From a press release:

New look, new sponsor, new bike equals new confidence!

A recent Hollywood film projects the story of a baseball coach who looses a bet to his team of kids and must in turn chase his own dream of becoming a major league pitcher. Well, Blackmans Racing Aprilia rider Michael Himmelsbach will be sporting a new look for the Formula USA Summit Point National and how did he get this new look? “As a coach of the Quakertown Youth Wrestling team, I am really close to a couple key members and occasionally I like to encourage them with bets or incentives. We had an incredible season going unbeaten and winning 14 matches so I put out a challenge and lost. Four days later I went blonde. I think it brought the kids closer together and next year I am looking forward to an all blonde team,” said Michael Himmelsbach

Blackmans Racing is also debuting the latest Akrapovich Racing Exhaust and New Lockhart Phillips sponsorship for the Summit Point National. “The Akrapovich exhaust makes a significant increase in our mid-range power without a loss at the top and it also features a set of carbon canisters helping us to reduce the weight of the machine by 1.5 pounds. This should help Mike in accelerating off the corners better,” said Bill Himmelsbach.

Armed with a new bike built by crew chief Bill Himmelsbach the Blackmans Racing squad is looking forward to returning to Summit Point were Michaels racing career started back in 1988. The team took part in two testing sessions at Summit with very positive results and getting to within ½-second of the overall motorcycle lap record.

“Yeah, I am really excited to be returning to Summit. I kicked off my career here and have had much success at this place. I really like the track layout, its atmosphere and of course the fans are great. Our Aprilia suits this track and the latest bike my father developed is just awesome and I can’t wait. I know it will be a tough race but I think we are in a great position for a double win,” said Michael Himmelsbach.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Appeal Board hearing on the denied protests of Damon Buckmaster’s Yamaha YZF-R7 Formula Xtreme bike is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. today at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP racer John Hopkins celebrated his 19th birthday today in Paris, with his girlfriend, Desiree Crossman.

Hopkins and Crossman are living in Clermont Ferrand, France during the MotoGP season.

From a May 20 press release issued by Roger Lyle:

We’re having a blast!

The report just in from Greg Harrison of WGH Excavation Inc. at Summit Point Raceway with the Move the Mountain Safety Project.

Rock in the Turn 4 embankment was blasted today. A small piece of red, blue, and white body plastic with a 1985 AMA/CCS sticker was found in the chute area. The piece is believed to be from Bart Peterson’s Yamaha FJ600 when he lost control and put him and the bike into the embankment after turn 4! Bart did take a ride to the hospital on that one!

More rock will be drilled and blasted tomorrow along with excavation of more dirt and rock. Greg said you will not recognize the old turn four when you come back to Summit. The track has not changed but the run-off area is being expanded tremendously. Hopefully Greg will take some digital shots and have them here for you soon.

The project should be finished by this Thursday, May 23 when Formula USA, XSBA, and Team Hammer School rolls into Summit Point for the big Cycle Fest through Sunday the 26.

We are nearing our goal of raising money for the project. The Woodbridge Kart Club,WKC Board of Directors has pledged $5,000 along with the Washington DC Region SCCA kicking in $5,000. The MTM site and the donations from motorcycle racers and enthusiasts have raised almost $7,000. Thanks to everyone who has helped out in any way to make this project a reality. More run-off room should save many racers from serious injuries. We are also looking at other hazardous areas; the exit of turn 3, the exit of turn 9, the tirestacks at the edge of turn 8. With a little more time and money these areas will be addressed. Check out the supporters list at www.mtm.nbinteractive.com

You can donate now if you like. Take care and race safe!

Roger Lyle

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

An AMA Pro Racing Appeal Board ruled today that Damon Buckmaster’s Yamaha YZF-R7 is not legal for the Formula Xtreme class, but that Buckmaster will be allowed to keep his race finishes and points earned to date.

The bike will not be allowed to compete again in Formula Xtreme, the Board ruled.

Buckmaster’s YZF-R7 was protested following his win at the opening round for the Formula Xtreme class, at Fontana on April 7.

Critical evidence presented at the hearing included an e-mail sent to an AMA member by AMA Pro Racing Technical Manager Rob King, dated September 7, 2001, in which King stated that the R7 had been allowed to race in 2001 under special dispensation and that it would not be allowed to compete in 2002, when the new R1 was introduced.

Other evidence included an MSO for a YZF-R7 sold in the U.S., which was clearly marked that the bike was not legal for street use.

The Board rejected AMA Pro Racing’s contention that the rule requiring machines to be sold for street use in the United States was unclear, and the contention that a bike being legal for street use anywhere in the world made it legal for AMA Formula Xtreme. The Board blamed Pro Racing for not better communicating with teams, and it was because Graves Motorsports Yamaha was not clearly warned that its R7 would not be allowed in 2002 that the Board allowed Buckmaster to keep his finishes and points earned to date despite finding the bike clearly illegal.

