From a press release issued by KTM:

KTM – ONGOING STABILITY AND GROWTH:
MY1 2003/04

Mattighofen: In spite of difficult market conditions and the weakness of the dollar, the KTM GROUP was able to achieve a 5% increase in sales volume in comparison with the previous year’s excellent first mid-year.

Sales revenues in Europe were very favourable. An increase of 11% was noted here. The Australian market grew by 30% whereas in the USA/Canada, even allowing for the adjusted exchange rate, a decrease in sales revenues of 4% was noted.

In spite of the dollar’s decline (-18% compared to the previous year), the previous year’s result only slightly decreased by 0.9 million EURO, or 6% after taxes due to existing foreign exchange safeguards. With an operating margin of 7.2% KTM is one of the most profitable companies in the motorcycle industry.

The development of equity capital was also favourable, it showed an increase of +24% compared to the balance sheet cutoff date of 8/31/03. The number of company employees continues to grow and currently encompasses 1,575 (of these 1,154 are employed in Austria).

From a press release issued by former AMA Grand National Champion Mike Kidd, who served as a Vice President of Clear Channel Entertainment — Motor Sports in charge of the now-defunct dirt track program as well as the Arenacross program:

This is to inform you I have resigned my position at Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports. A great opportunity within the motorcycle industry has presented itself for me which will be announced shortly.

It has been an honor to work with a truly outstanding company like Clear Channel Entertainment for the past seven years.

I can currently be reached at 817/825-7081 or [email protected]

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

In my layman’s opinion, it seems the single biggest problem with professional motorcycle road racing in this country is that there is just no money in it for competitors. It’s a debit sport. A privateer could win an AMA Supersport race and not make enough prize money to even cover his basic travel and lodging. The manufacturer contingency money helps, but even that is not enough to make much of a dent in a good race program. Besides, contingency money has no show appeal. All pro single combat competitions must have a meaningful prize to galvanize fans.

Such poor economics relegates the sport to hobby status. By that I mean, most promising riders depend on benefactors to finance their efforts, and benefactors are typically just spending entertainment dollars. There is no future in that. Unless one is employed by a commercial effort, it is impossible for even a top competitor (rider or tuner) to make a living in road racing for very long.

Maybe the sport should to take a page from the past and provide riders with a share of the gate. It would constitute reallocating event revenue, but it’s a proven method of building a meaningful show. NASCAR shares part of their TV revenue with their drivers, and individual promoters provide a significant purse derived from their individual gates. That way, whatever fortunes their sport earns, competitors participate proportionately. All parties end up working to grow the show. While professional motorcycle road racing will not likely support a six figure prize for a win, a lowly $2k for winning a Supersport National is an embarrassment to the notion of being a professional event. It says a lot about the value of the sport to a lot of people. Something has to change in that area to gain any status, let alone make it feasible for few talented souls to commit to it full-time.

Along that line, I think the new AMA class format is constructive for the longer run. The racing needs to be among machines that drive the most potential revenue for the most commercial stakeholders. Stakeholders include motorcycle and component manufacturers, service providers, race promoters, track owners, media, and of course, the privateers who make up most of the show. In today’s world, that pretty much leaves 600 and 1000cc sport bikes as the only viable racing platforms. In its simplicity, I think that’s a good thing.

My guess is that AMA Pro Racing is hopeful of further simplifying it by herding the factory teams into the two Superbike classes (SBK and FX); thereby providing privateer teams a chance to prosper in the other two. SBK and FX offer manufacturers the best place to showcase their production motorcycles at the highest level of development, and these teams should have the budget and desire to compete there. Meanwhile, the two real production classes provide privateer teams with lower cost racing and a chance to win financial support for their efforts. From a strategic perspective, I like the new AMA format a lot.

