From an AMA press release:

NEARLY 1.6 MILLION FANS ATTEND AMA PRO RACES IN 2001

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — A record total of more than 1.57 million fans attended AMA Pro Racing events in 2001. The total attendance figure covers all forms of AMA Pro Racing — road racing, motocross, supercross, flat track and hillclimb — and marks an increase of 9-percent over 2000, signaling strong and steady growth in the popularity of AMA Pro Racing’s racing properties.

The AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships witnessed the biggest jump this year with a 19-percent increase in attendance, marking a hopeful upturn in a series that has witnessed an overall attendance decline in the last decade.

Also experiencing double-digit growth this year was the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championships with a 14-percent increase, including a record attendance of 91,000 at the combined AMA/World Superbike weekend at Laguna Seca Raceway in July.

Both the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championships and EA Sports Supercross Series had solid seven-percent increases.

“Our championship series have definite momentum behind them,” said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “It’s good to be able to report record attendance. It shows that motorcycle racing continues to grow in popularity. We have a number of promoters and sponsors to thank for much of the success. Continued exposure through our television packages also have a lot to do with the growth of our sport. We are working hard to continue the growth of AMA Pro Racing.”

The breakdown of 2001 attendance figures are as follows: EA Sports Supercross, 797,829; Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike, 375,500; Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross, 233,150; Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track, 138,500; U.S. Hillclimb by Pace American, 32,550.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Corona EBSCO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec says he will never race with WSMC (Willow Springs Motorcycle Club) again following a series of incidents at the October 21 WSMC round.

WSMC Operations Manager Kenny Kopecky declined to comment on the record.

“We enter a few races just for test for Macau,” said Haskovec, a Czech immigrant, of his first test ride on Attack Suzuki’s ex-Tom Kipp Formula Xtreme GSX-R1000. “We enter first race, Open Superstock, with just five guys on the grid, and we’re gonna practice on it and white flag lap pull in the pits so not to accuse anybody. I stall bike on start line, so I really go out dead last. So I go around the circuit, and on lap two, and my engine explode. A rod go out from engine, and cut engine all the way around like Skil saw.

“I already got 12,000 (rpm). So the spread of oil happened right before the brakes. I cross actually the track then on right side after that. But you know how it is, it’s 120 (mph). This what laptop (data acquisition) read, that I got 120 (mph) there when this happened. So it’s like split second. So I was actually spreading oil all over the track. So in split second there’s oil everywhere, literally every oil from the engine spread then rooster 20-feet high, smoke. I got full of my hands to keep this bike on a wheel.

“So the cornerworker from turn two have to see it if people from the pit line see it. He have to saw it also. I go by station three, which is also cornerworker with flag, and throw the bike off the pavement in the desert, go by past turn three. I’m actually sitting there pretty long because these guys that start in front of me they actually finish all of the lap behind me. And the leader pack, Clint Whitehouse and Mark Miller on Attack other bike, both crash in my oil. They have no signalization from the second corner or third station of the track that something happened.”

Haskovec pulled off the track to riders’ right, across the track from the turn three corner station. “I just stopped,” said Haskovec, adding that he did not try to signal the turn three cornerworker. “It’s been more than obvious to me and everyone else I blow up and there’s oil everywhere. I mean these guys see this from pit lane, the smoke. So I just go back and I actually show the coming racers, I raise my hand, because I’m in back of them, I raise my hand like, you know, slow down. (Makes motion with hands extended flat and arms moving in vertical motion) But they been too hot.

“They (the cornerworkers) didn’t pay attention, they just look at something else. They have to or there’s no other explaination for it. They throwing red flags for any stupid reason all the time. Guys 100 feet off the track on the desert and they’re throwing red flags. And when stuff like this happened they totally sleep on the job. All these guys like turn two, turn three.

“How do you want to explain this, it’s just nothing happened? It’s noise, it’s everywhere, the engine, my bike make a lot of noises. And if bike coming and everybody already gone, why shouldn’t look at me. It’s supposed to take your attention. You have to be somehow, you know, off the pace.”

Haskovec’s bad day at Willow continued when his mechanic failed to install his GSX-R600’s rear axle correctly and the axle started coming out, nearly causing Haskovec to crash on the warm-up lap of the Toyota Cup Formula One Unlimited Grand Prix. When Haskovec wrestled his ill-handling bike off the track, his rear axle was sticking out of the swingarm by three inches. WSMC officials were not pleased, according to Haskovec.

Haskovec then repaired his own machine but, with time running short before the next race, forgot to safety wire the axle. Haskovec’s violation was quickly spotted by officials on the pre-grid, who then attempted to take Haskovec’s tech sticker. Haskovec went back to his pit, wired his axle, and returned to gird up for the race without a hot lap. At that point, Haskovec was stopped and told he was disqualifed. Haskovec says he had spent $250 on entry fees with nothing to show for it.

Facing a long, expensive trip to the Suzuki Cup Finals at the WERA Grand National Finals the following weekend, Haskovec went to registration to get a refund on his unused pre-entries for the weekend, originally sent in last August.

