From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

DUCATI ISLAND RETURNS TO LAGUNA SECA FOR MOTOGP

MotoGP is coming to the U.S. and Ducatisti have a front row seat for all the racing action.

Cupertino, CA – December 8th, 2004 – Mark your calendars, buy your tickets and get your Duc ready because Ducati Island is back and ready to celebrate the US return of MotoGP to Laguna Seca Raceway the weekend of July 8th, 2005. If you thought the Island was a blast last year, imagine hanging out with fellow Ducatisti as Capirossi and Checa come roaring around Turn 2. In addition, come cheer on Bostrom and Hodgson in the battle for the AMA Superbike Championship. It’s never been a better time to be a Ducati owner.

“Historic will be the best word to describe the experience on Ducati Island during this race – Just think about it – we will witness the finest collection of racing talent, champions and exotic machinery in one place at one time,” said John Porter, Director of Marketing at Ducati North America. “We hope that as many Ducati owners as possible will come to the Island share the experience.”

Show your Ducati key and enjoy complimentary perks such as prime motorcycle parking, gear check, bottled water, espresso, hospitality, vendors, giveaways and grandstand seating. Catch up with local D.O.C. members and snag a shaded seat to watch Ducati tear up the Laguna Seca circuit. Take a seat on some of the exciting, new 2005 models. Grab the autograph of your favorite MotoGP and AMA Superbike riders. Kick back and be entertained by the Garage Challenge, Ducati Concours d’Elegance and all the other non-stop action on the Island. Stay tuned for the addition of new and exciting Island activities for 2005. Updates will be posted on www.ducatiusa.com.

Don’t miss out on all the trackside benefits of being a Ducati owner! Bring your friends and show them what being a Ducatista is all about. We look forward to celebrating Ducati, AMA and MotoGP with you at Laguna Seca Raceway in 2005.

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.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin AMA Superbike team will use Dunlop tires in 2005, according to a highly-placed source within Ducati who responded to a Roadracingworld.com inquiry.

Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin raced with Eric Bostrom on Michelin tires in 2004.

Bostrom, and new teammate Neil Hodgson, will now theoretically be on the same tires as the rest of the factory Superbike teams in the 2005 AMA Series.

An official press release announcing the move is expected Thursday.

Ducati recently switched from Michelin to Bridgestone in MotoGP.

It remains to be seen if the changes will be reflected in Ducati OE tire fitment; Ducati has installed Michelin tires on a large percentage of its production in recent years.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Second Creek Raceway Gets Another Year of Life

By Mark Newby

In a session lasting until 1:00 a.m. on December 6, the Commerce City, Colorado City Council approved a conditional use permit that give the Motorcycle Roadracing Association (MRA) another year of AMA-sanctioned road racing at Second Creek Raceway.

Encroaching housing development has closed many racing venues in Colorado in the past few years: Aspen, Steamboat Springs, and Stapleton have all been lost to the racing community due to opposition from developers and the new residents in these areas. The chief complaints are always the same: Noise, lights, and traffic. A strong showing of a crowd of several hundred racing supporters and sympathetic City Council members sensitive to both the needs of the community and the wishes of the racing enthusiasts resulted in a surprising reversal of the recommendations of the City Planning Commission and the granting of extension of the conditional use permit for the facility until November 1, 2005.

Sadly, this racetrack will still be lost permanently to the racing community, as the conditions for granting the permit hinged on agreement by the property owner and track management not to seek any further extensions for operation of the facility.

An important lesson for all of us is contained in this development. To preserve our racetracks in the future, we must work within the community often and with high visibility; recognize and plan for changes of this nature in time to have a positive effect; mobilize your organization’s members and show up in force when actions are needed; minimize the factors that are always going to be used as an excuse to eliminate your facility (noise, lights, and traffic); and perhaps most importantly, be a good neighbor and build up good will in the community at all times – you will someday need it.

It might be your racetrack that is next on the chopping block as massive growth and development create permanent communities right up to the property line. Thanks to the calculus of politics and community involvement, we have another year to find a new home for the sport we love and cherish. A Merry Christmas to everyone, indeed.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Clive Strugnell

A team of British riders flew out to South Africa last week to compete in an end-of-the-season 3-hour Superbike Endurance race. Billed as the South Africa TT, this race was held at the historic Zwartkops Racetrack on the outskirts of the capital City, Pretoria. It seeks to revive the invitational races of the 1960s and 1970s, where the likes of Agostini, Read, Grant, Barry Sheene and many others thrilled South African enthusiasts with plenty of no-holds barred racing.

