From a press release:

Honda Racing News

HRC Test Session Barcelona. December 6, 2001.
Weather; sunny but cold, track temperature 21 degrees C high – 11 degrees C low; track conditions, good.

Ukawa and Itoh Test RC211V at Barcelona

HRC continued their winter test programme at the 4.427km Montmelo circuit, close to Barcelona, Spain, today with team rider Tohru Ukawa and their most experienced test rider, former GP star Shinichi Itoh. World 500cc Champion Valentino Rossi did not test at Montmelo today.

The fast Montmelo circuit places different demands on a racing motorcycle than the tight 4.423km Jerez track, where the team tested the RCV last week. The contrast in speed and type of corners found at the two tracks will allow HRC engineers to assess the RCV’s all-round performance in much broader terms.

Despite the low track surface temperatures the team accomplished much. Ukawa and Itoh were both running at close to 500cc lap record time of 1:46.619, established by Rossi at the grand prix in June of this year.

In fact they lapped the track under Rossi’s lap record time but almost a second slower than the 2001 pole position time. Ukawa’s was fastest with a best time of 1:46.37, with Itoh slightly slower at 1:46.60.

Tohru Ukawa: “I’m pleased with the performance of the RCV here. We have mainly worked on the suspension today, trying to get the machine set-up for this track. The work we did at Jerez last week has given us an idea of the direction we have to take and I’m pleased with the results of today’s test.”

Shinichi Itoh: “We did a lot of work on the bike today. It was good to test the RCV in such different conditions to those at Jerez. Not only the difference in track lay-out but the surface temperature, which was much lower than it was at Jerez, and there was not much grip.”

The Honda Gresini team also attended the Barcelona test with reigning 250cc World Champion Daijiro Katoh testing the NSR500 he will race in 2002, and the team’s new 250cc rider Roberto Rolfo who continued to acquaint himself with the individual characteristics of the Honda, and the workings of his new team.

Rolfo’s 250cc teammate, Emilio Alzamora, completed very few laps before parking his NSR250. Alzamora badly bruised his knee in a Super Motard event at Madrid on Sunday. The knee was still painful and gave him no feeling from the track top while cornering, and making it difficult for him to move around on the bike. He wisely called it a day after a few laps.

Daijiro Katoh: “This track is much faster than Jerez and I feel more at home on the bike here. A much better feeling. We’ve been working to get the bike to handle on this track, mainly suspension, and I must say I’m happier with the results so far. We will see how things go tomorrow but I’m confident we will improve still more.”

Roberto Rolfo: “Like the other riders at this test I’m going much better than at Jerez. Each time I ride the bike I learn something. I’m beginning to understand the bike better and I’m adjusting my style to suit the bike and the bike to suit my style. We were working on the suspension today and I’m getting to know how the set up works. Because of the cold temperatures there was not much grip today but I’m pleased with what we achieved.”


Times:
Tohru Ukawa, RC211V, 1:46.37, 63 laps

Shinichi Itoh, RC211V, 1:46.60, 51 laps

Daijiro Katoh, NSR500, 1:46.4, 37 laps

Roberto Rolfo, NSR250, 1:50.3, 50 laps

From a press release:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Testing – Kyalami (South Africa) – Day 3
Thursday 6th December 2001

BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) CONCLUDES POSITIVE THREE-DAY TEST IN SOUTH AFRICA

Ducati L&M’s Ben Bostrom has concluded a three-day official Dunlop tyre test at the Kyalami circuit near Johannesburg, South Africa, the venue for the third round of the 2002 World Superbike Championship.

The 27-year-old Californian, winner in Kyalami at the start of this year, tested from Tuesday to Thursday at the 4.263 km circuit, recording a quickest time of 1:42.14 on the first day.

Bostrom, third overall in this year’s championship, was testing the brand-new Ducati 996R Factory ’02 bike and completed 45 laps today, recording a best time of 1:42.48 and taking his three-day total up to 168 laps.

Conditions on the final day were scorching hot, with temperatures up to 34° C (air) and 48° C (track), but rain began to fall at around 3:00 pm, bringing the test to an end.

“After we finished our tyre programme, we wanted to do something with the set-up, but it started to rain and we had to stop early today”, said Bostrom. “The three-day test went really well and we learnt a lot for the race here in April. The tyre we found was great, much better than the one we ran last year, when I won, so things are looking good. I’m really happy with the new bike and with the time I recorded on Tuesday, but I wanted to do my fastest lap on a Q-tyre and we never really had a chance to run one. As for my shoulder, I still feel a bit tired and sore after doing more than 150 laps in three days but it was great to get back on the bike for the first time since my operation”.

Bostrom immediately left South Africa for Bologna, Italy, where he is scheduled to ride a KTM motocross bike in this weekend’s spectacular Superbikers race.

I found it a great pleasure to cast my vote for Jeff Nash the same day the magazine arrived – it’s time to run our organization according to the wishes of the membership majority instead of a select few.

