Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden and Kawasaki’s Andrew Pitt are testing today at Suzuka Circuit in Japan.

After picking up his AMA Superbike Championship hardware Saturday, November 23 at the AMA Pro Racing awards banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hayden flew to Japan for a two-day test on the Honda RC211V MotoGP machine November 26 and 27 at Suzuka.

Hayden previously tested the RC211V at Motegi Twin-Ring November 13-14 and has tested at Suzuka on a RC51 Superbike in December of 2000.

Hayden will share the Suzuka track with Australian Pitt and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR. Pitt will not be joined, however, by countryman and teammate Garry McCoy. According to sources in Europe, McCoy is having surgical hardware removed from the leg he broke during testing prior to the 2002 season.

After the test in Japan, Hayden will fly to Europe where he will ride December 2-3 at Valencia in Spain. There, Hayden will be joined by fellow Honda MotoGP racers Max Biaggi, Daijiro Kato, Tohru Ukawa, Sete Gibernau and 2002 MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi.

A few days later, Hayden will resume testing at Jerez in Spain before taking a holiday break until late-January.

After the Honda riders leave Valencia, Yamaha’s Olivier Jacque, Carlos Checa, Alex Barros and Marco Melandri will move in for three days of testing December 4-6.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway, formerly known as Sears Point Raceway:

Thanksgiving Food Drive Reels In More Than 1,000 Pounds of Food for FISH

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Infineon Raceway made a donation of more than 1,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH) following the facility’s 2nd annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

The food will be used by FISH to assist needy Sonoma Valley residents during the 2002 holiday season. Infineon Raceway has generated more than 2,000 pounds of non-perishable food items over the last two years with its Thanksgiving Food Drive. FISH supplied more than 1,900 households with three days of groceries in 2001, and more than 2,500 calls for food requests continue to come in each year.

Those who donated at least three non-perishable food items in 2002 were rewarded with a ticket voucher good for one admission to the raceway’s AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge qualifying on Friday, May 2 (2003). In addition to Infineon Raceway, other partners in the program were: Destination RKA in Healdsburg, Maverick Media, home to Froggy 92.9 FM, The Fox 101.7 FM and Magic 97.7 KMGG in the North Bay, Sonoma County Mary’s Pizza Shack restaurants and Bay Area Cycle Gear locations.

Next up on the community calendar at Infineon Raceway will be the 2nd annual “High Speed Blood Drive” on Tuesday, Jan. 21, from noon-6 p.m. In association with the American Red Cross and “The Bone (107.7 FM in San Francisco)” Infineon Raceway will open its gates to help the Red Cross meet its blood demands. To help get hearts pumping before giving blood, those who visit the raceway between noon and 5 p.m. will be treated to a rare “hot lap” around the world famous Infineon Raceway road course by a professional racecar instructor. For more information, please contact Diana Rose by e-mail at [email protected] or at (707) 938-8448, ext. 118.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Former World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss will not get to run #21 in MotoGP in 2003. The #21 currently belongs to Suzuki’s John Hopkins.

Bayliss explained the situation in his online diary entry for today, on www.ducati.com, writing, “if anyone’s looking for me in the paddock, you’d better look for #12. I wanted to keep #21 but can you imagine someone coming into Superbike and asking me to give up #21? So next year I’m #12 and in the last three years I’ve been, #1, #2 and #21, so it’s just 21 backwards. I sort of wanted #32 as I won the British Championship with that, but anyway, I’m #12 from now on. When it comes down to it, it’s only really a number, it’s not that important, but I reckon it’ll look pretty good, just look for the red bike with #12 on it going round and round in circles… that’ll be me.”

From a press release issued by AMA:

AMA THREATENED WITH EXPULSION BY FIM PRESIDENT

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) announced today that it has been threatened with expulsion from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the world-wide motorcycle sanctioning body based in Geneva, Switzerland, by Francesco Zerbi, President of the FIM.

Zerbi’s threat to expel the AMA, which is the sole U.S. affiliate of the FIM, was contained in a November 20, 2002, letter to AMA President Robert Rasor. The letter was Zerbi’s response to AMA Pro Racing’s objection to the FIM’s efforts to unilaterally impose its authority, rules and sanction on the 16-event 2003 AMA Supercross series.

The AMA and AMA Pro Racing have sanctioned Supercross since 1974. Under the terms of a contract with Clear Channel Motorsports, the primary promoting organization for AMA Supercross, AMA Pro Racing has the exclusive rights to sanction and manage the series. Neither the AMA nor the FIM is party to that contract.

The FIM, however, notified AMA Pro Racing that it must conduct those events according to FIM rules and under the direction of an FIM official. AMA Pro Racing’s objection to the FIM’s demands resulted in Zerbi’s expulsion threat.

