From a press release issued by Traxxion Dynamics:

Traxxion Dynamics Becomes First US Elka Suspension Dealer

To All Motorcycle Racers:

Traxxion Dynamics is proud to become the first source in the US for the new Elka Racing Shocks.

Elka Suspension is a newcomer from Canada. Their company was founded in 2000, and in very short order they have taken over the world of custom ATV racing shocks, being the brand of choice by most top racers in just three short years.

I have worked closely with Elka to set their shocks up to suit road racing bikes. Having helped develop and improve other top shocks in the past, I have been able to cut the Elka set up curve down to nothing. They are a very responsive company and are committed to becoming the #1 racing shock in the US. I am quite confident that their superior quality shocks will turn heads, and win races. To top it all off, they are substantially less expensive than any of the major competing brands.



The “top of the line” Elka is triple adjustable, offering high and low speed compression adjustment, as well as rebound. Ride height and spring preload adjustment are standard on this product as well. Most models come in piggyback configuration. The retail price is only $895!

The standard Elka is double adjustable, offering high speed compression and rebound damping adjustment. It too, has spring preload and ride height adjustment. These shocks are the most affordably priced of all “top tier” shocks at $735.

For information on sponsorship opportunities and introductory pricing specials, please email us, [email protected]. We will have photos and information up on our website (www.traxxion.com) within a week or so. Please stop by our booth at the Indy Dealer Expo to see our exciting new shock line! We are in booth #6012.

Sincerely,

Max McAllister
President
Traxxion Dynamics, Inc.

From a press release issued by Team Hammer:

Texan Signs Up For Talent Search

Lake Elsinore, Calif. – Mark Delano of Dayton, Texas is the first rider to sign up for the 2004 Team Hammer Talent Search Presented By Alpinestars. Delano, 31, is a first-year Expert and was the highest-ranked CMRA Amateur in 2003, with the highest overall rider performance index in the CMRA.

The Talent Search is a comprehensive development program designed to help riders go as far in road racing as their talent will allow.

“I want to go as far as I can in racing,” said Delano. “I know I won’t be the youngest guy out there but I believe I have the talent to do something on a professional level if I can get the resources together. I want to get going as fast as I can.”

Delano currently owns a 2001 Suzuki GSX-R600 and a 2001 Suzuki GSX-R750 but plans to buy a 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600 when the bike becomes available.

Two finalists in the Team Hammer Talent Search Presented By Alpinestars will earn full rides for the 2004 Suzuki Cup Finals, including use of a Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki racebike tended by a professional mechanic, entry fees, tires and a full set of custom Alpinestars leathers, boots and gloves in team colors. The best-finishing Talent Search rider at the Suzuki Cup Finals will take home a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki racebike, and both finalists will be considered for a 2005-season ride with the team.

Greg Moore of Brookwood, Alabama and Chris Siglin of Clayton, California were the 2003 Team Hammer Talent Search finalists, and as the best-finishing finalist in Suzuki Cup action, Siglin took home a race-ready Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R750.

From a press release issued by BMW North America:

BMW Motorrad USA at Daytona Bike Week

Are you a BMW rider going to Daytona? Then you might want to know about this! Rooms at the Daytona are available for BMW riders and friends, with Pre-Race Party Too!

Act Soon as rooms are going fast!

Here’s the deal. The Daytona Hilton has made special arrangements with BMW Motorrad to offer their lowest rate… lower than any internet rate… lower than any travel agent or call-in rate and exclusively for BMW riders and their friends. You know that hotel rooms are at a premium in Daytona. We suggest that you consider joining us at the Hilton!!

Everyone staying at the Hilton receives guaranteed admission to BMW Motorrad’s annual rider party. This year it’s a great Friday night “Start Your Engines” BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup pre-race party. And BMW Motorrad is throwing in a gift for those staying at the Hilton. Be comfortable in the Speedway infield with your free BMW Motorrad USA travel chair!

