A series of Video Nights starts tonight, Wednesday, December 19 at the new RKA luggage and accessory shop, 1423-A Grove Street in Healdsburg, California, near San Francisco. The December Video Night will feature on-board camera footage from recent track days as well as a Joey Dunlop movie.

Starting in January, the shop’s Video Nights will be held on the first Wednesday of the month, and will feature racing videos and movies shown on a big-screen TV, as well as food and refreshments, prize giveaways and occasional guest speakers and technical seminars.

Owner Richard Battles also said that the shop is open every Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to serve as a gathering spot for motorcyclists. RKA serves free coffee and pastries to riders who stop by and also provides maps of the many nearby riding roads.

For additional info, call Richard Battles at RKA Luggage, (707) 433-3727.

David K. DeLong died of cancer Tuesday, December 18 at the Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia. According to an obituary appearing in the Savannah Morning News today, DeLong, 71, was a teacher and artist as well as a motorcycle road racer. DeLong, a native of New York, started road racing in the 1960s with AAMRR, then WERA and was racing his Yamaha TZ250 as recently as 2000 in Vintage events.

DeLong’s motorsports-themed artwork had been displayed in art shows in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Dallas, Texas and is said to be highly sought after. In Savannah, DeLong worked with Kim Iocovozzi and John Tucker Fine Arts.

DeLong is survived by his wife Harriet, his son Mark, brother James and mother Mary Olds DeLong. Memorial services will be held Thursday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fox & Weeks Island Chapel in Savannah, Georgia.

From a press release, which has been confirmed as accurate by CCS’ Kevin Elliott:


The United States Grand Prix Riders’ Union, an association of GP125 riders created for the sole purpose of organizing 125 GP races & promoting and developing the 125GP class in the United States, announces the 2002 USGPRU 125GP National Championship schedule. The USGPRU is an affiliate organization to CCS (Championship Cup Series)/Clear Channel Entertainment

For 2002 we have partnered with race organizers at Clear Channel Entertainment who will run a 13 race Championship Series concurrently with Formula USA and the Championship Cup Series (CCS) events across the US and Canada.

Competition is split between three primary regions including East, Midwest and West with four races scheduled at premiere venues throughout each region. The Grand Finale Final will be run at Virginia International Raceway October 5-6.

Tracks scheduled for 2002 include Daytona, Road America, VIR, Summit Point, Mosport (F-USA/Canadian National), Vegas Classic Course, Rausch Creek, Mid America Motorplex, Thunderhill, Streets of Willow and others.

Riders will compete for points towards the National Championship in three of four races within their home region and a single race outside their home region as well as the series combined final at VIR October 5-6.

Riders who compete in every event within their home region, as well as a single race outside their region, will be allowed to “throw out” their lowest placing finish. These points will carry forward to VIR in October where the National Champion will be determined.

Riders will also score Regional Championship Points within their home region. These points will accumulate to determine each Regional Champion. To score points riders must be members of the USGPRU.

Notable changes for GP125 class this year include the use of electronic timing at all USGPRU events Nationwide, the adoption of FIM rider and bike weight regulations for the GP125 class and the lowering of the minimum age to 14 for competitors at all events other than Daytona.

Each Region has a single Regional Rider Representative who will work directly with CCS and F-USA Race Officials to insure the smooth running of the events.

The USGPRU 125GP National Championship events will feature 50km+ (approx. 32 miles) length races with electronic and qualification timing (confirmed for all but 2 events but anticipated for all events) for all competing riders. Entry fees will be $85.00 per race and will include transponders. Practice sessions will be available for competitors prior to most rounds on the schedule for a small additional cost. Cash purses and contingency sponsorship will operate from within the CCS framework providing numerous contingency sponsors for the series and additional, exclusive USGPRU GP125 National Championship Series sponsorship is being provided by GP Star Hollywood, Silkolene/ SilkoleneStore.com, Hjelm Motorsports, TrackTimer and many others.

Riders will be licensed under CCS requirements by the USGPRU and will receive photo ID licenses which can be used for any USGPRU or CCS event in 2002 including the F-USA rounds at Daytona and Mosport. The cost of these annual licenses is only $100.00 US, the same as the basic CCS license. Special arrangement will be made for Canadian participants to register for any or all events at a reduced rate if they carry a valid, nationally recognized license.

Schedules, rules, event and travel information, track information, results, video and technical information is available at the USGPRU website and will be updated prior to and after each round. Four quarterly newsletters will also be published and mailed to competitors registered
with the USGPRU.

Series schedule and detailed information is available online at www.usgpru.org.

