Etc.
etc.
CRUISY GUZZI
A resurgent Moto Guzzi has subjected its California cruiser to an excellent makeover. Though the bike is offered overseas in Classic, Touring and Vintage trim, only the latter, which is arguably the coolest, will be sold stateside. For $14,490, you get a richly finished machine with glossy, pinstriped paint, a windshield and saddlebags, all meant to evoke memories of the 1970s Eldorado. The Euro-only Classic, meanwhile, is a stripped-down version, while the Touring adds big bags and a fairing reminiscent of the one found on the discontinued Harley-Davidson Dyna TSport. Expect the Cali Vintage to reach dealerships this September.
WRITE AID
Energy-drink-maker Red Bull has established the Chris Economaki Aspiring Journalist Award, a program intended to help young journalists who are pursuing a career in motorsports. Applicants must be 13-22 years old, enrolled in high school or college, and submit a motorsports-themed report that’s been published or broadcast by an accredited media outlet. Deadline for entries is December 8, 2006. The winner will meet the iconic Economaki and be eligible for an internship at a participating media outlet. For more information, visit www.maxim-online, com/eaja.
ANGER MANAGEMENT
Traffic will not be an issue getting into and out of the July 21 -23 U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, claims track operator SCRAMP Plans call for fewer four-wheeled vehicles to be allowed into the facility, with spectators shuttled from free off-site parking to the track via buses. Further, expect a motorcycle-only entrance, as well as increased staffing and directional signage. “We hope this will encourage even more of our avid motorcycle fan base to ride to the GR” said Gil Campbell, track CEO and GM. Tickets and more information are available at www.redbullusagrandprix.com.
DIRT TRACK DELIVERED
Laptop-toting fans of the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship can now watch the races live and in high definition from virtually anywhere in the world. To register, log onto www. flattrack.com and click on “Live 1 Sports.” Cost is $5 per race. The first scheduled event is the May 27-28 double-header from Springfield, Illinois.
LET THERE BE LIBERTY
Liberty Motorsports Park, an 810acre motorsports country club located 25 miles north of Houston, Texas, has announced its intentions to host an AMA Superbike national, even though ground has yet to be broken on the 3-mile, 20turn roadcourse. “It is the goal of everyone involved in the project to host an AMA event and I believe we have a great opportunity to make this happen,” said Marcus McBain, VP of LMP For additional information, log on to www.liberty motorsportspark. com.
COMPETITION ONLY SS1000
How to capitalize on the increasing popularity of track days and sell a few more examples of a model that, to be honest, isn’t setting any sales records? If you’re Ducati, you roll out the $7995 Supersport 1000, a Europeanspec, limited-production, lights-and-mirror-free version of the Dual Spark V-Twin-powered Supersport 1000. Because the bodywork, painted either red or yellow, is stock, there are holes where the headand taillight and turnsignals would normally reside. Also, the lower portion of the fairing is not enclosed to form an oil-catch basin, as required by most roadracing organizations.
On the upside, a racing license is not a prerequisite for the purchase of the bike, of which just 30 examples will be imported.