The Hilton is YOUR place for a great stay during Bike Week. If this is YOUR year to have more fun at Bike Week, why not join your fellow BMW riders and BoxerCup racers staying at the Hilton?

Bike Week Rules Apply. You must book ahead by calling 800-525-7350 or 386-767-7350 if calling locally. Once you book the room you “own” the room: there are no cancellations. There’s a 5 night minimum and you arrive on the 3rd of March to get this great rate.

Rates are $249 per room. Rooms with 2 double beds can be used by up to 4 riders per room, no more than 2 riders otherwise. $15 Extra per rider if more than two.

Call 1-800-525-7350. Ask for the BMW Rider Rate!!!

We look forward to seeing you at the party Friday night and the BoxerCup race the following morning!

Best wishes and Ride Safe,


BMW Motorrad USA

From a press release issued by CMRA:

The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association would like to announce the opening of its 10-race, 2004 championship season. This year’s action includes new sponsorship programs, many exciting championships and a family-oriented racing series.

In 2004, the CMRA will be hosting: 10 sprint championship weekends for minis and big bikes, a six-race endurance series for minis, a seven-race endurance series for big bikes including an 8-Hour event at Texas World Speedway in June and the return of the popular Red River Challenge Series (50-miles or 50-minutes, whichever comes first).

Also new for 2004 is a program to give away a fully-race-prepared 2004 Yamaha YZF-R6 at the end of the season! Each time a competitor enters a sprint, endurance or Red River Challenge event, their name will be entered in the
drawing. At the end of the year a name will be drawn and the winner will receive a fully race-prepared 2004 Yamaha YZF-R6, worth an estimated $18,000! Sponsors for this amazing program include Sum of All Parts, Shogun Motorsports, Motion Cycle Sports, Yamaha motorcycles, Vortex, Penske, Traxxion Dynamics, RaceworX, Blair Graphix, Scotts Performance, Pirelli tires, Galfer and Ferodo.

The CMRA boasts a membership base of over 600 racers and supporters. In 2003 the series drew 5324 total sprint entries, 319 big bike endurance entries and 182 mini endurance entries to its family-oriented events. In 2004 the CMRA will provide safe venues for competition at tracks in the South Central region of the United States.

From a press release issued by Brotz Motorsports:

Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Buell joins forces with Richie Morris and Brotz Motorsports:

“I am excited and honored to announce that Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Buell will join Daytona Harley-Davidson Buell in sponsoring Richie Morris and Brotz Motorsports in the upcoming 2004 FUSA Thunderbike series. When you think of Harley/Buell, you think of Milwaukee and when you think of racing, you think of Daytona. Therefore it is quite a privilege to have both famous dealers as supporters,” Morris stated.

Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Buell will also sponsor Richie’s teammate Clint Brotz of Brotz Motorsports. Brotz Motorsports supports both riders and is owned by Frank Brotz, Clint’s father and Richie’s father in-law.”

“I was very impressed with Bob Michel, who is the owner of Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Buell. We put the deal together in about an hour. He is straight to the point and wants to go racing and win championships. He didn’t complicate the little details, unlike other people that you have to deal with in this sport. He is coming on board in a major way and I feel is looking at a long term commitment to our team. Bruce Rossmeyer, who owns Daytona Harley, and I have been together for 10 years now, so maybe Bob and I will have the same success together,” continued Morris.

“It is important to thank factory Buell and Formula USA for having a paying class, to make it possible for teams like ours to make a living with dealers as sponsors.

“As announced in a previous press release, we are going to be on new bikes, so there will be some what of a learning curve. But I think we have the right combination to sort things out very quickly,” added Morris.

The team has also hired Chris Weiand as Crew Chief and race tuner. Chris lives in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience. We are fortunate to have him on board.

Hoban Brothers will build the engines with the major components sponsored by Revolution Performance out of Plymouth, Wisconsin.

The team will run Pirelli tires, supplied by Track Side Racers Supply.

