From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Superbike World Championship

Round three: Sugo, Japan

Wednesday 23 April 2003

Event preview

Ready to shine in the land of the rising sun

This weekend Japan plays host to the world’s finest production-based motorcycle road racing teams as the Superbike World Championship (WSB) moves onto the third stage of its 12-round cycle. The man in charge of this hotly contested series is currently factory Ducati ace Neil Hodgson. The former HM Plant Ducati rider dominated the first two rounds, however WSB has a habit of not following form – as demonstrated last year when Colin Edwards snatched the championship from an apparently unstoppable Troy Bayliss.

Two men who are sure to be snapping at the heels of Hodgson are his hard riding adversary from the 2000 British Superbike Championship Chris Walker and ex-team-mate James Toseland. Sugo has a reputation for levelling the playing field. Part of this comes from the fact that it has traditionally been a “Dunlop track” thanks to the many hours of development the tyre manufacturer has devoted to Japanese Superbike riders at the circuit.

The Dunlop-shod HM Plant Ducatis are expected to perform well at Sugo and with almost a month having passed since the previous round in Australia Walker and Toseland are raring to go.

“In the past I just haven’t seemed to click at Sugo,” admits Walker. “So I’m hoping that the experience of the HM Plant Ducati team will help unravel some of the mysteries of the circuit and help me get my best result ever. As a rider, it’s really important to do well in front of the Japanese and I’m really looking forward to the race. It might be a little bit of a solemn occasion to start with because of the terrible news about Katoh but once we have all paid our respects I’m expecting to have another good battle with my team-mate and hopefully the factory boys as well.”

Toseland will also be paying tribute to the Japanese rider who died last weekend from injuries sustained in a crash during the opening race of the MotoGP season at Suzuka. However like every rider, he has a job to do this weekend and will be striving to make up the points he lost when a loose fairing forced him to retire from race one at Phillip Island.

“I like Sugo and had a couple of really good races there last year,” said the 22-year-old Yorkshireman. “I had some great scraps with the factory-equipped wild cards but with people like Tamada having moved on to MotoGP I should have a bit more room to breath and can concentrate on trying to win the race. Dunlop has done a lot of testing at Sugo and I’m looking forward to seeing what my HM Plant Ducati 998 F02 can do there. It seems ages since the last race and to be honest I just can’t wait to get going although I will be thinking of Katoh’s family and friends. We all know that there is a certain element of risk involved in motorcycle racing but that never makes it any easier when we lose someone as young and talented as Daijiro.”

From a press release issued by AMA:

Rider Fatalities Up Slightly, Crash Study Needed

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Motorcycling-related fatalities were up 3 percent for the year 2002 compared to the previous year, according to preliminary estimates released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

Meanwhile, overall highway fatalities were up about 1.5 percent in 2002 to 42,850, compared to 42,116 in 2001, the traffic safety agency said. That represents the highest number of fatalities since 1990.

The federal agency’s preliminary report states that 3,276 motorcyclists lost their lives on America’s roads in 2002, or 95 more than the 3,181 killed in 2001.

While deaths are up, the preliminary estimate shows that the increase in motorcyclist fatalities over the past several years has slowed, even though motorcycle sales continued at near-record levels.

“This slowdown is a hopeful sign, but there is still a lot we can do to save motorcyclists’ lives on our nation’s highways,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “The top priority for anyone interested in saving motorcyclists’ lives should be legislation in Congress to fund comprehensive research into the causes of motorcycle crashes.

“Drunk riding also needlessly causes deaths, and the AMA is launching a national Ride Straight campaign in cooperation with the NHTSA to educate riders about the dangers of drinking and riding,” Moreland said.

The upward trend of motorcycling fatalities in recent years followed 17 consecutive years of declines. From 1990 through 1999 alone, motorcycling-related fatalities dropped by 48 percent.

The AMA noted that one significant reason for the increase in motorcycling-related fatalities in recent years is that motorcycling has seen an enormous increase in popularity, with sales of new street bikes up more than 100 percent over five years — from about 243,000 in 1997 to more than 500,000 in 2001.