The visiting team, brought to South Africa by circuit owner and former GP rider and TT star Mick Grant, revelled in the sunny and hot
conditions.

Teamed with new South African Champion Hudson Kennaugh, TAS Suzuki Supersport rider Tom Sykes ran a flawless race, winning by three laps on a Suzuki GSX-R1000. Fellow Brit Steve Plater, who has had a dismal season through injury, impressed enormously riding a BMW Boxer special, built in the workshop of Pretoria BMW dealer, Bavarian Motorcycles. Super smooth, and incredibly fast, Plater and his teammates, club racer Braam Smit and Novice Grant Scott, beat official entries from Ducati and Aprilia and brought the booming Beemer home in 6th place overall.

In the 600cc class Englishman Craig Jones and local club riders Gareth De Rapper and Grant Maidment finished second, giving Triumph its first podium finish in South Africa in over 30 years.

Despite falling twice (once in qualifying ) the team of Paul Shoesmith and Dean Ellison finished in the top 10 on another Suzuki GSX-R1000. Ellison was originally teamed up with Suzuki South Africa’s Trevor Crookes on the official Team Suzuki SA bike. When it stopped after an hour he was drafted onto the Paul Shoesmith bike, entered by South Africa’s largest motorcycle magazine, Bike SA. The lead Bike SA rider, Donovan Fourie, concussed himself when he fell during qualifying, after having slotted onto the front row of the grid.

The British team now heads down to Cape Town for a 2-hour race next weekend.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Italian Max Biaggi had stitches removed from his left leg/ankle last week by Dr. Claudio Costa in Imola, Italy, according to a posting on Biaggi’s official website.

Biaggi wrote that he was happy with the movement he already has in his foot and with Dr. Costa’s reassurance that everything looked to be healing well.

The four-time 250cc World Champion (who broke his lower left leg and ankle while riding his Supermoto bike near Rome, Italy in early November and had surgery to repair the damage soon after) is aiming to be fit enough to ride when the annual MotoGP testing ban ends January 20, 2005.

No official announcement has been made, but Biaggi is expected to be named teammate to Nicky Hayden on the Repsol Honda factory team.

Mad Moto Mike Benefit Fund Raiser

All proceeds going to Morley medical relief fund.

Saturday Dec 11, 2004

http://www.backroadstriumph.com/

Mike Morley, a partner in Back Roads Triumph/Moto Guzzi, Jacksonville, NC, crashed at a track day and suffered head injuries.

Mike, or MadMotoMike as his friends call him, is the biggest motorcycle enthusiast around -literally and figuratively. Mike is 6’7″ and almost 300 pounds, and knows more about motorcycles and rides more than most people even dream about.

Once you’ve met Mike, you’ll never forget him. Mike contributes tremendously to the motorcycle community. Mike stresses for people to have fun but ride safely; he encourages riders to increase their skills and save the speed for the track; and leads new and experienced riders alike to Daytona, trips to the mountains and to track days, as well as regular Sunday rides.

Mike personifies all of the good things about motorcycles and motorcyclists. He is friendly, knowledgeable, generous, eminently likeable, and highly skilled. Mike is the type of guy that keeps everyone laughing and thinking as you sit around a camp fire with a cold beer after a long day in the saddle.

Mike is also a devoted family man, husband to his wife Kelly and father to their two young children, Evan and Katie. Mike is also one of the nicest guys around that you could ever hope to meet.

Door Prizes, Raffles, Live Music, All You Can Eat BBQ, Fried Turkey, Drinks. 11:00 am – Until……… $15 Per Person

If you would like to make a donation, but cannot attend please make payment to : Kelly Morley all donations can be sent to: Back Roads Triumph 1238 Pony Farm Rd. Jacksonville NC, 28540

Event to be held at BACK ROADS TRIUMPH for directions or information please call (910)-347-4050

Thank you,

Roger Preston
WERA Official
AHRMA Official & Racer

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

DUCATI DAY DAYTONA CATERS TO DUCATISTI DURING MARCH BIKE WEEK

The 2005 edition of Daytona’s biggest Ducati party ramps up to kick off the AMA racing season.

