From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

The 2004 New York International Motorcycle Show will be at the Javits Convention Center on January 2nd through 4th, 2004. In addition to the new 2004 Ducati range, this event will be the U.S. East Coast debut of the Sport Classic concept bikes.

The Ducati display will feature the three Sport Classic models that were recently seen in California and headlined the Tokyo Motorcycle Show. These concept bikes combine vintage Italian style with modern engines, suspension, and brake
components. Even though they reflect the best of the past, the incorporation of the latest Ducati technology creates a thoroughly modern motorcycle family that lives up to today’s standards of performance. Additionally, the torquey, air-cooled Desmo 1000 DS engine powers the PaulSmart, GT, and Sport. The result is a range of bikes
with unmistakable Ducati heritage and no compromise.

Contrasting the vintage inspired Sport Classics, the Ducati Performance 999s and Monster 800 show off the latest performance parts and accessories available from the Ducati Performance catalog. These bikes are an example of the individuality
expressed by customizing a Ducati. The 999s is the cover story in the Holiday 2003 Motor Cyclist magazine and also features in the 2003 Motorcycle of the Year awards, along with the Multistrada, the fastest ever selling Ducati. The Multistrada
combines Ducati’s superbike expertise with sport touring inspired comfort and awesome back roads capabilities to create a bike that breaks all conventions.

Local Ducati dealers will be on hand to provide information and pricing of all 2004 Ducati motorcycles. They can also discuss the details of the ‘Feel the Deal’ 0% APR financing options currently available on all 2003 and prior models, subject to availability and customer qualification.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

THE MOTOGIRO D’ITALIA 2004 EXPLORES INNOVATIVE ITINERARY ON THE ISLE OF SICILY IN SOUTHERN ITALY FROM MAY 25-29, 2004

The fourth edition of the historic revival of Italy’s oldest motorcycle competition is organized by Dream Engine and generously sponsored for the fourth consecutive year by Ducati Motor.

Dream Engine is proud to announce that this year’s Motogiro d’Italia will be held on the isle of Sicily from May 25-29, 2004. The 2004 edition marks the fourth consecutive year of the revival of Italy’s oldest timed motorcycle road race, which was originally started in 1914. By the 1950’s, the event had become the ultimate showcase for Italian motorcycle manufacturers and the Motogiro d’Italia was part of every fan’s motorcycling lexicon.

The Motogiro 2004 is excited to chart new territories on the southern isle of Sicily. Participants will have the unique opportunity to experience this majestic and magical region of Italy on two wheels. With the last three editions of the Motogiro d’Italia held in central and northern Italy, the opportunity to explore Sicily an exciting prospect.

The 5-day itinerary will cover a total of approximately 1,250 kilometres (an average of 250 km per day) and will pass through many of Sicily’s most breathtaking roads*, touching on the Sicilian coast and exploring the island’s more demanding inland routes.

As in previous editions, participants in the Touring Class will also be able to admire sites of cultural and artistic interest. (*N.B. A detailed itinerary will be published closer to the date). Special events will be held throughout the itinerary and each day of riding will close with a delicious dinner featuring local specialities. The logistics of travelling to the island require all participants and motorbikes to travel on the designated ferry boat on May 24th from Civitavecchia (the main port just outside of Rome) to Sicily. On May 29th, a gala dinner will be held on the return ferry trip, marking the end of the event. The nights of the 24th and the 29th will be spent on the ferry but all riding will be in Sicily.

The Motogiro d’Italia is proud to have the generous support of Ducati Motor as its main sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. The event is also made possible by the support of: Motociclismo d’Epoca, Corriere dello Sport-Stadio, Shell, Presidenza Regione Siciliana, Provincia Regionale di Palermo, AAPIT (Azienda Autonoma Provinciale per l’Incremento Turistico di Palermo), Comune di Palermo, and Marzocchi.

Since the first revival of the event in 2001, each Motogiro d’Italia has witnessed a more passionate following, with many participants from around the globe returning year after year. Entrants in the last three editions have included champions from the Motogiro Golden Years in the 1950’s—including Giuliano Maoggi, Remo Venturi, and Leopoldo Tartarini—all riding the best names in Italian motorcycles, such as Ducati, Morini, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, MV Agusta, Bianchi, Gilera, Motobi. Participation in the Motogiro has grown at an incredible pace, with numbers leaping from 120 in 2001, to 250 in 2002 and 350 in 2003.

