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Suzuki Hosts Champions In Japan

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From a press release:

SUZUKI CELEBRATE ON ALL FRONTS

Hamamatsu, Japan, January 21st 2002


Suzuki’s 2001 Championship-winning riders from around the world were honoured at a special ceremony in Hamamatsu, Japan last Saturday, (19th Jan 2002).

A total of 23 World and National Suzuki mounted champions were presented to a special guest list of top factory officials and media who toasted Suzuki’s continuing competition success at the begining of the year marking 50 years of Suzuki motorcycle production.




From left, U.S. Champions Mark Junge, Jimmy Moore, Rodney Smith, Angelle Savoie, Buddy Antunez and Mat Mladin.


World 250 Motocross Champion Mickael Pichon and his RM250WS MX machine took centre stage with the SERT World Endurance Championship winning team of Christian Lavieille, Laurent Brian and Brian Morrison, and they were joined by All Japan Roadrace Superbike Champion Akira Ryo and AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin with their GSX-R750 machines. Sharing the spotlight and the applause of the specially invited guests were Suzuki’s 2001 championship winning stars from around the world.

Emphasising the superiority of Suzuki’s legendary GSX-R machines on the race tracks of the world were All Japan Road Race X-Formula Champion Keiichi Kitagawa (GSX-R1000), American 750 Supersports Champion Jimmy Moore (GSX-R750), British Superstock Champion Paul Young (GSX-R1000), British Supersports Champion Karl Harris (GSX-R600), German Superstock Champion Claus Ehrenberger (GSX-R1000), American WERA National Endurance Champion Mark Junge (GSX-R1000) and Australian Superbike Champion Shawn Giles GSX-R1000).

Suzuki’s success doesn’t stop on the tarmac. The factory has won more world motocross titles than any other manufacturer and Pichon’s 2001 win giving them an unprecedented 30 championship victories. In national off-road championships around the world the famous bright yellow Suzuki RM machines were also making their mark. In the USA, Rodney Smith won the AMA Grand National Cross Country Series on his RM250, while Buddy Antunez took the National Arenacross Series with his RM125 and RM250 machines. Both of the Americans were at the ceremony to pick up their awards and to join the applause for the diminutive 16-year-old Saya Suzuki who took her RM85 to the All Japan MX Ladies Class title.

Saya Suzuki wasn’t the only female Suzuki-mounted champion though – Angelle Savoie also joined the celebations after her win in the American NHRA Pro-Stock Dragrace Series.

European Superstock Champion James Ellison (GSX-R1000), AMA 125 Eastern Supercross Champion Travis Pastrana (RM125), AMA Formula Xtreme Champion John Hopkins (GSX-R1000), Australian Supersport Champion Joshua Brookes (GSX-R600), New Zealand Open Sport Production Champion Andrew Stroud (GSX-R1000) and New Zealand Sport Production & Formula 2 Champion Shaun Harris (GSX-R600) were all unable to attend the ceremony, but were presented with their awards in their absence.

Welcoming the champions to the ceremony, Mr. Sokichi Nakano, Executive Vice President, Overseas Marketing Operations, Suzuki Motor Corporation said, “I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere and warm congratulations and to express Suzuki’s formal appreciation to all the Champions here today. Suzuki started its motorcycle business here in Hamamatsu back in 1952 and and I am extremely happy to be here with you all to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our motorcycle business.

“Our outstanding track performance in 2001 couldn’t have been accomplished without your riding skills, hard efforts and dedicated determination. On top of these elements we can’t forget the support of your team managers, mechanics and other team members and sponsors. So I would be grateful if you could convey our special thanks to all those people when you return home.

“This dominant racing reputaion in all forms of motorcycle competition has been a vital factor in raising the Suzuki brand image, and consequently our sales, across our product range. In fact, export figures for last year show that Suzuki is now the leading exporter of complete built-up motorcycle units in the prime over 251cc sector.”

The Ceremony also marked the announcement of Suzuki’s exciting new GSX-R Cup promotion that will see riders from 18 countries around the world competing for places at the GSX-R Cup Final at Magny Cours in September 2002. Full details of the event will be made available next month.



2002 Suzuki Champions


Akira Ryo. All Japan Road Race Superbike Champion. GSX-R750.

Keiichi Kitagawa. All Japan Road Race X-Formula Champion. GSX-R1000.

Saya Suzuki. All Japan MX Ladies Champion. RM80.

Mickael Pichon. 250cc World MX Champion. RM250WS.

Travis Pastrana. AMA 125cc Eastern Supercross Champion. RM125.

Rodney Smith. AMA Grand National Cross Country Series Champion. RM250.

Buddy Antunez. AMA National Arenacross Champion. RM125.

Mat Mladin. AMA Superbike Champion. GSX-R750.

John Hopkins. AMA Formula Xtreme Champion. GSX-R1000.

Jimmy Moore. AMA 750 Supersport Champion. GSX-R750.

Mark Junge. WERA National Endurance Champion. GSX-R1000.

Angelle Savoie. NHRA Pro-Stock Champion. GSX-R.

Christian Lavieille. Endurance World Cup Champion. GSX-R1000.

Laurant Brian. Endurance World Cup Champion. GSX-R1000.

Brian Morrison. Endurance World Cup Champion. GSX-R1000.

Karl Harris. British Supersport Champion. GSX-R600.

Paul Young. British Superstock Champion. GX-R1000.

James Ellison. European Superstock Champion. GSX-R1000.

Claus Ehrenberger. International German Superstock Champion. GSX-R1000.

Shawn Giles. Australian Superbike Champion. GSX-R1000.

Joshua Brookes. Australian Supersport Champion. GSX-R600.

Andrew Stroud. New Zealand Open Sport Production Champion. GSX-R1000.

Shaun Harris. New Zealand Sport Production & Formula 2 Champion. GSX-R600.

