From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment-Motor Sports, with no word if podium ceremonies will be broadcast on a 10-second tape delay to avoid FCC trouble:

NBC & CLEAR CHANNEL TO LAUNCH “ACTION SPORTS TOUR” STARTING IN 2005

AURORA, Ill. (March 23, 2004) -NBC Sports today announced that it will launch the Action Sports Tour (AST), the first-ever, season-long, nationally televised, competitive tour for the growing sports of skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross. Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports, which produces over 600 live events annually and is the owner/operator of successful freestyle motocross and supercross national and international tours, will co-own and operate the new tour with NBC.

Boasting the biggest competitive purse in action sports, a Million-Dollar Bonus Pool based upon year-end standings and the largest network and cable television broadcasting commitment ever, the Action Sports Tour debuts in 2005. Ken Schanzer, President, NBC Sports and Charlie Mancuso, President, Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports made the joint announcement about the tour and complementary NBC/Clear Channel joint venture.

NBC Sports will produce coverage of the tour and provide live network broadcasts; marking the largest network broadcast commitment ever towards action sports. A cable television partner will be announced at a later date. The AST is in discussions regarding official Tour dates and host cities that will be announced at a later date.

The landmark Action Sports Tour represents:

* The first-ever, season-long competitive tour spotlighting the popular and growing action sports of skateboarding (vert and street), BMX (vert, street and dirt) and freestyle motocross. In addition, event-specific specialty competitions such as surfing, in-line skating and “super-moto” competitions will be added based on local appeal.

* The establishment of an April-to-October, action sports season, complete with a unified, competitive points system and the crowning of year-end champions in skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross.

* Massive, multi-platform marketing commitments by NBC and Clear Channel, utilizing both internal and external resources in support of the athletes and new tour. Marketing platforms will include various television, radio, print, online, outdoor and event marketing initiatives.


The Action Sports Tour will also include:

* Extensive amateur and grassroots action sports competitions and youth clinics designed to develop and spotlight the next generation of action sports stars.

* Lifestyle and entertainment elements at each AST stop featuring interactive events, video gaming pavilions and competitions, live music and concerts featuring headline acts.

* A dedicated commitment to the development of women’s action sports through competitions, exhibitions and clinics.

“Action sports are clearly growing globally with soaring competition, fan and sponsor support,” said NBC’s Schanzer. “The Action Sports Tour is the next chapter in the evolution of these sports and its growing legion of stars. By aligning with Clear Channel and drawing upon the growing resources of NBC, we are uniquely positioned to drive these sports towards even more dramatic growth in the future.”

Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports will lend to the AST its considerable expertise in live event touring and promotion, including a wide range of off-channel assets.

“This partnership with NBC Sports is a logical extension of our existing Clear Channel action sports initiatives in supercross and freestyle motocross,” said Mancuso. “Our event management and market expertise, together with the marketing and cross promotional opportunities of Clear Channel’s Radio, Outdoor and Music divisions, will enable us to quickly launch a successful tour.

“Our assets complement NBC and both are structured to spotlight this new tour, the athletes, sponsors and the industry. We believe live spectators and television viewers will embrace the evolution of action sports and will significantly impact the growth of these exciting sports.”

Wade Martin, who joined NBC Sports after overseeing the Gravity Games and Octagon’s Action Sports Division for the past five years, has been appointed General Manager of the Action Sports Tour. Martin will oversee tour sales, marketing, business development and operations. Martin’s Action Sports Tour team will be directly responsible for tour and competition management, athlete relations and event design.

“Our plan is to work with the athletes, sponsors and industry to bring real structure and consistency to action sports; provide better context and meaning to these sports and create the definitive tour while growing the sports and its stars,” said Martin, who will report to Clear Channel’s Mancuso and Kevin Monaghan, Vice President, Business Development, NBC Sports.

Velocity Sports & Entertainment has been retained as AST sponsorship consultant. Harlan Stone and Jeff Jonas will lead the Velocity team that is working with NBC and Clear Channel on sponsorship structure and sales.

About Clear Channel Entertainment
Clear Channel Entertainment, the world’s largest producer and marketer of live entertainment events, is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Worldwide (NYSE: CCU), a global leader in the out-of-home advertising industry. Clear Channel Entertainment currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books 135 live entertainment venues, including 44 amphitheaters in the U.S. and 28 venues in Europe. Each year, more than 62 million people attend approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or produced by the company, including: Live music events; Broadway, West End and touring theatrical shows; family entertainment shows; and specialized sports and motor sports shows.