The last three years of the Motogiro d’Italia have proved the event’s unique appeal. Participants aged from 25-80 have arrived from all five continents, coming to test their riding skills and experience the Motogiro thrill. There has also been a steady rise in female participants in all classes, with a record of 5 women riding in the Vintage Racing Class last year. Friendly camaraderie is also increasing, with last year marking the first time in Motogiro d’Italia history to see a non-Italian competitor wear the leader’s jersey for a day. In 2004, Dream Engine will welcome 350 participants from Italy, Great Britain, Germany, France, Holland, Sweden, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan.

The Motogiro is open to motorcycles of all marques and is divided into three classes: the Vintage Racing Class, Taglioni Memorial Class and Touring Class.

Vintage Racing Class

With an overall limit of 120 participants, this class features motorbikes of up to 175cc manufactured prior to 1957. Competitors in the Vintage Racing Class will be subject to timed, competitive ability tests en-route. The winner of this class will take home a custom-designed “Motogiro 2004” motorbike. Motorbikes inspired by original Motogiro bikes yet manufactured subsequent to 1957 may also apply.

Taglioni Memorial Class

In its third consecutive year, the Taglioni Memorial Class highlights the decade in which Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni created his legendary 2 cylinder motorbikes. This class is open to street legal and insured motorbikes and sidecars of all marques and cc produced between 1968 and 1978. Competitors in this class take part in ability trials and the winner will take home a special prize.

Touring Class

For riders of newer bikes, this class is designed for those who wish to participate in the excitement of the Motogiro on a non-competitive basis. The Touring class follows the same itinerary as the Vintage Racing and Taglioni Memorial Class but at a more relaxed pace. New rule for Touring Class 2004: entrants will be divided into groups of 25 bikes and assigned a group leader who will act as a guide and provide instructions which must be adhered to at all times.

The Motogiro d’Italia 2004 is organized by Dream Engine, the Bologna-based entertainment company. Techincal support for the Motogiro is provided by the Terni Motoclub “L. Liberati” and the Italian Motorcycle Federation provides additional assistance. For the Touring Class, Dream Engine counts on the technical collaboration and expertise of the experienced professionals on the Curve&Tornanti team.

For general information and registration forms please contact:

Dream Engine
Via Saffi 4
40131 Bologna – Italia
Tel. +39 051 6494472
Fax +39 051 5286378
email: [email protected]

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Josh Hayes is testing an Attack Kawasaki 2004 ZX-10R at Willow Springs International Raceway today, during the final WSMC race weekend of 2003.

At post time, Hayes had turned about 23 laps in three separate practice sessions, running most of his laps in the 1:22 range with his fastest two laps coming in the session that started at about 3:30 p.m., a 1:22.059 and a 1:22.013 as timed by Roadracingworld.com.

Weather conditions are cool, with ambient temperatures about 55 degrees F under overcast skies, with what are, for Willow Springs, light winds.

Willow Springs is located in Rosamond, California.

From a press release issued by BMW North America:

BMW ROCKSTER MOTORCYCLE STARS IN PAYCHECK

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures to Release Science Fiction Action Adventure Thriller on Christmas Day, 2003

Los Angeles, CA – The 2003 BMW R 1150 R Rockster, one of BMW’s most stylish and agile motorcycles, will join a stellar cast headed by Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman in a Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks film, “Paycheck,” a Davis Entertainment Company/Lion Rock production in association with Solomon/Hackett Productions, directed by John Woo, opening nationwide December 25, 2003.

“Paycheck” is the story of Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck), a world famous genius hired by high-tech corporations for specialized top-secret projects. Jennings is being hunted, but he doesn’t know why, as his memory is erased each time he completes a job for security purposes. Highly paid for his work, he expects to earn eight figures for his latest three-year project, but upon completion, instead of a check, Jennings is given an envelope full of random objects including a key to what he thinks is a car…and told that he has agreed to forfeit all payment. With no memory and no defense, he discovers that the objects are clues to his past. Now, with the help of Rachel Porter (Uma Thurman), the woman he has worked with and loved for three years, Jennings is in a race against time to put the pieces of his past together before his previous employers have him killed.

