From a press release:

KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. ANNOUNCES MAJOR REORGANIZATION OF ITS OPERATIONS

Company officials cite need to adapt new, more nimble focus in order to grow its consumer products business even further in years ahead.

IRVINE, Calif. (May 7, 2004)—Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC), recognizing the competitive environment in which it markets its motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, and utility vehicles, today announced a reorganization of the way its consumer products business will be operated.

Leaning heavily on a streamlined approach to increasing productivity, the company will focus on strengthening its competitive position in both the short and long term. This will primarily be accomplished through the integration of functions that have operated independently, rather than in a synergistic mode that shortens many of the extended lines of communication.

According to Steve Hamada, president, the new structure “will increase the efficiency and improve coordination of all aspects of our internal operations.”

Hamada said the new organization will become effective May 10, and will “prepare KMC to better meet our current and future business needs.”

Among the new directions cited by Hamada is a reduction in the lines of communication that report to the president’s office, allowing for more involvement with the company’s programs and policies, while also improving responsiveness to the needs of Kawasaki’s dealers and consumers.

“It is very important that any organizational changes offer a tangible benefit to our dealer network, and to Kawasaki’s retail purchasers,” said Hamada.

“This new approach to our internal operations will significantly improve our abilities to rapidly respond to market changes and ultimately achieve greater efficiencies and profitability.”

KMC will reduce the numbers of operating divisions and layers of management that have grown broader as the company’s product categories have expanded and it has continued to experience upwards growth

Currently, twelve separate operational groups report to the office of the president. In the newly restructured look effective next week, that number will be reduced to seven. Similar consolidations will occur in middle management areas that will compliment the changes being made at other organizational levels.

Among the key adjustments in the reporting structure will be the combining of both sales and marketing into a single, blended operational group, and the consolidation of several product-related functions underneath a product operations group.

“We’ve addressed all of the functional areas that can help us to grow and achieve our targets over the next several years,” said Hamada. “This is an opportunity for KMC to move the bar of accomplishment and one from which we are anticipating great results,” he concluded.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., (KMC) markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, utility vehicles, power products and general purpose engines. These product lines are sold through a network of more than 1,500 independent retailers. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with approximately 400 of them located at the Irvine, Calif. headquarters.

Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll™”, is recognized worldwide and the brand is aggressively carrying its heritage of power, performance, leading-edge design and exhilaration into the 21st century. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.

From a press release issued by Michelin:

Michelin and the single tyre manufacturer proposals for Formula One


The FIA has recently made public a project for the future which includes the introduction of a single tyre manufacturer in Formula One.

Michelin has yet to be consulted officially on this subject.

“I am surprised by this course of action,” said Michelin Group Chairman and CEO, Edouard Michelin, “as, when we entered Formula One in 2001, it was following strong lobbying by certain teams that wanted to benefit from the positive effects of our technology on the performance of their cars. What’s more, their requests were supported by the Formula One organisers to heighten the sporting interest.”

Michelin has decided to consult with all its partners before making its position known on the very important subject of an eventual single tyre monopoly. Michelin is of course very much in favour of the objective to reduce costs in F1, costs which have increased greatly in recent years.

Faced with this objective, Michelin believes the single tyre manufacturer option is not a satisfactory solution. On the other hand, Michelin would like to propose a number of solutions to reduce costs while maintaining the spirit of competition, that is to say the possibility of comparing one’s performance against that of one’s competitors, within the framework of clear and stable rules.

From a press release:

FASTER to play late night in Minneapolis.

FASTER, the MotoGP movie, will be playing an encore show at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis on Friday May 14th at 11:30pm before it heads down to Chicago for its Sunday May 16th screening.

FASTER showed last month in Minneapolis to more than 600 enthusiasts.

www.fastermpls.com

www.fasterchicago.com

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

MSS DISCOVERY TEAM AND ROB FROST:

The MSS Discovery team and Supersport rider Rob Frost have decided to end their partnership by mutual consent following discussions since round four of the British Supersport Championship at Oulton Park on Monday.

“The MSS Discovery team has concentrated on many areas of racing this year, including development of our Kawasaki machinery,” explained joint team owner Nick Morgan. “That, coupled with a disappointing start to the season for Rob has left us both taking a new, fresh direction.”

Stuart Simmonds, the team’s joint owner added: “It’s with regret that we have to go our separate ways but we wish Rob all the best for his own future ventures.”

