From a press release issued by On One Wheel:

Here is the latest version of the On One Wheel 04/05 schedule with new West Coast dates added.

Dec 10, 11, 12 – Texas Motor Speedway(Dallas/Ft. Worth area)

Jan 6, 7, 8 – Lakeland, FL (30 minutes north of Tampa)

Jan 7, 8, 9 – Solano County Fair (Northern Calif.)

Feb 18, 19, 20 – Solano County Fair

March 11, 12, 13 – Pomona Raceway, CA (Los Angeles area)

April 1, 2, 3 – Solano County Fair

May 20, 21, 22 – Orange County Airport, NY (80 miles north of New York City)

June 3, 4, 5 – Solano County Fair

June 10, 11, 12 – Orange County Airport, NY

June 11, 12, 13 – Pomona Raceway

July 22, 23, 24 – Orange County Airport, NY

July 22, 23, 24 – Pomona Raceway, CA

August 12, 13, 14 – Solano County Fair

August 26, 27, 28 – Orange County Airport, NY

Sept 9, 10, 11 – Solano County Fair

Oct 7, 8, 9 – Orange County Airport, NY

Oct 28, 29, 30 – Solano County Fair

October 7, 8, 9 – Pomona Raceway, CA

November 18,19, 20 – Pomona Raceway, CA

December 16, 17, 18 – Pomona Raceway, CA


(The above are all one-day classes for you to choose from, though you can sign up for multiple days to really master the art!)

Cost: $495 for the one day school

Damage Deposit: $500 only taken on the day of the school if you damage the bike

Bike: Triumph Speed Triple

Session: Arrive at 8:00am sharp, day ends around 5:00pm

Class size is limited. Pre-registration is a must with first come, first served.

For more info:

Phone (818) 957-7104, FAX (818) 957-8108

www.ononewheel.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC has announced that money-paying classes that did not run in November will pay double purse at the WSMC season finale, December 17-19 at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, California.

The December Toyota Cup Unlimited F1 race, for example, will pay $2000 to win with $1000 for second, $600 for third, $400 for fourth, $300 for fifth, $200 for sixth, $150 for seventh, $140 for eighth, $100 for ninth and $100 for 10th.

The November 2004 edition of the WSMC newsletter–two copies of which arrived at Roadracing World carrying postmarks of November 30 and December 2, respectively–also confirmed that WSMC will use transponders in 2005 with the additional information that racers will be required to either buy an AMB TranX260 Rechargeable Transponder Kit for $280 or rent one each weekend for $40 in January and $60 after January.

WSMC will offer 90-day financing on transponder purchases, and plans call for lap times to be available at the track during race weekends and for results to be posted on the WSMC website as soon as they are declared official.

The December 2004 race will see Larry Cochran serve as Race Director while Thad Wolff will teach the WSMC New Racers School.

Entering the season finale, Marc Palazzo leads Will Eikenberry in overall WSMC points, 560 to 532. Defending WSMC Champion Jeff Stern is third in points with 503, followed by Clinton Whitehouse III at 443 and Robbie Dowie at 439.

WSMC’s annual awards banquet has been scheduled for January 15, 2005.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2004 All-Japan Road Race Series Superbike Champion Hitoyasu Izutsu, 33, has announced his retirement from professional motorcycle road racing, according to sources in Japan.

In addition to winning the 2004 Japanese Superbike Championship on a Team Sakurai Honda CBR1000RR, with one win and five podium finishes in seven rounds, Izutsu also won the Suzuki 8 Hours this year, on a factory Honda entry; the 2000 Japanese Superbike Championship, on a Kawasaki; and won both of the World Superbike races at Sugo on his Kawasaki in 2000.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jamie Bartle, 31, Assistant Editor of England’s Performance Bikes magazine, died November 29 from injuries he sustained in a collision with a car while riding to work on a major highway in England, according to an article appearing at www.peterboroughet.co.uk.

Police are investigating the incident.

In the article, a co-worker described Bartle as “probably one of the safest riders in this office.”

Links to the articles:

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/viewarticle2.aspx?ArticleID=896960&SectionID=845

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/viewarticle2.aspx?ArticleID=897498&SectionID=845

From a press release issued by Ali Khani of AK Composite:

AK Composite High Performance Race Bodywork

Congratulations to Josh Hayes and Attack Performance for a Successful 2004 Season

Rancho Dominguez, CA -This year marked the first year of what will hopefully continue to be a successful business relationship between AK Composite bodywork and Attack Performance Racing.

