From press releases issued by Pro Italia and Spectum Motorsports:

Pro Italia, one of southern California’s largest dealers of Aprilia
motorcycles and scooters, announces Aprilia Day.

On Saturday April 12, Pro Italia Motors in Glendale, California will be hosting Aprilia Day. Pro Italia’s Aprilia Day will feature Aprilia’s exciting 2003 model lineup. RSV Mille R, RSV Mille, SL 1000 Falco R, Tuono 1000, RST 1000 Futura, ETV 1000 CapoNord, RS250, RS50, Atlantic 500, Scarabeo 150, SR 50 DITECH

Features:
• 2003 Aprilias
• Demo rides
• Italian style pasta lunch
• Price specials on selected parts, accessories and apparel
• Experts on hand to answer your questions

Come and join us for Aprilia Day!

Pro Italia Motors
3319 N Verdugo Road
Glendale, CA 91208
http://www.proitalia.com




Spectrum Motorsports will host an Aprilia Demo day on April 19th at their Irvine, California location from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Models available to test will be the Mille, Falco, Futura, Caponord and Atlantic Scooter.

Spectrum Motorsports is located at 45 Oldfield Road Irvine CA 92618.

For driving directions please go www.spectrummotorsports.com

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

Abe to Ride as Replacement in Africa
4/11/2003 – Africa’s Grand Prix

The Fortuna Yamaha Team has announced today that Norick Abe will ride as a replacement for the injured Marco Melandri in the Africa’s Grand Prix in Welkom, South Africa on Sunday 27th April. The 27-year-old Japanese Yamaha factory test rider will compete on a 2003 race-spec YZR-M1.

Melandri, the team’s 20-year-old MotoGP rookie, suffered multiple leg injuries when he fell during Friday’s opening practice session of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship. He flew to Italy on Monday and has received some treatment from the Championship’s Clinica Mobile medical staff in Imola. He has a cast on his ankle where he suffered a double fracture, but this is due to be removed after next weekend so that physiotherapy can begin. The haematoma around the crack in his femur has significantly reduced and the
bone should heal without complications. On the whole medical staff are quite happy with Melandri’s progress. However, it is still too early to say exactly when the 2002 250cc World Champion will return to competitive action.

Abe, a former GP regular who finished sixth in the 2002 Championship, had been due to compete in the season-opening Japanese Grand Prix as a wildcard. With Melandri ruled out of the race he was drafted in as the Fortuna Yamaha Team’s replacement and rode to 11th place last Sunday.

Abe and Fortuna Yamaha Team regular Carlos Checa stayed at Suzuka for a pre-arranged Yamaha test where Abe had the opportunity to ride the latest 2003 race-spec YZR-M1. However, heavy rain meant that scheduled track time for the pair was significantly reduced.

Name: NORICK ABE

Born: 7 September, 1975 in Tokyo, Japan

Number: 17

First GP: 1994 500cc Japanese Grand Prix (retired)

Career:

1993 All Japan GP500 Champion
1994 500cc World Championship debut
1995 9th 500cc World Championship
1996 5th
1997 7th
1998 6th
1999 6th
2000 8th
2001 7th
2002 6th MotoGP World Championship

From a press release issued by the AMA:

House Bill Introduced to End Biker Health-Insurance Bias

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association reports a measure has been introduced in the U.S. House to ban health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle riders and others.

U.S. Reps. Scott McInnis (R-Colo.) and Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), joined by 49 colleagues, have introduced HR 1749 — “The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act of 2003” — which would bar health-care discrimination against those who take part in legal transportation and recreational activities such as motorcycling, ATV riding, snowmobiling, skiing, or horseback riding.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) introduced similar legislation in the Senate earlier: S 423.

The bi-partisan measures are in response to action taken recently by federal bureaucrats that legalized health-insurance discrimination against riders.

In the 1990s, Congress passed a law meant to bar employers from refusing to cover motorcycle-related injuries in the health-insurance coverage they offer employees: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. But federal bureaucrats reversed that law, writing rules to allow health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who engage in legal activities like skiing, snowmobiling, ATV riding or horseback riding.

“Medical bills from an accident can easily total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “Without insurance, that can amount to a devastating blow to any rider.”

McInnis noted that the regulation written by federal bureaucrats to carry out the original law “grants protective status to recreationists without any substantive benefits. This (new) legislation ensures that the original intent of the (original) legislation that passed overwhelmingly will be upheld.”

