Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin responded to NHIS Safety Director Jerry Wood’s earlier comments regarding the situation at Loudon, via phone and e-mail. (See related post below, headlined “Loudon Video Delayed Until Tomorrow; Wood Comments On Situation”.) Mladin’s version of what happened at Loudon differs significantly with Wood’s.

In his statement to roadracingworld.com, Mladin wrote:

In response to Mr. Wood’s comments:

Thursday about lunchtime Ron Barrick came to my motorhome to ask me to come and look at the track. He wanted me to see the position of the airbags and if there needed to be any changes. He asked me to meet him in the AMA tech garage after the day’s riding had finished. I agreed. Doug Chandler was also asked and he agreed.

Within the next few hours I got talking to Aaron Yates (whose motorhome was parked next to mine, as was Doug Chandler’s, Jamie Hacking’s, Ben Spies’ and Roger Hayden’s) and told Aaron that we are doing an airbag inspection after practice. He said, great I’ll be there.

By the time we showed up at AMA tech there were a few more riders already there (Jamie Hacking, Rich Oliver and Steve Rapp). This so-called “posse” that I had nothing to do with getting together, certainly has a lot of racing experience!

From there we went onto the track, the first thing we looked at were the airbags at the end of the front straight. They were close to being in the right place so we were about to move on when we noticed a rubbery gum-like substance filling up all the cracks in the racetrack. While this stuff is definitely not good to race on it was actually quite funny that they thought it was acceptable to fill the cracks with. You could actually stick your thumb into this stuff up to the first knuckle and a lot of the cracks were at least one inch wide.

It was at this point that everyone had very serious doubts about racing in the rain. Although some people will try to make you believe that last year I said the surface was too slippery to race on in the rain, this is not true. Whilst the surface at NHIS in my opinion is definitely not good, it is not my main worry. The walls are my main concern. You see, people think that when you are riding in the rain you are going a lot slower than in the dry. Whilst you do go slower there is one thing for sure, and that is, when you crash in the rain it takes a lot longer to stop than it does in the dry. Now, if you make the track surface better and don’t move the walls then, bingo, you hit the wall harder.

With 40 bikes racing in the rain and no room between the track and the airbags as soon as you have a crash you could have people lying everywhere on the racetrack. I’m sure you can imagine what happens next.

My recent crash at Road America in the wet is a good example of how long it takes to stop when you crash in the rain. I would say that it took me at least 60 to 70 yards to stop. This crash was second-gear doing approx 110 mph compared to third gear at NHIS entering turn three at approx 125 mph with a concrete wall protected by car tires just 10 yards away. Last year in the dry, I tangled with somebody in that same corner and made it into the wall covered by car tires. While I walked away with only a tweaked neck, I didn’t expect the response I got from Mr. Jerry Wood telling me that the car tires work great because I hadn’t broken anything. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard.

Then there will be the argument that there are airbags on the walls, agreed. Unfortunately when the airbag is placed directly on the edge of the track as they are at NHIS, there is every chance of hitting it and bouncing back into the oncoming bikes. So yes, the airbag stops you hitting the wall but no guarantees about what’s next. Airbags were meant to go on walls after slowing down through a gravel trap.

From there we move on and continued to sort out the airbags. Another funny thing happened in turn three. You could see where somebody had grabbed the gum and pulled it out for about 10 feet. A lot of these gum-filled cracks were running parallel with the racing line.

We continued to go around shaking our heads, then we got to the penultimate corner when there was this painted arrow on the track right on the race line. We took a look and realized it was a piece of the track that you could grab with your hand and lift it about two feet in the air. We were told that they were flying some epoxy in overnight and it would be fixed. Well, on Monday we raced around the outside of it. It had some temporary curbing nailed on top of it which made any passing in that section of the track almost impossible. There are plenty of issues between turn three and the penultimate turn that were discussed, but to be honest I am quicker on the track than I am at typing and I can assure you I have a sore neck.

From there, we headed back to AMA tech to discuss the track. This went on for about 10 minutes and the last thing somebody asked Ron Barrick was, “Are we racing here if it rains?” (It wasn’t me.) The answer was “no”. Not maybe, just a plain “no”.

This is my recollection of what happened on Thursday afternoon, June Bike Week 2001.

Mat Mladin

On Saturday the AMA-affiliated Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum opened a new exhibit on Indian motorcycles. The following text is from an AMA press release on the opening of the exhibit, which is officially known as A Century of Indian, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance:

This exhibit, the most ambitious in the museum’s 11-year history, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company.

The exhibit officially opened during ribbon-cutting ceremonies held this afternoon (July 7) at the museum. In attendance were several hundred motorcycle enthusiasts, local officials, and many of the men and women who rode Indian motorcycles during the first half of the 20th century. Also on hand were classic motorcycles from the “Century Ride Home,” a 15-day ride from Los Angeles, California, to Springfield, Massachusetts (original home of the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company).

