From a press release issued by AHRMA:

AHRMA welcomes 250 GP machines to compete at Daytona

Former AMA 250 Grand Prix motorcycles are welcome to compete at Daytona International Speedway on March 1 and 2 with the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association. AHRMA expanded its Battle of Twins Two-Stroke class for 2004 to include the modern 250 GP machines.

AHRMA will run a complete round of its program both days at Daytona, giving riders two chances to compete.

In addition, a warmup round will take place on Feb. 26 at Jennings GP in Jennings, Fla. The track will offer open practice for AHRMA and WERA Vintage competitors on Feb. 24 and 25.

Pre-entries are due for Daytona and Jennings by Jan. 31, but post-entry will be accepted.

For complete information, click the “AHRMA Florida Bike Week Planner” link on the main page at www.ahrma.org. AHRMA rules can be found on-line at www.ahrma.org/rulebook, or contact the organization at P.O. Box 1725, Goodlettsville, TN 37070; telephone 615-851-3674; fax 615-851-3678.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

It is with great sadness I read about Mike Harth passing away. For me, knowing Mike Harth was like knowing one of my heroes. When I started racing in the 1980s, I had posters of Mike Harth hanging in my garage. I still vividly remember the Dutchman Suzuki poster of Mike.

I followed his career and was greatly saddened in the early 1990s when he was seriously injured at a tire test at Charlotte. The fact he recovered was amazing.

In the late 1990s Mike started working with some riders and you could see his competitiveness just bursting out. You could tell it was tough for Mike to not jump on the bikes himself.

It was at this time I began to talk to him at the track, and for me it was nothing less of dream come true to talk to one of my early idols. I enjoyed the fact that I got to talk racing with Mike on the weekends. As anyone who knew Mike, it wouldn’t be long before Mike was back to racing motorcycles. In the late 1990s Mike was racing again! To watch his competitive fire again was something I was very glad to witness first hand. It was my good fortune to be able to see Mike Harth and Ottis Lance rolling up to the track every weekend and share the camaraderie that is a great aspect of this sport and be on the same track racing with him. I felt honored, to say the least.

Mike was without a doubt one of the purest competitors I have ever witnessed. His focus and determination was something to admire not only as a racer, but also as a person. I am glad I got to know one of my heroes. I am very sad that he has been taken away from us so soon. My prayers go out to his family.

Godspeed, Mike. We will miss you.

Marcus McBain
Houston, Texas



See related post:

1/5/2004 Mike Harth, R.I.P.

From a press release issued by New York Sportbike Club, Inc.:

April 3, 2004, Summit Point Raceway Jefferson Circuit

May 13, 2004, Pocono Raceway East Course

May 25, 2004, Pocono Raceway North Course

June 19, 2004, Summit Point Raceway Jefferson Circuit

July 15, 2004, Pocono Raceway East Course

August 7, 2004, Corse-Moto(Valley Motorsports Park) 1.5 Mile Course

August 12, 2004, Pocono Raceway 2.5 Mile Course

September 18, 2004, Corse-Moto(Valley Motorsports Park) 1.5 Mile Course

October 1, 2004, Pocono Raceway East Course

New York Sportbike Club, Inc.
Tel: (516) 921-5934
Fax: (516) 921-5935
www.nysportbikeclub.com
[email protected]

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Good day. I was reading Mladin’s comments this morning and realized he has a valid point. His country’s anthem is not played when he wins a race. With as many Australians as there are racing in AMA, I’m wondering why we don’t play, “Waltzing Matilda” when an Aussie wins a race. It’s not uncommon for us to play other countries’ anthems at other sporting events. We do it all the time in Baseball and Hockey when the Canadians play here.

Although Mladin has a tendency to rub people the wrong way, I believe he has a good point here. Maybe the AMA can grow a bit by putting an international flavor into the racing, and at the very least give the respect to the racers who win.

Cheers.

Lloyd Magruder
Birmingham, Alabama



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I am 55 years old and an avid road racing fan. I try to make as many Superbike races as I can each year on my SV650 and usually attend 4 or 5 east coast races. I am also a Vietnam vet and have some amateur and professional short track, motocross and hare scrambles in my history. I am an all American kind of guy but I also appreciate the other countries and men/women throughout the world that uphold the same values as we do.

That said, I also want to say that in my world travels (I have been on 5 continents) there have been times that I have been embarrassed by the conduct of my fellow Americans (including myself – in my youth). America is filled with just thinking and right doing people but we also have our share of people that think the world should always revere us because of our past accomplishments.

Mat Mladin is one of the top riders on planet earth and is man enough to stand for his convictions in the face of a lot of adverse circumstances and I say Good On Ya Mate!

Mat, please tell your countrymen that pretty much all of America is very proud to have Australia as a friend and ally. I am looking forward to this years races and I pray that all “combatants” will have a safe, hard fought year that we all can enjoy.

Larry Gilbert
Orlando, Florida


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

The Australian national anthem page:
http://www.pm.gov.au/aus_in_focus/nat_symbols/anthem.html

And the official vocal version:
http://www.pm.gov.au/audio/anthem_vocal.mp3

I would love for the fans at the first race Matt shows up to (if not Daytona) to play it at the track. I for one would play it through my iPod and my car stereo (I would leave my bike at home just to do it). It should be the case for the AMA to play the anthem of the race winner. It would raise the level of the AMA series by the respect it showed to its talent and its champions. LET’S GET IT DONE!

