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Loudon Orders 50 Alpina Defender Soft Barrier Sections, LRRS Riders Order Another 20
This report from Jerry Wood:
At the LRRS awards banquet held in Stamford, Connecticut on Saturday, January 26th, New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) representative Bette French presented Dan Lance of Alpina Safety Systems a check to secure an order for 50 sections of Alpina Defender and Super Defender units.
This order is in addition to 20 units ordered by a LRRS rider’s group led by Paolo Tiramani. That group raised about $20,000 towards the effort.
Many riders expressed gratitude for the Bahre family’s commitment to motorcycle road racing.
(Background: NHIS, in Loudon, New Hampshire, is owned by Bob Bahre and run by his son, Gary Bahre. LRRS is the track’s racing organization, Loudon Road Racing Series. Jerry Wood, a long-time racer, is in charge of track safety for motorcycle events held at NHIS. Alpina Defender sections are non-inflatable semi-permanent soft barriers and are about 6.5 feet long each.)
Sidi Signs Multi-year MotoGP Sponsorship Deal
Sidi, the Italian boot company, has signed a multi-year agreement to sponsor the MotoGP World Championship road racing series. According to the release, Sidi will receive trackside banner placement that company officials hope will help in their “quest for increased market share in the USA and Europe.”
Flash: Honda Quotes Edwards As Saying Bike Is A Winner
From a pair of press releases:
“SP-2 A WINNER” CLAIMS EDWARDS
Castrol Honda’s Colin Edwards continued to improve the development of his new SP-2 machine during Friday¹s action at the Michelin tyre test at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa.
In his bid to regain the World Superbike title the 27-year-old believes the new SP-2 will give him the perfect opportunity in the 13-round championship, which starts at Valencia, Spain on March 10.
Edwards was again in determined mood as he completed a third day at the 2.65-mile circuit, testing set-up, suspension and engine options before trying a host of new tyres from the French company.
“We managed to get through a lot more work today and get into some serious tyre testing,” said Edwards. “Michelin have been doing their homework and some of the race tyres I tried today are a massive improvement on last year’s.
“This year¹s package is really coming together and there¹s every reason to believe the SP-2 can win the 2002 world title.”
Edwards will continue the test on Saturday, with the Castrol Honda team expected to use the morning session only before leaving for Phillip Island in Australia and next week¹s official championship test on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
No lap times were available from Friday¹s test session.
EDWARDS: “SOUTH AFRICAN TEST A SUCCESS”
Castrol Honda¹s Colin Edwards left the four-day Michelin tyre test session at Kyalami, South Africa in buoyant mood after completing his schedule with further track time on Saturday morning.
Edwards completed 274 laps of the Johannesburg circuit in four days before heading off to Phillip Island in Australia for further testing next week.
“Saturday morning’s session was about me trying to complete race distance on potential rear race tyres,” explained the Texan. “We found a really good rear tyre and I¹m hoping the same rear tyre works well under the different temperature and conditions at Phillip Island.
“I feel like we’re in good shape for the season although I still think I’ve got a bit more to come yet. I¹ve not been on a machine for more than six weeks so I was beginning to ache by the end of the test and my hands are covered in blisters.”
Edwards concluded: “I managed to lap a little bit quicker than I did on Friday but at this stage we¹re more focused on getting a race set-up for the new SP-2 than breaking lap records everywhere.”
No lap times were available from Saturday¹s test session.
Jose Luis Cardoso To Race MuZ Four-stroke in 2002 MotoGP Series
Jose Luis Cardoso has signed to ride MuZ’s new four-stroke racebike in the 2002 MotoGP series. Details of MuZ’s machine have not been made public.
