Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I saw a 999R with 1000 miles posted to ebay with a ‘Buy it now’ price of $3500.00, I thought it was a misprint and the guy REALLY wanted $35,000 for it. So I emailed him for clarification…this has the CLASSIC scam signs.

See below:


Hello,

I received your email regarding my bike. 2003 Ducati 999R Fila with only 1000 miles.

The bike is in great condition, and mostly highway driven. All fluids have been regularly changed and maintenance has always been performed by a mechanic. Bike needs nothing. Title is in hand.

I am the original owner of the bike.The pictures give you a fair glance at the bike’s apprearance

Well-Maintained- Maintenance receipts will be provided to the buyer. Insurance, Title, and Registration on hand. Factory Warranty still in effect. Never down, or rode in rain. Clean like new, always garaged. Used as a recreational, weekend bike.It is my baby. And, It could be yours I could say a lot more good things, but you might already know the credibility of a Ducati .

The bike will be shipped on my expence. Please REPLY WITH YOUR NAME AND SHIPPING ADDRESS IN YOUR NEXT EMAIL.

I am selling this bike because I need a down payment for a house.

The buy it now price is $3,500.

Thank you for your time and interest!


(I checked ebay this morning to see if this ‘miracle bike’ had been sold and for how much. This listing had been removed, not marked as sold. Hmmmmmmmm. A SECOND email was then received with more details including payment info. See below.)

no it´s still available. I canceled the item because of numerous problems with non paying bidders and also i decided to sell it outside ebay. The bike could be yours if you agree my terms and you have the money.I will be more then glad to close this deal with you! The bike will be shipped from Athens,Greece and I will pay the shipping and insurance charges as I have a friend who works at Fedex and it will arange for me a low price shipping.Shipping will take 4-5 days.Also I will declare the item a gift so you will pay NO CUSTOMS WHEN YOU WILL RECEIVE IT!

The buy now price include the shipping and insurence fees.

The price for the item is $3500 (in this price is included the shipping cost).
1. SHIPPMENT :
Fedex service 4-5 days air insured with delivery to your home address and for thet please SEND YOUR ADDRESS IN YOUR NEXT E-MAIL.

2. PAYMENT :
I’m a very serious seller with experience in this field.I’m a fair trader with a good feedback on ebay which is the proof that I have closed a lot of sucessful deals.

You will arrange payment through money order ( www.westernunion.com ). All you have to do is go to Western Union.com and find a local agent near you were you have to go and send the cash.

3. INSURANCE
The product will be insured at the delivery service and insured for the transport.

4. RETURN POLICY
As soon as the package arrives,you will test the item and if it does not matches 100% to your expectations,you will return it in max. 15 days sience the arrival date. In this case I will send you the full amount back and you will send me the product in the original crate and you don´t have to pay the return shipping and insurance.

If this will be ok with you just e-mail me back with your info and tell me what info you need more about the item and transaction and you will have its.

My full name and address for the payment:
Name: Hanchel Larry
Address: 16 bouboulinas street
Zip Code: 10682
City:Athens
Country: Greece
Regards and all the best!!!


(This guy’s email address is [email protected])

Kirk Deason
Denver, Colorado

From a press release issued by NESBA:

NESBA Hosts Charity Event at Summit Point Benefiting Local Area Elementary School

NESBA, the largest sport bike track day organization in the country is hosting its third annual charity event benefiting Jefferson Elementary school this Monday, August 23, 2004.

For their third year in a row, NESBA is sponsoring a charity track day to benefit Jefferson Elementary. All proceeds from this event are donated to this elementary school, which has 450 students enrolled in grades Kindergarten to Sixth, and is located 5 miles from the track. In 2002 NESBA decided to host a local charity track day and elect a community charity that would receive funds from the event. Jefferson Elementary was the designated recipient of the proceeds. Dutch MacKenzie, Director of Mid-Atlantic Operations for NESBA, said “It’s really great to be able to give something back to the community while participating in a sport we are all so passionate about. Especially when it benefits a neighbor of the racetrack like this event does.”