In addition, Clear Channel Entertainment owns leading talent management businesses that specialize in the representation of athletes and broadcasters, including independently operated baseball, basketball and football businesses. Clear Channel Entertainment is headquartered in New York City.

NBC Sports Ventures
NBC Sports Ventures, the business development arm of NBC Sports, produces 45 hours of programming annually for the NBC Television Network. NBC Sports Ventures owns and operates many of its properties, including the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, The National Dog Show Presented by Purina, The ADT Golf Skills Challenge, Office Depot Father/Son Challenge & the Budweiser Boxing Series.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Motorcycle Memorabilia, Race Gear Featured at 1st Cycle Gear Motorcycle Charity Auction

SONOMA, Calif. – Signed memorabilia from top road-racers on the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship circuit will be on the line at Infineon Raceway during the 1st Cycle Gear Motorcycle Charity Auction.

There will be an online auction beginning March 29 on www.infineonraceway.com, as well as a combined live/silent auction on Sunday, May 2, in the Winner’s Circle at Infineon Raceway beginning at 11:15 a.m. All proceeds benefit needy youth organizations in Sonoma County through Speedway Children’s Charities.

The Cycle Gear live/silent auction will take place during the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown weekend, featuring the top pavement motorcycle road-racers in the country, April 30-May 2. The weekend is presented by Cycle Gear and features the Supercuts Superbike Challenge.

Some of the items enthusiasts can expect on the internet auction, as well as at the live/silent auction at the raceway on Sunday, May 2, include:

* Lap around the twisting road course on Thursday, April 29, on a two-seat Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle at speed, courtesy of Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki. AMA rider and Lafayette native Steve Rapp will be your pilot.
* Arai motorcycle race helmet.
* KBC motorcycle race helmet.
* Ben Bostrom signed race helmet.
* Dainese fitted lady’s red-leather jacket.
* Frank Thomas one-piece leather racesuit.
* Frank Thomas Strike Paddock sport jacket.
* Kawasaki crew shirt signed by Tommy Hayden.
* Kawasaki crew shirt signed by Roger Hayden.
* Race boots signed by Honda’s Ben Bostrom.
* Suzuki crew shirt signed by Mat Mladin.
* Suzuki crew shirt signed by Kevin Schwantz.
* Official Suzuki #1 Mat Mladin leather race jacket, with signature.
* Frank Thomas and Helimot racing gloves.
* Artwork of your favorite rider.
* Much, much more.

ALL ITEMS CAN BE SIGNED BY THE TOP BIDDER’S FAVORITE RIDER

Raceway officials are hopeful top AMA riders will be present in the Winner’s Circle for the auction. For more information, visit
www.infineonraceway.com.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway, which we’re running because senior citizens can be a major hazard encountered by street riders, and because we’re in favor of anything that makes them better drivers:

Senior Citizens Learn Valuable Skills at AAA Senior Safety Challenge

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Seventy senior citizens from around Northern California were treated Tuesday to a half-day course at Infineon Raceway designed to help assess their driving skills, as well as provide valuable tools when driving on the roadways.

The raceway hosted the first AAA Senior Safety Challenge, which attracted seniors from Pleasanton, Novato, Sonoma, Alameda, Napa, Santa Rosa, Fairfield, Sacramento, and other areas. The seniors received free hands-on training from instructors from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, AAA traffic safety experts and occupational therapists from the Bay Area and Southern California.

People over 65 are the fastest-growing segment of the population in the United States, and by 2020, there will be more than 40 million licensed drivers age 65 and older. That being said, senior crash fatality rates have climbed while overall fatality rates for all ages combined have remained stable since 1991. It made the AAA-sponsored program on Tuesday a great vehicle for seniors.

Instructors worked with the seniors at three different driving stations: backing up, accident avoidance and lane change. Occupational therapists, meanwhile, assessed flexibility and also provided seniors with tools they could use when behind the wheel.

“The people did well today and we’re hoping we gave them some tools that will help them become even safer drivers,” said Steve Molinari, an occupational therapist from John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. “They seemed pretty in touch with their skills.”

The seniors, who ranged in age from 65-87 years old, were pleased with the program.

