From a press release issued by KTM:

Kallio shakes off the rust at Valencia

Mika Kallio showed his eagerness to get back into action with the fastest time on the first day of 125cc tests at Valencia on Wednesday.

The KTM rider starts the season as one of the favourites for the title and today confirmed that status in his first preseason test with an impressive lap time of 1:41.725 despite cool and damp conditions at the Spanish circuit.

Swiss youngster Thomas Luthi was second fastest on the Honda, just ahead of local favourite Sergio Gadea, with Lorenzo Zanetti some way off Gadea’s pace in fourth place.

Unofficial lap times:

1.- Mika Kallio – KTM – 1:41.725 (52 laps)
2.- Thomas Luthi – Honda – 1:41.887 (49)
3.- Sergio Gadea – Aprilia – 1:41.907 (52)
4.- Lorenzo Zanetti – Aprilia – 1:42.492 (60)
5.- Gabor Talmacsi – KTM – 1:42.550 (52)
6.- Andrea Iannone – Aprilia – 1:43.414 (61)
7.- Héctor Faubel – Aprilia – 1:43.652 (49)
8.- Imre Toth – Aprilia – 1:43.684 (49)
9.- Julián Miralles – Aprilia – 1:43.691 (42)
10.- Jordi Carchano – Aprilia – 1:44.126 (58)

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Supersport World Championship
2005 Permanent Entry Lists
Final list


3, Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh, NED, Ducati 749R, Team Ducati Selmat
8, Stephane Chambon, FRA, Honda CBR600RR, Team Gil Motorsport
11, Kevin Curtain, AUS, Yamaha YZF-R6, Yamaha Motor Germany
12, Xavi Fores, ESP, Suzuki GSX-R600, Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra
14, Andrea Berta, ITA, Ducati 749R, Team Ducati Selmat
15, Matteo Baiocco, ITA, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, Team Lightspeed Kawasaki
16, Sebastien Charpentier, FRA, Honda CBR600RR, Winston Ten Kate Honda
19, Jarno Jansen, NED, Suzuki GSX-R600, Team Suzuki Nederland
21, Katsuaki Fujiwara, JPN, Honda CBR600RR, Winston Ten Kate Honda
23, Broc Parkes, AUS, Yamaha YZF-R6, Yamaha Motor Germany
24, Christophe Cogan, FRA, Suzuki GSX-R600, MOTO1 – Suzuki
25, Tatu Lauslehto, FIN, Honda CBR600RR, Team Klaffi Honda
30, Alessandro Antonello, ITA, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, Team Kawasaki Bertocchi
45, Sebastien LeGrelle, BEL, Honda CBR600RR, Team le Grelle DHOLDA in Action
48, David Garcia, ESP, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, Team Lightspeed Kawasaki
58, Tomas Miksovsky, CZE, Honda CBR600RR, Intermoto Czech Republic
59, Pawel Szkopek, POL, Honda CBR600RR, Intermoto Czech Republic
69, Gianluca Nannelli, ITA, Ducati 749R, Team Caracchi
72, Stefan Folkesson, SWE, Honda CBR600RR, Stiggy Motorsports
77, Barry Veneman, NED, Suzuki GSX-R600, Team Suzuki Nederland
84, Michel Fabrizio, ITA, Honda CBR600RR, Team Italia Megabike
88, Julien Enjolras, FRA, Yamaha YZF-R6, Tati Team Beaujolais Racing
99, Fabien Foret, FRA, Honda CBR600RR, Team Megabike
116, Johan Stigefelt, SWE, Honda CBR600RR, Stiggy Motorsports

From a press release issued by Protac:

Protac and Hopkins part amicably

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Protac, a leading rider representation firm headed by Douglas Gonda, has announced an affable parting with Suzuki MotoGP rider John Hopkins. Protac helped guide Hopkins’ career from his early days of AMA racing through his first three years of MotoGP.

“We feel very good about the direction in which we helped guide John’s career,” said Protac’s Doug Gonda. “He definitely had the talent, and even though some argued he didn’t have the racing credentials that would warrant a Grand Prix ride, we were able to convince the GP teams that John was a solid risk. He’s proven to be one of the leading up-and-coming riders in the series.”

