Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

CCS and CRA have both scheduled races at the newly-constructed Mid America Motorplex (MAM)in Pacific Junction, Iowa. MAM is a new multi-purpose racing facility located 20 miles South of Omaha, Nebraska. Scheduled to open in late March 2002 for road racing, the Alan Wilson-designed road course features 15 corners and a 2222-foot main straightaway in 2.3 miles of polymer-composite asphalt. The track surface is 40-feet wide and appears to be nearly flat from pictures seen on the track’s website, www.midamericamotorplex.com.

A well-designed hot pit lane should allow for endurance-type races that require pit stops. The facility will also include a 13-acre paddock located adjacent to a small lake, an eighth-mile drag strip that is separate from the road course and a go-kart course.

CCS has scheduled two events at Mid America Motorplex while the CRA is scheduled to race at the new track four times while racing at Brainerd International Raceway three times.

Alan Wilson and his company, Wilson Motorsports, have designed several road race tracks in America, including the infield road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; Gingerman Raceway in Michigan; Carolina Motorsports Park in South Carolina; Rausch Creek Motorsports Park in Pennsylvania; and Beaverun Motorsports Complex in Pennylvania.

The 36th Annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Presented by Toyota Trucks is coming to the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California on December 7-9.

The show represents the first chance for motorcyclists to see many new models.

About 40,000 spectators are expected to attend the show.

Manufacturers scheduled to have displays at the show include Aprilia, BMW, Buell, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha.

Aftermarket accessories and products will be displayed by, among others, Arai, Autocom Communication Specialists, Bridgestone, Castrol, ChatterBox, Dowco, Dunlop, Dynojet Research, GIVI USA, HJC, K&N Engineering, Kendon Industries, Metzeler, Muzzy’s Performance Products, Prexport, Progressive Suspension, Samson Exhaust, Shoei, Suomy, Thunder Manufacturing, Travelcade/Saddlemen, Winex and Yuasa.

The show will also include demonstrations by stunt trials rider Tommi Ahvala, a classic and Vintage motorcycle display, prize giveaways including a new Suzuki motorcycle or ATV and demo rides available from Aprilia, Buell, BMW and Harley-Davidson for licensed riders with their own riding gear.

Tickets for the show are $9 for adults, $4 for kids ages 6-11; children under 6 are free. Groups of 20 or more can receive a $2 discount by purchasing their tickets online at www.motorcycleshows.com. AMA members who purchase their tickets at the box office will receive a $1 rebate coupon redeemable at the AMA booth inside the show. Free motorcycle parking and a helmet/coat check is sponsored by BMW. For additional information, call (800) 331-5706 or (218) 723-9130.

From a press release:

CARL Fogarty has agreed a deal with Malaysian oil and gas producers PETRONAS which breaks new ground in motorcycling.

PETRONAS will sponsor the four-times World Superbike champion to run his own team in the series for five years, using a development of their GP1 engine.

And, in a unique development, PETRONAS are to fund the mass-production of a Foggy brand of road bike.

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The Sauber-designed, Petronas-sponsored racebike once destined for the MotoGP Series will now be raced in World Superbike by a team run by Carl Fogarty. Photo by Sportsphotography, copyright 2001.

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The 36-year-old British rider, forced into retirement through injury last year, is thrilled by the chance to launch a new phase of his glittering career.

He said: “This is a once in a life-time opportunity and the biggest deal of my career.

“I am determined to repay the faith shown in me by PETRONAS by displaying the same commitment to winning that I showed during my riding career.

“I have been focused on setting up my own team since retirement but did not dream I would be doing it as a ‘new manufacturer’! So I am doubly determined to make this a success.

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Another view of the Petronas, aka Sauber, racebike as seen at Sepang during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend. Photo by Sportsphotography, copyright 2001.

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“My company, Team Foggy Racing Ltd, has been working on this deal for months and it is such a relief to be finally able to announce it to the world.”

Fogarty raced for a PETRONAS-sponsored team in the Malaysian championships in 1992 and used his friendship with Malaysia-based businessman David Wong, PETRONAS’ consultant in their World Superbike project, to set up the deal.

The project represents a departure from original plans to run the GP1 in the MotoGP series, with PETRONAS opting to use the legendary status of Fogarty and his huge worldwide following to launch into the road bike manufacturing sector.

Paolo Flammini, president of SBK International, who run the World Superbike series, welcomed the PETRONAS initiative.

He said: “Carl Fogarty is a legend of superbikes and we are extremely happy that he will continue his new life in our championship.

“This initiative is further proof of the appeal of the World Superbike series has towards the motorcycle industry and new commerce in that industry.

“We are proud to have the project focused on this series.”

Foggy PETRONAS Racing aim to start the series at the fifth round at Monza on May 12.