Art Astle
Tulsa, Oklahoma



I let my AMA membership lapse for about 5 years for a few reasons; I was an impoverished graduate student, and I moved a few times a year, I got divorced, and I could no longer afford to race. I felt guilty about that because I ride a motorcycle every day, and I know that the AMA does good things. I felt much less guilty when I found out about the Edmondson debacle. In fact, I was glad I had let my membership lapse, and was not considering joining again until I heard about the “Take Back The AMA” platform.

I joined the AMA on 16 October 2001, according to their records; as a first year Geology professor here at Cal Poly, I am pretty busy and it is hard to keep track of those kinds of events. Today I called to inquire about the December issue and my ballot, and also to request a ballot for my wife. She rides as well and has her own motorcycle, and is an associate member who does not receive the magazine.

When I signed us up via telephone, I was told I would have to request a ballot for her. I called today, and was told that members who signed up after September 2001 could not vote this year! The person I spoke with on the phone got this information from a “supervisor”.

I don’t how I can verify this “law”, or its origin, but I think that cut off date is remarkable close to when the “take back the AMA” platform came out. If that law is in fact “in the books”, well I guess I blew it. If it is not, then some unethical people are trying to keep people like me from voting.

For the record, if the “take back the AMA platform” loses, I will not renew my membership, despite Jerry Wood’s excellent editorial. I paid my hard-earned $40.00, and I am very angry that I cannot vote.

Thanks,
Tony
—
Antonio F. Garcia
Cal Poly State University
Physics Department
San Luis Obispo, California

A campaign mailer issued over the names and titles of sitting AMA Trustees Rick Gray, Dal Smilie and Jeff Smith appears to violate AMA bylaws prohibiting Trustees from expressing personal opinions under the guise of their official position on the AMA Board.

AMA bylaws require Trustees to clearly differentiate between personal opinions and statements made as an individual, versus official positions and statements made while representing the Association.

The mailer, issued in support of standing-for-re-election incumbents Carl Reynolds, Ron Widman and Ellis Robertson, is signed:

Rick Gray, Northeast Director, Chair Of The Board

Dal Smilie, Northwest Director, Vice Chair of The Board

Jeff Smith, North Central Director



At post time it was not known if the campaign mailer was produced by the AMA itself or expressed an official position, which in itself could violate AMA bylaws.

AMA President Rob Rasor could not be reached for comment and is believed to be in Palm Springs, California, attending an AMA Board of Trustees meeting.

2002 WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series

4/6 Grand Bayou Circuit – 4 Hour

4/20 North Florida Motorsports Park – 6 Hour

5/4 Putnam Park Road Course – 4 Hour

5/25 Virginia International – 4 Hour

6/8 Roebling Road Raceway – 6 Hour

6/15 Talladega Gran Prix Raceway – 4 Hour

8/3 Summit Point Raceway – 6 Hour

9/14 Texas World Speedway – 6 Hour

10/25 Road Atlanta – 4 Hour

From a press release:

OMS Ltd. Named As PR Agency Of Record For Clear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports/Motorcycle Division OMS to assist with CCE’s motorcycle division PR efforts

FLORENCE, Ky. (December 5, 2001) – Officials at OMS Ltd. were pleased to announce today that Clear Channel Entertainment motor sports/motorcycle division has been brought on as a client of OMS. In the agreement, OMS will be the PR agency of record for CCE’s motorcycle properties, including the ultra-popular EA SPORTS Supercross.

“OMS is excited and proud to have earned the right to become the public relations agency of record for Clear Channel Entertainment’s motorsports/motorcycle division,” said Fred Bramblett, Managing Director of OMS. “Having Clear Channel Entertainment Motorsports as a public relations client will work extremely well with our new PR/media agency agreement with the National Promoters Group. OMS will be able to service both clients by creating a central source of information for industry, as well as non-industry media, for both premier series of professional supercross and motocross in America.”

For EA SPORTS Supercross, OMS will work in cooperation with Clear Channel Entertainment on the day-to-day PR duties of supercross, along with pursuing other PR leads and promotional opportunities. The goal of OMS is to assist with the on going quest of taking supercross to the mainstream media and develop EA SPORTS Supercross into a globally recognized and publicized motorsport.

Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division vice president of marketing, Ken Hudgens, explains:

“Clear Channel Entertainment has helped to grow the EA SPORTS Supercross into such a phenomenon that we felt it was necessary to seek an outside agency to assist with the seemingly endless task of generating the press this series deservedly needs. OMS is the perfect fit. Its PR staff includes personnel with an intimate and experienced grasp of inner workings of supercross, coupled with passion to continue to grow the sport in a fashion that benefits the entire motorcycle industry.”

In addition to supercross, OMS will also assist Clear Channel Entertainment with the PR efforts and strategy for the National Arenacross Series, presented by Speed Stick, the Formula USA Arenacross Series of regional events, the Formula USA National Dirt Track Series, the Formula USA National Road Race Series, the Championship Cup Series presented by Lockart Phillips USA for sportsman road racers and the IFMA sanctioned Freestyle Motocross Series.

