Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Moto-heaven, the North American importer for Wintex Motorcycle Fashion and Safety Gear, is now selling the air-bag-equipped Aero safety vest. The lightweight Aero vest is made from Airdura, a synthetic textile with abrasion-resistant qualities, includes storage pockets, 3M reflective stripes and comes in sizes XS to 5XL. But the main feature of the Aero is the air bag system.

The Aero vest is activated by a rip-cord attached to the bike, and is triggered when the rider falls off. A replaceable CO2 cartridge, weighing 32 grams, inflates air pockets at the back of the neck, around the collarbone, the chest, sides, kidneys and back in less than 0.2-second.

According to Moto-heaven owner Phil Caudill, in the very unlikely event that the vest inflates unintentionally while riding, the inflated vest should not cause a rider to lose control of the machine. Caudill also pointed out that the reusable vest can be worn in several applications, such as off-road riding, snowmobiling, etc.

The Aero vest has a suggested retail price of $399. For more information about the Aero vest or to request a free, 50-page Wintex catalog, call Moto-heaven, (877) 416-0969, e-mail [email protected], www.moto-heaven.com.

From a press release issued by 4&6 Cycle’s Jim Rashid:

4&6 Racing has signed 17-year-old Andrew Nelson of Canada to ride in the F-USA Sportbike class and selected AMA 600cc Supersport rounds on Kawasaki ZX-6Rs for the 2002 season. Also riding with Andrew will be Owen Weichel at selected FUSA and AMA rounds.

This will be an exciting year for us at 4&6 Racing having the veteran talents of Weichel and Andrew the rising star riding for us.

Also back to support the program is Starnet Wx, one of the largest Internet service providers in the U.S. and one of the few outside-the-industry sponsors in our sport today.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Formula USA is not only working toward holding “match races” at the combined F-USA/Canadian Superbike round at Mosport July 19-21, 2002, but, according to Formula USA National Road Race Event Manager Kenny Abbott, Clear Channel Entertainment is very close to a deal that would have F-USA’s best road racers compete against Britain’s best at Donington Park as a support race for the FIM World Championship Grand Prix July 12-14.

On the races at Mosport, Abbott said, “The deal is still being negotiated, but initially we were contacted by Colin Fraser (Parts Canada Superbike Championship series organizer) and Bar Hodgson (promoter of the Mosport race event) to hold a joint event. We were excited about it just because of the competition that they have up there, similar sponsors, similar (race) format, and they run a good program up there.

“Our rules are really close, and the penalties are very close. The two programs integrate very easily. They’re both dyno-controlled classes, weight-controlled classes. The numbers that I’ve seen are very comparable if not the same numbers. DOT tires are required (in both). I believe the weight limits are the same. There’s not really much rule modifications involved.”

The plan, according to Abbott, is for the Formula USA Unlimited Superbike and Pro Sportbike classes to run with the Canadian Series’ Open Sport Bike and 600cc Sport Bike classes, respectively.

“The Canadian Open Sport Bike class limit is 150 horsepower and their 600cc Sport Bike class is 110 horsepower,” outlined Abbott. “So we would probably run with 115 horsepower in the 600 class, and 150 horsepower in the open class, taking the higher of each limit, but the details are still being worked out.

“Yes, 115 horsepower is going to be our (Formula USA) Sportbike (horsepower) limit for next year (2002). It will still be 145 horsepower for Unlimited Superbikes, and both classes will have the same (minimum) weight limits (as in 2001 – 370 pounds for Unlimited Superbikes and 365 pounds for Pro Sportbikes).

“We’re also taking the Buell Lightning series (to Mosport), which is going to have some concessions in 2002 so that the new Firebolts can run with the Lightnings head-to-head. Unlimited Superbike, Pro Sportbike and Buell Lightning will be the only three points-paying classes that we will be taking up there with us.

“Hopefully, it will build a good camaraderie and they’ll (Canadians) want to come down and participate in our Road America event in August, which is just two weeks later. We’re going to invite them to come over and participate in that event.”

And as for the USA versus UK Match Races? “Together with the management of Donington Park, we’re trying to put together a Trans-Atlantic Challenge as well, where we would take 10 of our competitors over to compete against 10 of the British Superbike Series’ best riders,” explained Abbott. “It’s the start of an expansion, something that we can offer our riders that’s a little different, new opportunities. We’re excited about it.

“Originally, it was going to be at the final round of the British Superbike National Series in September, but now we’re actually looking at the World Grand Prix event in July, July 13-14, the weekend right before Mosport.

“The concept is to have one manufacturer of motorcycles prepare the motorcycles. We’ll take 10 Americans from our series, they bring 10 riders from their series, they will all ride identically-prepared motorcycles for a grid of 20 and it would be like a 10-lap race. We would allow them to set up the bikes, bring their own shocks and that type of deal, but the motors would be sealed.