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Neil Mackenzie with the Sauber during a demonstration at the Malaysian Grand Prix. The bike will now compete in World Superbike instead of MotoGP, as a Petronas. Photo by Sportsphotography, copyright 2001.

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From a press release:

2002 Drag Specialties National Dirt Track Series Announced

Formula USA-Sanctioned Dates Include Traditional Events, Plus Boise

Clear Channel Entertainment’s motorsports division announced the 2002 Drag Specialties National Dirt Track Series sanctioned by Formula USA.

“2002 will be Formula USA’s third year of dirt track racing. We wanted to provide an early commitment to the riders, fans, and industry who enthusiastically supported our last two seasons by announcing our plans today,” said Bob Moran, Director of Dirt Track for Clear Channel Entertainment.

The series will again conclude with the traditional running of the K&N Filters Del Mar Mile, north of San Diego. Formula USA added a new venue and city with Les Bois Park in Boise, Idaho joining the season this year.

“We are pleased to be bringing dirt track to Boise, complementing our collection of established traditional dirt track racing events,” said Moran.

Duayne Didricksen, general manager of Les Bois Park, added, “This will be a pivotal event for motorcycle enthusiasts in Idaho. We are ecstatic to have the Drag Specialties National Dirt Track Series coming to Boise.”

Formula USA will also offer its first indoor Dirt Track event at the Tacoma Dome, giving dirt track enthusiasts a non-traditional event experience –complete with a pit party and live event entertainment, including an IFMA Freestyle Motocross demonstration. The event will offer dedicated fans the same quality dirt track racing experience while introducing one of the most extreme forms of racing to the next generation of dirt track fans within the familiar Tacoma Dome.

The 2002 DRAG SPECIALTIES NATIONAL DIRT TRACK SERIES, sanctioned by Formula USA schedule follows:

Sat, June 8 Plymouth, Wis. Sheboygan County Fairgrounds

Fri, Jun 14 Rochester, N.H. Rochester Fairgrounds

Sat, Jul 13 Oklahoma City State Fair Speedway

Sat. Jul 20 Duluth, Minn. Proctor Speedway

Wed, Aug 7 Rapid City, S.D. Black Hills Speedway

Sat, Aug 10 Portland, Ore. Portland Speedway

Sat, Sept 7 Boise, ID Les Bois Park

Sat, Sept 14 Sacramento, Calif. Cal Expo

Sun, Sept 22 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome

Sat, Oct 5 Del Mar, Calif. Del Mar Fairgrounds Short Track

Sun, Oct 6 Del Mar, Calif. Del Mar Fairgrounds Mile/Grandstand

“Even with 11 announced events, we are still looking at additional dates and expect the schedule to reach 15 events,” added Moran.

For the latest information, visit www.dirtttrack.com.

The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association, the CCS Southwest affiliate, has announced its tentative 2002 racing schedule.

2/16 Oak Hill Raceway, Henderson, TX Riders School Only

2/17 Oak Hill Raceway, Henderson, TX Advanced Riders School Only

2/23-24 Oak Hill Raceway, Henderson, TX

3/30-31 Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX

4/13-14 Oak Hill Raceway, Henderson, TX

5/4-5 Motorsports Ranch, Cresson, TX

5/18-19 Hallet Motor Racing Circuit, Hallet, OK

6/15-16 Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX

7/13-14 Oak Hill Raceway, Henderson, TX

8/10-11 Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX

8/31-9/1 Hallet Motor Racing Circuit, Hallet, OK

9/21-22 Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX

10/12-13 Motorsports Ranch, Cresson, TX

For more information, call the CMRA (800) 423-8736, FAX (281) 232-8602, e-mail [email protected], www.cmraracing.com.

Texas-based CMRA (Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association), the Southwest CCS affiliate, will be holding its annual awards banquet Saturday, November 24 at the Green Oak Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. Tickets for dinner are $32-30 depending on selection of entrée. Advanced reservations are required. Call (281) 342-1902 or go to www.cmraracing.com for more information.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

“Things are still kind of up in the air. We’re still trying to work out some details with Ducati and hopefully we’ll have something sorted out by the first part of the week,” HMC Ducati owner Mitch Hansen told Roadracing World in a November 21 telephone call from his dealership in Wisconsin.

“We’re still looking at a number of different options,” continued Hansen. “Obviously, I haven’t gotten everything secured with Ducati as of this moment right now. We’re still trying to figure out what kind of budget were going to have. You know, there’s still possibilities of a two-man team. It could be a one-man team. There’s so many options right now and so many variables that we just don’t know exactly where we’re headed yet, but we hope to have everything ironed out hopefully by the beginning of next week. The Daytona tire test is coming up and we certainly want to be part of that.