Added Hudgens: “All of Clear Channel Entertainment’s motorcycle properties work with the same enthusiasm as our supercross team. OMS will provide us with strategy to aid in public awareness in these series and help with their continued growth in popularity.”

Action Sports Team is a limited liability company, specializing in licensing and athlete relations, along with retail sales & marketing of memorabilia and apparel. AST is the master licenser of all Clear Channel Motor Sports supercross events. For more information, contact OMS Ltd.’s public relations department at (734) 222-0688.

From a press release:

METZELER AND PIRELLI WILL DOUBLE AND TRIPLE CONTINGENCY CERTIFICATE VALUE IN DECEMBER AS
“REWARD AND THANK YOU” TO 2001 ROADRACERS

Double Value on Metzeler DOT Rennsports and Pirelli DOT Supercorsas, Triple on Slicks and Rains, During December Only


(Exton, PA) It will be for only a month, and only while supplies last, but what a month it can be if you’re a road racer who raced the 2001 season on Metzeler and Pirelli tires. The sister companies announced that for the month of December only, they would double the value of Contingency Certificates on Metzeler Rennsports and Pirelli Supercorsa DOT race tires, and triple the Certificate value on either company’s slicks and rains.

Rich Munson, North American Race Manager for the brands, said the gesture serves two purposes: “We get to say ‘thank you’ with some special deals for the racers who need it most, who supported us all year and helped us break something like 17 track records in the last year and a half. At the same time, it helps us reduce some inventory. Kind of a win-win all around.”

Munson stressed the need for “moving fast” because not all sizes are available in all the tires, and the “Thank You” lasts only for the month of December. Tire prices are based on trackside retail prices.

To take advantage, contact your Metzeler and Pirelli race vendor:

California Race Services, Costa Mesa, CA (949) 548-1585

Trackside Racers Supply, Canton, NC (828) 235-8400

JT Motorsports, Jonesboro, AR (870) 932-9001

Street & Competition, Troy, NY (518) 279-4597

Northwest Motorcycle & Racing Center, Portland, OR (503) 249-8653

For more information, contact the company at: Metzeler Motorcycle Tire North America, 300 North Pottstown Pike, Suite #280, Exton, PA 19341. Phone: (610) 524-2190

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Red Bull Yamaha WCM will probably run Dunlop tires on the team’s YZR500 Yamahas in the 2002 MotoGP World Championship.

That’s the word from tests at Sepang, Malaysia that saw Garry McCoy lap under the record of 2:06.618 set by Valentino Rossi earlier this year.

The team has competed on Michelin tires for the last several seasons.

Meanwhile, McCoy’s young teammate John Hopkins, still adjusting to the YZR500 and the Sepang racetrack, was happy to lap faster during the tests than arch-rival Kurtis Roberts did when Roberts raced in the Malaysian Grand Prix in October.

Both riders completed the three days of testing (on December 3-5) without incident.

Lap times follow:


Monday, McCoy, 2:06.72
Monday, Hopkins, 2:10.72

Tuesday, McCoy, 2:06.27
Tuesday, Hopkins, 2:09.52

Wednesday, McCoy, 2:06.40
Wednesday, Hopkins, 2:08.53

From a press release issued by Eric Nacke:

(Grand Rapids, Michigan) After six years as a regional road racing sanctioning body the Great Lake Road Racing Association LLC has changed its name to Michigan Grand Prix Racing LLC. The name change is part of a new marketing campaign designed to promote road racing and highlight regional racing stars.

The 2002 season will see MGP road racing host 6 events at Grattan Raceway Park in conjunction with a new motorcycle destination event called the Midwest Cycle Fest. Each weekend will feature 19 traditional club level races with Sunday’s events being promoted as premier classes. Discount passes and promotional materials will be available at all Midwestern Yamaha dealers.

Other events taking place each weekend include MMX Supercross, stunt shows featuring the award winning ten-ninety6 stunt team, and trials competition. “These events are designed to bring motorcycle enthusiasts together from all over,” commented series founder Eric Nacke. “We have run our supercross and road racing events together this past season and to hear us start 40 superbikes at the same time as dropping the gate for our 250 main event is mind blowing, the fans love it.”

To handle the increased spectatorship Grattan Raceway Park is in the final year of a 2-year program designed to modernize its facilities. Well known among road racers as a technically challenging two-mile racetrack, Grattan now features a three-quarter mile natural terrain supercross track and new concession stands.

Also new for 2002 will be MGP’s unique rider appearance packages along with each racer’s ability to earn cash through ticket sales. Regional television coverage of the series has been secured by parent company Jade Pig Productions who will tape Sunday’s events live for delayed broadcast later that night.

Information regarding the series and the new track improvements is available at www.midwestcyclefest.com.