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- March News -

Hayden Wins Daytona 200

March 10, 2002 - DAYTONA BEACH - (BNW) - Nicky Hayden dominated the 57-lap Superbike final by leading much of the race uncontested aboard his factory-prepped RC51. This was Hayden’s first Daytona 200 Superbike victory. It’s also his 5th AMA Superbike victory in a row, continuing his streak from the 2001 season.

“It feels so good,” said Hayden. “The race was so long out there and I thought that it would never end. This is a dream come true for me ... to win is such an incredible feeling, and I just want to thank my team."

Honda Racing’s Miguel Duhamel, the winningest motorcycle racer in AMA history, had mechanical difficulty early on in the Superbike final and had to retire from the race.

“I wasn’t even going full throttle,” said Duhamel. “My RC51 was running perfect out there, I don’t know what happened.”

Erion/Honda Racing’s Kurtis Roberts was fast all weekend aboard his RC51. Roberts who finished 3rd in last year’s Daytona 200 had to pit early with tire trouble. Roberts was back in action with fresh tires and finished in a respectable 6th place.

“My rear tire just shredded out there,” said Kurtis Roberts. “I muscled the bike into the pits for a rear tire change and then just rode as hard as I could out there.”

March 9, 2002 - DAYTONA BEACH - (BNW) - Honda Racing’s Ricky Carmichael reinforced his commitment to winning the 2002 EA Sports 250cc Supercross title by running away with the grueling 20-lap main event in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Saturday.

Carmichael grabbed the holeshot and after a brief battle with fellow Floridian Tim Ferry, checked out and was never contested. RC eventually slowed his pace down enough to cruise across the finish line and take his third consecutive 250cc main event win. With this Daytona victory, Carmichael becomes the first rider to win five Supercross main events thus far in the 2002 EA Sports Supercross season, and is now leading the points standings.

“I got an awesome holeshot,” said Ricky Carmichael. “You need one here in Daytona. After a little battle with Timmy (Tim Ferry) I just put my Honda on cruise control and tried to not make any mistakes.”

Red Rider Sebastien Tortelli continues to show strong results in the 2002 Supercross series. The Florida resident is back from a shoulder injury and his improvement is incredible. Tortelli battled with Ezra Lusk for 3rd until he settled in for a 4th place overall finish. Tortelli continues to gain confidence and is closing in on that lucrative podium finish.

Honda Racing’s Nathan Ramsey injured his shoulder in Minneapolis and still was not quite 100% coming into Daytona. Ramsey did not let the pain stop him, and raced his CRF450R to an impressive 6th place position. Ramsey’s teammate Ernesto Fonseca finished the 250cc main event just behind Ramsey to take home 7th for the day.

Blackfoot Honda’s Heath Voss rode a fantastic 250cc main event finishing 10th place.

Amsoil/Dr. Marten/Journeys/Honda Racing’s Mike LaRocco sustained a broken right wrist in Minneapolis three weeks ago, and will be out of action for 8-10 weeks. LaRocco is undergoing a strong rehabilitation program to get his wrist back to 100%. LaRocco’s teammate Michael Byrne is still mending from his crash at the Indianapolis Supercross.

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March 8, 2002 - DAYTONA BEACH - (BNW) - Friday afternoon’s Supersport Championship race was all about the element of surprise and gave fans a fine example of the thrill of pro racing.

Up until lap 8, Kurtis Roberts was leading the pack, with Suzuki rider Jamie Hacking and Miguel Duhamel trailing closely behind. Tommy Hayden took a spill and was ousted, as well as Eric Bostrom’s brother.

Suzuki entertained the crowds, with Hacking dicing for several laps with Nicky Hayden through lap 10 for the number two spot, while fellow Suzuki rider Aaron Yates followed closely behind in sixth.

During the next few laps of the race, while Roberts and Suzuki’s Jamie Hacking were duking it out for the finish, Suzuki’s Yates pulled a few positions to fourth, calculating his next move coming into lap 13.

Lap 15 tossed Nicky Hayden into the lead and sent Hacking back to fourth, followed by team yellow rider Jason Pridmore in 9th, Spies in 11th, Rapp in 15th, and Moore right behind him.

So where was Yates while everyone else was watching the lead changes?

