From a press release issued by AHRMA:

AHRMA honors Great Men at Daytona

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association celebrates not only the machines of the past but also the people who made history on them. Many of these men will be honored as part of AHRMA’s Daytona Bike Week activities this year. The following is a list of the motorcycling greats who will be taking part in the “Great Men” autograph sessions at Daytona International Speedway on March 3 and 4 during AHRMA Classics Days roadracing.

• Les Archer, AHRMA’s Bike Week grand marshal, a top motocrosser of the 1950s and early ‘60s known for campaigning a Norton Manx-based machine; 1956 European Motocross Champion (then considered the world title), 1954 MX des Nations overall winner.

• Everett Brashear, a top dirt tracker from the late 1940s to early ‘60s.

• Chet Dykgraaf, the American Motorcyclist Association’s first national champion in 1946.

• Paul Goldsmith, AMA national champion, USAC stock car champion, and the only man to win Daytona both on a motorcycle (‘53) and in a car (‘58).

• Bobby Hill, two-time AMA champ; winner of Daytona (‘54), Springfield, Indianapolis, Syracuse and Dodge City; part of the notorious Indian “Wrecking Crew.”

• Dick Klamfoth, first three-time Daytona 200 winner (1949, ‘51, ‘52).

• Al Knapp, multi-time vintage racing champ and AHRMA’s oldest active roadracer at age 78.

• Brad Lackey, 1982 World 500cc Motocross Champion; ‘72 AMA 500cc National Champion; frequent competitor in AHRMA motocross events.

• Dick Mann, AMA Grand National Champion in ’63 and ’71, Daytona winner in ’70 and ’71, and the first rider to win all five AMA racing categories — roadrace, TT, short track, half-mile and mile.

• Jody Nicholas, a roadrace specialist of the 1960s and ‘70s, competed five times in the Daytona 200.

• Gary Nixon, two-time AMA Grand National Champion (‘67, ‘68).

• Jim Pomeroy, first American to win a World Motocross Grand Prix and first rider ever to win his GP debut (both 1973 in Spain); first rider to win an AMA indoor Supercross (Houston, ‘74).

• Jeff Smith, two-time World 500cc Motocross Champion (‘64, ‘65); many-times ISDT gold medal winner; British motocross and trials champion.

• Jay Springsteen, three-time AMA Grand National Champion (1976-78).

• Bill Tuman, Indian Wrecking Crew and 1953 AMA national champ.

• Ed Youngblood, noted author (Mann of His Time), museum curator and former AMA president.

Autograph sessions will take place Monday and Tuesday, March 3 and 4, at 11 a.m. in the AHRMA tent in the paddock at Daytona International Speedway.

Many of these men also will participate in an autograph and photo session at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, at the American Motorcycle Institute (3042 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach). The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the Bike Week preview page at www.ahrma.org.

From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:

SIMONE SANNA SIGNS FOR YAMAHA BELGARDA

Simone Sanna will contest the 2003 Supersport World Championship with Team Yamaha Belgarda. The Tuscan rider signed a one-year contract, with an option for 2004, at Gerno di Lesmo today.

Sanna will contest the championship with Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh on the new YZF-R6 Yamahas. Both newly-signed Yamaha Belgarda riders will make their race debut in the opening round on 2nd March at Valencia – a week or so after the official WSS tests (also at Valencia).

Simone Sanna was born in Florence on 16th March 1978. After demonstrating his skill in scooter racing, he then showed great talent in the 125 GP class. His first World Championship race in this class was at the Mugello GP in 1997. Since then he has raced four seasons – racking up 65 starts and taking 3 victories. This season will be Sanna’s first ever on a four-stroke, production-based bike.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Willow Springs International Raceway owner Bill Huth is building another race course on the track grounds.

The technical new course, tentatively named Horsethief Mile, is 1-mile long with 14 turns, and includes quite a bit of elevation and camber changes.

The pavement will be 32 feet wide, which is the same width at the Streets of Willow course.

The new course, located in the hills above turns one and two of the existing Streets of Willow course, should be completed before this summer and should be suitable for schools as well as races for karts, minis and motards.

From a press release:

31 January 2003
Belleville, MI

Can-AM 125GP Series Announces Schedule And Title Sponsor

Diablo Paintball has returned as the title sponsor of the series for 2003, along with being the lead sponsor for the TV coverage of the Mt. Tremblant race. Diablo will once again provide a CR 250F to be given away at the end of the year along with cash purses for the races. Once again the series will be known as the Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Series, and Stuart Nodell will return to defend his #1 plate!

