Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Jerry Wood

The grand opening of North Florida Motorsports Park was held on Saturday, November 17 in Jennings, Florida, located along I-75 20 miles north of I-10, about 100 miles from Jacksonville.

The track is 2 miles long and 35 feet wide–40 feet wide on the front straightaway–with 13 turns, and was designed by former racer and current racing school owner and racing official Ed Bargy.

The track was built for motorcyclists by motorcyclists, and there is not a wall that can be seen anywhere from the racing surface. The turns are banked slightly and are confidence inspiring. The sandy material inside and outside the racing surface has been graded for a considerable distance and seeded with grass.

The principals are Borge Larson, President and Julian Poczatek, Vice President and Operations Director. Present at the opening ceremony were Chairman of the County Commission, Mike Adams; Commissioner Ron Morgan; Commissioner Randy Ogborne and J. Dean Papapetrou from State Senator Richard Mitchell’s office. All of these folks were enthusiastic about the facility and spoke at the inauguration. I was invited to speak about the value of a motorsports facility to the community other than financial. Commissioner Mike Adams rode the inaugural, ribbon cutting lap of the track on Julian Poczatek’s Honda.

The track is a very interesting combination of fast sweepers, several tighter combinations and large double-apex turns. It is very technical in nature as many of the turns can be taken much faster than they look and early drives will pay big time through turns leading onto the straightaways.

The lap record now stands at a 1:24.5 and is held by John-o Bowman.

Penguin Racing School has a day at the new track scheduled for December 3, and an open practice is scheduled for December 8.

More information is available from the track at (904) 707-1737, www.northfloridamotorsportspark.com.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Formula Xtreme Champion John Hopkins will test with the Red Bull Yamaha team at Sepang, Malaysia on December 3-4-5.

The test session on YZR500 Yamahas will be Hopkins’ first since he signed a three-year contract with the team, to compete in the MotoGP World Championship. Although the deal has not yet been officially announced, final papers were signed on September 28, the Friday of the AMA National at Virginia International Raceway.

Hopkins, 18, has tested three times with Red Bull Yamaha, once in 2000 at Brno and twice in 2001, at Brno and at Estoril.

I just finished reading your piece on history repeating itself (Roadracingworld.com, 11-9), and I could not agree more. Just as the AMA took the low road with the Roger Edmondsen deal, they appear to be doing the exact same thing again. It also seems odd to me that the same names seem to be appearing on “VP of this, Manager of
that, Director of this.”…. the repetition of these names on several boards, list, etc., seems to be a clear-cut case of “conflict of interest”, the very same “situation” that they tried to use, (unsuccessfully, thankfully) to prevent you from being on the AMA Board of Directors.

These people have been artificially shielded from reality, and have felt no responsibility for their inept actions. The possibility of you, Jeff Nash, and Kevin Schwantz serving on their board must surely frighten the life out of them, knowing that the truth may finally be out in the open for all to see. I urge you to continue your fight for what is the right thing to do, and to never allow people of this caliber to conceal their actions behind a “closed-door” board meeting.

I have the utmost faith in your ability to tell it like it is, and hope that you will continue to keep up the pressure on these buffoons. As President Bush said in his address to the nation….”Let’s Roll!”

Stan Simmerson
Former CCS Racer (Amateur 949)
1994 Heavyweight SuperTwins National Champion

From an AMA press release:

AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
TO BE A RECORD 16 ROUNDS IN 2002

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The 2002 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship schedule will include a record 16 rounds at 10 venues, including the new road course at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. The schedule changes, which include three additional doubleheader rounds, add value to race fans and improve the flow of the series for the growing television audience.

The 2002 schedule delivers maximum value for race fans with six Superbike class doubleheader race weekends. Promoters, racers and fans have wholeheartedly endorsed the doubleheader format, and the additional three Superbike doubleheaders will increase live Speedvision television coverage by approximately 20 percent.

