This just in from Dan Wildhirt:

The late-December announcement by Clear Channel Entertainment that it had secured the rights from the FIM to produce the Supercross World Championship in collaboration with DORNA might seem on its face to be just another shot across the AMA’s bow in the ongoing war over the control of Supercross.

However, it may well prove to be the most significant development yet in motorcycle racing’s biggest-ever pissing match.

Up to now, the SXWC has been little more than a ceremonial title that carried far less importance than winning the U.S. Supercross crown or even, for that matter, winning certain individual races such as the legendary Bercy SX. Beginning in the mid-1990s, the SXWC never, if memory serves, comprised more than four events in any given year. Only once did the series ever visit the USA, the sport’s acknowledged birthplace, and that was for a forgettable, sparsely attended fiasco at Pasadena’s 100,000-seat Rose Bowl in 1999. The following year, the “series” was made up of just two European rounds, which probably had a lot to do with the championship being cancelled entirely for 2001.

So what does CCE get out of being associated with this seemingly moribund series? Exactly what they needed. Ever since the split between AMA Pro Racing and CCE, the AMA has made noises about the U.S. Supercross Championship being “the most sought-after title in Supercross racing,” as if that alone were enough to guarantee success for the new JamSports-produced AMA series. Now, however, the AMA may not just find itself competing against the most successful Supercross promoter in the world, but also one that has official sanction from the sport’s governing body to confer what should be the most recognizable title in Supercross.

I’m not privy to CCE’s decision-making processes, but I have to believe that the rights to the SXWC were acquired with an eye toward integrating it into the existing CCE Supercross infrastructure. As we’ve seen over the past several years, CCE can be a very creative and persuasive organizer. It’s doubtful they’d enter into an agreement such as the one with DORNA and FIM unless they intend to get maximum leverage out of the association.

The 2003 CCE Supercross series already has the venues, the merchandising, the promotional muscle and the logistics in place; all that was needed was an important-sounding title on which the series would be focused. Now they’ve got that, too. Kudos to the Clear Channel staffer who realized the SXWC property was in play.

But how, you might ask, can you have a “world” championship centered around a U.S.-based series? First of all, the current AMA series, under the auspices of CCE, is already recognized as the de facto world championship of stadium motocross, if not by the FIM, then certainly by the riders and fans. Jeremy McGrath and Travis Pastrana, to name just two of the biggest stars, have never pursued the world championship, yet they’re far better known internationally than any of the putative world champions of Supercross.

Second, the precedent for a world championship series concentrated on a single continent already exists. There are already a number of FIM “world” championships that rarely, if ever, leave Europe: enduro, trials and endurance road racing, for example. All CCE needs is a few overseas dates to give the schedule the appropriate international character. How does the “Tokyo Supercross” sound to you? More importantly, would the factories–the lynchpins in this battle–get excited about it? Ya think?

It’s not too far-fetched to foresee Clear Channel-owned radio stations and billboards across L.A. and Orange County blanketed a year from now by ads for three Anaheim rounds of a revitalized Supercross World Championship. If I were CCE motorsports division President Charlie Mancuso, I’d already be working on it. Wouldn’t you?

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The newly announced deal between DORNA and Clear Channel Entertainment to promote the Supercross World Championship Series under FIM sanction could force the AMA run its new National Supercross Series later in the season, in conflict with the AMA outdoor national motocross series.

FIM rules forbid its affiliates from holding National races that conflict with World Championship events. The AMA is the FIM affiliate in the United States.

If CCE/DORNA declare all 15 rounds of the 2003 CCE Supercross Series held in the U.S. to be part of the Supercross World Championship Series, AMA could not hold National races on the same weekend as those events.

That FIM regulation could force the AMA and its new Supercross promotion partner, JamSports, to hold Supercross Nationals either before or after the CCE Series starts in January and ends in May.

Another problem facing the AMA is that its much vaunted live coverage of 2003 Supercross races on Speedvision will be accessible to millions fewer viewers than tape-delayed coverage of CCE/DORNA races on ESPN2. Live television will also mean that a typical Supercross main event in the western part of the country will be shown very late at night in the eastern parts of the country, after midnight.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Long-time AMA Trustee John Hoover has resigned his seat on the AMA Board, which he held as the designated representative of Corporate Board Member Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

Hoover was instrumental in the establishment of AMA Pro Racing, a for-profit subsidiary of the non-profit American Motorcyclist Assn.

