Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Pressure is on to mind the bottom line for SFX Motor Sports and the Formula USA National Road Racing Series, but the company remains committed to motorcycle racing generally and road racing specifically despite the loss of road racing series sponsor Wrenchead.com, sources at the company said.

The same sources said that the news that SFX Motor Sports CEO Gary Becker is leaving his post to run PGA events promoted by SFX Sports should not be taken as a sign that SFX is losing interest in road racing.

Becker, who oversaw the rise of the AMA-sanctioned Supercross Series to new heights under SFX promotion, recently made comments to some members of the press indicating that he was dissatisfied with developments in the company’s motor sports activities, which some interpreted as being related to the August 1, 2000 takeover of SFX by Clear Channel Communications and a related need to justify all spending, meet all revenue projections and maximize short-term revenue, despite Becker’s pre-acquisition promise to invest whatever it would take–including throwing money at the Formula USA road racing and dirt track series–to establish Formula USA as a serious long-term player in motorcycle racing. Long-time PACE Motor Sports and SFX executive Jeff Lewis has been named Chairman of SFX Motor Sports Group, and SFX Motor Sports Group President Charlie Mancuso remains in charge of day-to-day operations.

Sources close to SFX who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that 2001 will be a regrouping year for SFX Motor Sports with a change of emphasis to incremental growth. Although there have been cutbacks, notably a 50 percent reduction in Unlimited Superbike purse and a cut in the points fund to $50,000, the company remains committed to the Formula USA Series, the sources said. But, the sources added, motorcycle racing is a relatively small part of the company’s motorsports activities when compared to the large number of monster truck events put on by SFX. Becker spent less time on and paid less attention to the monster truck side of the business than he did on the more glamorous and exciting motorcycle racing part of the business, the sources said.

And in a February 20 phone call to Roadracing World, Becker said that his decision was “an internal, personal issue. It had nothing to do with the business. It had nothing to do with the direction SFX wants to take road racing. It was a personal decision of mine to change the things that are close to me in my life. It was a personal, internal decision related to control of the (overall) business and the direction it’s headed in.”

Becker went on to say that SFX’s motorcycle business is such a small piece of the total to Clear Channel, which is a Fortune 50 company (indicating it is one of the top 50 companies, not just indicating one of the more common top 500 companies), that it is not being closely scrutinized. “The financial considerations of building this property (Formula USA) are not even being looked at,” Becker said. “We have convinced them that this is worth investing in.” Becker said that he had faced some disappointments in the first year that SFX Motor Sports owned Formula USA and CCS, saying “I won’t say that the AMA is the problem in motorcycle racing, but the system is the problem. We’re trying to build more riders by having more events. I was very disturbed to see AMA join forces with WERA when we have offered CCS to be part of AMA. They weren’t interested. They just don’t like us, they don’t like our company, for whatever reason,” adding that the AMA should recognize what SFX has done with the Supercross Series and should be seeking to grow motorcycle racing by working together with successful promoting companies like SFX Motor Sports and Speedvision Productions (which promotes the AMA Superbike Nationals at Laguna Seca and Road Atlanta). Becker went on to say “This business is going to grow and the revenue it generates is going to grow through the success of the events and through TV.”

Becker did admit that starting up the Formula USA road racing and dirt track programs in 2000 “was very expensive. We assumed that throwing a lot of money at these projects would produce more ticket sales at the gate. Finding the right combination is really where we’re trying to get to. We had a lot of problems with dirt track and a lot of problems with road racing last year. But we produced every event we said we’d produce and paid everybody their money. We’re committed to this in the long term.”

Gary Becker’s brother, Brian, is Chairman and CEO of SFX, the parent company of SFX Motor Sports Group and SFX Sports. SFX itself is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications.

SFX issued the following press release:


“Jeff Lewis Named Chairman Of SFX Motor Sports Group

“AURORA, IL (February 21, 2001)- Brian Becker, Chairman and CEO of SFX, announced today the appointment of long-time SFX executive Jeff Lewis as Chairman of the SFX Motor Sports Group. Most recently, Lewis was Chairman of SFX Family Entertainment, overseeing the growth of that business segment to encompass family and youth-oriented stage shows and tours, touring exhibitions and a variety of figure skating events.

“Lewis will focus primarily on the strategic growth of SFX’s motor sports interests in North America and around the world. He joins a strong management team that includes President Charlie Mancuso. Currently, Aurora, Illinois-based SFX Motor Sports is the leading producer and promoter of specialized, in-arena motor sports events, producing over 500 events annually. SFX Motor Sports has three divisions – trucks, motorcycles and special events – that include the Wrenchead.com USHRA Monster Jam Series, The EA SPORTS Supercross, National Arenacross Series, the new IFMA Freestyle Motocross Series, Championship Cup Series (CCS), National Dirt Track Series and the National Road Race Series.

