From a press release:

RepairManual.com Racing Announces New Sponsors for 2004 AMA Superbike Season

CHARLOTTE, NC- RepairManual.com Racing has announced new partnerships with GEICO’s Cycle-Gard motorcycle insurance, GIVI U.S.A., and Autodata Publications to field C.R. Gittere in AMA Pro Racing’s U.S. Superbike Series for the 2004 season.

The blue-liveried No. 81 Suzuki GSX-R1000 will be graced with GEICO’s popular gecko mascot. The company is known for offering insurance at affordable rates, and GEICO has a full range of insurance offerings for motorcycle riders. Quotes for insurance rates can be obtained on the Internet at www.GEICO.com or by calling 800-44-CYCLE.

Gittere, of Charlotte, NC, has been racing for five years. For the 2004 season, he will race in the seven AMA Superbike rounds that will be staged on the east coast. Five of those rounds will be double-header weekends.

In addition to Cycle-Gard, Repairmanual.com Racing is also partnering with three new sponsors including Autodata Publications, who publish motorcycle books such as the 2003 Motorcycle & ATV Technical Data Manual, the 2002 Motorcycle Labor Guide and a variety of automotive titles. Autodata books are available through the RepairManual.com website.

After several years of providing accessories for Repairmanual.com Racing, GIVI USA has stepped in as a sponsor this year. The U.S. branch of the popular Italian company, based in Charlotte, NC, offers motorcycle luggage, windscreens and accessories for almost all types of motorcycles.

Gittere is also sponsored by Ricky Hendricks Performance Honda-Suzuki-Aprilia, a motorcycle shop located in Charlotte, NC, that has been involved with the motorcycle roadracing community for several years.

RepairManual.com has been the title sponsor of Gittere’s team for five years. The RepairManual.com website offers Autodata, Bentley, Chilton, Clymer, Detroit Iron, Haynes, MBI, OEM and Seloc repair manuals for a variety of vehicles.

During the season-opening Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway, Gittere rode to a 12th place finish in what is considered to be the toughest race of the season. Gittere started 27th on the grid but worked his way up with consistent lap times and flawless pit stops.

“I’m happy to be working with these companies,” said Gittere. “It elevates our racing program both for my sponsors and for me. I couldn’t have done so well at the Daytona 200 without the support of my sponsors.”

Gittere is receiving additional support from Crown Printing, GP Tech, Lockhart-Phillips, M4, Motul, Suomy, Pirelli, Trackside Racers Supply, Vortex, Monster Energy Drink and DynoJet.

More information about Gittere is available on the Internet at www.QuickCritter.com.

From a press release:

Yorba Linda, CA. American Supercamp and White Brothers Racing announced today an exciting new racing partnership in 2004 with the official signing of Jeremy McGrath. McGrath, a seven time Supercross champion and a member of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, will be joining the American Supercamp/White Brothers Racing/Fun Bike Center/Honda Supermoto team to ride alongside teammate Steve Drew in AMA Supermoto Series events.

Since his official retirement from the Supercross circuit in January of 2003, McGrath has been fueling his desire for competition by racing in the AMA Supermoto series and riding select motocross events, along with sampling motorcycle road racing and occasionally trying his hand racing on four wheels. Although he has left the intense level of competition that Supercross demands behind him, McGrath is still one of the most exciting motorcycle racers to ever don a helmet.

“I’m definitely thrilled about this new opportunity,” McGrath commented. “I really like racing Supermoto, and having support like this and a bike like the Honda CRF450 makes it more fun for me. I know the guys at White Brothers and Supercamp will provide me with the best possible equipment and I can just enjoy racing.”

Drew, who works full-time for White Brothers Manufacturing, finished tenth in the 2003 Supermoto team standings aboard his White Brothers Racing Moto Master Brent Honda and looks to improve on that position in 2004.

Steve remarked, “There’s no better situation that I can find myself in to go racing this year than this one. I’ve got great sponsors behind me like Supercamp and White Brothers Racing, and I ride Hondas. And then to have Jeremy on the team what Jeremy can bring to the team with his experience is huge. I’m definitely looking forward to being able to practice and test with him and just trying to feed off of him. It’s definitely to my advantage. I’m pretty excited..”

Mike Bell, White Brothers Racing COO and 1980 Supercross champion stated, “There’s not a more well known name in motocross than Jeremy McGrath, we’re more than excited to have him join the White Brothers Racing team. Jeremy brings the finishing touches to our Supermoto efforts and will be racing along with our in house competitor, Steve Drew. We’re looking for an exciting year of racing from this team and feel that along with our White Brothers Racing equipped and race-prepped machines, we’re sure to be a strong contender to the field.”