“The date’s locked in. If we are going to do it, we’re going to do it on that date. The next big hurdle is getting a commitment from a manufacturer. Buell has shown a lot of interest. If that’s the case and you are a betting man, you’d have to bet on the U.S. Just think about who we would take. It would be guys like Michael Barnes, Mike Ciccotto, Shawn Higbee, Richie Morris, Tripp Nobles, guys who have been in on the development of the Buells. Talk about a stacked deck!

“We’d take 10 guys, and I would probably want to take some of our returning Champions like Lee Acree, Michael Himmelsbach and then look at it from there for guys who are available, interested, already running the series that can go fast. We’d get guys like Chris Ulrich and Don Canet to race and write about it in the magazines. We’ll take the rider and their tuner, fly them over and stay at the Donington Manor and enjoy a MotoGP weekend.”

From a press release:

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE HERITAGE FOUNDATION TO HOST 14TH ‘FRIEND-RAISING BREAKFAST’ AT DAYTONA

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF) will host its 14th Annual Daytona Friend-Raising Breakfast on Saturday, March 9, 2002 at 8:00 a.m., at the Holiday Inn in DeLand, Florida. The special guest at this year’s breakfast will be motocross legend Jim Pomeroy.

Pomeroy rode his Bultaco to victory in the 1973 World Motocross Grand Prix, becoming the first American to win a world-championship motocross event and the first rider to win a Grand Prix on a Spanish motorcycle. He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, and will serve as Grand Marshal of both AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days events in 2002.

The Daytona Friend-Raising Breakfast gives enthusiasts of the legends and history of motorcycling the opportunity to meet and share experiences, while supporting the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. The Museum, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, is administered by the AMHF.

A limited number of tickets are available for this year’s Daytona Friend-Raising Breakfast; the cost is $15 per person. To make reservations, call (614) 856-2222. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Holiday Inn DeLand is located at 350 East International Speedway Boulevard, west of Daytona International Speedway.

From a press release:

1999 Formula USA National Champion Mike Sullivan has opened The Mike Sullivan Road Racing School.

Fifteen dates at Three Northwest tracks, Pacific Raceway(formerly Seattle International Raceway), Portland International Raceway, and Spokane Raceway Park.

For more information see www.Sullivan Race School.com or phone at (360) 736-2791.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Red Bull Yamaha Grand Prix racer John “Hopper” Hopkins, 18, moved his family into a new house in time for Christmas.

The one-acre site in Southern California includes a main house, a guest house, and a spacious garage.

Since becoming a professional racer at age 16, Hopkins has won the 1999 Aprilia Cup Challenge Championship, the 2000 AMA 750cc Supersport Championship, and the 2001 AMA Formula Xtreme Championship.

He was the youngest-ever AMA Supersport Champion and the youngest-ever AMA Formula Xtreme Champion, riding GSX-R Suzukis for Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki.

Moto-heaven, the North American importer of Wintex Motorcycle Fashion and Safety Gear, is now accepting racer resumes for 2002-season support.

For more information, contact Phil Caudill at Moto-heaven by calling toll-free (877) 416-0969, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.moto-heaven.com.

This is from racer John Glaefke:

As an AHRMA competitor in the Sound of Thunder and Twins classes (yes, AHRMA actually does have modern bike racing as well) I just thought I might warn you that AHRMA doesn’t employ Air Fence* and last I heard has no plans to
do so.

I, as an AHRMA competitor and contributor to the Roadracing World Air Fence fund, would hope that Air Fence would be employed at any round where the AMA decides to combine the class with our Vintage iron.

I truly would love to see Pro Thunder with us but think that AHRMA’s crew should be brought up to speed as to the increased risk involved with running the class. In 1999, a rider left the track at turn seven at Mid Ohio, then returned (much to my surprise!) to the track at turn eight right in front of me! It could have been a very bad accident and later when I approached the AHRMA officials, I was told that it was an isolated incident and that it wouldn’t happen again. I certainly hope not, but just think any Pro riders should be aware that incidents like this are a fairly common occurrence at AHRMA events due to the lack of modern training that AHRMA cornerworkers receive.

If this does come to be (Pro Thunder at AHRMA events) I think that the AMA should provide their cornerworking crews as well as Air Fence for the event. Jeff Nash as a former AHRMA competitor I’m sure will have much more on the subject and I look forward to hearing his comments.

Thank you for all you have done to increase safety in motorbike racing and keeping us informed of the many interesting twists the AMA seeks to add to our sport. I hope to see John Ulrich elected to the Board of Trustees (I’ve already sent in my ballot) and all the positive change that will come with it.

Jon Glaefke
AHRMA, MRA, AMA #94

*Trademark of Airfence Safety Systems

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.