Even More Saturday Moto News - Greg Pretty, Kenny Gilbertson, Heels on Wheels TV and James Ellison's Appeal

The news only came to me via a forum post - I have yet to see a news story on this. Famed Australian Unlimited champion Greg Pretty has died. He was killed in a riding accident in the Southern Adelaide ranges while riding with some friends. He was a well-respected racer and an all-around good guy; he will be missed.

http://tinyurl.com/ycqzqha

Better coverage: http://tinyurl.com/ycbfdh9

Kenny Gilbertson is the second rider to confirm that he will be riding in the British Superbike Championship EVO class. He will be riding for the Magic Bullet Racing team, but the motorcycle marque which they will use has yet to be confirmed. It should be a great way for Gilbertson to get a ride in the top series if he does well in the EVO class.

http://tinyurl.com/ydpzdau

Have you heard about HeelsonWheels.tv? Well, it is a new show put together by a former Chief Operating Officer of Deutsche Bank's Fund of Hedge Funds, Charles 'Chuck' Pirao and his wife Sandra. The show is meant to appeal to women riders and it hopes to expand the number of women riders in the sport. The show is available on the Internet and it is an interesting watch due to its use of hard-core riding and laughter. You should check it out no matter your gender.

http://tinyurl.com/ybqpdr7

And, finally, I just had to post this. Apparently, James Ellison has a rather high profile in a certain part of our culture. Now, I am not saying that Ellison is homosexual - I happen to know that he is not - but, at least it does show just how far our sport, motorcycling, is spreading its influence. I have to say that it is nice to know how far it really goes. For fun, click the link (if you are a heterosexual male, you might want to miss the last photo; but, if you are a heterosexual female, you will enjoy it!)

http://tinyurl.com/y8pw92y

New Jersey Motorsports Park Expands into Motocross

NJMP wants to add a 10-acre motocross and ATV park to the track's amenities. The park has applied to the city planning board, who has now passed it on to the Millville City Commission. They will look it over and approve various parts, the pass back to the planning board...who...will - OK, go take the link and read it yourself, and enjoy the bureaucracy.

http://tinyurl.com/yep4ak8

2010 East Hare Scrambles Championship Series Schedule Released

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) today announced the dates and locations for the scheduled events in the 2010 East Hare Scrambles Championship Series. This is a HUGE series with many entrants and several championships awarded, so take the link and look up the information you are looking for...

http://tinyurl.com/yb2gpj8

New Jersey Motorsports Park Hires New General Manager

I am not so sure why it happened but Brad Scott has replaced Kevin Wittman as GM of the New Jersey track. NJMP principle Joe Savaro had little to say except that Scott was chosen to lead the track into a glorious expansion. Doesn't sound like Wittman parted on good terms...

http://tinyurl.com/yf29drv

New Jersey Motorsports Park Announces 2010 Schedule

New England now has one track reporting what will be happening there in 2010. Of course, the DMG/AMA Pro races there 3 - 5 September 2010, but what else is going on? Well, take the link and find out for yourself!

http://tinyurl.com/yjtuvqq

New Jersey Motorsports Park to Host Penske Suspension Clinic

On 5 December 2009, New Jersey Motorsports Park will have yet another course from this winter's NJMP University sessions - a Penske suspension clinic. "Suspension Dynamics and Tuning For Motorcycles," s what they call it and tuition is only US$75 for an all day class. You will be instructed on the basics of suspension physics, how to adjust your suspension and hands-on work on your own machine! This is not to be missed if you can attend.

http://tinyurl.com/yzmwssb

Husaberg Factory Team Signs Mike Lafferty

Talk about a good deal! Husaberg has managed to sign a contract with Mike Lafferty for the remainder of the 2009 season and 2010. He is an eight-time National Enduro Champion and brings with him and immense amount of skill, determination and even dominance. His first race for the team will be 11 October 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/yzzp5rz

101.5 Miles per Gallon for 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250

A rider in New Jersey uses Hypermiler techniques to achieve over 100 MPG on his 2003 Ninja. There are only minor modifications to the bike; for instance, he uses scooter tires and inflates them to 60 PSI. Impressive!

