Kevin Schwantz won his new AMA Trustee seat by a margin of 3.5:1 over incumbent Carl Reynolds, who played a key role in the Edmondson vs. AMA lawsuit that cost AMA members $3 million in a settlement made last June.
Schwantz, the 1993 500cc World Champion, drew 1191 votes to Reynolds’ 331.
Voting in the AMA South Central Region ran almost 3:1 (actually 2.7:1) in favor of Take Back The AMA candidate Jeff Nash, who defeated incumbent Ron Widman.
Nash, who was the 2000 AMA Pro Thunder Champion, won with 619 votes to Widman’s 232 votes.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
After two days of testing on the 2.36-mile infield road course at California Speedway in Fontana, California, Nicky Hayden, Tommy Hayden and Mike Hale recorded the fastest times among Superbike, 600cc Supersport and Formula Xtreme riders, respectively. Despite cold and overcast weather, lap times fell sharply throughout the day as the racing surface gained more traction through the exchange of rubber for dirt on the racing line.
For the second major off-season test in a row, American Honda’s Nicky Hayden turned the fastest lap of the test on his 2001-spec RC51 while expressing a clear preference for the 2002-model RC51 that he has sampled at each test. On the second day of the two-day test at Fontana, Nicky Hayden spent all of his time on his 2001 bike before turning a 1:26.97 lap time late in the day on a race tire.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff sorted through,” said Nicky Hayden. “We’ve still got more stuff we can try when we come back here for the race. I’m pretty happy, though. Both days went smooth and we learned a lot. I feel that I learned the track as good as I’m going to learn it.
“When you’re fast, of course it feels good, but I don’t want to put too much into it because it don’t really count ‘til the race. Plus it’s just one fast lap. You’ve gotta be able to do 29 of them here, I think. Honestly, it does feel good to keep that momentum rolling, though.”
After a big save immediately preceding a small crash on Monday, Miguel Duhamel turned the second-fastest time (1:27.34) of the two days during a 20-lap tire test. HMC Ducati’s Pascal Picotte backed up his performance at the Daytona tire tests by posting the third-fastest time at Fontana with a 1:27.55. Kurtis Roberts spent most of Tuesday afternoon running American Honda’s sole 2002-model RC51. Roberts was the first rider to get into the mid-1:28s before settling with the fourth-fastest time of 1:27.70. Roberts also completed a successful test of the on-board, two-way Racing Radios system that American Honda debuted at Daytona.
Most of the riders at the Fontana test spent Tuesday afternoon testing tires while others, like Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom, continued to look for set-ups and solutions. Bostrom fought a problem with his updated ZX-7RR Superbike while trying to learn to work with his new crew and a track that he does not particularly like. Bostrom added that he had the same problem at Daytona and if he and his team could cure the problem it would allow him to go faster at both tracks. However, Bostrom was not overly concerned with his time of 1:29.3, making him the slowest of the five Superbike riders present, because Kawasaki plans to test at California Speedway again in February.
Dunlop National Road Race Manager Jim Allen concluded Tuesday that California Speedway would not require the construction of any special tire and would probably not even require a dual-compound tread.
Bostrom’s teammate Tommy Hayden led all 600cc riders from the time they rolled off the truck at the test and went home with the fastest time at 1:31.2. The eldest Hayden brother said that he is getting more comfortable on the Kawasaki ZX-6R and gaining confidence in his Championship hopes everyday. Erion Honda’s Mike Hale and Bruce Transportation Group’s Jake Zemke were the only other 600cc riders to join Tommy Hayden in the 1:31s.
Hale started from scratch with a Honda CBR954RR Formula Xtreme bike on Monday and ended the two-day test as the fastest of the four FX riders in attendance with a 1:28.5. Roger Lee Hayden, riding an Erion Honda CBR929RR, chased brother Nicky Hayden, riding a Honda RC51 Superbike, around the track for several laps Tuesday afternoon resulting in a two-second-per-lap reduction of his lap time. Roger Lee Hayden’s fastest time, a 1:29.3, was the second-fastest Formula Xtreme time of the test. Third-fastest FX rider Zemke spent very little time on his CBR929RR after fuel-injection problems on Monday and blown seals on his Ohlins forks on Tuesday.
