By Beth Wyse

During the September 15-16 WERA weekend at Roebling Road Raceway, a memorial was held in honor of the victims of last week’s terrorist attacks on America.

Racers Tom Fetsko (122), John Walters (728), James Norwood (220) and John Sabbe (789) rode a lap, displaying the American flag.

At the completion of the lap, one rider pulled off in the tradition of the missing-man formation. Mark Morrow then played taps on his trumpet.

This letter from Rick Suzuki, apparently addressed to American Suzuki employees, was forwarded to us by Suzuki spokesman Mark Reese, in response to the question, Why did Suzuki cancel its dealer meeting?:

Dear Suzuki Team Member:

In response to the devastating tragedy last Tuesday in New York and Washington, and in consideration of the many dealers who have expressed concern, American Suzuki Motor Corp. has decided to cancel its annual Dealer Meeting which had been scheduled for September 30 – October 2 in Las Vegas.

I would like to make it clear that no one within ASMC wanted to cancel the meeting. However, after much thought and deliberation, the leadership team concluded that this difficult decision was necessary in order to respect this time of mourning and uncertainty. We are currently regrouping our efforts and will quickly produce information about the business meeting and new products, which will be provided to you and our dealers. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation and will keep you informed of our progress.

An announcement will go out to our dealers today.

All of us share in the sorrow and grief over the loss of so many innocent lives. Our thoughts and condolences are with all those affected by this unthinkable disaster.

Sincerely,


Rick Suzuki
President

From a press release:

AMA LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER FOR DISASTER RELIEF


PICKERINGTON, Ohio — To help those affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has launched a campaign to raise funds for disaster-relief efforts.

The AMA will donate the net proceeds from the sale of specially designed t-shirts to two agencies: the Uniformed Firefighter’s Association’s “Widows’ and Children’s Fund”; and the New York State Fraternal Order of Police Foundation’s “World Trade Center Police Disaster Fund.”

A large American flag is emblazoned on the back of the shirt, along with the words, American Motorcyclists, United in Remembrance. On the left breast of the shirt is the AMA logo, surrounded by the words, Supporting Freedom.

The shirts sell for $15.00 each, plus $4.00 shipping. Credit-card orders can be placed by calling 1-800-AMA-JOIN, or at www.AMADirectlink.com. If ordering by mail, supporters should send a check or money order for $19.00 to Remembrance Shirt, c/o AMA, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

In addition to the t-shirt campaign, the AMA has designated Sunday, September 30, 2001 as Motorcyclists United in Remembrance Day nationwide. The AMA asks motorcyclists to gather on this day to remember those who lost their lives, to support the survivors and relief efforts, and to honor America, in a way of their choosing — whether at organized motorcycling events or impromptu group rides.

By David Swarts

Due to several race cancellations in the 2001 season, American Suzuki’s Matt Ellis and Jeff Wilson have confirmed that the company will be pay Suzuki Cup qualifying points at the WERA National scheduled for this weekend, September 22-23, at Virginia International Raceway.

“We will be paying Suzuki Cup points for the WERA sprint races at VIR this weekend,” said Ellis in a telephone call to Roadracing World. “I’m still waiting to receive some race results and to do a check run, but I hope to have point standings and a final word on the minimum amount of points needed to qualify for the Suzuki Cup Finals before the end of the week.”

Originally, Suzuki required riders to earn a minimum of 10 Suzuki Cup points to be invited to the 16th annual Suzuki Cup Finals October 24-28 at Road Atlanta. But due to the cancellation of Suzuki Cup events at Rausch Creek, Memphis Motorsports Park and Gateway International Raceway in 2001, Suzuki is considering lowering the minimum amount of points needed to attend the Suzuki Cup Finals to possibly as low as one point. Paying Cup points at VIR this weekend is also in direct response to other races being cancelled.

For more information on the Suzuki Cup road racing contingency program see the related roadracingworld.com August 8 or September 13 postings or go to http://www.suzukicycles.com/racing/racers.htm. On the Suzuki site, click on Contingency, click on Road Race, scroll down, and click on Details On The Suzuki Road Race Contingency Program.

