From a press release issued by event organizers:


North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW

January 2 – 4, 2004, Toronto International Centre



SUPERSHOW 2004…Everything in Motorcycling



TORONTO, ONTARIO – More than 50,000 Motorcycle Enthusiast’s are expected to converge on the Toronto International Centre, January 2 to 4, 2004 at the 2004 International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW.



This 28 year tradition ranks as the largest consumer Motorcycle Show in North America. Visitors come to see what’s new, what’s hot and to shop for great deals on all their riding needs. With more than 400 exhibitors, 70 clubs and associations, show bike competitions, live bands, fashion shows, racer autograph sessions, and seminars the 2004 SUPERSHOW has it all…Everything in Motorcycling.



New riders will want to be sure and drop by the ‘New Rider Academy’ which will feature seminars on how to get into motorcycling. Riders will learn about licensing, rider training courses, tips on how to choose their first bike, the ins and outs of insurance and financing and how to choose the best clothing to ensure proper protection.



Making a special appearance this year is four time Canadian Country Music Award winner, Jason McCoy. Jason will be on hand at the Motorcycle Mojo Magazine booth on Saturday and Sunday between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. where he will be greeting fans and autographing his newly released CD ‘Sins, Lies and Angels’. An avid motorcyclist himself, Jason will also be showing off his 1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster which he and his wife, Terrine, rebuilt.



Launching his new book, ‘around the bend (again)’, Max Burns will be entertaining visitors with his motorcycle adventure stories at the Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum booth. Max’s new book presents a wide-ranging collection of his motorcycling columns from the pages of Cycle Canada Magazine. His columns first appeared in 1985, drawing an immediate following of devoted fans. Michelle Duff, one of Canada’s finest racers and author of ‘Make Haste Slowly’ will also be a guest of the Museum at SUPERSHOW 2004, to join Max for book signings over the weekend.



Enthusiasts will have a chance to brush up on their cooking skills at the new Armadillo Cooking Stage where they will be entertained by ‘Chef’ Ann Peltz, owner of Easyriders of Ontario. Ann and her crew will be cooking up a storm in the middle of the Hall 4 Pro-Builders Showbike showcase.



When visitors need a chance to kick back for awhile they can catch a band or take in the ‘On the Fringe’ Fashion Shows themed ‘Basic Black’ or plan their summer rides while visiting the numerous clubs and charity rides.



Motorcyclists will find it all at the 2004 International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW. New or used, touring or racing, custom or collectable, the SUPERSHOW provides an unprecedented marketplace for motorcycle enthusiasts in 6 halls of the International Centre.



The North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW is the flagship Show in a series of motorcycle events produced over the last twenty-eight years by Bar Hodgson Productions Inc.



Show Dates: Friday, January 2nd through Sunday, January 4th, 2004



Location: Toronto International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga



Hours: Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.



Admission: Adults – $15.00

Youth (6-12) – $5.00

Children 5 & under Free

Discount Coupons available at www.supershowevents.com



Tickets: Advance tickets available through Ticketmaster.

Order early and save $2 per ticket.

Tickets are also available at the door.

Parking: Free parking for over 7,000 vehicles

General Information: 905-655-5403 or www.supershowevents.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WERA and CCS racer Chris Eklund and wife Suzie had a son, Ryan Shaw Eklund, November 25 in Richmond, Virginia.

CCS racer Matt Bullock and wife Fernellie had a son, Braden Matthew Bullock, November 30 in Burnesville, Minnesota, while visiting relatives for the holidays, and will soon return to their home in Thousand Oaks, California.

From a press release issued by CCS Florida:

Motorcycle Season Finale at Homestead

The Championship Cup Series of Florida will return to the Homestead-Miami Speedway on December 6-7 for their season ending race. 24 class championships will be decided at this event. Only 12 classes have been decided. The overall expert champion and number 1 plate is also undecided but Jim Pihokken of Cooper City is leading Alex Ferreira of Orlando by 218 points. A huge field of more than 700 entries from across the US is expected.

Saturday Schedule:

Gates Open 8:00am.

Practice & Time Trials 9:00am-5:00pm.


Sunday Schedule:

Gates Open 7:00am.

Practice 8:00-9:00am.

Morning GT Sprint Races (5) 9:30-11:30am.

Afternoon Sprint Races (15) 12:00-5:00pm.

Track Location: Florida Turnpike (Homestead Extension) to SW 137th Ave. (Speedway Blvd.) turn left to track. Follow the signs to the rear tunnel infield entrance, Homestead, Florida.

General Admission and Paddock Pass: Sat.$10, Sun.$15, 2 Day Pass $20
Children under 12 Free, Free Parking


Further information call:
(561) 793-3394 (Before Race)
(305) 230-5177 (On Race Days)

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former racer Rich Conicelli, now working as a test rider for Dunlop Tire Co., found out the hard way that Pikes Peak International Raceway did not provide rider medical insurance for Thursday promoter practice held immediately prior to the track’s 2003 AMA National weekend.

Conicelli crashed during Thursday practice at Pikes Peak and suffered a broken collarbone, two broken ribs and a punctured lung. He spent 10 days in the local hospital.

In a recent phone call to Roadracingworld.com, Conicelli said he had to pay $3000 in medical bills that his primary medical insurance did not cover.

Normally, secondary medical insurance at promoter practice days will pay some of the costs not covered by primary insurance.