With only one lap to go, Yates came out of nowhere on the #20 bike, drafted and shafted Kurtis Roberts, and won by a mile in Daytona standards. When asked where he had been the whole race, Yates simply said, “I was just hanging back because I seriously thought they were going to red flag us after Bostrom and Hayden went down.”

But he conceded that winning the 600cc feels pretty good, and he was glad he could win it for Suzuki.

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March 8, 2002 - DAYTONA BEACH - (BNW) - Mat Mladin crashed out of the morning Superbike practice session this morning, and it appeared to be a hard get off. He went down coming out of the International Horseshoe and was transported to the infield care center. He was moving his hands and legs, but he seemed to be holding his right arm and shoulder very steady.

After the session was red-flagged, Nicky Hayden came in and told the announcers that he was having a hard time concentrating and that he was going to go back to the pits and rest.

Hayden crashed yesterday with a few laps to go in his qualifying session during the Chevy Trucks Superbike Qualifying.

Apparently the team is going to evaluate his health very soon and make some decisions about starting today’s Pro Honda Oils Supersport race at 4:20 p.m. Given Nicky’s health and the fact that he’s got pole locked up for the 200, it appears highly unlikely we’ll see him in today’s Superbike qualifying.

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March 8, 2002 - MILWAUKEE - (BNW) - The fastest gun in NHRA, Gary Tonglet, Jr., will unleash his record-setting reflexes aboard the all new Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Pro Stock bike in 2002. For GT, as he is known amongst family, friends and a growing legion of fans, the 2002 season marks both a dream come true and a new chapter of speed for the 18-year-old. He won’t do it alone, coming to the line with the backing of Screamin’ Eagle and Vance & Hines Motorsports and the 90-year racing legacy of Harley-Davidson.

With record book performances in 2000 and 2001, GT will now set his sights even higher, trying to become the first to ever qualify (in a full field) a V-Twin drag bike in NHRA Pro Stock history. The smart money says he’ll do just that, and perhaps ... just a bit more.

“My goal is to simply win races,” said GT. “I’ve been running hard for two years and getting this ride with Screamin’ Eagle is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to proving their faith in me.”

GT may be young, but he is one of the fastest rising stars in NHRA, and few doubt his ability to be a competitive force in the series. “Getting the right rider was extremely important for us, and GT was our first choice,” said Mike Kennedy, director of Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories Marketing. “His past two seasons of success prove he is the real deal.”

That GT has risen to such heights so quickly should come as no surprise, he was born to race. As the son of NHRA veteran Gary Tonglet Sr., who won numerous NHRA Pro Stock races during a 20-year career, GT grew up at the track and was riding a dirt bike by the age of two. Though the family lived in New Orleans, where there wasn’t much opportunity for dirt bike riding, GT’s uncle had a farm not far away in Mississippi, where he often hit the trails.

“I rode a motorcycle before I could ride a bicycle,” GT said.

From an early age he studied his father’s race craft, and when GT was 14, Gary Tonglet Sr. decided his son was ready to be his crew chief.

“He put a lot of faith in me at that age,” said GT. “I made a few mistakes, but I learned. I was up on the line taking all the data, making sure he was lined up straight, making rpm adjustments, everything a crew chief does.”

Finally, after years of wondering what it would be like to race a drag bike himself, GT got the chance. Toward the end of his first year as crew chief, still at age 14, he climbed aboard, and punched the throttle.

“Working as a crew chief was invaluable. I may not have gained riding experience, but I learned all about the things that go into a great run and what it takes to excel at drag racing.”

Over the next two years, GT continued to learn and grow confident in his ability to go head to head against the world’s best. In his first year, GT won the International Drag Bike Association 2000 Championship, and was named the IDBA Rookie of the Year.

The next year it only got better. In a series of 2001 highlights, GT became the youngest Pro Stock Bike winner ever at the age of 18 (while also reaching three finals); he nailed the third-quickest elapsed time in NHRA PSB history with a 7.1 second run; he had the fastest combined (with Matt Hines) head-to-head time in NHRA PSB history with a 14.24; and the fastest trap speed in NHRA PSB history with a 194.77 mph pass.

According to GT, he plans on continuing his rise through the ranks with the Screamin’ Eagle team.

“We’ve still got a few big names to beat,” said GT. “This is very exciting, and after last year, I have a lot of confidence. Supported by Harley-Davidson, and with Vance & Hines Motorsports as the best development team in the business, I can’t wait to see what we can do.”

