Etc.

etc.

TT CANCELED

Foot and mouth disease has claimed another victim: the annual Isle of Man TT. According to Isle Chief Minister Donald Gelling, the decision was difficult and required “sober and careful consideration of the facts.” He added that the TT is “the single most important component of the island’s tourist year, but the stakes are just too high.” Despite cancellation of the racing, the Isle of Man Post Office went ahead with plans to release its Joey Dunlop stamp series. To view the stamps, go to www.gov.im/stamps.

’02 HARLEYS EXPOSED

Harley-Davidson’s new water-pumper is still under wraps. As for the existing range, it’s mostly detail changes for 2002. Except for the FL tourers:

Stifter swingarms, larger-diameter rear axles, retuned engine mounts and firmed-up suspension make for more rigid chassis. On the Buell front, the White Lighting is back, now with blue headpipes to play off its white bodywork and frame.

GLOBAL GO-ROUND

What does motorcycling’s future hold? That’s what attendees asked at the Third International Riders’ Public Policy Conference held this past spring at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. Organized by AMA President Robert Rasor, the three-day symposium featured speakers from around the world. Atop everyone’s list was the subject of global vehicle regulations. “What that means to a company like Harley-Davidson is that the 24 different motorcycle models we manufacture could be manufactured in one configuration, not the current eight,” said Tim Hoelter, H-D’s VP of government affairs. FEMA’s Robert Tomlins cautioned conference participants to remain involved, to ensure that the “globally harmonized bike will be a bike that we still want to buy and ride.”

GNCC ON TV

Apparently, NASCAR isn’t the only form of motorsports that Fox Sports finds fascinating. The cable-television heavyweight will broadcast the AMA Grand National Cross Country Series beginning with the first round from Kirton Ranch in Okeechobee, Florida. Veteran commentator Larry Maiers will host the hour-long shows, with former national off-road champ Mark Hyde as expert analyst.

GAS GAS TO GO GO

Gas Gas’s four-stroke SM400FSE doesn’t officially exist-at least not as far as U.S. importer Gas North America is con-

cerned. But the pavement-going version of the Spanish bike-maker’s yet-unreleased dirt Thumper is too cool to simply brush aside. Wearing an oversized front brake and wide radial rubber, the Öhlins-suspended machine would be just the ticket for tackling the tightest of twisties. Learn more at www.gasgasmotos.es.

RACE WITH RICKEY

Hey, straightliner, wanna learn how to go really fast? Then Rickey Gadson is your man. The three-time AMA Prostar dragracing champ’s Sport Bike Drag Racing School uses Supersport-spec 2001 Kawasaki ZX-6Rs, and its curriculum includes clutch and throttle control, safety, staging and tuning tips. School completion earns participants a Prostar Sportsman Bike license. For dates and locations, call 800/485-4746, or log on to www.rickeygadson.com.