Although he was the slowest of the 600cc Supersport riders, Kawasaki’s Tony “The Tiger” Meiring did earn his paycheck in his first outing with his new team. Meiring completed 103 laps of the new track Monday and then did 107 more on Tuesday for a total of 210 laps over the two days.
The next AMA team test is scheduled for January 21-23 at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California with Kawasaki and Honda’s three teams expected to attend. HMC Ducati had considered going to Laguna Seca but decided against going next week in exchange for testing during more predictable weather during the last week in March.
Unofficial Lap Times:
Superbike:
Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:26.97
Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:27.34
Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.55
Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:27.70
Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:29.30
Formula Xtreme:
Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.59
Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR929RR, 1:29.30
Jake Zemke, Honda CBR929RR, 1:29.70
Alex Gobert, Honda CBR929RR, 1:32.27
600cc Supersport:
Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.20
Mike Hale, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:31.60
Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:31.90
Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.20
Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.45
Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:33.04
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Maryland Motorsports, the second-place team in the 2001 WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series Lightweight Superbike class, has organized an all-female team to compete in the 2002 WERA endurance series. The team will be called “Sirens.”
With varying levels of racing experience, Shelli Langdale, Audrey Ghia, Jess Morgan, Laura Granato, Marcel Wolf and Beth Wyse will ride Suzuki SV650s in the Lightweight Superbike class in all nine rounds of the WERA series. Sirens’ sponsors include Ed Bargy Racing School and The Plastic Doctor, but the team is pursuing additional sponsorship.
According to a press release from the Sirens’ Public Relations firm, Raven Communications, “The team’s name, Sirens, was inspired by the stories of the Sirens in Greek mythology. The alluring women would use their beauty and enchanting singing to lure sailors to their island, where they would perish on the rocks in the surf. The team felt that Sirens was an appropriate moniker because it represents that the riders are more than just ‘a pretty face,’ but in fact are serious competitors on the track.”
Sirens will open their season with WERA at Grand Bayou Circuit in Belle Rose, Louisiana on April 6, 2002.
For more information about Sirens, call Raven Communications’ Beth Wyse at (704) 321-3226 or go to www.sirenamoto.com.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Chris Ulrich broke his right collarbone when he crashed a Honda CBR954RR during a press intro being held today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Ulrich said he highsided when he arrived at an infield corner with no front brakes–following a tankslapper exiting the previous corner–and attempted to slow the bike using the rear brake and downshifts.
Ulrich was at the press intro representing roadracingworld.com and Roadracing World.
He crashed mid-afternoon, and at post time was being transported to a local hospital for X-rays.
He was initially diagnosed as having a broken collarbone in the infield medical center at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
With Silverstone as a setting, GSE Racing announced on Tuesday, January 15 that the team has reached a new, three-year deal with HM Plant to be the headline sponsor of the GSE World Superbike team. At the event, GSE introduced HM Plant Ducati riders Neil Hodgson, James Toseland and the team’s Ducati 998RS racebikes to about 100 quests and media members.
GSE Racing’s website quoted Hodgson as saying, “I can’t wait to get going. The budget is there, thanks to HM Plant; I’m at the right age and I’m in the best team that I’ve ever been in. Mentally and physically – I’m ready.
“Last year I proved that I’m a world-class rider. World Championship racing is where I belong and now that I know all the tracks there will be no excuses. I can be World Champion.”
Young Toseland was equally optimistic, saying, “Beating Colin Edwards, Troy Bayliss and Ruben Xaus last year at Suzuka was the start of a great run for me and this year I can only see it getting better.
“I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in and for the first time in ages I’m starting the year without an injury. I want to see the podium a few times this year–that’s my main aim. I’m confident, I’m fit and I’m ready to go.”
HM Plant Ducati also announced secondary sponsors Axo Sport, Motorex, Suomy, Dunlop and tbc. Additional support for HM Plant Ducati will come from Alphabet, Benelli, Born to be Wild, DAF, Dread, Dixon Motors, Henderson Insurance Brokers, MCN, P&O Stena and Showtrax.
According to GSE Racing, HM Plant is the United Kingdom’s “number one independent construction supplier, specializing in the distribution of Fiat-Hitachi and Hitachi heavy machinery.”
The announcement finalizes a three-year relationship between HM Plant, GSE Racing, Ducati and Hodgson through 2004.
From a press release:
Harley-Davidson Introduces Firefighter Special Edition
MILWAUKEE, WI – Cast from the strong and reliable reputation of Harley-Davidson’s Touring line, the new for 2002 Harley-Davidson Firefighter Special Edition salutes the heroes who risk their lives everyday.