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March 8, 2002 - MILWAUKEE - (BNW) - History will be made ... in about seven seconds. Harley-Davidson’s Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts division has teamed with Vance & Hines Motorsports to field its first National Hot Rod Association Pro Stock Bike drag racing effort for the 2002 season. The effort combines the 90-year history of Harley-Davidson racing with Vance & Hines Motorsports, the winningest team in NHRA Pro Stock Bike history, and 18-year-old NHRA Pro Stock bike rising star Gary Tonglet.

“The combination of resources we have on this program could not be better as we begin this effort,” said Mike Kennedy, director of Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories Marketing. “Vance & Hines has an unmatched record in NHRA Pro Stock Bike, while GT has proven that he will be a star in this league for many years to come. Combined with Harley-Davidson’s racing history and determination to win, this is a team that will make an impact.”

The drag bike, conceptually based on the Harley-Davidson V-Rod, begins with a 160-cubic-inch, 60-degree, V-Twin, air-cooled engine, with electronic fuel injection, push-rods, and two valves per cylinder, a configuration specifically designed to compete within the rules of NHRA and maximize power. The engine, designed from the ground up by legendary engine builder Byron Hines, cranks out nearly 340 horsepower and lays it to the ground with a mind-blowing 250 foot pounds of torque at the wheel or 360 foot pounds at the clutch.

“Harley-Davidson is accustomed to setting the standard and that is our goal in this effort,” said Kennedy. “In the history of NHRA Pro Stock racing, no V-Twin has ever qualified in a full field for an NHRA Pro Stock Bike event. We’re excited about this opportunity to make history.”

In order to create such an opportunity, Kennedy is confident in the abilities of Vance & Hines Motorsports.

“They have countless wins and National Championships to their credit and have never failed to qualify for an NHRA event,” Kennedy said.

“This is the opportunity we have spent all of our racing years building up to,” said Terry Vance, a former multi-time NHRA champion. “We have accomplished some amazing things in motorcycle racing. We were the first to bring bikes into the NHRA arena, we won the first NHRA bike event and we were the first bike to break into the 7s. This is a big challenge, but we fully plan to make some noise in 2002.”

GT can’t wait to make some noise as well, something he did plenty of during his 2000 rookie season in the International Drag Bike Association and during his first year in NHRA Pro Stock Bike last season. In a series of 2001 highlights, GT became the youngest Pro Stock Bike winner ever at the age of 18 (while also reaching three finals); nailed the third-quickest elapsed time in NHRA PSB history with a 7.1 second run; recorded the fastest combined time in NHRA PSB history with a 14.24 run; and he set the fastest trap speed in NHRA PSB history with a 194.77 mph pass. In 2000, he claimed the IDBA championship and was named Rookie of the Year.

GT, the son of NHRA drag veteran Gary Tonglet, began his career as his father’s crew chief at age 14, before climbing on a bike himself.

“My goal is to simply go out and win,” said GT. “I’ve been running hard for two years at this level and getting this ride with Screamin’ Eagle is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to proving their faith in me.”

According to Kennedy, Harley-Davidson is committed to its long-term participation in the sport, and sees synergies between the on-track effort and Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories.

“During our racing history, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts have benefited from development at the race track, an example is the V-Rod, the hottest motorcycle on the market,” said Kennedy. “We expect the NHRA drag racing effort will be no different, and will lead to the development of future Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts.”

In addition, NHRA Pro Stock racing offers great exposure for the Harley-Davidson brand.

“NHRA drag racing reaches millions, both at the track and on television; it is a great venue for us to reach our fans and potential new customers,” added Kennedy. “Our customers have come to expect that Harley-Davidson will race at the highest levels. It’s in our culture, our history and in our blood.”

The season will begin March 14-17 in Gainesville, Fla., followed by 13 more races, culminating in the series finale November 7-10 in Pomona, Calif.

Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing, offering both racing-grade and street-legal performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner.

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March 8, 2002 - IRVINE, Calif. - (BNW) - One of the most significant benefits of the recently announced alliance between Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Suzuki Motor Corp., will be the broadened offerings in off-road motorcycles that will be evident at Kawasaki’s U.S. dealer showrooms.