Hoover is leaving his post as AMA Pro Racing faces its greatest controversy ever, the establishment of a start-up AMA Supercross Series promoted by motorsports rookies JamSports to compete with the existing AMA-sanctioned EA Sports Supercross Series promoted by Clear Channel Entertainment, starting in 2003.

The Supercross split has many insiders advocating that AMA Pro Racing (aka Paradama, Inc.) be dissolved and its functions absorbed into a department within the Association.

Hoover is expected to be replaced on the Board by Kawasaki employee Croft Long.

From a press release:

Triumph to Release New Hooligan Bike

Speed Four

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Already a popular class within many European markets, Triumph anticipates steady growth worldwide in the middleweight naked bike sector. Much of this growth will be driven by riders switching from purebred sports bikes to avoid the spiralling cost of insurance and the licence-losing potential associated with fully faired sports bikes. It is for this rider that the new Triumph Speed Four is designed.

Immense fun to ride, the Speed Four combines streetfighter looks with high specification components throughout to deliver genuine sports bike performance. Unlike the more budget-oriented machines currently available in this sector, generally based upon older models, the Speed Four platform is the latest 2002 specification TT600. The fuel injected, in-line four-cylinder engine features new cams, pistons and liners and is tuned for a broad spread of mid-range power and torque. (The engine’s performance has been deliberately capped at a maximum of 98 PS max power to match European insurance breaks.)

It shares the same chassis as the TT600, so from the outset the rider is assured of superb handling and agility. The lightweight aluminium frame and swingarm impart strength and stiffness while the use of the same front wheel as the TT reduces unsprung weight to allow faster directional changes. The Speed Four also has fully adjustable front and rear suspension enabling the rider to choose settings to suit differing riding styles and to match the bike load and riding conditions.

Impressive stopping power is provided by twin 310mm fully floating disc front brakes and the single disc rear.

The bold styling draws inspiration from the Speed Triple and shares the same distinctive twin headlamps. The love them or hate-them, colour coordinated air intakes, that feed cold, dense air to the engine, are neatly tucked in and an aerodynamic headlamp fairing is fitted as standard to deflect the brunt of wind resistance away from the rider. A colour co-ordinated seat cowl completes the bodywork. The compact instrument console features an analogue tachometer, digital speedometer and digital twin trip meters, clock and temperature gauge plus a low fuel warning light.

Ergonomics replicate the TT600’s; comfortable yet sporty enough to take full advantage of the Speed Four’s ample performance.

The Speed Four will be available in three colors –Roulette Green, Tangerine Orange and Jet Black.

The Speed Four will make its US debut at the Atlanta Cycle World Show in late January. In the meantime, from 2nd January the model can be viewed on Triumph’s updated website at www.triumph.co.uk

According to a news report on a website run by K-USA TV Denver (channel 9), Fay Myers Motorcycle World burned after a fire started in the parts department at at about 8:00 a.m. today.

For more information, go to the 9news.com website:

http://9news.com/newsroom/14220.html

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship’s premier class will be based on open-class production machines, with a dyno-enforced horsepower limit. The move away from 750cc four-cylinder and 1000cc Twin-cylinder Superbikes is a cost-cutting move and has the support of manufacturers participating in the series, according to series boss Colin Fraser.

An official press release issued on the move follow:

NEW RULES PACKAGE RELEASED

TORONTO, ON – A stock-based headline class, called Superbike, will be the foundation of the new Parts Canada Superbike Championship rules set to debut in 2003.

The new Superbike class will resemble the existing International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike division, with dyno-enforced maximum horsepower limitations. Modifications beyond current Open Sport Bike guidelines will permit changes to triple clamps and shock linkages.

The new Superbike category will also be similar to Formula USA’s current Unlimited Superbike feature class.

The Open Sport Bike category will disappear after the 2002 season. It will be replaced by an Amateur 600 Sport bike class, which will run alongside the existing Yoshimura 600 Sport Bike division. All three classes will receive television coverage.

The new rules package comes after two years of deliberation between Parts Canada Superbike Championship officials and representatives of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, along with rider input. The format is designed to reduce the cost of competing in the national motorcycle road race series and encourage more riders to participate.

“A lot of discussion went into this,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsports Productions, organizer of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. “While it is always hard to please everybody, we think we have a program that will appeal to the teams, racers and the many fans that enjoy our series.”

