Hopper Rides Perris Short Track & Balatonring Issues Continue

John Hopkins was in California this past weekend and actually had the time to run the Perris Short Track. So, he borrowed a bike from his mechanic and took to the track. He did very well and he may be back...

http://tinyurl.com/ya69qf8

The Balatonring is facing more and more problems. First, locals complain about not being consulted - then various groups attack the government as their tax dollars are helping build the thing and they will not be getting any of the revenue. Now we hear again about the cancellation of the loan guarantee for construction of the track...and the various investors have not been notified of the issues...Please take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/yalulss

http://tinyurl.com/y9cndc5

More Afternoon Moto News - Benelli 2 TechnoTracker & Avon Tires

A new concept motorcycle from the mind of Oberdan Bezzi has come to light. He has designed a Benelli flat-track motorcycle which he calls the Benelli 2 TechnoTracker. It is based on the as yet unreleased Benelli 2ue 756 naked streetbike, and Bezzi expects his design would be competitive in the AMA flat track racing events. We have to get the new bike out of Benelli first, but it sure looks good to me!

http://tinyurl.com/yz5g8f4

The US side of the Avon Tyres company has released a new website. It offers company news, technical details and more! It will also have information on motorcycle events, featured builders, contests and testimonials from Avon users. The website is most useful for researching Avon products, as you might expect, and has some of the best technical details of any tire website on the Internet! Check it out for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yk8unxh

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

Friday Evening News from the Moto World - AMA and Safety

The American Motorcyclist Association has announced the class distinctions and dates for the brand-new 2010 AMA Racing Vintage National Dirt Track Championship Series. This will hopefully be a very successful series throughout the US. The only limitation may be that all of the dates are in the East with the exception of two rounds in Texas. There is good reason for it to head to California or at least team up with the West Coast Flat Track Series to host events. It is very tempting to get out there and join in the fun!

http://tinyurl.com/yjp8qbs

Some people still do not get it - helmets save lives. I have seen racers high-side and land on their head and then walk away - on their own power - because the helmet did its job. I need no more evidence. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is not accepting your risk. Even if you are the best rider in the entire planet Earth, you cannot control the actions of the cagers sharing the road around you. So, this new study has shown that fatalities have gone up in the seven years since Texas repealed its mandatory helmet laws. D'oh! Of course...the good news is that overall fatalities were likely down in 2009 - but that is simply due to fewer people riding due to the economy and the fact that Americans still consider motorcycles to be 'recreational vehicles.' No helmet = Organ donor

http://tinyurl.com/y9joplj

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

Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Bill Werner and a Comparo

Legendary flat track tuner Bill Werner has turned his talents on a Kawasaki Ninja 650 and turned it into a competitive in the AMA Grand National Twins class. And, to add to it all, Werner managed to hire former Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew member Bryan Smith to tackle this challenge. The idea is to make it affordable again to race in the series. As it is, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, who dominate the series, are incredibly expensive to run for a full season and many amateurs simply cannot afford to keep up the maintenance on the race machine.

http://tinyurl.com/ycjm2dy

Now I will direct your attention to a shootout between sub-US$8K cruisers. They put the H-D 883 Iron, Moto Guzzi V7 Classic, Yamaha / Star V-Star 950, and the Triumph Bonneville through the paces to see which one of them is the best at what they do and the best value. See which one wins...I'll give you a hint, it's not the American one.

http://tinyurl.com/yb9ypbc

More Wednesday Moto News from Just About Everywhere

This one will be at least two parts as I am sure to run out of room here...

The MCN Motorcycle Show in London is adding even more manufacturers to the list of attendees. There is one story here, but there are many others if you look. As more come in, I will update the list of links.

Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Derbi: http://tinyurl.com/y9gk6gm

This is surely a rare motorcycle! The Lloyd Brothers-prepared Aprilia RSV Mille Flat Track Race Bike is for sale on eBay in California. This is the same machine which Larry Pegram made the main at the historic Springfield Mile. The machine, so far, is going for less than US$3K, believe it or not. It's funny, but when I first saw this machine a while back, I wanted it! Too bad I cannot afford it now...

http://tinyurl.com/ydf8yf5

We also have some good news, we all hope! The Wheatcroft family, who are the owners of Donington Park, have said that they will re-open the circuit as soon as possible. That is wonderful news as this historic track should not be relegated to the dustbin of history.

http://tinyurl.com/y9v7ajd

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

Rare - and Beautiful - Flat Track Triumph Racer from Japan

This machine was found under a wood pile behind a Tokyo antique store. It was bought there, shipped here, and then sold to a museum. I have no details on specific model or year. It is a very pretty machine - have a look:

http://tinyurl.com/ylb3zc2

American Supercamp Adds Another Discount Program

For LA area flat track racers - who have some experience racing - the American Supercamp ProCamp has been discounted to US$500 through December! That's one incredible deal for an aspiring racer who needs just that little bit more training to go full Expert. You will ride their prepped vehicles and on longer more technical tracks...sounds like fun to me!

http://tinyurl.com/ykgque5

American Supercamp has New Discount Program

To deal with the tough economy, some places are running specials, while credit card companies and even my utility are raising prices and fees. The American Supercamp, a 'motorcycle technique school', is offering discounts to groups who wish to take their classes. Just get together as many people as you can and sign up to save! What a great way to help potential and current racers gain more training in this tough economy!

http://tinyurl.com/yekq9qg

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

Triumph Flat Track Racer Eddie Mulder's Birthday

He still works on Triumphs, but he retired from racing them in 1975. Yesterday was actually his birthday, and he turned 66. His vintage racing series is only getting better with time...

http://tinyurl.com/nt8wx3

This Weekend The Stockton Mile Returns!

In the annals of dirt track motorcycle racing, few tracks hold the imagination as much as the mile tracks do. The Stockton Mile, which was closed 1978, will again see racers sliding around the corners and vying for a victory against some of the best in the nation. Finally!

http://tinyurl.com/m36raj

City of Industry Speedway Results

I do not live near the City of Industry, but if I did I would attend this event as often as I could. The Speedway there is always seeing action and this past Wednesday was no different...

http://tinyurl.com/laxos8

Press Release from Aaron King's Aprilia Team - Indy Mile

Aaron King did rather well on his American Agip/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Aprilia at the Indy Mile, held last weekend. This was only his second national race. Larry Pegram also performed well, but his Ducati did not, unfortunately.

http://tinyurl.com/l5c3oq

Former Dirt Track Tuner C.R. Axtell Dies

In yet another bit of sad news, the dirt track community mourns the loss of C.R. Axtell. This short notice does not do the man justice...but, it is a start:

http://tinyurl.com/nbhdtu

Kenny Roberts Relates the Story of That Night at Indy

That was the Indy Mile, not IMS, but it was an incredible ride...and a monster of a motorcycle.

http://tinyurl.com/mghcx8