The alliance, which was created to allow the two brands to share certain production platforms, related sourcing, and engage in selected product co-development, was announced last August. Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., the consumer products marketing arm of Japan-based KHI, will soon provide additional details of product line enhancements that will support its dealer network’s strong retail growth.

Among the first examples of Kawasaki’s product line expansion are additions to the youth offerings currently available. The company’s recent introduction of the KLX110 has been extremely well received and two new models in that category, the KLX125 and the KLX125L, will be available in June.

Bob Shepard, KMC executive vice president, said, “The family approach to marketing Kawasaki-branded fun and excitement moves up a notch with these new models. ‘Letting the good times roll’ isn’t just for adults, as we’ve shown with the KLX110, and we’ve now put our dealers in the enviable position of being able to better respond to consumer preferences for the entire family.”

The new KLX125, a compact, lightweight four-stroke green machine that features a 30.5 inch seat height for beginners and female riders seeking increased stability will be accompanied by the KLX125L. The L-model adds two inches to both the front and rear wheel dimensions-17 inches to 19 inches and 14 inches to 16 inches, respectively, as well as a front disc brake and a 32-inch seat height.

These models are among the first to be announced as a result of the business arrangement with Suzuki, which is concurrently announcing that its dealers will be selling a version of the Kawasaki KX65. All models involved in the first year of the alliance relationship are to be announced by both companies in June.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, in 2001, off-road/enduro motorcycle sales increased significantly, with 124cc and under sales up 30 percent and 200cc and under sales registering a 32 percent increase over the prior year.

Kawasaki will soon detail more product-related elements of the alliance between the two brands.

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March 8, 2002 - Gainesville, Fla. - (BNW) - Due to inclement weather, final round qualifying and eliminations were postponed for the MRE Nationals at Gainesville Raceway for March 2 and 3.

The remaining round of qualifying and eliminations will be held on Friday, April 5, at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., one day prior to the Star Nationals at the same facility. Entries will be open to new competitors for the final round of qualifying that will begin at 8:00 a.m. If a different bike is used to complete the Gainesville event, all previous qualifying round will be omitted.

Racers and crew members that were at the Gainesville event are asked to bring their original racer and crew tickets back to the rescheduled event for Friday entry into track. Gainesville entries will not be honored at any other event. Non-ticket holders may purchase a three-day pass for the weekend.

Tickets to the Atlanta (Sat/Sun) event will be sold upon entrance into the track on Thursday or Friday. Atlanta Dragway will hold a tune and test session on Thursday, April 4, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00pm. Tune and test session will be open only to bikes entered for the weekend. Gates will open at 10:00am.

To reserve a tune & test spot, call Atlanta Dragway at (706) 335-2301. Prostar will tech bikes in the lanes on both Thursday and Friday. Upon entry, each riders who previously completed tech at Gainesville will be given their original tech card back in order to be re-teched.

Time runs for Pro E.T. and Street E.T. will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning and qualifying for all remaining classes will follow beginning with Super Gas working through the Pro’s. Eliminations will begin immediately following Pro Qualifying. Deadline for new MRE Nationals pre-entries and Star Nationals pre-entry is March 22. Pre-entries are not a requirement to enter the completion of the Gainesville event.

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March 7, 2002 - DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - (BNW) - Karl “Big Daddy Rat” Smith, owner of The Rat’s Hole T-shirt and gift shop in Daytona Beach, Fla., died Monday, March 4, the first day of Bike Week.

Smith died of a heart attack. He was 74 years old.

For the past two years, he had been in poor health, but he still held his world-famous custom motorcycle shows in Daytona during Bike Week and Biketoberfest. He also held shows in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Sturgis, S.D.

This week in Daytona, Smith was to receive an award honoring his massive contribution to the Bike Week and Biketoberfest events. His family says that he will be given a memorial instead.

Big Daddy Rat’s Motorcycle Show will go on Saturday as planned at the Ocean Center.

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March 7, 2002 - MILWAUKEE - (BNW) - Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, was inducted into the National Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame during Daytona Bike Week. Recognized as a leader in the industry, Buell joins other legends such as Willie G. Davidson, Jim Davis and Joe Parkhurst, all previous inductees into the Hall of Fame.

As America’s premier designer of sportbikes, Buell has had a long history of developing motorcycles that fuel the passion and stir the soul. He began his career designing motorcycles while attending the University of Pittsburgh and working his way through school as a mechanic and custom bike builder. Fueling his passion even further, Buell started road racing in 1973 and was up to professional status within a few years.