BMW R 1150 R Rockster Provides A Quick Getaway

There are several visually stunning chase scenes in “Paycheck” that add to the suspense of the fast-paced thriller. The most dramatic is a seven-minute motorcycle chase through the streets of Seattle that features Jennings (Affleck) on a powerful Matte Black and Orange Metallic BMW R 1150 R Rockster. In the sequence, Jennings finds himself careening through traffic-at times oncoming-with Rachel (Thurman) in tow. Although audiences will see only one Rockster, filming the chase sequences took a total of six bikes. Affleck, an avid motorcycle aficionado, so enjoyed working with the Rockster that some scenes took fewer takes, and he did many of his own high-speed stunts during filming.

Upon viewing the chase scene in “Paycheck,” Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp. remarked, “The Rockster was the perfect choice for getting Jennings out of a jam and gives BMW the opportunity to show what one of our bikes can really do when put to the test. This is a great riding machine for tight situations and quick getaways, and, as you can see from the film, even when you are being chased by bad guys, you can still have fun.”

This science fiction thriller, directed by John Woo from a screenplay by Dean Georgaris, is based upon the short story by Philip K. Dick. This is not the first time that action film director John Woo has worked with BMW. Because of his unique approach to the action genre, and his illustrious body of work, (Broken Arrow- 1996, Face/Off- 1997, Mission Impossible 2- 2000, Windtalkers- 2002), Woo was invited by BMW to be one of three directors to participate in the second year of the highly acclaimed BMW online film series The Hire. His contribution was “Hostage,” a nine-minute action packed film.

“Paycheck” Stars Affleck On MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL)

As part of the promotional activities for “Paycheck,” the megastar appeared on MTV’s TRL with Carson Daly to talk about his new film in front of a live audience on Monday, December 15. During the program, as part of TRL’s “12 Days of Christmas,” Ben Affleck presented someone in the audience with a surprise dream gift from the movie, a 2004 BMW R 1150 R Rockster.

“Paycheck” Pays Off In Theaters

The Regal Cinema Chain, one of the largest movie chains in America with more than 6,000 screens across the country, will be conducting a “Paycheck” Sweepstakes promotion in its theaters beginning December 12th, and running through January 11th of 2004. Two lucky theatergoers will win an exact replica of the BMW R1150R Rockster featured in “Paycheck.”

About the Bike

Chosen as the “getaway” vehicle in “Paycheck” because of its superior handling and performing qualities-very fast, responsive and agile-the BMW R1150R Rockster retails in the U.S. for $10,790. The bike made its European debut at the end of 2002, and was first introduced in the U.S. in March of 2003. For more information about the BMW R 1150 R Rockster and to see a behind-the-scenes clip on the making of the chase scene in “Paycheck,” visit www.bmwmotorcycles.com or log onto www.paycheckmovie.com.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the ROLLS-ROYCE brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Corp. in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW passenger car centers, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 148 BMW motorcycle retailers, 73 MINI passenger car dealers, and 25 ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorradusa.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

From a press release issued by Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Signs Peris

Team Hammer, Inc., racing as Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki, has signed a one-year contract (with options) with Chris Peris, 18.

Peris will compete in the 2004 AMA Supersport Series on a Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R600.

Peris lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada but has competed regularly in the United States since he was 15. In 2000 and 2001, Peris raced exclusively in the U.S., winning the 2001 WSMC 125cc Grand Prix Championship. In 2002 Peris continued to race with WSMC, competed in the Canadian 600cc Supersport National Series with a best finish of third, and qualified for and competed in a 125cc World Championship Grand Prix.

Peris ran most of the 2003 AMA Series in the Supersport and Superstock classes on a private 600cc machine, with a best finish of 13th in Supersport and best finish of 11th in Superstock, and ended his 2003 season racing with F-USA at Daytona in October.

Peris’ results in the F-USA Sportbike race at Daytona were notable because he not only ran with the lead pack but also ran second at one point; he got shuffled back in the draft run to the line, finishing just ahead of Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp. That race illustrated Peris’ improvement over the course of the 2003 season, and pointed toward his future potential.

“I’m excited to finally be making a career out of my racing and actually getting paid to race,” said Peris. “This definitely furthers my career and I’m real happy with that. I’m excited to ride with the team and to be on a Suzuki next season.”