“The AMA has been a loyal, supportive member of the FIM for over 30 years and has always placed the interests of motorcycle sport among our highest priorities. We intend to continue in our role as the national federation representing American motorcyclists to the FIM,” said AMA President Rasor. “If the FIM management persists in this extreme and unjustified approach, we’ll vigorously fight those efforts to expel the AMA from the FIM.

“The AMA agrees with AMA Pro Racing’s position that the FIM lacks the authority to hijack AMA Supercross for its own interests,” said Rasor, “and we’ll stand behind AMA Pro Racing’s efforts to use all necessary means to protect AMA Supercross, the world’s premier Supercross series, from unwarranted interference.”

From a press release issued by OMRRA:

OMRRA is pleased to announce the following Board of Directors and Advisory Board for 2003.

President-Frank Berthold
Vice President-Jim Kennedy
Vice President-Christopher Howard
Secretary-Roxanne Pense
Treasurer-Pirkko Haavisto
Rider Representative-TJ Janss
Worker Representative-DeAnna Olson-Fry
Board Member At Large-Les Green
Board Member At Large-Gina Howard
Board Member At Large-Simon-Pierre Smith
Board Member At Large-Herb Wagner
Advisory Board Member-Kurt Fry
Advisory Board Member-Dale Pestes
Advisory Board Member-Shawn Roberti
Advisory Board Member-Tom Young
Operations Manager – Janice M. Logan

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

PICKERINGTON, OHIO –

Paradama Productions, Inc., d/b/a AMA Pro Racing, announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in federal district court seeking an injunction against Clear Channel Motorsports. The complaint seeks enforcement of the Supercross Sanctioning Agreement signed by AMA Pro Racing and Clear Channel Motorsports in March 2002, which stipulates that AMA Pro Racing maintains the exclusive rights to sanction Clear Channel’s events included in the AMA Supercross Series.

The lawsuit, filed yesterday in Columbus, Ohio, stems, in part, from Clear Channel Motorsports’ allowing the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) to take over sanctioning and rules-enforcement for Clear Channel’s events included in the AMA Supercross Series.

“Clear Channel Motorsports, along with the FIM, are attempting to combine the AMA Supercross Series with smaller events in Europe and create a new series under the FIM banner. Undoubtedly, this is not in the best interest of American racers, teams or Supercross fans,” said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “We will not stand by idly while AMA Supercross is dismantled in this fashion. Outside meddling in AMA Supercross will only result in a weakened series as well as confusion among all parties.”

AMA Pro Racing is an independent subsidiary of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) responsible for managing the AMA Supercross Series on behalf of the Association. The AMA is a 270,000-member not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. Under the terms of the contract between AMA Pro Racing and Clear Channel Motorsports, AMA Pro Racing maintains the exclusive right to sanction all 15 Clear Channel Motorsports-promoted rounds of the 16-race AMA Supercross Series. Neither the AMA nor the FIM is a party to that contract.

“Our agreement with Clear Channel is unambiguous in this regard,” said Hollingsworth. “Clear Channel does not have the right to allow the FIM to sanction any event in the AMA Supercross Series or to commandeer the 28 years of AMA Supercross and rename it the FIM World Supercross GP. The FIM has repeatedly failed in its attempts to organize a world supercross championship and should not be able to create one this way. AMA Supercross will continue into the future and will maintain its standing as the world’s leading Supercross series.”

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Both the Yamaha factory AMA Supersport team and the Graves Motorsports Yamaha AMA Formula Xtreme team are finishing the second day of a two-test today at California Speedway in Fontana, California.

Damon Buckmaster, Aaron Gobert, Jamie Hacking and Jason DiSalvo are shaking down their 2003 YZF-R6s in preparation for the Dunlop tire tests scheduled for early December at Daytona International Speedway.

Buckmaster, Gobert and Hacking are also testing their Formula Xtreme YZF-R1s at Fontana but will not ride the bikes at the Daytona tire test. The AMA Formula Xtreme class does not race at Daytona.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

CARMICHAEL BECOMES FIRST RIDER IN 15 YEARS TO WIN BACK-TO-BACK AMA PRO RACING SPEED CHANNEL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio The 2002 AMA Supercross and AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. 250 Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael was named 2002 AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year Saturday, Nov. 23 at the AMA Pro Awards Banquet in Las Vegas. The presentation to Carmichael of the Speed Channel Athlete of the Year Award was the highlight of the evening’s gala, where Carmichael was given a commemorative Rolex watch. In winning the highest honor given each year by AMA Pro Racing, Carmichael becomes the first rider to earn the award in consecutive years since co-winners Ricky Johnson and Bubba Shobert accomplished the feat in 1987. James Stewart, Jr., Chris Carr, Nicky Hayden, David Watson, along with Carmichael were the nominees for this year’s Athlete of the Year.