By 1984, Buell was building Formula One class racers at his home in rural Wisconsin. Just as Buell was beginning to make a name for himself, the American Motorcyclist Association eliminated Formula One racing and the market for his motorcycles. After six more years working as an independent manufacturer, Buell realized he needed a partner. Harley-Davidson Inc. bought the majority interest in Buell Motorcycle Company in 1998, with Buell staying on as chairman and chief technical officer.

Constantly rethinking the industry is what has set Buell, and the motorcycles with his name embossed on them, apart from the other ubiquitous sportbikes. Design philosophies of mass centralization, low unsprung weight and frame rigidity have allowed Buell to create the ultimate streetfighters.

The National Motorcycle Museum was founded in 1988 to promote the motorcycling industry and to preserve its history. The Hall of Fame was organized to recognize people who have contributed to the role of motorcycling in terms of industry, promotion, leadership and competition. A voting committee consisting of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the United States selected this year’s winners.

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March 6, 2002 - DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - (BNW) - The first weekend of Bike Week started on a rainy note, but the sun was shining on Suzuki at the race track.

With the threat of rain all day long, the schedule was changed to allow the Unlimited Superbike to run first, so Leg One went off dry.

A five-rider battle went on for most of the 12 lap race, but Shawn Higbee’s KWS-sponsored Suzuki took control in the last part of the race to take the win. He was followed by Lee Acree of Arclight and Eric Wood of 14K.

In the second leg, the rain was starting to come in, so Formula USA called for a red flag, which restarted the second leg as a rain race.

Michael Barnes rode well and captured the win for his Hooters/Suzuki team. He was followed by Eric Wood and Higbee for second and third.

In the SportBike event, the rain was again a factor. But a hard-charging Jeff Wood took the win followed by Barnes and Owen Weichel.

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March 6, 2002 - PICKERINGTON, Ohio - (BNW) - The American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which administers the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, has announced four new members of its board of directors. The new members were officially seated at the board’s meeting today in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Joining the AMHF Board are Dave Mungenast, Sr. of Sunset Hills, Mo., Bob Sinclair of Santa Barbara, Calif., Jeff Smith of Wausau, Wis., and John Ulrich of Lake Elsinore, Calif.

“We’re pleased to welcome these four new members to the Foundation Board,” said Don Emde, chairman of the AMHF board of directors. “Their background, expertise, and enthusiasm, combined with that of the other nine board members, will ensure that the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum continues to fulfill its mission.”

Dave Mungenast, Sr., was a successful enduro racer during the ‘60s and ‘70s, riding the International Six Days Trials nine times. He earned six medals in the prestigious competition, including two golds as a member of the Club Team and a silver as part of Triumph squad in 1973. After retiring from competition, Mungenast continued to support off-road riding as a motorcycle dealer, owner of off-road riding areas, and sponsor of numerous off-road racing events. He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.

Bob Sinclair brings an extensive powersports background to his position on the AMHF board. A motorcycling enthusiast for 40 years, he’s been active in amateur roadracing, off-road racing, and off-shore powerboat racing. Sinclair won several national class championships in off-shore racing, and held the World Speed Record in the 500ci class. His business career spanned 33 years in the automotive industry, with both Saab and Volvo. He retired from Saab-Scania of America in 1991, where he served as chairman and CEO.

Jeff Smith’s enviable racing career includes two 500cc World Motocross Championships, three golds and two bronze medals in the ISDT, five consecutive Super Senior AMA Hare Scrambles Championships, and fifteen American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association championships. Smith served as AHRMA’s executive director from 1990 through 1999, and currently serves on its board of trustees. He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.

John Ulrich, during his 34 years in motorcycling, has competed in enduro, motocross, and roadracing events, and currently owns a successful racing team. A motojournalist since 1972, Ulrich is the owner and Editor of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine and its companion Web site, roadracingworld.com.

Each member of the AMHF board of directors serves a two-year term. Smith, Ulrich, and AMHF board member Dal Smilie of Helena, Mont., also serve on the board of directors of the American Motorcyclist Association.

