Etc.

ETC.

SUPERBIKE SCHOOL CALLS IT QUITS

After 13 seasons and more than 25,000 students, the California Superbike School has closed its doors.

“Basically, I went from being an instructor to a full-time businessman,” said Keith Code, the school’s founder. “I feel that we accomplished our mission, but I just don’t want to be a businessman anymore.”

Code added that one-on-one teaching and writing books will now take up much of his time. He said, "I’m shifting my focus to spending most of my time developing riding technology. That’s really what I love to do.”

YAMAHA ANNOUNCES SECA II SERIES

Amateur roadracers aboard Yamaha Seca Ils will be eligible for more than $50,000 in contingency awards this year. The Seca II Challenge Series will consist of 12 regional events-six AMA/CCS sprints and six WERA-sanctioned races-with the top riders receiving $1000 for first-, $750 for second-, $500 for third-, $250 for fourth-, and $100 for fifth-place finishes. The top three finishers in each regional will be invited to a Seca II race at the WERA Grand National Final. The winner of that event will be awarded $5000. Contact your local Yamaha dealer for additional information.

LOOKING FOR A RACE REP

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia has begun a search for an American distributor of its RSV250R and RSR125R roadrace bikes. If you’re interested in getting into the motorcycle business with Aprilia’s jewel-like machines, write Bill Berroth of Acerbis USA (9402A, Wheatlands Court, Santee, CA 92071; 619/562-1440), who is assisting Aprilia in its search for a U.S. foothold.

KAWASAKI BACKS WARD RACECAR

The car-racing career of former motocross champion Jeff Ward recently got a boost of massive proportions. That came when Kawasaki Motors Corp. decided to serve as Wardy’s primary sponsor for the 1993 season. Ward will pilot a Buick-Lola in the 12-race Firestone Indy Lights series, intended as a stepping stone to Indycar racing. Jodie Munden, Kawasaki’s public relations manager, declined to name the amount of Kawasaki’s sponsorship. “It’s a very significant dollar amount,” he said.

EURO-SCRIBE SCORES AGAIN

Alan Cathcart, Cycle World’s European Editor, not only is a talented writer and reporter, he’s also an extremely good roadracer who has successfully campaigned a Bimota Tesi in international Battle of the Twins events. In recognition of his success aboard the Tesi last season, the British Guild of Motoring Writers recently presented Cathcart with the Rootes Gold Cup, awarded annually to the automotive or motorcycling journalist judged to have accomplished the most outstanding achievement in motorsports.

THE GAUNTLET, HARLEY-STYLE

Who is riding around on the fastest Harley-Davidson streetbike in the USA? That is precisely the question an event called FLASH Race is intended to answer. The FLASH (Fastest Legal All Street Harley) Race will take place on a one-eighth-mile dragstrip August 11 at the Sturgis, South Dakota, Dragway as part of the annual Black Hills Motorcycle Classic festivities. Overall winner gets $3000. Any bike not completely street-legal and street-practical need not apply, the organizers say.