Another change with next year’s schedule is its duration. Compressed into a March-through-August time frame, the move yields a smoother cadence of events that do not compete with college football, and helps to fill the traditional void between the series opening round at Daytona International Speedway, March 10, and Sears Point Raceway, May 4-5, with the addition of the California Speedway event.

California Speedway’s doubleheader round on April 6-7 will feature a new 2.36-mile, 21-turn road course that has gotten rave reviews from riders who’ve tested there. The circuit impressed even former AMA and World Champion Eddie Lawson.

“The new road course at California Speedway is really incredible,” said Lawson. “The layout ensures that every race will be close and intense. With long straightaways and slow tight turns you’ll get a great mix of speed, hard braking and passing opportunities. This track actually makes me wish I was still racing!”

Absent from the 2002 schedule is New Hampshire International Speedway. AMA Pro Racing has asked noted track designer Alan Wilson to consult both AMA Pro Racing and NHIS regarding modifications to the facility that would allow the return of AMA Superbike racing in the future.

“We’re excited about our 2002 schedule,” said Scott Hollingsworth, AMA Pro Racing CEO. “California Speedway brings the series back into the Los Angeles metro area for the first time in several years, and that’s obviously an important market. We are also pleased with the success of our doubleheader rounds and are happy to add three more to the schedule.”

2002 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championships schedule

Date Location
March 10, Daytona International Speedway, FL

April 6-7, California Speedway, Fontana, CA (Superbike doubleheader)

May 4-5, Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, CA (Superbike doubleheader)

May 18-19, Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA (Superbike doubleheader)

June 2, Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, CO

June 8-9, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI (Superbike doubleheader)

June 30, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, MN

July 13, Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA

July 27-28, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH (Superbike doubleheader)

August 10-11, Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA (Superbike doubleheader)

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for professional motorcycle sport in the United States. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com

An interesting e-mail exchange, sent to us by advertising agency owner Dan Wildhirt:

I thought you might be interested in a recent exchange of e-mails I had with (AMA Pro Racing CEO) Scott Hollingsworth, regarding the developing Supercross scandal. Normally I would consider such communications private, but in light of the past week’s developments, I feel it’s important to expose just how misguided and delusional is the management of AMA Pro Racing. While CCE (Clear Channel Entertainment) has in the last seven days announced long-term agreements for venues, an impressive TV package, merchandising and even track construction, the best that Hollingsworth can do is seize upon cornball platitudes such as “new business model” and “clear vision of the future.”

Dan Wildhirt


—————————–
My initial e-mail, sent 11/5:

Following the Roger Edmonson debacle, one might think that AMA and AMA Pro Racing might proceed with some caution before entering into any new contracts with third-party series promoters. However, it would seem that such an assumption is in error.

Astonishment would perhaps be the first reaction that comes to mind after learning that AMA Pro Racing intends to launch its own Supercross series in 2003 to compete with Clear Channel’s phenomenally successful EA Sports SX series. Dumbfounded might be the second.

I’ll be curious to see exactly how the AMA intends to compete with a company that is not only the largest, most powerful event promoter in the U.S., and has long-term contracts with established SX venues in major markets, but which also has the ability to promote those events through the nation’s largest conglomeration of broadcast radio stations, which it also owns.

Let’s jump ahead to 2003, shall we? Perhaps you are intending to somehow “extort” top riders and teams into participating in the new AMA SX series by making their AMA racing licenses contingent upon racing solely in AMA-sanctioned events. After all, this strategy has been tried in a multitude of sports where governing bodies attempted to reign in “renegade” organizations of athletes or promoters: tennis, auto racing, bicycle racing and skiing, to name a few. Those riders and teams, however, will ply their trade where they get the highest return on their investment — regardless of the sanctioning body — and Clear Channel obviously has the promotional muscle to give them what they’re after: visibility. So what if the AMA bans Clear Channel riders from, say, the outdoor nationals? Given the momentum that Pace/SFX/Clear Channel have built over the past several seasons, it’s clear that in two years’ time, there will be two types of motocross racing in the U.S.: Clear Channel SX…and everything else. The direct and indirect rewards that riders and manufacturers derive from the EA Sports series will be many times that which they can expect from the rural, minor-market national MX series and an upstart SX series with no proven track record.

