From a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

Haskovec Joins Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki has signed Vincent Haskovec to race the 2004 season. Haskovec was born in the Czech Republic but came to the USA seven years ago to start his racing career. The 29-year-old is a legal resident of the United States and is in the process of becoming a naturalized American citizen. He currently resides in Lake Elsinore, California.

Haskovec caught the attention of the team during the 2003 season, regularly battling with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp for top honors in the Superstock class. He finished third in the championship with five podiums, including a victory at Road Atlanta. Haskovec is very eager to join the team.

Haskovec will race a Suzuki GSX-R600 in the revamped Formula Xtreme class and will also compete in another class to be determined. Rapp, who re-signed with the team for 2004 during his successful 2003 season, will race in Supersport and a class to be determined.

Both riders will test with Michelin this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (December 4-6) at Daytona International Speedway.

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Eric Bostrom Breaks In New Ducati Ride At Daytona



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Dec. 4, 2003) — Eric Bostrom turned his first laps aboard the Ducati 999 factory motorcycle on Thursday at Daytona International Speedway as Ducati Austin and Valvoline EMGO Suzuki kicked off a three-day Michelin tire test in preparation for the 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai motorcycle classic on Saturday, March 6.

Bostrom had been riding for factory Kawasaki since 2000, but the motorcycle manufacturer pulled out of AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike competition for 2004 opening the door for the 27-year-old San Francisco rider to join Ducati.

On Thursday, Bostrom put on his new red and orange Ducati leathers and turned his first laps on the Ducati 999 that he’ll race in the season-opening Daytona 200 By Arai, which is being held on a Saturday for the first time in event history. Bostrom’s first impressions on the motorcycle were positive.

“The thing is really fun to ride,” Bostrom said. “Daytona is a very difficult track to learn a new bike because it’s so different from any other track we ride. Everything that comes here is different whether it’s tires or big straightaways.

“My initial feelings when I jumped on the bike . . . it was really easy. Right now, we’re just trying to figure out how to get in the turns a little bit quicker. The thing is really solid on the exits. Through the middle, it’s probably the easiest bike I’ve ever ridden. Right now, we’re just trying to get the entry down. Things are looking pretty good.”

Bostrom, who along with Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp and Vince Haskovec, will test on the historic 3.56-mile road course through Saturday. Beginning Monday, Dunlop will have a three-day tire test in preparation for the Daytona 200 By Arai.

Bostrom hopes his three days of tire testing can lead to a solid run in the Daytona 200 By Arai.

“Already I’ve got a good feeling for the tires,” said Bostrom, whose best finish in the Daytona 200 By Arai was a second in 2001. “I think
probably the biggest part of the puzzle to winning this race is to have a bike go around here for 57 quick laps.

“It’s very difficult. Here, a lot of times if you have a good setup for brand new tires, it’ll be a poor setup for used tires. You’ll have some screaming laps (in the beginning of a run) but you’ll fade to the back as soon as the tires go off.”

One fact that Bostrom is aware of is that Ducati has never won the Daytona 200 By Arai. He says it would be special if he could lead the Italian motorcycle manufacturer to Gatorade Victory Lane at Daytona for the first time in the legendary race.

“I’ve heard about that,” Bostrom said of Ducati’s woes at Daytona. “It would be special. They’ve already showed me a huge amount of commitment to my program. Realistically, it’s going to be a big job. There are a lot of teams that come here with a lot of history. To say we’re going to come in and win doesn’t seem like an educated statement. We’re going to come out here with our race face on. I’m sure we’ll know more after the next couple of days of testing where we stand.”

Michelin tire testing continues on Friday. The session is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.

Tickets for the Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6 and the inaugural nighttime running of the Daytona Supercross By Honda on Friday night, March 5 are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling (386) 253-7223.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Mike Preston, the Team Manager of the Kawasaki factory AMA road racing team, will not attend the upcoming Dunlop tire test December 8-10 at Daytona International Raceway due to injuries sustained in a recent motocross crash.