The other members of the AMHF board of directors are Emde of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Mark Mendell (vice chairman) of Buffalo, N.Y., Dr. Charles Falco (secretary) of Tucson, Ariz., Bill Baird of Sterling, Ill., Bob McLean of Bettendorf, Iowa, Tim Parker of Stillwater, Minn., and Margaret and Mike Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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March 4, 2002 - DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - (BNW) - If you could attend just one round of the 2002 AMA Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship, Daytona would definitely be the one to circle on your calendar.

With no fewer than 25 factory or factory-supported riders slated to race in the series opener at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, March 8, it is easy to see that winning the Daytona Supersport race is a major goal of all the factories.

It’s well-known that the manufacturer that manages to win the AMA Supersport race at Daytona is almost assured major success on the showroom floors of America in the following weeks and months. For Daytona the factories often field several of the top AMA Superbike riders for a full assault on the AMA Supersport race. This year is no different.

Honda will load up with Superbike aces Nicky Hayden, Miguel Duhamel and Kurtis Roberts, while Kawasaki will match the challenge by putting defending series champion, Eric Bostrom back on its ZX6 for an encore. Duhamel is the six-time defending winner of the event. After Daytona these riders will go back to focusing on the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, but for one illustrious race it will be the best of the best racing against one another.

At Daytona the aforementioned Superbike riders will face a slew of talented Supersport series regulars. If pre-season testing is any indication, it's going to be tough to look past Yamaha’s lead rider Anthony Gobert. The “Go Show” finished second in the championship last year despite racing much of the second half of the summer injured after a crash in New Hampshire in June. It was his first season racing Supersport, so with a year under his belt the talented Gobert should be even more daunting for his competitors.

Aaron and Alex Gobert will join big brother Anthony in the championships. Aaron came to the United States last year and had good success and will be once again riding for Graves Motorsports Yamaha. Already a seasoned veteran in his native Australia, Aaron is racing the AMA U.S. series for the first time on the strong Bruce Transportation Honda team alongside Jake Zemke.

In an interesting race within a race, it will be exciting to see how the three Hayden brothers, Tommy, Nicky and Roger Lee, do against their Australian counterparts. Tommy and Nicky are established winners in Supersport racing, and youngest brother Roger Lee has shown great potential in other classes, and was able to crack the top-10 twice in Supersport last year. Nicky and Roger Lee will ride Hondas, while elder brother Tommy returns to the factory Kawasaki team this year.

Team Blimpie Suzuki teammates Aaron Yates and Jamie Hacking are expected to challenge for the AMA Supersport Championship this year. Both have finished on the podium in the Supersport race at Daytona.

In what many see as the biggest surprise of the off season was the announcement that three-time AMA MBNA 250 Grand Prix champ Jimmy Filice is vacating his number one plate in the 250GP class to race in Supersport. The 39-year-old veteran from Modesto, Calif., will be racing a Team Corbin Kawasaki. It will mark his first foray into Supersport racing.

Another intriguing twist to this year’s championship is the imminent development of two former AMA Horizon Award winners Ben Spies and Tony Meiring. The Horizon Award is given to the AMA’s top amateur riders. Spies won the award in 2000 and promptly began his pro racing career. This year Spies joins the Attack Suzuki team with veteran Jason Pridmore. Meiring was a Horizon winner in 1999 and got his big break this winter when it was announced he would be joining the factory Kawasaki team. Spies and Meiring represent the future of the sport, but both have the potential to make an immediate impact on the sport.

Picking a winner of the Daytona Supersport final would drive even the most knowledgeable racing fan nuts. If you go strictly based on history then Duhamel is the unquestionable favorite. But Bostrom looked unbeatable at times last year in the series and then there’s Anthony Gobert, who was the fastest rider in pre-season testing. Kurtis Roberts came out on top at Daytona two years ago and is eager to make a return appearance.

Realistically, any one of a dozen or more riders has a real shot at winning the Daytona Supersport final. This is what makes this race so special.

If you’re not going to be in Daytona for the race, be sure to get off work early enough on Friday to watch the race live on Speed Channel at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.

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March 4, 2002 - WASHINGTON - (BNW) - Another congressman has added his voice to those of motorcyclists who fear the federal government plans to over-regulate motorcycle apparel, the AMA reports.

U.S. Rep. Jim Shimkus (R-Ill.) expressed his concerns to Dr. Jeffrey Runge, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during a hearing of the U.S. House Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee on February 28.

The federal government is considering a proposal to require motorcycle apparel manufacturers to report clothing defects to the NHTSA. The proposal is included in the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act.