Simmonds added: “The team will concentrate on the remainder of the 2004 British Championship and prepare for its World Supersport Championship debut, hopefully at Silverstone next month.”

The MSS Discovery team will now field sole Supersport rider Pere Riba aboard the ZX-6RR Kawasaki and Steve Allan in the National Superstock Championship on the Kawasaki ZX-10R.

From a press release issued by True Sport, Inc./Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course:

BMW TO BE FEATURED MARQUE AT AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS

DUBLIN, Ohio (May 6, 2004) – BMW will be the featured marque at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2004, a three-day event hosted by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), July 16-18 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. In celebrating the 81-year-old marque, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will benefit the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum and will feature an exhibit of classic motorcycles and memorabilia, including one of the largest displays of vintage BMW motorcycles on loan from vintage club members and independent collectors. The weekend promises to be the largest and best vintage BMW event of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.

World Stunt Champion Jean-Pierre Goy – well known for his spectacular stunts in several James Bond films — will treat spectators to daring performances throughout the weekend event. Alternating between different BMW models, Goy executes rolling burnouts in clouds of smoke, wheelies in tight circles – with no hands – terrifies hapless volunteers from the audience, and, otherwise, defies the laws of physics during his stunts. Goy is the world-record holder for the longest continuous wheelie (over 100 miles) and the stoppie distance record (383 feet) and numerous other absurd, not to mention dangerous, achievements.

Many U.S. riders are unaware that BMW began manufacturing motorcycles several years before it produced automobiles — beginning with the R 32, designed by Max Friz in 1923. As a reminder of its rich motorcycle heritage, BMW Motorrad USA also will offer a Mobile Tradition Exhibition. This extensive review of seminal motorcycle models and large narrative walls demonstrates BMW’s rally theme of “Over 80 years driven by the need to ride” and includes a special Exhibition catalogue. This Exhibition will be supplemented by an even larger display of vintage motorcycles brought by collectors and owners, organized by the Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners, Ltd. club.

BMW Motorrad USA will also offer demo rides on all current BMW motorcycle models including the new R 1200 GS and K 1200 LT.

There will be special presentations by several guest speakers, including Fred Jakobs, the resident archivist and historian at Mobile Tradition. Mr. Jakobs has justly been called “the living repository” for BMW’s unusual motorcycle heritage, and BMW fans will have a unique opportunity to get the “right” answer to those nagging questions about arcane, yet fascinating, historical incidents and personalities. (For instance: Mr. Jakobs has a bill of sale for the purchase of a BMW motorcycle in 1929 by a Henry Ford – THAT Henry Ford.)

Tom Purves, Chairman BMW (US) Holding Corp., will be on hand throughout the weekend festivities and will participate in the AMA’s Marque of the Year Presentation.

In addition to these BMW events, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will feature American Historic Motorcycle Racing Association (AHRMA) road racing , two days of AHRMA motocross, plus observed trials and dirt-track racing. The on-track competitions should draw more than 1,100 competitors.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2004 also will feature two vintage bike shows; the Will Stoner Swap meet, the largest of its kind in North America; a slate of guest speakers, including renowned designer Craig Vetter; an array of vendors featuring new products from top manufacturers and dealers; the annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Auction of motorcycles and memorabilia; and the return of Rhett Rotten’s original 1941 “Wall of Death” drome.

Spectator tickets for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2004 are available from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course at 1-800-MID-OHIO or www.midohio.com.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a 2.4-mile, 15-turn permanent road racing circuit in Lexington, Ohio. Located just 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland near Mansfield, the track has been called the most competitive in the U.S. and annually hosts a diversity of locally, regionally and nationally sanctioned racing events for amateur, club and professional riders and drivers.

More information about TrueSports, Inc., Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School can be found at www.midohio.com. Information and tickets for Mid-Ohio’s seven 2004 spectator events are available by calling 1-800-MID-OHIO.

From a press release issued by Aprilia USA:

Aprilia Announces New Round of Business Funding

U.S. market record-setting growth contributes to high demand for Italian manufacturer’s award-winning motorcycles and scooters

Woodstock, GA (May 6, 2004) –Aprilia SpA, the Noale, Italy based manufacturer of award-winning motorcycles and scooters, today announced new credit lines for $30 million Euros as well as renewal of existing lines, for a total global line of credit of $180 million Euros. The financing agreement was reached with the assistance of a consortium of financial institutions, including Interbanca and Caretti & Associati. This new round of funding allows Aprilia to resume full production and satisfy high market demand as the main riding season gets underway in most parts of the world.

