Rider Files

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto (No. 2) nailed the holeshot in the second 450 moto at Millville, Minnesota this past summer. While Villopoto has the first turn dialed, it appears that his arch-rival Ryan Dungey seems to have the front end crossed up on his No. 1 Rockstar/Makita Suzuki. You can also clearly see Mike Alessi (No. 800), Brett Metcalfe (No. 24), Travis Sewell (No. 67) and Ricky Dietrich (No. 539). Dungey recovered to win the moto and the overall victory at his home national. Minnesota has a rich motocross history and Millville fans are among the most loyal and knowledgeable in all the series. I’ve seen them endure everything from drenching rain showers to triple digit heat and never lose their enthusiasm.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto (No. 2) nailed the holeshot in the second 450 moto at Millville, Minnesota this past summer. While Villopoto has the first turn dialed, it appears that his archrival Ryan Dungey seems to have the front end crossed up on his No. 1 Rockstar/Makita Suzuki. (Larry Lawrence photo)

The Italian rider made his return to the Moto2 class official by signing with the Swiss team for the 2012 Moto2 World Championship. Read more.

Randy de Puniet underwent a minor surgery today, ahead of further tests in January aboard the CRT of the Aspar Team. In an interview with motogp.com following the recent test at Valencia, the Frenchman described his first impressions of the bike and his expectations for next season. Read more.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Nowhere is the passion and dedication of women motorcyclists more apparent than at an AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference. The popular event returns July 26-29, 2012, this time in Carson City, Nev. — one of the West’s premier motorcycling destinations.

The AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference focuses on educating, encouraging, inspiring and mentoring women in the lifestyle and sport of motorcycling. Early registration of $125 is available now exclusively for AMA members at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=vw9ldxbab&oeidk=a07e5b2rc65a3dc83f3. After April 30, 2012, registration will increase to $175 for AMA members and be available to non-AMA members for $235.

“Regardless of bike brand, riding preference or background, women motorcyclists are bound together by their common passion for life on two and three wheels,” said AMA Marketing Manager Tigra Tsujikawa. “The AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference provides all of us the opportunity to connect with, and learn from, other women riders. Through seminars, activities, training classes and organized rides, we’ll work together to gain knowledge and skills to better navigate where the road or trail leads next.”

Carson City Mayor Pro Tem Shelly Aldean said the conference is a welcome addition to her city’s 2012 calendar of events.

“Carson City is delighted to be hosting the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference in July 2012,” she said. “We look forward to accommodating the attendees participation in the conference. We hope that during their visit, conference goers will spend some time exploring what Carson City has to offer and, as a result of our hospitality, will feel like honorary members of our community when it’s finally time to say goodbye.”

Previous AMA International Women & Motorcycling conferences have been held in Keystone, Colo.; Athens, Ga.; Buckhannon, W.Va.; Athens, Ohio; and Westerville, Ohio. They featured targeted attractions for women motorcyclists such as seminars, workshops, speeches, product and motorcycle displays and demonstrations, recreational riding and networking.

“I am personally looking forward to this special gathering of the women’s motorcycling community, a community that has increased significantly in recent years,” Tsujikawa said. “The 2009 event was an unforgettable experience, and the 2012 conference will offer even more camaraderie and fun.”

Tsujikawa added that men are encouraged to attend the conference as well.

“Motorcyclists are known for their welcoming attitudes, and the AMA International Women and Motorcycling Conference is no exception,” she said. “Women are encouraged to register their spouses, partners and friends, who can attend all activities. And for those just along for the ride, even if they aren’t participating in the conference, there are ample entertainment opportunities in Carson City, on and off a motorcycle.”

The sixth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference will be held in Carson City, Nev., on July 26-29, 2012. Event and lodging information is available at www.womenandmotorcycling.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Special savings available for fans who buy tickets, new incentives early

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011 – Tickets for the 2012 Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP event, scheduled for Aug. 17-19 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will go on sale Thursday, Dec. 1, and fans are encouraged to buy now at www.imstix.com to take advantage of special early pricing.

Reserved seat ticket prices for Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 19, are unchanged from 2011. Prices range from $70-$130 depending on location. Fans who purchase a Race Day reserved seat also can buy a Friday-Saturday general admission ticket for just $20 any time between Dec. 1 and Aug. 17, a great value.