Freddie Spencer To Distribute Michelin Race Tires In Western U.S., Insiders Say

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According to knowledgeable insiders, three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer will take over distribution of Michelin racing tires in the western United States. The sources say that Spencer’s long-time association with Michelin and his successful riding school business made him a natural to take over the distribution duties abandoned by Graves Motorsports last month. Michelin spokesman Randy Richardson would not comment on Michelin’s race tire distribution plans for the Western United States, but said that a public announcement will be made “very soon”. In the meantime, Michelin riders at this weekend’s WSMC event are out of luck because no Michelin race tire sales and service operation showed up at the Rosamond, California track. Several long-time Michelin riders have defected to Pirelli/Metzeler, and many others are buying Dunlops at the racetrack.

Yamaha Releases Schedule Of Bike Week Events

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According to a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., the company’s special events at Daytona will include:

A display of 2002 machines outside Daytona International Speedway, March 6-8 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; March 9 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; March 10 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Demo rides of Road Star, V-Star, FZ1 and VMax models at the Yamaha display outside Daytona International Speedway, March 4-8 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; March 9 from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

Autograph sessions with Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Rich Oliver, Don Emde, Doug Henry, Bob Hannah, Jeremy McGrath et. al. at the Yamaha display, Friday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m. until noon; Saturday, March 9 from 10:00 a.m. until noon; and Sunday, March 10 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Aprilia Finishes Three Days Of RS3 Testing At Jerez, With Edwards And Haga

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From a press release issued by Aprilia:

Aprilia Racing Press Information
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain)
20 November 2002

Tests for Aprilia RS Cube and next season’s works riders come to an end at Jerez.

Three days of tests in Jerez came to an end today for the Aprilia Racing Department’s RS Cube and for the two works riders Colin Edwards and Noriyuki Haga. This is the very first test session of the winter season and it was unfortunately marred by bad weather. Yesterday, atmospheric conditions kept the bikes away from the circuit for a long time. So the programme for this first round of tests had to be radically rethought, with many laps, and indeed many hours being spent in the wet, making the work very different from what had been originally planned.

Even so, a huge amount of work was successfully carried out, as Ing. Gigi dall’Igna, head of the MotoGP division of the Racing Department of Noale confirmed: “The two Aprilia RS Cubes went out onto the track with the same configuration as in the last races this year. We sure haven’t been too lucky in terms of the weather conditions over the past few days, but we still managed to complete a number of tasks we had scheduled. At the beginning, we needed to find exactly the right position on the saddle for the two riders, and this of course took time, but then we carried out a number of tests on adjusting the settings, and then worked on the ignition software. We’ve certainly gathered a lot of data and this means we’ll be able to establish a work programme for the next tests in a fortnight’s time. We also got some good references from the first tests on Michelin tyres. Fickle weather conditions during the three days meant we’ve been out on rain tyres, intermediates and slicks. As you can imagine, we’re hoping for more stable weather conditions for the next test sessions in December so we can concentrate better on one detail at a time.”

Colin Edwards was back on his bike as usual, despite Monday’s fall that left him with a jagged, bruised wound on his left elbow. The American champion wasn’t too affected by the accident that brought his first day of tests to an abrupt halt, and he got straight back onto his RS Cube to complete the programme for the following two days. The important thing for Colin was to get a good feeling for the three-cylinder from Noale and it was today that he best got to grips with it. “Monday’s fall was my first real ‘contact’ with the system the RS Cube uses to unleash its horsepower. I’ve spent 24 years of my life learning to open up the gas on a racing bike and on Monday I suddenly discovered a completely new way to do it. What actually happens is you give the command to a computer that sends it to the engine. It’s something new and has to be learnt. My very first experience, my debut with this system was pretty powerful. I closed the throttle at the moment I thought best, then there was a delay of a fraction of a second, the rear wheel started slipping and I went for a slide. It wouldn’t have made any difference if it had happened immediately or after an entire day of testing: it’s a reaction in the system that I’ve learned to understand. I’m amazed by the Cube, it’s an extraordinary bike. You can customise it as much as you like with no end of different settings – it’s a lab on two wheels, really special. I was expecting a lot of power, but certainly not that much. We did a lot of work, in spite of the rain. It must be said you can’t feel changes in the set-up nearly as much when you’re riding in the wet, but I think we’ve been able to do some good work that’ll help us in the forthcoming sessions. So I’m very pleased and even though my elbow does hurt a bit when I think about it, it never bothered me when I was actually on my bike and riding. Now I can’t wait for the next tests to carry on developing the Cube, a bike I think has all the potential of a winner, and one I really want to get a good feeling for.”

Noriyuki Haga also did some successful testing although, after the very first sessions in the early autumn, this was actually the second time he had been on the RS Cube.

“I tried many different settings on the RS Cube. I knew it a bit already so I carried on working on the settings of the bike to make sure it suits my style of riding,” said Noriyuki Haga. “Sure, the rain didn’t let us do what we’d expected but it didn’t stop us from carrying on with our work programme either. The tests on the full rain tyres went well, and we got some good feedback by trying out different settings on the bike. I’m particularly pleased about the power of the engine, even though I rarely found myself able to open up fully and examine the finer details really carefully. But I’m very happy with the way the tests went and with all the work we’ve done.”

Hopper Is Back In The U.S.A.

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Red Bull Yamaha’s John Hopkins is back in the U.S.A. after spending time in an extensive training and evaluation program in France.

Team manager Peter Clifford said he was well pleased with the reports he received regarding Hopkins’ state of conditioning.

Hopkins will race a Yamaha YZR500 in the 2002 MotoGP World Championship.

Good Day, Bad Day For Whitehouse At Willow

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC racer Clinton Whitehouse had a Saturday that could only be described as a mixed day, good in one extreme and bad in the other.

Whitehouse was involved in a nasty crash on the front straightaway of Willow Springs International Raceway during practice on Saturday afternoon, when another racer saw the checkered flag as he exited turn nine, thought he’d missed it on the previous lap, and dove for the pit entrance–just as Whitehouse was easing past on the outside. Both crashed, and Whitehouse’s GSX-R750 was heavily damaged.