On Monday, NESBA will present Gretchen Van Camp, Principal of Jefferson Elementary, with a check for $7,000.00, the proceeds from last year’s event. This money is in addition to the $8,500 NESBA raised during their 2002 charity track day, bringing the total donated by NESBA to $15,500 before the 2004 event. The money raised from the first event was used to purchase flashing traffic safety lights for the speed limit signs in front of the school. Van Camp said, “Over the past year, the safety issues have been able to be addressed with the funding. Safety has been the biggest concern for us, and it’s been great to be able to put in the safety lights.” The next check will be going toward school technology, such as new computers, software and other needs.

130 riders, the maximum number allotted to sign up for the track day, are registered to participate in the charity day event on Monday. This is a win-win situation for all involved. NESBA riders get to take to the track and enjoy an exciting day of riding in a safe, controlled environment while raising money for the local children. The charity day has been such a success that it is scheduled to remain a yearly event, and NESBA is proud to be supporting such a worthy cause.

About NESBA – NESBA, a non-profit, volunteer run organization, is the largest sport bike track day organization in the country, providing instruction and safe, controlled track time for motorcycle riders. NESBA offers the most opportunities and venues to ride in the Northeast, Mid Atlantic, Southeast, Mid West, and Northwest United States. Whether you’re a street rider or a racer, NESBA has something for you. Grab your helmet and check us out. You can contact NESBA through their web site, www.nesba.com, or by calling 1-877-AT-NESBA.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The 2005 Daytona 200 could have been a Formula USA 600cc Superbike race if AMA Pro Racing had not agreed to run the event as a Formula Xtreme race, and track officials wanted spec tires to prevent tire companies from using up new-course safety margins by building faster tires with more traction, reducing durability.

That’s the word from insiders involved in the negotiations between Daytona International Speedway and AMA Pro Racing.

In the end, AMA Pro Racing agreed to the Formula Xtreme format, the track agreed to make course modifications, and the spec tire requirement was tabled.

AMA Pro Racing also successfully negotiated for a shorter Superbike race with a reasonable purse to be held at Daytona. Superbike continues to be AMA Pro Racing’s flagship class at least through 2006 and the race at Daytona will pay the usual series points.

Daytona Speedway officials insisted on smaller-displacement machines for the 200-mile race due to concerns over tire failures and rising top speeds. The Speedway does not want 200-mph motorcycles, and does not want a catastrophic crash set off by a rider at the front of a 7-bike drafting train falling due to an exploding rear tire.

Several racers are now claiming that 600cc racebikes will be unable to go the 200-mile distance, although 600cc machines in both Superstock and Superbike trim have been very successful in 4-hour and 6-hour races held as part of the WERA National Endurance Series, and, obviously, tuners can adjust power outputs to suit desired engine life.

Current Formula Xtreme rules do not allow works-type quick-change swingarms with captive sprockets and drop-in wheel hubs, which should reduce the cost of building a competitive machine for the Daytona 200.

This just in from Trevor Hedge, editor of www.mcnews.com.au:

At the suggestion of and in consultation with Suzuki Australia, and the McCarthy family, we have set up an email address where all messages of condolence may be forwarded. These will be collated by Suzuki Australia and forwarded to the McCarthy family. Send your condolences to [email protected]

From a press release issued by Dorna Sports:

MotoGP riders reconvene in Czech Republic

The MotoGP World Championship paddock was reunited in the Czech Republic today after a four week summer break since the last round in Great Britain. The riders looked relaxed and refreshed as they prepared for the first of seven races in two months, which will bring the curtain down on what has already been a stellar 2004 season.

After nine close races, which have produced four different winners, the fast and flowing Brno circuit promises more of the same – with memories still fresh of the last year’s race, when Valentino Rossi beat Sete Gibernau by just 0.042 seconds. Rossi returned from his holidays in Ibiza and at home in London already focused on a repeat performance, aware that he will have to be on top form for the remainder of the season if he wants to retain the title of MotoGP World Champion, which he has held for the past three seasons.

“I made a beautiful race in Brno last year,” said Rossi, who currently leads the standings by 22 points from Gibernau and Max Biaggi. “It’s not necessarily my favourite circuit and I really don’t know how the M1 will go here as it’s so diverse; high speed but still with many turns, up and downhill sections and adverse cambers. Although I’m leading the championship it’s not by enough points to feel safe yet, every point from now on is crucial if we are to think about being in a position to win the championship.”