Diablo had also stated that the 2003 Champion will also get a tryout with the team for a spot on their 2004 squad!

The Diablo Paintball Can-Am 125GP Series once again raises it’s profile in 2003. Four races in Canada will once again be run in conjunction with the Canadian Superbike Championship while the races in the US will be run with Formula USA. TV Coverage also returns for 2003 with Mt. Tremblant confirmed and three other races in negotiations at the time of this release.

Racers from across North America have already committed to the series. Riders from Texas, California, Colorado, Bermuda and throughout Canada will make their way to the Midwest to battle for the championship.

The 2003 schedule is as follows:


Diablo Paintball Can-AM 125GP Series

May 16/17/18 Shannonville ON (Pro Track) With CDN Superbike Series

June 13/14/15 Loudon NH With Formula USA

July 18/19/20 Mosport ON with CDN Superbike Series

August 8/9/10 Road America WI with Formula USA

August 21/22/23/24 Mont Tremblant PQ CDN Superbike Series

August 29/30/31 Shannonville (Long Track) CDN Superbike Series


More details can me found at the official website for the series: www.can-am125gp.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A hot rumor making the rounds is that Vanson Leathers is in the process of moving its manufacturing offshore to Puerto Rico with only administrative functions remaining on the U.S. mainland.

Here’s what Vanson boss Michael van der Sleesen had to say about the rumor, via e-mail to Roadracingworld.com:

We produce all of our products in our own shops, with our own staff. This allows us to manufacture to a high standard. This enables us to offer the wide range of products, sizes and styles that we do. This also permits a high level of service and repair, for instance our wash and re-dye service is unique.

Vanson’s key are its people, not the sewing machines and other equipment. There are no plans to alter this core concept.

Should anything change we will notify you.

Sincerely,

Michael van der Sleesen
Vanson Leathers
951 Broadway
Fall River, MA 02724
508-678-2000
FAX 508-677-6773
www.vansonleathers.com

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway Begins Safety Enhancements
on Three Areas of Track for AMA Superbikes

TRACK OFFICIALS USE RIDER INPUT IN SAFETY REDESIGN

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)–Infineon Raceway began work this week on three track enhancements designed to increase rider safety for the AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge, presented by Honda of Milpitas, May 2-4.

Raceway officials have redesigned Turns 1, 10 and 11, further demonstrating the facility’s commitment to making Infineon Raceway one of the safest tracks in the country for motorcycles. The redesigned portions will be used strictly by the AMA and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. The traditional road course will be used for all other events at Infineon Raceway, including NASCAR Winston Cup and the American Le Mans Series.


Construction crews work on the 900-foot connector between turn 8a and turn 10 on the road course.

The changes were made with the aid of AMA Superbike riders Eric (Kawasaki) and Ben Bostrom (Honda), Miguel Duhamel (Honda), Aaron Yates (Suzuki), and AMA Road Race Manager Ron Barrick, who visited the track two months ago. The enhancements will be in place for an AMA Superbike test session at Infineon Raceway on March 20.

Turn 1 has been a sweeping left-hander, putting riders at a dangerous angle as they approach a pedestrian bridge at the apex of Turn 1. Once the work is complete, the track will be extended 50 feet in a straight line before entering Turn 1. Riders will then make a left turn at approximately 90 degrees, which is designed to direct them away from the bridge and up the circuit toward Turn 2.

“I think that the commitment the raceway is showing the riders is great,” said Eric Bostrom, who placed second in the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship last season. “This place is going from one of the most dangerous tracks in the past to becoming one of the more safer tracks. The track is showing that it wants to make a commitment to rider safety and that’s important. We don’t see that everywhere we go.”

The entry into Turn 10, considered the fastest segments of the road course with speeds approaching 160 mph, will also be altered to increase rider safety. As riders crest Turn 8A, they will no longer continue down the famous esses. Instead they will continue down a straight line for 900 feet, parallel with the Hillside Terraces at Turn 9, before making a 90-degree right-hand turn, followed by a sharp left-hand turn, which will blend them back with the original road course just before Turn 10. This alteration will slow the bikes down substantially, lowering the risk entering Turn 10.