Later that same day, at the annual WSMC awards banquet held in nearby Lancaster, California, Whitehouse won a drawing for a new Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

Other drawing winners included Bryan Kovarick (Yamaha YZF-R1), Chuck Graves (Yamaha YZ125), Jeremy Toye (Yamaha Home Theater Sound System) and Danny Farnsworth (Specialized full-suspension mountain bike).

Reaction To AMA Trustee Election

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Thanks for breaking the news!

John Ulrich, Kevin Schwantz, and Jeff Nash being elected to the AMA Board of Directors is the best thing that could have happened to the AMA. For too many years, the AMA has been run like an “Old Boys Club” taking care of each other with little regard for what is best for the members. The Roger Edmondson debacle being swept under the rug is a classic example of mismanagement and poor judgment.

As a current off-road competitor and former road racer with experience in both AMA amateur events and AMA Superbike racing, I have often regretted being “required” to join the AMA rather than “wanting” to join. Perhaps these changes will get us started in the right direction. It is my opinion that the AMA is a sanctioning body, not a for-profit race promotion company, and should be run as such, keeping things fair and square for both participants and promoters.

Keep up the good work,

Bob Reinen
CycleBuy.com
Emerald Trail Riders Association, Inc.
Eugene, OR
4-year subscriber to Roadracing World

Heartiest congratulations to the “Take back the AMA” slate. You’ve never heard from me before and probably won’t again (for a long time,) but there must be thousands like me who silently and appreciatively have followed your campaign. I’m a mild mannered person, but If there is one thing that makes me apoplectic it is arrogant, unresponsive authority figures who forget that the reason they are up there is because we are down here, and not the other way around. To paraphrase ol’ Abe, we will now look forward to “a government of the riders by the riders for the riders…”

Cheers,
Brian Carroll
GLRRA/AHRMA Am #278

To John Ulrich, Kevin Schwantz and Jeff Nash, congratulations on your victories in the AMA Board seat elections.

Don Emde
Laguna Niguel CA

My congratulations to your editor for his newly won position with the AMA. 2002 promises to be a very interesting year as a result of the latest election … proof that democracy does work.

Of course the biggest problem is how the AMA should deal with the racing segment on one side, and the road-riding element on the other. They are rather like Siamese twins joined at the hip, and one wants to be a rock star, the other an accountant. Maybe a complete separation would be considered.

Clement Salvadori
Atascadero CA

I notice the AMA election results are posted (
http://www.ama-cycle.org/index.asp ) and all three “take backs” have won!

Great work getting elected, I’m betting you are in for a lot more than you bargained for!

Thanks for stepping up.

John F. Rourke, Jr.
(17-year AMA member, and fanatic road race spectator, and loyal reader!)

Congratulations John, Jeff, and Kevin,

I just read about the election results. This is what we all need to bring the AMA back to the membership. You will have many more struggles along the way in dealing with incumbents and others who see things diferently than we do. Your history in AMA motorcycling and other venues will bring an extra added value to the AMA. I, along with the others who voted you in, welcome your ideas and stamina in turning this Board around and serving all the members. Go for it!
Sincerely,

Roger Lyle
Wheaton Md.

OK, now I’ll re-enlist…
You’re the ONLY guy I’ve met in the mc biz who I know can do a great job there. Go to Ohio…take names and kick ass!

Mark Kalan
Publisher
City Cycle Motorcycle News

Congratulations on getting elected along with Schwantz and Nash. Shake things up.

Mike Reid

Congratulations to the new trustees. Put me on the “3” side of Jeff Nash’s 3:1 victory ratio.

Art Astle
Tulsa, OK

How very sweet it must be! (for all 3 of you)

But now begins the hard work: Building consensus in an environment where you, uhhh, might not be universally welcomed.

For the good of the sport and the industry, I sincerely wish you smooth sailing.

Bill Dutcher

Well Done to the 3 of you…

Stuart Gregg
WSMC #232

Hey, way to go, you won your AMA election to the board!

Mike Harlow
Quester Racing

You guys did it! Congratulations. Try not to go crazy working with those guys…above all, don’t change!

Jim Adams

High time that someone with your stature and abilities, to shake ’em up, was elected to the Board at AMA.

I am hoping that many, if not all, the issues that plague the AMA will be addressed and resolved with your help there.

Congratulations,

Dave Johnson
Motorcycle Specialties Company

Looks like the powers-that-be at the AMA couldn’t weasle their way out of this one, no matter how hard they tried. Congrats to you, Jeff, and Kevin. Hopefully they’ll be more accountable for their actions now.

Kent Kunitsugu

Congratulations to yourself, Jeff and Kevin. You won another race….In Grand Style

Now the hard work really starts.

Tony Bell

I just wanted to say Congratulations! on winning the AMA election Mr. Ulrich. I hope that the three of you will be able to (more fairly) represent the dues-paying AMA members in your respective regions. Three against nine, it’s gonna be an uphill battle. I am behind you 100%!

Joe Hawkins

Maximum congratulations on “Take Back the AMA” victory.
Sincerely,

C.D. Moses

Good job. You not only won but you lapped them four times. I really hate to get lapped in any race but sometimes it happens. To get lapped four times must be a very humbling experience.

I do see change on the horizon. I also believe that Smitty is for real. I think that the good guys are walking toward victory circle.

Jerry Wood

Congratulations to you and your “team” for the AMA trustee elections, it was a superb victory.
Best regards,

Mike Emery

Congratulations, John, I think you are good for the sport.

Larry Shultz
Fremont, CA

Good luck with the new deal at the AMA. Now you guys need to bring back the respect the AMA needs right now. Hopefully you guys are the right people for the job. Being a huge bike racing fan, I’m glad you guys won! If things go in the right direction I will renew my AMA membership. The last few years I would not want to be involved. I didn’t think they were working in the right direction. Hopefully things are on the mend.