Troy Bayliss also took a starring role in the race last year, leading for the opening laps before finishing third, less than a second behind Rossi. It is a result the Australian would love to repeat, and he admits to feeling confident after recent progress made by Ducati. “I honestly think we’re moving in the right direction now and things are coming together,” commented Bayliss, who was one of several riders to hone their competitive edge at a local shooting range today. “I am not one for looking into the past but I enjoyed this racetrack last year and another performance like that one would be nice.”

Colin Edwards enjoyed his best performance in MotoGP with second place at Donington Park before the break and admitted that he was more than ready to return to action despite a meningitis scare just days before returning to Europe from his Texas home. “I was taken ill for a couple of days and we weren’t sure what it was,” commented the American, who was cleared to ride by the MotoGP doctors this afternoon.

“There was a worry that it might be meningitis but it turned out to be a viral infection and I’m okay. Now I’m just looking forward to getting back on the racetrack – we’ve finally sorted out our problems with the bike and now I can show people the real Colin Edwards for the rest of the season.”

Marco Melandri was also given the green light after an examination on the broken hand he suffered at Donington Park, whilst 250cc rider Roberto Rolfo also paid a visit to the Clinica Mobile for a check-up on the dislocated shoulder he sustained in a rare crash at the same track.

Rolfo is one of four factory Honda riders looking to prevent Aprilia from claiming their 100th victory in the quarter-litre class this weekend, although the favourite to do so is undoubtedly rookie sensation Dani Pedrosa. The young Spaniard has finished in the top two at eight of the opening nine rounds this season and leads the championship by 34 points from Randy De Puniet. However, the Frenchman has not thrown in the towel yet and is confident of repeating his victory at this circuit from one year ago. “The race here last season was one of the best of my career and obviously if I could repeat that on Sunday I will be happy,” commented De Puniet. “Dani has a strong lead but there are seven races left in which I will be giving my maximum and anything could happen.”

Pedrosa’s 125cc heir at Honda, Andrea Dovizioso, also leads the championship but faces extra competition this weekend after his clear victory at Donington Park. Casey Stoner returns with renewed determination after a two-race absence and is joined at KTM by young Austrian wildcard Michael Ranseder, who makes his Grand Prix debut just across the border from his and the team’s home country. With Aprilia, Derbi, Gilera and Malaguti also represented, the number of manufacturers in the minor class will boosted to seven this weekend with the return of Yamaha, who compete with Japanese wildcard rider Tomoyoshi Koyama.



More, from a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
GAULOISES CZECH REPUBLIC GRAND PRIX
AUTODROM BRNO 19TH AUGUST 2004
EVENT PREVIEW

FUCHS KAWASAKI TEAM READY TO RACE AT BRNO

Refreshed and motivated after a three week summer holiday, Fuchs Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann, are eagerly awaiting a return to track action in the Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno this weekend.

The race is the tenth round of the MotoGP World Championship, and the first of seven GPs to complete the second half of a season that will conclude at Valencia in October.

Nakano took time off to go home to Japan to visit family and friends, while team-mate Hofmann relaxed mainly at his home in Switzerland. Both riders kept up their fitness programs with motocross riding, although Hofmann also spent a lot of time cycling in the mountains near his home.

But while Nakano and Hofmann were on vacation, there was no rest for Kawasaki engineers and Japanese test rider Akira Yanagawa.

The latest development parts for the in-line four cylinder Ninja ZX-RR engine came on stream in August, with Yanagawa completing a series of important test sessions in Japan.

Positive results from an engine specification featuring revised crankshaft mass and cylinder heads has the Kawasaki squad facing the second half of the season with renewed confidence. With the Kawasaki MotoGP project still in an evolution stage, the primary focus is on improved rideability and mid-range acceleration, although the latest engine specification has also meant a small increase in RPM and top end power.