Moreland and his staff in the AMA’s Washington, D.C., office are working on Capitol Hill to get $3 million in funding for an in-depth motorcycle crash study. That funding would be part of congressional reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.

More than 60 federal lawmakers have signed a letter delivered to U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urging him to back this study to find ways to prevent motorcycle crashes. The last such study — “Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures,” commonly called the Hurt Report (after lead researcher Harry Hurt) — was conducted more than 20 years ago.

Rider-training and motorist-awareness programs are just two of the efforts to improve motorcyclists’ safety that were prompted by the Hurt Report.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY PARTS UNLIMITED HEADS TO INFINEON RACEWAY

Four former winners in the field for AMA Superbike Doubleheader

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Three-time AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Champion Mat Mladin heads up an impressive field of racers coming to Infineon Raceway May 2-4 for the Supercuts Superbike Challenge, presented by Honda of Milpitas, rounds four and five of the 2003 AMA Chevy U.S. Superbike Championship in Sonoma, California. Mladin joins Miguel Duhamel, Aaron Yates and Anthony Gobert as former Superbike winners at Infineon (formerly Sears Point).

Mladin, the 31-year-old Aussie who rides for Suzuki, comes into the doubleheader Superbike weekend leading the series by eight points over Honda’s Duhamel. Ben Bostrom, who is returning to Infineon for the first time since 1999 after three years in the World Superbike Championship, is third in the championship points. Infineon Raceway has a rich tradition of AMA Superbike racing dating back to 1977. The 12-turn, 2.2-mile circuit has recently been reconfigured with an emphasis on making the track safer.

With a doubleheader win last month in Fontana, Calif., Mladin finally broke the winless drought he’d suffered since earning his third AMA Superbike title in 2001. Mladin now looks as if he’s back on form and is aiming to become the first four-time champion in the history of the AMA Superbike Championship. Mladin is riding Suzuki’s new Superbike-spec GSX-R1000, which is proving to be even better than Suzuki might have hoped in its first year in the series. Mladin last won at Infineon in 1999.

Mladin’s Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Aaron Yates is another former winner at Infineon. Yates took his very first career AMA Superbike victory at the circuit in 1996 in a race-long battle with Mladin. The race featured the two aggressive riders leaning on each other much of the race with Yates slipping under Mladin on the last lap to take the win — considered one of the most exciting in the history of the series.

Duhamel, the AMA Superbike all-time wins leader, also is the leading winner at Infineon. The Canadian, who now calls Las Vegas home, first won at the track in 1993 in a last-lap pass on Doug Polen. In all Duhamel has won four AMA Superbike races at Infineon. The 34-year-old racing veteran has turned many miles at Infineon and is happy about the reconfiguration of the circuit.

“I like the changes a lot,” said Duhamel, winner of the 2003 Daytona 200. “I especially like the new section at Turns 8-9. That area is going to be a lot safer but it’s going to be more exciting, too. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Anthony Gobert is another former winner at Infineon. Gobert, who won there in 2001, comes into the doubleheader needing to make up a lot of ground after not finishing two of the three races leading up to Infineon. Look for the Ducati Austin rider to make a big leap up from his current 20th position in the series.

The leading candidates to become first-time Superbike winners at Infineon Raceway are Eric Bostrom and brother Ben, as well as Kurtis Roberts. Eric Bostrom and his factory Kawasaki were fastest at Infineon during recent test sessions at the track. He is fifth in the series standings. Ben has not raced on the track in four years, but hopes to break through to win his first AMA Superbike victory this season. The Bostroms grew up in the Bay Area and consider Infineon a home track.

Roberts, from Modesto, Calif., is still looking for his first AMA Superbike victory. He led major portions of two rounds so far this year on his factory Erion Racing Honda, so he feels he’s long overdue for a victory.