Michael Jay

John, just wanted to say congrats from Texas only the victories! I hope we helped! Looks like now that Jeff Nash won they (Hare scrambles guys) are trying to kiss his ass. I guess they need to redevelop their old AMA ties again to keep things as they were.

Mike Walker

Army Of Darkness 2002

From a press release:

Army of Darkness has finalized most arrangements for 2002.



Army of Darkness will be defending its third WERA Middleweight Superbike National Endurance Championship in 2002 by fielding an aggressive campaign for a fourth consecutive title.

AOD will be riding bikes built by the highly experienced AOD pit crew. Led by seasoned veteran Tim Gooding, the crew of Nolan Ballew, John Godfrey and Eric Wallgren will be constructing AOD Endurance Version 2.0 of the 2001 GSX-R600.

“We are improving every system on the bike this winter. We are building a bike that would have handily defeated our own efforts in 2001,” observed Crew Chief Tim Gooding. “Of course there is many a slip twixt the cup and the lip,” added John Godfrey.



Riding for AOD in 2002 will be nine-year AOD members Sam Fleming and Jim Williams with a new addition of 2001 Middleweight Superstock Endurance Champion Mark Crozier. “Mark is a dedicated, fast and smooth rider. We wanted to get him out of Middleweight Superstock by any means necessary and putting him on our team seemed like the easiest way to do that,” offered Sam Fleming. “I really didn’t want to have to race against him for another season” added Jim Williams.



Running in conjunction with AOD in the WERA National Endurance Series will be its sibling team Neighbor of the Beast contesting the Middleweight Superstock title. Neighbor of the Beast will be sharing pit crew and resources with AOD and, for the third year, will be piloted by racers Melissa Berkoff and Scott Fisher with additional appearances from Ty Stranger-Thorsen and “retired” AOD legend John Donnelly. NOTB finished 2nd in the class championship in 2000 and 3rd in 2001.



“This year we are going to win the championship. I am sick and tired of being the bridesmaid and never the bride,” said Melissa Berkoff tempestuously. “What she said,” added Scott Fisher.



Additional information about the teams is available at www.armyofdarkness.com and www.neighborofthebeast.com.

AOD and NOTB are currently sponsored by: 13x.com, Fisher Technical Services, Tower Analysis Investments, International City Cycles, Battley Cycles, Herndon Cycle Sport, Michelin, M4 exhaust, WERA, Pit Bull, Vanson, Sprocket Specialists, Vesrah, Zero Gravity, RoadracingWorld.com, Traxxion Dynamics. Inquiries should be made to [email protected]

WSMC 10th Anniversary Is This Weekend

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From a press release:

Willow Springs Motorcycle Club Celebrates Ten Years of Racing

2001 Awards Banquet Scheduled at Lancaster’s Park Plaza

The Willow Springs Motorcycle Club, a motorcycle road racing organization based at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park near Rosamond, California, will launch its 2002 racing season this weekend. The club–created ten years ago by raceway owner Bill Huth –operates year-round, holding races on the third Sunday of every month. An awards banquet recognizing last year’s winners will be held at the Park Plaza in Lancaster, California on Saturday, January 19, 2002. The first round of racing in 2002 will take place on Sunday, January 20.

The WSMC was formed in December, 1991 and will begin its eleventh full season of racing this weekend. The club has been managed since its inception by racer Kenny Kopecky, who is still an active competitor and current class champion. It has been a starting point for some of the nation’s most accomplished racers, including AMA Pro Racing’s John Hopkins and Tony Meiring. Hopkins won the 2001 AMA Formula Xtreme championship on a Team Valvoline Suzuki, while Meiring just signed an agreement to race in the 600 Supersport class for the Kawasaki factory race team. WSMC features some of the fastest racing motorcycles in the world, with a wide variety of classes for all levels of competition.

Willow Springs International Motorsports Park is a 600-acre complex of six racetracks embracing nearly every conceivable motorsports discipline. In addition to the historic 2.5-mile road course, the Willow Springs facility includes the Streets of Willow, a 1.5-mile, 14-turn multi-configuration road course ideal for testing, club racing and schools; two 1/4-mile paved ovals; a 3/8-mile clay oval; a .625-mile karting track; and the just-completed “Toyota Playpen,” a short course targeting beginning riders and drivers. The facility also has an off-road area for testing of off-road vehicles.

For more information on the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club or Willow Springs International Motorsports Park, please call 661-256-6666 or visit www.willowspringsraceway.com.

1999 Team Honda Autograph Helmet On Auction Block For Air Fence Fund

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1999 Team Honda Autograph Helmet On Auction Block For Air Fence Fund



Donated by an industry executive who wishes to remain anonymous, this one-of-a-kind AGV R3 helmet would be very difficult to reproduce.

This brand-new, never-worn AGV R3 helmet was taken to an appearance in 1999 where it was signed by most of the members of American Honda’s race teams for that season. Autographs on the helmet include: Miguel Duhamel, Kurtis Roberts, Ezra Lusk, Kevin Windham, Mike Larocco, Johnny Campbell and Scott Summers.



All of the autographs were made in gold paint marker and stand out well on the solid white shell. The size-Medium helmet comes with its original clear shield, helmet bag and box.



“I hope this helps to raise money for the Air Fence Fund. Thank you for all that you have personally done to make it happen,” wrote the
helmet’s donor in a letter to Roadracing World Air Fence Fund founder John Ulrich.



All proceeds from the sale of this helmet will go to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund. The Roadracing World Air Fence Fund was established to raise funds to purchase and deploy inflatable Air Fence and Air Module soft barriers to protect crashed riders from hitting walls and other hard objects at racetracks. Air Fence is a trademark of Airfence Safety Systems of Australia.



The auction is due to close at approximately 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, January 24. More auctions of motorcycle racing memorabilia and collectibles to benefit the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund are scheduled to appear.