The change in feature class format will see the disappearance of exotic and expensive works motorcycles imported from Japan, which have appeared in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship over the past two years.

Bikes like Honda’s RC51, winner of the past two titles in the hands of Steve Crevier, and the Kawasaki ZX-7RR raced last year by Owen Weichel will be grandfathered, with restrictions for 2003.

Under the new regulations each of the four Japanese manufacturers will be expected to support a minimum of three riders with bikes and parts in both the Superbike class and the Pro 600 Sport Bike division. Direct factory support for Amateur 600 Sport Bike competitors will not be permitted.

The creation of a national Amateur 600 Sport Bike class should further assist the development of young Canadian racers. The category will be open to Amateur class license holders across Canada and the champion will receive a major career enhancement award.

“This class will lead Amateur racers directly into the national system,” Fraser said. “It will give them valuable exposure and provide the means for them to continue their racing careers.”

For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Tom Kipp underwent successful surgery on Thursday, December 20, to treat compartment syndrome in both arms.

Kipp expects to be ready for testing later this month.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

In what may be a reaction to the use of Board of Trustees meeting minutes as source material for Roadracing World and www.roadracingworld.com stories, AMA Trustees have reduced the amount of information and the detail contained in the minutes released on the official AMA website, www.ama-cycle.org.

The reduced-content minutes seem to mark a serious change in position on the part of Board Chairman Rick Gray, a lawyer (and former dirt track sponsor) who in the past advocated increased communication with members.

The recent reduction in minutes content runs counter to a previous decision to post detailed minutes as a way for AMA members to stay informed about what was happening with their organization, that decision made after fallout from the AMA’s losing legal battle with Roger Edmondson, a case that the AMA settled by paying Edmondson $3 million last June.

During an April 29, 1999 Board meeting, the Board addressed the issue of making meeting minutes available to the membership.

From the April 29, 1999 Board meeting minutes:

“Thereafter, the Trustees discussed the distribution of Board meeting Minutes to the membership via the magazine [American Motorcyclist] and the website [www.ama-cycle.org]. Mr. [Rick] Gray moved with a second by Mr. [Mike] Farabaugh that Minutes be prepared timely after the meeting and submitted to the Board for a seven day period of review and comment. Thereafter, they will be posted on the website subject to final approval by the Board, Mr. Farabaugh seconded the Motion and it was unanimously approved.

“Following further discussion, Mr. Gray moved, with a second by Mr. [Dal] Smilie, that:

“Affirming that the membership has a right to be kept informed concerning the governance of the organization, it is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide meaningful information to the membership concerning Board actions and Association affairs. Actions by the Trustees which are conducted in executive session should be limited to sensitive personnel matters or those actions which public disclosure of which would be contrary to the best interests of the Association.

“The Motion passed unanimously.”

Checking the AMA website for meeting minutes regularly over the past year, Roadracing World found that the posting of the Board meeting minutes was usually delayed by several months, but the minutes contained meaningful information.

But after www.roadracingworld.com found that the AMA’s own Board meeting minutes contradicted AMA press releases (see August 6, 2001 posting “Board Meeting Minutes Prove AMA Claims Of Existing Air Fence Acquisition Program Were False”), the Trustees seem to have altered their policy regarding the posting of Board meeting minutes.

In the week of Christmas 2001, the AMA posted Board minutes from the June 11 meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the August 23-24 meetings in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Both postings lack the detail of previous postings.

In the past, the minutes included background information, the factors concerning the items up for discussion, specific points raised during the discussion and who raised them, who made motions, who seconded motions, who voted for or against motions, if items were sent to committees, if items were deferred for continued discussion at following meetings, specific dollar amounts involved with topics, etc. The new meeting minutes only provide a short summary of the items discussed and very few details.

Posted meeting minutes regarding the AMA financial report given at the August 23-24, 2001 Board meetings at Colorado Springs, Colorado read:

“The financial report presented by the vice president of finance reported that an increased number of first-year members had been processed, but certain membership categories were down, likely as a result of last year’s dues increase.
“Financial results and net loss on the inaugural Crossroads Rally were reviewed, and the Board was advised that schedule changes for 2002 should improve the outcome. After considerable discussion, the Board approved the 2002 budget.”

