Evening Moto News - Husqvarna Announces US$11 Million Contingency Program

A significant amount of money - especially considering how little money is out of the hands of Wall Street now - US$11 Million for racing contingency from Husqvarna will be available in 2010. It does seem that BMW is really banking on this marque, and who can complain about that? They make excellent machines. It is huge, so for all of the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydbw8uq

AMA Announces Steve Morehead to Manage AMA Pro Flat Track

Steve Morehead is now officially AMA Pro Flat Track Operations Manager; this announcement made yesterday by the AMA. Morehead is a retired racer now but, when he was in competition - which was for 26 years - everyone knew him. He was a fan favorite and has over 35 years of flat track experience. It looks like a perfect fit for all concerned. Some rather good news from the AMA for a nice change.

http://tinyurl.com/yzexzbb

More Morning Moto News - Lloyd Brothers, Kawasaki ZX-10R & Z1000 Vs. Triumph Videos

A short press release from Lloyd Brothers Motorsports has informed us that they will retain the sponsorship of American Agip as their title sponsor for the 2010 AMA Grand National Dirt Track series. This is excellent new for the team who was hoping greatly for this continued support. For a short bit of detail, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9z53hs

The Kawasaki ZX-10R video has the guys at MCN (UK) out testing the 2010 model against the 2009 version in their usual speed tests. It's a riot and looks like they had way too much fun! Go and enjoy...

http://tinyurl.com/ycrdanr

In our next video feature from MCN (UK), they take the all new 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 up against the Triumph Speed Triple. For the first time, according to the piece, Kawasaki has provided them with something to really challenge the Hinckley triple in a hard-charging competition. Have a look for yourself...

http://tinyurl.com/yedakqt

More Afternoon Moto News - Custom Triumph Scrambler, BMW R1200R Charity Auction & Flat Track TV

Italian designer Pietro Figini of TPR Italian Factory has taken his eyes and hands to the modern Triumph Scrambler. He has taken it and turned it into a retro-looking machine worthy of a museum display, but it is simply a modern take on the classic look - it will still be under warranty and will perform like a modern motorcycle. Take the link and have a look for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/ygmluda

BMW has created a special edition of its R1200R for the 40th anniversary of their Berlin plant and auctioned it late last year. It is a Roadster with special parts and pieces from the BMW accessory catalog - and there are plenty of them. The proceeds from the sale went to Save the Children Deutschland. They managed to raise €14,951 for the great cause.

http://tinyurl.com/ycmbs43

AMA Pro Racing and MavTV have signed on to actually air the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on TV. You may or may not have the station, so you need to check with your satellite or cable TV provider. But, if you do have it, you will get to see 5 of the 21 rounds this year - and, the agreement will be in effect for three years.

http://tinyurl.com/yeykdt3

More Thursday Afternoon Moto News - Flat Track, Supercross and Kawasaki

Today's news has a story about Bryan Smith joining the Werner Springsteen Racing Kawasaki flat track team run by tuner Bill Werner. Given his attempt at the series with Kawasaki motorcycles, this move has raised some serious int rest in the team from others in the sport. Even flat track ace Jay Springsteen will be present with the team in the 2010 AMA Grand National Championship, though he will not be racing.

http://tinyurl.com/yb5zv3h

On the weekend, 16 Juanary 2010, the AMA Supercross series will be running in Phoenix, Arizona, at Chase Field. The sport certainly brings in the fans - and the money - and Phoenix is a great place for a race.

http://tinyurl.com/ycz4vkx

We also get news of a defection from American Kawasaki. Bruce Stjernstrom has left his position as director of marketing for the green company to join the Monster Beverage Company. Stjernstrom made some impressive marks on the industry while working there, and he may be able to do likewise for Monster - at least the two are close in the realm of motorcycle racing.

http://tinyurl.com/yly4she

Monday Evening Moto News - Loveliness and Ricky Carmichael

The loveliness comes to us courtesy of Bubba Shobert's Honda RS750. It was designed and built to fight with the all-powerful Harley-Davidson XR750 on the flat dirt tracks of the US. The bike was an unqualified success and along with Ricky Graham, who won the 1984 season, it won four AMA Grand National Championships from 1984 through 1987; the last three of which went to Shobert.

http://tinyurl.com/ykmjnd4

MX Sports, the people who bring us the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships, have worked out a very cool new race and school - yes, school. Ricky Carmichael has joined with them to bring the Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross Championship, which will be held at Daytona International Speedway on 6 march 2010 (also Bike Week), and Ricky Carmichael University, held the following day. An amazing chance for any off-road racer, no? There is much more after the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ydnf3wf

Knoxville Raceway Teams with AMA Pro Racing for Flat Track GNC

The Flat Track Grand National Championship, an AMA Pro Racing event, will take place at Knoxville Raceway on 18 September 2010. It will have been nearly 14 years since the event has taken place there, so this will be an important race. For more details, take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ybl5fuv

Flat Track Star Don Taylor Will Ride with JPR in AMA and Canada Series

Taylor has been a champion before in his home of Canada, and now he is moving on to racing in both the AMA Pro Flat Track and the CMA National Championships in 2010. He will be riding a JPR Suzuki RM-Z450 in the singles division of each series. Everything looks good for him to make an impressive performance next year...so, watch and enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/ybhuevq

Chuck Palmgren - AMA Hallf of Fame Inductee Bio

Palmgren will be inducted over this coming weekend to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. This keeps coming up when I look around for news, so I am giving in and posting it here as well. The man is incredible - no doubt about that - but I was hoping to pick up a few more bios before announcing it here. Take the link and learn something of motorcycle history.

http://tinyurl.com/yl93ea8

AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Awards Banquet

The banquet will be given the day following the series finale at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, on Sunday, 25 October 2009. That race will be the final event of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship series for 2009. Various awards and championships will be presented at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel which is right next door to the track. If you really enjoy the extremely fast-paced racing which makes up flat track, this is not to be missed!

http://tinyurl.com/yabfx6l