From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA URGES MOTORCYCLISTS TO TAKE ACTION IN WAKE OF JANKLOW SENTENCE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is urging motorcyclists nationwide, many of whom share the AMA’s disappointment in the light sentence imposed on former U.S. Representative Bill Janklow last week, to take constructive action to help prevent similar injustices from happening in the future.

The AMA soon will announce a legislative-action strategy and a public-awareness campaign targeting inadequate sentencing laws in South Dakota and nationwide. The program will include events that coincide with the 2004 Black Hills Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.

“The sentence imposed on Mr. Janklow is an affront to all motorcyclists, and it’s time to act,” said Edward Moreland, Vice President of AMA Government Relations. “But protests and symbolic gestures aren’t enough — we need to take the kind of action, nationally and locally, that changes the way the justice system sentences drivers who kill motorcyclists.”

Janklow, who was convicted December 8, 2003, of second-degree manslaughter and three other counts related to a traffic crash that claimed the life of a Minnesota motorcyclist, was sentenced on January 22 to 100 days in the Minnehaha County Jail. Janklow will not have to spend time in the South Dakota State Penitentiary, and he could be eligible for a work-release program after 30 days in jail.

From a press release:

Richie Morris, riding the Daytona Harley-Davidson/Buell XB12 for the first time, had impressive results at Jennings, Florida this past weekend. After one year of being on separate teams, Morris will once again be teamed with his brother-in-law, Clint Brotz, in a bid to win the Formula USA Thunderbike Championship. The team is also considering the FUSA Team Challenge Series on a Buell XB with Brotz Motorsports being the primary sponsor for the endurance series.

“As far as this weekend’s test, the XB12 was a new bike for me, but I was really impressed, it only took a few laps to figure it out and start having fun,” said Morris. “It really handles like a new 600, so you have to change your riding style a bit, but it is definitely for the better. Clint was impressed as well; basically the thing is on a rail! But we have to be thankful to Max McAllister at Traxxion Dynamics, who was responsible for setting the suspension. Aside the help from Max and some starting points from the guys in the racing program at Factory Buell, the bike was bone stock. So we have a ways to go before Daytona.

“I just got off the phone with Henry Duga (of Buell), and it seems the Buell contingency has been worked out for the FUSA program. It looks to be more lucrative to ride a Buell than ever before.

“Now we have to get back to Elkhart Lake to finalize some sponsorship and work out an engine program. Personally, I would be happy with my engine builders from last year (Hoban Brothers). But racing is a business and it has to be treated that way when it comes to sponsorship. We are waiting on a couple of commitments. After that, hopefully we will be able to announce the total sponsorship package for the team. It sucks to be behind so close to Daytona, but that always seems to be the nature of the beast. However, we do have more than one option to consider, which makes things a little easier,” Morris stated.

The following sponsors have already committed to the team for the 2004 season: Daytona Harley/Buell, The Ocean Deck, Brotz Motorsports, Pirelli Tires and Trackside Racers Supply, Revolution Performance, Suomy Helmets, JE Pistons, Vortex Sprockets, Tsubaki Chains, Cometic Gaskets, and Innovative Motorsports.

The team is also interviewing for someone who has either Buell or track experience and is willing to travel for track side work. All interested can contact Richie at 920-207-3977.

From a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki:

Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 improves for 2004

THE 2004 Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 offers more performance than ever before – that’s the verdict after the team’s first three-day test session at the Spanish Almeria circuit, which ended today.

Double British Superbike Champion John Reynolds completed 65 laps today. In the fine weather this morning he rode a 2003 version of the GSX-R1000 before switching over to a new 2004 version of the bike after lunch.

The new specification Rizla Suzuki benefited from using new Ohlins gas-charged forks and a new rear shock, new Afam sprockets, a revised Factory engine specification, new Q8 Oils SBK Racing oil, new electronic components, new SBS Dual Carbon brake pads and the latest Dunlop tyres. The bike had been set-up after both JR and team test and development rider Niall Mackenzie had spent the previous two days testing the parts in isolation. JR instantly noticed an improvement with the bike.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to 2004,” smiled JR. “Last year’s Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 was good and I think it was the bike to beat. Well, the 2004 version has just beaten it.

“I rode well within myself today, especially as the afternoon wore on and the cold weather moved in. I stayed out and did two-thirds race distance to see how the new parts would cope after a few laps and I was very happy with the feeling of the bike.

“Thank you to my team and to Niall for helping at this test. Everyone has worked really hard on the bike and it is paying off. There’s still a long way to go before the first race at Silverstone but if we can continue to make progress like this, then we are going to have a very competitive bike when the season starts on March 28th.”

That is good news for JR’s Rizla Suzuki team mate Yukio Kagayama, who is currently at home in Japan. With Suzuki assistance, Yuki will be testing race bikes and parts at the Factory’s test track during February, before returning to the UK in time for the next Rizla Suzuki test session.

Team manager Paul Denning said: “It is fair to say we already have a bike that is better than anything we had last year and that’s a good starting point. We’ll now spend February refining the new specification and working on a few other areas that we can test when we visit Valencia in early March.

