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News roundup
posted by Roddy
There's been very little actual racing going on lately, but there sure is a pile of industry news and tidbits of gossip to be passed along...
Take the split between the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and it's promoting partner Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE) for example. Just a few weeks ago the AMA (who sanctions the American outdoor nationals and Supercross) stunned everyone in the business by announcing they were changing promoters for the 2003 Supercross series to a little known rock promoting group called Jam Sports. Who the heck is Jam Sports and why mess with the rising popularity of Supercross?
In the span of just a few weeks it now appears we are headed for TWO supercross series in 2003 - one by AMA/Jam Sports and one by CCE. Since the announcement, the folks at Clear Channel have retaliated by signing on ESPN until 2005 and negotiating exclusive contracts with various stadiums for supercross races. For example, Anaheim, Qualcomm, Bank One, Metrodome, Sam Boyd, Dallas and the Georgia Dome have all signed exclusive contracts with CCE for Supercross. What does it mean? It means if the AMA is to run a supercross season on their own in 2003, it won't be at places like Anaheim or the Metrodome. CCE has even managed to snare Dirt Wurx into an exclusive arrangement - Dirt Wurx is the premium Supercross track making company in the world.
Did I mention the AMA has just arranged to broadcast their series LIVE with Speed Channel (Speedvision) in 2003? Stay tuned to the Supercross wars.
In other industry news you may have heard the King of Supercross Jeremy McGrath has divested his interests in No-Fear motocross and signed a contract with a company called AST and plans to ride their gear in 2002. AST is spearheaded by former entrepreneur/privateer Jeff Glass which distributes promotional items (clothing, toys, etc) in various markets throughout the United States, like Walmart. The AST line of gear will be manufactured by Thor, but you won't see any trace of the Thor logo on Jer's gear. Instead, you'll see a big Bud Light logo - Jeremy's new title sponsor for 2002. Crazy huh? By the way, Yamaha of Troy has also signed on with AST for 2002.
How about Ryan Lockhart and Heidi Cooke kicking butt out west in the B.C. Arenacross series in Chilliwack? Heidi won the Ladies class and Ryan finished fourth in the 250 Pro class. Way to go guys! If you have CTV "The Score" on your boob tube, check it out Monday (December 10th) night as they're supposed to be airing the first round. The second round is tonight, December 8th.
Former 125cc World Champ and U.S. National 125cc runner up Grant Langston was back in the saddle this week for the first time since undergoing elective surgery on both his shoulders after the outdoor season concluded. He went on a little trail ride with his buddies in South Africa. He's expected to be all healed up for the opening round of the 125 East Supercross series.
How about getting smacked in the head with a helicopter blade? Apparently that's what happened to freestyle legend and Mulisha man Larry Linkogle during a film shoot for a new movie last week. The chopper moved in for a closer view while Link was mid-air and clipped his helmet sending Link and his bike tumbling to the ground. Amazingly Larry was able to shake it off and laugh about it afterwards. Man, that could have been a LOT worse.
Have you heard about or seen the Segway Human Transporter (HT)? It's a gyroscopic powered two-wheeled device which is designed to replace cars and walking in urban settings. Sounds a little whacky, but it's really cool. Check out their site right here.
Will there be a new National ATV series in Canada? One dude is working on it and wrote this on the CMRC Bulletin Boards: "Hey there, I wanted to let people know that a new ATV motocross series is in the works for next season. We are in search of sponsors to help get this series off the ground . It will likely consist of races in both Northern and southern Ontario, but might also be held nationaly. Let's try and get people to come and sponsor these events . The more people we get that attend them , the more the prizes and prize money will be able to grow. If you have any information about sponsors or and comments you have about this , please email me , or post a message. Julien Denis, owner of Offroad Cycle And ATV , also pro atv racer is the main man trying to get this series off the ground. We need sponsors so get your family involved, get you local dealership involved. ATV racing is North America's fastest growing sports and the ATV industry is a growing market. Be known as one of the founders of Canada's one and only National ATV Motocross Series. Thanks , Greg Larocque". Read more here.
And finally, since the AMA has restricted the cc's of four strokes in the 250cc class to 450cc's, KTM is busy testing out a new configuration for John Dowd's four banger. John piloted his Cernics KTM 520 to a 7th place in the ultra-competitive 250 class in 2001. He's also expected to race the 125 East Supercross series this year.
Oh yeah, some of you were interested to know more about Danny Fahie, road racer Nicky Hayden's mechanic at American Honda. You can read the first part about Danny here.
Danny started his MX career in Atlantic Canada in like, 1983 or 1984. He moved to Intermediate by 1985 and Pro in 1987. It wouldn't be until 1990 however, that Danny would win a championship in that class - he won all three that year: 125, 250 and 500/Open. As some of you will remember the period between 1984 and 1989 belonged some guy from Salisbury named Glen Hoar. Danny also won several CMA Cross Country championships in the late 1980's.
During his Pro career Danny managed to put himself through Dalhousie and the Technical University of Nova Scotia where he studied Metallurgical Engineering while working off hours at Pro Cycle in Dartmouth. From recollection... after he graduated Danny worked for a time testing cars for Honda and then followed his girfriend (now wife) Maria Doherty to North Carolina where she was working as a Veterinarian. Somewhere between then and now Danny worked as a mechanic for a number of racing outfits in the States, including Muzzy Kawasaki. A few years ago Dan got called up to the big leagues and signed on with the premium outfit in road racing, American Honda.
Now Dan spends his time wrenching for the wonder-kid of AMA road racing, Nicky Hayden and lives in the Orange County area with wife and Vet, Maria and their daughter Mackenzie.
Dan and I spent a lot of time riding together between 1985 and 1989 and he really taught me how to ride a motorcycle - I owe 90% of what I know to him (the other 10% to Joe Treen). He also showed me how to behave at the track - being friendly and courteous to other racers, always lend a hand or a part and above all, let your riding speak for you. Danny won the Scott Lockhart award for "Sportsmanship" in 1988 and that's why it was such a special award for me to win this year.
Roddy
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