“I thought this was very beneficial,” said Gretchen Berendt, an 83-year-old from Pleasanton. “They impressed upon us that we, as seniors, need to be very alert to what’s going on around us. We also need to drive defensively, but not be afraid.”

Added Napa’s Ann Fink, 71: “I learned my reactions are slower than I thought they were. This day taught me quite a bit.”

AAA, which partnered with Infineon Raceway and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School on the program, was pleased with the results.

“The day was rewarding for everyone. I hope we were able to share some great information with the seniors and give them some solutions that they can use when they get behind the wheel,” said Merry Banks, manager of community and safety services at AAA.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tuesday’s 125cc Grand Prix Testing Times From Catalunya:

1. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, 1:51.947
2. Alvaro Bautista, Aprilia, 1:51.972
3. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 1:51.992
4. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:52.034
5. Roberto Locatelli, Aprilia, 1:52.166
6. Mike Di Meglio, Aprilia, 1:52.332
7. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 1:53.036
8. Casey Stoner, KTM, 1:53.092
9. Julian Simon, Honda, 1:53.249
10. Fabrizio Lai, Gilera, 1:53.276
11. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:53.362
12. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:53.542
13. Mattia Pasini, Aprilia, 1:53.584
14. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 1:53.775
15. Gabor Talmacsi, Malaguti, 1:53.815
16. Andrea Ballerini, Aprilia, 1:53.874
17. Stefano Perugini, Gilera, 1:53.906
18. Mika Kallio, KTM, 1:54.034
19. Thomas Luthi, Honda, 1:54.036
20. Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, 1:54.174
21. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:54.270

26. Angel Rodriguez, Derbi, 1:55.187

28. Simone Corsi, Honda, 1:55.575


More, from a press release issued by KTM:

IRTA Test: 1st day free practice 125cc, Barcelona
23.03.2004

The official IRTA TEST of the 2004 season started in sunny Spain. The 125class opened the first day of practice, having the Spaniard Hector Barbera first. KTM took the 8th result with the Australian Casey Stoner while the Finnish Mika Kallio finished 18th .

Stoner- I’m very happy with the progress we made today. This is the first day we had good weather for testing and we made many improvements

Kallio- We couldn’t find a good setting during the day. I’m sure that tomorrow with the new solutions I tried at the end of the practice I’ll achieve a better result than this one.

Bartol – KTM was the fastest bike on the circuit today: we had the top speed average. We now have to sort out our chassis.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

There was considerable press leading into this year’s Daytona 200 about tires. There were a few problems during the tire test that have been pretty well documented so I won’t go into that again. However: Privateers were not involved in the test so some of us use the CCS weekend to do our testing.

When I first got to the Speedway I checked in with the Dunlop people. Thursday morning afforded us two practice sessions prior to the CCS 200-mile endurance race held that afternoon. This would be my first opportunity to get a feel for the tire designated to be used in the AMA 200 the following weekend.

The race was a strange one with the red flag and all. We (Brian Shaw and myself) had won the race in October with a two-stop strategy. This time Brian started the race and went for 18 laps. We watched the performance drop off about 3 seconds a lap. When he handed the bike off to me, he told me I would be pissed for him trashing the tire. The tire was basically unridable with no grip at all. Please let me make this very clear, the tire was built for 18 laps and we tried to stretch this out. Dunlop built a tire to last the speeds the 1000s were going and they succeeded. Using this race for testing revealed two things, the tires gripped for two or three laps then fell off (performance wise) dramatically.

Afterwards, I went to the Dunlop garage and began to question what tires would be available for Daytona 200 qualifying. I was told by three separate people that what I had been using would be what I would have to qualify on. All three of the tire reps advised that there would be no “Q” (qualifying) tires. Armed with this information I made my plans for the rest of the weekend by trying DOTs and combos of DOTs and slicks. I came up with a combo I was happy with and would get me in the program.

Forward to Wednesday qualifying for the Daytona 200. With my tire selection made I attempted to enter the track but was stopped by AMA officials. I was told I could not use the DOTs because this was a slick spec class. With no time for discussion I had no choice but to change the tires. I went out on cold tires and crashed my brains out. My own fault.

After the qualifying session I went to discuss with the AMA about the tire situation. No one could show me in writing (the rulebook or the meet supplemental regulations) where DOTs were excluded. I checked with Dunlop and as far as they knew the tires were approved. All of this was after Bostrom uncorked a monster lap giving him the pole.