Shawn Higbee comes into Infineon as the leading privateer in the championship. Higbee has parlayed three top-10 finishes into a very strong seventh overall in the point standings. Higbee, of Big Bend, Wis., rides a privately entered Suzuki.

Both Superbike races will be shown live on Speed Channel; Saturday at 5 p.m. EST and Sunday at 6 p.m. EST. For ticket information contact Infineon Raceway at (800) 870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com.

Schedule of Events

AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge presented by Honda of Milpitas Infineon Raceway – May 2-4, 2003

Thursday, May 1

3:00 – 7:00 Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests

3:00 – 7:00 Tech Inspection

Friday, May 2

7:30 – 4:00 Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests

10:00 Entries Close for all Classes

8:00 – 5:00 Tech Inspection

8:30 – 10:30 Practice:
1. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
2. Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme
3. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock
4. MBNA 250 Grand Prix

10:40 – 11:40 Chevy Trucks Superbike Practice

11:40 – 12:40 Lunch Break

12:00 Mandatory Rider Briefing for All Classes

12:40 – 2:30 Practice (same order as morning session)

2:40 – 3:40 Chevy Trucks Superbike Qualifying

3:50 – 4:20 Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Qualifying, Even #s

4:30 – 5:00 Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Qualifying, Odd #s

Saturday, May 3

7:30 – 3:00 Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests

8:00 – 5:00 Tech Inspection

8:00 – 9:40 Practice:
1. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
2. Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme
3. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock
4. MBNA 250 Grand Prix

9:50 – 10:50 Chevy Trucks Superbike Qualifying

11:00 – 11:20 Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Qualifying, Even #s

11:30 – 11:50 Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Qualifying, Odd #s

11:50 – 12:40 Lunch Break

12:40 – 1:00 Chevy Trucks Superbike Practice

1:10 – 1:45 Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Qualifying

2:00 Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Race 1 (100K – 28 laps)

MBNA 250 Grand Prix Qualifying, 20 Minute Session

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Race (60k – 17 laps)

Sunday, May 4

8:30 – 12:00 Registration: Crew, Sponsors & Guests

9:00 Tech Inspection Opens

9:00 – 11:00 Practice:
1. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
2. MBNA 250 Grand Prix
3. Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme
4. Chevy Trucks Superbike

11:00 Lunch Break

11:20 Nondenominational Chapel Service

12:00 FINAL EVENTS:

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship presented by Shoei Race (60k – 17 laps)

MBNA 250 Grand Prix (60k – 17 laps)

2:00 Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme (60k – 17 laps)

3:00 Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited Race 2 (100k – 28 laps)


About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.

From a press release issued by Formula USA:

Formula USA “Thunderbike” Class Rule Change

Aurora, IL: Formula USA intends to utilizes a 3.5 horsepower to weight ratio in the “Thunderbike”class starting at Mid-America Motorplex May 23-25. The 2003 Formula USA Rule Book states (pg 39, section 6.14) that a “Proposed horsepower to weight limit of 3.5 pounds per horsepower may take effect by June 1st.” This rule will first be effective at Mid-America Motorplex on May 23-25 for Round 2 of the Formula USA Championship Series event in Glenwood, Iowa. The rule is intended to make the various brands of machinery in the Thunderbike class equally competitive.

The Thunderbike class (formerly known as Heavyweight Sportsman) has proven to be very interesting competition with various brands of motorcycles. In the past it had acted as another class for Buell Lighting Series racers to test and compete in, as well as a competition forum for various other manufacturers such as Suzuki, Ducati, Triumph, Honda, and their various models of single, twin, and triple cylinder machines. The strongest competition for the Buell in Thunderbike has been the Suzuki SV650. With Buell machines producing anywhere between 90hp to 120hp and weighing 390 to 420 pounds versus Suzuki’s SV producing a wide range from 65hp to 100hp weighing in at 300 to 350 pounds, it has provided close competition for both brands.

