From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway Continues With Track Enhancements for 2005 Season

SONOMA, Calif. – Construction crews have begun work at Infineon Raceway on track enhancements to the road course that will be in place for the 2005 Big O Tires Racing Season.

The four projects will be particularly beneficial to the Indy Racing League IndyCar(r) Series and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The IRL will make history at Infineon Raceway in 2005 with its first-ever permanent road-course race in the 10-year history of the series, Aug. 26-28.

Infineon Raceway has spent more than $60 million over the last five years on a comprehensive modernization project that has transformed the facility into one of the premier motor sports and entertainment venues in the country. Many of the added amenities over the last five years have been designed for competitors, including increased runoff at virtually every turn, removal of old, wooden bridges, creation of a safer Turn 9-9a for the AMA, repositioning of the Turn 1 bridge and an enlarged pit road that accommodates 43 race cars.

The theme continues in 2005. Ninety-percent of a grading project at Turn 2 is complete, making the runoff area level with the racetrack. A new storm drain system has also been installed at Turns 1-2, which should aid rain runoff.

Specific for the IRL race in August, a wall will be constructed on driver’s right from Turns 1-2, followed by tire-pack that will span Turns 2-4. Finally, three Musco light poles, which are currently at the exit of the Carousel (Turn 6), will be moved back 40 feet onto a slope. The wall and tire-pack at Turns 1-4 will exist ONLY for the IRL race.

Raceway officials will also pave small areas of runoff at AMA and IRL Turn 9a, and the exit of the Carousel (Turn 6).

All work will be completed for the 2005 road-racing season, which begins with the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, May 13-15.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati Motor Holding SpA reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that its race team sponsorship revenue grew from 9.1 million Euros for World Superbike in 2002 to 21.2 million Euros for World Superbike and MotoGP combined in 2003, an increase of 12.1 million Euros, or about $15.73 million.

Ducati provided the information in response to SEC questions about Ducati’s 2003 annual report, and the data was then released by the SEC.

From a press release issued by Triumph:

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES (AMERICA) LTD. SETS NEW SALES RECORD

US New Units Sales top 7,500 for 2004

NEWNAN, Georgia – January 18, 2005 – Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., announced today that new retail sales topped 7,500 units for the 2004 calendar year. Triumph retailed 7,533 motorcycles in 2004, an increase of 35% over 2003, which makes Triumph the fastest growing production motorcycle company in America for 2004. In December, Triumph retailed 341 units, a 47% increase over the prior year, and the 10th record breaking month of 2004.

Triumph’s success in 2004 stemmed in part from interest generated by the introduction of 2 distinctive new models; the Thruxton 900 café-racer inspired variant of the venerable Bonneville, and the awe-inspiring Rocket III 2,300cc Power Cruiser. These exciting new bikes reintroduced thousands of consumers to the Triumph brand, which led to sales increases across the model line.

Triumph looks forward to another record-breaking year in 2005. This will be the first full-season for the Rocket III, and all-new versions the innovative Speed Triple Street Fighter and Sprint ST sport tourer featuring Triumph’s new 1050cc three cylinder engine will arrive in dealer’s showrooms in March.

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd, a manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is located in Newnan, GA and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Superbike racer Chris Walker, 33, has lost his driver’s license for 60 days after pleading guilty to speeding in England, according to a report from the BBC.

Walker was clocked doing 130 mph in his Subaru while driving in a 70 mph zone.

The PSG-1 Kawasaki rider expressed regret over the incident and pleaded with court officials to not suspend his license for a long period, which could interfere with his plans to drive his motorcoach to European rounds of the World Superbike Championship.

In addition to his license suspension, Walker will have to pay nearly $2000 in fines and court costs.

Read the full report here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/nottinghamshire/4181783.stm

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

Honda Finalizes 2005 Motorcycle Racing Plans

January 17, 2005­ – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has finalized its plans for participation in both Japanese and world championship motorcycle racing series in 2005, as outlined below.

Honda’s spirit of challenge is rooted in its motorsport activities. By constantly striving to fulfill its own dreams and aspirations through the ongoing challenge of leading-edge innovation, Honda also delivers dreams and excitement to its customers.

For the 2005 motorcycle racing season, Honda has set its sights on recapturing the rider’s title and retaining the manufacturer’s title in MotoGP, the top class of world championship road racing, aiming to secure the championship in each category.

World Championships Road races

FIM 2005 Road Race Championship Series

In the MotoGP class of the FIM 2004 Road Race Championship Series, Honda plans to race seven 2005 model Honda RC211Vs, with the aim of capturing a double title in both the rider’s and the manufacturer’s categories. The Honda RC211V has undergone further refinements as it enters its fourth season of racing. In the 250cc class Honda will field six bikes and three teams, and has nominated Yuki Takahashi­last year’s Japanese GP250 class champion­as the second recipient of the Honda Racing Scholarship, established last year. Last year’s recipient was Hiroshi Aoyama.