Preston was riding a Kawasaki KX250F at Lake Elsinore Motocross Park (LEMP) in Lake Elsinore, California November 22 when he was blown off the side of a table-top jump by a crosswind, according to Kawasaki Crew Chief Dan Fahie, who was riding on a different course at LEMP at the time of the crash.

“The guys we were parked next to were riding right behind and beside him over the jump when it happened,” Fahie told Roadracingworld.com Thursday. “Sometimes when you crash you say, ‘It was stupid to have tried that,’ but this wasn’t one of those cases. He wasn’t doing anything stupid and was riding well within his skill level. It was just an unfortunate accident.”

Preston crashed when he landed on the side slope of the jump. He was transported by ambulance to the Inland Valley Medical Center, near the track, where he was diagnosed with multiple fractures of his right humorous (upper arm bone) and fractures in his left hand. Preston was admitted into the hospital and had surgery to repair his injuries November 25-26.

“He’s at home now and basically doing okay for a guy with no arms. He’s sore more than anything else,” said Fahie. When asked how the team was coping without Preston present in the race shop, Fahie answered, “We’re doing what we can. We talk to him on the phone now and again, but his busy time had pretty much just ended. The lining up of the riders and mechanics was done. Now it’s mainly the crew’s job to thrash and get ready for the tire test.” Fahie added that Preston would not be at the test.

Attempts to reach Preston directly have been unsuccessful.

From a press release issued by Triumph:

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES ANNOUNCES PRICE FOR 2.3 LITER ROCKET III

Biggest Displacement Production Cruiser (140 Cu. In.)

Rocket III Retails at $15,990 in the United States

NEWNAN, Georgia – Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. announced today to the company’s dealer network that Triumph’s new power cruiser – the Rocket III – the first production motorcycle to break the 2-liter barrier, is being launched in the United States with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $15,990.

Triumph is pleased to report that even before announcing the MSRP consumers have shown strong interest in the Rocket III and the list of deposit holders is growing rapidly.

“Industry experts and enthusiasts who have had the opportunity to review this model have generated intense speculation over the price, with estimates ranging to over $20,000. We’ve now confirmed the price will be $15,990, which is an amazing value for a bike with the performance and features of the Rocket III,” stated Mark Brady, General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. “Throughout the development of this remarkable power cruiser we have taken into consideration the enthusiast’s desire to own a premium motorcycle, with state-of-the-art technology and distinctive Triumph styling, at a competitive price. ”

Triumph dealers will be offering a wide range of custom accessories to personalize the Rocket III cruising experience. High-polished chrome, custom flames or a cutting-edge tribal design paint scheme – are just a few of the options available within the Rocket III full accessory line created to excite the customizing ritual which is at the core of the cruising adventure.


The new Rocket III is powered by a distinct triple cylinder engine, an engine format that Triumph has engineered for today’s performance enthusiast. Its fuel-injected, longitudinally mounted, in-line three-cylinder engine has a cubic capacity of 2,294cc – 140 cubic inches – and uses the same size pistons as a Dodge Viper T. The Rocket III produces almost twice the peak torque of almost any other production motorcycle – an impressive 147ft.lb torque at 2,500 rpm with 90% delivered at a mere 1,800 rpm.

“From day one, we were committed to build a unique and individual true power cruiser – not a ‘me too’ cruiser that follows the crowd,” said Ross Clifford, Product Manager, Triumph Motorcycles Limited. “The Rocket III is the ultimate power cruiser and gives Triumph a strong foot-hold in the cruiser market. The attractive pricing offers enthusiasts the opportunity to turn an already truly distinctive motorcycle into a highly personal one through our accessories range.”

The Rocket III is currently on tour with the 2004 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® and will be in dealer showrooms in Summer 2004 with a wide selection of accessories.

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd., the manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is located in Newnan, GA and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

From the Parts Canada Superbike Championship series:

2004 Parts Canada Superbike Race Schedule:

5/20-23 Shannonville Motorsports Park (Pro Track), Shannonville, ON

7/2-4 Race City Motorsports Park, Calgary, AB *

7/15-18 Mosport International Raceway, Mosport, ON *

8/6-8 Atlantic Motorsports Park, Shubenacadie, NS

8/19-22 Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Mont-Tremblant, QC

9/3-5 Shannonville Motorsports Park (Long Track), Shannonville, ON

* Double-header round

For additional information, go to www.cdnsuperbike.com.