While the ‘herding’ of factory riders to the right grids didn’t materialize this season, I think they will gather there eventually. Manufacturers get no value from their racing unless they compete against each other in the most challenging forum. The notion of having a million dollar rider beat up on a guy with a 12 foot Haulmark and EZ-up is preposterous. Worse…what if he doesn’t! Perhaps the grid quality problems in 2004 have more to do with product availability among Yamaha and Kawasaki then anything else. Regarding Formula Extreme, maybe it’s just the name. The whole motorcycle world knows what Supersport means. Few know what FX is. In any event, I think Yamaha and Kawasaki do not want to remain outliers in Superstock, and I hope they all jump into FX with Honda for their middleweight battle. In my notion of a perfect world, I’d like to see Supersport preserved for factory satellite teams and the best of the privateers. The class has legacy commercial value for front runners, and might be a good place to jump start the economics for non-factory contenders right now.

If there is a glimmer of promise for privateers (and therefore, the sport), I think it’s in the new TV coverage. Every professional sport needs TV to be financially viable, and motorcycle road racing seems to be getting its chance. With SpeedTV and OLN dabbling in it, maybe the programming gets some dependable traction. The compactness of the new AMA format certainly makes it more efficient to cover, and likely enhances programming to boot. If privateers can get some of that TV time, they’ve got something significant to sell to big consumer brands, and for very short money.

As an example; in the first two rounds, Team Prieto Racing got tremendous TV exposure through the remarkable performances of Mike Barnes and Geoff May. The coverage they got on TV was worth many thousands of dollars to any consumer brand that spends big for TV exposure. In a way, their coverage was ‘lost revenue’ because nobody was there to benefit that could. If Prieto can make a strong case for similar TV coverage in the future, they’ll probably have buyers. Of course, one might argue that the coverage they got only happened because the factory grids were thin. That may or may not be true, but my point is that if a team has TV coverage to sell, I think they will get cash buyers.

In summary, I think the problem with grids is directly related to economics. I say carve out some gate money for racers, and work hard to get them a shot at TV revenue. It works for the NCAA.

Bob Holcomb
Lincoln, Massachusetts


(Bob Holcomb is a motorcycle racing enthusiast with a son participating in F-USA and club races.)

From a press release:

Interactive Live Webcam Interviews on SBK Website

Visitors to www.worldsbk.com, the official website of the Superbike World Championship, will be able to put their own questions live to the stars participating in the next round of the Championship scheduled to take place at Misano, San Marino. FGSPORT has appointed FIDOWEB as its official Internet partner. Fidoweb will provide live interviews, exclusive web cameras, video highlights and video IRC chat facilities through the interactive interface on the Championship website. These will take place at the rounds in Misano 17th and 18th April, Monza 15th and 16th May and Imola 25th and 26th September.

A minimum of three cameras will show live images from the circuits and give visitors the opportunity to ask the stars of World Superbike their own questions. Via a chat line, visitors to the site can put their personal questions as the stars are being interviewed. Those chosen will be answered live. Various interviews are planned with many of the Championship’s leading riders including James Toseland, Regis Laconi, Noriyuki Haga, Chris Vermeulen, Garry McCoy and Pierfrancesco Chili. Other chances to put questions to team personnel will take place over the two days. In most cases the interviews will take place in English and Italian.

SBK Marketing Manager, Robert Wicks, said: “The website forms a very integral part of how we communicate with the Championship’s millions of fans all over the world. This new initiative is certain to enhance their experience and draw them even closer to the sport.”

Fidoweb specializes in Internet broadcast techniques and will be using the latest digital equipment and satellite links to ensure that everybody with internet access is able to take full advantage of this unique free service. FGSport will study the level of interest and, if it proves as successful as is anticipated, the company plans to expand the service to all events in 2005.

From a press release issued by Repsol Honda:


South Africa opens the door to the most expected world championship

The first of 16 rounds of the 2004 Motorcycle World Championship will take place next weekend at the South African circuit of Welkom. As every season, the winter has been much too long and all riders, teams and fans are looking forward to the first race of the season.

With the switch of the reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi to Yamaha, the Repsol Honda Team will make its debut with a new formation after the arrival of Alex Barros as new teammate to Nicky Hayden. Barros, who had a difficult season last year in Yamaha, a season full of injuries and crashes, gets back onto the bike with which he managed a superb end of the season in 2002. After a slow but positive recovery of the shoulder he got injured in 2003, the Brazilian rider gets back to Honda, this time within the Repsol Honda Team and with the firm objective of fighting for the 2004 title. His teammate Nicky Hayden will face his second season and, as his results during winter have shown, he will be aiming to everything this season, which is just about to start. Hayden, who this year won’t have the burden to race on circuits he doesn’t know, has had an impressive progression since he arrived at the World Championship last year. With two podiums and the final fifth overall position in the last Championship, the young North American rider from Kentucky has set the title as his aim for 2004.