Sporting a solid Scarlet Red paint scheme with double gold pinstripes and the renowned characteristic Harley chrome treatment, the Firefighter Special Edition FLHTC Classic Electra Glide, FLHRI Road King and FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide are signature red fire trucks on two wheels. Powered by Harley-Davidson’s Twin Cam 88 engine, the Firefighter Special rolls with smooth, supple power. Rubber isolation mounts keep vibrations to the rider at a minimum, while the plush suspension makes the ride into the station comfortable.
Kin to the Peace Officer Special Edition models, the Firefighter Special Editions come with a decal to fit on the bike’s console describing the model as the “H-D Firefighter Special Edition”, while cast wheels finish up an aesthetic treatment that complements the touring model’s classic lines.
The honor of being a firefighter has its rewards, and the only way to order a Firefighter Special Edition is by submitting a copy of an official firefighter identification card when ordering the model through your local dealer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s web site at www.harley-davidson.com.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
According to his Crew Chief Jerry Daggett, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Jamie Hacking married girlfriend Rachel Soper in Cancun, Mexico on Sunday, January 13.
“Hell no!” answered Hacking when asked at the Daytona tire test last December if his then-impending marriage would slow him down any. “Nothing changes, you know. Rachel’s a good girl. She supports me 100%, doesn’t get in my way and just lets me do my own thing. Everything’s good. She helps me out a lot, just being supportive and being there.”
The newlyweds will honeymoon in Mexico before returning to the United States in time for Hacking to test with his Yoshmiura Suzuki team in late January at Bragg-Smith Motorsports Park in Pahrump, Nevada.
Yesterday was the deadline for receipt of ballots in the election for AMA Trustees from the Southern Regions of the country, but AMA officials have not released any information on who won.
The election pitted incumbent Carl Reynolds against former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz in the Southeast Region; incumbent Ron Widman against former AMA Pro Thunder Champion Jeff Nash in the South Central Region; and incumbent Ellis Robertson against John Ulrich in the South West Region.
In preliminary nomination balloting last fall, Schwantz, Nash and Ulrich easily outdistanced the incumbents.
But heavy campaigning and use of the AMA organizational machine by the incumbents has left the results of the final election in question.
Reports of members in the affected districts not receiving their copies of the January issue of the AMA magazine–which included the ballot–have also surfaced.
The ballots are being counted by Ernst & Young, an accounting firm.
AMA officials said they had hoped to be able to release the election results this morning, or this afternoon at the latest, but now are unable or unwilling to predict exactly when the election results will be released.
The results are said to have been delayed by the laborious process of checking each voter’s eligibility, i.e., when they joined the AMA.
AMA rules require that members have joined the AMA several months prior to a Trustee election, to be eligible to vote.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
According to Australian pro motocrosser Justin Girotto, AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin dropped in on a small motocross race in Australia in early December and beat everyone handily.
Girotto, 17, accompanied friend Alex Gobert to America on Monday, January 14 to spend a couple of weeks riding motocross tracks in Southern California. “Back in Australia, Alex and myself are some of the quickest guys where we ride motocross,” said Girotto on Tuesday, January 15 at California Speedway while watching Gobert test with the Bruce Transportation Group team. “Alex has been telling me that over here, he is probably one of the slower guys they ride with. He also said that the tracks here were really good.”
Girotto then said that his neighbor Mat Mladin rides motocross with him in Australia. “Mat came out to a little club race we had at Oakdale Motocross Park in New South Wales December 2. He just keeps to himself mainly in between rides. In the race, he smoked everyone on his Suzuki RM250. He came jumping by me on the third lap and won the race.”
Mladin was a professional motocrosser before switching to road racing in his late teens.
Girotto added that his father, a flooring contractor, and Mladin’s father, a house painter, often work together building homes and that Mladin’s home is a five-minute ride away by motocross bike.
Girotto also said that his next-door neighbor in Theresa Park, New South Wales is Red Bull Yamaha Grand Prix rider Garry McCoy. According to Girotto, McCoy has his own motocross track on his property plus a scaled-down, dirt-replica of Eastern Creek Raceway that he rides a 500cc motocross bike around.