“If we put this deal together, we should be on the new equipment. That’s where we are working on the details is trying to figure out exactly how much involvement we’re going to have from Ducati. And that’s really going to lead to decisions on riders and things like that. Hopefully, next week we should know our budget, Ducati’s involvement and rider or riders.”

At the top of Hansen’s list is former Harley-Davidson pilot Pascal Picotte, but who else is on that list?

“Obviously Steve Rapp, and Andy (Meklau) somewhat,” said Hansen. “(Andy) wants to come back to America in the worst way now that he has got a taste of it. He’s starting to get to know the tracks and he’s a great guy to work with and work for.

“I was really pleased with how Steve and Andy did. You know considering we were basically on old equipment and old engines and the guys kept the stuff running. We certainly didn’t give our riders the best opportunity to win because we didn’t have the best equipment. We were on the old Vance & Hines stuff whereas Competition Accessories had the new 2001-spec bike. Although it wasn’t the ‘Testastretta’ stuff, it still was what Hodgson and those guys were running in the World Superbike.

What about Doug Chandler?

“We’ve also been talking to his agent, too,” revealed Hansen. “Again there’s just so much stuff up in the air right now, there’s nothing that I can tell you yet. We are most definitely considering Doug. Again it comes down to budget and stuff.”

What about Scott Russell?

“I spent the weekend with Scott,” said Russell’s last employer. “He was up here for the Packers versus Atlanta football game, him and his sister. I think Scott’s injuries…even if Scott wanted to come back, which I’m not sure that he does or not, I don’t think he’s healed up enough to compete at the level that he would want to compete at yet. He looked great, though, but he’s not strong yet. That’s my opinion, not his.”

Is Ducati talking to any other teams here in America? “That, I don’t know,” admitted Hansen. “They could be talking to other people. I’m not sure.”

From a press release:

Rich Oliver has announced the dates for his first 5-day, intensive, professional road racer training school called, “Mystery School”. The first 5 day “Mystery School” will be held in Auberry and Fresno, California, and will run from December 3rd thru the 7th, 2001.

The school curriculum has been in development ever since Rich first trained to ride the Yamaha factory Superbike in 1998.

Oliver comments, “I am one of the oldest currently competitive riders, I believe strongly that my training techniques are a major reason I can still win races at 40. I have refined them over the years with the help of my long-time trainer Sean Edin. This school is not for the faint of heart, it’s about doing what it really takes to improve your fitness for road racing on a National level. I call it the “Mystery School” because for years I have never talked about my training methods to anyone, but now I believe it’s time to work with a few select individuals to help them take the next step in their racing careers.”

Rich goes on to say, “We will do a variety of activities, some that are in common use today, as in motocross and dirt track riding, gym work outs, nutrition guidance and cardio training. But mixed in with the usual are some very unusual routines that will really target and strengthen the mind, muscles and reflexes needed only for road racing, all packed into 5 grueling days.

“Sean and I will work with a maximum of 4 students per week, this is to give each student all the attention they will need to break free from their current limit. I supply all the training motorcycles and have a variety of groomed dirt tracks and a motocross tracks here on my property, so each student need only bring their riding gear and a steel shoe”.

The main goal of the school is to harden and toughen each student, to push them beyond their personal performance thresholds, to empower them to achieve a new higher internal limit. Then they will have built a foundation of confidence in their own physical conditioning. When they finish the week, they will know everything Sean and Rich know, and can then apply this knowledge to their own personal routine.

The first school has the 4th and last open slot available as of today, and there will be a second school week in January, 2002. For additional information and pricing, contact Rich Oliver at: [email protected]

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

SB Motorsports’ Alan Schwen won the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association’s overall 2001 Championship on Suzuki SV650s by winning three of the four WMRRA class Championships that he competed in during the season. Schwen won the WMRRA’s 450cc Superbike, 650cc Supersport Twins and Middleweight Grand Prix titles and finished fourth in the Formula Thunder class riding a Supersport-spec SV650 and a 94-horsepower SV650 Superbike.

“Winning the overall Championship was really a highlight for me,” Schwen said. “It came down to a last-race-day battle with John Dugan, the current overall #1 guy. He races the 750cc and Open classes on a GSX-R750 and GSX-R1000. He borrowed a SV650 to run my classes to keep me from winning the #1 plate but still couldn’t manage to keep us from winning it. It was close, we won by 8 points I believe.”

Schwen also co-rode with Karl Schenk and Jake Holden to the WMRRA Overall Endurance Championship by taking two overall wins and a second place in the 3-round series on a Dunlop-equipped Honda CBR929RR.

Schwen’s 2001 Championship season was sponsored by SB Motorsports, South Sound Honda, Alpinestars, Arai, Ricci Motorsports/Bardahl, Joe Rocket, Dunlop, MVR, Zlock Racing, Race Bodies, J Rock Painting and Wasco.