To go directly to the auction on eBay, click on the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1064980241

Suzuki Hosts Champions In Japan

From a press release:

SUZUKI CELEBRATE ON ALL FRONTS

Hamamatsu, Japan, January 21st 2002


Suzuki’s 2001 Championship-winning riders from around the world were honoured at a special ceremony in Hamamatsu, Japan last Saturday, (19th Jan 2002).

A total of 23 World and National Suzuki mounted champions were presented to a special guest list of top factory officials and media who toasted Suzuki’s continuing competition success at the begining of the year marking 50 years of Suzuki motorcycle production.




From left, U.S. Champions Mark Junge, Jimmy Moore, Rodney Smith, Angelle Savoie, Buddy Antunez and Mat Mladin.


World 250 Motocross Champion Mickael Pichon and his RM250WS MX machine took centre stage with the SERT World Endurance Championship winning team of Christian Lavieille, Laurent Brian and Brian Morrison, and they were joined by All Japan Roadrace Superbike Champion Akira Ryo and AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin with their GSX-R750 machines. Sharing the spotlight and the applause of the specially invited guests were Suzuki’s 2001 championship winning stars from around the world.

Emphasising the superiority of Suzuki’s legendary GSX-R machines on the race tracks of the world were All Japan Road Race X-Formula Champion Keiichi Kitagawa (GSX-R1000), American 750 Supersports Champion Jimmy Moore (GSX-R750), British Superstock Champion Paul Young (GSX-R1000), British Supersports Champion Karl Harris (GSX-R600), German Superstock Champion Claus Ehrenberger (GSX-R1000), American WERA National Endurance Champion Mark Junge (GSX-R1000) and Australian Superbike Champion Shawn Giles GSX-R1000).

Suzuki’s success doesn’t stop on the tarmac. The factory has won more world motocross titles than any other manufacturer and Pichon’s 2001 win giving them an unprecedented 30 championship victories. In national off-road championships around the world the famous bright yellow Suzuki RM machines were also making their mark. In the USA, Rodney Smith won the AMA Grand National Cross Country Series on his RM250, while Buddy Antunez took the National Arenacross Series with his RM125 and RM250 machines. Both of the Americans were at the ceremony to pick up their awards and to join the applause for the diminutive 16-year-old Saya Suzuki who took her RM85 to the All Japan MX Ladies Class title.

Saya Suzuki wasn’t the only female Suzuki-mounted champion though – Angelle Savoie also joined the celebations after her win in the American NHRA Pro-Stock Dragrace Series.

European Superstock Champion James Ellison (GSX-R1000), AMA 125 Eastern Supercross Champion Travis Pastrana (RM125), AMA Formula Xtreme Champion John Hopkins (GSX-R1000), Australian Supersport Champion Joshua Brookes (GSX-R600), New Zealand Open Sport Production Champion Andrew Stroud (GSX-R1000) and New Zealand Sport Production & Formula 2 Champion Shaun Harris (GSX-R600) were all unable to attend the ceremony, but were presented with their awards in their absence.

Welcoming the champions to the ceremony, Mr. Sokichi Nakano, Executive Vice President, Overseas Marketing Operations, Suzuki Motor Corporation said, “I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere and warm congratulations and to express Suzuki’s formal appreciation to all the Champions here today. Suzuki started its motorcycle business here in Hamamatsu back in 1952 and and I am extremely happy to be here with you all to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our motorcycle business.

“Our outstanding track performance in 2001 couldn’t have been accomplished without your riding skills, hard efforts and dedicated determination. On top of these elements we can’t forget the support of your team managers, mechanics and other team members and sponsors. So I would be grateful if you could convey our special thanks to all those people when you return home.

“This dominant racing reputaion in all forms of motorcycle competition has been a vital factor in raising the Suzuki brand image, and consequently our sales, across our product range. In fact, export figures for last year show that Suzuki is now the leading exporter of complete built-up motorcycle units in the prime over 251cc sector.”

The Ceremony also marked the announcement of Suzuki’s exciting new GSX-R Cup promotion that will see riders from 18 countries around the world competing for places at the GSX-R Cup Final at Magny Cours in September 2002. Full details of the event will be made available next month.



2002 Suzuki Champions


Akira Ryo. All Japan Road Race Superbike Champion. GSX-R750.

Keiichi Kitagawa. All Japan Road Race X-Formula Champion. GSX-R1000.

Saya Suzuki. All Japan MX Ladies Champion. RM80.

Mickael Pichon. 250cc World MX Champion. RM250WS.

Travis Pastrana. AMA 125cc Eastern Supercross Champion. RM125.

Rodney Smith. AMA Grand National Cross Country Series Champion. RM250.

Buddy Antunez. AMA National Arenacross Champion. RM125.

Mat Mladin. AMA Superbike Champion. GSX-R750.

John Hopkins. AMA Formula Xtreme Champion. GSX-R1000.

Jimmy Moore. AMA 750 Supersport Champion. GSX-R750.

Mark Junge. WERA National Endurance Champion. GSX-R1000.

Angelle Savoie. NHRA Pro-Stock Champion. GSX-R.

Christian Lavieille. Endurance World Cup Champion. GSX-R1000.

Laurant Brian. Endurance World Cup Champion. GSX-R1000.

Brian Morrison. Endurance World Cup Champion. GSX-R1000.

Karl Harris. British Supersport Champion. GSX-R600.

Paul Young. British Superstock Champion. GX-R1000.

James Ellison. European Superstock Champion. GSX-R1000.

Claus Ehrenberger. International German Superstock Champion. GSX-R1000.

Shawn Giles. Australian Superbike Champion. GSX-R1000.

Joshua Brookes. Australian Supersport Champion. GSX-R600.

Andrew Stroud. New Zealand Open Sport Production Champion. GSX-R1000.

Shaun Harris. New Zealand Sport Production & Formula 2 Champion. GSX-R600.

