ollowing three consecutive races ending in last lap frustration, Jake Zemke of the Parts Unlimited-sponsored Erion Honda team finally held on to claim his first victory of the 2004 season at the recent Formula Xtreme race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.
     The Californian found himself in a familiar position down the stretch on the final lap — leading with Miguel Duhamel right behind. Zemke strung together a stellar last circuit, providing the hounding Canadian no opportunity to strike this time. At the line he held off the American Honda pilot by just .159 seconds to end both his streak of last lap misfortune and Duhamel’s perfect start to the season.
     When asked if he was worried about a repeat of his recent disappointments, Zemke laughed and said, “Yeah. Once I got up to the lead, I tried to put my head down and pick up the pace a little bit. I kept seeing ‘+zero,’ but I wanted to see if my guys were being a little generous; I had a couple looks over my shoulder and Miguel was hanging right there like I figured he would be. Coming into those last couple laps I knew it was going to be tough. I would definitely have to hit my marks and do everything just right to beat Miguel.”
     After four of eleven rounds of the 2004 Formula Xtreme schedule, Duhamel held an eleven-point advantage over Zemke (143 vs. 132).

onder Warthog Racing (WWR) has announced its Privateer Support Program for the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship Series. This program will differ from their successful Supercross Series program by rewarding those individual riders who show the most marked improvement from one week to the next.
     WWR’s program will include the “Road 2 Recovery/Team Warthog Most Improved 125 Privateer of the Week” and “Supercross: The Movie/Team Warthog Most Improved 250 Privateer of the Week” awards at Round 2 of the outdoor series, held at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, PA.
     These programs will reward the privateer rider in each class that most significantly betters his overall finish from the previous week with a check for $500. Certain restrictions apply.
     WWR expressed its thanks to Bob Moore and Bob Walker of Road 2 Recovery and Steve Austin, producer of “Supercross: The Movie” for their generous cash contributions to Team Warthog’s ongoing series of programs designed to benefit the privateers.
     In a related announcement, Team Warthog said that The Primm Collection has donated what is believed to be the last Yamaha owned by Bob Hannah as a prize to be raffled off during the AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship Series. The bike is a 1982 YZ490 and contains no known works parts. It does include documentation signed by The Hurricane himself attesting to the bike’s authenticity.
     Team Warthog will have a booth at each National manned by volunteers selling $10.00 raffle tickets for entry into the drawing, to be held at the series’ final round, September 12, 2004, at Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, CA. Look for the life-sized, stand-up model of the yellow and black Yamaha with the flying hog on the tank and for ten bucks you might end up with a bike that Hannah’s probably crashed on half a dozen times!
     Wonder Warthog Racing (WWR) is a unique company formed to better the sport of motocross. WWR is comprised of two distinct entities: Team Warthog, created to conceptualize, fund and execute meaningful programs aimed directly at the privateers; and Wonder Warthog Apparel, which will sell casual clothes to the mass market based on the Wonder Warthog comic book character, with a portion of the revenues earmarked for Team Warthog funding.
     For more information go to www.wonderwarthogracing.com.

fter 37 years with Yamaha Motor Corporation, Jim Gentz, president of Yamaha Motorsports Group has announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2004.
     As Motorsports Group President, Gentz has overseen nearly a decade of sales increases and steady market share growth in Yamaha motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile, generator and accessories business.
Commenting on his retirement plans, Gentz said, effective July 1, 2004, “I will become an active ‘Yamaha test rider’ using all the exciting products we have had so much fun developing and selling.”

MA Pro Racing has announced that ESPN2 will devote 24 hours of original programming to the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship.
     All of ESPN2’s coverage of the series will be shown within one week of the race, on desirable weekend timeslots with at least one re-air of each telecast. One-hour shows will be devoted to 125- and 250-class action, which are set to be aired back-to-back.
     Check ESPN2’s TV listings for the most accurate and up to date schedule, All times Eastern. For immediate post-race results, points, live transponder scoring, in-depth series and rider information, regular columnists and much more, log onto www.USMotocross.com.

