PASTRANA JOINS PARTS UNLIMITED/THOR TEAM!

e’s been seen everywhere from the jump ramps of the X-Games to the podiums of stadiums across the world, from rally cars in the Caribbean to Porsche Supercup cars at Indy, and all over television screens from NBC to ESPN to MTV—not to mention the occasional foam pit.

But the next time you see phenom-motocrosser turned cross-segment media superstar Travis Pastrana on a motorcycle or at the racetrack, he’ll be wearing THOR Racewear.
With a high profile string of freestyle wins and titles that stretches all the way back to his days as a multi-time amateur national champion, Pastrana is perhaps the single most visible motocross personality in the world. The fan favorite and former 125 class national motocross title holder will compete in a selected schedule of high-profile events in 2004, including—but probably not limited to—Supercross, Motocross, Supermoto, and Freestyle.

“We’re very pleased to have Travis flying our colors,” said THOR parent company Parts Unlimited CEO Jeff Fox of the two-year exclusive agreement. “We’ve always forged relationships with the top talents in all segments of the sport, from Kenny Roberts right through Jeremy McGrath. We see Travis in that mold—both in terms of the extraordinary ability to go faster than humanly possible in nearly any circumstance, and in having a larger than life personality that makes him a crowd favorite.”

While recuperating from the aches and pains that accompany his full-throttle lifestyle, Pastrana will appear to greet fans and sign autographs at the THOR team truck in conjunction with Parts Unlimited hospitality functions during upcoming Supercross events.

“Some have questioned whether Travis, with some injuries in the past season, can make a full return to racing,” Fox added. “We think it’s a little early to write off the enormous talents of a young man who just turned 20 years old. We’re excited to support Travis in almost any endeavor, no matter what crazy idea he gets next.”


Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ivan Tedesco thrilled Kawasaki fans everywhere with his memorable debut of the all-new Kawasaki KX250F at the opening round of the 2004 AMA Supercross season. Ivan won both his heat race and the 125 main event at Anaheim I in January.


Josh Demuth, the reigning AMA Arenacross champion, continues to be the man to beat in the 2003/2004 series. Through the first week of January, Demuth led the national point standings on his Team Shogun Yamaha YZ250.

Metzeler Unveils The Roadtec Z6
Metzeler unveiled the Roadtec Z6, the successor to its fabled MEZ4 tire at a press introduction in Ojai, California, in early November. During the two-day event, riders had the opportunity to ride throughout the Ojai area on bikes fitted with the new sport-performance tires. In addition to technical presentations, riders enjoyed lots of bike time, including a three-hour street and backroads ride to scenic Los Olivos. For specifics on these all-new sport tourer tires.


Metzeler’s ad man Rick Menapace (middle in blue shirt) explains the ride route to the attending members of the media at the Metzeler Roadtec Z6 press intro.


Parts Magazine publisher Don Emde’s mount for the Metzeler Roadtec Z6 intro was an Aprilia Tuono.

 

KTM INTRODUCES SUPERMOTO MODELS 2004 KTM 450 SMR.

KTM North America has announced a new series of motorcycles specifically for use in the growing sport of Supermoto competition. Added to its 2004 lineup is a 450cc, 525cc and 625cc SMC model, plus 450cc, 525cc SMR racing replica models. The 660cc SMS Factory Replica model will be available by special order only.

Recognizing that owners may have other motorcycling interests, KTM is throwing in a set of motocross wheels, tires and brakes with the SMC 450 and 525 models so that the machines can be quickly converted for regular off-road use.

Parts Unlimited/THOR U.S. Dealers Challenge

The first annual Parts Unlimited/THOR U.S. Dealers Challenge took place Oct. 24-26 at Three Palms Motocross Park in Conroe, Texas. Despite the adverse conditions, the event was still a ton of fun. The rains hit on Saturday, which was followed up by cold and wind on Sunday.


Parts Unlimited Sales Rep Larry Hughes (#118) gets the holeshot in the “Industry Class.”


Jarret Hughes, #118, son of Parts Unlimited Sales Rep Larry Hughes, gets the holeshot in the 250 D class.

This race had a different twist to it than a normal motocross event. There were all of the regular classes, from beginners to experts and minibikes to the Over-40 class. The difference was that dealers could put up to five riders that they sponsor on a team sheet and, based on how those riders did in their class, they got points for their team. There were two categories of teams: Dealer Teams that competed for cash and Trophy Teams that competed for trophies. A total of 40 teams were entered in the Dealer Division and 10 teams were entered in the Trophy Division. Most of the teams were from Texas, but there were teams that came from as far away as North Carolina to compete for the title of U.S. Dealers Champion.


U.S. Dealers Championship Team EBR Performance poses with their Championship trophy. In front is Andrew Pierce. In back, from left is Michael Royal, Charles Castloo, Blake Cochran, EBR Owner Josh Rogers and Jarret Hughes.
Photos by Awesome Shots

 

The top three Dealer Teams were: EBC Performance (1), Pro Works Racing (2) and Stubbs Cycles (3). The top three Trophy Teams were: Harold’s Auto Machine (1), Pro Works Boys (2), and Gas Brothers Racing (3).

Contingencies played a big role in the prizes for riders in their individual classes. Several Parts Unlimited vendors participated as a contingency sponsor, including THOR, Pirelli, FMF, Moose, Uni, Pro Circuit, Alpinestars, DP Brakes, Renthal, PJ1, Wiseco, Acerbis, Scott and NGK.

Jim Matchette takes the handlebars (and the rest of the product line) at Drag Specialties

Previously Dealer Development Manager for both Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties, Jim Machette has accepted the station as National Sales Manager for Drag Specialties effective February 1, 2004.

A member of the LeMans Corporation team since 1995, he began his tenure as Parts Unlimited road rep for the Southeast United States in Florida before moving up to the Janesville corporate headquarters where he initially took on the tasks of Dealer Development. Matchette later served as Northeastern Regional Sales Manager before again turning his focus to the always expanding dealer network for Parts and Drag.

“I’m very gratified to be offered the opportunity to take on this new role with new responsibilities,” Matchette said of his new appointment. “In my years with LeMans I’ve had the pleasure of watching Drag Specialties grow into the number one distributor of V-twin accessories and hard parts, and I look forward to working with Drag’s managers, regional reps, and dealers to take the entire product line and brand to even higher levels and greater successes.”

Look for more information regarding Matchette’s ideas, goals, and plans in next month’s Drag Specialties magazine.

REED WINS OPENER.


It was a very happy New Year indeed for Chad Reed (#22) who won Round One of the AMA THQ Supercross at Edison Field in Anaheim, California, on January 3. Reed went on to take second at Round Two in Phoenix, Arizona.