Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



The Roadracing World Action Fund was presented an award in recognition of its efforts to prevent racetrack injuries from Sandia Motorcycle Roadracing Inc. (SMRI), Monday at the Fund’s office in Lake Elsinore, California.

Juan Romero, the outgoing President of the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based organization, took time away from visiting family and friends in Carlsbad, California over the holidays to present Fund founder John Ulrich with the award in person.

The framed glass etching read: “To the Roadracing World Action Fund in great appreciation for your contribution to the safety & growth of motorcycle road racing in New Mexico during the 2003 season. Thank you from Sandia Motorcycle Roadracing, Inc.”

The Fund deployed 15 sections of Airfence Bike safety devices for use by the AMA-sanctioned and –chartered SMRI at Sandia Motorspeedway early in the 2003 racing season, and the money was well spent, according to Romero.

“We had two guys go into it this year where it’s protecting a concrete wall,” Romero told Roadracingworld.com. “The guys were both fine, and there wasn’t even any damage to their bikes. We’ve even had shifter kart guys run into it with good results. The stuff is incredible, unbelievable.”

For additional information on the SMRI, go to www.smri-racing.org.

The Roadracing World Action Fund is a 501.c.3 not-for-profit organization with a mission statement to help prevent racetrack injuries by educating race organizers, racetrack officials and racers on the benefits of using soft barriers. From April of 2001 through October 10, 2003, the Fund has received over $253,000 in donations, of which it has disbursed over $218,000 to purchase, transport and deploy soft barriers, train racetrack personnel on installing and repairing soft barriers and to provide education on racetrack safety. Overhead, including credit card transaction fees, labor and office space, is donated to the Fund by Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. To make a donation to the Roadracing World Action Fund or to learn more improving racetrack safety by deploying soft barriers, go to http://venus.13x.com/roadracingworld/actionfund or call (800) 464-8336.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From a Staff Sargeant we know, who raced with CCS Southwest before being deployed to Iraq, and who will remain anonymous:

The children of Iraq need our help. They are in desperate need of paper, pencils, pens, and any other school equipment. We have been giving them our own personal equipment to try to help out but we only brought so much. These children are the future of Iraq so we would like to set them up any way possible, and get them used to the idea that Americans are their friends. If you could send just one pencil or a notepad it would help them so much. This country is pretty torn up and Saddam did not really care too much about any of that stuff so we are trying to change it. Please send school supplies c/o:

Lt. Col. Gary Garvey
Expeditionary Group Chaplain
506 AEG/EHC
APO AE 09359

Other than that, things are OK over here. It got pretty crazy where I am at the night we caught Saddam. Most of the Iraqis came out of their houses with AK47s and started shooting in the air. We were dodging bullets for a couple of days. It is sad that for almost a quarter of a century Saddam killed the Iraqi people and when we caught him it was supposed to be over. Well, with all their celebration fire they killed an unofficial (there are probably a lot more but people have either hidden the bodies or buried them) nine Iraqis and injured over 40. So they just did it on their own without him.

We are progressing great over here. Just about a week ago we were chasing around another top 10 guy close to Iran. We have a saying with our aircraft: Why run, you will just die tired?

Well, I hope everyone is doing great. I would hope that some of you could send some school supplies for the children of Iraq. It is for a great cause and I am sure if you were in their boat you would appreciate it greatly.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Greg Moore and long-time girlfriend Misty Rose were married December 20th, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The couple honeymooned for seven days, snowboarding and snowmobiling in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha Motor Corporation racing team members have stated that five-time World Champion Valentino Rossi will be given a competitive motorcycle in 2004 but they do not expect to win the MotoGP Championship until 2005.

Yamaha’s Masao Furusawa told the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) that many changes have been made within the Yamaha racing department and the organization is “working as hard as possible to make sure the package is fully capable to get the results we desire.”

In an earlier interview with the BBC, Yamaha MotoGP team director Davide Brivio said the 2004 season would be a time for Rossi to establish a relationship with his new bike and team but the MotoGP World Championship is Yamaha’s target for 2005.

Yamaha hasn’t won the World Championship in the premier class of motorcycle road racing since Wayne Rainey took the 1992 500cc World Championship on a YZR500.

From a press release:

North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW 2003

This Friday, January 2nd to Sunday, January 4th

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Over 50,000 Motorcycle Enthusiasts are expected to converge on The Toronto International Centre this weekend to mark the opening of the 2004 Motorcycling Season at the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW.