The AMA’s latest action reminds me of the infamous split between CART and the Indy 500 in the mid-’90s. An “if it ain’t broke, break it” mentality has, in just six years, taken open-wheel auto racing from a thriving sport to a pathetic sideshow that struggles for TV ratings, sponsors, media attention and an audience.

As an avid rider and racing fan, I cannot in good conscience support a profoundly duplicitous organization that claims to have motorcyclists’ interests at heart, but which continues to squander members’ money on quixotic, ill-advised schemes to wrest control of motorcycle racing from the very people who have done the most to ensure the sport’s success. And as a contractor to several firms who sponsor riders and teams at the highest levels of AMA-sanctioned racing, I question whether it is in my clients’ best interests for them to continue supporting such an organization or its series.

Dan Wildhirt



—————————–
Scott Hollingsworth’s response, dated 11/6:

Mr. Wildhirt-

Thank you for your interest.

Over the past 27 years, the AMA Supercross Championship has worked with many promoters. Today AMA Pro Racing has a clear vision for the future of its motorsports businesses, and the announcement of our new relationship with Jam Sports & Entertainment is the next step in making that vision a reality. And as you’ll see in the coming weeks, our 27-year-old Championship will feature excellent markets, venues, television, rules and a new business model for participants that will increase the championship’s value for everyone involved.

Stay tuned for more information.

Best regards,

Scott Hollingsworth CEO, AMA Pro Racing



—————————–
My 11/14 reply, following CCE’s announcement of its 2003 SX schedule and TV package:

With all due respect, while you’re making grand promises and invoking trite buzzwords like “new business model,” it seems that Clear Channel has already grabbed the holeshot on you.

Is it your honest belief that current SX venues will actually host competing eries in 2003 — or that Jam can put together a better TV package than the one CCE already has in place? Or perhaps you expect current venues, most of which are under public ownership, will break their contracts with CCE? In what universe do you think that facility managers, under governmental oversight, are willing to entangle themselves in a legal battle with one of the most powerful entertainment and media conglomerates in the world?

The cliche “rude awakening” does not seem adequate to describe the fate that awaits AMA Pro Racing and the National Supercross Championship.

Dan Wildhirt


—————————–
Hollingsworth has yet to reply to this latest message.

Hey, remember the promise by AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth that AMA’s 2003 Supercross Series, run in competition with Clear Channel’s existing Supercross Series, would run at the same venues now used for Clear Channel-promoted Supercross events? The latest press release from Clear Channel seems to indicate that Hollingsworth’s statement–at least as far as Anaheim Stadium is concerned–is, shall we say, not necessarily factually based?

From a press release:

Clear Channel Entertainment Announces Three-Year Agreement with Edison International Field

AURORA, Ill. (November 20, 2001) – Clear Channel Entertainment’s motorsports division announced today a three-year agreement with Anaheim’s Edison International Field to produce its motorsports events at the Southern California facility through 2005. The agreement makes Clear Channel Entertainment the exclusive provider of motorsports events to the facility.

Since the facility’s 1997 complete renovation that reverted the 30-year-old structure back to a more intimate and luxurious baseball-only facility, Clear Channel Entertainment has increased its event presence by producing five motorsports events each year in the last three years.

Kevin Uhlich, vice president of ballpark operations for Edison International Field, said, “We are truly excited to ensure three more years of spectacular motorsports events at our ballpark. Of the 15 events Clear Channel has recently produced and promoted, 13 have been sell-outs. It was also important for us to confirm that Supercross would be coming back to its annual premiere home in Southern California. Supercross and Clear Channel Entertainment belong at Edison International Field.”

Charlie Mancuso, president of Clear Channel Entertainment’s motorsports division, said, “We do five weekends of events at Edison International Field every first quarter that have a tremendous track record of success. We are pleased to confirm that the path of both the EA SPORTS Supercross and the Monster Jam successful events are now confirmed for three years. For Supercross, Anaheim is the epicenter for fans, riders and the industry – the sport belongs at Edison Field.”