Other sponsors are as follows: Suomy, Vortex, EBC, JE pistons, Tsubaki, Cometic Gaskets, Innovative Motorcycle Research, and the world famous Ocean Deck.

From a press release:

San Jose, California, February 6, 2004 — Red Spider Video Productions announces the release of the broadcast music video “Flight Zone”. Red Spider Video Productions, best known for their innovative and fast paced on-track motorcycle video features, has produced a music video of “Flight Zone” featuring pro racer Brien Whitlock and Team IMR. “Flight Zone” was composed by Michael Gutierrez on the Visad Records label, (http://www.visadrecords.com) – an independent California -based recording company dedicated to offering artists a recording venue in which to preserve and showcase their music. RSVP will present the exclusive World Premiere of the video “Flight Zone” at Q Cafe, 529 Alma Street, Palo Alto, California Thursday, March 4, 2004. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. A trailer for the video can be seen at http://www.RedSpiderVideo.com/videorelease.htm

“Dale (Parizi, RedSpiderVideo.com executive producer) and I were thrilled to be asked to film and produce this exciting new video for Michael, Brien and Visad Records”, said Bobby Parizi, CEO of RSVP. “The music was written specifically for Brien and motorcycle racing. It’s fast paced, driving and truly describes the emotions and intensity of motorcycle racing at its best. We do believe this one of a kind video will put a strong and positive message out there for the sport of motorcycle riding.”

“I was happy to be a part of bringing talented people together, Mike, Dale & Bobby did an awesome job and I got to do what I like … Ride! Dale put her twist on it all, and it shows!” explained Brien Whitlock.

“This video was an awesome and fun project that came together with the help of all involved”, quotes Michael Gutierrez. “Thanks, Dale for the professional film production. Thank you, Brien and Team IMR, for believing in the dream. Keep taking the checkered flag, you guys are insane!!”

About Brien Whitlock
Concord, California
www.IMRacing.org
AMA #64 600 Supersport
AMA #164 Superstock-Formula Extreme (tba)
AFM #359
CCS, FUSA, WERA, WSMC

About Visad Records
Visad Records is an independent record label focusing on local artists who currently perform in the Area.
VisadRecords.com
5098 Foothills Blvd. Suite #3-150
Roseville, California 95747
916-771-8967

About Red Spider Video Productions
Red Spider Video Productions is exclusively committed to quality videography and post productions services at an affordable price to promote the motorcycle sport riding industry.
RedSpiderVideo.com
5003 Amondo Drive
San Jose, California 95129
408-314-0144

From a press release issued by Yamaha:

Membership Has Privileges: 2005 Yamaha FJR 1300/1300 ABS

CYPRESS, Calif.— Riding a Yamaha FJR 1300 puts owners into an exclusive club. BecauseYamaha doesn’t just build the best supersport touring bike in the world—it builds the only supersport touring bike in the world. The 145 horsepower FJR 1300/1300ABS is the ultimate combination of superbike power and sportbike handling with touring-bike comfort and convenience. Even the critics appreciated the FJR1300. Cycle World named it Best Sport-Touring Bike in its first season in the U.S. Last year, Motorcyclist called it Tourer of the Year while Rider magazine went ahead and labeled it Motorcycle of the Year for 2003.

Superbike Power
When it comes to low and mid-range torque, there’s no replacement for displacement. To that end, the FJR gets a 1298cc 16-valve fuel-injected four-cylinder engine which produces arm-straightening torque from off-idle and delivers a 145-horsepower peak at only 8,500 rpm. It’s a smooth, quiet beast, too, thanks to dual internal counterbalancers, and scissors-type primary gears which minimize gear whine and drivetrain lash. From there, power flows through a five-speed gearbox, low-maintenance shaft drive and onto the pavement through a 180-section rear tire.