While the ZX-RR went through its paces in Japan, Kawasaki’s tyre partner Bridgestone was also hard at work. Hot weather Bridgestone test sessions at Brno, in conjunction with the Suzuki test team, have produced valuable data in advance of the Czech GP, which is a notoriously hot and fast mid-summer race. Both Kawasaki and Suzuki share a technical partnership with Bridgestone and testing by both factories returns mutual benefits.

Brno is a legendary stop on the World Championship calendar, with the city successfully making the transition from hosting races on a famous public road course to a modern and extremely challenging 5.4 km permanent circuit.

Going into the Czech GP, Nakano is 13th on the championship table with 37 points, and still aiming for his pre-season goal of a top ten finish in his first season with Kawasaki. German young gun Hofmann is on 24 points in 17th place.

Shinya Nakano: #56
“I had a very good holiday in Japan, but I’m ready to go back racing after three weeks away from the track. During the break I just relaxed with my family and did some motocross riding and training to keep up my fitness. I want better results over the second part of the season and, hopefully, the work done by the Kawasaki engineers will enable us to capitalise on the potential of the ZX-RR. I know Yanagawa-san did a lot of testing, so I’m looking forward to riding the bike at Brno where you need a strong motor. I’m just happy to be getting back on the bike.”

Alex Hofmann: #66
“I did a lot of training in the holidays, mainly cycling in the mountains, as the second part of the season is very busy – with four races outside Europe – which cuts into training time. This will be my first time at Brno on the latest ZX-RR and I think it will suit the fast flowing sections of this track, although the uphill part and the long straight are always a test of engine performance. It’s one of my favourite circuits, with a really great atmosphere and usually a lot of fans from Germany. I had some bad luck in the first part of the season, but that is behind me now. My aim is to be in the points at every GP and finish the season strongly.”

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
“There is no time to rest in MotoGP, as our hard working Kawasaki engineers in Japan demonstrated during the short break between Donington Park and Brno. But I’m sure all our rival factory teams were doing the same, so I expect this first race back will be just as tough as all the others. The next stage of our engine development program has produced a little more top end power, with more RPM, but it has also focussed on improving mid-range engine response. Akira Yanagawa tested motors with revised crankshaft mass and cylinder heads and Brno now provides the opportunity to measure the performance in race conditions. Alex and Shinya are rested, motivated and ready to race; and I’m confident that the work done by Bridgestone at Brno will also prove to be a step forward.”

From a press release issued by Canadian Superbike series organizers:

LACOMBE ON THE RISE

MONT-TREMBLANT, QC Pascal Picotte sits on the brink of clinching his second straight Parts Canada Superbike Championship title at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant this weekend, but another Granby, QC racer has also started making headlines.

With his victory in the previous round of the series at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie, NS two weeks ago Kevin Lacombe vaulted from fifth to second in the series standings and ended Picotte’s four-race winning streak.

With only one race remaining after this weekend’s seventh round of the series, Picotte is all but assured of the Parts Canada Superbike title. The Team Yamaha / Picotte Performance Yamaha rider has 287 points to Lacombe’s 216. A rider can earn a maximum of 56 points at each series round.

But Lacombe is a rider on the move. In addition to scoring the win at AMP the Lacombe Racing / Brooklin Cycle Yamaha rider also qualified on pole.

Lacombe is now four points clear of Brantford, ON’s Jordan Szoke in the series standings. Riding the Honda Canada / Fast Company Honda, Szoke has finished second in the past two Parts Canada Superbike series races.

There is also a tight battle for fourth in series points with two races left on the schedule. Calgary’s Clint McBain holds a one-point edge over DXS Diablo Suzuki rider Steve Crevier of Maple Ridge, BC, 169-168. McBain’s Coors Light Racing / Blackfoot Suzuki teammate, Australian Craig Connell is next in points with 163.

Another threat for victory this weekend will be Canadian Kawasaki factory rider Francis Martin of Rock Forest, QC. Martin finished a season high fourth at AMP two weeks ago and Tom Kipp gave Kawasaki the win at last year’s Mont-Tremblant event.

Action this weekend will also feature the penultimate rounds of the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Championship and the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike series.

Picotte also holds a commanding lead in the Pro 600 Sport Bike standings following his fourth win of the year at AMP on his Yamaha. The defending class champion now has 296 points to Crevier’s 228 and the 212 of McBain.