The Board also faulted the protesting teams and riders for not filing protests of the machine in 2001, and, when told that AMA Pro Racing officials would not accept protests of the bike in 2001, demanded the paperwork showing that a protest had been written and rejected. No such paperwork was produced.

AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition Merrill Vanderslice deflected blame for the controversy over R7 eligibility onto the AMA Pro Racing Board of Directors as it existed in 2001, claiming that he was forced to allow the bike to race, and that actually enforcing the rule was out of his hands.

AMA Pro Racing was represented at the hearing by Vanderslice, King and Ron Barrick. Others attending or testifying at the hearing, held at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio, included Keith McCarty of Yamaha Motor Corp., Morgan Broadhead and Pat Alexander of American Suzuki Motor Corp., Attack Suzuki’s Richard Stanboli, Erion Racing’s Kevin Erion and Mike Hale, Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Keith Perry, and Corona Extra Suzuki’s Steve Rapp.

The Appeal Board hearing focused on appeals filed by Hale and Rapp after their initial protests at Fontana were denied.

From a press release issued by Red Bull Yamaha:

Garry McCoy’s ongoing right leg injury has forced him out of the 2002 MotoGP Championship for the next 6-8 weeks. Garry broke his lower leg in both the tibia and fibula at the IRTA test in Estoril, Portugal in February this year and the 30-year-old Australians recovery has been very slow and painful.

After being flown to Vienna straight from the test and an operation by Dr. Reinhardt Weinstabel McCoy was passed fit enough some 6 weeks after the break to ride in the opening round of the 2002 MotoGP Season at Suzuka, Japan. The return was more painful than it should have been thanks to one of the screws working themselves loose.

With this removed before the South African round Garry was able to qualify a superb fifth there and run at the head of the second group until understandably tiring in the second half of the race.

He was looking forward to an even more successful third round but found himself in significantly increased pain at Jerez. He hoped that missing the team’s test the following week at Mugello would see him rested and in better shape at Le Mans. Unfortunately this was not the case at all and after Friday’s practice he explained to the team’s Director of Racing Peter Clifford that he simply couldn’t ride.

Back in Vienna, Dr. Weinstabel discovered the cause of the pain; bone spurs growing in his ankle. These unwanted bone growths are at the site of a nasty break sustained some 2 years and a half years ago, in August 1998 at Brno, when riding for the Shell Advance Honda Team on a Honda V-Twin 500. That incident involved a crash with Mick Doohan.

It seems that the Estoril crash must have done some damage to that old injury resulting in the bone growths that are now causing the problem. Dr. Weinstabel decided to operate on Garry’s ankle. (Tuesday 21st May)

Peter Clifford says, “The results of the MRI Scan today are both good and bad. Good, in that we now know exactly the extent of Garry’s injury and why he has been in so much pain and bad, because this is obviously very disappointing for Garry to miss so many races this season. He has had more than his share of bad breaks and after following his severe wrist injury last year, he was looking forward to a full and rewarding season.”

Frenchman, Jean-Michel Bayle, the legendary Motocross Champion and Red Bull Yamaha’s Test Rider for 2002, took over the YZR 500 at Le Mans in place of the injured McCoy. After only one qualifying session on Saturday he finished the French GP in the points. Jean-Michel will continue to ride the Red Bull Yamaha at the next round in Mugello and this could mean the Bayle competes for the Red Bull Yamaha Team for the next 4 GPs.

Peter Clifford is delighted to have JMB ride for his team. “Bayle made great progress on the bike over the 2 days at Le Mans and he has tested for us at Mugello quite recently. We anticipate him helping to continue to develop the bike and tyres so that John Hopkins has the best support and so that Garry has good equipment when he returns. JMB does not want to be considered a full time racer so any results he attains will be a bonus.”

From a press release issued by Honda UK:

McGUINNESS READY FOR HECTIC TIME

Honda UK’s World Supersport rider John McGuinness is preparing for his busiest time of the season as he contests Sunday’s British round of the
world championship at Silverstone then heads off for the Isle of Man TT races.

McGuinness will leave Silverstone immediately after the race on Sunday, taking a private flight to the Isle of Man in readiness for Monday morning’s practice session on the 37.73-mile mountain course.

The Morecambe, Lancashire rider will race a quartet of Hondas at the TT ­ a CBR600 in the Junior TT, a 954 Fireblade in the Formula One and Senior races, a CBR600 in the Production event and a 954 Fireblade in the larger Production TT.

“It¹s all a bit of a mad time,” admits McGuinness. “But we knew it would be like this so there’s no drama. I¹m really looking forward to getting back to the Isle of Man, especially after last weekend’s North-West 200 when I rode the TT machines for the first time.”