Compare that amount of information to what was provided in the posted Board meeting minutes from the June 19, 2000 meeting in Bow, New Hampshire.

“Treasurer’s Report

“In Ms. [Patti] DiPietro’s absence, Mr. [Ron] Widman [Board Treasurer and rank-and-file-elected Trustee from the South Central region] provided the treasurer’s report. He noted that the projected net profit of $1.3 million is primarily a result of the sale of the Westerville property [AMA’s former headquarters]. If the sale proceeds are excluded from calculations, the net profit is $360,000. Projected revenues (excluding the building proceeds) are over budget by $225,100, or 2 percent, while projected expenses are over budget by $520,000 or 5 percent. Growth in revenue is due to membership sales and EA Sports supercross video game royalties. Most other revenue sources have remained consistent with past years, but the anticipated growth in membership list rentals, legislative supporter donations, emergency road service sales and product sales has not materialized.

“The Board was asked to approve an amendment to the Corporate Resolution appointing Fifth/ Third Bank as the 401K plan trustee. It was moved by Mr. [Dal] Smilie, seconded by Mr. [Clyde] Fessler, and unanimously voted to:

“Approve the appointment as Fifth Third Bank as Trustee of the AMA 401K plan.

“The Secretary will execute the necessary resolution and submit it to the Bank.”
Twice as much text was provided in the Board meeting minutes from an October 26-27, 2000 Board meeting in Pickerington, Ohio than in the Board meeting minutes from another two-day meeting, August 23-24, 2001 in Colorado Springs.

To view AMA Board of Trustee meeting minutes and see the reduction in the amount of information provided to AMA members for yourself, go to www.ama-cycle.org, click on “About the AMA”, go to “Links”, click on “Board of Trustees”, click on either “Current AMA Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes” or “Past AMA Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes”. Meeting minutes from the past three years have been posted and are accessible as of this posting.

While reading through the past Board meeting minutes for this article, we stumbled across more interesting information. At the August 23-24 meetings in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the AMA Board adjourned to a secret “Executive Session” to review “certain issues regarding professional racing”; the Board authorized the Committee on Strategic Partnerships “to act on behalf of the Board on any proposals for strategic partnerships with Paradama”; and AMA Board of Trustees Chairman Rick Gray presented a report on “confidentiality of Board communications”. It was after this meeting that AMA Pro Racing announced its new “strategic partnership” with JamSports, splitting Supercross between the existing Clear Channel Entertainment Series and a new start-up AMA Series.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA gave up $11.4 million in guaranteed fees and another $8.1 million in potential membership revenue when it switched promotion of the AMA Supercross Series from Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE) to JamSports, a Roadracingworld.com analysis has concluded.

To justify the move in economic terms, AMA will have to net $19.5 million from a start-up series that will compete against the established CCE Series, which is continuing without AMA sanction.

The $11.4 million and $8.1 million figures represent revenue over the seven-year term of a proposed contract renewal rejected by the AMA.

Annual payments CCE would have made to the AMA (related to the Supercross Series deal) include the following:

Supercross sanction fees: $1 million

Back gate (rider licenses and entries, mechanic passes): $200,000

Rider medical insurance fees paid to AMA: $93,000

Official fees: $90,000

Contingency program administration: $50,000

In additional, CCE offered to buy AMA sanctions for other CCE motorcycle racing programs not currently sanctioned by AMA, (including National Arenacross, Regional Arenacross, CCS road racing, F-USA dirt track and F-USA road racing), for a total of $200,000 annually.

The above annual fees total $1.6 million, for a seven-year total of $11.4 million.

In addition, an estimated 15,000 riders and 15,000 mechanics at CCE motorcycle events (9000 in arenacross, 300 in Supercross, 5500 in CCS and F-USA road racing, and 100 in F-USA dirt track, with each rider bringing just one crew member, a conservative estimate) would have been required to buy $39 AMA memberships worth $1.2 million per year or $8.1 million over seven years.

CCE also purchased a Supercross transponder scoring system for $100,000 which will have to be replaced by AMA for its own series.

It’s impossible to estimate a value for AMA brand exposure associated with TV coverage of CCE Supercross and Arenacross events.

But the immediate impact of the decision to switch from Clear Channel to JamSports over a seven-year period is a $19.5 million decline in AMA revenue.

To see if it was a good decision, all we have to do is see how much revenue the AMA realizes from its 2003 Supercross season with JamSports.