Moto GP back to Laguna Seca?
Moto GP back to Laguna Seca?
MotoGP, often referred to as the Formula One of motorcycle racing, may return to California’s Monterey Peninsula for the first time since the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship raced at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 1994.
The Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) and Dorna Sports, the Spanish-based company that holds the commercial and TV rights to the FIM MotoGP World Championships, announced they have reached an agreement in principal to bring MotoGP to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for a five-year stint.
Dorna will include the U.S. Grand Prix in the 2005 MotoGP pre-calendar to be presented to the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) for its approval.
The 2005 event, tentatively scheduled for July 8-10, is to be named the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.
Aaron Creamer dies
Aaron Creamer, 24, of Leominster, Mass., died from injuries resulting from a crash on Aug. 11 at the AMA Hot Shoe Series motorcycle race at the Sturgis Fairgrounds in Sturgis, S.D. Creamer was injured during a multiple-rider accident near the start of the main event. He was transported to the Rapid City Regional Hospital and according to hospital officials Creamer never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead the next morning.
Daytona off IMS schedule
The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows (IMS) presented by Toyota Trucks won’t return to the Daytona International Speedway in 2005; instead, management plans to pursue new markets. The show series, produced by Advanstar Communications Powersports Group, makes 12 stops across the country. Traditionally, Daytona has been one of the final stops of the series. This year, the Daytona International Speedway has opted to run an event of its own during Bike Week and will not be providing space for the International Motorcycle Shows.
“Fifteen years at the Speedway and 30-plus years in Daytona means we’re looking for another great location in Daytona where we can hold the event during Bike Week 2005,” said Jeff D’Entremont, Advanstar show director.
H-D offers ABS on police bikes
Harley-Davidson has designed its first anti-lock braking system (ABS) for use on three 2005 police motorcycle models.
Offered on the FLHTPI Electra Glide and FLHPI Road King police models, and on the California FLHPEI Escort model, the system retains traditional independent front and rear wheel braking control yet supplies maximum braking effect without wheel lock-up in all-weather emergency situations, especially on slick roads.
Harley-Davidson does not plan to offer ABS on other police bikes or motorcycles available to the general public, but company officials say they will continue to monitor customer interest in the system.
BMW ends Boxercup
The 2004 season will be the last season for the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup, held since 1999.
The races with the large capacity flat twin boxers based on the R 1100 S were first carried out as national events in France and Belgium, then expanded in 2001 to serve as fringe races held during larger motorsport venues.
“It was clear right from the start that a brand cup would only attract widespread attention over a limited period of time,” said Berthold Hauser, BMW motor sports director.
Although BMW plans to release it’s sports-oriented 160hp K1200S later this year or in early 2005, organized sport bike racing is not currently a topic of conversation for the Bavarian manufacturer. Hauser says BMW doesn’t know what it will do to continue its motor sports commitment. “At the moment there are a lot of interesting ideas but there is no rush and above all there is no need for making decisions,” he said.
New Daytona course layout
For the sixth time since motorcycles began racing at Daytona International Speedway, competitors will compete on a reconfigured course beginning with next year’s Daytona 200 Bike Week.
The new configuration will exclude NASCAR Turns 1 and 2 and will shorten the course to approximately 3.0 miles. The infield portion of the course has also been altered with the exit of the infield now located after NASCAR Turn 2. The previous length of the motorcycle course was 3.56 miles. The Daytona 200 By Arai, scheduled for March 12, will now be 67 laps instead of 57.
Since 1961, when motorcycles began competing at DIS, the course configuration has changed five times with distances varying from 2 miles to 3.87 miles. This is the first change since 1985.
MZ 5th at endurance race
The MZ 1000S placed a surprising fifth at its debut race at round 7 of the Endurance World Championship in Oschersleben/Germany. The OBI Breckle Team, on a nearly stock MZ 1000S, finished a surprising fifth place in the Open Class, clsoing the 24-hour event with 794 laps.
The Nevada Rally Experience
Scot Harden and Casey Folks recently announced they will be hosting The Nevada Rally Experience (NRE), a two-day non-competitive GPS and Roadbook style Rally limited to a small group of 50 rally enthusiasts.
Scheduled for October 22, 23 and 24, 2004, the NRE re-traces the route of the only marathon raid rally event ever held in the United States, the Nevada Rally (promoted by Acerbis and Best in the Desert from 1993-1995). Entrants will be provided a Roadbook and GPS route to navigate the stage.
For its first year, the NRE revisits Stage One of the 1993 Nevada Rally from Mesquite to Pioche, Nevada. It’s a looped event with return to Mesquite at the end of Day 2. The length of the course each day will be approximately 150 miles.
Folks has over 40 years of experience promoting off road events through his world famous organization, Best in the Desert. Through his company, Harden-Offroad, Harden conducts adventure camps off-road riding schools where he trains everyone from beginners to the most experienced riders in the art and science of on and off road adventure riding.
“We’ve designed the Nevada Rally Experience to be as close to competing in an actual “marathon” Raid Rally event as you’ll find anywhere this side of Dakar,” said Harden, who separately serves as vice president of media relations for KTM North America.
For more information on the NRE, visit the official Harden Offroad Website www.harden-offroad.com or call 951/704-6370. psb