From a press release issued by T.A.R.R.C.:

Jensen wins T.A.R.R.C. Unlimited GP at Arizona Motorsports Park

Scott Jensen won the AZRoadracing.com Unlimited GP during the second round of the Team Arizona Road Racing Club (TARRC) winter series November 30 at Arizona Motorsports Park in Phoenix, Arizona.

Jensen took the lead from Lenny Beckman on lap three and never looked back. As Jensen checked out, Joe Dawson passed Beckman and moved into second for a pair of laps. Beckman re-took second on lap five and pulled away from Dawson and charging Mark Ledesma. After battling, Dawson passed Ledesma on the final lap to take third.

California teen Jason Perez took wins in both Heavyweight GP and Middleweight GP on his Yamaha YZF-R6. Perez gained early leads in both races and rode away to easy victories.

Josh Herrin, 14, won the 125cc GP race in his first visit to Arizona Motorsports Park.

RESULTS:

AZRoadracing.com $3200 UNLGP Expert:
1. Scott Jensen (Suz GSX-R1000)
2. Lenny Beckman (Suz GSX-R1000)
3. Joe Dawson (Suz GSX-R1000)
4. Mark Ledesma (Hon CBR954RR)
5. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Dale Keiffer (Suz GSX-R1000)

UNLMP Expert:
1. Scott Odabash (Suz GSX-R1000)

North Valley Honda $1150 HWGP Expert:
1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Kane Lasky (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Mark Ledesma (Hon CBR600)
4. Chad Rolland (Suz GSX-R750)
5. Brian Hall (Suz GSX-R750)
6. Liko Giles (Suz GSX-R750)

HWMP Expert:
1. Jon Blaylock (Hon CBR600)
2. Jamie Bubeck (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Joe Dawson (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Charles Coyle (Suz GSX-R750)
5. Charlie Ferer (Hon CBR600)

Helmet Harbor/Pipe City$1150 MWGP Expert:
1. Jason Perez (Yam YZF-R6)
2. Mark Ledesma (Hon CBR600)
3. Joe Dawson (Suz GSX-R600)
4. Ivan Garza (Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Francis Bizzarro (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Jon Blaylock (Hon CBR600)

Sinister Racing MWMP Expert:
1. Mark Ledesma (Hon CBR600)
2. Joe Dawson (Suz GSX-R600)
3. Jon Blaylock (Hon CBR600)
4. Ivan Garza (Kaw ZX-6R)
5. Francis Bizzarro (Yam YZF-R6)
6. Alex Anastasiou (Yam YZF-R6)

$900 GTGP Expert:
1. Matt Hartlieb (Suz SV650)
2. Lenny Beckman (Suz SV650)
3. Jonathan Schendel (Yam TZ125)
4. Josh Herrin (Hon RS125)
5. Kane Lasky (Suz SV650)
6. Jeff Russell (Hon RS125)

GTMP Expert:
1. Wayne Nielsen (Suz SV650)

$900 250cc GP Expert:
1. Scott McNew (Hon RS250)
2. Jeff Russell (Hon RS250)
3. Jonathan Schendel (Yam TZ125)
4. Josh Herrin (Hon RS125)
5. Dale Whelan (Yam TZ250)

125cc GP Expert:
1. Josh Herrin (Hon RS125)
2. Kim Brown (Yam TZ125)
3. Jonathan Schendel (Yam TZ125)

Phoenix Intl. Motorsports $900 MOT HW Expert:
1. Trent Feltman (Hon 450)
2. John Vizmeg (Hon 450)
3. Brian Tantillo (Hon 650)

Sinister Racing MOT LW Expert:
1. Trent Feltman (Hon 450)
2. John Vizmeg (Hon 450)

F-40 UNLGP Expert:
1. Rick Stratton (Hon CBR600)
2. Terry Embury (Hon CBR600)
3. Charles Coyle (Suz GSX-R750)

F-40 MWGP Expert:
1. Rick Stratton (Hon CBR600)
2. Terry Embury (Hon CBR600)

