From a press release issued by the Wegman Benefit Fund:


The 17th Annual Wegman Benefit Fund Auction will be held Saturday August 23, 2003 at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL.

The Wegman Fund is the oldest road racer benefit organization in the U.S. having started operation in 1987 to help Tom Wegman who was injured in a CCS race at Blackhawk Farms. Since then we have expanded to assist seriously injured racers from almost all the race organizations around the country and all levels of competition.

To this date we have paid out $130,000 to help seriously injured racers. Our funds are used to pay medical and associated costs resulting from racing accidents that are not covered by insurance.

We have contributed in other ways to help the racing community by donating to the Roadracing World Action Fund, Motor Racing Outreach, Spinal Cord Society and toward the purchase of Air Fence at Blackhawk Farms Raceway.

I am asking for your support to assist injured racers by contributing to our annual fund raiser this month. A donation of goods and/or services to be sold at auction during our event will help us continue our efforts. The Wegman Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and all donations are tax deductible.

Should you choose to support our auction please include appropriate advertising/promotional materials that we will make available to the attendees of the event. We want to make sure you and/or your company are recognized for your generosity.

We sincerely hope you will consider participating in our event by making a donation and helping those unfortunate racers that have been seriously injured in a racing accident.

If you have questions please contact me at your convenience.

Gordon Lunde
Wegman Benefit Fund, Inc.
3741 S. 71 St.
Milwaukee, WI 53220-1814
414-321-2338
[email protected]
www.wegmanfund.org

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2003 Suzuka 8-Hours Purse Structure at current currency exchange rates:

Total Purse: $363,800 (41,180,000 Yen)


Purse For Overall Race Finishes: $151,130

1st – $85,000 (10,000,000 Yen)
2nd – $17,000
3rd – $8500
4th – $5950
5th – $5100
6th – $4250
7th – $3825
8th – $3400
9th – $2975
10th – $2550
11th – $2125
12th – $1700
13th – $1360
14th – $1020
15th – $850
16th – 20th – $680 (each)
21st – 25th – $255 (each)
26th – 30th – $170 (each)


JSB1000 Class Purse: $30,600 (3,600,000 Yen)

1st – $12,750 (1,500,000 Yen)
2nd – $8500
3rd – $4250
4th – $2550
5th – $1700
6th – $850


X-Formula One and Two Class Purses: $15,300 (1,800,000 Yen, each class)

1st – $8500 (1,000,000 Yen)
2nd – $4250
3rd – $2550


SP and ST Class Purses: $5100 (600,000 Yen, each class)

1st – $2550 (300,000 Yen)
2nd – $1700
3rd – $850


Total Purse For Qualifying: $73,100 (8,600,000 Yen)

1st – 20th in qualifying: each team receives $1700

21st – 66th in qualifying: each team receives $850


Special Stage Purse: $54,400 (6,400,00 Yen)


Pole Position – $8500 (1,000,000 Yen)
2nd – $5950
3rd – $5100
4th – $4250
5th – $3825
6th – $3400
7th – $2975
8th – $2550
9th – $2125
10th – $1700
11th-15th – $1530 (each)
16th – 20th – $1275 (each)


Maximum possible winnings if one team qualified in the top 20, won the Special Stage, won the overall race and the JSB1000 class: $107,950 (12,700,00 Yen)

From AMA Superstock Champion Jimmy Moore, who is recovering from serious injuries suffered in practice at Brainerd:

Hey, ya’ll! It’s me again and I’ve got good news!

The deadline for purchasing a raffle ticket from Helmet Harbor.com, for a brand new Shoei Z2 “Top Jimmy” replica in your very own size, has been extended to August 31.

Again, the cost is only $10 per ticket and it is a smokin’ deal, especially if you win!

Spread the word and good luck!

Jimmy Moore
Eugene, Oregon

OMS Sports


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Czech Rider Haskovec Signs With OMS Sports

‘Soon-to-be’ fan favorite aligns self with OMS, excited about the opportunities

From a press release issued by OMS:

FLORENCE, Ky., (Aug. 4, 2003) – In an effort to further establish its team of top-shelf road racing clients, OMS Sports announced today it has signed Czechoslovakian flyer Vincent Haskovec to its rapidly growing lineup of America’s top road racers.