Additional questions can be directed to any of the Regional Representatives:

Western Region: Stuart Aitken-Cade: [email protected]

Midwest Region: John Hjelm: [email protected]

Eastern Region: Jonathan Flack: [email protected]

United States Grand Prix Riders’ Union
80 Madison Avenue, Suite 3H
New York, NY 10016
212-689-7844

or to Kevin Elliott at CCS / Clear Channel Entertainment: [email protected]

The complete USGPRU Schedule Follows:

WESTERN REGION:
Thunderhill Park, April 27-28
Streets of Willow, June 1-2
Thunderhill Park, August 10-11
Las Vegas Classic Course, September 7-8 Double Points

MIDWEST REGION:
Road America, April 26-28
Mid-America Motorplex, June 29-30
Mosport F-USA Toronto, July 19-21 Double Points
Hallett Raceway, August 31-September 1

EASTERN REGION:
Daytona International Speedway, Feb 28-March 3 Double Points
Summit Point, May 11-12
Rausch Creek, June 1-2
Virginia International Raceway, July 27-28

ALL REGIONS:
Virginia International Raceway – FINAL – October 5-6 Double Points

Contacts:

Ken Abbott: Clear Channel Entertainment, Formula USA, 630-566-6100

Kevin Elliott: Clear Channel Entertainment, CCS,
817-332-4822

Jonathan Flack: USGPRU, 212-689-7844, [email protected] / [email protected]

Stuart Aitken-Cade: USGPRU, 650-625-0732

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in:

The free practice days set aside for WSMC motorcycle racers at Willow Springs Raceway December 26-30 are also open to car racers, and sessions will alternate between motorcycles and cars.

Announcement of the five free practice days came as a surprise to WSMC Operations Manager Kenny Kopecky, who said he didn’t know anything about the program including WSMC motorcycle racers prior to the release, issued by Willow Springs owner Bill Huth’s publicist Jay McDaniel, showing up on roadracingworld.com.

Kopecky espressed concern about on how the combined car/bike program would be run and said he didn’t know any details, such as whether or not the course would be staffed with cornerworkers, etc.

Stay tuned for further developments.

The program for car racers was first announced with the following press release, originally sent to car publications:

December 18, 2001

Willow Springs Raceway Announces New Open-Wheeled Racing Association

Open-Wheeled Race Drivers can Ring in New Year with Free Testing, Tuning, Racing

Willow Springs International Motorsports Park owner Bill Huth announced today the formation of a new racing organization exclusively targeting open-wheeled racing cars. The new association, which will be known as OWR, or Open Wheeled Racers, will include all types of open-wheeled racing vehicles, from 125cc Shifter Karts to Formula One race cars.

Licensed professional or amateur drivers from any recognized auto racing organization will be able to attend OWR’s first event, a five-day fest of tuning, testing, and racing which will span the period of December 26-30, 2001. This event will be completely free to qualified drivers and teams, and will culminate in a series of informal, class-based races held on Sunday, December 30. Drivers and teams will be able to test, tune, and race on the historic 2.5-mile main road course as well as the technical, 1.5-mile Streets of Willow.

“The formation of this new association is intended to help promote all forms of open-wheeled racing,” said Huth. “The fastest, most advanced, best-handling cars in the world are open-wheeled cars. It’s a form of motorsports that is really on the cutting edge.”

An additional benefit of OWR is that it provides an opportunity for drivers of the most economical cars, such as World SuperKarts, to intermingle with teams fielding ultra-advanced machinery. Two of World SuperKarting’s biggest proponents are World Grand Prix Champions Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey, who’ve made it clear they’d love to mix it up with some of the top drivers in the more prestigious classes. “This new association will make it a lot easier for the drivers to compare notes and trade knowledge,” commented Lawson. “It keeps the fun in racing, but it also helps up-and-coming drivers hone their skills.”

Rainey concurred, agreeing that the OWR concept is a good idea at the right time.

Willow Springs International Motorsports Park is a 600-acre complex of six racetracks embracing nearly every conceivable motorsports discipline. In addition to the historic 2.5-mile road course built in 1953, the Willow Springs facility includes the Streets of Willow, a 1.5-mile, 14-turn multi-configuration road course ideal for testing, club racing, and schools; a 1/4-mile paved oval; a 3/8-mile clay oval; a .625-mile Karting track; and just-completed 1/4-mile testing and tuning circuit which has yet to be named. The facility also has an off-road driving and riding area for testing of off-road vehicles. The park is located about an hour north of Los Angeles, California near Lancaster. Official headquarters for the first OWR event will be at Lancaster’s Park Plaza (661-948-0961).

Drivers or teams who want more information on Open Wheeled Racers and its inaugural five-day event should contact Willow Springs International Motorsports Park at (661) 256-6666 for more information.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Brooks Gremmels, who owns Shogun Motorsports, placed the winning bid on Nicky Hayden’s leathers in an eBay auction to benefit the Roadracing World Air Fence Fund.