The new Indian exhibit celebrates one American motorcycling’s most heralded brands. It features 50 important motorcycles from Indian’s tumultuous history, as well as period sales literature, memorabilia, photos never before displayed, and informative text that chronicles the rise and fall of an American icon.

“Indian remains one of the true touchstones of American motorcycling, as well as a fascinating study in American business,” said Mark Mederski, Executive Director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “The museum is proud to present an exhibit that not only showcases classic motorcycles, but also documents the people, events and cultural context surrounding the Indian saga.”

Ed Youngblood, the exhibit’s curator, agreed. “Our goal has been to create an exhibit that can be enjoyed by everyone–from motorcycle enthusiasts to history buffs; from business majors to school-age children. The array of rare and beautiful motorcycles can be appreciated in their own right, of course, but we also present the intriguing story of the Indian brand, in a way that brings the legend to life.”

Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, the exhibit’s presenting sponsor, is well-known for insuring more motorcycles than any other American carrier. But the company is also committed to preserving motorcycling’s heritage.

“Progressive is proud of its long-standing commitment to motorcyclists,” said Ben Sheridan, General Manager of Special Lines for Progressive Insurance.

“Our customers tell us that history is important to their sport. As the presenting sponsor of ‘A Century of Indian,’ Progressive Motorcycle Insurance is pleased to do its part to preserve that history.”

Motorcycles in the exhibit represent the entire history of the Indian marque — from a 1905 Lightweight Single to a 1961 Royal Enfield Chief. The most contemporary Indians on display are a 1969 Velo 500 designed by industry legend Floyd Clymer, and a 1998 Chief produced by the new Indian Motorcycle Company of Gilroy, California.

“A Century of Indian, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance” will be open through December 2002. An accompanying 200-page, lavishly illustrated catalog of the exhibit will go on sale this fall.

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. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum and this exhibit are not sponsored or endorsed by Indian Motorcycle Company, and these two entities are not affiliated in any way. The use of the Indian designs are for historical purposes only and should not be construed as endorsements of or promotions for Indian Motorcycles.

7:00 p.m. Bike Week (from Laguna Seca)
7:30 p.m. Rolling Thunder
8:00 p.m. AMA 600cc Supersport – Laguna Seca
9:00 p.m. AMA Formula Xtreme – Laguna Seca
10:00 p.m. FIM World Supersport – San Marino

All times Eastern Daylight Time.

People with non-traditional work schedules may have already watched coverage of both World Superbike races from Laguna Seca plus the 250cc and 500cc Grands Prix from Donington Park, aired earlier today.

AMA Director of AMA Sports Hugh Fleming has left his post and has taken another position within the AMA, according to Brenda Erichsen of AMA Human Resources. Fleming worked directly with the transportation and set-up of the newly-purchased Air Fence sections for AMA Pro Road Racing events. The AMA is now looking to fill Fleming’s position “as soon as possible,” according to Erichsen.

Roadracing World learned of Fleming’s departure when a reader alerted us to a want ad placed on the job search website www.monster.com. The ad placed on Monster.com reads…

“The American Motorcyclist Association, a 270,000-member organization with an unparalleled history of pursuing, protecting and promoting the interests of the world’s largest and most dedicated group of motorcycle enthusiasts is seeking a Director of Sports.

“Full-time position, based in Pickerington, Ohio.

“Qualified candidates should have demonstrated management abilities, solid verbal and written communication skills, and creativity in programming and problem-solving. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in one or more forms of motorcycle sport are essential. A working knowledge of the motorcycle industry and racing infrastructure is highly desirable.

“Qualified individuals should send resume with cover letter and salary requirements to:

“American Motorcyclist Association
“c/o Human Resources / Job Code EE127
“13515 Yarmouth Drive
“Pickerington, Ohio 43147”

Erichsen declined to comment on any details of Fleming’s transition, instead saying that she would have the head of Fleming’s department call us back. At post time, Vice President of Member Activities Bill Amick had not returned our call.

AMA 250cc Grand Prix racer Bruce Lind is in the Intensive Care Unit of Monterey Community Hospital with injuries sustained in a crash during a MBNA 250cc heat race Saturday July 7 at Laguna Seca.

According to reports, Lind highsided in turn three and his Yamaha TZ250 landed directly on top of him. Lind is being kept company in the hospital by his wife, Edie, along with racing friend and teammate Ed Sorbo. Sorbo’s wife, Catherine, e-mailed an update on Lind’s condition to Roadracing World Monday evening saying that Lind “is improving, yet Bruce is still in ICU. He has 11 broken ribs, some with multiple breaks. His ankle may or may not be broken, and he suffered some internal injuries (including a punctured lung) also but has not had to undergo surgery. Bruce is a hearty guy, so he should heal quickly.”