Strickland called it “sad” that Congress had to step in on the issue.

“When Congress passed (the original law) we intended to make sure someone who is motorcycling, snowmobiling, running, or walking couldn’t be denied health-care coverage,” Strickland said. “I’m pleased to be the original co-sponsor of a bill that would ensure these individuals receive the medical coverage they need in the event they are injured while doing one of these legal activities.”

Moreland wanted to thank all those involved.

“We got a lot of help on this issue, which goes to show how motorcyclists can get things done when they band together,” Moreland said. “ABATE of Wisconsin and ABATE of Ohio were particularly helpful in getting this legislation introduced.”

Participants of the AMA’s “Introduction to Washington” seminar also worked hard to lobby, as well as members of the Mid-South MILE from Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

Among those also involved in the effort to end health-insurance discrimination are the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, National Ski Areas Association, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, and the American Horse Council.

Riders and others who want to end this type of insurance discrimination are urged to send letters to their members of Congress asking them to support the McInnis-Strickland and Collins-Feingold bills. An easy way to do this is to use the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com.

U.S. representatives who support the new measure are: Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.), Mary Bono (R-Calif.), Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Michael Burgess (R-Texas), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Dave Camp (R-Mich.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Julia Carson (D-Ind.), Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Harold Ford (D-Tenn.), Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Mark Green (R-Wis.), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Tim Johnson (R-Ill.), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), Mark Kennedy (R-Minn.), Dale Kildee (D-Mich.) and Ron Kind (D-Wis.).

Also, U.S. Reps. Mark Steven Kirk (R-Ill.), John Kline (R-Minn.), Tom Latham (R-Iowa), William Lipinski (D-Ill.), Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Scott McInnis (R-Colo.), Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Thomas Petri (R-Wis.), Todd Russell Platts (R-Pa.), Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), John Shimkus (R-Ill.), Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), James Walsh (R-N.Y.), and Jerry Weller (R-Ill.).

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

4/11/2003 – Grand Prix of Japan

Corporate Communications Division
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Update on the condition of Daijiro Kato following his accident

April 11, 2003—We would like to thank everyone for their concern about the condition of Daijiro Kato following his unfortunate accident. This statement is an update on the developments since the accident.

Immediately after the accident Mr. Kato was taken to hospital, where he continues to undergo medical treatment. However, there has been no change in his condition, and he remains unconscious.

The cause of the accident was investigated by the Suzuka Precinct of the Mie Prefectural Police Department and related parties were interviewed, but the specific cause was not ascertained. Honda representatives have also examined the video records generated by the Suzuka Circuit’s on-site surveillance cameras, but the video evidence is not sufficient to determine the cause of the accident.

Honda Racing (HRC) has examined the motorcycle and analyzed the available data regarding its operation, but found no irregularities.

Based on the currently available information, we have not been able to determine the cause of the accident.

From a press release issued by BMW North America:

Jason Perez Joins BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Team USA

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey … Jason Perez, one of the country’s most promising young motorcycle racers, has joined the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Team USA race team. Perez, along with fellow Californian Brian Parriott, will represent BoxerCup Team USA throughout the 2003 season of the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Race series.

Perez, who was deemed one of Roadracing World’s “Young Guns” for 2002, has spent his racing career competing in CMRRA, WSMC, AFM and CCS race events in his native California and throughout the United States. Earlier this year at Daytona USA, he raced in both the 600cc class in CCS competition and in BMW Motorrad BoxerCup race at Daytona International Speedway on March 9. A recent honors graduate, Perez has his sights set on a factory ride in the future and hopes to make the AMA Pro Racing Circuit his home in years to come.

The BMW Motorrad BoxerCup is a motorcycle roadracing series offering substantial prize money and is currently an established feature of the International motorcycle racing scene with the MotoGP Motorcycle World Championships, British National Superbike and endurance races.

Originally, the BoxerCup series was conducted on a national level in France and Belgium. When it was expanded to an International scale throughout Europe in 2001, it began to attract participants with extremely high levels of riding skills from all corners of the globe. Since the series’ inception four years ago, spectator attendance has grown to nearly 100,000 per race event.

BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2003 Race Dates

There are nine BMW Motorrad BoxerCup races planned for 2003, including the inaugural matchup in Daytona. Five of the competitions will be held as part of the MotoGP Motorcycle World Championship race series.

