From an AMA press release:

MLADIN EARNS FINAL AMA/SPEEDVISION PRO ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINATION

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Australian racing sensation Mat Mladin is the fourth and final nominee for the 2001 AMA/Speedvision Athlete of the Year. Mladin is coming off another outstanding season in AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship competition – winning his third straight title. Mladin is the first rider to produce three-consecutive championships in AMA Superbike since Motorcycle Hall of Famer Fred Merkel accomplished the feat in 1986. Next year he will attempt to become the first four-time AMA Superbike champion.

Mladin, 29, started the 2001 racing campaign with his second win in the prestigious Daytona 200. He then went on to victory on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSXR750 at Road Atlanta, Road America and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, bringing his season tally to four wins. Mladin is now tied for fifth on the all-time AMA Superbike wins list with a career total of 14 wins. Mladin also became the leading all-time AMA Superbike pole winner this season.

Mladin joins Pro Honda Oils 600 SuperSport champ Eric Bostrom, AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross and AMA EA Sports Supercross winner Ricky Carmichael and Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track titlist Chris Carr as the nominees for this year’s Pro Athlete of the Year award.

“I really have to thank my team for the work they put into helping me win the Superbike Championship this year,” said Mladin, a former Australian Superbike champ who has raced in the U.S. since 1996. “It’s very much a team effort and I happen to be fortunate to have the best team behind me.”

This is Mladin’s third time being nominated for AMA/Speedvision Pro Athlete of the Year. He won the award last year. He has the chance to become the first rider to win back-to-back Athletes of the Year since Rick Johnson and Bubba Shobert were named co-winners in 1986 and 1987.

The AMA/Speedvision Athlete of the Year winner is awarded $5000 and will have their name enshrined alongside some of the all-time greats of the sport.

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.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA), the Southwest CCS affiliate, announced that the first stage of repaving Oak Hill Raceway in Henderson, Texas has been completed.

The track was originally built in 1975 by paving contractor and go-kart racer Jack Reed in 1975 for private use, but has been raced on by the CMRA (and before it became CMRA, by CRRC, Central Road Racing Club) for much of its 26-year history. A young Freddie Spencer raced at Oak Hill with CRRC in 1975.

The tight, twisting, 1.8-mile road course still incorporated sections of the original 26-year-old pavement in 2001.

Two years ago, CMRA officials started working to fund repaving of the track by collecting a tariff of $10 per racebike on race days, and local government and a go-kart association, SWRA (Southwest Roadracing Association) also contributed. But despite the efforts, the organization came up short of funds.

It looked like the CMRA would have to wait another year to begind repaving the track, until a CMRA member who asked to remain anonymous donated $10,000 to help complete the effort on schedule.

According to CMRA’s Eric Kelcher, the track was slightly graded down, especially at its edges where portions of the pavement had eroded away or been covered by earth, and repaved from turn eight (the last corner) through turn two, a distance of approximately one-third of a mile.

The material used was the same as originally used to pave the track, a mix of Uvalde asphalt and aluminum slag.

Oak Hill Raceway will remain closed to let the new pavement cure for at least 60 days and is expected to re-open in time for the first CMRA event, a new riders school, in February 2002.

As a result of the track surface improvement, the CMRA has decided to close the small section of paddock that had been outside of turn one in anticipation of increased speeds out of the final turn and through the first corner. That area will serve as new run-off room for turn one, and CMRA will rent nearby pasture fields for extra parking space on race weekends.

The CMRA and its partners plan to repave another section of the track in 2003, from turn two through turn four.

In other CMRA news, Kelcher also said that he and Derek Heaton would be going to Salt Lake City, Utah in January 2002 to be trained by Alpina Safety Systems personnel in the installation and maintenance of Aplina Air Modules before returning to Texas with four sections of Alpina Air Modules for use by the CMRA. Kelcher said that the CMRA bought the Alpina sections in “used” condition at a considerable discount over new. The Alpina sections will be used in the School House Turn (turn seven) at Oak Hill, in turns one and two at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Hallett, Oklahoma and in turn 8A at Texas World Speedway (where several sections of Airfence Bike are also in use) during CMRA events. The CMRA also races at the Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Texas but no safety barriers are needed at that course.

The Castrol Honda World Superbike team is producing race-ready, World Supersport-spec Honda CBR600F4i motorcycles for sale, presumably to anyone who wants to buy them. The bikes are being prepared at Honda’s race team headquarters in Louth, Lincs in the United Kingdom.

The bikes will include:

– a World Supersport-spec engine
– race-ready suspension
– an Arrow racing exhaust system
– carbon-fiber bodywork
– an HRC close-ratio transmission
– an HRC engine “power-up” kit
– racing brakes, chain and tires
– a spare set of wheels
– a spares kit
– data sheets, set-up information and list of parts suppliers

Honda’s Roger Harvey is quoted in a press release, posted on the team’s website, as saying, “This is a project we’ve been trying to get under way for some time, we’ve finally made a plan and we’re all very excited about its potential.” Harvey said that the team sold six bikes within the first 24 hours after the announcement and claimed that it would probably take the average person two months to put together a bike like the one the team is offering.

Customers will also receive a free test day to set up their new bike with assistance from the Honda race team technicians.