Our heartiest congratulations to Josh Hayes and the Attack Kawaski team campaigning the ZX10R in the Superbike series. Josh scored some great results and showed the might of the ZX10 in a non-factory effort. Not to mention harassing the heck out of the factory boys, finishing in front of factory riders in a few events. Josh finished a very respectable 8th place in the Superbike final points tally, the highest scoring non-factory finisher!

Josh also soldiered on mightily in the fledgling Superstock class, also finishing 8th, including podium finishes at Brainerd and Elkhart Lake. Way to go Josh!

To cap off the US season, Josh won the 2nd Annual Toyota 200 at Willow Springs, cashing a heft $50,000 paycheck for his efforts!!! And last, but definitely not least, Josh tested the streets of Asia at the Macau GP, scoring a fifth against a talented international racing field.

AK Composite realizes that this is also the result of hard and dedicated teamwork, provided by Richard Stanboli and the Attack Kawasaki racing crew. Definitely the hardest working bunch of guys in the AMA paddock!!

We look forward to working with Attack Racing in 2005, and continuing our great relationship in the future. Cheers!! And….we know it is going to be a good year. The boys are hard at work getting the equipment ready for next year. So be forewarned — watch out for the Attack Kawasaki team in 2005!!

You can visit AK Composite on the web at
www.akcomposite.com

You can visit Attack Racing on the web at
www.attackperformance.com



And now, some reader reaction to the above press release:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Just read the AK Composites review of Josh Hayes. It mentions that Josh Hayes was the highest placing “non-factory” rider in AMA Superbike, finishing in 8th place. What factory is Geoff May riding for now since he was a more privateer effort than Hayes and finished 5th?

Canaan M. Manley
Readyville, Tennessee



More, from another reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

AK Composite is correct saying Josh Hayes had a great year. I saw him in person ride at many rounds this year. But, does AK Composite know who really was the top finishing non-factory supported rider, with zero factory support, full privateer effort, and just a handful of sponsors, and truly the hardest working duo in the paddock, Geoff May(rider), Tim Anderson(mechanic). The duo finished the season 5th in Superbike points ahead of factory-supported standouts Aaron Yates (Suzuki) and Eric Bostrom (Ducati). Maybe someday a factory team will see the light and reward Geoff and Tim a chance to show what they are capable of doing with a little factory backing.

Eric Douglass
Franklin, North Carolina



More, from yet another reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I know it’s not your job to correct/edit press releases, but somebody has to let these people know that their claim of Josh being the highest scoring non-factory finisher is incorrect. Nothing against Josh as he’s a great guy and had a very good season, but Geoff May finished 5th in points and it’s my understanding that he gets a little less help than Josh.

Do you normally let people know when you receive stuff like this or just shake your head and walk away laughing? You could have at least added a little humor to the release with an editorial comment about Geoff being the invisible privateer or something like that. 😉

Don’t work too hard and have a great weekend.

Tom Fetsko
Charlotte, North Carolina



More, from a press release issued by Track Daz:

DON’T MISS THIS — For a limited time we’re
offering a season pass as well as a Willow only season pass.

Be sure to see us at the CycleWorld Motorcycle Show in Long Beach to take advantage of our show only deal — buy a set of AK Composite bodywork and receive a complimentary trackday. Stop by our booth and chat with us and our staff riders!
See you then!

1/7 Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

2/4 Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

3/4 Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

3/25 Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

4/4 Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

5/23 Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

7/30-31 Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

8/13-14 Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

8/26-27 Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

9/16 Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow, CA

9/26 Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

11/7 Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, Rosamond, CA

11/26-27 Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA


For additional information, call (909) 234-4713 or e-mail [email protected], www.trackdaz.com

From a press release issued by Hyperclub:


Hypercycle-Hyperclub 2005 Track Day Dates

January 17th- Monday – Streets of Willow -MLK

February 21st- Monday – Streets of Willow- Pres. Day

March 7th -Monday – 2.5 Mile Willow Springs Road Course

April 18th- Monday – Streets of Willow

May 30th – Monday – 2.5 Mile Willow Springs Road Course – Memorial

June 27th- Monday – Streets of Willow

July 25th – Monday – 2.5 Mile Willow Springs Road Course

September 5th- Monday – Streets of Willow

Oct 24th – Monday – 2.5 Mile Willow Springs Road Course

December 5th – Monday- 2.5 Mile Willow Springs Road Course

More info and Online Signups at www.Hypercycle.com

From a press release issued by the CMRA:

Two-time World Superbike Champion Doug Polen was recently inducted into the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association’s Hall of Fame at their end of year awards banquet held in Fort Worth, Texas. Polen, who was also the 1993 US Superbike Champ and 1997 and 1998 FIM World Endurance Champion, started racing with the Texas-based club in 1997, when it was still known as the CRRC.