From the streets of the Czech Republic to the corners of the American road racing circuit, Haskovec, 29, is one of the more interesting stories in extreme powersports. With a smile as wide as his wild streak, Haskovec has grasped the American culture we sometimes take for granted and arrives as a breath of fresh air in the American road racing scene. Every day is an adventure for him, a soon-to-be-told story that will certainly grab the ear of the all-important outside-the-industry sponsors.

“This is what I want OMS to handle,” said Haskovec. “I worked very hard, for very little to make it racing here in the States. Now that I have proven myself, it is time for somebody to help in other areas so I can focus on my racing. I am very happy to be associated with OMS and look forward to a long, beneficial relationship with them.”

Haskovec has been on a tear in the Superstock class, scoring one win, five podiums and seven top five finishes. His 255 overall points is just 10 points behind the leader.

“Once people begin to hear more about Vincent, he’ll definitely become a fan favorite,” said Tonya Harris, Director of Road Racing Client Services at OMS. “And when he becomes a fan favorite, OMS will be there to help secure Vincent’s future.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

SIX FORMER WINNERS TO GO HEAD TO HEAD AT HAGERSTOWN

AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Aug. 4, 2003) — On Saturday, Aug. 9, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship gets fired up again on Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway’s Half-mile. After a one-month break the top flat track riders from across the nation will converge at Hagerstown for round 10 of the 17-race series.

The featured event at Hagerstown will be the Grand National with defending champion Chris Carr leading the way. Carr is one of six former Hagerstown winners that will be on hand this weekend. The Hagerstown Half-mile is one of the most competitive tracks on the circuit and picking the winner there is always difficult. Also on the slate is round five of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series. Michigan’s Cory McDermitt leads a hotly contested series where the top seven riders are separated by less than 20 points.

Hagerstown is one of the tracks in the series where it’s always hard to pick a favorite. Johnny Murphree is the defending winner there. The Californian earned his first, and to date only, AMA Grand National victory at the tricky half-mile oval. Murphree is third in the standings coming into this week’s event and would love to nail down his second victory at the track. As mentioned before, Murphree is just one of six former winners that are expected to compete. He along with Chris Carr, Rich King, Jay Springsteen, Kevin Atherton and Kevin Varnes have all tasted victory at Hagerstown.

Series champ Carr sees Hagerstown as one of the most unpredictable circuits in the series. It took him 15 years before he earned his first win on the red clay oval.

“Every year we go there the track is a little different,” said Carr, who is gunning to become only the second rider in AMA Grand National history to win five titles. “It’s a slick track, almost like a short track and if you happen to nail your set-up just right you’ll annihilate everybody. It’s a track where you have to get good starts and it’s best if you can stay off the brakes going into the turns. You have to trust your tires and pitch it in there.”

Mica, Washington’s, Joe Kopp is the hottest rider coming into Hagerstown. A victory and runner-up finish in the last two rounds has drawn him to within 18 points of Carr. “I’m definitely feeling confident right now,” Kopp said of his recent hot streak. He is looking for his first win at Hagerstown.

Local fans will be cheering on Mike Hacker, from Colonial Heights, Va., and Paul Lynch, of Bel Air, Md. Hacker comes into Hagerstown ranked 12th in the series, while Lynch is 14th.


Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series is shaping up to be one of the best in the 10-year history of the series. The series pits racers against one another on equally matched Harley-Davidson 883 Sportsters that are not far removed the bike that rolls of the showroom floor. These races normally come down to the final lap. Cory McDermitt holds a narrow two-point edge on Scott Stump. The father and son combination of Scott Scherb and Merle Scherb, of Decatur, Texas are tied for third in the series. Less than 20 points separates the leading McDermitt from seventh-place Josh Toungett in the series standings, which means at least mathematically anyone of the top seven could leave Hagerstown with the series lead.

