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

From a press release:

I just wanted to let everyone know that Wheel Two Wheeel Support, Inc. will have available the full line of Pirelli tires at this weekend’s WSMC 2005 season opener and all season long. Any inquires should call Tom Jirkovsky at 661-248-6869 or at the the track at 661-378-1532.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

ATLANTA MONSTER CHALLENGE SHOWS SERIOUS HORSEPOWER

The Monster Challenge continues in Atlanta, GA where fans came in force to record over 900 People’s Choice votes.

Cupertino, CA – January 14, 2005 – Ducati is one round closer to finding the coolest Monster in North America as part of the Ducati Monster Challenge. The Atlanta edition of this competition concluded last weekend during the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show. As with the other events, competition was stiff and some contestants traveled from Texas and Florida for their shot at getting to the final round in Daytona where they could win a new S4R or trip to a MotoGP race.

Michael McIntyre from El Paso, Texas was the first place winner and will be going to Daytona for the Grand Finale during Bike Week. His 2005 S4R is turbocharged and makes a claimed 206 horsepower. Michael says the coolest part about his Monster is, “It makes 200 horsepower!” If you are looking to go fast, what more could you need?

2nd place went to John O’Dell from Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. When John isn’t riding his Monster, he works in the Air Force as a Master Sargent. This 1999 Monster 900S has a host of upgrades including loads of carbon fiber parts and Marvic Penta wheels. His other bikes include a Ducati 999R, 996, and MV Agusta and he claims, “My Monster gets more attention than all of them. Must be the carbon fiber?”

Byron Kauffman won 3rd place with his 2000 Monster 900. His bike started as a disassembled M750 Dark which he changed to a 900SP motor done in crinkle black paint like an old Ferrari engine. Additional custom work includes 851 swingarm, wire spoke wheels, and Conti pipes. Byron does all the work himself and the bike is constantly evolving.

The hotly contested “People’s Choice” award went to Leslie Vecchione of Alpharetto, GA. Her 2001 Monster 900 was a real show-stopper with a beautifully retro Italian flag paint scheme. Over 900 people voted during the 3-day IMS Show.

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. The Company produces motorcycles in five market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport; Monster, Sport Touring and Multistrada. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European, Japan and North American markets. Ducati has won thirteen of the last fifteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at www.ducati.com.