From a press release issued by CCS/Florida:

CCS/Florida Announces New “No Muffler” Pay Out for “Shoot-Out”

Championship Cup Series/Florida has announced a new “No Muffler” payout program for 2005.

“Starting with the Homestead round on February 12-13, we will be encouraging riders entering the Expert Unlimited GP (Shoot-Out) main event to run without mufflers. To do this we are adding a bonus for the top ten finishers (see enclosed pay out list),” said series promoter Henry DeGouw.

“After attending GPs in Italy and Spain last year, I could see how the ‘no muffler’ new sound electrified the crowd and everyone in attendance. So I thought, why not try it! And that is what we are going to do this year, and we will offer an incentive to do it. It will be a great show and think about it, can you imagine F-1, NASCAR or NHRA racing with mufflers?

“We do not want any other classes to run without mufflers, only EX/ULGP and only those same bikes that are entered in other races.”

This program will be in effect at Homestead and Moroso but not at Jennings, which has sound restrictions.


New 2005 Shoot-Out Purse

Purse, No Muffler Bonus, Total

1. $450.00, $150.00, $600.00
2. $270.00, $80.00, $350.00
3. $180.00, $70.00, $250.00
4. $150.00, $50.00, $200.00
5. $135.00, $40.00, $175.00
6. $80.00, $25.00, $105.00
7. $70.00, $25.00, $95.00
8. $65.00, $20.00, $85.00
9. $55.00, $20.00, $75.00
10.$45.00, $20.00, $65.00

$1,500.00, $500.00, $2,000.00




And now some reaction:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

There are two main problems with Mr. DeGouw’s fatally flawed plan to run bikes without mufflers:

1. There are no spectators to electrify at US club races.

2. This is the USA, not Europe.

We are lucky to be racing motorcycles without the STOCK mufflers on them. Very soon somebody is going to prove how his actions have damaged the eardrums of some mosquito in a nearby swamp, and then nobody will ever get to ride a bike there again.

Max McAllister
Woodstock, Georgia



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Running (without mufflers) at tracks or on the street for that matter is a lousy idea! It’s certain to damage personnel in the pits, fans’ and racers’ hearing. And how about the kids that go? Cities and towns are starting to crack down (at long last) on loud noise. The day I can’t walk the pits and enjoy it, I will no longer attend.

I remember years ago when I and others had open pipes in Vintage. Fans would walk off holding their ears, and headaches were common when pitted next to megaphone Manxs. My ears ring now for months when a loud noise goes off next to me, I wish it on no one!

With all the Harley type street cruisers around, I have a hard time enjoying my own yard in summer. Animals and birds are affected too, I see the birds constantly disturbed when a slow-a– cruiser rides by. Animals count on their hearing for survival, so I do worry that they could suffer hearing loss.

You want noise, go to Main Street, Daytona–just don’t plan on getting any sleep. Oddly, one of the quietest places in Daytona is the track! And GP racers have asked to quiet the loud racebikes so they can ride faster. Loud bikes suck, plain and simple.

Hearing aids suck, too. Ask an old racer, they know what it does.

Carl Hokanson,
Acushnet, Massachusetts

From a press release issued by CMRRA:

If you’re looking to get into road racing or just having a lot of fun, the California Motorcycle Road Race Association, Inc. (CMRRA) has promoted 50cc-125cc mini road racing for the past 12 years in the Southern California area. This year, racing at Willow Springs and Grange’ Motor Circuit in Apple Valley we have rider classifications from Beginners to Experts and motorcycle classes from 50cc – 125cc 2 strokes and up to 200cc 4 strokes. Ages range from 8 years old to 62+.

Riders like John Hopkins, Chris Ulrich, Jason Perez, Skye Girard and many more all started out with CMRRA. This is a great way to gain experience and hone your riding skills as you move up in classification.

For further information contact CMRRA at (951) 757-4869 or check out their web site at: www.racecmrra.com

From a press release:

Team Sheriff Racing’s Newest Sponsor

Team Sheriff Racing is very pleased to announce that Lockhart Phillips USA is the newest member of the Team Sheriff Racing family and will begin their sponsorship of the Motorcycle Division with the 2005 season.

LP USA, a longtime supporter of both professional and amateur racing alike, has not only agreed to sponsor the team, but will also be working very closely with Team Sheriff Racing in our efforts to educate young riders as well as introduce them to the track environment through our “Beat The Heat” programs.

As part of our combined efforts, LP USA will expand their “Zero to Hero” program; rewarding young riders from the “Beat The Heat” program that desire to progress into racing by paying their entry fees for their first few races.

We are very excited to be working with Lockhart Phillips USA and look forward to a long-lasting relationship.

From a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate Honda:

New era for Ten Kate, Honda and Winston in SBK World Championship

With the first round of the 2005 World Superbike and Supersport championships just over three weeks away, the Dutch Ten Kate team continues pre-season testing today (1 February) at Almeria, Spain with new colours on its Honda-powered machines.