McGuinness qualified on pole position and finished second in the Supersport race. He also finished fourth in the Superbike race despite stalling the machine on the startline of the Northern Ireland event.

“But right now I’m focused on Silverstone,” he continues. “I want a strong finish in my home round of the championship.”

From a press release:

COORS LIGHT RACING JOINS SUZUKI CANADA TEAM



SHANNONVILLE, ON – A major sponsorship arrangement between Suzuki Canada and Coors Light Racing was announced at the opening round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Shannonville Motorsport Park.

Coors Light Racing has become title sponsor of the Fast Company Team Suzuki squad. The team will now be known as Coors Light Racing Fast Company Team Suzuki.

Francis Martin of Sherbrooke, QC will ride the Coors Light Racing Fast Company Team Suzuki GSX-R1000s in the Parts Canada Superbike and International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Open Sport Bike classes.

“Coors Light Racing is very excited to be part of the Suzuki Canada racing program,” said Pierre Major of CRI. “We are eager and anxious to have our share of podiums this year and we’re sure with Fast Company and Suzuki Canada we can achieve that.”

Coors Light Racing and Suzuki Canada have a one-year contract but expect to continue the arrangement beyond this season.

“We think this sponsorship deal will be to the benefit of everybody involved with the Parts Canada Superbike Championship,” said Nathan Naslund, Division Manager for National Sales & Marketing with Suzuki Canada. “Having a major partner from outside of the motorcycle industry should generate excellent exposure for the series.”

As part of the sponsorship Coors Light Racing will also become title sponsor of the Morgan Racing Suzuki national motocross team, which will now be called Coors Light Racing Morgan Team Suzuki.

Coors Light Racing plans to support its participation in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship with a large number of special promotions outside of the racing community designed to raise the profile of the series.

From a press release:

MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2002

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has announced the 12 members of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2002:

Russ Darnell — Motocross pioneer, helped shape the sport when it came to the U.S. in the late 1960s.

Will Davis — Seventh in career AMA Grand National wins, five-time champion of MARS Motorcycle Asphalt Racing Series.

Marty Dickerson — Road racer, Vincent dealer, set world speed records in 1953 and 1955.

Doug Domokos — “The Wheelie King,” best-known stunt rider of the 1980s and 1990s.

Ed Fisher — Racer, tuner, dealer, life-long enthusiast, winner of 1953 Laconia 100.

Jeff Fredette — “Mr. ISDT/ISDE,” won ten gold and ten silver medals, U.S. National Enduro winner.

Lars Larsson — 13-time ISDT/ISDE competitor, won multiple gold medals, among the first Swedish motocrossers to make his mark in the U.S., first Husqvarna factory rider in the U.S.

Walt Mahony — Motorcycle-racing photographer for 39 years, took more than 435,000 photos, printed more than 1 million images for racers, fans and
publications.

Freddie Marsh — Began short-course racing and hill-climbing in 1924, continued hill-climbing until age 88 (now age 102), dealer for Indian and Moto Guzzi.

Reg Pridmore — AMA Superbike National Champion in 1976, 1977 and 1978, founder of CLASS Motorcycle Schools.

Donny Schmit — Won seven AMA Motocross Nationals, 1992 250cc World Champion, 1990 125cc World Motocross Champion, 1986 125cc Western Supercross Champion.

Dale Singleton — “The Flying Pig Farmer,” won the Daytona 200 in 1979 and 1981.

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant
contributions to motorcycling, including those known for their contributions to road riding, off-road riding and all categories of racing, as well as those who have excelled in business, history, design and engineering.

The Class of 2002 will be inducted on October 19, during ceremonies at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the campus of the American
Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio. The new inductees will join 269 others already enshrined in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, located on the Museum’s lower level. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame features a plaque recognizing each inductee, along with related motorcycles, photos and memorabilia.

“We see the Motorcycle Hall of Fame as an important part of the Museum’s mission,” said Don Emde, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage
Foundation, which runs the facility. “Preserving the heritage of American motorcycling means more than displaying a collection of classic machines. It means keeping alive the memory of those who built that heritage.”

Emde, winner of the 1972 Daytona 200, is a Hall-of-Famer himself, as is his father, Floyd, who won the same event in 1948.

Any motorcycling enthusiast may submit a person to be considered for induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame; complete biographical information should accompany the submission. Inductees are chosen by six committees consisting of Hall-of-Famers and independent experts in various disciplines.

The goal of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed notably to the sport, and three major exhibition halls showcase the machines and memorabilia that have shaped motorcycling. The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; noon to 4.p.m. on Memorial Day,
Independence Day and Labor Day; and closed on New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $4 per person; ages 17 and under are admitted free. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.