Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kent and Tracey Soignier, owners of the GMD Computrack franchises in Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale, are opening a third location January 7 in Mansfield, Texas, a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“If the initial reaction we’ve had is any indication,” said Kent Soignier via telephone from his Atlanta shop, “then this is going to be a very good location for us. We’re already booking work. When we were first looking for a place in that area, we were just concerned with the size and rent of the places. It was only after we took the place that we realized Mansfield is where Jeff Nash’s (Advanced Motor Sports) and the Race Engine Service (RES) shops are. It’s going to be good.”

The newest member of the GMD Computrack network will be managed by Scott Landry, who comes from a metal-working background. Landry has spent the last 12 months training with Soignier at GMD Computrack-Atlanta. Soignier says that he is currently interviewing a number of other highly-qualified candidates to staff the new franchise. The shop will be located at 1285 North Main Street, Unit 308, Mansfield, Texas. The phone number will be (682) 518-1660, but the phones will not be turned on before early January. Soignier said that people looking for more information or to book work should call him in Atlanta at (404) 297-8464.

From a press release:

MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM CONTRIBUTES TO CANADIAN MUSEUM’s “SALUTE TO AMERICA”

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has loaned a classic Harley-Davidson racing motorcycle to the Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum, for inclusion in an upcoming exhibit.

Larry Ketzel’s 1930 Harley-Davidson factory hillclimber, from the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum’s permanent collection, will become part of “Salute to America,” an exhibit focusing on legendary American motorcycles and riders. The exhibit will appear at the 26th North American International Motorcycle Supershow, to be held January 4 – 6 at the Toronto International Centre.

The Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum, in return, has loaned a 1920 Indian boardtracker to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. This motorcycle has been added to “A Century of Indian, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance,” which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company. The exhibit features more than 50 motorcycles from Indian’s tumultuous history, and will remain open at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum through December 2002.

The Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum created “Salute to America” as a tribute to the United States after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. For more information about the Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum and the North American International Motorcycle SuperShow, visit www.supershowevents.com.

From a press release:

Prieto Racing, Inc. has expanded and relocated to 535 SouthDixie Highway East, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060. The phone number is (954) 788-7528.

The new facility includes a fully-stocked showroom and service center. The second annual open house will be held at the new location on January 20, 2002,from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m..

Additional information is available at www.prietoracing.com.

From a press release:

In yet another demonstration of its desire to give its customers “the kind of service they expect and deserve from us”, Arai has announced a special Customer Service Pavilion at all remaining International Motorcycle Shows for the 2001-02 season.

The Pavilion is manned by Arai technical personnel who can provide services like helmet inspections, hard-to-find parts and accessories, answers to questions of fit and features, among other things.

Also available will be officially-licensed Arai casual wear featuring some of Arai’s top racers like Chris Carr, Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards, Eric Bostrom, Kevin Windham and Mick Doohan.

The new Service Pavilion is located across from the main 2002 Arai Helmet Display kiosk in the Show’s “Factory” display area.

Look for it at all of the remaining IMS Shows: New York City, Dec. 28-30; Minneapolis, Jan. 11-13, 2002; Philadelphia, Jan. 18-20; Cleveland, Feb. 1-3; Chicago, Feb. 8-10; Daytona Bike Week, March 6-10.

Arai introduced the on-site helmet-customer service idea in September at the final round of AMA road racing at Virginia International Raceway. For years the company has had an ongoing tech-service presence at pro race events, providing helmet tech service to its many roadrace, dirt track and MX/off-road racers. That weekend, however, the company expanded its effort to include street riders who own Arai helmets. The reaction was “so incredible”, said Arai’s Robert Miller, “we knew we had to keep it going. It’s great for our customers, we get to meet them and help them face-to-face. It’s another little way we can show them how different a company Arai really is.”

Jerry Jirkovsky and his California Race Services will be on hand selling Metzeler and Pirelli race tires for all five days of free (for WSMC members) testing at Willow Springs Raceway, December 26-30.

More information is available from Jirkovsky at 714) 305-6846.

From a press release:

Skorpion Racing, the North American Importers for Texport Leathers and Wiz knee sliders, is expanding its very popular privateer discount program. Effective December 15, 2001, any 2001 or 2002 licensed racer from AFM, AHRMA, AMA, CCS, CMRA, CRA, MRA, MARRC, NESBA, OMRRA, RPM, WERA, WMRRA and WSMC will receive a 30% discount on any Texport race suit or Superpole gloves purchased, along with a 15% discount on Wiz Racing’s GP leather or GP plastic knee sliders. New racers who have not yet completed their required membership course but who have paid (in full) and are scheduled to attend their course within 60 days may also qualify upon verification. (Program not valid with other discount offers).

Contact Skorpion Racing at 800-764-6789 or online at www.skorpionracing.com.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Theo Lockwood, 37, who worked with the Graves Motorsports team in 2001 as Crew Chief for Damon Buckmaster, has accepted a job with Eckl Kawasaki as Crew Chief for Chris Walker in the Superbike World Championship Series.

Lockwood worked with Roger Lee Hayden for Chaparral Suzuki in 2000, and with Rich Alexander, Tom Kipp and Buckmaster for Chaparral in 1999.

Lockwood spent 1998 tuning at AFM races for Mark Foster, after working with Mike Smith for Kinkos Kawasaki in 1997. Lockwood tuned for Chris Rogers in 1996; in 1996 Lockwood tuned for Chuck Graves and Tray Batey, then members of Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki.

Lockwood will live in Wieden, Germany.

From a press release:

HONDA RACING NEWS

HRC RC211V Test Phillip Island, Australia, December 21, 2001

Riders Quotes and Lap Times of the third day RC211V Test

Weather was partially cloudy but the temperature was OK: 25° C

Quotes from the pits:

Valentino Rossi: “The results of this test are positive, after the Jerez tests the Honda technicians made some changes following my suggestion and were very skill to make it. We start to understand how to set up the bike
and I enjoy to ride the bike on this circuit. This bike start to be fun to ride. Now we have to work a lot to improve some points but in general I am quite satisfied now, I think that everybody need some vacation and so I wish you a great Holiday Season and see you on 2002!”

Tohru Ukawa: “After three days of test I can said I am quite happy with the new bike, we tested a lot of different settings and parts. Today I did a lot of laps, over 90, as three GP and now is time to get a little of rest.”

Daijiro Katoh: “Today I got a good time, I am satisfied about my feeling with the NSR 500
but I still need to learn the right style to handle a so powerful bike.”

Jurgen vd Goorbergh: “I am happy with the bike and now I am anxious to get the 2001 model
to start to ride it. These three days were very useful to find a good feeling with bike but I need more time to get the right riding style.”


Rossi: RC211V, 62 laps, best time 1:32.00
Ukawa: RC211V, 92 laps, best time 1:33.00

Katoh: NSR500, 80 laps, best time, 1.32.57

VD Goorbergh: NSR500, 40 laps, best time, 1:34.03

Itoh: NSR500, 58 laps, best time, 1:33.97