A 27-year-old Spanish rider, Cardoso has been in World Championship Grand Prix racing since 1993. Cardoso has made 110 race starts in the 125cc class, 67 starts in the 250cc class and 42 starts in the 500cc class but has never finished on a World Championship Grand Prix podium. Competing as Norick Abe’s teammate on Luis d’Antin’s Antena 3 Yamaha squad, Cardoso finished 16th in the 2001 World Championship standings with a best finish of 8th in Rio.
Kawasaki To Provide Dealers With More Details Of Alliance With Suzuki
From a press release:
Kawasaki Firming Arrangements To Provide Dealer Network With Details of Alliance Between Kawasaki And Suzuki
IRVINE, Calif.–Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC), the consumer products marketing arm of Japan-based Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI), will soon provide additional information on the announced alliance between KHI and Suzuki Motor Corp. to its U.S. dealer network. The alliance–created to allow the two brands to share certain production platforms, related sourcing, and engage in selected product co-development–was announced last August and will begin to take form by the middle of this year.
According to Bob Shepard, KMC Executive Vice President, the alliance planning is “moving along as was anticipated and will, when all details are finalized, be recognized as a significant contributor to the dealer group’s growth opportunities beginning in 2002.”
Shepard indicated that the initial benefit of the alliance–which is similar to business models employed in the automotive industry–will be in the dealers’ ability to offer a broadened product line, specifically in regards to off-road and dual-purpose motorcycles, and the fast-growing all-terrain vehicle segment. He said Kawasaki dealers will be able to offer consumers branded youth and sport ATVs, as well as additional small and mid-sized motorcycles.
“There has been speculation from uninformed sources regarding the extent to which the alliance will affect other segments, and this is unfortunate. When the announcement was first made in Japan, the two companies were very clear that certain models–such as super sports motorcycles–would not fall under the alliance umbrella,” said Shepard. He reiterated that and stressed the importance of this strategic business relationship for both brands, as they compete in an increasingly global environment.
It is expected that Suzuki will issue similar details of the arrangement to its U.S. dealer group in conjunction with Kawasaki’s impending notification. Their announcement will detail the product expansions to the Suzuki line that the alliance generates.
Kawasaki will continue to build on the existing equity in its brand and its individual model name recognition, and will focus on offering consumers the widest-possible choice in product selection. This will, according to Shepard, be a key component in enhancing profitability for Kawasaki dealers in the future. At the same time, he said, consumers will ultimately be in a position to make the best purchase decisions, and will be able to strengthen their relationships with Kawasaki dealerships which will be positioned to better serve buyers’ needs.
The two brands are expected to combine some development efforts to take advantage of efficiencies that otherwise would be absorbed independently, and would necessarily extend the time in bringing new products to market. This is seen as a benefit to consumers who will be able to purchase a broader range of new and updated units that maintain the uniqueness inherent to each brand.
“Kawasaki has a proud heritage and this alliance gives us the support needed to continue to build on it as we move forward,” said Shepard. “The entire arrangement is predicated on allowing the brands to maintain their respective character and simultaneously increase the impact they have in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” he concluded.
The exact timing for Kawasaki’s notification to its dealer network will be based on finalization of specific program elements still under consideration.
IRTA 125cc GP Jerez Test Moved To Catalunya
Construction at the Jerez circuit has forced the IRTA 125cc Grand Prix tests scheduled for February 14-15 to be moved to the Catalunya track on March 11-12.
Ducati Has Record Revenue In 2001
From a press release:
DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING ANNOUNCES FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF RECORD REVENUES FOR 2001
Bologna, Italy – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Milan’s Telematico: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced record consolidated revenues for the fourth quarter and full year, ended December 31, 2001.
For the fourth quarter, revenues were Euro 123.9 million (US$110.5 million) representing a growth of 18.4% over the same period in 2000. Revenues from Ducati motorcycles for the period increased 19.7% to Euro 108.5 million and represented 87.6% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products, including spare parts, technical accessories and apparel, rose 8.8% to Euro 15.0 million over the comparable period in the previous year.