In the Amateur 600 Sport Bike title chase, Mississauga, ON’s Rudy Raposo opened up a 33-point lead over fellow Yamaha rider Darren James of North Vancouver, 171-138 after claiming his first victory of the year at AMP.

Action this weekend opens with practice on Friday. Qualifying for all three national classes will take place Saturday afternoon with races on Sunday.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Oct. 10 at 1:00 p.m. EDT and on Quebec’s RDS on Oct. 23 at 2:00 p.m EDT. The action will also appear in one-hour format this fall on TORONTO1 and A-Channel stations in Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton.


For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com


2003 Mont-Tremblant Winners

Parts Canada Superbike: Tom Kipp, Chardon, OH (Kawasaki)

Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike: Tom Kipp, Chardon, OH (Kawasaki)

International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike: Jeremy Leduc, Keremeos, BC (Yamaha)

Mont-Tremblant Fast Facts

…Pascal Picotte continues his quest to gain sole possession of third place on the all-time national Superbike wins list at Mont-Tremblant this weekend. The Granby, QC native currently sits in a tie with Rueben McMurter, Michel Mercier and Don Munroe on 12 victories. Steve Crevier leads with 22 career successes and Jordan Szoke is second on 14.

…What a difference a year makes. When Tom Kipp won the Superbike feature at Mont-Tremblant last season he became the sixth different race winner in seven events. When Kevin Lacombe won the previous round of this year’s title chase at Atlantic Motorsport Park he was only the third different victor in six races.

…Should Picotte go on to win his second straight Parts Canada Superbike series title, he will become only the third rider in the 25-year history of the national championship to win back-to-back crowns. Mercier was the first in 1986-87, while Crevier won three in a row between 1991-’93 and also claimed back-to-back crowns in 2000-01.

2004 Point Standings

Parts Canada Superbike: 1. Pascal Picotte (Yamaha) 287; 2. Kevin Lacombe (Yamaha) 216; 3. Jordan Szoke (Honda) 212; 4. Clint McBain (Suzuki) 169; 5. Steve Crevier (Suzuki) 168

Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike: 1. Pascal Picotte (Yamaha) 296; 2. Steve Crevier (Suzuki) 228; 3. Clint McBain (Suzuki) 212

International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike: 1. Rudy Raposo (Yamaha) 171; 2. Darren James (Yamaha) 138; 3. Dominic Lavoie (Kawasaki) 109

Provisional Weekend Schedule

Saturday August 21

1:00 p.m.-1:25 p.m. Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Qualifying

2:10 p.m.-3:10 p.m. International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Qualifying

3:20 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Qualifying

Sunday August 22

12:30 p.m. Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike Race 12 laps

International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike Race 10 laps

2:50 p.m. Parts Canada Superbike Race 15 laps

From a press release issued by Race Promotion Management’s Dan Murphy:

I would like to announce that RPM will not return to Laguna Seca to continue to promote either a World GP or a World Superbike race in 2005. SCRAMP, the track operator has decided it in their best interests to run the race without us. We are disappointed in this decision since our event had become one of SCRAMP’s most profitable events. In addition we think our expertise in the motorcycle industry was a major factor in the success of the race weekend. However we wish them the best of luck and we hope next year’s race is a big success.

I am proud of the fact that we were able to combine both an AMA race weekend and World Superbike weekend to make an international race weekend finally work at Laguna. We tried all sorts of new things from stunt riders, to fan rides, to Supermoto to keep the event new and different each year. We want to thank all of our sponsors and fans who supported the event the last ten year but especially those who supported us in the early years. Three different promoters tried and failed at Laguna to run an international race and it took a leap of faith to jump on with us in the first year.

We wish SCRAMP the best of luck in their new venture and I look forward to coming to the race as a fan instead of a worker.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Local Monterey, California news reports say the 2005 U.S. GP at Laguna Seca will be held on the weekend of July 8-10.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former CCS Southwest (#191) racer and current Air Force Staff Sergeant Leonard Novak, III, married Amanda Foss August 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Foss is stationed in Okinawa, Japan.