The team has been joined by Winston as title partner for the 2005 season, during which it will contest both world championships with a talented four-rider team.

Fellow Australians Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge will ride the blue Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR in the 12-round World Superbike championship. Vermeulen scored four wins on the new Honda during his debut 2004 season, taking him to fourth place in the championship.

For the World Supersport championship, the Winston Ten Kate Honda team is joined by Japanese rider Katsuaki Fujiwara and Frenchman Sébastien Charpentier. The pair will compete on Honda CBR600RRs with which Karl Muggeridge secured the 2004 World Supersport title, the Ten Kate team’s third successive championship victory.

Roberto Zanni – JT International – Worldwide marketing and sales, Senior Vice-President
“JT International is preparing for its third consecutive year in world championship motorcycle racing. Following in our MotoGP tradition, we are entering the World Superbike and World Supersport championships with our global brand Winston. Through these projects with the Ten Kate team, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with Honda. With the talent and determination of our four riders – who are still on their way up, even though they have already won two world titles – we anticipate some great successes. I am certain that the motivation that has led to the creation of the Winston Ten Kate Honda project will lead our team to victory, and I take this opportunity to wish the best to our riders.”

Carlo Fiorani – Honda Europe – Motorcycle racing activities Manager
“Superbike and Supersport represent the ideal formula to enhance the driving capacities of riders and to demonstrate the quality of the project of a super sport motorcycle. For these reasons Honda Europe has been supporting for years the Ten Kate team and the results have always proven us right. We think that this year the Winston Ten Kate Honda team, which has a new important sponsor, four great riders and a high quality technical support, will surely be one of the leading teams of the two championships. Good luck to Chris, Karl, Katsuaki and Sebastian and a special thank you to JT International and all of the partners which believed in the project.

Gerrit ten Kate – Winston Ten Kate Honda team owner
“Since we contested our first world championship season in 1997, Ten Kate Racing has come a very long way. With the support of Honda Europe, we have won three consecutive World Supersport championships and our first season of World Superbike in 2004 gave us four race wins and fourth place in the series. We have been working hard over the winter months to improve even further the remarkable CBR1000RR and new CBR600RR, both of which are already as close to race-ready production motorcycles as you can buy. We are absolutely delighted to welcome Winston as title partner to the team for 2005. I am convinced that this additional support will allow us to reach even higher standards of performance and professionalism in both world championships”.


The three-day test at Almeria (1-3 February) will be followed by two days at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia (7-8 February), after which the team will prepare for the international launch of Winston Ten Kate Honda in the city of Milan on 15 February.

From a press release:

A custom-built 450cc Honda dirt tracker will be raffled off to benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund. The project started just four weeks ago, but quickly grew to include 12 well-known and respected participants, who were excited about the prospect of building the bike and also helping to benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund.

Project/raffle co-ordinator Peter Giammalvo of Sideways Promotions, which specializes in professional and amateur flat track racing events, describes how it all came together: “Four weeks ago Leo Vadnais, a die-hard dirt track enthusiast and reporter for The Motorcyclist’s Post and Flat Track Illustrated, approached me with an idea: to build a 450 Honda dirt tracker and raffle it off with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund. A few phone calls by Leo and it’s a done deal! With the blessing of Roadracing World and Bruce Bober of the AMA, donations came from many enthusiasts.

“Mike Owen from J&M Frames donated a frame, shock and radiator. Bruce Lyskawa from Concord Honda donated a 2005 motor. Jack from First Klass Glass is supplying the seat and tank. Bob Weiss from Weiss Racing is supplying triple clamps. Jeff from East Coast Wheels is taking care of wheels and hubs. SuperTrapp is taking care of the pipe. Chris from Wakula Racing is supplying brakes and brackets. Tires and misc hardware is taken care of by A1Cycles.com, Bettencourt’s Honda-Suzuki and Sideways Promotions. ZEKE Design will ensure an awesome paint design. Fast Plates is doing the number plates which will be autographed by the top riders of 2005.”

A maximum of 3000 tickets will be sold at $10 each at racetracks and online at www.roadracingworld.com. Although tickets will be on sale for bike week at Daytona in March, the completed custom bike will debut at the Springfield Mile and TT May 29. The bike will tour a circuit of AMA Nationals including Syracuse and Vernon NY, Labor Day Springfield and the season ending Duquoin Mile Oct 1, where the winning ticket will be drawn.

Producers at Two-Wheel Tuesday tentatively plan to have a camera crew in Laconia to do a story on the bike during The 13th Annual Ben Campanale Laconia ½ Mile.

A sold-out raffle will produce $30,000 to benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund, a non-profit organization under section 501(c)3. The Roadracing World Action Fund advocates and promotes the use of soft barriers to prevent racetrack injuries, and promotes motorcycle racing safety education. To learn more about the Roadracing World Action Fund, visit http://actionfund.roadracingworld.com.