“Indianapolis is my home race, and it’s already circled on my calendar for 2012,” said 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, from Owensboro, Ky. “I really appreciate the support of the fans at IMS, and I hope to see you next August. Get your tickets today and take advantage of this very good offer.”

Fan-friendly incentives available only for Race Day reserved seat ticket holders in 2012 include motorcycle track laps, three-day auto parking passes and VIP motorcycle parking near the IMS Hall of Fame Museum.

These amenities – track laps and VIP motorcycle parking are new for 2012 – will be sold through tiered pricing, so reserved seat customers who buy early will enjoy special savings. Prices for each of these products will be $10 from Dec. 1 through April 15. The cost will increase to $30 from April 16-Aug. 1 and to $40 from Aug. 2-19.

Four types of tickets will be available for general admission customers at the 2012 Red Bull Indianapolis GP: Friday, Saturday, Race Day and Three Day (Friday-Saturday-Sunday). Friday-Saturday general admission tickets are available only for Race Day reserved seat customers.

General admission tickets for Friday, Aug. 17 or Saturday, Aug. 18 cost $20 each from Dec. 1 through Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 19.

Three Day and Race Day general admission tickets will be sold through tiered pricing:

Orders for general admission and reserved seat tickets, track laps and parking can be made at www.imstix.com and through the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16^th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. For more information, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area.

Children 12 and under will receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2012 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.

Information on camping at IMS during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP is available at www.imstix.com. Hotel package information can be found at visitindy.com/redbull.

The Red Bull Indianapolis GP will be the 11^th of 18 events in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship, which opens April 15 with the Grand Prix of Qatar.

The fifth annual MotoGP race at IMS will take place one week earlier than in 2011. The event also will be the second half of a new American swing for the world’s most prestigious motorcycle racing series.

The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is scheduled for July 27-29 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., followed by MotoGP’s traditional summer break and then the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

MotoGP fans will see new machinery in the premier class in 2012. Riders will compete on 1000cc prototype motorcycles, with more speed and power than the 800cc machines used since 2007.

There also will be three Americans on the MotoGP starting grid for the fifth consecutive year at IMS: 2006 World Champion Hayden, 2010 Rookie of the Year Ben Spies and Colin Edwards. Hayden and Spies each are two-time podium finishers in the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, and Spies won the pole for the 2010 race.

World Championship support classes Moto2 and the new Moto3 will return to IMS in 2012. Other support classes will be announced in the future.

(NEWS RELEASE)

SONOMA, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2011) — The Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will distribute $273,072 to 38 qualified youth organizations in Sonoma County for the 2011 season.

The chapter’s Board of Trustees recently approved the distribution of funds at its annual meeting. Speedway Children’s Charities is the charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which owns and operates Infineon Raceway.

The monies awarded in 2011 were generated through a combination of events held during the raceway’s major-event weekends, including the Children’s Champions Grand Marshal’s Banquet and the KFOX Race & Rock Charity Auction, which combined to raise more than $85,000. Both were held during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in June. The 7th annual Classic Sports Racing Group’s (CSRG) Charity Challenge generated an additional $42,000.

The chapter has distributed more than $3.9 million since 2001. In all, the chapter hosted 11 events in 2011.

“Because of organizations like Speedway Children’s Charities, we at the Petaluma People Services Center are able to extend services to teens who have a variety of issues, whether it’s abuse, alcohol or drug issues, family issues or gang intervention and prevention,” said Elece Hempel, Executive Director of Petaluma People Services Center. “Speedway Children’s Charities is a great group and we are happy to be affiliated with it.”

Speedway Children’s Charities is a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds to be distributed to qualified children’s organizations. Founded in 1984 by Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Speedway Children’s Charities originated at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

Thirty-eight youth groups will receive funding from Speedway Children’s Charities in 2011, some of which include:

Boys and Girls Club of Sonoma Valley; California Parenting Institute; California Youth Outreach; Catholic Charities; Committee on the Shelterless (COTS); Community Action Partnership; Conservation Corps/ North Bay; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); DeMeo Teen Club; Individuals Now (SAY); Hanna Boys Center; La Luz Center; LifeWorks of Sonoma County; Martial Arts Youth Institute; Matrix A Parent Network & Resource Center; McDowell Drug Task Force; Mentor Me Petaluma; North Bay Children’s Center; PDI Surgery Center; Petaluma People Services; Redwood Community Health Coalition; Redwood Empire Food Bank; River to Coast Children’s Services; Roseland Charter School; Sonoma Teen Center; Sonoma Valley Education Foundation; Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (Kid Scoop); Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (Police Dept Program); Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance; Southwest Community Health Center; Sunny Hills Services; The Living Room; The Salvation Army; Verity; Valley of the Moon Children’s Foundation; Willmar Center; Worth Our Weight; and the YWCA of Sonoma County.