Saturday marks the 23rd AMA Grand National at Hagerstown. The race dates back to the mid-1960s when Bart Markel won a pair of races at the track. After nearly a 20-year hiatus the race came back on the schedule in 1983 and has been a staple of the series for the last 20 years.

For ticket information on the event contact, Hagerstown Speedway at (301) 582-0640 or visit www.hagerstownspeedway.com.



SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

HAGERSTOWN SPEEDWAY, HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2003

3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Registration at the track

3:00 p.m.-5:10 p.m.
Tech Inspection at the track

5:45 p.m.
Riders Meeting

6:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Practice

7:00 p.m.
Qualifying heats

8:15 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies

8:30 p.m.-8:40 p.m.
1st Harley-Davidson Sportster Peformance Heat

8:40 p.m.-8:50 p.m.
2nd Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Heat

8:50 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
3rd Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Heat

9:00 p.m.-9:10 p.m.
1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

9:10 p.m.-9:20 p.m.
2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

9:20 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

9:30 p.m.-9:40 p.m.
4th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

9:40 p.m.-9:55 p.m.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER PERFORMANCE FINAL

9:55 p.m.-10:05 p.m.
Victory Circle for Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Final

10:05 p.m.-10:15 p.m.
1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

10:15 p.m.-10:25 p.m.
2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

10:25 p.m.-10:35 p.m.
3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

10:50 p.m.-11:05 p.m.
AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE GRAND NATIONAL FINAL

11:10 p.m.
Victory Circle for Grand National

From a press release issued by Stewart Aitken-Cade of USGPRU:

The U.S. Grand Prix Riders Union (USGPRU) 125cc GP Series has a new website at www.USGPRU.net.

The old .org site is no longer being used as
the prime site.

From a press release issued by Croft Circuit, in North Yorkshire:

Friday 8th to Sunday 10th August 2003
Classic Racing Motorcycle Club Meeting

CRMC ELEBRATES ACU ANNIVERSARY AT CROFT

Croft Circuit near Darlington will echo to the sound of yesteryear once again when the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club hold their annual meeting over three days this forthcoming weekend (Friday 8th to Sunday 10th August).

And with the sport’s governing body, the Auto Cycle Union, celebrating its centenary this year, riders will be competing for an additional trophy with the addition of the ACU 100 Handicap Race.

The format for the event will see one hundred Classic and Post Classic riders selected to compete from various categories with heats being run on Friday afternoon to determine the grid for Saturday’s final. The race will be handicapped to allow the smaller engine sizes a chance against the bigger bikes and the top three riders will be awarded trophies and garlands.

Throughout the weekend, there will be plenty of action with no less than 21 classes, both solo and sidecar, set to be fought out around the 2.13 mile full circuit and with top riders such as Lea Gourlay, Mike Hose, Phil Sharpe, Allan Oversby and Colin Breeze in the entry, the racing is bound to be fast and furious.

Practice starts on Friday and Saturday at 9.30am and 12.00 noon on Sunday with racing immediately afterwards on all three days. Adult admission is just £6.00 on Friday and Saturday and £12.00 on Sunday with accompanied children under 15 admitted free.

For further details please contact Claire Jones at Croft Circuit on 01325 721819.

From a rather disjointed press release issued by Sportbike Track Time:

Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, and Triumph to provide demo rides at Femmoto 2003

Aprilia USA has committed to have 30 motorcycles available for demo rides. Moto Guzzi will attend with the new Breva 750 and at least 5 other models of motorcycles. Triumph has now committed and will have 6 motorcycles present for demo rides. Saturday will be the Women’s only event followed by a combined day of “Women & Men Riders” on Sunday.

“What a joy and a dream come true to get fifty-two women from different parts of the country to come together to share in their passion to be out on the track riding in a safe environment for Femmoto 2002” says Bonnie Strawser, co-owner of Sportbike Track Time and the driving force behind Femmoto. “Things are really heating up for Femmoto 2003 at Pahrump. More sponsors, more manufacturers, and assistance from our associates at Pacific Track Time mean that women riders who join us will have a very special time on the track with other women at a great west coast venue”.