For 2001, revenues were Euro 407.3 million (US$362.9 million) representing like-for-like growth of 9.2% over 2000. Total sales were up 7.3% from Euro 379.5 million (US$334.3 million) during the previous year. This discrepancy is due to a decrease of “miscellaneous other sales” of Euro 6.5 million, reflecting the one-off buy-back of inventory from the newly established UK subsidiary from the previous importer in January 2000. Revenues from Ducati motorcycles increased 9.0% to Euro 344.9 million and represented 84.7% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products rose 9.8% to Euro 61.4 million over the same period last year.
“The fourth quarter showed a notable improvement in our revenue growth, making it the strongest quarter of the year, mostly thanks to a strong December,” said Carlo Di Biagio, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati Motor Holding. “All in all, I am very satisfied with our sales in 2001, given the volatile climate of recent months. In particular, towards the end of the year, we have seen enthusiastic acceptance of our model year for 2002 – especially the 998 Superbike – and are seeing the benefits of the re-organization of our North American subsidiary.”
While official world registrations data for the period are not yet available, the Company’s best estimates suggest that fourth quarter registrations showed an improvement, growing around 2% versus previous year. Registrations for 2001 are estimated to have grown approximately 1%, with weakness in the US (-23%) and in Italy (-3%) more than offset by strength in Japan (+51%), in the UK (+10%), and France (+8%).
During the fourth quarter of 2001, new independent Ducati Stores exclusively selling Ducati motorcycles and accessories were opened, including one in Zurichsee (Switzerland), Nantes (France), Regensburg (Germany), Matsudo Chiba and Tomei Yokohama (Japan), bringing the total to 88 stores worldwide at year-end.
Please note: These data are preliminary and may be subject to minor changes. Final data will be announced on February 15, 2002, along with 2001 net earnings results.
Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won nine of the last eleven World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and SportTouring. The company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.Ducati.com.
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, as described in the Company’s 2000 annual report, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F, dated July 2, 2001.
Loudon Orders 50 Alpina Defender Soft Barrier Sections, LRRS Riders Order Another 20
This report from Jerry Wood:
At the LRRS awards banquet held in Stamford, Connecticut on Saturday, January 26th, New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) representative Bette French presented Dan Lance of Alpina Safety Systems a check to secure an order for 50 sections of Alpina Defender and Super Defender units.
This order is in addition to 20 units ordered by a LRRS rider’s group led by Paolo Tiramani. That group raised about $20,000 towards the effort.
Many riders expressed gratitude for the Bahre family’s commitment to motorcycle road racing.
(Background: NHIS, in Loudon, New Hampshire, is owned by Bob Bahre and run by his son, Gary Bahre. LRRS is the track’s racing organization, Loudon Road Racing Series. Jerry Wood, a long-time racer, is in charge of track safety for motorcycle events held at NHIS. Alpina Defender sections are non-inflatable semi-permanent soft barriers and are about 6.5 feet long each.)
Sidi Signs Multi-year MotoGP Sponsorship Deal
Sidi, the Italian boot company, has signed a multi-year agreement to sponsor the MotoGP World Championship road racing series. According to the release, Sidi will receive trackside banner placement that company officials hope will help in their “quest for increased market share in the USA and Europe.”
Flash: Honda Quotes Edwards As Saying Bike Is A Winner
From a pair of press releases:
“SP-2 A WINNER” CLAIMS EDWARDS
Castrol Honda’s Colin Edwards continued to improve the development of his new SP-2 machine during Friday¹s action at the Michelin tyre test at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa.
In his bid to regain the World Superbike title the 27-year-old believes the new SP-2 will give him the perfect opportunity in the 13-round championship, which starts at Valencia, Spain on March 10.
Edwards was again in determined mood as he completed a third day at the 2.65-mile circuit, testing set-up, suspension and engine options before trying a host of new tyres from the French company.
