Etc.

etc.

MIKE THE BIKE ON THE BLOCK

Mike Hailwood memorabilia recently went under the gavel in England. Jewel of the auction was the late, great roadracer’s RC173 Four, ridden to the 350cc World Championship in 1966. It fetched $250,000, despite a lack of engine internals-which shouldn’t be a problem as Honda Japan is the rumored buyer. Included in the lots (put up for sale by Hailwood’s widow Pauline) were his Isle of Man trophies, sets of leathers and various other trinkets. Total take was more than $500,000.

CZ DEAD, JAWA NEXT?

News out of the Czech Republic is not good. CZ, once a dominant force in the world motocross scene, is about to go under, maybe for good. In financial straits for years, the company had hoped that a 1991 linkup with Cagiva would provide the bail-out it needed, but the Italian company ran into money woes of its own. CW contributor Pavel Husak reports that as of December 31,1997, CZ, faced with increasing debts, was forced into liquidation. Jawa isn’t doing much better. Sales of its creaky old twostrokes are slow, compelling a twothirds cut in the workforce. Remaining employees have been reduced to turning out the Butterfly 125, a mini-chopper powered by a four-stroke engine sourced from Honda.

WILLIE G. AN HONOREE

The Motor Company’s own Willie G. Davidson has been awarded Motor Cycle News’ Lifetime Achievement Award. In bestowing the honor, the British tabloid called Davidson “one of the motorcycle industry’s greatest assets.”

BEST OF BRITISH

The San Diego Automotive Museum, always motorcycle-aware, has included 15 bikes in its current “The Best of the British” feature exhibit. Alongside such rarities as a leather-bodied(l) 1925 Bentley Red Label Speed Model, museumgoers can take in everything from Brough Superiors to Don Emde’s 1972 BSA flat-tracker. Better hurry, though, the show closes March 15th. For additional information, phone 619/231-2886.

VICTORY AT DAYTONA

Winning the Daytona 200 isn’t the only way to take a Victory lap at Bike Week this year, thanks to Polaris. The manufacturer is offering demo rides on its new Victory V92C cruiser March 4-7. Starting from Daytona International Speedway, the 20minute rides are restricted to those over 18, with a current motorcycle driver’s license.

BIKES IN TOYLAND

FamilyFun magazine recently announced its annual Toy of the Year Awards, one of which went to Peg Perego’s battery-operated Traffic Police motorcycle (see the company’s Bandolero in May, 1997’s New Ideas). More than 380 toys were eligible for the awards, which were selected after being played with and voted upon by more than 500 children. According to the magazine’s evaluations, “Testers were impressed by the Traffic Police’s look and feel, to the point where we almost needed a real cop to settle who got to ride next.”

PONY EXPRESS TOUR '98

Here’s your chance to be a Pony Express rider and further the fight against breast cancer, number-one killer of women between the ages of 35 and 54. Organized by the Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation, the tour commences on June 20 from the original Pony Express stables in St. Joseph, Missouri, then winds its way through 44 states and 52 major metropolitan areas before reaching Dallas, Texas, on August 16. The 15,000-mile trek is broken into 150 legs, with riders pledging to raise between $250 and $1000 for each leg ridden. Some 700 motorcyclists participated in Pony Express Tour ’97, raising a total of $317,500. Interested? The WMF can be reached at 7 Lent Ave., LeRoy, NY 144821009; 716/768-6054, or try the tour’s website: www.cybercyclemag. com/ponyexpress98.