Licking my wounds that night I watched Wind Tunnel and guess what…both Boz bros. were on Q tires (one M and one D). I was livid that I was lied to by the vendor I had been supporting for better than 15 years. The next morning I went to the Dunlop garage and requested a Q tire and was told there were none available. Well, the rest is history–I used up three slicks trying to get up to speed and couldn’t get the job done. The previous weekend I had been as much as a-second-a-lap faster on the DOTs on a very cold track.

My beef is: The tire manufactures make Q tires for the bragging rights to the pole position and more importantly the points that are awarded to the pole winner. Can anyone see the problems with this?

1. The pole and cutoff time become unrealistic as far as the actual race pace will go. The cutoff time (which has also been reduced this year) becomes more difficult to make. If a privateer is not provided the same tire choice for qualifying they may not make the grid. I don’t think spectators will want to go to Road America or Mid Ohio and see 15-bike fields. We don’t want to even think what the TV coverage would look like.

2. Q tires work, they work well, what if the tire rep decides to give a chosen rider a better Q tire than the rest? Doesn’t that give the manufacturer the power to select who wins the pole. Won’t that also give the manufacturer the power to select who will win the Championship based on the 11 points acquired by winning the pole?

These issues were brought to the attention of (AMA Road Racing Manager) Ron Barrick. His response was that they (the AMA) know that it is a problem but they have no way of fixing it so they will allow it to continue as is.

My recommendations would be: Take away the qualifying points and have all riders start on the tire they qualified on. This works well in F1, why not AMA?

Rick Shaw
AMA Superbike #79
Miami, Florida




This just in from AMA Pro Racing Chief Steward Laura Perry:

I was the official who told Rick Shaw he could not go out on DOT tires in the Superbike qualifying session. The wording in the 2004 rulebook is:

“4. Tires

Only non-DOT, racing tires are permitted.”

I don’t know who he asked from the AMA who would have been unable to show him this rule since it is in the printed rulebook.

Laura Perry
Athens, Alabama

From a press release issued by Dorna Sports:


MotoGP Official Test to lift the lid on 2004 season preparations

The MotoGP World Championship 2004 roars into life in Spain this week at the Circuit de Catalunya, host to the MotoGP Official Test for the second consecutive year. The three day session on the 26th, 27th and 28th March is the first time during an intense preseason that all of the MotoGP teams will be on track together and it promises to provide an exciting prologue to the new season as the official timing system clicks into action for the first time this year.

A televised 45 minute session on Sunday with a BMW Z4 on offer for the fastest rider also forms the first round of the BMW Award – MotoGP Best Qualifier 2004, with a top of the range series 645Ci car from the German manufacturer on offer for the overall winner at the end of the season, providing a tantalising incentive for the riders and teams to push the limitations of their machines and give a key insight into what can be expected during one of the most eagerly awaited campaigns in the sport’s 55-year history. The ‘Official Practice’, takes place at 1405 CET, and will be screened around the world.

This time last year Loris Capirossi sprung the shock of the preseason with a sensational lap time on an early version of the Ducati Desmosedici and drove away in a BMW 330 Cd. Capirossi’s surprise form was certainly a sign of things to come, as he took a podium for Ducati on their MotoGP debut at Suzuka and then snatched an historic victory for the Italian factory at Catalunya.

This year the focus will no doubt be on Valentino Rossi, who is finalising preparations for his first campaign with Yamaha after switching from Honda, the dominant factory in MotoGP during recent seasons. The reigning MotoGP World Champion arrives at the Barcelona track fresh on the back of successful tests in Australia and, with rumours and uncertainty traditionally surrounding the authenticity of unofficial lap times throughout the preseason, there will be no hiding place this weekend as he comes face to face with all of the pretenders to his crown for the first time aboard the YZR-M1.

Aside from the exceedingly high quality opposition provided by his former employers at HRC, which includes last season’s runner-up Sete Gibernau, eternal rival Max Biaggi, Rookie of the Year Nicky Hayden, multiple-Grand Prix winner Alex Barros, former World Superbike Champion Colin Edwards and Japanese protégé Makoto Tamada, Rossi faces stiff competition from a strong MotoGP field which has taken radical steps to try and take advantage of his Yamaha gamble.