Price: 14,500 British pounds (about $20,600 U.S.)

For additional information, call Roger Harvey at 011-44-1889-583349 or Neil Tuxworth at 011-44-1507-605843

Lightning Motosports, Inc. of Port St. Lucie, Florida is planning an Aprilia sales event called “Aprilia-palooza”. Scheduled for December 15-16 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the event will feature test rides, door prizes, an on-site dyno, bike detailing, refreshments and special quests. Lightning Motosports is an Aprilia and Moto Guzzi dealer.

Lightning Motosports’ Aprilia-palooza sales event coincides with Aprilia USA’s “Roar In, Roar Out” year-ending sale on 2001 Aprilia motorcycles. The sales event, scheduled until December 31, features discounts of $1000 off 2001 SL1000 Falcos and $2000 off 2001 RSV1000 and RSV1000R Mille models.

For more information on Aprilia-palooza, call Lightning Motosports at (561) 871-2340.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Vesrah Suzuki’s Mark Junge tested at Japan’s Motegi Twin-ring racetrack earlier this month.

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Junge won the 2001 WERA National Endurance Championship (with co-riders Chris Ulrich, Tray Batey and Glenn Szarek) along with 2001 WERA Open Superstock and 600cc Superstock sprint Championships, then made his annual trip to Japan to have sponsorship meetings for the 2002 season. This year the trip included something extra.

“The GSX-R1000 that I rode to the Championship is going to go on the motorcycle show circuit and tour Japan,” said Junge by phone from Japan. “The plan is that I may come back here next season to race in the 7-hour Japanese National Endurance race at Motegi. It’s not as well known worldwide as the Suzuka 8-hour, but it’s very big in Japan and getting bigger. The bike was coming here anyway, so Vesrah arranged this test.”

Both of Junge’s two, 30-minute sessions at Motegi were in the rain. “We didn’t get a lot of information from the test, but it was still great,” said Junge. “That place is just beautiful! It’s the best racetrack that I’ve ever been on by far.”

From a press release:

Reg Pridmore’s CLASS Motorcycle Schools has posted their 2002 school schedule and is now taking enrollments.

Once again, CLASS is the official motorcycle school of SonomaFest this spring at Sears Point Raceway. School dates are April 29, 30 and May 1, 2002. Tucked between two race weekends (the AHRMA Vintage races and the AMA National) Reg Pridmore will be conducting 3 days of CLASS. Reg will also be on hand for SonomaFest activities and a free evening seminar. For all of 2001 Sears Point has been in the process of being completely renovated and we expect to have a new and improved Sears Point and a completely resurfaced track by AMA National time! Come enjoy the races, the California sunshine, a new Sears Point and the wine country all in one week. We even have a line on some bike rentals for the whole week of Sonomafest. Talk to us!

Three-time AMA Superbike Champ Reg Pridmore has just announced that CLASS Motorcycle Schools will conduct riding schools at California Speedway following the Inaugural AMA National there. The CLASS dates will be April 9 & 10, 2002. These are two one-day schools, or take both days together for a double dose of CLASS. Also on hand as a guest instructor at Cal Speedway will be fellow HRCA Partner Kevin Erion of Erion Racing. Kevin returns to help Reg after having been a CLASS instructor in the early days of CLASS. They may even get a surprise visit from Erion Racing’s Mike Hale or Roger Lee Hayden… Contact CLASS at (805) 933-9936 or go online – www.classrides.com.

We’ll be at Road America following the AMA National. Come for the races and stay for some CLASS.

This year, at California CLASS Schools, we have a limited number of bikes available for rent. Talk to us about renting a Honda F4i or VFR800 and riding one of California’s fantastic race circuits.

In October, we will conduct our 7th annual Premier Executive School at Sears Point. Come be wined and dined and ride Sears Point to your heart’s content on a meticulously prepared Honda F4i or VFR800, taught and coached by a three-time AMA Superbike Champion.

CLASS will be back to their usual annual circuit of tracks throughout the year including the California tracks, which now includes California Speedway, Laguna Seca, Streets of Willow and Sears Point – plus Denver, Road America, Grattan, Mid-Ohio, Virginia International, Road Atlanta and Portland, and in ’02 will be back to Pocono. They are also offering group package incentives and Honda Riders Club Member discounts.

Go to www.classrides.com or you can call them at (805) 933-9936.

3/15, Sears Point, Sonoma, CA
3/29, Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA
4/9, California Speedway, Fontana, CA4/10, California Speedway, Fontana, CA
4/15, Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA
4/19, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA
4/29-30, Sears Point, Sonoma, CA
5/1, Sears Point, Sonoma, CA
5/10, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA
6/1-2, Second Creek, Commerce City, CO
6/10-11, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
6/17, Grattan RAceway, Grattan, MI
TBA, Mid-Ohio, Lexington, OH
7/15-16, VIR, Alton, VA
7/29-30, Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
8/5-6, Pocono Raceway, Pocono, PA
9/2-3, Portland, Portland, OR
9/16, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA
10/14-15, Sears Point, Sonoma, CA
10/24, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA
10/25, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA
10/31, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA
11/1, Streets of Willow, Rosamond, CA

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.