After winning the AMA 750 Supersport Series in 2000 and the AMA Formula Xtreme Series in 2001 with the Valvoline EMGO Suzuki squad Protac was able to move Hopkins into a MotoGP ride with Red Bull Yamaha. He then signed with the factory Suzuki team in 2003 and will continue with Suzuki in 2005.

“I would like to thank Doug and his company Protac for the work he has done in moving my career forward,” Hopkins said. “His guidance, assistance, contacts and skillful negotiations have been a major factor in getting me into MotoGP and keeping me in MotoGP. I’m not sure I could have done it without Doug. My decision to change management is based simply on my desire to try something different.”

Protac wishes the best for Hopkins and is confident he will reach his potential in the near future.

Protac is a full service rider management and sponsorship procurement company. Gonda continues working for clients in the industry and can be contacted at (530) 582-1061.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

New Suzuki British Superbike rider Scott Smart is excited about his upcoming first test on the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000K5 following the positive feedback on the new machine from World Superbike and American Superbike teams.

The 28 year old will join British Superbike Champion John Reynolds at Valencia on February 18th and 19th for the team’s initial test of the bike and he is already in a positive mood that his first ride will be a success.

Scott said: “I have spoken with my chief technician Norris Farrow and my bike is ready for testing. I am pretty excited and Valencia cannot come quick enough.

“We have put the new Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000K5 on the dyno and it is returning some impressive horsepower figures – and that’s without starting to tune it. I’m not allowed to reveal its power output but it is right on the money and certainly more than I have ever had before.

“The potential with the bike is enormous and we already have an indication of how good the bike is going to be thanks to the AMA and WSB test reports. The Suzukis have been posting the fastest times wherever they are testing and the riders are very confident.

“What’s particularly impressive is the simulated race distances the teams are doing. The overall race time is reduced significantly and the lap times are consistently at record pace. That’s without any attempts at qualifying or going for a pure lap time and it is very encouraging for both ‘JR’ and me.

“The hard graft for Rizla Suzuki starts now with our Valencia test and the further development of the bike. We have plenty of testing options available after Valencia and the remaining six weeks before the racing starts is going to be very busy.”

The team starts the defence of its British Superbike and Manufacturer titles at Brands Hatch, Kent on Bank Holiday Monday, March 28th.

From a press release issued by Suzuki Racing:

GASTON RAHIER: 1946 – 2005

Team Suzuki Press Office – February 9, 2005.

Suzuki all-time great Gaston Rahier passed away on Saturday in Paris after a long illness. He was 58 years old.

Belgian-born Rahier was a founding member of Suzuki’s participation in the 125cc Motocross World Championships. His great accomplishment of three consecutive world titles in 1975, 1976 and 1977 established Suzuki’s unprecedented run of 10 consecutive world championships and he still holds the record of 29 Grand Prix victories in the 125cc class.

His motocross career came to an abrupt end in 1982 following a serious accident in which he almost lost a hand. He recovered and in 1983, participated for the first time in the demanding Paris-Dakar Rally but retired following a mechanical breakdown whilst leading. He returned in 1984 and 1985 and dominated again, becoming the first non-French rider to claim victory.

Rahier made a tremendous contribution towards making Rally racing a more widely popular sport. His Paris-Dakar and Pharaoh’s Rally victories in 1984. 1985 and 1988, his professional approach towards Rallies, and his open personality made him a celebrity, known not only by fans and supporters of motorcycle sport, but also by a much wider general public.

As a member of the Belgian Motocross Team, he also won the Trophy des Nations in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1978 and the Motocross of Nations in 1976.

Suzuki Motor Corporation wishes to express our deepest sympathy and offer our condolences to his family at this sad time.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

FYI, we’ve updated our statement here:
http://officer.proteus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27282

Certainly that kinda crap has no place on Officer.com, and certainly does not represent the feelings of law enforcement in general. It was a very poorly designed sarcasm as the individual has told us it was meant as satire, not reality. Either way, it’s just not the kind of posts we typically have on Officer.com. The user was removed, but we did leave the post since you were linking to it since folks should see it as it was.

Some bikers did come on and act VERY inappropriately back (understandable in some cases, but not the vulgarity and threats)….but things seem relatively calm now.

Any questions let me know. Hopefully the end result will be more education and information, on both sides, so that something good comes out of something otherwise bad.