Gremmels, who won the auction with a bid of $3650, e-mailed Roadracing World with the news that Hayden’s suit will be put on display along with other road racing memorabilia at Shogun Motorsports’ soon-to-open high performance shop in Dallas, Texas.

“It’s an honor to have the leathers of a future World Champion road racer and former CMRA member. The fact that the money goes to protecting the safety of our fellow racers makes it that much better,” wrote Gremmels.

Due to open in mid-January, Shogun Motorsports’ shop will be located within the Motion Cycle Sports Yamaha Super Store located at the intersection of LBJ Freeway and Plano Road in Dallas. The facility will be equipped with “everything you need to build a serious motorcycle” including a machine shop and a state-of-the-art dyno room. The dyno room, which Gremmels says cost more than the dyno itself, will include a ventilation system to keep the air in the room fresh for dyno pulls. Customers will also be able to watch their bike being dynoed thanks to a closed-circuit TV system feeding flat-screen TV monitors in the shop’s lounge area. Other monitors will show the computer information for each dyno run.

Gremmels is planning a star-studded Grand Opening for the shop, possibly in conjunction with the EA Sports Supercross race scheduled for April 20 in Dallas, Texas.

For more information on the new Shogun Motorsports high performance motorcycle shop, call (972) 276-5026.

From a press release:

HAYDON SIGNS FOR FOGGY PETRONAS RACING

18 December 2001

CARL Fogarty today made James Haydon the first signing for his new Foggy Petronas Racing team.

The 27-year-old from Buckinghamshire will ride the new Foggy FP1 bike in the World Superbike championship.

The exciting British talent has signed a two-year deal with the new team, which has been funded for five years by Malaysian petroleum giants Petronas.

Fogarty said: “I have been impressed with James for some time. He rides the bike hard and that is what we need for this project – someone to push the machine to its limits.

“He has also had the right attitude from the very first discussions. He realises what an exciting opportunity this is and he wants to make the most of this chance.

“I have always said that I wanted a British rider in my team and I hope that I can use all my experience to turn the potential that is there for all to see into results on the track for James.”

Haydon, who rode for the Virgin Mobile AIWA Yamaha Team in the British Superbike championship last season, realised the chance to team up with Foggy Petronas Racing was too good to turn down.

He said: “This is a one-off opportunity and a great chance.

“I have been working hard to go into World Championships for the last few years and I would like to thank Rob McElnea, my team boss last year, and everyone at Yamaha, Virgin and AIWA for allowing me to take this fantastic opportunity to develop a new bike and make the most of the Formula One technology funded by Petronas.

“The more I think about it, the more pumped up I get and I can’t wait to get on the bike and start testing.

“There are not many riders who have Carl’s standing in the sport and I delighted he has shown this faith in my ability. It’s a new role for him but he feels he can help me as a rider and I expect him to be hard but fair.”

Fogarty is hoping to complete his line-up before Christmas so that both new riders can become involved in developing the Foggy FP1 bike, which will use a modified version of the GP1 engine jointly developed by Petronas and Sauber Petronas Engineering, before the team’s planned start date at the ninth round of the World Superbike championship at Laguna Seca.

This just in from noted race announcer Ben Cheatwood:

You had a very good article on the subject of Supercross. I would like to add some items that may be of interest to you.

The last time the AMA split from the promoters of Supercross was in 1984. There were two series in 1984, the promoters known as Insport and the AMA Series. The AMA Series consisted of a Triple Crown in Daytona, Talladega and San Jose. Daytona was a normal Daytona Supercross. Talladega attracted 1500-2000 spectators and San Jose was cancelled.

The Insport Series consisted of 11 races that were run in a two-moto main event format, scoring the riders in both motos for the overall winner.

One of the managers of the Insport group was Gary Mathers.

Thanks for the great work on the Air Fence and generating new blood for the AMA.

Ben Cheatwood

From a press release:

EA SPORTS Supercross to be Televised in England, France, Italy, Japan & More

Clear Channel Entertainment Announces 2002’s EA SPORTS International TV Distribution

AURORA, Ill. (December 17, 2001) – Through the combined resources of Clear Channel International, (a division of Clear Channel Worldwide) and ESPN, Clear Channel Entertainment announced today the international television distribution details of 2002’s EA SPORTS Supercross.

Reaching key markets including England, France, Israel, and Italy, the 2002 EA SPORTS Supercross events are projected to reach more than 131 million homes in more than 300 countries or territories, not including the United States, representing an increase of more than 50% from 2001’s international distribution.

(In 2001, the EA SPORTS Supercross international distribution reached 87 million homes.)

Additionally, Clear Channel International negotiated a special arrangement with Armed Forces Radio and Television to bring EA SPORTS Supercross to the allied troops around the globe.