Defending Formula USA Thunderbike National Champion is Minnesota’s Jeffrey Johnson racing for Hoban Brother’s Buell / Harley-Davidson. Johnson will display the # 1 plate for 2003, as he defends his National Championship at the six remaining rounds of the Formula USA Championship Series. The next round at Mid-America Motorplex in Glenwood, Iowa places Johnson versus the Championship Cup Series Defending National Thunderbike Champion Ed Key on a Suzuki SV650. Defending Buell Lightning Series National Champion Bryan Bemisderfer will also be in contention along with Daytona top finishers Dave Estok, Joe Rozynski, Richie Morris, Tripp Nobles, Greg Avello, Jerry Wood, Dan Bilanski, and Kiyo Watanabe.

Thunderbike Purse
1st $1,000
2nd $500
3rd $275
4th $250
5th $225
6th $200
7th $175
8th $150
9th $125
10th $100
$3,000



Taken from the 2003 Formula USA & Championship Cup Series Guide for Rules and Regulations:

6.14 THUNDERBIKE – Thunderbike machines, except single cylinder machines, are based upon production models, sold by manufacturers and their dealers in North America for street use. Proof of compliance rests with the competitor entering the motorcycle. Single cylinder machines are exempt from production and street use requirements. Single cylinder 2 stroke GP road race machines are not allowed in this class. All machines must have unaltered VIN numbers.

NOTE: Ducati 748 Series machines are excluded from this class. Proposed horsepower to weight limit of 3.5 lbs per horsepower may take effect by June 1st. (Tested weight divided by tested horsepower during post race inspection.) All competitors will be notified a minimum of 30 days before this limit will be imposed.

6.14.1 Production machines not sold by manufacturers and their dealers for street use in North America via normal commercial channels may be approved on an individual basis. FORMULA USA will maintain a list of non-standard approved models and that list will be available at each event from the Race Director/Referee.

6.14.2. All machines must meet the equipment standards of Section 5, as well as the following:

A. Frame, cylinder head(s), and engine cases must be from the same production model motorcycle. Single cylinder motorcycles may use any frame and engine.

B. The frame must be as originally supplied by the manufacturer on the approved model. Strengthening gussets or tubes may be added. Only brackets or tubes not supporting suspension, engine, or drive line components may be removed. Swing arms may be modified or replaced and rear shocks may be replaced or relocated. Single cylinder motorcycles are excluded from this restriction.

C. Reducing engine size of machines from stock displacement to meet Sportsman class displacement limits is not allowed.

D. Fairings that meet the requirements of Section 5 may be used.

E. Liquid cooling is not allowed unless original equipment on the model being used.

F. Original type of induction system must be retained. If a machine originally was sold with fuel injection, then it must remain fuel injected. If the machine originally came with carburetors, then it must use carburetors, however they need not be the original type or size.

6.14.3- Thunderbike Class displacement limits are absolute and are set as follows:

THUNDERBIKE

Single cylinder, Unlimited displacement

Two stroke, Unlimited displacement

Twin cylinder, air cooled, Unlimited displacement

Twin cylinder, liquid cooled, 3 or less valves per cylinder, Unlimited displacement

Twin cylinder, liquid cooled, 4 valve per cylinder, non-desmodromic valves, up to 800cc

Three cylinder, non-fuel injected, up to 1200cc

Four cylinder, air-cooled, up to 1200cc

Four cylinder, liquid cooled, 1990 to 1992 model year, up to 650cc

Four cylinder, liquid cooled (oil or water), pre-1990 model year, up to 860cc

All air-cooled, 2-valve, unlimited displacement

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI TARGET ANOTHER STEP UP THE LADDER

MotoGP R2. South African GP, Phakisa Freeway, Welkom – April 27, 2003

Team Suzuki goes to South Africa for the second round of the year firmly bent on speeding the development of their all-new 2003 MotoGP machine – the GSV-R.

The second round of the year sees the exciting new machine still at a relatively early stage of its ultimate potential, and the team, riders and factory staff working on two fronts. The short-term aim is to make the most of the possibilities of the race. The longer goal entails a patient search for the crucial combinations of chassis, suspension, gearing and engine performance that will lift the GSV-R to more competitive levels.