The 2003 Supercross Series schedule follows:

Date Venue City

Jan 4 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.
Jan 11 Bank One Ballpark Phoenix
Jan 18 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.
Jan 25 TBA * TBA *
Feb 1 Edison International Field Anaheim, Calif.
Feb 8 Qualcomm Stadium San Diego
Feb 15 Metrodome Minneapolis
Feb 22 Georgia Dome Atlanta
Mar 1 RCA Dome Indianapolis
Mar 22 The Dome at America’s Center St. Louis
Mar 29 Reliant Park Houston
Apr 5 Silverdome Pontiac, Mich.
Apr 12 Texas Stadium Dallas
Apr 26 Rice-Eccles Stadium Salt Lake City
May 3 Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas

For more information visit www.pacesupercross.com


* Clear Channel Entertainment will soon announce a new venue and city for
its 2003 Supercross Series.

The November 20 AMA Pro Racing press release announcing the 2002 Superbike Series schedule included the following statement:

“Absent from the 2002 schedule is New Hampshire International Speedway. AMA Pro Racing has asked noted track designer Alan Wilson to consult both AMA Pro Racing and NHIS regarding modifications to the facility that would allow the return of AMA Superbike racing in the future.”

But in a letter to NHIS Motorcycle Safety Director Jerry Wood, AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice said that the AMA’s objections to running at the Loudon, New Hampshire track had to do with the owners and not the facility itself, according to Wood.

Wood told Roadracing World that, in the letter, Vanderslice said that what he considered poor treatment of AMA Pro Racing officials by track owner Bob Bahre and his son Gary were behind the decision to not return to the track.

In an e-mail to roadracingworld.com, Vanderslice said the post characterizing the contents of his letter to Wood were “inaccurate, as usual,” but neither Vanderslice nor Wood have provided an actual copy of the letter to roadracingworld.com.

Reached by phone at his Colorado headquarters, track designer Wilson said that he had not had any contact with NHIS officials. “The AMA is setting a meeting up,” said Wilson. “I’m waiting for them to set up a meeting.”

In the meantime, NHIS has made a deal with Formula USA to replace the traditional June AMA date with a Formula USA National.

“We don’t know anything about that,” said Formula USA Director of Road Racing Bill Syfan when asked about the AMA press release. “But the NHIS people sound excited to be working with us, and we’re excited to be working with them. We’re looking forward to being part of the Loudon Classic in 2002 and beyond.”

Asked about the AMA press release and if NHIS officials had agreed to make modifications to the road course, and if so, if the new deal with Formula USA would be for the 2002 season only, New Hampshire International Speedway spokesman Ron Meade said, “To my knowledge, the communication from AMA regarding any of this has been non-existent, including with the Bahres. We’ve had no contact with Alan Wilson. Alan is well thought-of from his four-wheel days. As far as our plans, we’re very close to making that announcement, and it fits in very well with our seven weekends of amateur motorcycle racing, which is CCS.

“I think everyone will be pleased with it. I can guarantee that the Loudon Classic will be back for the 79th edition (in 2002) and will be better than ever.”

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Graves Motorsports Yamaha’s Chuck Graves had a nearly perfect weekend during round 11 of the 12-round WSMC series, at Willow Springs International Raceway Sunday, November 18. Graves won six of the seven races he entered and took the WSMC Overall Championship points lead from Marina Yamaha’s Bryan Kovarick.

Graves won in 600cc Superstock, 600cc Modified Production, 650cc Superbike, Formula Two, Open Superstock and Open Superbike on his Tony Romo-tuned, Dunlop-equipped YZF-R6, YZF-R1 and YZF-R7/R1 hybrid. But Graves gave away a certain win in the Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One Grand Prix race when he mistook the white flag for the checkered flag and pulled into the pits a lap early.