Freddie Spencer To Distribute Michelin Race Tires In Western U.S., Insiders Say

According to knowledgeable insiders, three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer will take over distribution of Michelin racing tires in the western United States. The sources say that Spencer’s long-time association with Michelin and his successful riding school business made him a natural to take over the distribution duties abandoned by Graves Motorsports last month. Michelin spokesman Randy Richardson would not comment on Michelin’s race tire distribution plans for the Western United States, but said that a public announcement will be made “very soon”. In the meantime, Michelin riders at this weekend’s WSMC event are out of luck because no Michelin race tire sales and service operation showed up at the Rosamond, California track. Several long-time Michelin riders have defected to Pirelli/Metzeler, and many others are buying Dunlops at the racetrack.

Yamaha Releases Schedule Of Bike Week Events

According to a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., the company’s special events at Daytona will include:

A display of 2002 machines outside Daytona International Speedway, March 6-8 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; March 9 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; March 10 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Demo rides of Road Star, V-Star, FZ1 and VMax models at the Yamaha display outside Daytona International Speedway, March 4-8 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; March 9 from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

Autograph sessions with Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Rich Oliver, Don Emde, Doug Henry, Bob Hannah, Jeremy McGrath et. al. at the Yamaha display, Friday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m. until noon; Saturday, March 9 from 10:00 a.m. until noon; and Sunday, March 10 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Aprilia Finishes Three Days Of RS3 Testing At Jerez, With Edwards And Haga

From a press release issued by Aprilia:

Aprilia Racing Press Information
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain)
20 November 2002

Tests for Aprilia RS Cube and next season’s works riders come to an end at Jerez.

Three days of tests in Jerez came to an end today for the Aprilia Racing Department’s RS Cube and for the two works riders Colin Edwards and Noriyuki Haga. This is the very first test session of the winter season and it was unfortunately marred by bad weather. Yesterday, atmospheric conditions kept the bikes away from the circuit for a long time. So the programme for this first round of tests had to be radically rethought, with many laps, and indeed many hours being spent in the wet, making the work very different from what had been originally planned.

Even so, a huge amount of work was successfully carried out, as Ing. Gigi dall’Igna, head of the MotoGP division of the Racing Department of Noale confirmed: “The two Aprilia RS Cubes went out onto the track with the same configuration as in the last races this year. We sure haven’t been too lucky in terms of the weather conditions over the past few days, but we still managed to complete a number of tasks we had scheduled. At the beginning, we needed to find exactly the right position on the saddle for the two riders, and this of course took time, but then we carried out a number of tests on adjusting the settings, and then worked on the ignition software. We’ve certainly gathered a lot of data and this means we’ll be able to establish a work programme for the next tests in a fortnight’s time. We also got some good references from the first tests on Michelin tyres. Fickle weather conditions during the three days meant we’ve been out on rain tyres, intermediates and slicks. As you can imagine, we’re hoping for more stable weather conditions for the next test sessions in December so we can concentrate better on one detail at a time.”

Colin Edwards was back on his bike as usual, despite Monday’s fall that left him with a jagged, bruised wound on his left elbow. The American champion wasn’t too affected by the accident that brought his first day of tests to an abrupt halt, and he got straight back onto his RS Cube to complete the programme for the following two days. The important thing for Colin was to get a good feeling for the three-cylinder from Noale and it was today that he best got to grips with it. “Monday’s fall was my first real ‘contact’ with the system the RS Cube uses to unleash its horsepower. I’ve spent 24 years of my life learning to open up the gas on a racing bike and on Monday I suddenly discovered a completely new way to do it. What actually happens is you give the command to a computer that sends it to the engine. It’s something new and has to be learnt. My very first experience, my debut with this system was pretty powerful. I closed the throttle at the moment I thought best, then there was a delay of a fraction of a second, the rear wheel started slipping and I went for a slide. It wouldn’t have made any difference if it had happened immediately or after an entire day of testing: it’s a reaction in the system that I’ve learned to understand. I’m amazed by the Cube, it’s an extraordinary bike. You can customise it as much as you like with no end of different settings – it’s a lab on two wheels, really special. I was expecting a lot of power, but certainly not that much. We did a lot of work, in spite of the rain. It must be said you can’t feel changes in the set-up nearly as much when you’re riding in the wet, but I think we’ve been able to do some good work that’ll help us in the forthcoming sessions. So I’m very pleased and even though my elbow does hurt a bit when I think about it, it never bothered me when I was actually on my bike and riding. Now I can’t wait for the next tests to carry on developing the Cube, a bike I think has all the potential of a winner, and one I really want to get a good feeling for.”

Noriyuki Haga also did some successful testing although, after the very first sessions in the early autumn, this was actually the second time he had been on the RS Cube.

“I tried many different settings on the RS Cube. I knew it a bit already so I carried on working on the settings of the bike to make sure it suits my style of riding,” said Noriyuki Haga. “Sure, the rain didn’t let us do what we’d expected but it didn’t stop us from carrying on with our work programme either. The tests on the full rain tyres went well, and we got some good feedback by trying out different settings on the bike. I’m particularly pleased about the power of the engine, even though I rarely found myself able to open up fully and examine the finer details really carefully. But I’m very happy with the way the tests went and with all the work we’ve done.”

Hopper Is Back In The U.S.A.

Red Bull Yamaha’s John Hopkins is back in the U.S.A. after spending time in an extensive training and evaluation program in France.

Team manager Peter Clifford said he was well pleased with the reports he received regarding Hopkins’ state of conditioning.

Hopkins will race a Yamaha YZR500 in the 2002 MotoGP World Championship.

Good Day, Bad Day For Whitehouse At Willow

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC racer Clinton Whitehouse had a Saturday that could only be described as a mixed day, good in one extreme and bad in the other.

Whitehouse was involved in a nasty crash on the front straightaway of Willow Springs International Raceway during practice on Saturday afternoon, when another racer saw the checkered flag as he exited turn nine, thought he’d missed it on the previous lap, and dove for the pit entrance–just as Whitehouse was easing past on the outside. Both crashed, and Whitehouse’s GSX-R750 was heavily damaged.