Demand has been especially strong in Aprilia’s growing U.S. market. Despite being a relative newcomer in the market—the company established its U.S. subsidiary in 1999—American consumers have embraced the Italian manufacturer’s award-winning line of scooters and motorcycles. Aprilia, which offers more scooter choices than any other manufacturer in the U.S. market, just posted its best April sales month ever, increasing 30.6% over April, 2003. In addition to strong scooter sales, Aprilia’s line of high-performance super sport bikes and adventure touring bikes continue to win awards for their thrilling combination of ride characteristics, technology and style.

This new round of funding allows Aprilia to concentrate on the industrial plan and continue its growth by exploiting its extraordinary know-how and brand popularity. The industrial plan will include reorganization initiatives designed to gain cost savings and operational efficiencies. In addition, Aprilia will continue to proactively discuss business investment opportunities with financial and/or industrial investors to assure the necessary resources are in place for continued growth of the company’s prestigious Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Laverda brands.

About Aprilia USA
Aprilia is Europe’s second largest motorcycle and scooter manufacturer. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Noale, Italy—just outside Venice—the company is privately owned and has eight subsidiaries in key world markets. Aprilia World Service USA, Inc. is the company’s U.S. importer and distributor. The subsidiary is headquartered in Woodstock, Georgia, just a few miles north of metro Atlanta and at the entrance to some of the best riding roads in America. Aprilia USA’s 128 U.S. dealerships offer a full line of performance motorcycles and scooters, as well as electric bicycles. For information on Aprilia’s complete model line, visit www.apriliausa.com.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WMRRA racers Tyler and Heather Sandell had a daughter, Clara Josephine Sandell, April 25 in Seattle, Washington.

WERA racer Jeff Walker and wife Stacie had a daughter, Sarah Grace Walker, May 3rd in Perry, Georgia.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

ERIC BOSTROM TO MAKE RARE EAST COAST APPEARANCES

East coast Ducati fans get a rare chance to mingle with top AMA Superbike star at Ducati dealer open house events

Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom is making a rare appearance in the northeast as part of a special visit to New York City. In early May, Bostrom will be visiting with Ducati dealers and customers during open house events in Scranton and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Saturday May 8. Plans also have him meeting with the Desmo Ducati Club at their weekly Tuesday night gathering in New York City in the Soho district.

A four-time AMA champion, Eric Bostrom is looking forward to meeting his east coast fans, many of whom have not had the chance to see him in years. “I’m excited about my trip to the north east because since we stopped racing at Loudon I don’t get to spend much time with fans from that part of the country anymore. Plus, I know there is a large contingent of Ducati owners and fans there that I’m looking forward to meeting.”

Bostrom is slated to appear at the following locations. All fans are encouraged to stop by and visit.

Koup’s Cycle Shop
Saturday May 8 from 10:30-11:30*
189 North Harrisburg Street
717-939-7182
www.koups.com

North American Warhorse
Saturday May 8 from 2:00-3:30*
119 Mulberry Street
Scranton, PA
570-346-2453
www.nawarhorse.com

“The Ear Inn”
Tuesday May 11, 5:45-6:45pm*
Spring Street
New York City, NY
www.desmoducati.org

*Please note that all times are approximate and are subject to change without notice or warning.

From a press release issued by Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

THE F1 REVOLUTION: TEAMS AGREE TO NEW RULES PACKAGE FROM FIA

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, May 5, 2004 – Formula One teams have agreed to almost all of the basic concepts of the drastic and far-reaching rules change package proposed by the FIA for 2008.

The new rules cover a wide range of agendas, including slashing costs, improving the spectacle of F1, highlighting driver skills by eliminating electronic driver aids and encouraging new teams to enter the sport.

The United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis has been the only round in America on the F1 schedule since the event’s debut in 2000. This year’s United States Grand Prix is June 20.

Following a meeting May 4 in Monaco with the FIA, the teams and F1’s commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, FIA President Max Mosley talked about what their agreement.

“As far as doing things sooner than 2008, there was a wide measure of agreement that we need to bring in changes much sooner,” Mosley said. “I think we are going to see a new engine formula in 2006. The engine manufacturers are going to make proposals in addition to those that we have made to reduce the engine costs by 50 percent.”

