From a press release issued by Michelin North America:

JENSEN BREAKS JENNINGSGP TRACK RECORD ON NEW MICHELIN® DOT RACE TIRES

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Riding a 2005 Yamaha R1 on Michelin® Power Race DOT development tires, Butler Machinery’s Robert Jensen set a new track record of 1:15.51 at the JenningsGP circuit in Jennings, Fla., Jan. 9, 2005.

Jensen’s lap was 0.3 second under the former record, set by Chuck Sorensen on an Aprilia 250 GP bike, and 0.7 second faster than any previous lap by a production-based bike at the track.

The Michelin® Power Race, which was officially unveiled today at a worldwide press launch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, makes extensive use of technology developed by Michelin in MotoGP competition, where Michelin has won all three world championships contested so far, following ten consecutive titles in the 500cc World Championship, MotoGP’s predecessor.

Jensen’s sponsors include Michelin, Yamaha, Butler Machinery, Thermosman Suspension, RS Taichi, Arai, Spiegler Brake Systems, Hindle Exhaust, Motul, Sidi and Lithium Motorsports.

The world’s largest tire maker, Michelin (www.michelinman.com) manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs 23,000 and operates 21 plants in 17 locations.

From a press release:

Rich Oliver’s Mystery School has designed a special program for road racing school instructors and track day coaches.

For those instructors who would like to improve their overall skills by learning to dirt track, motocross, and cross train at the 10 acre Mystery School training site, Rich Oliver has designed a special two day course that will round out each instructor’s riding skills and vastly improve their teaching abilities.

Similar to the standard Two Day Fun Camp offered to the general public, the Instructor Courses add special components with an increased intensity that will download a wealth of knowledge and bike control to each instructor.

Special pricing is available for each official school instructor to help them gain the opportunity to learn these new skills from 5 time AMA 250 Grand Prix Champion Rich Oliver.

Rich comments further, “I feel it’s important to help my fellow track day coach’s and race school instructors pass on as much information to their students as possible. I’ve coached other instructors from all over the US and Canada, from many of the well known race schools, and even from law enforcement, so I know each one has gone home excited and motivated to apply what they learned here to their coaching, the end result being better instruction for each of their students.”

For more information about the Instructor Program, just contact the Mystery School for dates, pricing and qualification information:

Phone: 559-855-3089
Website: www.richoliver.net
E-Mail: [email protected]

From a press release issued by Team Sheriff Racing:

2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show; January 7-16, 2005; Los Angeles, CA

Following tradition, Team Sheriff Racing started off 2005 by displaying at the Greater LA Auto Show. Thanks to show officials, we received a larger booth to accommodate the debut of our new Ambulance / Race Support Vehicle.

The Motorcycle Division showcased our display with both the new Ambulance and the CBR600RR winning approval from the crowds, especially the children.

The LA Auto Show, one of the largest auto shows in the US, showcases the latest models from all of the major automotive manufacturers. The show lasts nine days, including two weekends.

In addition, the show hosts a very large display of aftermarket manufacturers.

Attendance this year was high, with crowds pushing beyond the 1 million mark.

The show also hosted several celebrities, with the CBR catching the eyes of one famous motor cop; Mr. Erik Estrada from “ChiPs” infamy

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.


According to Keith Landis, there will be an AMA Pro Marshal Daytona tune-up program held at Reading M/C AMA #4, in Oley, Pennsylvania, January 22.

Participants in the educational program will include Egor Emery, AMA Pro Racing’s Hugh Fleming and the PA Posse.

For more information, contact Landis at (610) 683-6049 or at [email protected].

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Pirelli racing tire distributor in the Southwest U.S. prior to December, 2004 was Jerry Jirkovsky’s California Race Services, based in Huntington Beach, California.

The Pirelli racing tire distributor in the Southwest U.S. is now Tom Jirkovsky’s Wheel Two Wheeel Support, Inc., based in Frazier Park, California.

Prior to the change, Tom Jirkovsky worked with his older brother Jerry at California Race Services.

Jerry Jirkovsky is bitter over the split, and at least partially blames his brother Tom for the financial problems and unpaid tire bills that led to his company losing its Pirelli distributorship. Jerry Jirkovsky sees a conspiracy involving his brother and Pirelli management behind his problems, but is continuing in the race tire distribution business, concentrating on Bridgestone tires.

Tom Jirkovsky says whatever business difficulties California Race Services encountered were the solely the fault of the man in charge, namely, Jerry.

Whatever happened, it’s a pretty safe bet that holiday gatherings at the Jirkovsky household will never be the same…

Jerry Jirkovsky can be reached at (714) 642-2252.

Tom Jirkovsky can be reached at (661) 248-6869 or at (661) 378-1532.

From a press release issued by Lockhart-Phillips USA:

Lockhart Phillips USA Announces Team Privateer Rider of the Year

Lockhart Phillips USA has awarded CCS Great Plains and Midwest champion Greg “Stumpy” Steltenpohl its 2004 Team Privateer Rider of the Year honors.

The Team Privateer program—which celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2004—sponsors one out of four road racers in the United States and is open to all licensed racers. The Team Privateer Rider of the Year award was established to recognize the Team Privateer racer who best exemplifies the hard work, dedication and personal sacrifice necessary to achieve racing success without direct factory support.

Steltenpohl, a rookie racer from Marquette, Michigan, is a true, grass roots privateer racer. The 28-year-old graphics designer spent his first season of road racing driving more than 10,000 miles back and forth to Blackhawk Farms Raceway for 13 race meets. With his wife, Heather, spinning the wrenches, Steltenpohl took his Honda CBR600RR to the CCS Great Plains/Midwest overall title and handily won Blackhawk’s Track Championship with 17 top-five finishes in 18 class championships in CCS and WERA competition.

For his efforts, Steltenpohl was presented with a $2,000 check from Lockhart Phillips USA at the recent CCS Midwest series awards banquet.

“When they called me to the podium, I was in complete shock,” said Steltenpohl. “To be chosen as Rider of the Year above all the other privateers in the country is an unbelievable honor. I’d like to thank Lockhart Phillips USA. It’s a great company that gets behind racers early in their career to help them see their dreams come true.”

After the votes were tallied, Lockhart Phillips USA president Wendell Phillips remarked, “I’m extremely impressed with Steltenpohl’s rookie effort and happy to offer support to riders like him and the rest of our Team Privateer participants.”

For more information on Lockhart Phillips USA and the Team Privateer program, visit us on the web at www.PhillipsMotorsportGroup.com or www.TeamPrivateer.com

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.