Thanks,

Dave Iannone
Officer.com



See related post:

2/8/2005 Updated: Law Enforcement Website Hoax? Purported Police Officer Describes Joy At Seeing Fleeing Motorcyclist Seriously Injured…

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Tester Shinichi Itoh gets to grips with the Desmosedici at Sepang. Carlos Checa also on the track for an extra day’s testing.

Sepang (Malaysia), 10 February 2005 – The Tyre Test Team made its debut today on the Malaysian track in typically torrid conditions (38-40° air/62° track), but the first day’s running has already produced positive results.

In the morning Shinichi Itoh started off by switching between the two new GP5 machines, which will be given to Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa tomorrow. The presence of the Japanese rider has enabled the new bike to be given its shakedown before the two Ducati Marlboro Team riders start testing tomorrow.

At around 4.30 in the afternoon Itoh started working with the Ducati-Bridgestone Tyre Test Team Desmosedici GP4 that he will have at his disposal for this session. He ended the day with a best time of 2:04.30.

Carlos Checa was also hard at work, starting a day earlier than his team-mate Loris Capirossi, who will begin his Malaysia test tomorrow Friday. The Spanish rider, who was forced to miss the final two days of testing in January, wanted to get an early start to make up for the time lost.

“I am pleased to be able to have this possibility” declared Checa, “Today was useful because it helped me to shake off a bit of accumulated ‘rust’. Unfortunately two weeks ago I was not feeling well and I only tested the first day, so today was more or less my first time out in 2005. Now I am ready to put my head down and work for the three days of testing ahead”.

Carlos completed a total of 40 laps, setting a quickest time of 2:03.60.

Loris Capirossi will be testing with Checa from tomorrow to Sunday.

Carlos Checa: 2:03.60
Shinichi Itoh: 2:04.30

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Mies, February 9

SUPERBIKE – SUPERSPORT
SUPERSTOCK – SUPERPRODUCTION

Listing of FIM homologated motorcycles for 2005



SUPERBIKE

Model, Production period as from/until

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

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

Modele Production period as from/until

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 /until

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

DUCATI 749 JOINS POLICE DEPARTMENT’S “STREET LEGAL” RIDER AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR 2005

Edmonton Police Use Specially Outfitted Ducati as Exotic Tool to Help Reduce Youth Fatalities, Getting Young Riders “Off the Streets and onto the Tracks”

Cupertino, CA – February 9th, 2005 – Ducati North America today announced that a 2005 Ducati 749 Biposto, customized by Argyll Motorsports of Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), will join the Edmonton Police Department in a unique capacity. Rather than being outfitted as a traditional pursuit or traffic enforcement motorcycle, the exotic Argyll Motorsports-Ducati support vehicle has been assigned to the Department’s special Blue Line Racing division, which conducts an innovative STREET LEGAL Program that attempts to get youngsters and their high performance vehicles off the streets and onto local drag strips.

The STREET LEGAL Program, operated by a group of Edmonton Police Department constables, includes two drag racing cars and now the new Ducati 749 Superbike. STREET LEGAL’s goal is to reduce death and injury of youths age 15-25 caused by traffic-related collisions, by developing an awareness for young drivers and riders to operate motor vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. Rather than cracking down with increased traffic patrols and tickets, Edmonton’s Police Department has opted for a different tactic, using the stylish and powerful Ducati to reach out to young riders and drive home its “take it to the track” safety messages.

“Edmonton has seen an increase in the number of sport bike rider deaths in the past few years peaking with a total of eight sport bike-related deaths in 2004,” says Edmonton Police Constable Ryan Sparreboom, an avid motorcycle racer and the officer in charge of the specially prepared Ducati 749. “We’ll be using our race cars and the eye-catching 2005 Ducati 749 Biposto to bring added attention to our program and, hopefully, save some lives in the process.”

Rick Fluery, the owner of Argyll Motorsports, the Edmonton-based firm that loaned the Ducati to the police department for a year at no charge, was instrumental in the selection. “When we were approached by the Department about the possible addition of a sport bike to the STREET LEGAL Program, they had a Japanese bike in mind,” says Fluery. “We suggested the Ducati 749 Biposto would get them more bang with the kids because of its inherent exotic appeal and definitive performance.”

The newest member of Blue Line Racing proved an enormous draw when it officially debuted at the Edmonton Motorcycle Show in early February. Throughout 2005, police team members plan to bring the three vehicles to community events, schools, auto and motorcycle shows, track days, and make personal appearances to educate young drivers and riders.