a great event.

The next Ride for Kids(r) event is on Sunday, August 8 in Madison (Middleton), WI.

For more information about the Ride for Kids(r) and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, please visit www.rideforkids.org or www.pbtfus.org or call (800) 253-6530.

From a press release:

2004 MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE

SHOWCASE LEGENDS AND STARS OCTOBER 8-9, 2004

PICKERINGTON, OHIO – The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the place where American motorcycle heritage and legends come to life, will again host the industry’s brightest stars and rarest classics on October 8 – 9, 2004 during the annual Hall of Fame Weekend. This signature event combines the prestigious 2004 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction, which honors motorcycling’s favorite personalities and pioneers, with the 3rd Annual Concours d’Elegance, an exclusive showcase of over 100 of the country’s finest, privately-owned classic motorcycles. All events are open to the public, including “An Evening of Stars and Legends,” a gala Museum fundraiser reception, scheduled for Friday, October 8. Actor and motorcycle enthusiast Perry King will return to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the weekend.

“Whether you are passionate about motorcycling history, design, technology, racing or culture, or simply enjoy the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts in a great setting, this is the one weekend no one should miss,” said Mark Mederski, Executive Director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “We invite motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere to come honor the men and women who played such a significant role in shaping our industry and whose stories serve as inspiration for the next generation of riders.”

As announced in May, the 2004 Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees include several of America’s most successful and best-known motorcycle racing stars, including AMA Superbike champion and Suzuki factory star Wes Cooley, AMA Motocross and Supercross champ Jeff Emig, road racing legend and European World Superbike Championship originator Steve McLaughlin and dirt track ace Steve Morehead. Individuals who helped paved the way for today’s diverse motorcycling culture, such as Linda Dugeau, pioneer and founder of the oldest motorcycling organization for women in North America and Dal Smilie, passionate national advocate for motorcyclist rights, will also be inducted.

All weekend events take place at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the 23-acre campus of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), just outside of Columbus, Ohio.

Weekend Event Highlights

“An Evening of Stars and Legends,” welcomes and celebrates both past and current Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees at a gala evening reception, held Friday, October 8 from 6 pm to 9 pm within the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The evening features refreshments, entertainment, special raffle prizes, and much more, with all proceeds helping the Museum achieve its mission of preservation. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $50.

The 3rd Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Concours d’Elegance, the largest by-invitation-only motorcycle Concours in the country, takes place Saturday, October 9, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This amazing showcase of the nation’s rarest and finest 1975 and earlier motorcycles, including American, European, British and Japanese marques. Quality of restoration, correctness and preservation again are the key criteria for each entry, and bikes will be judged by category experts, such as noted Triumph historian and author Lindsay Brooke and noted American motorcycle experts Tony Watson and Rocky Halter. Participation is by invitation only, and owners interested in submitting an application for consideration are invited to contact the Museum.

A 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee autograph session is scheduled for 11 am to Noon. Meet this year’s inductees, bring your own items to autograph or support the Museum with a purchase of the 2004 event poster, featuring the Hall of Fame Class of 2004.

Over 25 vendors will be set up on the Museum grounds on Saturday from 8:30 am to dusk, offering early holiday gift shopping opportunities galore. From vintage memorabilia, clothing and gear to art, books and models, visitors will find moto-themed items for every interest. Food and refreshments will be available throughout the day.

The Museum’s award-winning exhibit “Heroes of Harley-Davidson, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance,” and the new “BSA’s Greatest Daytona,” exhibit, are open from 9 am to 5 pm, as well as the Museum gift shop.

The 2004 Hall of Fame Induction reception, dinner and ceremony takes place Saturday, October 9, with a cocktail reception starting at 5:30 pm. Following the 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm buffet dinner, the Induction ceremony begins at 8:00 pm. Last year’s Hall of Fame induction event sold out, with over 500 guests attending. Early reservations are recommended. Admission to the event, including dinner, is $25.00 per person for open seating. Reserved tables accommodating groups of 10 are available for $300.00.

For the very latest updates on the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction and Concours weekend, visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org frequently.

About the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

The goal of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed notably to the sport, and three major exhibition halls showcase the machines and memorabilia that have shaped motorcycling. The Museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily; and is closed on New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $10 per person; Seniors $8.00; Students ages 12 – 17, $3; Children ages 11 and under are admitted free; AMA members $5. Members of national motorcycle organizations are eligible for a $1 discount off regular admission. A $25 family rate and group rates are also available. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former Sidecar Road Racing National Champion Jack Hart, 61, was killed Wednesday, July 28 in a head-on car crash in Shelton, Washington.

Police say the crash was caused by a young driver trying to pass three cars in a no-passing zone. Alcohol may have been involved in the incident, according to local news reports.

Hart teamed as sidecar passenger with driver Bruce Lind to win the National Sidecar Championship in 1981, 1983 and 1985, finishing second in 1982 and 1984. The pair also won the 1985-1986 New Zealand Sidecar Championship.

Funeral services are pending.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.