1. March 9 – Daytona International Speedway; Daytona Beach, Florida
2. May 5 – Oulton Park, England; British Superbike Championship
3. May 17 – Le Mans, France; MotoGP
4. June 7 – Mugello, Italy; MotoGP
5. June 14 – Barcelona, Spain; MotoGP
6. June 28 – Assen, Netherlands; MotoGP
7. July 5 – Spa, France; Masters of Endurance
8. July 26 – Sachsenring, Germany; MotoGP
9. August 17 – Brün, Czech Republic; MotoGP

Former champion and racing legend, Randy Mamola will again function as official ambassador and spokesperson for the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2003 race series. For the BMW BoxerCup enthusiast, BMW Motorcycles will offer two new versions of the R 1100 S for the American public. The 2003 R 1100 S BoxerCup Replika ($13,950 MSRP) will have unique trim and equipment to celebrate the arrival of the BoxerCup race series to the U.S. A special graphics package, which mimics the BoxerCup racebike as ridden by Randy Mamola, will grace the Pacific Blue and Alpine White paint scheme. Clear turn signal lenses replace the amber lenses found in the standard R 1100 S. Additionally, a pair of carbon-fiber cylinder head covers and a lower engine spoiler distinguish this special R 1100 S as one of only 300 units that will be designated for the U.S. market for model year 2004. Of the 300 Replikas produced, 150 will be manufactured in “pure” form without ABS and the other 150 units will be more lavishly equipped with ABS
and heated handgrips. Those who wish to own the basis for a track-ready racebike should opt for the strictly-business R 1100 S BoxerCup Prep. Unlike the BoxerCup Replika, the BoxerCup Prep is a lightweight version of the R 1100 S and does not include ABS. Instead, it adds a high-output alternator, sport suspension and 5.5-inch rear wheel. The BoxerCup Prep is available in two color schemes-Titan Silver Metallic or Titan Grey / Mandarin Metallic two-tone (which includes Mandarin-colored wheels). The Prep version will be offered for $11,990 MSRP.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI brands and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Corp. in South Carolina is part of BMW’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 Roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW car, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle, 148 BMW Motorcycle retailers, and 70 MINI dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at http://www.bmwusa.com http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com and http://www.miniusa.com

From a press release:

AMA Holds Successful Introduction to Washington Seminar

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association held a successful “Introduction to Washington” seminar in Washington, D.C., March 1-4 that featured some heavy hitters from motorcycling and government.

About 30 participants gathered at the Phoenix Park Hotel to meet and learn from the AMA’s Washington staff as well as other political experts. Besides learning about state and federal issues facing motorcyclists today, participants got tips on building relationships with government-agency officials and on lobbying elected officials.

Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, led a session, as well as Tom Wyld, vice president for government relations of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

Others who took part in seminar panels include Joey Syner, manager of the national motorcycle safety program at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Karl Simon, deputy director of the Assessment and Standards Division at the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, who advises EPA management and others on rulemaking and enforcement issues, and Linc Wehrly, a mechanical engineer who works with Simon at the EPA and is involved in developing rules and evaluating technology.

Joel Blackwell, head of the Issue Management Company, which is a media relations and grassroots lobbying firm, also took part in the seminar, as well as Joshua Penry, staff director of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.

Seminar participants also put what they learned into practice, lobbying their members of Congress in face-to-face talks on issues ranging from health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists to the need for comprehensive research into the causes of motorcycle crashes.

“We had a very successful program this year and want to thank the speakers, panelists and participants for making it such a success,” Moreland said.

Meanwhile, members of the Mid-South MILE from Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas made the trip to Washington, D.C., in mid-March to lobby lawmakers to bar health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and to support new motorcycle-crash research, bolstering the lobbying efforts of the AMA and Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

From a press release issued by FIM:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix

Grand Prix of Japan: decision of the Race Direction

On Sunday 6th April 2003, Team Safilo Oxydo-LCR lodged a protest stating that Italian rider Stefano Perugini (rider no. 7 – 125cc) overtook Italian rider Lucio Cecchinello (rider no. 4 – 125cc) when yellow flags were shown.

After having organised a hearing with all the parties involved, the Race Direction decided that the protest was founded and imposed a fine of 5000CHF (swiss francs) to the rider Stefano Perugini.

No appeal has been lodged.