American Supercamp’s President Danny Walker added, “This is a perfect fit for American Supercamp with both our regular dirt track camps and our Supermoto camps. It’s a natural progression for us to be on the leading edge of the techniques that riders like McGrath and Drew use.” Walker, who partnered with Cameron Gray of RPM (promoter of the Honda Superbike Classic at Laguna Seca) to field a Supermoto team in 2003 continued, “We’re big fans of the Supermoto series, and I’m enthusiastic about having riders like Steve Drew and Jeremy McGrath involved with American Supercamp.”

The team will be competing in all AMA Supermoto events, and McGrath may also be involved in a coaching role with the Honda Rider’s Club of America Junior Supermoto Challenge, a support event to the Supermoto Series that selects young riders from around the country to participate in Supermoto racing aboard Honda CRF150s. For more information please call White Brothers Racing at 714-692-3404 or visit the websites below:

www. WhiteBrothers.com
www.Americansupercamp.com

From a press release:

PIRELLI-METZELER EXPANDS NORTH AMERICAN MARKETING AND TECH STAFFS

(Rome, GA) Pirelli Tire North America, the domestic parent of the Pirelli and Metzeler motorcycle tire brands in the U.S. and Canada, has expanded its marketing and tech-support staffs, and created a new marketing position.

Chris Wall joins Pirelli-Metzeler as the new North American Marketing Manager after 10 years at Yamaha in marketing, sales, and PR positions in both the motorcycle and golf cart divisions. A former WERA road racer, Wall says “I’ve ridden street bikes on Metzelers almost exclusively for 20 years now and raced WERA on Pirellis. But even with all of that seat-of-the-pants experience, there is so much to learn about the way Metzeler and Pirelli make these things, so much technical information. It’s fascinating. The challenge excites me very much.”

Jeff Adams is the new Pirelli MX Product Manager, responsible for building the brand in MX and off-road, as well as technical sales support. He’s been riding since “I was about six years old. Then, about seven years ago, I started riding on the street with my Honda Hawk GT. I’ve held a racing license for the past three years, doing endurance and sprint racing with WERA. Currently, there are four bikes in the garage and another on the way.” Prior to joining Pirelli-Metzeler, Adams worked in sales training, and in international sales and marketing.

Moving into a new position is Alberto Warburg, the former Marketing Manager. Warburg is now in charge of both U.S. OE sales, and marketing and sales for the Canadian market. He joined Pirelli-Metzeler in the U.S. three years ago, coming from a marketing management position at Unilever, one of Europe’s largest consumer-products companies. An avid sport-touring rider, he claims he’s still looking for the kind of alpine roads he loved so much in his native Italy, “although Route 33 outside of Ojai, California comes pretty close.”

Jeff Johnston has returned to his position as Senior Technical Sales Support, after a half-season stint in 2003 in his former position as Race Manager. A nine-year veteran of Pirelli-Metzeler, Johnston is often lauded for his extensive technical knowledge by both dealers and consumers.

According to Chris Wall, all of the changes send a clear message of Pirelli-Metzeler’s commitment to, and investment in, the North American market. Wall said the evidence isn’t just in the new people and positions, but in the company’s increased presence at major motorcycle rally and race events, its greatly increased investment in American racing series, its new custom-designed Metzeler and Pirelli trucks that tour the events, and the presence of Pirelli’s international racing management in North American racing. “It’s all focused on building awareness and growing sales through greatly-improved customer service and accessibility at both the dealer and consumer levels,” Wall concluded.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Am I really seeing this? Guys complaining that another guy’s apology was inadequate! Pul-eaze, like guys know how to apologize? That would be like a guy reading a map, wouldn’t it? I’m in some weird parallel universe.

Debra Savage
Milpitas, California

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

AMA Riders Pleased with Enhancements at Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. – Nine riders from manufacturers American Honda, Yoshimura Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha converged on Infineon Raceway for a two-day test session on Monday, and all were pleased with the improvements made to the raceway over the off-season.

The 12-turn, 2.22-mile road course was repaved during the off-season, and additional runoff was created at Turns 1 and 6, increasing rider safety. AMA riders traversed the twisting road course under sunny skies on Monday.

“The track has really come along in the last 12 months, and the new surface is much better,” said Suzuki’s Mat Mladin, a four-time AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike champion and the winner of the Daytona 200 earlier this month. “It’s also gotten faster.”

This will be the last test prior to the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Cycle Gear, April 30-May 2, at Infineon Raceway and riders were taking full advantage. In addition to the increased runoff, the Turn 1 bridge will be moved about 100-feet closer to Turn 2, removing the bridge abutment as a safety issue. The Turn 6 bridge at the Carousel, meanwhile, has been permanently removed.