450 Honda Dirt Tracker Project Participants

J&M Frames
Concord Honda
First Klass Glass
Weiss Racing
East Coast Wheels
SuperTrapp
Wakula Racing
A1 Cycles.com
Bettencourt’s Honda-Suzuki
Sideways Promotions/www.sidewayspromo.com
ZEKE Design
Fast Plates

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

Via e-mail:

Gentlemen – we, the passionate-about-our-roadingracing public, have started a campaign over at the SPEEDTV message boards to get the channel to change its broadcast time for Round One of the World Superbike series on February 27th. Currently the broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1st at 12 and 1 pm. That’s right….we will not have same day coverage of a series that is seeing extraordinary participation from the bike manufacturers for 2005. And need I mention the names Haga, Bostrom, Laconi, Corser, Toseland, Chili, Walker, Pitt, and Kayagama?

This isn’t a hate mail campaign – SPEEDTV is to be commended for bringing us same day coverage of AMA, MotoGP, and WSBK.

But I have got to believe that Brian D., Greg W., Dennis N.and even Dave D. over at SPEEDTV have heavy, heavy hearts with respect to this development for the dedicated fans that tune into their channel.

Your help in our cause is appreciated.

Bob Close
TooClose Racing
Oswego, New York



We’re sure that SPEEDTV is eagerly awaiting the TooClose Racing commercial package that will finance the same-day coverage Mr. Close and friends desire…Editor.



And now some reaction:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I think that guy has a point. WSBK was once
an afternoon broadcast, thanks to the DR. Woodchipper.

Last year it moved to Sunday evenings, sometime not even back to back. But a weekday broadcast? It’ll be recorded and the ads fast-forwarded.

Of course that may make some motorcycles appear even faster, and fuel even more buying, but I doubt it.

What advertisers there are should be disappointed.

Is there a solution other than moving to Europe?
Satellite TV with access to Sky broadcasting?

Keep up the great work. The article on the MotoCzysz MotoGP bike was excellent. I love interviews with engineers who explain the whys of their designs.

Aaron Woell
DeKalb, Illinois

From a press release issued by FGSport Group, organizers of the Endurance World Championship:

2005 Calendar Confirmed

The final calendar for the 2005 World Endurance Championship has now been confirmed by the FIM.

Assen 500 March 28th (Easter Monday) Netherlands

Albacete 8 Hour May 21st Spain

Suzuka 8 Hour July 31st Japan

Oschersleben 24 Hour August 13/14th Germany

Vallelunga 200 September 25th Italy

The Albacete race and the Vallelunga race will both take place one week earlier than originally planned. The season opener is the Assen 500 which takes place on March the 28th, Easter Monday.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

After a 15-year relationship with Shoei helmets, American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel will wear Shark helmets through the 2006 season.

“That’s true. We will be wearing Shark helmets for the next two years. I’m really pleased,” Duhamel told Roadracingworld.com Tuesday. “They are a company that’s been around for a long time. I remember when Raymond Roche came out to Mosport for World Superbike. He was a big Shark guy and a bit of a friend of mine. So I have a lot of confidence and am looking forward to doing this.”

The 2004 AMA Formula Xtreme Champion said leaving Shoei was not a quick or easy decision. “It’s not something that was sudden,” said Duhamel. “I made sure Shoei had every chance possible to keep me. Obviously, there is a professional association there and also a friendship that has been built through the years, but unfortunately, that didn’t work out. That’s just how it goes sometimes, you know?

“I would have been pleased to stay with Shoei, but I’m even more pleased that Shark is enthusiastic about coming here and supplying me with support and helmets. I’m looking forward to representing them as well as I can. Hopefully, it’s from the top of the podium this year.”

Duhamel said that he and Shark will collaborate on a new Miguel Duhamel Replica helmet design, which will be sold worldwide. The seven-time AMA Champion said the new replica design could carryover a dragon-based theme, like his previous helmet designs, or the design could be tied in with a potential major personal sponsorship deal from a company based in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Duhamel resides.

“I’m hoping that comes to realization,” said Duhamel. “That would be a great thing for our sport, someone out of the industry coming in and showing interest in what we do. The excitement (on AMA racetracks) is definitely validating the enthusiasm we are receiving right now. Hopefully, I can capitalize on it and do the same thing I did for racer salaries and open the door to outside sponsorship. It’s not done yet, but it’s not dead either. We’re still working on it.”

Asked if the new sponsorship was from a hotel/casino in Las Vegas, Duhamel said, “That’s a high possibility, obviously, being here in Las Vegas.”

Duhamel also said he will be sponsored by Giant Bicycles in 2005.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula USA and Championship Cup Series (CCS) have a new address:

3001 Ramona Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76116