Nicky Hayden
“I’m so excited about this season and can’t wait to go racing now. The winter testing has been good and I think we’re in real good shape for the season. The 2004 RC211V is awesome, by far the trickest bike I’ve ever ridden. I feel now I’m riding much nearer the limit where as last season was really a learning year. Now I know the tracks; I feel very comfortable with the team and I know the competition. It’s going to be super competitive this year as no one has really stood out in testing. That’s what is so great about GP. The best riders in the world on the best bikes every other Sunday. Sure going to be a good show.”

Alex Barros
“In all the years I’ve been racing I can really say that I have never felt as positive as do now at the start of this very exciting year. I have a strong team, a fantastic bike and a real opportunity this season. Back in February when I first ride the RC211V we make a plan to get to the first GP in good shape after the surgery I have to my shoulder over the winter. So in Sepang, Phillip Island and in Spain we learn a lot about the bike and my condition comes better and now we are ready to race. It will be a long season and very close. All points will be very important at the end. We are ready now!.”

GP venue: Phakisa Freeway
Brought about through an initiative of the South African government in early 1998, the Phakisa Freeway in Welkom is one of the newest race circuits on the World Championship calendar. Phakisa means “hurry up” in Sotho, the local language, and that’s the way it was built: in a hurry. The first National race event was held a mere 6 months after the work had started and the entire facility was completed in time for the 1999 Motorcycle Grand Prix, five months later. Designed in conjunction with officials of the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), the Phakisa Freeway is considered as one of the safest circuits of the calendar.

With 5 left and 9 right-hand corners and relatively short straights, the top speed on the 4242 m of this track, is usually slower than on most of the tracks. This circumstance is compensated by the altitude (1350 m above sea level), which reduces around 20% of the engines’ power turning the races into a question of skill rather than horsepower. The layout includes a classic racetrack and an oval for car racing. Being a fast track with some of the most challenging corners of the calendar, turn this race into one of the most exciting events of the year.

From a press release issued by Erion Racing:

Anaheim, CA—Erion Racing announced today that it is releasing rider Anthony Gobert from the Erion team effective immediately.

Gobert was hired by the Honda-supported Erion Racing team to compete in the new AMA Superstock class in 2004.

“There is a level of commitment and dedication that is required to be a rider on our team,” said team owner Kevin Erion. “Unfortunately, Anthony was unwilling to demonstrate the level of commitment and dedication required to get the job done. We wish Anthony well. He has displayed great talent over the years.”

No further comment is available at this time.


See related post:

4/9/2004 Erion: No Action On Anthony Gobert DUI Arrest Until At Least Next Week


And now, some reader reaction:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

You are welcome to publish my submission, although I don’t expect you will.

I’ve read the letter(s) regarding the decline of AMA racing followed by the letter regarding the release of Anthony Gobert after being “charged” with DUI.

The real scary decline in this sport is how BORING it is becoming. WSBK is rubbish. AMA is rubbish. It’s unbelievable to think that people expect motorcyclists to continue supporting this nonsense.

Real talented riders like Aaron Yates and Go-show get abused, fined and worse while morons with Red-Bull sippy cups end up boring us on the TV. Give me a break.

This year I’m going to go to some club races regardless of how far I have to travel. Motorcycle racing cannot be this bad. Can it ?

I’ll buy the DVDs for MotoGP and BSB at the end of the year and I’m even revising my opinion of IOM TT which the political correctness and politics in these other series’ can only serve to bolster.

Excuse me now, I’m off to cancel my DirecTV subscription.

Great magazine and great website. Keep it up.

Malachy O’Connell
Arlington Virginia



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Is ANYONE shocked at this??