At the first round in Japan, both Kenny Roberts Jr. and new team-mate John Hopkins finished in the points, with Hopkins 13th, and the 2000 champion inches behind. This reflected a pair of solid rides, getting the best out of the machine’s first race, with consistent fast laps.

But the position was far below each rider’s capabilities, and also below the true potential of the GSV-R, completely redesigned as a clear step forward from last year’s first-ever four-stroke GP Suzuki.

“Our new machine is a big step forward from last year, and we’d hoped and expected to be closer. But we have to face the facts. All the rivals have made a big step too, and we are in a similar position, having to make up technical ground,” said team manager Garry Taylor.

“Our task is clear. We know exactly what areas of the machine need to be improved. The factory has already shown their commitment, and the team is working hand in hand with them to make those improvements.

“It’s a big challenge,” said Taylor. “But that makes us all the more dedicated to achieving it.”

The South African GP is the second of two opening flyaway races, with the teams operating out of makeshift accommodation, their spare parts and equipment in crates at the back of the pits.

The track, on the outskirts of the gold mining town of Welkom, has other peculiarities. The chief characteristic is the altitude – at more than 4.500ft above sea level, it is by far the highest track of the year.

This altitude thins the air, sapping energy from the riders and (more significantly) power from the engines – as much as 15 percent, by some estimates.

The gold-mining location leaves another legacy … Welkom is an area with frequent if relatively minor earth tremors, and the consequence is a bumpy track surface. “It reminds me of some places in California,” said Roberts last year.

The track has been completely resurfaced for a second year in succession, but the Suzuki riders expect the ripples and stutter-bumps will still be a factor. As well as 14 technical corners and an often-dusty surface, the bumps add further complexity to the tortuous 2.6-mile lap.

There is a weekend break after the South African GP before business resumes in earnest at Jerez in Spain, the first race in the grueling European season.

KENNY ROBERTS – ONE TO GET UNDER THE BELT: We’ll have to see how well the resurfacing works on the bumps, but I’m sure it’s gonna be dirty. The first day is just going to be getting used to the track. I’m not really looking forward to the race, for two reasons. For one, it’s a long way; and secondly because our level is low at the moment. But I’ll be there to try my hardest, and we’ll do our best with what we have.

JOHN HOPKINS – BACK TO THE BUMPS: It’s a lot different from Suzuka, and I think we can fare better here than at the first race. The track is real hard work, and especially I’m not looking forward to the first day, when we’ll be clearing the dust off the racing line. I hope they got rid of some bumps with the resurfacing … though I’m pretty used to bumpy tracks from racing in the US.

ABOUT THIS TRACK: Funded by the local Free State government as a boost to the economically troubled gold-mining area, the Phakisa Freeway was built on the site of the old “Goldfields” circuit. The bold new initiative combined an international-standard banked Tri-Oval Nascar-type circuit with the road-racing course, which shares some sections as it loops back and forth, without actually using the full banking. The oval track has barely been used, but the twisting short circuit has been a regular on the GP circuit since 1999. With 14 corners ranging from medium-speed ess-bends to slower U-turns, it is a highly technical circuit. One special feature is the corner at the end of the back straight. Approached at 160mph, the bikes are still leaned over as they have to brake with increasing pressure as the corner tightens into one of the slowest bends on the track. Sited in a quiet area at the far end of the goldfields stretching southwards from Johannesburg, the 4,500ft altitude makes it the highest track of the year.

ABOUT THIS RACE: The first South African GPs ran from 1983 to 1985 at the old Kyalami outside Johannesburg. A brief revival at the new Kyalami in 1992 was a one-off event, but in 1999 the race was revived at the new Phakisa (“Hurry Up”) Freeway. The track proved challenging from the start – with a slippery and unpredictable surface only making the tight, looping layout more difficult. The track also became bumpier year by year, especially where it crosses the oval track, although a full resurfacing for this year should improve the situation. At the same time, the thin air saps at the engines’ power, and can affect throttle response.