Kevin Schwantz won his new AMA Trustee seat by a margin of 3.5:1 over incumbent Carl Reynolds, who played a key role in the Edmondson vs. AMA lawsuit that cost AMA members $3 million in a settlement made last June.
Schwantz, the 1993 500cc World Champion, drew 1191 votes to Reynolds’ 331.
Voting in the AMA South Central Region ran almost 3:1 (actually 2.7:1) in favor of Take Back The AMA candidate Jeff Nash, who defeated incumbent Ron Widman.
Nash, who was the 2000 AMA Pro Thunder Champion, won with 619 votes to Widman’s 232 votes.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
After two days of testing on the 2.36-mile infield road course at California Speedway in Fontana, California, Nicky Hayden, Tommy Hayden and Mike Hale recorded the fastest times among Superbike, 600cc Supersport and Formula Xtreme riders, respectively. Despite cold and overcast weather, lap times fell sharply throughout the day as the racing surface gained more traction through the exchange of rubber for dirt on the racing line.
For the second major off-season test in a row, American Honda’s Nicky Hayden turned the fastest lap of the test on his 2001-spec RC51 while expressing a clear preference for the 2002-model RC51 that he has sampled at each test. On the second day of the two-day test at Fontana, Nicky Hayden spent all of his time on his 2001 bike before turning a 1:26.97 lap time late in the day on a race tire.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff sorted through,” said Nicky Hayden. “We’ve still got more stuff we can try when we come back here for the race. I’m pretty happy, though. Both days went smooth and we learned a lot. I feel that I learned the track as good as I’m going to learn it.
“When you’re fast, of course it feels good, but I don’t want to put too much into it because it don’t really count ‘til the race. Plus it’s just one fast lap. You’ve gotta be able to do 29 of them here, I think. Honestly, it does feel good to keep that momentum rolling, though.”
After a big save immediately preceding a small crash on Monday, Miguel Duhamel turned the second-fastest time (1:27.34) of the two days during a 20-lap tire test. HMC Ducati’s Pascal Picotte backed up his performance at the Daytona tire tests by posting the third-fastest time at Fontana with a 1:27.55. Kurtis Roberts spent most of Tuesday afternoon running American Honda’s sole 2002-model RC51. Roberts was the first rider to get into the mid-1:28s before settling with the fourth-fastest time of 1:27.70. Roberts also completed a successful test of the on-board, two-way Racing Radios system that American Honda debuted at Daytona.
Most of the riders at the Fontana test spent Tuesday afternoon testing tires while others, like Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom, continued to look for set-ups and solutions. Bostrom fought a problem with his updated ZX-7RR Superbike while trying to learn to work with his new crew and a track that he does not particularly like. Bostrom added that he had the same problem at Daytona and if he and his team could cure the problem it would allow him to go faster at both tracks. However, Bostrom was not overly concerned with his time of 1:29.3, making him the slowest of the five Superbike riders present, because Kawasaki plans to test at California Speedway again in February.
Dunlop National Road Race Manager Jim Allen concluded Tuesday that California Speedway would not require the construction of any special tire and would probably not even require a dual-compound tread.
Bostrom’s teammate Tommy Hayden led all 600cc riders from the time they rolled off the truck at the test and went home with the fastest time at 1:31.2. The eldest Hayden brother said that he is getting more comfortable on the Kawasaki ZX-6R and gaining confidence in his Championship hopes everyday. Erion Honda’s Mike Hale and Bruce Transportation Group’s Jake Zemke were the only other 600cc riders to join Tommy Hayden in the 1:31s.
Hale started from scratch with a Honda CBR954RR Formula Xtreme bike on Monday and ended the two-day test as the fastest of the four FX riders in attendance with a 1:28.5. Roger Lee Hayden, riding an Erion Honda CBR929RR, chased brother Nicky Hayden, riding a Honda RC51 Superbike, around the track for several laps Tuesday afternoon resulting in a two-second-per-lap reduction of his lap time. Roger Lee Hayden’s fastest time, a 1:29.3, was the second-fastest Formula Xtreme time of the test. Third-fastest FX rider Zemke spent very little time on his CBR929RR after fuel-injection problems on Monday and blown seals on his Ohlins forks on Tuesday.
Although he was the slowest of the 600cc Supersport riders, Kawasaki’s Tony “The Tiger” Meiring did earn his paycheck in his first outing with his new team. Meiring completed 103 laps of the new track Monday and then did 107 more on Tuesday for a total of 210 laps over the two days.