Graves had a 10-second lead over Jeremy Toye, who had a large lead of his own over third place, when he mistook the white flag for the checkered flag. With waves to the fans and wheelies, Graves slowed on the last lap, then pulled onto hot pit lane just shy of the checkered flag.

Graves said after the race the race that he saw people on pit lane frantically making gestures for him to continue. Graves said he then looked over to see Toye passing him at full speed on the front straightaway to take the win, the $1000 cash purse and another $1000 in Yamaha contingency money. Graves continued on down pit lane past the start/finish line and was credited with second place, just beating Jason Curtis to the line. The win gave Toye a 14-point lead in the WSMC Formula One Class Championship going into the final round in December, where only 15 points are available.

Graves later said that he thought he saw the starter standing at the edge of the track rolling up the white flag on what turned out to be lap 10 of 12. On lap 11, Graves said that he was behind a lapper and thought that the starter was waving the white flag for the lapped rider.

Aside from giving away his Formula One race win, Graves’ toughest battle of the day came in Open Superstock versus Roadracingworld.com’s Chris Ulrich. Graves was riding a Superstock-spec Yamaha YZF-R1 on DOT-labeled Dunlops. Ulrich was riding his Suzuki Cup Championship-winning GSX-R1000 at Willow Springs for the first time, and it was also Ulrich’s first time on Michelin tires in years. Ulrich caught Graves from the last row of the grid and was challenging until Graves got past four lapped riders entering turn five and Ulrich didn’t, and Graves won.

Ulrich won the Open Modified Production race.

In addition to winning the Formula One race on his Lee’s Cycle-sponsored YZF-R1, Toye also won in 750cc Superbike, 750cc Modified Production and took four second-place finishes behind Graves on the day. Toye’s 750cc-class wins came on his first race day on a Suzuki GSX-R750 that had been a streetbike the week before.

The final WSMC race of 2001 will be held December 15-16.

From an AMA press release:

CHRIS CARR IS THE THIRD 2001 AMA/SPEEDVISION
PRO ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Chris Carr, winner of the 2001 AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships, joins Eric Bostrom and Ricky Carmichael as the third nominee for the 2001 AMA/Speedvision Pro Athlete of the Year Award.

Carr, 34, of Fleetwood, Pa., won his third AMA Grand National title this year after having a spirited early and mid-season battle with 2000 champ Joe Kopp and the late Will Davis. Carr clinched the championship with three races left on the schedule.

In 2001 Carr tallied an impressive nine wins, the most ever for him in a single season. Carr now has 54-career AMA Grand National victories making him the winningest active rider in the series and second on the all-time list to former Harley-Davidson teammate Scott Parker.

Carr continued his domination of the Peoria (Ill.) TT this year, winning the historic race for the 13th time. He also won all three nationals on the Springfield Mile this year and finally earned his first victory at the Hagerstown (Md.) Half-Mile.

“It’s quite an honor to be nominated for the Pro Athlete of the Year,” said Carr. “I’ve been nominated three times before and haven’t won it yet, so maybe this will be my year. I have a lot of respect for all of the riders who are nominated. Over the years it’s been a pretty impressive list. Whether I win or not, I’m still proud to be a part of this select group.”

As Carr mentioned he was nominated three times before – 1992, 1995 and 1999. In addition to his three AMA Grand National titles, Carr is a former AMA Rookie of the Year in both Grand National dirt track and AMA Superbike. He also earned a record seven AMA 600cc National Dirt Track championships.

The 2001 AMA/Speedvision Pro Athlete of the Year will be announced during the 27th annual AMA Pro Racing Champions Awards Banquet Dec. 7, 2001, at the luxurious Desert Springs Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Springs. To purchase tickets to the awards banquet, contact AMA Pro Racing at (614) 856-1900.


(Editor’s note: Carr raced for Blackmans Aprilia in the Formula USA road races at Daytona in March and October, and formerly rode for Harley-Davidson in AMA Superbike. Carr has agreed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Roadracing World Action Fund, a non-profit corporation now being formed to continue the work of deploying Air Fence at road races and dirt tracks.)