VINHW Expert:
1. Mark Weiss (BMW 750)

VinLW Expert:
1. Ron Padian (Duc 350)
2. Mark Weiss (Hon 400)
3. David Chrone (Duc 350)

UNL Novice:
1. Lisa Taylor (Yam YZF-R1)
2. Jayson Citron (Yam YZF-R1)
3. Pat Bushell (Duc 748)

Western Honda HW Novice:
1. Shawn Heath (Suz GSX-R600)
2. Scott Ladd (Suz GSX-R750)
3. Myron Posivak (Hon CBR600)
4. Pat Bushell (Duc 748)

MW Novice:
1. Shawn Heath (Suz GSX-R600)
2. Myron Posivak (Hon CBR600)
3. Donald Levesque (Hon CBR600)

GT Novice:
1. Bob Prisco (Yam TZ250)
2. Andrew Slagel (APR RS250)
3. Donald Levesque (Suz SV650)
4. Kim Brown (Yam TZ125)

From a press release issued by Aprilia USA:

First Aprilia RSV Nera Goes Home with Matt LeBlanc



Motorcycle enthusiast and actor LeBlanc will get keys to first Nera available in the U.S. on December 13 during Aprilia press conference

Woodstock, GA (December 4, 2003) – Actor Matt LeBlanc will receive the first RSV 1000 Nera available in the U.S. The limited edition motorcycle will be presented to LeBlanc at the 23rd annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show at the Long Beach Convention Center in Southern California, Saturday December 13, at 1:00 PM at the Aprilia exhibit. Only 200 of the $40,000 Nera, the first of Aprilia’s new Dream Series of motorcycles and scooters, are available world-wide.

LeBlanc, a long-time motorcycle enthusiast, visited Aprilia world headquarters in Noale, Italy this past summer. He toured the Dolomite Mountains and Northern Italy countryside for three weeks on an RST 1000 Futura, ending with a visit to the Mugello GP and his friend, Grand Prix pilot, Colin Edwards.

LeBlanc discovered the Aprilia brand in 1999 while working on a film in Austria. Since then he has owned a 2000 model year RSV 1000 R super sportbike that he has substantially modified with performance hardware and carbon-fiber body panels to suit his tastes. “When I was given a sneak preview of the new Nera by (Aprilia SpA President) Mr. Beggio, I knew I had to have one,” said the Boston-born actor.

“We are happy to have Mr. LeBlanc in the Aprilia family,” said Aprilia USA General Manager Tom McDonald. “Matt’s passion for all forms of motorcycling makes him a real asset to our community of enthusiasts. I know he’ll enjoy the performance of the Nera, and we share his love for motorcycles.”

The Nera represents the highest level of motorcycle performance offered by Aprilia SpA, and is available exclusively at www.aprilia.com/nera. Buyers are escorted through every step of the sale by an Aprilia concierge, who is based at Aprilia world headquarters in Italy. In addition to personalized service, each Nera also comes with a unique list of standard “equipment,” including custom-fitted Dainese leathers, Aprilia helmet and gloves and a performance exhaust system. Original Nera owners are also members of an elite club that includes such benefits as a trip to a 2004 Motorcycle Grand Prix event and VIP hospitality from the GP squad. Owners can also take advantage of a personalized tour of the Aprilia SpA factory, located near Venice, Italy.

“Our Dream Series machines have been designed for the most discriminating enthusiast,” said Robert Pandya, Aprilia USA’s promotions manager. “While the series will expand into other model lines, it was natural for the RSV 1000 Nera to be the premier edition. After all, it was born out of our desire to have the highest specification and most confidence-inspiring superbike available in the market, and its DNA comes straight from 22 world championships.”

For more information on the RSV 1000 Nera, visit www.aprilia.com/nera. For more information on the 23rd annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California, visit www.motorcycleshows.com.