Later that same day, at the annual WSMC awards banquet held in nearby Lancaster, California, Whitehouse won a drawing for a new Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

Other drawing winners included Bryan Kovarick (Yamaha YZF-R1), Chuck Graves (Yamaha YZ125), Jeremy Toye (Yamaha Home Theater Sound System) and Danny Farnsworth (Specialized full-suspension mountain bike).

Reaction To AMA Trustee Election

Thanks for breaking the news!

John Ulrich, Kevin Schwantz, and Jeff Nash being elected to the AMA Board of Directors is the best thing that could have happened to the AMA. For too many years, the AMA has been run like an “Old Boys Club” taking care of each other with little regard for what is best for the members. The Roger Edmondson debacle being swept under the rug is a classic example of mismanagement and poor judgment.

As a current off-road competitor and former road racer with experience in both AMA amateur events and AMA Superbike racing, I have often regretted being “required” to join the AMA rather than “wanting” to join. Perhaps these changes will get us started in the right direction. It is my opinion that the AMA is a sanctioning body, not a for-profit race promotion company, and should be run as such, keeping things fair and square for both participants and promoters.

Keep up the good work,

Bob Reinen
CycleBuy.com
Emerald Trail Riders Association, Inc.
Eugene, OR
4-year subscriber to Roadracing World

Heartiest congratulations to the “Take back the AMA” slate. You’ve never heard from me before and probably won’t again (for a long time,) but there must be thousands like me who silently and appreciatively have followed your campaign. I’m a mild mannered person, but If there is one thing that makes me apoplectic it is arrogant, unresponsive authority figures who forget that the reason they are up there is because we are down here, and not the other way around. To paraphrase ol’ Abe, we will now look forward to “a government of the riders by the riders for the riders…”

Cheers,
Brian Carroll
GLRRA/AHRMA Am #278

To John Ulrich, Kevin Schwantz and Jeff Nash, congratulations on your victories in the AMA Board seat elections.

Don Emde
Laguna Niguel CA

My congratulations to your editor for his newly won position with the AMA. 2002 promises to be a very interesting year as a result of the latest election … proof that democracy does work.

Of course the biggest problem is how the AMA should deal with the racing segment on one side, and the road-riding element on the other. They are rather like Siamese twins joined at the hip, and one wants to be a rock star, the other an accountant. Maybe a complete separation would be considered.

Clement Salvadori
Atascadero CA

I notice the AMA election results are posted (
http://www.ama-cycle.org/index.asp ) and all three “take backs” have won!

Great work getting elected, I’m betting you are in for a lot more than you bargained for!

Thanks for stepping up.

John F. Rourke, Jr.
(17-year AMA member, and fanatic road race spectator, and loyal reader!)

Congratulations John, Jeff, and Kevin,

I just read about the election results. This is what we all need to bring the AMA back to the membership. You will have many more struggles along the way in dealing with incumbents and others who see things diferently than we do. Your history in AMA motorcycling and other venues will bring an extra added value to the AMA. I, along with the others who voted you in, welcome your ideas and stamina in turning this Board around and serving all the members. Go for it!
Sincerely,

Roger Lyle
Wheaton Md.

OK, now I’ll re-enlist…
You’re the ONLY guy I’ve met in the mc biz who I know can do a great job there. Go to Ohio…take names and kick ass!

Mark Kalan
Publisher
City Cycle Motorcycle News

Congratulations on getting elected along with Schwantz and Nash. Shake things up.

Mike Reid

Congratulations to the new trustees. Put me on the “3” side of Jeff Nash’s 3:1 victory ratio.

Art Astle
Tulsa, OK

How very sweet it must be! (for all 3 of you)

But now begins the hard work: Building consensus in an environment where you, uhhh, might not be universally welcomed.

For the good of the sport and the industry, I sincerely wish you smooth sailing.

Bill Dutcher

Well Done to the 3 of you…

Stuart Gregg
WSMC #232

Hey, way to go, you won your AMA election to the board!

Mike Harlow
Quester Racing

You guys did it! Congratulations. Try not to go crazy working with those guys…above all, don’t change!

Jim Adams

High time that someone with your stature and abilities, to shake ’em up, was elected to the Board at AMA.

I am hoping that many, if not all, the issues that plague the AMA will be addressed and resolved with your help there.

Congratulations,

Dave Johnson
Motorcycle Specialties Company

Looks like the powers-that-be at the AMA couldn’t weasle their way out of this one, no matter how hard they tried. Congrats to you, Jeff, and Kevin. Hopefully they’ll be more accountable for their actions now.

Kent Kunitsugu

Congratulations to yourself, Jeff and Kevin. You won another race….In Grand Style

Now the hard work really starts.

Tony Bell

I just wanted to say Congratulations! on winning the AMA election Mr. Ulrich. I hope that the three of you will be able to (more fairly) represent the dues-paying AMA members in your respective regions. Three against nine, it’s gonna be an uphill battle. I am behind you 100%!

Joe Hawkins

Maximum congratulations on “Take Back the AMA” victory.
Sincerely,

C.D. Moses

Good job. You not only won but you lapped them four times. I really hate to get lapped in any race but sometimes it happens. To get lapped four times must be a very humbling experience.

I do see change on the horizon. I also believe that Smitty is for real. I think that the good guys are walking toward victory circle.

Jerry Wood

Congratulations to you and your “team” for the AMA trustee elections, it was a superb victory.
Best regards,

Mike Emery

Congratulations, John, I think you are good for the sport.

Larry Shultz
Fremont, CA

Good luck with the new deal at the AMA. Now you guys need to bring back the respect the AMA needs right now. Hopefully you guys are the right people for the job. Being a huge bike racing fan, I’m glad you guys won! If things go in the right direction I will renew my AMA membership. The last few years I would not want to be involved. I didn’t think they were working in the right direction. Hopefully things are on the mend.