Contacted Tuesday, July 10, Catherine Sorbo said that Lind had taken a turn for the worse late Monday night, was put on a ventilator, and underwent surgery to remove his spleen Tuesday morning.

Fans who wish to send a Get Well message to Lind can do so at this address:
Bruce Lind, ICU patient
c/o Monterey Community Hospital
P.O. Box HH
Monterey, CA 93942

Messages can also be sent via e-mail, c/o Sorbo, to [email protected]

The hospital telephone number is (831) 424-7705. The number for the FAX machine in Patient Relations is (831) 625-4568.

Contrary to reports posted elsewhere, AMA Pro Racing Technical Manager Rob King said Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates, not Jamie Hacking, was fined $600 for having a non-functioning thermostat in his GSX-R600 after the 600cc Supersport race held at Laguna Seca on Friday, July 6.

“I don’t believe they’re appealed the fine, and I don’t believe they will,” said King.

The fine was assessed against Yates–who does not prepare, tune or work on his racebikes–because mechanics and teams have no official standing in AMA competition.

Yates was injured when he crashed while leading the AMA Superbike race at Laguna Seca on Saturday, July 7. Yates suffered a broken arm just above a plate installed to repair an earlier injury.

Honda displayed a concept bike at Laguna Seca last weekend. A press release on the bike follows:

American Honda revealed a new concept bike at The Honda International Superbike Classic at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.

Dubbed the New American Sports, this innovative exercise in design and styling takes direct aim at the over-arching theme that motivates the majority of motorcyclists everywhere: Gorgeous hardware.

According to Martin Manchester, project director at Honda R&D Americas, “This concept bike takes a new direction in motorcycling, a path that emphasizes the aesthetics in the execution and creation of a sport bike. Performance always takes a high profile in motorcycling, but we were looking to reinforce the emotional attachment that owners have with their bikes. We achieved that goal by placing a major emphasis on the exposed hardware on this machine, dressing it up rather than concealing it behind bodywork.

“We applied a great deal of forward-looking technology plus distinctive styling touches throughout, and lavished a huge amount of detail work on this bike. Because every bit of hardware on this machine has been designed for aesthetic appeal, the New American Sports purposely transcends the compromises typically dictated by production, function and cost issues.”

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With a super abundance of eye candy (carbon fiber, titanium, machined billet aluminum) all rolled into one package, it becomes difficult to list the highlights on this forward-think exercise. Centralizing the mass around the engine played a key role in the original design, and the front and rear ends are purposely left with a light and airy appearance. A carbon fiber/aluminum mono-arm front suspension with a massive steering head and integrated steering damper certainly draws attention, as do the organically shaped billet wheels and aluminum frame. The single floating rim-mounted front brake is likewise startling in appearance, and then you notice that the handsomely finished liquid-cooled V-Twin engine appears to lack a radiator–it’s actually hidden away beneath the bodywork in the abbreviated tail section!

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Exquisitely formed carbon-fiber skinwork abounds, and the single-sided Pro-Arm swingarm incorporates a skeletonized structure. Four projector beam headlights lend to a compact nose, and the Indiglow instruments along with the compact controls and switches add to the clean, Spartan look.

As Martin Manchester summarizes, “We set out to re-create the sports category using the inherent beauty of well-executed motorcycle hardware. This concept should attract the serious enthusiasts, those who appreciate the high-tech, finely turned-out elements in a motorcycle.”

Take one look at the New American Sports, and you’ll surely agree. But then, what else would you expect from an all-out effort by Honda R&D Americas?

A videotape made by rider Mark Miller of parts of a confrontation involving New Hampshire International Speedway’s Bob Bahre and Gary Bahre, AMA’s Ron Barrick and Merrill Vanderslice and various riders makes the best case for never returning to the track, long-time track critics say.

The tape was made on Sunday, June 18 at the Loudon, New Hampshire racetrack and came into roadracingworld.com’s possession on Monday evening, July 9.

Miller caught the controversial action while making a momento tape for his friends of pit scenes at the races. The majority of the tape shows various riders sitting around the paddock and talking among themselves and to cameraman Miller. The copy of the tape that roadracingworld.com obtained was originally made as a gift for roadracingworld.com-sponsored Chris Ulrich, who frequently trains with Miller. Miller did not make the tape as any kind of political statement.

In a section of videotape which will be posted on RoadracingWorld.com, Gary Bahre calls Barrick a “little coward” and an “a–hole” and says that the riders are in control and asks of Barrick, “why do we even have you?” On the tape, the Bahres repeatedly tell Barrick to order the riders to take to the track, which had been artificially dried using jet blowers after hours of rain. At no time on the tape are the Bahres seen showing anything but contempt for rider concerns in the situation.