About Aprilia

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 USA is the company’s U.S. importer and distributor. The subsidiary is headquartered in Woodstock, Georgia, just a few miles north of metro Atlanta. Aprilia USA’s 128 U.S. dealerships offer an exciting line of award-winning performance motorcycles, the country’s largest choice of scooters as well as innovative electric bicycles. For information on Aprilia’s complete model line, visit the company’s website at www.apriliausa.com.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities Raises More Than $330,000

SONOMA, Calif. – The Infineon Raceway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities raised $330,426 during the 2003 race season that will be used primarily to fund needy youth organizations in Sonoma County. The figure marks the largest single-year donation since the Sonoma chapter was formed in 1996.

The chapter’s Board of Trustees approved the distribution of funds at its annual meeting. Speedway Children’s Charities is the primary charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports, Inc, which owns and operates Infineon Raceway. The Sonoma County chapter has awarded $809,684 over the past three years.

The monies awarded in 2003 were generated through a combination of Infineon Raceway events, plus a donation by Sonic Automotive Corporation. This year, the NASCAR Grand Marshall’s Banquet, NASCAR Rock-n-Race Auction, NHRA Tour de Charity and the Sonoma Valley Vintage Race Car Festival raised nearly $170,000.

Among the 31 groups receiving funds in 2003: Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Student Athletic Program, Boys & Girls Club of Petaluma, El Nido Teen Center, El Verano School, Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Grandparents Parenting.Again, Kenwood Education Foundation, Kid Scoop, Kid Street, La Luz Center, McDowell Drug Task Force, Operation Youth, Petaluma City School Band Program, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Santa Rosa Symphony, Schell-Vista Fire Explorer Post, Sonoma Children’s Cancer Foundation, Sonoma City Opera, Sonoma County Public Library Foundation, Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Sonoma Valley High School film class, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, “Hit the Road” Jane, “Hit the Road” Jack, Summer Search Foundation, Twin Valley Aquatics, Valley of the Moon Boys & Girls Club, Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation, and the Willmar Center.

Speedway Children’s Charities is a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to be distributed to qualified children’s organizations. Founded in 1984 by Bruton Smith, Chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Speedway Children’s Charities originated at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in North Carolina. When Infineon Raceway was purchased by Speedway Motorsports Inc., in November of 1996, it opened the door for the creation of a Sonoma Chapter.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



Stickers memorializing the late Bryan Cassell will be sold for $5 each at the Jennings GP racetrack in Jennings, Florida December 12-14. All proceeds from sticker sales during the Bryan Cassell II Memorial Foundation track days will go into the Foundation’s charitable fund to help new racers obtain safety gear.

Greg “Stumpy” Steltenpohl, a fellow racer and sign shop owner (Signs Unlimited in Marquette, Michigan) who knew Cassell from exchanging messages with him on the CCS online message board, conceived, designed and produced the stickers, supplying them free of charge to the Foundation.

“The way it worked out, I wanted to put some stickers on my bike,” Steltenpohl told Roadracingworld.com Tuesday. “I posted it (the sticker design) on the CCS message board and Laura (Bramble, Cassell’s sister) wanted me to send her a couple. Then people started asking where they could get the stickers. So I said I would print up a couple hundred and send them to Laura so they could sell them.”

Bryan Cassell, II, 28, was killed October 18, 2003 when he crashed during CCS practice at Daytona International Speedway.

For additional information on the track day, call Jennings GP at (386) 938-1110, [email protected], or e-mail Josh Holley at [email protected].

For additional information on the stickers, e-mail Laura Bramble at [email protected].

From a press release issued by Bob Szoke:

Two time Canadian Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke is returning to the Parts Canada Superbike Championship series for 2004. Jordan will be riding the new Honda CBR1000RR in Superbike and the CBR600R in Hindle 600 Supersport for Honda Canada.

The team, all previous champions, will be run by the venerable Fast Company with Scott Miller at the helm assisted by Mike Crompton, Harald Surian and Sandy McGill. Logistics and administration are being handled by Professional Sports Management.

Jordan won the Canadian Championship in 1998 then in 2002. He is second in the all time win list with 14 victories to Steve Crevier’s 20. Capturing the all time wins is one of Jordan’s goals in 2004, along with the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

The second rider in the Honda Canada Fast Company team is yet to be finalized. Jordan’s arrangement was just agreed to today.