http://tinyurl.com/ohmlnc

In New Jersey - Roar to the Shore in Wildwoods

The event will kick off at the Wildwood Convention Center in - of all places - Wildwoods, New Jersey. Over 125,000 riders are expected to attend and proceeds from a Sunday ride out will benefit the United Way of Cape May County. It runs from Thursday to Saturday, 10 - 12 September 2009, with Sunday the 13th being the day of the ride. Not exactly my type of event, but the ride sounds awesome! And, there will be demo rides...

http://tinyurl.com/n2j78s

Lawsuit in New Jersey Concerns 'Edge Traps' in Construction Zones

Though the Federal Government has never concerned itself with these dangerous - to motorcycles, anyway - practices of road work, this lawsuit is at least trying to get something out of the state of New Jersey. This lawsuit alleges that the state did not properly mark the 'edge traps' and safety was compromised as a result.

http://tinyurl.com/pkawkc

Joshes Sweep NJMP AMA Weekend

The full results are already known, but this article sums it up rather well. And, it does call attention to the fact that Josh Hayes and Josh Herrin won both of their races in American Superbike and Daytona SportBike, respectively.

http://tinyurl.com/ne5ucj

P.S. Another happy day for Yamaha!

New Jersey Motorsports Park AMA Round a Huge Success with Fans

Apparently, motorcycle racing fans in the New Jersey were very happy to have the AMA Pro Racing event at their track. Even the AMA racers commented on the fan turnout and their enthusiasm.

http://tinyurl.com/lbys73

AMA American Superbike Results from New Jersey Motorsports Park

Here are - late - results from the Sunday American Superbike race at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Mat Mladin was not able to win either of his final races in AMA. It doesn't matter much, though, as he still has the 2009 championship! Yamaha's Josh Hayes was the main beneficiary of this weekend's action in the Superbike class.

http://tinyurl.com/me55oy

Daytona SportBike Race 1 Results - Herrin Takes Win

New Jersey Motorsports Park seems to have changed up the order a bit in AMA Pro Racing. Pole sitters have, so far, had some rather nasty luck. In Daytona SportBike, it was no different as pole position owner Jason DiSalvo started well - getting the holeshot - but ending up in 30th place by the end of lap 1. So, Yamaha's Joch Herrin takes the advantage and the win.

http://tinyurl.com/n99p4y

Tight Qualifying in New Jersey Leaves Pegram on Second Row

Larry Pegram of the Foremost Ducati team will start tomorrow's race from the second row. Oddly enough, his time was mere .3 seconds behind second position. That goes to show how close racing in that series can be...not bad.

http://tinyurl.com/kul7vq

Qualifying for AMA Pro Racing at NJMP Results

Mat Mladin will start from the pole in his final race in AMA ever. And, Jason DiSalvo will be leading the Daytona SportBike race on Sunday. As for Moto-GT, the Yamaha of Westby Racing will lead the pack.

http://tinyurl.com/ocp2qe

Even more information and some interviews: http://tinyurl.com/lhejkc

NJMP Last Race for Mat Mladin...

Mat Mladin is happy to be leaving the current AMA Pro Racing group behind. With the switch to new ownership last year, he has been unhappy with the way they are running the series - he is not alone! Mladin will take his final Championship trophy and go back to Australia. How long do you think he will stay away from racing???

http://tinyurl.com/mu6kwp

Local Journalist Gets Ride on Jordan Suzuki at NJMP

A journalist from Atlantic City, Jason Mazda, gets a lift around NJMP from Jason Pridmore on the back of a race-prepped Suzuki...what a lucky...at least he had fun!

http://tinyurl.com/kw8b3t

Another Perspective of AMA NJMP Race Weekend

From a local paper comes a different perspective on this weekend's NJMP AMA Pro event. It is a good read for those not deeply involved in the series and the casual fan.

http://tinyurl.com/npl83b

In Moto-GT, Touring Sport Ducshop Ducati Hopes for 3rd Championship

The NJMP round of the AMA Pro Racing Moto-GT series is the second-to-last race of their season. Ducshop has won the series (under different management) in the previous two years and they believe they can wrap it up for 2009 this weekend in New Jersey.

http://tinyurl.com/lm6rjs