The next AMA team test is scheduled for January 21-23 at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California with Kawasaki and Honda’s three teams expected to attend. HMC Ducati had considered going to Laguna Seca but decided against going next week in exchange for testing during more predictable weather during the last week in March.
Unofficial Lap Times:
Superbike:
Nicky Hayden, Honda RC51, 1:26.97
Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:27.34
Pascal Picotte, Ducati 998RS, 1:27.55
Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:27.70
Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:29.30
Formula Xtreme:
Mike Hale, Honda CBR954RR, 1:28.59
Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR929RR, 1:29.30
Jake Zemke, Honda CBR929RR, 1:29.70
Alex Gobert, Honda CBR929RR, 1:32.27
600cc Supersport:
Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:31.20
Mike Hale, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:31.60
Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:31.90
Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.20
Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.45
Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:33.04
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Maryland Motorsports, the second-place team in the 2001 WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series Lightweight Superbike class, has organized an all-female team to compete in the 2002 WERA endurance series. The team will be called “Sirens.”
With varying levels of racing experience, Shelli Langdale, Audrey Ghia, Jess Morgan, Laura Granato, Marcel Wolf and Beth Wyse will ride Suzuki SV650s in the Lightweight Superbike class in all nine rounds of the WERA series. Sirens’ sponsors include Ed Bargy Racing School and The Plastic Doctor, but the team is pursuing additional sponsorship.
According to a press release from the Sirens’ Public Relations firm, Raven Communications, “The team’s name, Sirens, was inspired by the stories of the Sirens in Greek mythology. The alluring women would use their beauty and enchanting singing to lure sailors to their island, where they would perish on the rocks in the surf. The team felt that Sirens was an appropriate moniker because it represents that the riders are more than just ‘a pretty face,’ but in fact are serious competitors on the track.”
Sirens will open their season with WERA at Grand Bayou Circuit in Belle Rose, Louisiana on April 6, 2002.
For more information about Sirens, call Raven Communications’ Beth Wyse at (704) 321-3226 or go to www.sirenamoto.com.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Chris Ulrich broke his right collarbone when he crashed a Honda CBR954RR during a press intro being held today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Ulrich said he highsided when he arrived at an infield corner with no front brakes–following a tankslapper exiting the previous corner–and attempted to slow the bike using the rear brake and downshifts.
Ulrich was at the press intro representing roadracingworld.com and Roadracing World.
He crashed mid-afternoon, and at post time was being transported to a local hospital for X-rays.
He was initially diagnosed as having a broken collarbone in the infield medical center at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
With Silverstone as a setting, GSE Racing announced on Tuesday, January 15 that the team has reached a new, three-year deal with HM Plant to be the headline sponsor of the GSE World Superbike team. At the event, GSE introduced HM Plant Ducati riders Neil Hodgson, James Toseland and the team’s Ducati 998RS racebikes to about 100 quests and media members.
GSE Racing’s website quoted Hodgson as saying, “I can’t wait to get going. The budget is there, thanks to HM Plant; I’m at the right age and I’m in the best team that I’ve ever been in. Mentally and physically – I’m ready.
“Last year I proved that I’m a world-class rider. World Championship racing is where I belong and now that I know all the tracks there will be no excuses. I can be World Champion.”
Young Toseland was equally optimistic, saying, “Beating Colin Edwards, Troy Bayliss and Ruben Xaus last year at Suzuka was the start of a great run for me and this year I can only see it getting better.
“I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in and for the first time in ages I’m starting the year without an injury. I want to see the podium a few times this year–that’s my main aim. I’m confident, I’m fit and I’m ready to go.”
HM Plant Ducati also announced secondary sponsors Axo Sport, Motorex, Suomy, Dunlop and tbc. Additional support for HM Plant Ducati will come from Alphabet, Benelli, Born to be Wild, DAF, Dread, Dixon Motors, Henderson Insurance Brokers, MCN, P&O Stena and Showtrax.
According to GSE Racing, HM Plant is the United Kingdom’s “number one independent construction supplier, specializing in the distribution of Fiat-Hitachi and Hitachi heavy machinery.”
The announcement finalizes a three-year relationship between HM Plant, GSE Racing, Ducati and Hodgson through 2004.