F1’s engine manufacturers spent one thousand million Euros per year on the programs.

“It should not be too difficult to reduce that by 50 percent,” Mosley said. “That will make a big difference. A thousand million Euros is simply not sustainable; it is not sustainable by any calculation.”

The FIA and the teams will decide if it will be more economical to have the current 3-liter V10 engines made to last three, four, five and eventually six race weekends, or to introduce a new 2.4-liter V8 engine designed to last two race weekends. A standard electronic control unit will be used in 2008 or perhaps sooner.

“On the transmission, braking and steering,” Mosley said, “the only discussion there was whether it would be more economic, given the current state of knowledge, to stay with an electronically controlled differential but with the electronics completely under the control of the FIA, so that there were no traction control or anything of that kind. And whether we would be better staying with modern gearboxes rather than purely manual gearboxes.”

There was complete agreement there will be no traction control and no electronic driver aids, Mosley said. There was also an agreement on standard brake discs, pads and calipers and on reducing the weight limit. Plus there will be substantial reductions in aerodynamic downforce and changes to the tires and also an increase in the drag of the car, Mosley said.

The cars will be in parc fermé (impound) each night during a race weekend. Teams will be allowed to make adjustments to the car but not rebuild it.

“There was complete agreement for the need of a single tire supplier,” Mosley said. “All of the teams recognized that if we had a single tire supplier it would be far less expensive, because of testing; it would be fairer, because everybody would be on the same basis; and there would also be a very important safety aspect in that with a single tire we would be able to control the degree of grip and therefore preventing excessive cornering speeds.

“We might even be able to give up the grooves and go back to ordinary slick tires. The wheels will be wider at the back and narrower at the front.”

The teams have been asked to devise a new qualifying format.

While no agreement was reached on if teams should be allowed to sell their cars to new teams, Mosley said there is a strong desire to encourage new teams to enter F1. Just 10 teams participate in F1 now, two less than the maximum specified by the Concorde Agreement between the teams.

“We will now see a much easier entry route for new teams,” Mosley said. “It is recognized that we do need 12 teams to take part.”

There will be guaranteed entries for teams that are contracted to the championship for a long time, and a unanimous vote by all the teams no longer will be required on new rules changes.

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

Yamaha GMT94 have taken the lead in the FIM World Endurance Championship standings, seizing a ten point advantage over Suzuki Castrol after taking the win at Sunday’s Zhuhai 6 Hour race. With a win apiece these two teams seem set to go head to head at every race, and the ten points that Suzuki Castrol’s final session spill have cost them might be sorely missed at the end of the year. Yamaha Endurance Moto 38 are in a comfortable third place just three points behind Suzuki Castrol and twelve ahead of Suzuki Zongshen. We expect a consistent performance from French long-distance specialists Endurance Moto 38 over the full season. Zongshen were the only non-permanent team to score points in China.

Suzuki Jet Team, Kawasaki Diablo and Suzuki No Limits are the only other teams to have scored at both rounds of the championship. Consistency is vital for championship success in a seven race series as 2003 World Endurance Champions Yamaha Phase One Endurance proved last year, scoring at every round to take the title. This year the reigning champions have fared less well, limping home with a slipping clutch at Zhuhai to finally get on the points table.

The next round of the championship is the Albacete 12 Horas Nocturnas on the 5th and 6th of June. The 12 hour overnight race carries extra points due to its longer length; the winner there will earn 38 points, second place 30 points, third place 20 points, and so on.

Endurance World Championship Point Standings:

1. Yamaha – GMT 94, FRA, Yamaha YZF-R1, 45 points
2. Suzuki-Castrol, FRA, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 35 points
3. Endurance Moto 38, FRA, Yamaha YZF-R1, 32 points
4. Suzuki Zongshen, CHN, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 20 points
5. JET Team, SUI, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 18 points
6. Diablo 666 Bolliger, GBR, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 15 points
7. Kawasaki Bolliger, SUI, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 13 points
8. WRT-Honda Austria, AUT, Honda CBR1000RR, 13 points
9. Bridgestone Bikers Profi, GER, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 11 points
10. Yamaha Austria, AUT, Yamaha YZF-R1, 11 points


17. Yamaha Phase One Endurance, GBR, Yamaha YZF-R1, 5 points