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.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (WSMC) website, www.race-wsmc.com, has been taken offline by former WSMC Operations Manager Kenny Kopecky, who recently resigned after 12 years, to pursue other interests.

Kopecky hosted the WSMC website.

Officials at Willow Springs International Raceway (WSIR), which owns WSMC, said Monday that they are working to re-establish the WSMC website and will make an announcement when the site is up and running.

More information is available from WSIR at (661) 256-2471.



And now, comment from Kenny Kopecky:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

As a follow-up to your post earlier today about the plug being pulled…

I can refer you to Greg and Chris Huth who will verify I repeatedly asked for WSIR to take care of this matter. I believe they will verify I have done everything in a courteous and professional manner. I believe Danny Farnsworth and Larry Cochran (lead WSMC event staff) will also verify my courteous and professional manner regarding my resignation from WSMC.

Since this looks to me like it is becoming a public discussion, I am pleased to share with you what Gregory and Christopher Huth are already aware of, and that (WSIR General Manager) Stephanie Huth has no understanding of at all, in my opinion.

race-wsmc.com is registered to one individual (me), not to any member of the Huth family or any of their business names.

The url registration has been paid for by that same individual (me), not to any member of the Huth family or any of their business names.

The online account that has been used and the ISP service is registered and paid by an individual (me), not to/by any member of the Huth family or any of their business names.

Fact: WSMC paid that individual (me) from January 2003 to December 2003 for the monthly ISP service and hosting fees the individual paid directly.

It is now 2004. That individual (me) has not been paid for the url name/registration or for any service and hosting fees after 12-31-03.

That individual (me) did, in fact, make numerous requests in person of both Gregory Huth and Christopher Huth of WSIR throughout the end of December to make sure all matters were handled in advance of 12-31-03. They were not able to implement the requested changes by that individual (me). That individual (me) had been told that it would be taken care of…

I believe, as I announced at the December event riders’ meeting, as I have put in the December newsletter, and as I have previously posted at race-wsmc.com, you should go to www.willowspringsraceway.com which is a site registered by their business and is paid for by them.

Regards,

Ken Kopecky

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

Tissot to be Official Timekeeper of THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series in 2003-2004

AURORA, Ill. – Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division announced that Tissot will become the official timekeeper of THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series.

“Tissot has a long history of being involved in globally recognized sporting events, and we are happy to welcome them to THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series,” said Tim Murray, vice president, sales, Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports.

True to its values of performance and quest for excellence Tissot increases still further its involvement in the world of motorcycling by joining with Dorna and Clear Channel Entertainment to become the official timekeeper for the THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series. The prestigious series, which kicked off in Seville, Spain December 6, 2003, will visit seventeen major cities around the world, of which fifteen are in the United States. This exciting and dynamic discipline complements well with the high speed world of the MotoGP, for which Tissot has been official timekeeper for the last three years, and is a perfect match for the spirit of innovation that fires the Tissot brand.

About Tissot

Tissot, Innovators by Tradition. Tissot embodies 150 years of innovation and Swiss watch- making tradition. World leader in the traditional Swiss watch segment, its mission is to offer to a wide public a range of high quality timepieces at an affordable price. As official timekeeper for the world championships in cycling, motorcycling, fencing and ice hockey, Tissot underlines the sporting values of quest for performance, precision and pushing oneself to the limit. Based in Le Locle in Switzerland and present in more than 150 countries around the world, Tissot has been, since 1983, member of the Swatch Group, the biggest watch producer and distributor in the world.

From a press release issued by Fastrack Riders:

FASTRACK RIDERS 2004 SCHEDULE

January 24th & 25th (Sat & Sun) @ Cal. Speedway on AMA Track

February 21st & 22nd (Sat & Sun) @ Cal. Speedway on AMA Track

March 12th (Fri) @ Cal. Speedway on AMA Track

April 9th (Fri) @ Willow Springs on Streets of Willow Track

April 26th (Mon) @ Willow Springs on 2.5 mile Road Course

May 21st (Fri) @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course

May 28th (Fri) @ Willow Springs on Streets of Willow Track

June 26th & 27th (Sat & Sun) @ Cal. Speedway on AMA Track

July 3rd (Sat) @ Cal. Speedway on AMA Track

August 7th & 8th (Sat & Sun) @ Barber Motorsports Park

September 10th (Fri) @ Arizona Motorsports Park

September 11th & 12th (Sat & Sun) @ Barber Motorsports Park

September 27th (Mon) Willow Springs on 2.5 mile Road Course

October 23rd & 24th (Sat & Sun) @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway Classic Course

November 8th (Mon) @ Willow Springs on 2.5 mile Road Course

November 27th & 28th (Sat & Sun) @ Cal. Speedway on AMA Track

December 10th (Fri) @ Willow Springs on 2.5 mile Road Course


More information is available from:

Larry Pointer or Dave Pyles
PO Box 129
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693-0129
877-560-2233
[email protected]
www.fastrackriders.com