“Brian Becker said, ‘I am proud to announce Jeff Lewis as the Chairman of the SFX Motor Sports Group. Jeff has been an invaluable member of the SFX executive team, having proven time and again his ability to substantively grow our various businesses. The prospects for our Motor Sports Group are bright, and Jeff and Charlie will make a great team in realizing its potential both here in the U.S. and abroad.’

“Jeff Lewis said, ‘This is a terrific opportunity and a great challenge. SFX Motor Sports has come to exemplify excellence in its category, and I look forward to working with Charlie and the rest of the team to push the envelop to deliver the highest quality experience to motor sports fans around the world.’

“Lewis replaces Gary Becker, who is now responsible for the development of SFX’s sports events business.

“About SFX: SFX, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications (NYSE: CCU), is the world’s largest producer and marketer of live entertainment events. SFX currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books 130 live entertainment venues, including 44 amphitheaters in the U.S. Each year, more than 60 million people attend approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or produced by SFX, including: Live music events; Broadway and touring Broadway shows; family entertainment shows; and specialized sports and motor sports shows. SFX also provides strategic sports marketing sales and consulting services to professional and college teams, leagues, venues and properties.

“In addition, SFX owns a leading full-service talent management company, specializing in the representation of athletes and broadcasters. SFX is headquartered in New York City. More information is available at www.sfx.com.

“Clear Channel Communications, Inc., headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a global leader in the out-of home advertising industry with radio and television stations, outdoor displays and entertainment venues in 40 countries around the world. Including announced transactions, Clear Channel operates over 1,120 radio and 18 television stations in the United States and has equity interests in over 240 radio stations internationally. Clear Channel also operates more than 750,000 outdoor advertising displays, including billboards, street furniture and transit panels across the world.”

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ben Bostrom topped the time charts after two days of World Superbike team testing at Valencia, February 18-19. Riding his works Ducati 996R on Dunlop tires, Bostrom turned a fastest lap at 1:36.438. Second-fastest was Aprilia’s Troy Corser at 1:36.449, followed by Honda’s Tadayuki Okada at 1:36.478, Ducati’s Troy Bayliss at 1:36.657, Aprilia’s Antonio Antonello at 1:36.828, Honda’s Colin Edwards at1:36.859, Ducati’s Neil Hodgson at 1:37.471, Kawasaki’s Carlos Lavilla at 1:37.634, Ducati’s Ruben Xaus at 1:37.677 and Suzuki’s Pierfrancesco Chili at 1:37.770.

What’s it really like in the World Superbike arena? We asked Bostrom:

“F–k, it’s tough, man. The rider has to get on the bike, bust his balls, and go ‘F–k, I still got three seconds to go?’ You know? Where am I gonna find that? You dig a little deeper, you almost crash maybe, 10, 15 times in that practice session, you come back, they read the data, they change the bike for a little better, rider goes back out, you don’t think you can go any faster, you still have another second-and-a-half to go, and you find it.”

On showing up in World Superbike after life in AMA Superbike:

“You think you’re fast but then you gotta step up. And when you think you can’t find that extra second, you find it. I don’t know where you find it. You’re scared. And you take a huge chance of crashing every time.”

On pushing the personal envelope:

“The thing is, once you ride over your limit, you established a new limit. Know what I mean? And if you want to win, you ride over your limit again. You hope you don’t crash. And you establish another limit. That’s just the way it works.”

Former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz is the Chief Instructor for a new Suzuki-sponsored riding school at Road Atlanta, with 11 school sessions covering 13 days scheduled for 2001. If all goes according to plan, each class will consist of 20-25 students who will pay $695 to ride a school-supplied Suzuki SV650, GS500, or GSX-R600 depending upon their experience level. Full riding gear will be available to students on a rental basis.

“This first year is going to be an experiment to see how it plays out,” said Schwantz February 20. “Jeff Shepherd (Director of Sales and Marketing for Road Atlanta) approached (American Suzuki Vice President) Mel Harris with the idea during the GSX-R1000 press intro in December. Road Atlanta wants to do more stuff with motorcycles like charity events, team instructional days, etc. For me it just makes sense because Road Atlanta is only three hours from my house.”