“This was great to be inducted by the CMRA,” said Polen. “I have been able to reminisce and see a lot of people here that I haven’t seen in a long time. This club allowed me to do something early on that I loved to do, and that was to race motorcycles. One of the things that I benefitted from is all of the people in this club that gave me support over the years and that is something I will always remember.”

Also inducted was Houston racer Ronnie Lunsford, who has been a driving force behind the CMRA and Texas road racing since he was introduced to the sport in 1979.

Over 400 guests attended the banquet, which culminated with a drawing for an highly modified and race-ready Yamaha R6 valued at $18,000 which was donated by Sum of all Parts of Austin. Everyone who entered a CMRA race during the season was eligible (the more races you entered, the more times your name went into the hat) and the big winner was Jeff Robinson of Grossett, Arkansas.

A pre-banquet silent auction and raffle raised over $10,000 which will go into the CMRA’s injured riders fund.

From a press release issued by Canadian Kawasaki Motors, Inc.:

KAWASAKI RACING TEAM: SETTING THE SIGHTS ON 2005

Canadian Kawasaki Racing is looking for a big payoff in 2005. Much has changed in the past five years with this year’s team looking stronger than ever. With a new race shop that was finalized in the spring of 2004, an experienced team of technicians and two new exciting race bikes, the team has great momentum coming into the 2005 Canadian Superbike Series.

In addition to a solid foundation and strong resources, Canadian Kawasaki has re-signed Tom Kipp for the 2005 season. The Ohio native raced for Kawasaki during the 2003 season and was expected to race in 2004 but made a last minute decision to retire and concentrate on his post secondary education. With graduation on the horizon, Kipp has made the decision to return to the Kawasaki team.

“It is very important for me to do my job well”, said Kipp reflecting on his retirement. “Both my education, which is preparing me for pastoral ministry, and racing. They require a huge commitment and it was in my best interest to back off at the end of 2003 and get refocused. Taking the time off enabled me to step up my course load as well as my graduation date. I graduate this May and plan to enroll into a Chicago based seminary in the fall. The way I see it, my summer is now open, giving me the opportunity to again team up with my friends at Kawasaki to pursue a 2005 Canadian championship. I would love to help Canadian Kawasaki enjoy another winning season.”

Tom Kipp is an outstanding individual, with a keen insight and proven knowledge of road racing. “I have kept in close contact with the team throughout this past season,” explained Kipp. “I feel the team is stronger than ever and 2005 will be a great opportunity to campaign the new bikes at full potential. I missed working with these guys and I’m happy to be back.”

Tom Kipp’s return is very timely now that Kawasaki’s rookie Matt McBride is on the rise. Kipp is known for his generous attitude towards fellow racers and his ability to coach should prove invaluable to young McBride.

“Tom is a great guy,” says twenty-year-old McBride. “I’m really happy he’s back on the team. He’s got so much racing knowledge and he really wants to pass it on. It’s going to be a great year with Tom.”

The Kawasaki team will also see a change in management during the 2005 season. Karl Steyrer will move up from suspension technician to crew chief.

“Karl was working with the team last year as our suspension technician,” said team manager Jeff Comello. “This year we have moved him into a management position overseeing the team at the shop and at trackside locations. He will also be overseeing the suspension development for the Canadian Kawasaki Motors race team.”

“It’s a challenge–that is the main reason I took it on,” said Steyrer of his new position. “I think the Kawasaki bikes have great potential under the Canadian rules. We’re looking to have a good year next year and I think we have the riders and the people to do it.”

The Kawasaki team has testing planned all winter and will venture south of the border to perfect the setup of the new ZX-6RR and ZX-10R in anticipation of the first race on May 20, 2005 in Shannonville.