On the tape, when rider Grant Lopez attempts to mediate the dispute between riders who were unsure of track conditions and the combined track and AMA forces, Bob Bahre angerly tells Lopez “there’s no water anywhere” as he points at the pavement, ignoring the plea from Lopez, who desperately wanted to ride, for “10 minutes of practice to check it out.”

“I’m sure there’s water somewhere” on the track, Lopez says, trying to make the case for the short warm-up session he and other riders were asking for.

Vanderslice stands near both Bahres in the videotape and is seen speaking but hiw words were not caught on the videotape.

The abusive dialog directed at riders and AMA officials and caught on the tape stands in stark contrast to the relatively mild comments that led AMA officials to fine AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin $5000 and dock him a point, for, among other things, according to an AMA press release, “using profanity at times” and criticizing “an AMA official” as well as other riders and the racetrack itself.

At post time Monday night, roadracingworld.com was unable to reach any AMA officials to ask about the dual set of standards apparently being applied to riders vs. track owners. A phone call to AMA Media Relations Contractor Larry Lawrence had not been returned when this item was originally posted.

But in a Tuesday-morning e-mailed response, Lawrence wrote:

“I don’t know what to tell you about the abuse that AMA officials took at the hands of the Bahres at Loudon. I wasn’t aware of the situation.

“Why can they use so much profanity and Mladin can’t?

“For one thing Mladin an AMA licensed racer and our two-time champion. He is a spokesperson for our series. The Bahres are not.

“For another, the Bahres were speaking to Barrick and Vanderslice in a non-public forum. The fact that someone taped the incident does not mean that it was meant to be public.

“Heated discussions at a meeting on a starting grid are very different from a press conference.

“I’m speaking in generalities since I wasn’t around and didn’t hear or see the incident. I’m sure if it was as you described then some serious discussions will be taking place between AMA Pro Racing and the Bahres.”

Relevant portions of the videotape will be posted on roadracingworld.com.

From an AHRMA Press Release Issued Monday, July 9:

AHRMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION

Citing personal reasons, Jack Turner has announced his resignation as executive director of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association. Turner asked that his contract not be renewed when it expires in October, and he pledged to work closely with his successor to ease the administrative transition.

Turner was hired as executive director of the 5000-member organization in August 1999 after serving as director of AHRMA’s national road racing program since 1991.

“We regret but understand Jack’s decision and thank him for his fine work on behalf of the association,” commented Fred Mork, chairman of the AHRMA Board of Trustees.

Mork explained that AHRMA’s Executive Committee has appointed a Search Committee to evaluate applicants for the executive position. The committee is made up of three AHRMA trustees, chaired by Rob Stickler of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, along with Rusty Lowry of St. Marys City, Maryland, and Jeff Smith of Wausau,
Wisconsin. The committee will make a recommendation to the full board, which in turn will make the final selection.

The Search Committee is seeking applicants with a motorcycle sports background plus strong business, administrative and communications skills. Resumes and cover letters should be directed to the AHRMA national office, P.O. Box 676, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201.

Turner intends to continue to be involved in a leadership position with AHRMA. “The Executive Committee is delighted by Jack’s interest in continuing in some capacity with the organization,” Mork said, pointing to Turner’s role in the growth and success of AHRMA’s roadrace program through the 1990s.

Turner, 57, is a former trials and scrambles competitor, and is a founder and past president of the Kansas City-based Heart of America Motorcycle Enthusiasts. His wife, Jacki, serves as AHRMA administrative assistant.

(Editor’s note: Turner, along with AHRMA Trustees and various other AHRMA officials, is a named defendant in Rob Iannucci’s pending lawsuit against the organization. The suit stems from a series of disputes between AHRMA and original AHRMA founder Iannucci, culminating in the association revoking Iannucci’s membership and banning his Team Obsolete from participation in AHRMA races. The team does compete at Daytona, because Daytona International Speedway officials make the team’s participation a condition of allowing AHRMA to race there.)

John Hopkins and his girlfriend are scheduled to fly from San Diego to Vienna today for a Red Bull Yamaha WCM test session at Brno, Czech Republic, where Hopkins will ride a YZR500 for two days.

Hopkins, who turned 18 in May, may also test with a winning World Superbike team in the fall and has been fielding multiple AMA Superbike offers.

Last year Hopkins tested with Red Bull Yamaha WCM at Brno and after one day–his first time on the bike, at the track and using carbon-fiber brakes–turned times that would have put him 19th on the grid for the Czech Grand Prix.

Factors leading to World Championship factory team interest in Hopkins include the fact that he has won on a Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki GSX-R1000 in AMA Formula Xtreme and that he has extensive experience on Michelin slicks.