From a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi Nortel Networks

GARRY McCOY SIGNED TODAY 2004 CONTRACT WITH

SCUDERIA CARACCHI NORTEL NETWORKS

The Australian rider Garry McCoy, 32, signed today, at Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste-Valencia, the contract with Scuderia Caracchi Nortel Networks to contest 2004 Superbike World Championship on a new 999R Ducati.

After the conclusion of the agreement McCoy jumped onto the saddle of his new bike, riding for a total of twenty laps, all focused to gain a good knowledge with a full unknown bike, having weight and power specifications totally different from the machines former used, with different tyres, and to select for his own riding requirements the setting of his new machine.

Garry McCoy commented the test day: “It has been a day full dedicated to the mutual knowledge between me and the team, to compare our working systems and for setting the 999R Ducati 999R, a machine totally unknown for me. It’s absolutely not the way to speak about laptimes, also because the arm injured during Motor Show still gives me a lot of pains. I’ve seen that the team has a very good setting work approach and I’m confident that during the couple of months still missing to Championship debut we’ll perfectly bring up to strength. I’m absolutely confident to redeem, thanks Scuderia Caracchi Nortel Networks, my last sporting delusions.”


Garry McCoy facts file

Date of birth: Camden, Australia, April 18, 1972

First race: 1991

GP debut: Eastern Creek, Australia 1992 (125)

First GP win: Shah Alam, Malaysia 1995 (125)

Most recent GP win: Cheste, Valencia 2000 (500)

Total GP wins: 5 (2 in 125 and 3 in 500)

Total time been on the podium: 17 – 7 in 125 (twice 1st, once 2nd, four times 3rd) – 10 in 500 (three times 1st, once 2nd, six times 3rd)

Background: His rapid rise in Winfield Challenge and 250 National Production Championship were followed by two wild card GP rides in 1992

Career highlights:

– 1993 19th World Championship 125GP (Aprilia) – 25 points

– 1994 13th World Championship 125GP (Aprilia) – 56 points

– 1995 22nd World Championship 125GP (Honda) – 16,5 points

1 victory at Malaysian GP Shah Alam

– 1996 12th World Championship 125GP (Aprilia) – 87 points

1 victory at Australian GP Eastern Creek

– 1997 7th World Championship 125GP (Aprilia) – 109 points

1 pole position at French GP Paul Ricard

– 1998 17th World Championship 500GP (Honda) – 23 points

– 1999 14th World Championship 500GP (Yamaha) – 65 points

– 2000 5th World Championship 500GP (Yamaha) – 161 points

3 wins at South Africa GP Welkom, Portugal GP Estoril, Valencia GP Cheste

1 fastest lap in British GP Donington

– 2001 12th World Championship 500GP (Yamaha) – 88 points

– 2002 23rd World Championship MotoGP (Yamaha) – 33 points

– 2003 22nd World Championship MotoGP (Kawasaki) – 11 points

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Mayors, Police Chief Get Behind Wheel During Drinking-Driving Experiment at Infineon Raceway

MOST PEOPLE FAIL, INCLUDING GIANTS PITCHER JESSE FOPPERT AND TENNIS STAR BRAD GILBERT, AT HOLIDAY SOBRIETY CHALLENGE

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Bay Area mayors, city council members and one police chief were drinking and driving under wet conditions on Friday at Infineon Raceway, all with the blessing of the California Highway Patrol.

Twelve people participated in the 7th annual “Holiday Sobriety Challenge” at Infineon Raceway, a controlled wine and beer tasting experiment that graphically illustrates the dangers of drinking and driving, even at levels well below the legal limit of .08-percent. The event was co-sponsored by Bay Area law enforcement agencies and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.

Only three of 12 people who took the test passed, further illustrating the dangers of drinking and driving.

“The scary thing is that I was not even over the limit and I failed the test,” said Santa Rosa Mayor Sharon Wright, who registered a .053 blood-alcohol level before getting behind the wheel. “I was under the legal limit but I should not have been behind the wheel of a car. I didn’t know what to expect before I came here today but now I know: don’t drink and drive.”

The event helped kick off the Bay Area Regional Avoid effort for the holiday season, with DUI checkpoints set up throughout the nine Bay Area counties, as well as roving DUI enforcement. Bay Area Regional Avoid is comprised of all 125 law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area, and the message is clear: if you are planning to consume alcohol, be sure to have a designated driver.