From a press release:
Harley-Davidson Introduces Firefighter Special Edition
MILWAUKEE, WI – Cast from the strong and reliable reputation of Harley-Davidson’s Touring line, the new for 2002 Harley-Davidson Firefighter Special Edition salutes the heroes who risk their lives everyday.
Sporting a solid Scarlet Red paint scheme with double gold pinstripes and the renowned characteristic Harley chrome treatment, the Firefighter Special Edition FLHTC Classic Electra Glide, FLHRI Road King and FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide are signature red fire trucks on two wheels. Powered by Harley-Davidson’s Twin Cam 88 engine, the Firefighter Special rolls with smooth, supple power. Rubber isolation mounts keep vibrations to the rider at a minimum, while the plush suspension makes the ride into the station comfortable.
Kin to the Peace Officer Special Edition models, the Firefighter Special Editions come with a decal to fit on the bike’s console describing the model as the “H-D Firefighter Special Edition”, while cast wheels finish up an aesthetic treatment that complements the touring model’s classic lines.
The honor of being a firefighter has its rewards, and the only way to order a Firefighter Special Edition is by submitting a copy of an official firefighter identification card when ordering the model through your local dealer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s web site at www.harley-davidson.com.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
According to his Crew Chief Jerry Daggett, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Jamie Hacking married girlfriend Rachel Soper in Cancun, Mexico on Sunday, January 13.
“Hell no!” answered Hacking when asked at the Daytona tire test last December if his then-impending marriage would slow him down any. “Nothing changes, you know. Rachel’s a good girl. She supports me 100%, doesn’t get in my way and just lets me do my own thing. Everything’s good. She helps me out a lot, just being supportive and being there.”
The newlyweds will honeymoon in Mexico before returning to the United States in time for Hacking to test with his Yoshmiura Suzuki team in late January at Bragg-Smith Motorsports Park in Pahrump, Nevada.
Yesterday was the deadline for receipt of ballots in the election for AMA Trustees from the Southern Regions of the country, but AMA officials have not released any information on who won.
The election pitted incumbent Carl Reynolds against former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz in the Southeast Region; incumbent Ron Widman against former AMA Pro Thunder Champion Jeff Nash in the South Central Region; and incumbent Ellis Robertson against John Ulrich in the South West Region.
In preliminary nomination balloting last fall, Schwantz, Nash and Ulrich easily outdistanced the incumbents.
But heavy campaigning and use of the AMA organizational machine by the incumbents has left the results of the final election in question.
Reports of members in the affected districts not receiving their copies of the January issue of the AMA magazine–which included the ballot–have also surfaced.
The ballots are being counted by Ernst & Young, an accounting firm.
AMA officials said they had hoped to be able to release the election results this morning, or this afternoon at the latest, but now are unable or unwilling to predict exactly when the election results will be released.
The results are said to have been delayed by the laborious process of checking each voter’s eligibility, i.e., when they joined the AMA.
AMA rules require that members have joined the AMA several months prior to a Trustee election, to be eligible to vote.
Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
According to Australian pro motocrosser Justin Girotto, AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin dropped in on a small motocross race in Australia in early December and beat everyone handily.
Girotto, 17, accompanied friend Alex Gobert to America on Monday, January 14 to spend a couple of weeks riding motocross tracks in Southern California. “Back in Australia, Alex and myself are some of the quickest guys where we ride motocross,” said Girotto on Tuesday, January 15 at California Speedway while watching Gobert test with the Bruce Transportation Group team. “Alex has been telling me that over here, he is probably one of the slower guys they ride with. He also said that the tracks here were really good.”
Girotto then said that his neighbor Mat Mladin rides motocross with him in Australia. “Mat came out to a little club race we had at Oakdale Motocross Park in New South Wales December 2. He just keeps to himself mainly in between rides. In the race, he smoked everyone on his Suzuki RM250. He came jumping by me on the third lap and won the race.”
Mladin was a professional motocrosser before switching to road racing in his late teens.
Girotto added that his father, a flooring contractor, and Mladin’s father, a house painter, often work together building homes and that Mladin’s home is a five-minute ride away by motocross bike.
Girotto also said that his next-door neighbor in Theresa Park, New South Wales is Red Bull Yamaha Grand Prix rider Garry McCoy. According to Girotto, McCoy has his own motocross track on his property plus a scaled-down, dirt-replica of Eastern Creek Raceway that he rides a 500cc motocross bike around.