“I just want everybody to be aware,” said Conicelli.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A dispatch from a CCS Southwest club racer and Staff Sargeant we know who is with the Air Force in Iraq, and who will remain anonymous:

Hey, how’s it going, fellas? I am in Northern Iraq. This place is harsh. The dust is so fine and it gets everywhere. Then when it rains it turns to this mud that sticks to everything and never comes off. Stupid mud.

There is a lot of interesting stuff here. I have seen all sorts of Warsaw-pact equipment.

I have been working so much. There is not much time for sleep. I can’t tell you much because of security reasons.

I just know when I get back I am going to take the Gixxer out for a little ride and throw the girlfriend on back. You try not to think about that stuff because the road ahead is long and it will only drive you insane.

I know one thing, though, I am missing a lot of next year’s season and that sucks. I just want to let all the fellas know in the CCS Southwest series that I wish them luck and throw a race down for me.

My job is to make sure when somebody gets
ambushed when he is doing his thing we ensure close air support to make sure he can make it home. I guess if you look at it I spend more time protecting our own because we will not stand to let anymore of these random attacks on convoys and helicopters go untouched. As for now they just keep us away from the Iraqis because it is too much of a risk for one of us to die.

Well, gotta go. Good luck to all the Southwest guys and I will see them soon.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Congressman William J. Janklow’s trial on felony manslaughter charges started today in Flandreau, South Dakota.

The charges stem from an August 16 incident in which Janklow, 64, ran a stop sign and collided with motorcyclist Randy Scott, 55, a volunteer firefighter and farmer from Minnesota who was fatally injured.

Janklow served four years as Attorney General and four terms as governor of South Dakota before running for Congress.

Janklow faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter and could also face disciplinary action from the House of Representatives’ Ethics committee if convicted of a crime which carries two or more years in jail. Janklow is also facing charges of reckless driving, speeding and running a stop sign.

According to news reports, 21 potential jurors were excused by mid-morning Monday due to existing relationships with Janklow and/or his lawyer, Ed Evans. Several potential jurors were also excused after stating that they had already formed an opinion on Janklow’s guilt or innocence.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

ERIC BOSTROM TRIES DUCATI 999 OUT FOR SIZE



Bologna (Italy), December 1, 2003: Today saw the first visit to the Bologna factory for Eric Bostrom, the rider Ducati Corse have chosen to head the Italian manufacturer’s attack on the AMA Superbike championship.

The 27 year-old from San Francisco, California tried out the 2004 version of the Ducati 999 factory bike he will be using in next year’s 18-race US domestic championship in the race department, just before it gets freighted off to America.

He also took a tour round the Ducati Corse racing department, meeting up with the two Ducati Corse team personnel who will be following him next year, race engineer Luca Ferraccioli and mechanic Claudio Peiretti.

Eric then concluded the visit with a brief meeting with Ducati Corse managing director and SBK director Paolo Ciabatti.

“It’s awesome to be with Ducati. I’m besides myself for words. It’s such a tight family and so performance-oriented that I just want to be a big key in getting the success back in the States. I don’t want to jump the gun, I just want to get on the bike and ride it and have a good time” declared Eric.

Eric Bostrom will be taking part in two days of Michelin testing at Daytona International Speedway this coming Thursday and Friday in preparation for the opening AMA round at the Florida circuit on March 3-6 of next year.

From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment Motor Sports:

Las Vegas to Sponsor Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports

World Finals for Supercross and Monster Jam get Las Vegas Backing

AURORA, Ill. (December 1, 2003) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division announced today a new three-year sponsorship agreement of its US Hot Rod Monster Jam and THQ World Supercross GP/ THQ AMA Supercross Series properties with Las Vegas Events.

Las Vegas Events (LVE) is the official event destination organization in Las Vegas. They work closely with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to bring events to Las Vegas. The LVCVA brings visitors to Las Vegas and Clark County by promoting tourism, conventions, meetings and special events.

“We are excited about the opportunity to co-brand the Las Vegas destination with Clear Channel, while ensuring we keep these two championship events in Las Vegas,” said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events.

In addition to sponsoring THQ World Supercross Series/ THQ AMA Supercross Series and US Hot Rod Monster Jam, LVE also sponsors the Wrangler National Final Rodeo, the Budweiser World Cup Horse Jumping Finals, the Las Vegas NASCAR Craftsman Truck series stop, America’s Party Las Vegas New Year’s Eve Fireworks show and many other special events

“We are extremely thrilled to have the support of LVE for our motorsports properties in 2004, 2005, and 2006”, said Mark Abernethy, senior director of marketing. “LVE and the LVCVA have a very rich history in helping sponsor and promote some of the top live events in the world. We know THQ World Supercross GP/ THQ AMA Supercross Series and US Hot Rod Monster Jam fit into that group.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Phase One Endurance team, the 2003 FIM Endurance World Champions, is looking for riders for its Junior Team, which contests the FIM Endurance World Championship alongside the Senior team.

Phase One is looking for skilled riders 23 years old or younger with an International racing license and “appropriate backing” to join its Junior Team.

The Junior Team competes on Suzuki GSX-R1000s prepared, serviced and maintained by the same Phase One crew that maintains the Senior team’s machines. In addition, Junior Team riders will take part in three pre-season tests (at Almeria, Albacete and Oschersleben), instruction at the Stephane Mertens Racing School and/or the Jason Pridmore STAR Motorcycle School and will receive additional training in media relations, mental and physical preparation and coaching from the Senior team riders.

Applications to the Phase One Endurance Junior Team should be submitted by December 15 to Team Manager Russell Benney at [email protected], telephone/FAX 011-44-01278-652439.

The Phase One Endurance Junior Team finished 13th in the 2003 FIM Endurance World Championship.