GP DATA – Phakisa Freeway, Welkom

Circuit Length: 2.636 miles – 4.242 km

Lap Record: 1:34.834 – 100.056mph, 161.030 km/h, T Ukawa (Honda) 2002

2002 Race Winner: Ukawa

2002 Race Average: 44:39.467 – 99.159mph / 159.581 km/h

2003 Fastest Race Lap: see record

2002 Pole Position: V Rossi 1:34.660

2002 KENNY ROBERTS (Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki). Race: DNF retired. Qualification: Sixth – 1:35.396

2002 JOHN HOPKINS: (Yamaha 500). Race: 14th. Qualification: 17th – 1:36.092

From SPEED:

3:00 p.m. American Thunder

3:30 p.m. BMW Globeriders World Tour

4:00 p.m. FIM World Supersport, Phillip Island

5:00 p.m. AMA Formula Xtreme, Fontana, California


7:00 p.m. Bike Week

7:35 p.m. American Thunder

8:10 p.m. FIM 125cc Grand Prix, Suzuka

9:15 p.m. AMA Superbike, Fontana, California

10:20 p.m. AMA Superbike, Fontana, California

11:25 p.m. Corbin’s Ride On

12:00 a.m. Bike Week

12:35 a.m. American Thunder

1:10 a.m. FIM 125cc Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan

2:15 a.m. AMA Superbike, Fontana, California

3:20 a.m. AMA Superbike, Fontana, California

4:25 a.m. Corbin’s Ride On

All times are Eastern.

From a press release issued by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month – MAY 2003
Making the Streets Safer for Motorcyclists

IRVINE, Calif. – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s mission is to make the nation’s streets and highways safer for motorcyclists through rider training programs, operator licensing programs, and public information campaigns. As part of this mission, we often partner with other groups that have an interest in issues concerning motorcycle safety.

As you may know, the month of May is a “Special Emphasis Period” designated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). During this month, the focus is on highway and traffic safety issues concerning motorcyclists, providing motorists (other vehicle operators) an opportunity to become familiar with the motorcyclist’s view of the highway as well as enhancing their awareness of the motorcyclists who share the road with them.

Historically, automobile drivers are at fault in the majority of auto-motorcycle crashes. The driver either does not see the oncoming motorcyclist at all or does not see the motorcyclist in time to avoid a crash. On the other hand, when the motorcyclist is at fault, he or she has typically made a bad choice, such as riding while impaired. Working together, we can reduce both types of hazards by helping motorists become more aware of motorcycles on the road, and by ensuring motorcyclists are more aware of the consequences of their own choices.

MSF offers several types of training and educational materials for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, including:

CD with several newly developed PSA print ads and press releases that address rider training, licensing, motorist awareness, helmet use, and more.

Three PSA radio scripts.

“Cars, Motorcycles and A Common Road” VHS video; focuses on motorist awareness.

“Riding Straight” VHS video; deals with alcohol-impaired riding.

“The MSF Guide to Group Riding” VHS video.

Two 30-second television PSA’s, co-produced by MSF and RADD (Recording Artists, Actors & Athletes Against Drunk Driving).

CD with artwork for “Take It Easy” campaign posters.

CD with “Take It Easy” audio PSA’s.

MSF-branded protective gear: reflective vests and a reflective helmet band.

For a Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month packet, which includes some of the print and radio ads plus an order form for the other materials, please contact Ken Glaser at (949) 727-3227 x3011 or via email at [email protected].

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is a national, not-for-profit organization promoting the safety of motorcyclists with programs in rider training, operator licensing and public information. The MSF is sponsored by the U.S. manufacturers and distributors of BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Vengeance, Victory and Yamaha motorcycles.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI ANNOUNCEMENT

April 21 2003

Suzuki Motor Corporation offers its sincere condolences to the family of Daijiro Kato, who passed away on Saturday.