For more information contact Road Atlanta 1-800-849-RACE or go to www.roadatlanta.com. Scheduled dates follow:

May 15, 2001
May 16, 2001
May 21, 2001
May 22, 2001
June 29-July 1, 2001*
July 6, 2001
July 9, 2001
August 11, 2001
August 12, 2001
October 23, 2001
October 29, 2001

*International Dates

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

According to a source close to former Superbike World Champion John Kocinski, contract talks between Kocinski and Competition Accessories Ducati broke down over Kocinski’s requirements that Mike Watt be hired as his personal Ohlins suspension technician, that he be supplied with his own data acquisition technician and that he be provided with a chartered private jet whenever he had to attend a press or promotional function. Mechanics specified by Kocinski had already been hired by the team.

When Competition Accessories Ducati could not meet his new demands, Kocinski decided not to sign a contract, electing instead to concentrate on his new career as a real estate speculator and developer.

Aaron Slight has replaced Kocinski on the Competition Accessories Ducati team for the 2001 season.

Roadracing World was unable to contact Kocinski prior to post time.

Copyright 2001, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Wrenchead.com has bailed out motorsports series sponsorship and will not be the title sponsor of the Formula USA National Road Racing Series or other motorsports series produced by SFX Motor Sports.

Despite assurances made by Wrenchead.com CEO Gus Conrades late last year, the company has not renewed its sponsorship deal with Formula USA, leaving the series scrambling for new sponsorship to make up the difference in revenue.

Last December 26, Conrades said that Wrenchead.com was renewing its sponsorship of the Formula USA Series. “That is the case. We are renewing the deal,” said Conrades in a telephone interview from his office in White Plains, New York. “There were rumors that we weren’t going to renew the series sponsorship, but that’s not true….We did look at a couple of proposals, and the rumor was kicking around that we weren’t going to be doing the series again. The reason is, the negotiations about how much money we were going to have to pay them (Formula USA) for the series sponsorship were going on. But it’s happening. We are doing the series again. That announcement should be coming out in the next couple of weeks.”

But the official announcement never came and the deal fell apart. In a January 20 phone call, Conrades said the Formula USA Road Racing Series “was the one thing we really wanted to keep, but it was just not in the cards for this year.” Conrades said that title sponsorship of the series was part of a larger promotional agreement his company had with SFX, which is also an investor in Wrenchead.com; that larger promotional agreement was being renegotiated for the 2001 season.

Besides the Formula USA Series, Wrenchead.com also sponsored Monster Jam monster truck events and Arenacrosses promoted by SFX Motor Sports.

As roadracingworld.com revealed January 15, Yamaha has been testing a new four-stroke racebike for months, but it’s an Inline Four, not the V-3 our sources led us to believe four weeks ago. The bike, already tested by Max Biaggi and by Carlos Checa at Yamaha’s Fukuroi test track in Japan and at Sepang in Malaysia, accelerates quicker and shows better top speed than the factory’s YZR500 two-stroke.

Codenamed the OW-M1, the 990cc engine uses Yamaha’s trademark five-valves-per-cylinder design and is housed in an adapted YZR500 chassis.

“I felt very at home because the chassis is so similar, it’s like riding the same bike with a different engine,” said Biaggi.

Biaggi and Checa are slated to ride the OW-M1 again before the start of the 2001 season when they will run a direct back-to-back test with the current YZR500. Biaggi believes it won’t be long before the four-stroke is faster around a racetrack.

Yamaha engineers have revealed that they have been track testing the bike for six months, with GP tester Kyoji Nanba doing much of the riding during secret sessions at Fukuroi.

Choosing a four-cylinder machine means that the Yamaha engineers will have to meet a minimum weight of 124 kilograms (273 pounds), the same as Honda’s V-5. There are higher and lower minimum weight limits for six-cylinder and three-cylinder bikes.

The AMA issued a February 20 press release headlined “Mehl To Consult AMA Pro Racing On Rules Making Procedures.” The release read:

“Leo Mehl, a leading figure in motorsports for over 40 years, will consult AMA Pro Racing in developing procedures for applying rules changes and formulating new rules. Mehl headed the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s Worldwide Racing Division for over 20 years, and recently retired as Vice President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Executive Director of the Indy Racing League.

“Mehl will study the current procedures of rules making used by AMA Pro Racing and report on ways he believes the sanctioning body can improve the process, including allowing participant input where more dialog can take place before a major rule is altered.

“‘It’s important to have someone of Leo Mehl’s stature and experience coming on board to help AMA Pro Racing update its rules making procedures,’ said AMA Pro Racing’s CEO Scott Hollingsworth. ‘Our goal is to create better understanding among everyone involved in AMA Pro Racing as to what our goals are before a change is made. Mehl’s knowledge in this area should help us reach our objectives.’

“During Mehl’s tenure at Goodyear he was a friend to motorcycle racing. Goodyear was a leading maker of motorcycle tires through the 1980s. Even after the company changed directions and got out of the motorcycle consumer market Goodyear continued to manufacture its popular dirt-track tires, which are still used today.