Shimkus said after the hearing that he is concerned “that the proposal is extending the intent of Congress too far. I do not believe we ever intended motorcycle apparel to come under the scrutiny of reporting defective tires or studying child safety seats.”

Shimkus has been working on the issue with the AMA and ABATE of Illinois.

His comments came less than three weeks after U.S. Rep. C.L. “Butch” Otter (R-Idaho) expressed similar concerns to Runge in a hearing of the U.S. House Highways and Transit Subcommittee. Otter became aware of the issue through letters from the Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety and the AMA.

The proposal is part of a package the federal government has drafted that would, if approved by Congress, require motor vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers to report customer satisfaction and other information to the federal government to help the NHTSA identify defects related to motor vehicle safety.

The AMA had previously told NHTSA officials that including motorcycle rider apparel in the reporting requirements appears to go beyond what Congress intended in approving the TREAD Act, and that such a requirement appears to be “impractical and unworkable.”

Although the AMA supports improvements in rider-safety apparel, the association notes that bringing federal bureaucracy into the marketplace could cripple an industry that has, on its own, made tremendous advances stretching back several decades.

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March 1, 2002 - MILWAUKEE, Wis. - (BNW) - Buell Motorcycle Company recently revealed its professional racing programs for the 2002 season, announcing support for the five-round national AMA Buell Pro Thunder series and the eight-round national Formula USA Buell Lightning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories.

“Both Buell customers and dealers are actively involved in amateur level racing around the world. And we’re excited to add to that involvement by once again sponsoring programs that give our customers and our dealers an opportunity to compete at the national level in professional roadracing,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer of Buell Motorcycle Company.

The AMA Buell Pro Thunder series, which pits Buell racers against twin-cylinder, triple-cylinder and single-cylinder motorcycles from many other manufacturers, will be a featured event at select AMA Superbike rounds. The events will be held in Daytona, Fla., on March 10; Fountain, Colo., on June 2; Elkhart Lake, Wis., on June 9; Brainerd, Minn., on June 30 and Monterey, Calif., on July 14. The championship runner-up Hal’s Buell team and the Tilley’s Buell and Kosco’s Buell team will be among the top dealer-sponsored teams competing in the Buell Pro Thunder class.

The Formula USA Buell Lightning Series, presented by Buell Pro Series Accessories, is a horsepower and weight restricted Buell-only spec-class. The F-USA events will be held in Daytona, Fla., on March 3; Summit Point, W.Va., on May 26; Loudon, N.H., on June 16; Toronto, Ontario, on July 21; Elkhart Lake, Wis., on August 4; Long Pond, Pa., on August 25; Portland, Ore., on September 8; and Daytona again on October 20.

Defending class champion Kosco’s Buell will return along with many other Buell dealer teams to compete in the series.

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March 1, 2002 - PICKERINGTON, Ohio - (BNW) - AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States, announced that it will implement new, state-of-the-art timing and scoring equipment at this year’s AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited. The new equipment will be in place at the series opener, March 6-10, at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The new equipment will, for the first time ever, give teams split times at three different locations around the track. It will also provide up-to-the-minute stats on everything from fastest lap time to individual rider segment times around the track.

“This commitment to leading-edge timing and scoring technology delivers significant benefits to the race teams that compete in AMA Pro Racing’s U.S. Championships,” said John C. Farris, Jr., vice president commercial development, AMA Pro Racing. “The investments we’ve made in safety, technology and staff have allowed us to make great strides in elevating the professionalism of AMA Pro Racing operations, further developing the AMA brand of professional motorcycle racing.”

The new equipment, both software and hardware, is from AMB i.t., the same company used by NASCAR, CART and the IRL, as well as numerous other racing organizations throughout the world. AMA Pro Racing has its own custom-designed software package to handle registration, transponder assignments, race results and the creation of results on its website, amaproracing.com.

“This new system enables us to provide more benefits to our riders and teams. They are given a lot more information, and more ways to access it quickly and conveniently,” said Ken Rogers, director of timing and scoring, AMA Pro Racing.

The new equipment has been tested at several different AMA Superbike tests the past few months. The new timing equipment will also be used at the March 9 Daytona AMA Supercross events and possibly some of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship rounds this season.