The SUPERSHOW is the largest motorcycle consumer show in North America encompassing more than 300,000 square feet. Spanning over six buildings, enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view more than 1,000 motorcycles and talk to over 400 exhibitors.

There will be an amazing selection of new 2004 motorcycle models at this year’s SUPERSHOW as seen throughout the Dealer Displays. Visitors will see the full line from Harley-Davidson and Buell and the latest Japanese models like the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Cruiser. The Honda Rune and CRF250R will be showcased as well as the Suzuki GSXR1000. Triumph and BMW will be represented and exotic bikes like the Ducati Monster S4R, the KTM 950 Adventurer, the Victory Vegas and the Benelli Tornado Tre will be spotlighted. Consumers will have a chance to view the new models as well as non-current and used bikes. Motorcycle riders can purchase their new motorcycle directly from the floor and on-site financing is available.

The New Rider Academy will educate new riders on the graduated licensing system, rider training programs for on and off road, how to choose their first bike, road awareness, and financing, insurance and choosing proper riding gear.

Championship Racers Steve Crevier, Jordan Szoke, Jeff Williams and Frank Trombino will be meeting fans and signing autographs at the Joe Rocket Racing Stage.

Wild Custom Bikes from Canada and the U.S. will be competing for over $25,000 in cash and awards.

Special Guests & Personalities will include award winning Canadian country singer Jason McCoy, authors Max Burns and Michelle Duff, Extreme Freestyle video stars Jason Thorne and Bubba and Qadesh the 500 pound Siberian Tiger.

Fashion Shows and Live Bands will keep visitors entertained. ‘On the Fringe’ will be showing their latest rider ware during the ‘Basic Black’ Leather fashion shows.

The Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum will be kicking off its Road Show season with a new line up of rare and collectible bikes.

Clubs, Associations and Charities will be in abundance with more than 70 organizations represented.

The 2004 Motorcycle Awards of Excellence will be presented in over 45 categories including, Canadian Racing Champions, Rider Achievement and Media. The awards are presented to select ‘Ambassadors’ of Motorcycling for their achievements throughout the year.

Official Show Charities include ‘The Ride for Sight’ a national organization who has raised millions for the fight against blindness through their annual rides. This year’s regional charity is the B.A.D. Ride – Bikers Against Despair – whose efforts go to support the Distress Centres of Toronto.

A true shopping extravaganza, the SUPERSHOW hosts hundreds of exhibits showing the latest in aftermarket parts and accessories, motorcycle rider apparel, performance equipment, custom painters, custom bike builders and leather fashion designers.

New or used, touring or racing, custom or collectable, the SUPERSHOW will provide an unprecedented marketplace for motorcycle enthusiasts to shop, compare and save.

Complete show details, a schedule of appearances and events and $3 off admission coupons are available on the SUPERSHOW website, www.supershowevents.com.

The 28th Edition of the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW is the flagship in a series of motorcycle events produced annually by Bar Hodgson Productions Inc.

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

Location: Toronto International Centre, 6900 Airport Road

Hours: Friday, January 2
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 3
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m,

Sunday, January 4
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission:
Adults $15.00
Youths (6-12)$5.00
Children 5 yrs and under Free

Parking:
Free parking for over 7,000 vehicles

GENERAL INFORMATION:
905-678-4408
www.supershowevents.com

From a press release:

PARTS UNLIMITED’S TV SERIES KICKS OFF SATURDAY

The new TV series “Inside Motorcycling presented by Parts Unlimited” debuts this Saturday at 10 a.m. (PST and EST) on Spike TV. Each show in the six-part series will feature a mix of different aspects of the people and products of the motorcycle sport.

This week’s opening show will include a spotlight on the series sponsor Parts Unlimited with introductory comments from Parts Magazine Publisher Don Emde, who also serves as the show’s Editorial Director.

Other features of the show include comments from off-road star Rodney Smith and road race team manager Kevin Erion; a profile on Chad Reed; a project bike built by Performance Machine, and a fun “tour” of Grant Langston’s gear bag by the man himself.

Note: for attendees to this weekend’s Anaheim Supercross, a tape of the show can be viewed at the stage TV screens on the Thor truck in the pits.

For more information, log onto www.insidemotorcycling.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The racing department of Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S. is developing a YZF-R1 Superbike with the help of independent contractors.

The bike should be ready to race in time for the Daytona 200.