“The team worked really well during this test and the new members – Stewart Johnstone and Mark Hanna, both made very positive contributions. Next time we test, Yuki will be with us and we can’t wait to have him back. There’s a lot of hard work ahead for the team before the racing starts, but we have unlocked some potential in the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 and we all believe there is plenty more to come.”

Rizla Suzuki will be testing at Valencia in Spain on March 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th, before coming back to the UK to continue development at Donington on March 14th, Silverstone on March 17th and Oulton Park on March 23rd. The season starts at Silverstone on March 28th.

From a press releease issued by Phase One Racing:

R1 for Phase One

World Endurance Champions sign with Yamaha

World Endurance Champions Phase One will run Yamaha R1s in this year’s championship, after concluding a deal with Yamaha. The surprise move by the British team comes after months of negotiations with several manufacturers and marks a return to Yamaha for the team who last raced with them in 1989.

Phase One team manager Russell Benney: “It’s super to be recognised for our successes. The enthusiasm shown by Yamaha is second to none, and the technical input from Wilco Zeelenberg will be a great help. The quality of the parts supplied by Yamaha is fantastic; we’ll be using the YEC (Yamaha Engineering Corporation) kit parts for the engine but doing our own chassis modifications.

“It’s a massive uphill challenge to prepare for the first race at Assen in April, but we’ll be ready. Spondon have been warned to expect a tidal wave of work, and we’ll be testing at Almeria and Nogaro in March. We’ll be running at least one six-hour race distance shakedown before Assen.

“We’ll be starting the season with less weight and more power than at the end of 2003, which is a great place to be. The 2004 YZF-R1 represents a step change in terms of power, and will give us a useful reduction in terms of weight.

“Endurance racing is great way to promote production models,” says Yamaha Motor Racing manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “It requires not only performance and speed but also reliability. For many years the Phase One team has proven itself to be real specialists in the class and naturally we’re pleased that they have chosen the new R1 to defend their world title.”

Phase One will team up riders Stephane Mertens, Dean Ellison and Andi Notman to defend their title in 2004.

Mertens won the World Endurance Championship in 1995 and 2002 and his credits also include two International Boxer Cup championships and second place in the world Superbike championship in 1989. One of the most experienced riders in the paddock, Stephane also runs the Stephane Mertens racing school. Dean Ellison rode with his brother James at key rounds last year, fitting endurance races around his British Superbike schedule. This year will be his first full season with the team.

Andi Notman rode for the Phase One Junior team before moving up to the Phase One seniors for the final round of the championship. Andi is relishing the challenge of riding with the senior team; “I’m glad that my hard work with Phase One last year has paid off, and I’m really looking forward to riding with established riders Stephane and Dean. I think it’s a really good move to go with Yamaha. On paper the new R1 looks like the best bet – the Suzuki was well proven but it’s at the end of its development cycle.”

Estonian Marko Rohtlaan and Brit Henry Fincher will ride for the Phase One Junior team, and Benney is equally confident of their chances; “I think we’ve got a top six team with those two.”

Editorial Note: Phase One Racing won the 2003 FIM Endurance World Championship on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Most of the top riders in the Parts Canada Superbike Series have finalized their deals for the 2004 season.

According to the official website of the Canadian series, www.cdnsuperbike.com, two-time Canadian Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke and young gun Andrew Nelson will ride for the Honda Canada factory team. The team will be run by former racer Alan Labrosse and the team’s CBR1000RRs and CBR600RRs will be prepared by Scott Miller of Fast Company. The team will use Dunlop tires.

2003 Parts Canada Superbike Champion and Hindle Exhausts 600cc Sportbike Champion Pascal Picotte will once again ride Yamaha YZF-R1s and YZF-R6s in his own team.

1999 Canadian Superbike Champion Francis Martin will return to Canadian Kawasaki Motors to race the all-new ZX-10R and revised ZX-6RR alongside teammate Matt McBride.

Multi-time Canadian Champion Steve Crevier and Jeff Williams will ride Suzukis for Diablo Performance.

Frank Trombino is expected to return to ride for Brooklin Cycle Yamaha.

Coors Light Racing Blackfoot Suzuki will field Clint McBain.

Due to the longer winter in Canada and the fact that the 2004 Parts Canada Superbike Series doesn’t start until May 20-22, several of the top teams are expected to compete, or at least test, at some of the first rounds of the AMA series. In 2003, Canadian teams tested and raced at Daytona, California Speedway and Infineon Raceway.

From a press release:

BRITISH SIDECAR CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE AT CASTLE COMBE

The new Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship will conclude with the final round at the picturesque Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire on September 26.

As part of the two-day “Superbike Grand National” at Castle Combe, the new-look Sidecar series will join leading British Superbike Championship
race teams for an end of season motorcycle extravaganza.

“This will be the first two-day motorcycle race event in the circuit’s 54-year history, it will be a very special occasion,” said circuit Chairman
Howard Strawford.

The inaugural Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship ­ complete with attractive new manufacturer-linked liveries ­ is expected to be a crowd-puller at the 1.85-mile circuit.