“Mehl, 64, joined Goodyear as a trainee in June of 1959 after graduating from the West Virginia University. A chemical engineer, he moved to Goodyear’s racing department in 1963 and helped develop the tires that put A.J. Foyt and Goodyear back into the winners’ circle in the 1967 Indianapolis 500. In 1974 Mehl was promoted to Goodyear’s director of racing. While at Goodyear Mehl worked closely with nearly all motorsports sanctioning bodies including the FIA (Formula One), NASCAR, NHRA, CART and the AMA.

“After retiring from Goodyear Mehl became the executive director of the Indy Racing League. He oversaw the day-to-day operations of the IRL during a period of significant growth and innovation. Mehl has won numerous awards and citations during his career, including being named the inaugural winner of the Motorsports Hall of Fame Heritage Award in 1993. The AMA presented Mehl with an MVP Award in 1996.

“For immediate post-race results, rider information, AMA Pro Racing notes and news, log on to www.amaproracing.com.”

The release came in the wake of recent strong criticism of AMA Pro Racing’s rules-making procedures, in which poorly-thought-out rules are changed or issued with no warning and no opportunity for affected riders and teams to comment beforehand.

Recent examples of rules being issued and then being modified in the face of an outcry from affected riders and teams include a rule prohibiting the use of powered quick-lift stands during pit stops (implementation delayed one year due to factory team objections) and a rule setting a minimum weight for all Pro Thunder-eligible machines (abandoned after it became evident that it would eliminate all machines except the Ducati 748 and certain works Buells). An example of a rule being issued and not being modified or retracted in the face of rider and team outcry is the mandate that Ducati 748s be limited to 750cc in 2001 instead of the 800cc allowed in 2000, the announcement made so late in the calendar year (first week of December) that many riders had already spent about $4000 (each) to build new 800cc engines in preparation for the 2001 season.

Racing observers remain amazed that AMA Pro Racing could not figure out how to develop a rational rules-making procedure without calling in an outside consultant. A rational rules-making process could be summarized as:

1. Identify need for new rule.

2. Do research and collect input on proposed rule.

3. Analyze research and input, modify or abandon proposed rule, as justified.

4. Publish proposed rule if research and input support its enactment.

5. Allow additional input for 30-day period.

6. Analyze additional input and modify proposed rule as needed.

7. Publish final rule.

Radar’s Team Yamaha riders Robbie Baird and Jamie Stauffer swept all four Formula Xtreme races in the opening event of the 2001 Yamaha Xtreme Tri-State Series, held at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway on Sunday, February 18.

According to a press release issued by Radar’s Team Yamaha, Baird won three of the four eight-lap sprint races aboard his Yamaha YZF-R1, with teammate Stauffer awarded victory in race two after on-track-winner Baird was penalized one position and relegated to second. The release did not explain why Baird was penalized.

The release quoted Baird as saying “I’ve never ridden an R1 around here before, so it is a great result to come away with three wins. The result in race two ended well for us as there was a risk of a more severe penalty. I’m very happy with the performance of the bike. The speed, handling and tires produced the ideal package. The conditions were quite hot on the bike all weekend, so I was happy with my fitness level this early in the season. All four races were tight. The others threw out the challenges, but were not as consistent on the day. The track was beginning to get slippery in the afternoon but the tires were up to the task. Craig (Coxhell) had a go a couple of times during the last race, but where I expected him to challenge at turn nine, he wasn’t there.”

The release quoted Stauffer, (who finished fourth in race one, first in race two, fourth in race three and third in race four) as saying “Considering the very limited time that I have had on the bike and being with the team, I am more than pleased with the results from this weekend. It was a bit of an anti-climax to be awarded the win in the second race, so I am looking forward to when I can beat the others fair and square. The bike ran fine, but we’ve still got a bit of work to do to get more drive at the rear. That will come with time on the bike I guess. Being able to be part of the best team racing in Australia at the moment is great and I’m sure that I’ll be able to learn a lot. “

Radar’s Team Yamaha’s Craig Coxhell (who finished second in race one, crashed in race two, finished fifth in race three and finished second in race four), was quoted in the release as saying “Today was a bit of an up-and-down sort of a day. The crash in the second race didn’t help things at all. We were held on the dummy grid for a while
and I think that that allowed the tires to cool too much. I just lost the front on the way into turn four. I got the bike going again, but with two laps to go I was well out of the points, so I brought the bike in to get checked over. As for the other races, they were great. I felt that in the last race I might have had a good chance as I had a new rear tire on and Bairdy had one from the previous race. To his credit, though, he hung on out there.”