“We managed to get through a lot more work today and get into some serious tyre testing,” said Edwards. “Michelin have been doing their homework and some of the race tyres I tried today are a massive improvement on last year’s.
“This year¹s package is really coming together and there¹s every reason to believe the SP-2 can win the 2002 world title.”
Edwards will continue the test on Saturday, with the Castrol Honda team expected to use the morning session only before leaving for Phillip Island in Australia and next week¹s official championship test on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
No lap times were available from Friday¹s test session.
EDWARDS: “SOUTH AFRICAN TEST A SUCCESS”
Castrol Honda¹s Colin Edwards left the four-day Michelin tyre test session at Kyalami, South Africa in buoyant mood after completing his schedule with further track time on Saturday morning.
Edwards completed 274 laps of the Johannesburg circuit in four days before heading off to Phillip Island in Australia for further testing next week.
“Saturday morning’s session was about me trying to complete race distance on potential rear race tyres,” explained the Texan. “We found a really good rear tyre and I¹m hoping the same rear tyre works well under the different temperature and conditions at Phillip Island.
“I feel like we’re in good shape for the season although I still think I’ve got a bit more to come yet. I¹ve not been on a machine for more than six weeks so I was beginning to ache by the end of the test and my hands are covered in blisters.”
Edwards concluded: “I managed to lap a little bit quicker than I did on Friday but at this stage we¹re more focused on getting a race set-up for the new SP-2 than breaking lap records everywhere.”
No lap times were available from Saturday¹s test session.
Jose Luis Cardoso To Race MuZ Four-stroke in 2002 MotoGP Series
Jose Luis Cardoso has signed to ride MuZ’s new four-stroke racebike in the 2002 MotoGP series. Details of MuZ’s machine have not been made public.
A 27-year-old Spanish rider, Cardoso has been in World Championship Grand Prix racing since 1993. Cardoso has made 110 race starts in the 125cc class, 67 starts in the 250cc class and 42 starts in the 500cc class but has never finished on a World Championship Grand Prix podium. Competing as Norick Abe’s teammate on Luis d’Antin’s Antena 3 Yamaha squad, Cardoso finished 16th in the 2001 World Championship standings with a best finish of 8th in Rio.
Kawasaki To Provide Dealers With More Details Of Alliance With Suzuki
From a press release:
Kawasaki Firming Arrangements To Provide Dealer Network With Details of Alliance Between Kawasaki And Suzuki
IRVINE, Calif.–Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC), the consumer products marketing arm of Japan-based Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI), will soon provide additional information on the announced alliance between KHI and Suzuki Motor Corp. to its U.S. dealer network. The alliance–created to allow the two brands to share certain production platforms, related sourcing, and engage in selected product co-development–was announced last August and will begin to take form by the middle of this year.
According to Bob Shepard, KMC Executive Vice President, the alliance planning is “moving along as was anticipated and will, when all details are finalized, be recognized as a significant contributor to the dealer group’s growth opportunities beginning in 2002.”
Shepard indicated that the initial benefit of the alliance–which is similar to business models employed in the automotive industry–will be in the dealers’ ability to offer a broadened product line, specifically in regards to off-road and dual-purpose motorcycles, and the fast-growing all-terrain vehicle segment. He said Kawasaki dealers will be able to offer consumers branded youth and sport ATVs, as well as additional small and mid-sized motorcycles.
“There has been speculation from uninformed sources regarding the extent to which the alliance will affect other segments, and this is unfortunate. When the announcement was first made in Japan, the two companies were very clear that certain models–such as super sports motorcycles–would not fall under the alliance umbrella,” said Shepard. He reiterated that and stressed the importance of this strategic business relationship for both brands, as they compete in an increasingly global environment.
It is expected that Suzuki will issue similar details of the arrangement to its U.S. dealer group in conjunction with Kawasaki’s impending notification. Their announcement will detail the product expansions to the Suzuki line that the alliance generates.