The final safety enhancement will occur at Turn 11, which will see the entry shortened by approximately 40 feet. The change will direct riders away from the wall as they exit the hairpin turn and direct them toward the start/finish line. This marks the second change to Turn 11, which was shortened by two-tenths of one mile in 2000 to provide riders with nearly 300 additional feet of runoff room.

All three changes demonstrate Infineon Raceway’s commitment to rider safety. Increased run-off was added at virtually every turn on the road course during a $50 million Modernization Plan, and the racing surface has also been permanently separated from the slick drag strip.

“I think the input from the riders is going to help make this placer safer, and that’s the important thing,” said Duhamel. “We want it safer and more fun for the riders but we also want it to be exciting for the fans. That’s the ultimate mix. I’m just glad the track took the time to get our input.”

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA OUTRAGED BY MANDATORY BIKER ORGAN-DONOR BILL

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has expressed its outrage at a proposed law in New Mexico that could make some motorcyclists into forced organ donors.

The proposal, introduced in the New Mexico Legislature by state Sen. Allen Hurt (R-Waterflow), would allow the harvesting of organs from any motorcyclist who doesn’t wear a helmet and is declared brain dead as a result of an accident. Hurt’s bill, designated Senate Bill 239, specifically states that: “a person operating a motorcycle without a helmet and who, as the result of an accident, is pronounced brain dead pursuant to Section 12-2-4 NMSA 1978 by a licensed physician shall become an organ donor regardless of whether the person made an anatomical gift by completing the organ donor statement…”

If the bill becomes law, it would take effect on July 1.

The AMA, which represents more than 250,000 motorcyclists across the country, said that Hurt’s proposal represents a new low in the relationship between anti-motorcycling government officials and riders.

“Organ donation is a noble cause that truly can represent the gift of life for people faced with some terminal illnesses,” noted Sean Maher, AMA director of state affairs. “But making the commitment to become an organ donor must remain a private decision left to each person.

“Classifying an entire group of citizens as nothing more than organs to be harvested isn’t just demeaning to motorcyclists, it’s offensive to all Americans,” he said.

The AMA is organizing opposition to the Hurt proposal. New Mexico motorcyclists can help by going to the StateWatch section of the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com. There, they can send letters of protest to their state lawmakers.

The American Motorcyclist Association is a nonprofit organization with more than 250,000 members. Established in 1924, the Association’s purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Sources in Europe are reporting that five-time 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan’s partner Selina has given birth to a son, Jack Michael Doohan, six weeks premature in Queensland, Australia. Reports state that Jack will have to stay in the hospital for three weeks before he can go home with his parents and older sister, three-year-old Allexis.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA PLANS “RIDE INTO POLITICAL ACTION” SEMINARS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association Government Relations Department is gearing up to conduct another round of its popular “Ride Into Political Action” seminars.

The seminar, conducted by Terry Lee Cook, AMA state programs development specialist, is scheduled for March 8 in Great Falls, Mont., and March 29 in Charlotte, N.C. More seminars will be scheduled throughout the year in other parts of the country.

The seminar is an intense, day-long crash course in political action for motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders. It helps participants learn how to work with other motorized recreation groups, maintain relations with elected and government officials, and how to affect legislation.

The seminar begins with basic instruction in the political party system and how a bill becomes law, then moves on to dealing with politicians, writing letters, influencing administrative bureaucracies, and getting your message to the news media.

For information on the Ride Into Political Action seminars, contact Cook at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1288, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Kawasaki’s 2003 ZX-6R (636cc) and ZX-6RR (600cc) models are currently arriving in dealerships, while race kit parts and racing contingency program details should be available in February.

Kawasaki’s Mel Moore told Roadracingworld.com that the first production run of ZX-6Rs and ZX-6RRs were arriving in Kawasaki dealerships and that production of the homologation special, 600cc ZX-6RR has been increased to meet strong demand. Moore wouldn’t say exactly how many RR-models would be produced but did say, “If someone really wants one, they should be able to get one.”

As for race kit parts, Kawasaki Product Specialist, Accessories Division Jeff Hoeppner reported to Roadracingworld.com that race kit valve springs, velocity stacks, cam shafts, engine control modules (ECM) and thinner gaskets would be available in February although pricing information was not immediately available. Furthermore, it hasn’t been determined at post time if race-kit bodywork, wind screens, footpegs, clip-ons, brake levers or close-ratio transmission gears would be imported into the United States.

Kawasaki plans to announce its 2003 racing contingency programs within about two weeks.