Kato-san was a true racing hero and his passing is a sad loss to the world of motorcycle racing.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.

From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment – Motorsports:

2002 XSBA National Champion “Thew” Blankstrom broke the previous World Record for the Longest Endo on a motorcycle at Mid-America Motorplex in Glenwood, Iowa (located near Omaha, Nebraska) by rolling 749 feet on the front wheel of his Suzuki GSXR-750!

Definition of an Endo: When the front brake is applied with force strong enough to lift the rear wheel off of the ground.

Only the distance traveled on the front wheel is measured. It took some time building on his distance throughout the day. Once over 500 ft, the distance was increased to 680 ft, 695 ft, then 731 ft, and finally the World Record distance of 749 feet.

The World Record attempt was sponsored by Tim O’Neill Motorsports, a Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and Polaris dealership located at the intersection of I-29 & I-80 in Council Bluffs, Iowa along with Moturis Motorhome and Motorcycle Rentals and Stuntlife.com, both in Aurora, Illinois.

Blankstrom set his sites on breaking the World Record for the Longest Endo previously set at just over 738 feet after Craig Jones on a Buell XB-9R claimed the record held by Kevin Carmichael of 668 feet on a Suzuki 1000. Both riders have accomplished their respective records by modifying their stock handlebars to a Moto-Cross bar set-up. (Visit StuntLife.com for video footage.) Blankstrom’s machine remains relatively stock, with only aftermarket clip-on handlebars mounted in their original location.

On this stock-like set-up, Blankstrom had been consistently rolling endos over 680 feet, with his longest measured at just over 725 feet with a limited approach.

“Given the room to catch another gear, I was sure that I could get another 75 feet”, stated Blankstrom on his way home from Florida. Adding, “My goal is 800.”

This attempt will also act as a promotion for Round 1 of the XSBA National Championship Series, and the 1st Nat’l Point Round at the Mid-America Motorplex May 23-25. We expect to see another World Record attempt from TenNinety6 team member Matt Gorka who is already practicing to keep the record in the United States. We expect over 900 feet from Gorka, you won’t want to miss it! The XSBA Show will be held in conjunction with the “Mid-America Cyclefest” and Motorcycle Rally co-promoted and produced by Formula USA and the Mid-America Motorplex. The weekend will include regional and national road race competition, street freestyle competitions / demos by the top XSBA teams, drag racing, a motorcycle rally, a mechanical bull, bands Friday through Sunday nights, and much more.

“Tim O’Neil Motorsports will be the official sponsor of the event May 23-25, and we are expecting more than 5,000 enthusiasts to be a part of the Motorcycle Rally over the weekend”, stated Brian Stickle of Mid-America Motorplex. Adding, “that doesn’t even include the Road Race, Drag Race, Freestyle, or concert fans. There should be something for everyone, and we are really looking forward to the event.”

From a press release issued by the AMA:

Two-stroke Dirtbike and ATV Ban Proposed in Massachusetts

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The sale of new two-stroke off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles would be banned in Massachusetts under House Bill 1909, introduced by state Rep. J. James Marzilli Jr. (D-Arlington), the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

Under his proposal, it would be illegal for anyone to sell “a recreational vehicle containing a two-stroke engine, including, but not limited to, a snow craft, an all-terrain vehicle, a personal watercraft, or a motorboat.”

“This is the most sweeping ban ever introduced in any state,” said Royce Wood, AMA legislative affairs specialist in charge of off-highway issues.

If passed, the bill would outlaw new sales of the vast majority of motocross bikes in the state, although anyone who bought a two-stroke built before June 1, 2004, would be allowed to resell the vehicle.

The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture. Letters from Massachusetts residents opposing the bill should be sent to the committee chairwoman, Sen. Pamela P. Resor (D-Middlesex), Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture, Room 473F, State House, Boston, MA 02133.

Or, Massachusetts citizens can go to the AMA Rapid Response Center at the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com to send a message opposing this bill.