AMA Pro Racing also awarded Motorcycle Hall of Famer Dave Despain with the Sportsman of the Year Award and the Award of Mechanical Excellence went to four-time AMA Grand National champ Chris Carr’s longtime mechanic Kenny Tolbert.

The Athlete of the Year Award capped off a remarkable year for Carmichael. The Havana, Fla., native, who turns 23 this Wednesday (Nov. 27), won 11 of 16 rounds in the 2002 AMA Supercross Series en route to winning that championship for the second year in a row. RC then completed the single best season in the history of AMA Motocross. He reeled off 24-straight moto wins and 12 overalls for a perfect season in the 250 division. It was the first time that a rider had gone undefeated in AMA Motocross. In addition, Carmichael broke numerous AMA racing records along the way, including the longest winning streak in AMA professional motocross and breaking Bob Hannah’s long-standing record for the most career victories in AMA 250 Motocross.

“It was a year I’ll never forget,” said Carmichael, who has earned an amazing eight national championships in his six seasons of pro racing. “I want to thank Honda for being 100 percent behind me. I also would like to thank AMA Pro Racing, the NPG and Clear Channel for providing us riders with a great opportunity to race in front of thousands of the best fans in all of racing.”

Carmichael went on to say that he hopes to make another strong run at both AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross titles again in 2003.

The AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year has been awarded annually since 1976 and prior to that had its origins in the old Rider of the Year and Most Popular Rider of the Year Awards, which date back to 1938.

Highlights from the 2002 AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet will air on Speed Channel’s Bike Week, Tuesday, December 10 at 7 p.m. and again at 12 a.m.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in, from Patty Roberts, mother of racers Kenny and Kurtis, regarding the October 27 death of their grandfather, Buster Roberts:


The entire Roberts family wishes to thank everyone around the world who expressed their sympathy for Buster’s passing. We truly appreciated all of the prayers, calls, cards, flowers. He will be missed by all, but will be in our hearts forever.

And we have a very special Thank You to Joe and Nancy Fenech and their family for all of their love and kindness given to Buster; he loved you dearly.

God Bless you forever, Buster.

Thank you again.


The Roberts Family

From a press release issued by Kawasaki:

KAWASAKI’S EXECUTIVE V.P., SALES, PAUL TROTTA, TO RETIRE AFTER 34-YEAR CAREER WITH THE COMPANY

Tony Murr, a 28-year Kawasaki veteran, to assume top sales position

IRVINE, Calif. (Nov. 25, 2002) —Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) has announced the planned retirement of Paul Trotta, executive vice president, sales. According to Steve Hamada, president, Trotta’s departure will coincide with the close of this calendar year. Hamada simultaneously announced that Tony Murr, assistant vice president, sales will be promoted, effective January 1, to the post of vice president, sales.

Trotta’s long sales and operations career with the recreational and utility products marketer began in 1969 in the company’s New Jersey offices. He has had national responsibility for brand sales since 1991, when he was promoted from a regional position to director of sales. That was followed by a 1997 promotion to vice president, sales, and in 2000 Trotta was elected to the Board of Directors commensurate with his being named executive vice president.

“The company and all of those associated with KMC owe Paul a debt of gratitude for the commitment he has shown to the brand’s growth over the past three decades,” said Hamada. “His leadership has added immeasurably to the success that we’ve enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy in future years,” Hamada concluded.

Trotta, a charter life member of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), is looking forward to pursuing his personal sports and outdoorsman interests and spending time with his extended family which now includes five grandchildren.

The longtime Kawasaki executive said “KMC will continue to grow and be a strong force in our industries. The company’s strength has always been its capable leadership, its dedicated employees, and its strong dealer network.”

Murr’s Strong Sales Background

Murr, who is also a charter life member of the AMA, began his career with KMC in 1974, joining the sales organization as dealer development coordinator in the company’s Atlanta regional offices. He was promoted to district manager two years later and while holding that position was recognized three times as the East Region district manager of the year. He also served on Kawasaki’s prestigious President’s Council.
Promoted to regional sales manager in 1990, Murr had responsibility for all of the brand’s product lines in the Central Region, prior to moving to California in 2001 to accept a similar position in the company’s West Region offices.

In January of this year, Murr was named assistant vice president, sales.

“Tony has shown through his many years of dedication to our products and our dealers that he is the right person to help us move forward in the coming years. We are fortunate to have his expertise available to guide our sales efforts,” said Hamada.

Murr has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. He is married and has two daughters, one a schoolteacher in Pennsylvania and the other a college junior.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., is the wholesale distributor of Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, JET SKI® watercraft, MULE™ utility vehicles, portable generators and power products. Kawasaki’s tagline, Let the good times roll™, is recognized worldwide for the spirit of fun, adventure and high performance that characterizes the Kawasaki recreational vehicle line. Kawasaki product lines are sold through a network of more than 8,000 independent retailers. The company and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with approximately 550 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.