WHEN: Saturday, September 20, 2003 Women’s only Track & Demo Day followed on Sunday with an combined “Track Day” for both “Women & Men Riders”. Both days gate will open at 7:00am and run until 5:00pm with a one hour lunch break.

Saturday: “Femmoto” day will be a track day with 15 minute riding sessions. Women will ride demo motorcycles in their respective experience levels – Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. Sportbike Track Time and Pacific Track Time instructors will be on hand to help women with track riding skills. After every third riding session there will be a thirty minute workshop. Workshops will cover everything from riding skills to basic motorcycle maintenance. Lunch and refreshments throughout the day are included. There is no need for women to bring their own motorcycles for the “Femmoto All Women’s Day” as this is a demo track day only. Women will have the opportunity to ride 4 or more sessions during the day on 4 or more different demo bikes.

Sunday: Combined track day with Women & Men riders. This day will consist of 20 minute riding session in three different skill levels – Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. STT & PTT instructors will again go out with the Novice group to practice the drills that are explained in the classroom and the instructors will also be available for their students after each track session. STT & PTT instructors will also monitor/assist the Intermediate and Advanced group. This is a regular track day where riders are on their own motorcycles. Aprilia will be staying for Sunday also so riders will have an opportunity to demo track ride an Aprilia for 20 minutes in the Novice or Intermediate groups (sorry, no Advanced Group demos!). The rest of the time riders are on the track on their own motorcycles.

WHERE: Spring Mountain Motorsports Park, Pahrump

HOW TO SIGN UP: http://www.femmoto.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The revised Casio Triangle, or the chicane, at Suzuka Circuit will not pass FIM homologation and must be changed, say FIM officials.

“I will not accept this chicane anymore,” said FIM’s Claude Danis. “For next year, they have to change the chicane.”

When it comes to FIM track inspections and approval, Danis is the man. In addition to holding the title of FIM Circuit Inspector, Danis is also the President of the FIM Road Racing Commission and sits on the newly-formed FIM Grand Prix Safety Commission and the FIM Grand Prix and Superbike Commissions.

“They report to me that they got some accident with domestic racing. Of course, I cannot say it was not true because I was not there,” Danis told Roadracingworld.com Sunday morning after making his final inspection prior to the start of the Suzuka 8-Hours race. “They push very hard to change the double chicane we got for the Grand Prix. I accepted that situation providing we have some sort of Type-A protection, some sort of Airfence in the last turn and also nearby the chicane. But I am not satisfied at all with this chicane, and I think everybody is not satisfied with this chicane.”

The problem Danis has is not so much the chicane itself, but the resulting speed through the final, sweeping right-hander onto the front straightaway and the lack of run-off room there.

“For me with the room that is there, the best solution is to have the double chicane,” said Danis. “It make it safer because we have a safety issue with the last turn. And by making a double chicane like that the speed is less, and the riders, because they are going on the left-hand side of the last chicane, they are more straight going through this last corner. They are not that close to the wall or the guardrail than they are with the existing chicane.”

Why will the Suzuka 8-Hours go on if he doesn’t approve of the chicane? Danis said, “Sometimes it’s quite difficult to find good solution here at Suzuka in Japan, but next year I will not accept this.”

From a press release issued by Cartersport:

Steve Hislop Funeral Details

Steve’s mum Margaret along with George have asked us to forward details for the funeral as follows:

Thursday 7th August 2003 at 12.30pm

Teviot Church
Hawick
Scotland

(In town centre adjacent to High School and Car Park – ample car parking in town and surrounding fields) followed by interment at Southdean cemetery, near Bonchester.

All are welcome to meet afterwards at the Horse and Hounds, Bonchester for refreshments.

Family flowers only please.

Donations towards the Steve Hislop Memorial Fund to be collected at the church or please send to:

Steve Hislop Memorial Fund
c/o Cartersport
PO Box 150
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL6 3WZ

See related post, 7/30/2003 Steve Hislop Dies In Copter Crash