From a press release issued by Triumph ValMoto:

Triumph ValMoto announces 2004 plans

Triumph ValMoto is pleased to announce that in 2004 it will once again contest the British Supersport Championship with the stunning Daytona 600. The factory effort is aiming to build on the success of its first season of competition and become a genuine title contender.

Teenage sensation Craig Jones has been confirmed as the team’s sole rider. Last season, the 18-year-old impressed many with his skill and determination before finally achieving Triumph’s first-ever British Supersport podium finish.

“I’m extremely happy to be continuing ValMoto’s groundbreaking partnership with Triumph,” said Team Manager Jack Valentine. “Working with a British manufacturer has been a lifetime ambition for me and last season was one of the most rewarding of my career. We had our highs and lows but certainly succeeded in demonstrating the true potential of the Daytona 600. We’ve made further improvements in performance since the end of the season and I’m feeling exceptionally positive about the year ahead.

“The single-rider structure has proven to be a success in Supersport,” he continued. “In 2003 the championship was dominated by teams that fielded only one rider. Craig learned a great deal during that time thanks to a close working relationship with Jim Moodie and I now feel that he is ready to shoulder the responsibility himself. He is an exceptional talent and one which Triumph and ValMoto are keen to nurture.”

Jones’ never say die attitude helped develop Triumph’s 600cc challenger from an excellent road bike to a remarkable racing machine. By signing for a second year, he has also shown that he has the maturity and commitment to see a project through to completion.

“I’m really looking forward to my second season with Triumph ValMoto,” said Jones. “There’s a lot being said at the moment about the lack of opportunities for young riders, so it’s great that a major manufacturer has put its faith in me.

“The learning curve was steep last season but I had a fantastic team-mate and things came together toward the end. I got a real sense of satisfaction from playing my part in our success and next year we should be competing on a more level playing field.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Yoshimura Suzuki AMA Superbike team is planning on testing at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia January 20-23.

According to Team Manager Don Sakakura, Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates will spend four days, “looking at some updated parts. It’s good to run four days consistently. The weather and the track are ideal to test at. We learned a lot there last year.”

Yoshimura Suzuki tested for four days at Sepang in January of 2003, and Mladin called the test “the most productive I’ve ever been involved with.”

Sakakura added that Mladin and Yates would most likely be sharing the track with the Suzuki MotoGP team of Kenny Lee Roberts and John Hopkins but not Ben Spies, the third member of the Yoshimura Suzuki team.

Sakakura said Spies would test his Supersport and Superstock racebikes during the same approximate time period somewhere in the United States. It will be Spies’ first test since a high-speed crash during tire testing at Daytona October 13.

Spies crashed when the rear tire on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike exploded as he passed through the tri-oval at 186 mph. He suffered serious skin abrasions — some requiring skin grafts – in his long slide on the pavement.

From a press release:

American racer John Pearson riding again in Australia

After severely breaking his collarbone in September, American racer John Pearson returned to Eastern Creek Raceway and participated in a recent track day practice.

“I was ready to get back on the bike in November, but Dr. Burrow, the orthopedic surgeon who operated on me, wanted one more month to heal, and since it’s the off season down here, it was no big deal to wait a little longer,” said Pearson. “When I asked Dr. Burrow if I could ride this month he said yes, but I had to promise not to crash, and I was like…uh, yeah, sure.

“I still have the plate and screws in there, but those should be ready to come out in February.

“The first session out I was a little rusty, but I made some adjustments and by the third session I was going really well. In the afternoon I was turning some good laps and chasing HRC rider Josh Brookes around. He was going a bit better than I was, and there were a lot of slower riders out there in the so-called fast group, but I was able to keep him in sight.

“Things are kinda up in the air for next season. The Australian Superbike and Formula Xtreme series merged and will run a 1000cc Superbike National class next year, so my 813cc GSX-R isn’t legal and I can only race it in local and club events. For the National series next year, I am looking at riding a Honda RC-51 in the Pro Twins class with the help of one of the performance shops here in Sydney.

“I wish all my family and friends back home a Merry Christmas.”

Pearson, who is in the U.S. Navy, is part of a military exchange program and will be working, living and racing in Australia for the next two years.

His sponsors are Maxima Racing Oils, Lee’s Cycle Racing, Dunlop/Sport Tire Services, Moto-Heaven/Wintex, GRP Stabilizers, Fox Shox, and Intuitive Race Products.