Gary Hilliard
Dover,Delaware

From a press release:

Join Pro Italia on Saturday April 17th 10am-4pm for our annual Aprilia Demo Day. Aprilia USA has provided Pro Italia with a full fleet of 2004
Aprilia demos including RSV-R, Futura, Falco and Capo Nord models.

Aprilia Demo Day:
– Demo Rides 10am-4pm
– Shoei Helmet representative
– SIDI Boots representative
– Save thousands of dollars on new 2003 Aprilia RSV Mille (black & red)
and RSV Mille R (silver).
– Food (Our own David Patton will be working the grill.)
– Beverages

We have a limited number of available demo rides. Please call or email Pro Italia Sales to reserve your preferred time.

818 249-5707
[email protected]

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I would like to respond to Marcus McBain’s opinion (4/11/2004 A Racer’s Opinion On Declining AMA Pro Road Racing Participation):

Marcus McBain offers some interesting opinions on responsibility for the decline in participation in AMA Pro Racing’s road racing program. I agree with some of them, most significantly “everyone is to blame.” I think that he is misinformed in other aspects.

McBain wishes to paint AMA Pro Racing as pro-factory, anti-privateer. Given the circumstances, this would seem reasonable, as the AMA’s organizational structure grants significant representation to motorcycle manufacturers, and manufacturer’s executives that control factory racing budgets sit on both the AMA Pro Racing board and the AMA board itself. The problem is that the bias isn’t supported, and when he tries to slip “lack of integrity” into his criticisms, he lacks the substance to back up his position.

Many of us have participated in racing organizations that blatantly lacked integrity, where track records set by infrequent participants were erased, or homeboys were literally given different rules. The person who made the profit off the entries was the same person who officiated – and heard appeals. The manufacturer who sponsored the series controlled the television coverage, and when the wrong brand won, it didn’t get covered.

AMA Pro Racing has demonstrated their integrity by avoiding these influences. I have personally seen race officials stand by officiating decisions in the face of the influential manufacturers’ executives who sit on their own board. I have heard presentations to appeal boards where the AMA strictly limits their position to the facts, treats the appellant with respect, and avoids the issues and politics, while the appellant shows no such discipline. Despite their influence, I have seen the factories lose appeals – a reflection of AMA Pro Racing’s integrity. Most recently, I have seen Aaron Yates effectively given the “death penalty”, in a situation where no one wanted that to have to happen. The AMA’s integrity came through. The integrity of the sport was more important than a competitive season’s points chase.

We have seen AMA Pro Racing offer various privateer spiffs, such as top privateer qualifier, fastest privateer lap, etc. We have seen privateers exempted from tire compound rules and practice restrictions. We have seen the 1000cc Superbike rule that eliminates factory modifications that were common on the 750 Superbikes in order to help reduce the gap between factories and privateers. I have seen the AMA give free season entries to club racing champions.

The success of road racing is limited to what promoters wish to pay for, and in turn, what people want to pay to watch (and during which advertisers want to place their ads.) I have consistently heard that the promoters are not interested in classes that do not feature the big names and personalities of racing. They do not want to give up the track time, pay the fees or purses or offer up the television coverage for a race that doesn’t have Miguel DuHamel or the Bostroms in it. Somehow, I believe that this, rather than AMA Pro Racing, is why “privateer classes” are not treated in the way McBain wishes. The crowd and the television want an exciting two hour show. Improving the market appeal of the premier class racing product is the way to improve participation, and subsequent sponsorship and support throughout the racing hierarchy.

My personal opinion is that the television coverage needs to improve. We need an announcer who understands racing well enough to realize that Mladin’s lap times are three seconds a lap better than DuHamel’s, and that DuHamel will be passed in the pits at the current rate, rather than the contorted explanation that we listened to while watching Daytona. We need support shows that highlight racing personalities in a fun way, not Greg White’s “I’m a stud” attitude. (Imagine Steve Crevier as a host. We’d be tied to the tube. Your mother would be tied to the tube.) We need NASCAR-style ads, that make you actually want to see them, not Japanese-style fantasy ads.

Privateer classes at nationals are definitely not the answer.

Jay Sherritt
Boulder, Colorado

(Sherritt is a former racer and team owner…editor.)