Cupertino, CA – December 7th, 2004 – The Ducati.Net Ducati Owners Club and Ducati North America present DucatiDayDaytona at Speedpark Motorsports on Friday, March 11th, 2005. This party kicks off the 2005 AMA racing season in Daytona Beach, Florida across from the world famous Daytona International Speedway. Those attending DDD will be able to soak up the sun while admiring Ducati’s on display, race go-carts, or test their skills aboard the Speedpark’s 22 foot dragsters (each with a roaring 300 horsepower 350 cubic inch V-8 engine) in the Nitro Alley Challenge. The event will also include Ducati race team appearances, tech talk classroom sessions, a Ducati only bike show, umbrella girls, the American Ducati Idol motor sound contest, a vendor row and more. DDD also marks the final round of the nationwide Ducati Monster Challenge contest. The lucky winner of this event will be presented with a new Ducati Monster S4R at the party.

Long known for its prestigious Ducati bike show, the 2005 DDD adds a new class, “Best Special”, a salute to Daytona’s long tradition of custom built “specials”. The entry fee to participate in the bike show is $10. Trophies are provided by CycleCat Motorcycle Performance products, a long time sponsor of Ducati.Net.

Returning this year is the popular American Ducati Idol – “Let Your Ducati Sing” contest where the Ducati with the best exhaust note will be chosen. This event will again be judged by the visiting members of the Desmodromiclub of Rome, Italy.

Celebrities expected to attend and sign autographs include renowned racer Eric Bostrom, rider of the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin AMA 999 Superbike, Neil Hodgson, former World Superbike Champion n his AMA debut, and world famous long distance record holder Gary Eagan, who will also be giving a seminar on his sport touring adventures.

General questions about DDD and the featured activities should be directed to Ms. Vicki Smith by calling on 954-764-3847 or emailing to [email protected]. See you there!

Directions:
Speedpark is located across from the Daytona Speedway’s highest grandstand, the Winston Tower, just behind the Hooters on Intl. Speedway Blvd For
further information on Speedpark and this event visit www.speedparkdaytona.com. Party hours are 11am – 6 pm.

From a press release issued by Coors Light Racing Blackfoot Team Suzuki:

Coors Light Racing Blackfoot Team Suzuki is proud to welcome back 2002 600 Sport Bike Champion Clint McBain, new-comer Kevin Lacombe from Eastern Canada and 2003 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year, Matt Binns. Nathan Naslund of Suzuki Canada is proud to introduce this all-Canadian Team, Coors Light Racing Blackfoot Team Suzuki will be a top contender for both 600 and Superbike Championships in 2005.

Clint McBain finished Third in 600 Sport Bike and Fourth in Superbike last year and is looking forward to capitalizing on his experiences in 2004.

“I feel really good this year, we had a great year last year from a development standpoint,” said McBain. Moving forward to 2005, I’m looking forward to a continued relationship with a professional team and excellent group of riders.”

The Team would like to thank James Danyluk specifically from Parts Canada for their continued support in 2005. “We are extremely happy to have a phenomenal group of sponsors behind us,” affirms Team Manager Patrick Chambers “Thank you to each of our Team Sponsors.”

Kevin Lacombe began his road racing career at Shannonville Motorsport Park, which interestingly was where he won his first National Superbike race. 21 year-old Quebec native, Lacombe remembers being the “youngest rider in road-racing” on a Suzuki, participating in the ASM and RACE series (Quebec and Ontario). Coors Light Racing Blackfoot Team Suzuki is pleased to have Kevin join the Team for 2005.

To complete the Team, “Young Gun” Matt Binns from Uxbridge, Ontario will race the Suzuki GSX-R600. Matt will prove to be a great addition to the team and we’re happy to have him on-board.

From a press release:

Motocourse 2004 – 2005 Yearbook

Offered by Concepts International

The World’s number one Motorcycle Yearbook is back for the 29th year. Motocourse 2004 – 2005 offers the most complete race by race coverage available of the 2004 MotoGP and Superbike seasons. It contains team, rider and technical reviews, and complete statistics on all 2004 MotoGP and Superbike races. Plus, reviews of the Isle of Man TT, US road racing series and more. You’ll be an expert with this informative book at your side, $52.95 each. Price includes shipment to USA destinations.

Distribution has changed for this important book. This year Concepts International will be one of the few companies offering Motocourse 2004 – 2005 in the United States. You can visit their web site at www.conceptsi.com or write to them at:

Concepts International
8650 Spicewood Springs – Suite 145-B550
Austin, TX 78750