In a side note, WERA will run two separate endurance races on Saturday, September 22 at Virginia International Raceway, one as a make-up for the Memphis race that was cancelled by rain. Each race will be between three and five hours in length with a 30-60 minute break in between the races.

From a press release:

In response to the American racing industry’s increasing safety requirements, Daniel Lance of Alpina Safety Systems (of Steindorf, Austria) is pleased to announce that Alpina will begin manufacturing its line of safety products in America.

Alpina is committed to raising the level of safety in America to the level available in other areas of the world. Alpina is recognized internationally for the quality of product and service that the company provides to the racing industry. Alpina’s specialty lies in the installation and maintenance of safety devices at race events, minimizing expense and providing a system of risk management with protective devices that are directly focused on the type of race machine and race event on a rental or purchase basis.

Manufacturing in America is expected to make Alpina’s products affordable while at the same time still made to the strictest quality standards and homologation requirements as at the factory in Austria.

Mr. Robert Pertl, who recently attended a Formula USA event at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania, consulted with racers, race officials, and media representatives in an effort to fully see the requirements and formulate an initiative to further the level of safety in American racing.

Mr. Pertl will return to America for the Daytona F-USA and Road Atlanta WERA GNF events in October. He will bring samples of Alpina’s Super Defender, Defender, and F-1 modules and be available to discuss Alpina’s safety initiative in America. He also plans to visit selected racetracks while in the U.S..

Safety Dan says rely on Alpina Safety Systems, We‘ve got your back!

Alpina Safety Systems/American Division
228 Steele Hill Rd.
Sanbornton, NH 03269
(603) 571-5935

This press release just in from Ducati:

BAYLISS, XAUS AND BOSTROM RECONFIRMED FOR 2002 SEASON

Ducati Corse wishes to announce that Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada), Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) and Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) will be the Italian manufacturer’s factory riders in next season’s World Superbike Championship.

Speaking at the 59th International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan today, Ducati CEO Carlo Di Biagio announced that the exceptional results achieved by all three riders in this year’s World Superbike Championship had led to them being reconfirmed for 2002.

“Ducati can consider itself to be totally satisfied with the results achieved by all of our riders, who have already been confirmed for next year”, said Di Biagio.

With one round remaining, the 2001 season has been an exceptional one for the Bologna-based manufacturer, which clinched the WSBK Riders’ title for the ninth time with 32-year-old Australian, Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada), and the Manufacturers’ crown for a record tenth time.

In addition, 27-year-old Californian Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) had an exceptional five-race winning streak in mid-season on his way to six wins this year, while the talented 23-year-old, Ruben Xaus proved he is a real talent of the future, becoming the first Spanish rider to win a WSBK championship race when he scored his debut win in Germany. Ducati also achieved the prestigious target of 100 WSBK pole positions throughout the year.

Bayliss, Xaus and Bostrom will again form one of the most exciting and competitive team line-ups in 2002.

The final round of the 2001 World Superbike Championship takes place at Imola, Italy on September 28-30.

American Honda Motor Company’s annual dealer convention at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas will continue as scheduled.

That’s the word from American Honda spokesman Jon Seidel.

The convention starts tomorrow, September 19 and continues through Friday, September 21.

Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. cancelled its dealer convention slated for September 15-16 in Anaheim, California, citing transportation problems in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

This week, American Suzuki Motor Corp. cancelled its convention, scheduled for the end of September in Las Vegas.

Ducati North America Manager of Racing Operations David Roy has denounced yesterday’s post regarding the possible end of Ducati’s participation in the AMA Superbike Series as being “speculative fodder.”

In an e-mail to roadracingworld.com, Roy wrote,
“What is up with the story today? I don’t remember talking to anyone from Roadracing World in regard to what we are doing for next season, and no one else on Ducati’s payroll that is involved in racing has, either. The information you are sending to the public on our racing program is speculative fodder, which is normally not like you. If you would like to know what is going on just call me next time.”

The post was based on first-hand conversations with involved parties, including a current Ducati AMA rider and an overseas Ducati emissary.

Roadracingworld.com has invited Roy to end any doubt by issuing a definitive press release detailing Ducati’s U.S. plans for 2002.