Kawasaki will continue to build on the existing equity in its brand and its individual model name recognition, and will focus on offering consumers the widest-possible choice in product selection. This will, according to Shepard, be a key component in enhancing profitability for Kawasaki dealers in the future. At the same time, he said, consumers will ultimately be in a position to make the best purchase decisions, and will be able to strengthen their relationships with Kawasaki dealerships which will be positioned to better serve buyers’ needs.
The two brands are expected to combine some development efforts to take advantage of efficiencies that otherwise would be absorbed independently, and would necessarily extend the time in bringing new products to market. This is seen as a benefit to consumers who will be able to purchase a broader range of new and updated units that maintain the uniqueness inherent to each brand.
“Kawasaki has a proud heritage and this alliance gives us the support needed to continue to build on it as we move forward,” said Shepard. “The entire arrangement is predicated on allowing the brands to maintain their respective character and simultaneously increase the impact they have in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” he concluded.
The exact timing for Kawasaki’s notification to its dealer network will be based on finalization of specific program elements still under consideration.
IRTA 125cc GP Jerez Test Moved To Catalunya
Construction at the Jerez circuit has forced the IRTA 125cc Grand Prix tests scheduled for February 14-15 to be moved to the Catalunya track on March 11-12.
Ducati Has Record Revenue In 2001
From a press release:
DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING ANNOUNCES FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF RECORD REVENUES FOR 2001
Bologna, Italy – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH, Milan’s Telematico: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced record consolidated revenues for the fourth quarter and full year, ended December 31, 2001.
For the fourth quarter, revenues were Euro 123.9 million (US$110.5 million) representing a growth of 18.4% over the same period in 2000. Revenues from Ducati motorcycles for the period increased 19.7% to Euro 108.5 million and represented 87.6% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products, including spare parts, technical accessories and apparel, rose 8.8% to Euro 15.0 million over the comparable period in the previous year.
For 2001, revenues were Euro 407.3 million (US$362.9 million) representing like-for-like growth of 9.2% over 2000. Total sales were up 7.3% from Euro 379.5 million (US$334.3 million) during the previous year. This discrepancy is due to a decrease of “miscellaneous other sales” of Euro 6.5 million, reflecting the one-off buy-back of inventory from the newly established UK subsidiary from the previous importer in January 2000. Revenues from Ducati motorcycles increased 9.0% to Euro 344.9 million and represented 84.7% of revenues. Motorcycle-related products rose 9.8% to Euro 61.4 million over the same period last year.
“The fourth quarter showed a notable improvement in our revenue growth, making it the strongest quarter of the year, mostly thanks to a strong December,” said Carlo Di Biagio, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati Motor Holding. “All in all, I am very satisfied with our sales in 2001, given the volatile climate of recent months. In particular, towards the end of the year, we have seen enthusiastic acceptance of our model year for 2002 – especially the 998 Superbike – and are seeing the benefits of the re-organization of our North American subsidiary.”
While official world registrations data for the period are not yet available, the Company’s best estimates suggest that fourth quarter registrations showed an improvement, growing around 2% versus previous year. Registrations for 2001 are estimated to have grown approximately 1%, with weakness in the US (-23%) and in Italy (-3%) more than offset by strength in Japan (+51%), in the UK (+10%), and France (+8%).
During the fourth quarter of 2001, new independent Ducati Stores exclusively selling Ducati motorcycles and accessories were opened, including one in Zurichsee (Switzerland), Nantes (France), Regensburg (Germany), Matsudo Chiba and Tomei Yokohama (Japan), bringing the total to 88 stores worldwide at year-end.
Please note: These data are preliminary and may be subject to minor changes. Final data will be announced on February 15, 2002, along with 2001 net earnings results.
Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won nine of the last eleven World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and SportTouring. The company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.Ducati.com.
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, as described in the Company’s 2000 annual report, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F, dated July 2, 2001.