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Regarding your post, 4/7/2004, AMA Pro Road Racing Participation Declining:

A brief comment on the continual decline in the AMA pro road racing. Our 100% privateer race team ran AMA Pro Racing series for eleven years. I may be under an incorrect ASSUMPTION BUT, during that time there were an astonishing number of road blocks from a variety of AMA Pro Racing management and selected corporate supporters of the series that continually popped up stalling and some times stopping us from participating. Lack of dissemination of information to the NON- FACTORY teams, unavailability of selected equipment, tires, engine parts to non-factory supported groups. Unique interpretation of rules or regulations not specifically listed in the AMA rulebook, then when a 100% privateer actually does good and sets up a non-industry sponsor, not affiliated with the selected group, Bam! a new rule change only affecting one rider AFTER the season starts and you’re left on the sideline. Seems like that has happened more than once.

After Daytona 2003 we basically pulled out of the AMA series and our rider took a position with a motorcycle company overseas as a test pilot. We no longer directly participate in the AMA series but do provide some support for riders in several other road racing series and the AMA MX/SX/AX series.

Justin & Bruce Blake
Caledonia, Michigan

From a press release issued by Moto Guzzi North America:

Moto Guzzi and Sportbike Track Time Announce Special Offer For All MGS-01 Corsa Buyers



Atlanta, GA—Moto Guzzi North America will partner with the premier track-day provider in the country to offer buyers of the high-performance MGS-01 Corsa an unlimited 1 year pass to unwind their bikes under safe, controlled conditions. The lucky owners of the first Corsa models to be imported will enjoy the thrill of riding without cars, signals, driveways, radar guns, gravel, double yellow lines, or other distractions.

“Our track days are all about just the pure joy of riding,” says Monte Lutz, who, along with partner Bonnie Strawser, founded Sportbike Track Time (STT) in 1997. In 2004 the Delta, Ohio-based company is offering nearly 100 event dates at 23 tracks across the United States. MGS-01 Corsa owners will be able to participate at any of those tracks or dates (excluding Talladega GP and Grattan).

The first 32 MGS-01’s to be imported are “track only” models, so the Sportbike Track Time offer is a perfect match to this one-of-a-kind bike whose introduction took the Intermoto show in Europe by storm. (A street version of the bike is scheduled for U.S. release late in 2004.) According to STT’s Monte Lutz, the collaboration was inspired when the first MGS-01 Corsa he saw “stopped me dead in my tracks. There have been only two motorcycles in my 40 years that have captivated me like that. I have admired this unique design which is a perfect blend of form and function.”

There is much to admire in the MGS-01 Corsa, which came to life from the imagination of the esteemed motorcycle designers Ghezzi and Brian working at the Moto Guzzi Style Laboratory in Mandello del Lario, Italy. The team is developing a new range of modern, agile, sport motorcycles to embody all the rich racing history and spirit of the famous Eagle brand. The MGS-01 Corsa’s designers decided to work with the existing 4 valve V-twin power plant originally developed for the Centauro. The new Corsa racing engine has chrome cylinder walls, Cosworth triple ring racing pistons, and (31 mm exhaust, 36 mm intake) nymonic valves. The choice for the transmission was the current V11 Sport’s road-tested six-speed gearbox and shaft drive.

Sportbike Track Time designs its events to be a cut above in every aspect. Not a racing school, or an “open practice” session for racers preparing for their race weekend, SST events cater to select individuals who want to have a quality experience while riding at their own pace. Events are open to riders of all skill levels. Personalized instruction is provided and encouraged. All novice group participants receive class-time and on-track instruction with qualified instructors at no additional cost. Personal instruction is available for the intermediate and advanced riders by the STT staff.

Sportbike Track Time is an approved AHRMA licensing school. STT operates events at Road America, Mid Ohio, Grattan, Pahrump, Gingerman, Beaver Run, Moroso, Talladega, North Florida Motorsports Park, Putnam Park, Virginia International Raceway, Barber Motorsports Complex, and other top facilities.

For more information about the MGS-01 Corsa, contact your nearest Moto Guzzi dealer or visit the Moto Guzzi North America website, www.motoguzzi-us.com. For information about Sportbike Track Time, visit www.sportbiketracktime.com.