Mladin posted the fastest time of the first day at 1 minute, 37.84 seconds and was followed by teammate Aaron Yates (1:38.25) and Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke (1:38.32). Honda’s Miguel Duhamel, a four-time Superbike winner at Infineon Raceway, ran a 1:38.70. All teams were running race-trim.

“This place is one of the best in the country,” said Honda’s Ben Bostrom. “The people here at Infineon have worked with the riders the last two-three years and that’s a big deal.”

Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo, who won the Pro Honda Oils Supersport race at Daytona on March 6, also had good things to say. “The track has really been opened up a lot more and you can carry more speed and it doesn’t feel dangerous,” he said. “It’s kind of like you’re floating out there because the track is so smooth. You don’t even realize there’s a track underneath you.”

Keith McCarty, division manager for Yamaha, also made the trek to Northern California: “I think everyone is quite happy with the resurfacing of the track,” he said. “The speeds are up but they haven’t changed dramatically and that’s good. We’re pleased with what we’ve seen.”

In addition to the manufacturers, Arclight Suzuki, Erion Honda and Team Attack Kawasaki are also attending the two-day test, which will conclude on Tuesday.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Work Begins on New Turn 1 Bridge at Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. – Infineon Raceway has begun work on a new bridge at Turn 1 that will not only help with pedestrian traffic flow, but also make for a much safer circuit for all competitors on the twisting road course. The bridge is tentatively planned to be unveiled at the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Cycle Gear, April 30-May 2.

The new bridge will span 180 feet and will be positioned closer to Turn 2. The new location will create an additional 120 feet of runoff at Turn 1, and remove the old bridge abutments from the runoff area in Turn 1. The new bridge will have ramps instead of stairs, which will create for smoother pedestrian flow, and feature an enclosed metal framework, a big improvement from the old wooden bridge that spanned the area for many years.

Grading for the new abutments has already been completed and footings for the bridge have been poured. The bridge is being built in Alabama and should arrive at Infineon Raceway in mid-April. Raceway officials have also announced that the Turn 6 bridge (Carousel), which was taken down two months ago, will not be replaced. This will afford race fans better sightlines of the road course and give competitors more runoff in that area.

This marks the third major off-season project at Infineon Raceway as the road course was repaved in August, and a new Medical & Care Center is currently being constructed in the main paddock area. More than $65 million of improvements have been made at the facility since September, 2000.

From a tardy press release issued by Ducati North America:

LORD & TAYLOR SIZES UP DUCATI AND FAST BY FERRACCI FOR THE ‘FAST TRACK’ – A TRUIMPHANT SHOWCASE OF THE HOTTEST SPRING TRENDS

Fifth Avenue Windows Get Racy With A Sexy Line-Up Of Ducati Motorcycles As The Backdrop, Putting The New Men’s Contemporary Sportswear Collections on Pole Position



Willow Grove, PA –Fast By Ferracci, a premier manufacturer and supplier of high performance motorcycle parts, world-famous championship motorcycle racing team and top-ranking Ducati motorcycle dealer, announced today that it is teaming up with the prestigious New York Department Store Lord & Taylor to celebrate the launch of its new Men’s Contemporary Sportswear Collections. The Fifth Avenue store windows are trickedout with Lord & Taylor’s sleek, new spring looks for men complemented by more than a dozen Ducati motorcycles supplied by Fast By Ferracci. Fast By Ferracci’s racing history with Ducati is well represented with memorabilia such as an original Factory Ducati Corse racebike, numerous Daytona trophies, and authentic race leathers from various former team riders.

“We are delighted to team up with this New York landmark to platform our newest Italian motorcycles with their latest trends for men,” comments Lawrence Ferracci, Vice-President, Fast By Ferracci. “Right from the get-go, our conversation with Lord & Taylor began on the right track and brought us to the finish line here on Fifth Avenue. Special thanks to Michael Lock, CEO Ducati North America and Ducati Motorcycles for their cooperation with making this possible.”

This spectacular promotion also comes equipped with a contest to win a brand-new 2004 Ducati M620 Dark motorcycle valued at $6,595. Lord & Taylor invites consumers to visit The Man’s Shop to register to win. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest. Motorcycle provided by Ducati North America.

Featured in the March issue of GQ Magazine, the Sunday New York Times, and Lord & Taylor’s Spring 2004 catalog mailed to 1 million plus households across the country, the windows impressions alone are estimated at 250,000+ daily.

Window shoppers, from novice to professional, can enjoy this eye-candy through March 14, 2004.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

CMRA racer Chris Smiley married Penny Neal Saturday, March 13th at Mt. Nebo State Park in Dardanelle, Arkansas.