Michael Lenz
Fort Vancouver, Washington


See related post:

1/5/2004 Mladin Comments On Receiving Athlete Of The Year Award From Local Newspaper, Website

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WERA and CCS racer and American Suzuki District Sales Manager Tracy Simmons and wife Kristi had a daughter, Allison, January 1 in St. Louis, Missouri.

From a press release issued by Keith Code’s California Superbike School:

On One Wheel 2004 Dates (additional dates TBA):

Jan 9, 10, 11 – Irwindale Speedway (So. Cal – Los Angeles)

Jan. 23, 24, 25 – Solano County Fair (No. Cal – Vallejo)

Jan 29, 30, 31 – Lakeland, FL (30 min. north of Tampa)

Feb 27, 28, 29 – Irwindale Speedway

April 8, 9, 10 – Lakeland, FL

April 16, 17, 18 – Irwindale Speedway

June 4, 5, 6 – Irwindale Speedway

(The above are all one-day classes for you to choose from, though you can sign up for multiple days to really master the art!)

Cost: $495 for the one day school

Damage Policy: $500 only taken on the day of the school if the bike is damaged

Bike: Triumph Speed Triple

Session: Arrive at 8:00am sharp, day ends around 5:00pm

Class size is limited. Pre-registration is a must with first come, first served. Register now at www.ononewheel.com or 818-957-7104.

From a press release:

BRITAIN’S BEST HEAD FOR CLASH IN NEW-LOOK CHAMPIONSHIP

Britain’s best Sidecar teams will face each other for the first time in more than 15 years in 2004, in the new Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship.

Teams from the World Championship, European Championship, National MRO Series and Formula Two Championship will clash in the all-action, 13-round series which runs alongside the British Superbike Championship.

More than 25 teams have signed to contest the series, leaving just a few places for hopefuls looking to challenge for honours in a new-look championship which has captured the imagination of all.

“The entry is impressive and it’s great that Britain will have a strong Sidecar Championship once again,” enthused promising young driver Steve Norbury, himself a leading European Championship racer last year.

Top Formula Two drivers Gary Horspole and Andy Laidlow are among those switching from the 600cc Formula Two machines to do battle on 1000cc machinery, in the BSC spectacular.

Laidlow said: “With the entry almost over-subscribed there could be some very good teams potentially not qualifying for some rounds. This will be the most hotly contested sidecar class for years.”

Reigning MRO National champion Bill Philp is joined by former MRO stars Richard Gatt and Tim Reeves in the Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship, which gets under way at Silverstone on March 28.

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.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

RACING STAR JEFF WARD HEADLINES MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM’S DAYTONA 2004 BREAKFAST

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — Jeff Ward, one of the most successful racers of all time, will be the keynote speaker at the 16th Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Friend-Raising Breakfast, to be held during Daytona Bike Week at the Holiday Inn in DeLand, Florida, on Friday, March 5 at 8:00 a.m. Ward, a five-time AMA Motocross and two-time AMA Supercross champion will address what has traditionally been a sell-out crowd of industry, AMA member and media guests. The annual event benefits the preservation and stewardship programs of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

Ward’s racing achievements are legendary. He won the AMA Motocross titles in 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, and 1990, and AMA Supercross titles in 1985 and 1987. Since “retiring” from those series, he has distinguished himself as an Indy Racing League driver and with several first place finishes in this year’s inaugural AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. A Motorcycle Hall of Fame member and long-time supporter of the Museum’s mission and activities, Ward’s passion for motorcycling and racing has been the fuel for one of the longest careers in the industry–and should be an inspiration to Daytona-bound enthusiasts.

The 16th Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Friend-Raising Breakfast is open to the public. Admission is $15 per person and early reservations are recommended. Associate sponsorships are available for an additional tax-deductible donation of $50 or more; event sponsorships are available for an additional tax-deductible donation of $750 or more. Donors will be recognized in the event program.

To make reservations, call the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum at 614-856-2222, or e-mail [email protected]. For information about sponsorships, contact Dan Smith at 614-856-2222 ext. 1198 or [email protected].

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Roadracing World’s Chris Ulrich underwent surgery at Loma Linda Medical Center in Loma Linda, California today, in an effort to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome.

Ulrich has been plagued with shoulder and arm problems since he separated his right shoulder during a press intro at Las Vegas Motor Speedway two years ago. A year ago he underwent surgery to implant a donor tendon and several Kevlar straps in the shoulder, but has had continuing problems with his arm losing strength and going numb when he rides and races motorcycles.

Dr. Jeffrey Ballard, a vascular surgeon, determined that the blood flow to Ulrich’s right arm was being restricted when he tucked in, due to an artery being pinched between muscles and the upper rib, and that the pulse in Ulrich’s right wrist disappeared when he assumed a riding position. The surgery relieved the pressure causing the arterial pinching, by removing the rib, two muscles and a mass of scar tissue.

The surgery took several hours, and Ulrich will remain hospitalized through mid-week.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former racer Mike Harth, 47, died in his sleep last night, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Harth is survived by his wife, Jennifer, their son Joey, 5, and by a son by a previous marriage, Dustin, 28.

Funeral arrangements are pending.