“This is awesome news for supercross fans. Spin the globe and pick any spot, and EA SPORTS Supercross is on a TV somewhere. Through ESPN’s footprint in Latin America and the Middle East, and Clear Channel International’s connections our international coverage is at the sports highest ever,” said Michael Weber, executive vice president of television for Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division. “I have no idea how many Ricky Carmichael fans there are in Madagascar, but you can bet there will be more by the end of the season” added Weber.

“Racing has an universal appeal, and the quality of the EA SPORTS Supercross turns heads everywhere on the globe. The racing, the fans, the packed stadiums all create an energy than cannot be matched, these factors made achieving the global clearances easier” added Weber.

A breakdown of ESPN’s international distribution of 2002 EA SPORTS SUPERCROSS television follows:

I. Africa: ESPN Africa
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe

I. Australia: ESPN Australia, Duke
Australia, Papua New Guinea

III. Caribbean: ESPN International
Antigua, Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherland Antilles, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago

IV. England: Channel 5, Duke

V. France: Pathesport

VI. Israel: JCS Sports

VII. Italy: Nuvolari, Cinehollywood

VIII. Japan: Sports-I ESPN

IX. Latin America: ESPN Latin America
Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

X. Middle East: Orbit ESPN
Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen

X. New Zealand: ESPN New Zealand

XII. American Forces Radio & Television (177 Territories)

Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua, Argentina, Armenia, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Diego Garcia, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji , Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Johnson Atoll, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kosrae, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Fed. States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua-New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saipan, Sao Tome, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wake Island, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia

For more information, visit www.pacesupercross.com.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

On February 15, the new four-stroke Grand Prix bikes from Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and possibly Aprilia will be on track together for the first time. The tests will not only indicate which 990cc four-stroke has upper hand, but also how the 500cc two-strokes will match up with the new bikes.

American Kenny Roberts will be aboard the new Suzuki four-stroke at the tests, while fellow American John Hopkins will ride a Yamaha YZR500 two-stroke.

2/14-15 125cc, Jerez, Spain

2/15-17 MotoGP (500-990cc), 250cc, Valencia, Spain

2/18-19 125cc, Valencia, Spain

2/20-21 MotoGP (500-990cc), 250cc, Estoril, Portugal

3/11-12 MotoGP (500-990cc), Catalunya, Spain

3/30-31 MotoGP (500-990cc) Suzuka, Japan

The first round of the 2002 FIM MotoGP World Championship is scheduled for April 5-7 at Suzuka, Japan.

From a press release:

WSMC Members to Receive Five Free Days of Tuning and Testing

No Charge for Track Time to Licensed Motorcycle Racers

For licensed racers with the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club, the holiday season just got a little sweeter. As a gesture of appreciation to WSMC members, raceway owner Bill Huth will be providing open testing and tuning on the historic 2.5-mile road course free of charge to anyone who holds a valid Novice or Expert license with WSMC. The track will be open to all qualified riders from December 26-30, 2001. Currently licensed motorcycle racers from other organizations who aren’t a member of WSMC can also take advantage of the five days of free track time by simply purchasing a WSMC license.

“This is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to all the people who’ve come out to my racetrack and helped make my club a success,” explained Huth, who has owned the historic raceway since 1962. “I’ve seen a lot of young kids come up through the ranks at Willow Springs and go on to become successful champions and team owners, and I know how hard it is. A few extra days of practice right now will help some of these racers get set for next season, and might save them a lot time and money.”

One such racer is WSMC member Chuck Graves, who this month won his third overall championship with WSMC. Graves, the winningest rider in Willow Springs history, also completed a very successful 2001 season as a team owner competing in AMA Pro Racing’s Formula Xtreme class. Graves Motorsports’ Damon Buckmaster was a top contender all year and came within one point of winning the championship. The title ultimately went to Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s John Hopkins, another of many riders whose careers began at Willow Springs. Both Hopkins and Graves are long-time WSMC members.

Willow Springs International Motorsports Park, a registered California State Point of Historical Interest, is a 600-acre complex of six racetracks embracing nearly every conceivable motorsports discipline. In addition to the historic 2.5-mile road course built in 1953, the Willow Springs facility includes the Streets of Willow, a 1.5-mile, 14-turn multi-configuration road course ideal for testing, club racing, and schools; a 1/4-mile paved oval; a 3/8-mile clay oval; a .625-mile Karting track; and just-completed 1/4-mile testing and tuning circuit which has yet to be named. The facility also has an off-road driving and riding area for testing of off-road vehicles. The park is located about an hour north of Los Angeles, California near Lancaster.

For more information, please contact Willow Springs International Motorsports Park at (661) 256-6666.