Strong Like Bull

To deal with all that power, along with two people and their belongings, and still be able to handle with near-sportbike precision and control, the FJR gets a massive and stiff aluminum frame. Embracing the engine as a fully-stressed chassis member creates a super-rigid structure for attaching—that’s right—super strong suspension pieces: an adjustable fork with tubs fully 48mm in diameter, and a strong, adjustable-shock swingarm out back that also contains the FJR’s driveshaft

Optional ABS

When it’s time to stop, triple disc brakes with a pair of 320mm front rotors are good. When it’s time to stop on less-than perfect or wet surfaces, triple disc brakes with optional ABS are as good as it gets.

First Class

Color-matched saddlebags with liners, which use the same key as the ignition, are standard equipment. An electric-adjust windshield is standard equipment, so is the lockable small-item compartment in the left upper fairing. The full-zoot electronic/analog instrumentation, the centerstand and the integrated turnsignals all come standard. And don’t forget the 145-horsepower engine! Sometimes you can have it all.

The limited production 2005 Galaxy Blue FJR 1300 retails for $11,799 or $12,899 with ABS and are only available through a special Priority Delivery Program that runs February 6 to April 30, 2004. A $500 deposit at any Yamaha dealer puts customers in a national queue that will have customers taking deliveries following the order in which deposits are received. Shipments begin in July 2004 for this 2005 model. In addition, customers are eligible for zero interest and zero payments for six months from delivery date.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2003 AMA Superstock Champion Josh Hayes hopes to return from a broken foot in time to test his new Attack Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike prior to going to the 2004 season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Hayes suffered the injury while riding motocross January 3. “I was just doing some training. I had ridden a real long moto and gone back out to run around with some friends. It’s pretty stupid, but I ran out of gas,” Hayes told Roadracingworld.com Wednesday at California Speedway.

Hayes’ motocross bike lost power as he took off from a jump, causing him to land short. Hayes landed hard on his feet, breaking his left heel. The Gulfport, Mississippi rider had surgery to repair the fracture, with Dr. Arthur Ting surgically inserting three screws in the slow-healing bone on January 5.

Planning to ride around at California Speedway for brochure photos, Hayes came to the Fontana, California infield road course Tuesday on crutches and with a soft splint on his left foot. Hayes was unable to ride, however, because a shipping mistake sent his new leathers to Ontario, Canada instead of Ontario, California.

Hayes is scheduled for a follow-up examination with Dr. Ting Thursday at which time he hopes he will be given the green light to test his new ZX-10R Superbike at California Speedway or at Willow Springs.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Contrary to statements he made at the December 2003 Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway, four-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin will race in the 2004 Daytona 200 AMA Superbike season opener.

“I’ll do my absolute best to see that I don’t have to come and race here in March. I prefer to start with a 37-point deficit than come and race here (Daytona),” Mladin told Roadracingworld.com December 10, 2003, one day after the rear Dunlop tire on Jason DiSalvo’s Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock racebike exploded at 180 mph during testing at Daytona.

DiSalvo’s tire failure and his resulting long, high-speed slide down the Daytona pavement came less than two months after Mladin’s own teammate, 2003 AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Ben Spies, had another rear Dunlop explode at 186 mph at Daytona.

While DiSalvo was relatively uninjured, Spies suffered serious skin abrasions, some requiring surgical skin grafts, and was forced to miss three months of off-season physical training and preparations.

But Mladin’s feelings have now changed…somewhat.

“Sometimes you say things that I shouldn’t say you don’t really mean, but in the anger of the moment (pause) we were guaranteed that we wouldn’t have those tire problems,” Mladin told Roadracingworld.com Wednesday, February 4. “And when it happened near the end of the second day of a three-day test, it certainly becomes one of those things where it starts getting a bit old and you’re thinking as you go out on the racetrack it could be your last time out there.

“I’ll be at Daytona, whether I’ll be competitive or not is another story. I’ll certainly stay safe, let’s put it that way.”

Asked if anything had happened since the December test at Daytona to reinstall his confidence in Dunlop tires, Mladin simply said, “No.”