Ducati have produced an all-new version of the Desmosedici, branded the GP4, for their factory team of Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, whilst leasing the GP3 machines out to a satellite team which will include the reigning World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson and WSB runner-up Ruben Xaus. Meanwhile, rival factories Suzuki, Kawasaki, Aprilia and Proton have all produced drastically revised versions of their four-stroke prototypes as they aim to compete once more for the biggest prize in motorcycle racing.

Rossi’s challengers will get a glimpse of their ultimate goal on Saturday 27th March, when the Italian will be presented with the first ever MotoGP World Championship Trophy in a special ceremony during a break in the track action at 1330 CET.

The second and final Official Test takes place next week at Jerez, with the MotoGP contingent on the 31 March and 1 April.

From a press release issued by VP Racing Fuels:

Red Rock Distributing Joins VP Racing Fuels Team

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (March 22, 2004) VP Racing Fuels announced today the signing of Red Rock Distributing as its newest bulk distributor. Red Rock reached an agreement with VP to service the Oklahoma area with bulk VP110 and Performance Unleaded racing fuels along with VP’s line of specialty fuels, lubricants, performance chemicals and accessories. VP110 and Performance Unleaded will be available at the pump or in drums at Red Rock’s new facility at One NW 50th Street in Oklahoma City and delivered in bulk to race tracks throughout Oklahoma.

“We’re excited to be able to add VP fuels as a premium line for our existing racing fuel customers and dealers,” said David Wells, Red Rock’s racing fuels sales manager. “Red Rock Distributing will help VP Racing by bringing wider distribution of our racing fuels and other products to race tracks and other distribution channels,” according to Brad Horton, regional manager for VP. “Our customers should also benefit in the long run because of increased efficiencies in bulk shipment of fuels.”

Tracks, oil jobbers, dealers and racers interested in finding out more can contact David Wells at 405-677-3373 or 800-323-7109.

For over 70 years, Red Rock Distributing has supplied Oklahomans with quality fuels for their cars, trucks, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles. With an experienced staff available to answer specific fueling questions, Red Rock Distributing can identify the best fuel for a specific engine, no matter what the application. More information can be obtained by visiting their facility at One NW 50th in Oklahoma City, or on the web at www.redrockdist.com.

VP Racing has been manufacturing the best fuels for motorsport applications since 1975, currently producing more than 50 unique blends. With these blends, VP has fueled champions in virtually every racing category and class — from drag racing, circle track and road racing to motocross, off-road, off-shore and even airplane racing. In race venues not controlled by a fuel rule, VP consistently fuels more winners than any other American fuel company. VP’s fuels have earned a reputation for superior power and consistency – as illustrated by the NHRA Pro Stock Champions who have made VP their fuel of choice for 28 consecutive years, a record unmatched by any major sponsor in the industry.

VP Racing is the Official Racing Fuel of NHRA Championship Drag Racing, as well as exclusive fuel supplier and/or sponsor of AMA (American Motorcycle Association) Supercross; ASA (American Speed Association); IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association); NMRA (National Mustang Racing Association); SKUSA (Superkarts! USA); Star Mazda; Stars of Karting; Rmax Challenge; Toyota Atlantic; and Trans Am, among others.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I just wanted to say goodbye, or better yet see you all later, to my friends, fellow racers and tire patrons. My National Guard Unit from Savannah, Georgia was called up and have to head overseas.

The past five years have been a blast helping a lot of you as the Southeast Dunlop Tire Rep and I can’t wait to get back and continue our fun and friendship.

I am heading to Afghanistan on the 29th of March and won’t get to see you for 12 months or so, I’ll be flying all around the country in my Chinook helicopter wishing I was at the track.

I don’t have an address yet but hopefully will be able to get my email, [email protected]. Maybe I can get a note or two from you while I am away.

Hope you all have a safe and successful year and see you when I get back.

SSG James Bock
U.S. Army
Savannah, Georgia

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I am disappointed to report that the trailer belonging to Per Hogdahl’s Priority Racing was broken into some time within the past two weeks.

Among the items stolen were a 2001 TZ250 (Simon Turner’s 2002 racebike with race number 111), an SV650 belonging to Mark Hamilton of Irish Bike Magazine (race number 312), and a Honda generator.

The trailer was parked in a fenced-in yard in West Palm Beach, Florida.

A reward is available for the return of these and other items with no questions asked. I can be contacted at 404-964-8879, e-mail [email protected].

Caesar Gonzales
WERA #74, AMA #274
Austell, Georgia