“In November, I have Macau, and in December, I have no bike to ride. So I go in the office and say, ‘I don’t think I’m going to race with you guys this year anymore. Can I have the money from the carry-over back? I need my $70 back.” They said, ‘No, you can keep this carry-over for whatever you’re gonna race next.’ I said, ‘I’m not going to race with you anymore.’ They like, ‘Okay. So give us license.’ I’m like, ‘Okay. Here is my license. So give me my carry-over.’

“I’m just been sick and tired of dealing with these people. I don’t know anybody who like to go in this office and deal with this woman, you know what I mean? So I actually give away license to get my money back. Which is in no rules, nowhere I have to actually give up my membership, my license for to get some $70. The thing is principle. It’s not about the money.”

But what about people who may say that Haskovec took things too far on a bad day after winning thousands of dollars racing with the WSMC, including winning a Toyota Tundra pick-up truck in January 2001? “It’s way, way, multiple more money I spend (versus what I win),” said Haskovec. “I always pay for tires at Willow Springs, $380 a set with Dennis Smith. It’s true I get contingency, $300 if I win. If I win Formula One with a good bike, maybe I’m gonna make $100. Every weekend at Willow Springs cost you, with my racing, over $2000 every week if you are running two or more bikes. If I want to run like Curtis Adams, only Open Performance and Formula One, I can make some money, it’s true. But the big bike has never been mine, so I split with the guy that provide me service 50/50.

“I never win money with Willow Springs. I always put up with the private money from my work to do this deals with them. I just realize last weekend. It’s not worth it for me anymore because I’ve got my life, and the thought of somebody who not paying attention and who not supposed to be in a cornerworkers’ station scares me.” Haskovec claimed that cornerworkers at Willow Springs consist of local Rosamond, California residents who receive 10-20 minutes of training on the morning of the races.

Kopecky sent roadracingworld.com a lengthy e-mail quoting the WSMC rulebook and defending WSMC’s actions but closed by stating “I am not interested in publicizing or ‘badmouthing’ actions of any of our racers in this manner, and I do not authorize the above for public release by anyone.”

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA officials have apparently blinked and backed down from an attempt to disqualify Take Back The AMA reform candidates Kevin Schwantz, Jeff Nash and John Ulrich from the upcoming Trustee election, to be held in December.

After Schwantz, Nash and Ulrich overwhelmed the incumbents in nomination ballots, AMA President Rob Rasor sent the three a letter apparently seeking to disqualify them using a new interpretation of AMA bylaws, an interpretation which had not been used before and which would have also forced the disqualification of half the existing Board.

After receiving a strongly worded rebuttal from Ulrich detailing the precedent set by existing Trustees and rejecting the new interpretation of the Bylaws, Rasor apparently throught better of that particular “dirty-tricks” approach to the democratic process.

According to insiders, Rasor came up with the letter following consultation with AMA Chairman Rick Gray, an attorney from Pennsylvania.

For the text of Rasor’s letter and of Ulrich’s rebuttal, click on the “Read how AMA officials are trying to sabotage the election” line at the top of the homepage.

Schwantz, Nash and Ulrich have each now received a letter from Greg Harrison, AMA Vice President, Communications, which states:


Let me congratulate you for being nominated for the ballot of the AMA Board of Directors. Please don’t forget that we require a black-and-white head shot of you along with your background and platform (200 words or less) by Thursday, November 1, in order to create the election ballot. As in the past, feel free to reference your own personal website which can be incorporated in the ballot information. You can send this information to the attention of Tracey Powell who will route it to the appropriate person in the communications depertment.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesistate to contact me at (614) 856-1910, Ext. 1228.

Greg Harrison, Vice President
Communications



(Ballots for the election will appear in the January issue of the official AMA magazine, American Motorcyclist, which will be mailed in early December.)

From a press release issued by The Wegman Benefit Fund:


The Wegman Benefit Fund and Central Roadracing Association have established an affiliation to raise money for injured road racers.

The CRA will be hosting fund-raising events with all funds being presented to the Wegman Fund for distribution to racers in need of assistance with medical bills and associated expenses from racing accidents.

Newly elected CRA board member Jessica Zalusky has been the main force in this action. The first fund raiser will be a silent auction held at the CRA annual awards banquet on November 10th in Bloomington, Minnesota. Jessica just returned from racing in the CCS Race of Champions in Daytona Beach and is in Las Vegas this weekend to attend the all women’s track day at Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Riding School, part of the Ducati Revs America festivities.

Gordon Lunde, David Doe and Joey Jancoski of the Wegman Fund plan to attend the awards banquet to join in the announcement about the new affiliation. It will also be a chance to meet all the CRA officials and riders who have made the commitment to help their fellow riders across the country.

More information will be available on the CRA and Wegman websites soon.

In other news, Formula USA/CCS Director of Road Racing Bill Syfan has stated (that) Clear Channel Sports is directing funds collected at Daytona after the passing of racer Stuart Stratton to the Wegman Fund. Wegman Fund director Gordon Lunde will work with the Stratton family to find out how the Fund may help them.