Moto GP Class
Team, Rider

Repsol Honda Team
#3 Max Biaggi (Italy)
#69 Nicky Hayden (USA)

Team Telefonica Movistar Honda MotoGP
#15 Sete Gibernau (Spain)
#33 Marco Melandri (Italy)

Camel Honda
#4 Alex Barros (Brazil)
#12 Troy Bayliss (Australia)

Konica Minolta Honda Team
#6 Makoto Tamada (Japan)


250cc Class
Team, Rider

Team Telefonica Movistar Honda 250cc
#1 Daniel Pedrosa (Spain)
#73 Hiroshi Aoyama (Japan)

Team Scot
#34 Andrea Dovizioso (Italy)
#55 Yuki Takahashi (Japan)

Team Fortuna Honda
#80 Hector Barbera (Spain)
#48 Jorge Lorenzo (Spain)



Japanese Championships Road races

2005 MFJ All-Japan Road Race Championship Series
Honda’s participation in this year’s All-Japan Road Race Championship Series, where it captured the series titles in four classes last year, will be centered on teams run by Honda dealerships and supported by Honda Motorcycle Japan and Honda Racing. The teams will be vying to recapture the series championships in their respective categories, running a Honda CBR1000RR in the JSB1000 class, a Honda CBR600RR in the ST600 class, a Honda RS250R in the GP250 class, and a Honda RS125R in the GP125 class.

*Main Honda teams and their participating riders will be announced by Honda Motorcycle Japan.

From a press release:

Team EMGO Taiwan and Chris “Opie” Caylor say next step is a green flag!

MARIETTA, Georgia — “Nearly all the pieces of the puzzle that will ensure us a successful season in Formula Xtreme are in place,” says Chris “Opie” Caylor of Team EMGO Taiwan. With the opening round of the 2005 AMA Formula Xtreme Series quickly approaching, Caylor and team have been methodically testing their Suzuki GSX-R 600s, training and finalizing sponsorships. “We certainly have the best of the best this year and everyone I’ve been working with is really excited to start racing.”

Always striving for improvement, Caylor has brought some of the sponsorships formed in 2004 to his reunion this year with EMGO. “There were many things about Team EMGO Taiwan in 2003 that I wouldn’t change for anything. Working with Emil Gomez and EMGO is and has always been great! Last year, I was fortunate to get hooked up with Teknic Gear and Arai Helmets. I am pleased to announce that those relationships will continue in 2005.”

An area that Caylor is particularly excited about is where the rubber meets the road: literally! After years apart, Team EMGO Taiwan is pleased to announce Opie Caylor’s return to Dunlop Tires. “I started my career in 1996 on Dunlop Tires and now I’m excited to be back on them!” During testing at Talladega Grand Prix Raceway and North Florida Motorsports Park it became apparent why Dunlop is the winningest tire in AMA history. Caylor was quickly near his personal best lap times ever at both tracks and continued to consistently turn those times on tires with nearly 30 laps on them. Caylor pulled in with a big grin and said “I can’t believe the side grip and life on these Dunlops!”

Testing in early January at North Florida Motorsports Park was particularly encouraging. With the help of crew chief Craig “Huey” Stewart and Mike Fitzgerald of Thermosman Suspensions getting the Ohlins suspension tuned to the new chassis and tires, Caylor was approaching to within half a second of the official track record. “The bike we rode is our Suzuki GSX-R 600 Formula Xtreme chassis with a Supersport engine built by Rodney Vaughn,” Caylor explained. “With this setup, we got close to a lap record set on a 1000cc machine. I can’t wait to put one of our Formula Xtreme spec motors in the bike!”

The positive results of these tests prove that the hard work is starting to pay off. “I can’t tell you how excited I am everything is coming together!” said Caylor. “As you may have read, I recently had a series of major sinus surgeries that seem to affect me in ways I never would have dreamed: I sleep better, I exercise better, and according to the tests that we just concluded, I am riding better!”

Safety Tape is Film Competition Finalist



IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 17, 2005 – “Seasoned Rider,” a training video created by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, is a finalist in the 2004 International Film and Video competition, safety and first-aid category. Part of the New York International Film Festival, this annual event has recognized creativity in communications work for nearly 50 years.

“Seasoned Rider” is part of the MSF’s Rider Education Training System, and specially designed to help more senior motorcyclists refresh and refine their skills, compensate for decreasing capabilities, and encourage them to enroll in the MSF Basic or Experienced RiderCourseSM.

“As the average age of motorcyclists continues to rise, and as more and more veteran riders are returning to bikes after years away, it’s important that our seasoned customers become exposed to MSF training programs,” said Ken Glaser, special assistant to the president of the MSF. “We’re also very pleased that the Film Festival is honoring the video for the quality of its production.”

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be announced at the film festival on Jan. 26. The MSF contracted with CraneMorley of Long Beach, Calif., to create “Seasoned Rider.” The video will be available for sale on the MSF web site (www.msf-usa.org) this spring. Individuals, riding clubs and dealerships all can benefit from watching and sharing this video.

The “Seasoned Rider” video is just one of many motorcycle safety and training aids continually updated by the MSF and utilized at more than 1,500 RiderCourseSM locations across the country.

Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation® has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels, so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Victory and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.

From a press release:

Dial It In Track Time 2005 Schedule:

February 20, 2005 @ LVMS Classic Course
May 27, 2005 @ Buttonwillow Raceway Park
July 3, 2005 @ LVMS Classic Course
August 19, 2005 @ Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Sept. 2, 2005 @ Streets of Willow
Oct. 9, 2005 @ LVMS Classic Course
Dec. 21, 2005 @ Mazda Laguna-Seca

www.dialitintracktime.com
P.O. Box 2568
Morgan Hill, CA 95038
408.710.7081
408.710.7082