Strawford continued: “We’re very excited about the prospect of hosting the final round of the British Sidecar Championship, a double-header race format which could well decide the 2004 champion. This is, we believe, the first
British Championship round here since the early 1970s when Barry Sheene and current BSB favourite Michael Rutter’s father Tony were chasing 350cc
honours.”

Leading driver and nine times World Sidecar Champion Steve Webster commented: “I’ve never raced at Castle Combe but heard lots of good reports about the circuit, the people and the huge crowds they attract so I’m really
looking forward to it.”

The Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship will be managed by Sportscom Media Limited. Final championship details are subject to contract with British Superbike Championship organisers, MCRCB Events.

2004 Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship calendar

March 28 – Silverstone, Northants
April 12 – Brands Hatch, Kent (Indy circuit)
April 25 – Snetterton, Norfolk
May 3 – Oulton Park, Cheshire
May 23 – Mondello Park, Ireland
June 6 – Thruxton, Hants
June 20 – Brands Hatch, Kent (GP circuit)
July 4 – Knockhill, Fife
July 18 – Rockingham, Northants
August 15 – T.b.a
August 30 – Cadwell Park, Lincs
September 12 – Oulton Park, Cheshire
September 19 – Donington Park, Derbys
September 26 ­ Castle Combe, Wilts.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Insiders say that the 2004 Daytona 200 will run as usual, but that the AMA Superstock race will be cut to 12 laps instead of 15.

An announcement is expected soon from AMA Pro Racing.



See related post:

1/26/2004 Insiders Say AMA May Shorten Superstock Race At Daytona

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA PRESENTS FIRST ‘MOTORCYCLING ADVOCATE AWARD’ TO UMBENHAUER

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has honored Charles Umbenhauer, ABATE of Pennsylvania’s state lobbyist, with the first AMA Motorcycling Advocate Award, for his untiring efforts in the fight to protect motorcyclists’ rights. The award was presented by AMA Board of Directors Chairman Rick Gray on January 24, 2004, at ABATE of Pennsylvania’s annual Leadership and Legislative Seminar in Harrisburg.

The AMA Motorcycling Advocate Award, the Association’s top honor for government-relations activities, was created to recognize AMA members who work as advocates before lawmakers and government officials, to promote motorcycling and protect its future.

Umbenhauer, a 22-year AMA member, has been the state lobbyist for ABATE of Pennsylvania for more than two years. He previously served as the
organization’s state legislative coordinator for 14 years, and has been active in fighting for motorcyclists’ rights since 1980. In 1986 he
founded ABATE of Pennsylvania’s BIKEPAC, the nation’s first motorcycling-related political action committee.

“Charlie Umbenhauer represents the most positive aspects of advocacy for motorcyclists,” said AMA Chairman Gray. “His interests are not
single-focused. Rather, they encompass everything from mandatory helmet laws to insurance issues and toll reductions. He has never burned political bridges by being partisan or offensive on a single issue; understanding that in the future, today’s opponent is tomorrow’s friend. He has respect from all with whom he has dealt. Motorcyclists are lucky to have him as our representative.”

AMA President Robert Rasor noted that it was particularly appropriate for Umbenhauer to be the first recipient of this award. “Individual
involvement and perseverance are the keys to success for motorcycling advocates. Charlie’s many years of commitment, unselfish involvement and dogged determination make him the ‘poster boy’ for all motorcycling advocates.”

Umbenhauer said he was surprised to receive the award, and honored not only because it was presented during ABATE of Pennsylvania’s 19th annual Leadership and Legislative Seminar, but also because it was presented by Rick Gray, a longtime friend.

“A lot of people have asked me, ‘What in the world keeps you going?'” Umbenhauer added. “It’s the love of motorcycling, and the fact that
we’ve been able to make a difference.”

From AHRMA:

Rodi returned to AHRMA board

Former long-time board member Beno Rodi of Winder, Ga., was voted back onto the AHRMA Board of Trustees in balloting that ended Jan. 15. Rodi and John Goodpaster of Hobart, Ind., both were returned for three-year terms on the board, representing the Eastern Region. Another incumbent, Tim Stancill of Fallston, Md., was not reelected.

In the Western Region, incumbents Dick Mann of Gardnerville, Nev., and Fred Mork of Martinez, Calif., won reelection.

In all, 988 AHRMA members — 18 percent of the total membership — returned ballots. Complete vote totals are shown below.


Eastern Region

Beno Rodi* 269
John Goodpaster* 264
Corky Root 193
Tim Stancill 128


Western Region

Dick Mann* 442
Fred Mork* 337
Craig Murray 201
Alan Dye 77

*Elected

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha is experimenting with a new big-bang firing order for the MotoGP YZR-M1 Inline Four.

The uneven firing order is designed to improve rear-wheel traction.

Two Japanese test riders were seen trying the machine at Sepang on Monday, after Yamaha’s MotoGP teams tested at the Malaysian track.

Yamaha MotoGP engineers confirmed that the engine, which sounds like a V4, was actually the latest version of the Inline Four.