The timing system starts with a loop of underground wire that acts as an antenna. Each bike is fitted with a transponder with a unique ID number, and as each bike passes over the loop the antenna picks up the I.D. and sends information into a decoder. From the decoder the information goes into a timing computer running the AMB timing software, Time Gear.

Time Gear software has the ability to manage up to 16 decoders and produce data on any number of segments. It is completely customizable. AMA Pro Racing will use this software to create custom result screens that can be seen over the in-house television system and by the teams via a new wireless video feed. These results screens can show overall results for practice, qualifying and races, as well as segment times.

All racing teams will have access to the new wireless network to obtain statistics and information in the paddock. Each team has a receiver or wireless network card in their transporters that can access an Intranet Web site. This Web site will have results and times from every practice, qualifying session and race. It will also have daily schedules, information alerts and an archived results section.

So far, four of the five major factory teams are participating in the program and several support teams are also considering the upgrade.

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March 1, 2002 - WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - (BNW) - The All Harley Drag Racing Association is busy gearing up for the season opener in Bradenton, Fla., on March 2nd & 3rd. The Florida Harley-Davidson Dealer Association Bike Week Nationals, presented by Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts, will mark a first time appearance at Bradenton Motorsports Park and with 100 competitors already pre-registered, it promises to be a action-packed weekend.

The season opens with the announcement of new sponsors on board for 2002. The Nonpareil Potato Company of Idaho has signed on as the 2002 Super Sport Class sponsor. Cal Percy and the Blackfoot Racing Team have shared the great products of Nonpareil with the racing family for years, and AHDRA is proud to have the staff of Nonpareil take on an active role in our sponsorship program.

Spyke Inc., a high performance product supplier based in California, has picked up the highly competitive Street Pro class for 2002. AHDRA says it is pleased to have them as a first time sponsor. Check out Spyke Street Pro competition in 2002.

The 2002 season will begin with the largest contingency program ever for AHDRA. At press time, Dave Scaggs has posted winnings from D & G Chassis totaling over $10,000 and a first time AHDRA contingency sponsorship was signed by Vance & Hines totaling over $13,000.

John Trutnau of PMFR returns with postings totaling over $46,000 for competitors using PMFR Front and Rear wheels or PMFR Front End Assembly. The Nitrous support continues with NOS and Nitrous Express, and back for more are veteran sponsors, Performance Machine, Orangeburg Cycle Racing, Comp Cams and S & S Cycle.

With the support of Class Sponsorship and Contingency postings the AHDRA sanctioning body will post nearly $1 million dollars in cash and prize payout in 2002. Look for a complete contingency and purse posting next week on www.ahdra.com.

The Florida Harley-Davidson Dealer Association Bike Week Nationals, presented by Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts, will get under way with a Test and Tune session today, Friday, March 1. Competitor gates open at 12:00 noon.

Saturday qualifying will begin at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday’s eliminations will get under way at 12:30 p.m. Gates open both days at 8:00 a.m.

Admission is $35 for the weekend, $20 Saturday and $25 Sunday. AHDRA offers a $5 discount for H.O.G. members and children under 12 are admitted free. Camping is available.

For more information on the Florida Harley-Davidson Dealer Association Bike Week Nationals, presented by Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts, contact the office at 336-924-2095 or contact Bradenton Motorsports Park at 941-748-1320 or visit www.bradentonmotorsports.com.

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March 1, 2002 - CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - (BNW) - Today, Lt. Col. Duane G. Carey, pilot of Space Shuttle Mission STS-109, is carrying into space a unique flag bearing the emblem of the American Motorcyclist Association.

Space Shuttle Columbia lifted off from Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A at 6:22 a.m. Eastern Standard Time today, bound for the Hubble Space Telescope, where the crew will conduct a servicing mission.

Carey, a 24-year AMA member and an avid motorcyclist, asked the AMA last year for an item to take with him into space. He plans to donate the one-of-a-kind flag to the AMA when he returns, for display at the Association’s headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

NASA regulations allow each member of a Space Shuttle’s crew to carry only a limited number of personal items.

Carey, 44, has logged over 3,700 hours in more than 35 different types of aircraft as an Air Force test pilot. He began riding motorcycles at age 13, and today enjoys both on-road and off-road motorcycling.

NASA’s schedule calls for Space Shuttle Columbia to return on Tuesday, March 12, landing at the Kennedy Space Center at 4:35 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.