From a Ducati North America press release:

KEYS OF THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS FOR DUCATI PRESIDENT AND CEO

The second day of Ducati Revs America was officially opened today (Saturday) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with a pleasant and unexpected surprise announcement from the City Council of Las Vegas.

In front of thousands of ‘Ducatisti’, who are visiting the three-day rally organized by the Italian manufacturer of high-performance motorcycles, Councilman Michael McDonald welcomed Federico Minoli, President of Ducati Motor Holding, and Carlo DiBiagio, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding on centre stage.

In thanking the President and the CEO for bringing Ducati to the ‘entertainment capital of the world’, Mr. McDonald proclaimed today, 27th
October, as ‘Official Ducati Day’ in Las Vegas and gave the keys of the city to both company directors, conferring them with the title of honorary citizens.

Ducati Revs America runs from Friday 26th through Sunday 28th October.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Alpina Safety Systems officials are planning design and construction changes to Alpina Air Modules to make them better suited for use at U.S. racetracks, based on recent experience at Pocono, Portland, Daytona and Road Atlanta.

According to Alpina Motorsports Manager Robert Pertl, new Air Modules will be constructed using a heavier PVC cloth and will be fitted with an additional heavy-duty, replaceable skirt attached to the face of the module itself. The heavy-duty additional skirts will be designed so they can be retro-fitted to existing modules as well, Pertl said.

At typical European tracks, gravel traps stop motorcycles before they impact Air Module or Air Fence sections. At U.S. tracks, a lack of run-off room and a lack of gravel traps typically results in crashed motorcycles reaching the Air Module sections and often damaging the sections.

Damage to sections can be caused by punctures from footpegs or other sharp parts or by burning from contact with hot parts such as exhaust systems or brake discs.

Alpina plans to be in full production of Air Modules in the U.S. by January 2002, according to Pertl, who is at Road Atlanta this week and also attended events at Pocono and Daytona.

Besides attending races where deployment of Alpina Air Modules was financed by the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund, Pertl is meeting with officials at five U.S. racetracks and one Canadian track regarding possible future use of Alpina Air Modules.

Pertl has also had discussions with Formula USA officials regarding deployment of non-inflatable Alpina Defender modules at dirt track races.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Dave Swarts

Arclight Suzuki crew member and part-time racer Tommy Lancaster is the latest competitor to sing the praises of Air Fence after crashing at Road Atlanta. Lancaster was riding a Suzuki GSX-R600 in a cold Friday-morning practice session when he highsided in turn four, a high-speed, left-hand sweeper.

“I hit the ground, rolled over one time and then saw the air bag,” said Lancaster. “When I saw the air bag coming, I had a big sense of relief. When I hit, I hit the back of my head first. I felt the chin bar of my helmet hit my chest, but all of the energy was absorbed by the air bag. I hit it at probably 80 mph. I firmly believe that if it hadn’t been for the Air Fence, I wouldn’t be walking–at least not walking. I want to say, ‘Thanks.’ to John Ulrich and all of the contributors to the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.”

Lancaster donated $50 within days of the initial announcement of the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund in April this year.

Several riders have crashed and hit Airfence sections and Alpina Air Modules during the five-day Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta. None were seriously injured.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.


GSX-R600, GSX-R750 And GSX-R1000 Payout Schedule:

Total Purse: $60,000

1st = $3000
2nd = $2500
3rd = $2000
4th = $1500
5th = $1200
6th = $1000
7th = $900
8th = $850
9th = $800
10th = $750
11th = $700
12th = $650
13th = $600
14th = $550
15th = $500
16th = $500
17th = $500
18th = $500
19th = $500
20th = $500


TL1000R And SV650 Payout Schedule:

Total Purse: $20,000

1st = $1500
2nd = $1250
3rd = $1000
4th = $750
5th = $600
6th = $500
7th = $450
8th = $425
9th = $400
10th = $375
11th = $350
12th = $325
13th = $300
14th = $275
15th = $250
16th = $250
17th = $250
18th = $250
19th = $250
20th = $250


Weight And Power Restrictions For Suzuki Cup Classes

SV650, 74 horsepower, 360 pounds
GSX-R600, 112 horsepower, 365 pounds
GSX-R750, 135 horsepower, 375 pounds
GSX-R1000, 160 horsepower, 385 pounds
TL1000R, 125 horsepower, 420 pounds


All GSX-R classes run according to WERA Superstock class rules. The TL1000R class will run per Heavyweight Twins rules. The SV650 class will run according to Lightweight Twins rules but with stock forks, brakes, wheels and DOT tires also required.

Suzuki Cup power restrictions have reduced potential lap times, compared to races run without power restrictions.

Riders on GSX-R750s, for example, are limited to between 4 and 5 less horsepower than an unrestricted AMA 750cc Supersport bike typically makes. Because tuners have to restrict bikes enough to stay under the limit even if atmospheric conditions change, a typical Suzuki-Cup-legal GSX-R750 may make 8-10 horsepower less than an unrestricted AMA 750cc Supersport bike.

A 30-minute TV show covering highlights of the 2001 Suzuki Cup Final races will air in early December on Fox Sports Net. Check local listings for date and time.