The decision of the Race Direction is final.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

MotoGP racers Alex Barros, Marco Melandri and Daijiro Kato – all injured during the SKYY VODKA Grand Prix of Japan April 4-6 at Suzuka – are showing signs of progress, according to Clinica Mobile’s Dr. Claudio Costa.

Barros suffered a “minor impact fracture and sprained anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments” of his left knee, according to Dr. Costa, after doctors with the Clinica Mobile in Italy reviewed an MRI scan of Barros’ knee sent from his home in Brazil. Dr. Costa reports that no ligament tearing was found and that Barros is doing physical therapy in Brazil rather than testing his Gauloises Yamaha YZR-M1 at Suzuka with other Yamaha riders. Barros expects to be ready for the South African Grand Prix April 25-27.

Melandri had multiple fractures in his right leg examined by Clinica Mobile doctors in Italy recently, who placed the leg in a cast which allows Melandri to walk. However, Dr. Costa reports that Melandri will have the cast removed soon to begin physical therapy on his injured right leg.

Melandri highsided his Fortuna Yamaha YZR-M1 during practice on Friday, April 4 at Suzuka, hit a wall and suffered several serious fractures of his upper and lower right leg as well as a broken nose, according to reports from Japan. Dr. Costa reports that Melandri wants to be back on his Yamaha for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez May 9-11.

Dr. Costa’s update on Kato’s condition details how severely injured the 26-year-old Japanese rider is but also indicates progress. In an April 8 report on his website, http://www.ducati.com/clinica_mobile/news.jhtml, Costa reported that Kato had “serious brain injuries with extensive haemorrhaging that worsens towards the base and the brain stem. Dislocation of the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae with fracturing of the 3rd and, consequently, devastating damage to the spinal chord. Numerous shoulder and upper limb fractures.”

Dr. Costa’s April 8 report also includes a very moving, first-person recount of the efforts by Costa and other medical workers who attended to Kato at Suzuka.

In an April 10 update, Dr. Costa writes that Kato “is surprising the doctors with some improvements.” Although Kato is still dependent on a respirator to breathe, his heartbeat and blood pressure remain stable and his brain is “reacting and sending life signals to the monitors,” according to Dr. Costa.

Since 1977 the Clinica Mobile has been traveling with the Grand Prix series, and later the World Superbike Championship, to provide emergency medical care, 24 hours a day, to people in the race paddock. Racers, mechanics, team members, race officials, track workers and even journalists have been treated in one of the Clinica Mobile’s two, million-dollar, mobile hospitals. Funding for the Clinica Mobile comes from a variety of sources including Dorna, IRTA, racers, private donations and the sales of Dr. Costa’s autobiography “Doctor Costa.” For more information on the Mobile Clinica or to find out how to donate, e-mail [email protected].

From a press release issued by John Hopkins’ publicist:

Hopkins is on the Web at www.hopperracing.com

RAMONA, Calif. – John Hopkins now has a website designed to keep his fans up to date with what’s going on with the Suzuki MotoGP rider. The new site is www.hopperracing.com.

At the site fans will find Hopper’s bio in the “#21” section, complete with photos of his early racing career. Also featured are Moto Journals written by Hopkins’ girlfriend Desiree Crossman. The journals offer a behind-the-scenes look at John and Desiree’s travels across the globe. Also featured in the Moto Journal section is John’s perspective at each race. He’ll talk about qualifying, the race, and anything else of interest at this year’s MotoGPs.

Another section of the website called “Machine” gives all the details of Suzuki’s awesome GSV-R Grand Prix racing machine. This section gives the history of Suzuki’s four-stroke GP bike, complete with detailed photos. In this section you’ll also find information about the people that make up Suzuki’s MotoGP racing squad.

The “Moto Babes” section features the beauty of the MotoGP umbrella girls. Guys we guarantee you’ll love this part of the website. Check it out.

The “Swag” section will offer John Hopkins products. Pick up some something from this section to show that you’re a Hopper fan.

The “Link” section gives you website links to Hopper’s sponsors websites and other cool motorcycle-related sites on the Web.

Finally the “Contact” section will put you in touch with Hopper, Desiree and Hopper’s manager Doug Gonda. You’ll also have a chance to sign up for regular e-mail updates that will let you be first to know what’s going on with Hopkins at the MotoGPs.

So what are you waiting for? Fire up that Dell dude and surf on over to www.hopperracing.com.