Michael Jay

John, just wanted to say congrats from Texas only the victories! I hope we helped! Looks like now that Jeff Nash won they (Hare scrambles guys) are trying to kiss his ass. I guess they need to redevelop their old AMA ties again to keep things as they were.

Mike Walker

Army Of Darkness 2002

From a press release:

Army of Darkness has finalized most arrangements for 2002.



Army of Darkness will be defending its third WERA Middleweight Superbike National Endurance Championship in 2002 by fielding an aggressive campaign for a fourth consecutive title.

AOD will be riding bikes built by the highly experienced AOD pit crew. Led by seasoned veteran Tim Gooding, the crew of Nolan Ballew, John Godfrey and Eric Wallgren will be constructing AOD Endurance Version 2.0 of the 2001 GSX-R600.

“We are improving every system on the bike this winter. We are building a bike that would have handily defeated our own efforts in 2001,” observed Crew Chief Tim Gooding. “Of course there is many a slip twixt the cup and the lip,” added John Godfrey.



Riding for AOD in 2002 will be nine-year AOD members Sam Fleming and Jim Williams with a new addition of 2001 Middleweight Superstock Endurance Champion Mark Crozier. “Mark is a dedicated, fast and smooth rider. We wanted to get him out of Middleweight Superstock by any means necessary and putting him on our team seemed like the easiest way to do that,” offered Sam Fleming. “I really didn’t want to have to race against him for another season” added Jim Williams.



Running in conjunction with AOD in the WERA National Endurance Series will be its sibling team Neighbor of the Beast contesting the Middleweight Superstock title. Neighbor of the Beast will be sharing pit crew and resources with AOD and, for the third year, will be piloted by racers Melissa Berkoff and Scott Fisher with additional appearances from Ty Stranger-Thorsen and “retired” AOD legend John Donnelly. NOTB finished 2nd in the class championship in 2000 and 3rd in 2001.



“This year we are going to win the championship. I am sick and tired of being the bridesmaid and never the bride,” said Melissa Berkoff tempestuously. “What she said,” added Scott Fisher.



Additional information about the teams is available at www.armyofdarkness.com and www.neighborofthebeast.com.

AOD and NOTB are currently sponsored by: 13x.com, Fisher Technical Services, Tower Analysis Investments, International City Cycles, Battley Cycles, Herndon Cycle Sport, Michelin, M4 exhaust, WERA, Pit Bull, Vanson, Sprocket Specialists, Vesrah, Zero Gravity, RoadracingWorld.com, Traxxion Dynamics. Inquiries should be made to [email protected]

WSMC 10th Anniversary Is This Weekend

From a press release:

Willow Springs Motorcycle Club Celebrates Ten Years of Racing

2001 Awards Banquet Scheduled at Lancaster’s Park Plaza

The Willow Springs Motorcycle Club, a motorcycle road racing organization based at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park near Rosamond, California, will launch its 2002 racing season this weekend. The club–created ten years ago by raceway owner Bill Huth –operates year-round, holding races on the third Sunday of every month. An awards banquet recognizing last year’s winners will be held at the Park Plaza in Lancaster, California on Saturday, January 19, 2002. The first round of racing in 2002 will take place on Sunday, January 20.

The WSMC was formed in December, 1991 and will begin its eleventh full season of racing this weekend. The club has been managed since its inception by racer Kenny Kopecky, who is still an active competitor and current class champion. It has been a starting point for some of the nation’s most accomplished racers, including AMA Pro Racing’s John Hopkins and Tony Meiring. Hopkins won the 2001 AMA Formula Xtreme championship on a Team Valvoline Suzuki, while Meiring just signed an agreement to race in the 600 Supersport class for the Kawasaki factory race team. WSMC features some of the fastest racing motorcycles in the world, with a wide variety of classes for all levels of competition.

Willow Springs International Motorsports Park is a 600-acre complex of six racetracks embracing nearly every conceivable motorsports discipline. In addition to the historic 2.5-mile road course, the Willow Springs facility includes the Streets of Willow, a 1.5-mile, 14-turn multi-configuration road course ideal for testing, club racing and schools; two 1/4-mile paved ovals; a 3/8-mile clay oval; a .625-mile karting track; and the just-completed “Toyota Playpen,” a short course targeting beginning riders and drivers. The facility also has an off-road area for testing of off-road vehicles.

For more information on the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club or Willow Springs International Motorsports Park, please call 661-256-6666 or visit www.willowspringsraceway.com.

1999 Team Honda Autograph Helmet On Auction Block For Air Fence Fund

1999 Team Honda Autograph Helmet On Auction Block For Air Fence Fund



Donated by an industry executive who wishes to remain anonymous, this one-of-a-kind AGV R3 helmet would be very difficult to reproduce.

This brand-new, never-worn AGV R3 helmet was taken to an appearance in 1999 where it was signed by most of the members of American Honda’s race teams for that season. Autographs on the helmet include: Miguel Duhamel, Kurtis Roberts, Ezra Lusk, Kevin Windham, Mike Larocco, Johnny Campbell and Scott Summers.



All of the autographs were made in gold paint marker and stand out well on the solid white shell. The size-Medium helmet comes with its original clear shield, helmet bag and box.



“I hope this helps to raise money for the Air Fence Fund. Thank you for all that you have personally done to make it happen,” wrote the
helmet’s donor in a letter to Roadracing World Air Fence Fund founder John Ulrich.



All proceeds from the sale of this helmet will go to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund. The Roadracing World Air Fence Fund was established to raise funds to purchase and deploy inflatable Air Fence and Air Module soft barriers to protect crashed riders from hitting walls and other hard objects at racetracks. Air Fence is a trademark of Airfence Safety Systems of Australia.



The auction is due to close at approximately 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, January 24. More auctions of motorcycle racing memorabilia and collectibles to benefit the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund are scheduled to appear.

To go directly to the auction on eBay, click on the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1064980241

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