Wright was joined by Mayors David Glass (Petaluma), Rob Schroder (Martinez) and Vice-Mayor Harry Price (Fairfield), as well as San Ramon Police Chief Kathy Samuels. San Francisco Giants pitcher Jesse Foppert and tennis star Brad Gilbert, both residents of San Rafael, also participated in the challenge. Ken Brown, Doug McKesson and Dick Ashford, members of Sonoma’s City Council, completed the field of testers. Sonoma Mayor Joe Costello attended but did not drink.

Testers were given anywhere from one-to-three glasses of wine or beer upon arrival, before submitting to a field of sobriety tests, including a breathalyzer analysis administered by the CHP. Once it was determined participants were at the appropriate level, they were asked to get behind the wheel of an automobile and drive through a pre-determined course at the raceway. All drivers were accompanied by an instructor from the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.

“What I learned today is that one drink is too many if you plan on driving a car,” said Glass, who registered a .057 blood-alcohol level and failed the driving test. “I know myself personally and I knew after I had those three glasses of wine that I couldn’t drive. This test just reinforced that.”

Both Gilbert (.062) and Foppert (.032) also failed the test. “It’s a huge risk to drive when you’re a little buzzed,” Gilbert said. “Driving is a privilege, but when you’re buzzed it’s not a privilege. You need to stay off the road.”

CHP Captain Rich Garcia, Napa Area commander, was not surprised at the results of the experiment. Alcohol was involved in 162 collision-related fatalities in the nine Bay Area counties in 2002, and 5,278 persons were injured in alcohol-involved collisions, also in 2002. Moreover, 171 children between the ages of 4-12 were injured and four children (ages 4-12) were killed in 2002 as a result of alcohol-involved collisions. Figures used were supplied by the CHP.

“The whole philosophy behind an event like this is to ensure that you have a designated driver,” Garcia said. “We do not want to discourage drinking, we just want to discourage drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a car. I think this program demonstrated that.”

Wine for the Holiday Sobriety Challenge was provided by Robert Mondavi Winery, while the beer was donated by Napa Valley Brewing Company.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

WORLD DUCATI WEEK 2004

For the first time, the 2004 edition will last an entire week, from 17 to 23 May, at Santa Monica racetrack.

WDW2004 will be seven days of fun, including numerous motorcycling activities, an authentic Italian feast, live music, bike tours, and the participation of official Ducati MotoGP and SBK riders.

At World Ducati Week 2004 the Bike show is about to get much bigger. For the first time in his history, Ducati will offer seven days of energy and non-stop activities on the renowned Santa Monica racetrack, with track rides from Monday to Sunday.

Taking brand new model 2004 Ducatis (including the world beating Ducati 999 Superbike), checking out lectures at the Ducati University, or just lazing on the nearby beaches and soaking up the rays of the Mediterranean sun will be only some of the possible activities to join.

Beginning and expert riders of both sexes can mount up and learn to ride to their level with trained professionals at Ducati’s official riding school. Racing fans can race on the track for the entire week, watch the introduction of the Ducati MotoGP and SBK teams, and meet riders like Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi. Attendees will be able to discover the sights, sounds, and, above all, renowned tastes, of the stunning Italian countryside with half or full day tours through the Emilia Romagna region, organized by experts in the local culture. And after a hard day’s ride, what better way to unwind than with a massage in the Ducati gym (open all day), followed by drinks and a few hands of blackjack in the Casino Ducati? And all without even leaving the track!

Fireworks, stuntmen, mini-karting, custom bike contests, Ducati fashion shows…

WDW2004 will mean a week of motorcycle passion at its purest. Even just fans of bikes and biking can come and join the Ducati Village with thousands of enthusiasts from the world over.

Until the official WDW2004 event schedule is complete, a online site is available, www.wdw2004.com, for information about how to subscribe; e-mail address [email protected].

From a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks

FIRST RIDE IN SUPERBIKE FOR GARRY McCOY ON THE DUCATI 999R CARACCHI NCR NORTEL NETWORKS

(Valencia 2003, 18 December)

Garry McCoy moved today his first steps on the Ducati 999R Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks for next 2004 World Superbike.

The Australian rider covered only five laps to control that everything was running OK on the bike and for pictures and media activities, but to test he preferred to be concentrated only in Friday, also to avoid to stress the arm injured at Supermoto race during last Bologna’s Motor Show and which still cause him some pain.