For more information on the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, visit www.infineonraceway.com/scc or contact Denise Silver at dsilver@infineonraceway.com or 707-933-3950.

In most states riding 50cc motorcycles don’t require a driver’s license. This little Garelli then would be the dream of any 14-year-old, especially considering this little six-speed puppy could reach 120 miles per hour! This is Garelli’s 1983 50cc Grand Prix entry. That proved to be the final year of the class and the company finished second in the 50cc GP standings that year with rider Eugenio Lazzarini. Without its fairing you can clearly see the Girelli’s monocoque frame. The entire machine weighed just 124 lbs. Its tiny 50cc liquid-cooled motor was a marvel, running a 15:1 compression ratio, spinning at 15,500 rpm and producing 19 horsepower. Think about that for a moment. That’s 380 horsepower per liter!

The 1983 Garelli 50cc Grand Prix bike sans fairing.

(NEWS RELEASE)

AMA Pro Superbike racer Chris Ulrich set a new record during the seventh-annual Roadracing World Action Fund fund-raising event held this past weekend, November 26-27, at Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, California.

AMA Pro Superbike racer Chris Ulrich set a new record during the seventh-annual Roadracing World Action Fund fund-raising event held this past weekend, November 26-27, at Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, California.

Ulrich treated 56 Roadracing World Action Fund donors to multi-lap rides around the track’s 2.3-mile, 21-turn infield road course on his 185-horsepower M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000 two-seat AMA Pro Superbike. Ulrich turned 184 laps and covered 423.2 miles with passengers, and raised a new event record total of $4815. The old record, set in 2010, was $3750 raised via 51 rides.

“It was a good two days, a lot of laps, a lot of rides and I really appreciate everyone coming out. To have an event that successful in this economy was really good,” said Ulrich. “We’ve been promoting the event for the last seven years, and I think we did a good job of promoting it this year. It shows how much it has caught on and how much people understand how important safety is for track day riders and racers. It’s a great thing.”

As in 2010, Lucas Oil was a major contributor during this year’s fundraiser, donating $2000 so Lucas employees and dealers could take rides with Ulrich and get a better understanding of motorcycle road racing. “Big thanks to Lucas Oil for their continued support of our fundraising efforts and our sport, in general,” said Ulrich.

The record-breaking fundraiser was also made possible courtesy of Dunlop donating several sets of new U.S.-made KR448F and KR449 slicks. Just two fronts and three rears provided more than enough grip and durability for the 56 two-up rides around the track. “It’s impressive to see that kind of technology come out of America in a tire that’s come a long way in a short amount of time,” said Ulrich. “They definitely passed the durability test, and they were fast the whole time.”

Fastrack Riders (http://fastrackriders.com) supplied track time, riding gear and support staff for the event. Fastrack Riders Manager David Shaverdi donated to the Fund and went for a ride with Ulrich, as he has in the past, and the pairing came away with a new record two-up lap time (with the Turn 11/12 chicane in place) of 1:38.95.

Just behind Shaverdi on the two-up lap time sheet was Crystal Anthony, the wife of AMA Pro Superbike racer David “Aussie Dave” Anthony, who did a lap at 1:39.1 and reached 165 mph while riding with Ulrich. “It was the most fun I’ve had in a really long time,” said Crystal Anthony, who got the ride as a surprise gift from her husband. “Oh my gosh! So fast. It gives me a new, I’m not sure of the words, respect or understanding for what they’re actually doing out there. Sometimes I think, ‘Why aren’t you going faster? What’s the big deal if you’re a little tired?’ But now, oh my gosh! Now I’m going to be like, ‘Get some rest! Eat some food!’ It puts it into a new perspective. I had some understanding, but it’s different going out there and doing it.”

Over the last seven years Ulrich has raised a total of $17,315 giving two-up rides on a Superbike at Fontana. That’s in addition to raising awareness of motorcycle road racing by giving newspaper, television and radio reporters two-up rides prior to AMA Pro National weekends, the two-seat Superbike’s primary mission.

For more information on the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which advocates and promotes the use of soft barriers to help prevent rider injuries at racetracks, go to http://actionfund.roadracingworld.com/.