P Brakes has totally redesigned and updated its website. In addition to completely new graphics and increased ease of navigation, the new website includes a comprehensive brake pad fitment guide for motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles; a growing clutch and clutch kit fitment guide for motorcycles and ATVs and more.
     Check it out at: www.dp-brakes.com.

ive-time AMA/Prostar Top Fuel champion Larry “Spiderman” McBride recorded the quickest quarter-mile dragbike pass of all time with a stunning run of 5.876 seconds at 244 mph at the Lucas Oil Spring Nationals from Richmond, VA, May 1st-2nd.
     “It was one of the most unbelievable rides I ever had. It was awesome,” McBride said. “It felt nice and smooth. When I crossed the finish line I knew it was a five-second run but I had no idea it was a record. I knew I was going over 240. It wasn’t until after the run that I realized, wow that was scary fast.”
In round-one of eliminations McBride defeated Jay Turner with an impressive 5.99, marking the third straight year McBride has hit the five-second zone in Richmond. “For some reason our bike just loves Virginia Motor Sports Park,” McBride said. “My hat is off to the entire crew there for giving us an awesome racetrack.”
     McBride’s incredible performances were viewed by his friends, family, and sponsors from his catered track suite in the timing tower. “The best part of the weekend was having everyone there,” McBride said. “It was like a family reunion. I’m glad we were able to put on a good show.”
     McBride attributed much of the performance to his new state-of-the-art cylinder head from Vance and Hines. “Our new Vance and Hines motor combinations were running great,” McBride said. “We’ve spent a lot of time searching for performance. With this new set-up there is potential to go even quicker.” As McBride lined up with Chris Hand for the Top Fuel final, a heavy rain storm moved in and unfortunately the race was postponed. “We were ready to run that next round,” McBride said. “I think we could have backed it up.”
     McBride thanked Pingel Enterprise, Trim-Tex Drywall Products, Drag Specialties-Parts Unlimited, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation as well as his other sponsors: Vance & Hines Motorsports, Muzzys Performance, Web-Cam, Kibblewhite Precision Machine, Vanson Leathers, Performance Machine, Kawasaki USA, Belt Drives Ltd, Street & Competition, Trac Dynamics, Simpson Race Products, Nitrous Express, APE, EK Chain, Arias Pistons, R&D Spring Corp, Autolite, MSD, Protect ALL, Whipple Industries, Cometic Gaskets, B&J Transmission, Carolina Cycle, L.A. Sleeve, PJ1 Nology Engineering, Mickey Thompson Tires, Corbin Seats, Stark Masonry and Valco.

n its fourth straight year, the Amateur Arenacross World Finals is once again set to return to Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena this October 10, 2004. The finals, which run in conjunction with the Maxxis U.S. Open, will determine a world amateur champion in each of the sixteen arenacross classes.
     Each arenacross event around the United States features a full amateur format with classes for all ages and racing levels. The amateur arenacross season began last November and continued on through the end of March. Riders competed in one of six different regions and in sixteen different classes ranging from “50cc 4-6 Years” class to the “Over 40” class. Nearly three hundred amateurs who have qualified will make the journey to Las Vegas to compete for the championship in their respective classes.
     Qualifying was held in the six different regions that ran in conjunction with the National and Regional Arenacross Series events. The top three qualifiers in the sixteen classes in each region have earned the right to race in Las Vegas for their chance to be crowned “World Champion.” Amateur Arenacross World Finals attracts riders from 37 states and eight Canadian provinces. The strength of this event in its fourth season has made it a mainstay at the Maxxis U.S. Open.
     Tickets for this year’s event can be purchased online at www.ussx.com, through the MGM Grand box office or by calling Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000.

he Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, in conjunction with Cycle World, has announced the winner of the fourth annual Cycle World/Ride for Kids® motorcycle raffle. Bill Searcy of Evergreen, Colorado received a phone call from the Foundation’s President, Mike Traynor, congratulating him for winning this year’s prize: a Norton 952 Commando donated by Kenny Dreer and his team at Norton Motorsports.- Dreer commented, “I have been personally gratified by the opportunity to participate with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in raising money to help in the research and hopeful cure of such a debilitating disease. Childhood is all about innocence and imagination, and what lies ahead for the future. I sincerely hope that the contribution of a new Norton Motorcycle has raised not only money, but awareness to the seriousness of this cause.”
     This year’s Cycle World/Ride for Kids® motorcycle raffle raised $68,220 to support pediatric brain tumor research. For more information about Ride for Kids® or the PBTF, please call 1-800-253-6530 or visit the Foundation’s websites at www.rideforkids.org or www.pbtfus.org.

lear Channel Entertainment’s Motor Sports division and Tag Entertainment started filming for “Supercross the Movie” from Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium during the THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series finals.
     “Supercross the Movie,” starring Daryl Hannah, Sophia Bush, Steve Howey, Mike Vogel and Cameron Richardson, used supercross racers David Pingree, Tyler Evans, Rich Taylor and Dave Castillo as stunt doubles during the afternoon practice session for the THQ World Supercross GP/THQ AMA Supercross Series finals.
     When producer Steve Austin and director Steve Boyum began working on this project two years ago, they agreed to focus heavily on the authenticity of the ‘real’ world of supercross racing. To date, this is the closest affinity that the sport of supercross has had to Hollywood.
     “From the moment we started working on this movie, we have been in constant touch with the motocross industry,” said Austin. “Our goal in making this movie is to bring the world of supercross racing to a vast audience with a major concentration on appeasing the hard-core fans. If we don’t impress the motocross enthusiasts with the movie, we have failed.”
     “Supercross the Movie” will be a wide summer release in June 2005 from 20th Century Fox. In addition to Clear Channel Motorsports, Parts Unlimited and American Honda have signed on as partners in the project.

If Team Nami looks pretty authentic, you’re right. Some real-life motocross riders entered the races, allowing the producers to capture footage for the movie under 100% live action.

unlop Motorcycle Tires recently debuted its new “Dunlop Flying D” custom-built truck that will provide staff and logistical support at national motorcycle rallies and select motorcycle events.
     “The Dunlop Flying D will serve as our operations base at rallies and special events,” said Dunlop Vice President Mike Buckley. “It also allows us to bring more tires and equipment to bolster the efforts of our Dunlop Rally Support Team and Dunlop Tire Check Crew at each event. This is one more example of Dunlop’s dedication to supporting our customers doing what they love to do, riding motorcycles,” he said,
     The new three-axle rig sports Dunlop’s Flying D logo, and murals of 2003 National champions Grant Langston, Ricky Carmichael, Jamie Hacking and Mat Mladin. It also features:

• An expandable, fully-equipped office that provides on-site support for Dunlop event staff.
• A well-stocked garage, including tire and motorcycle storage.
• A full-sized rear ramp/lift that permits effortless loading and unloading of motorcycles and equipment.
• A side-mounted, top-supported awning.
• Two plasma-screen monitors showing useful tire tips and technical information.

Watch for the Dunlop Flying D at Americade, Honda Hoot, Wing Ding, Honda Homecoming, Sturgis, Biketoberfest and other events.

Here’s a fun display showing an ICON-outfitted mannequin in good form at Long Island Cycle & Marine in Bayshore, NY. Photo by Dwight Covell.

Watch out Chad! Mathew Covell, son of Parts sales rep Dwight is training to take over Supercross in a couple of years.

Thanks to Eddie Roberts of Pirelli Tires, 17-year-old American racer Nicky Moore will be doing a couple of races in the Supersport class of the British Superbike Series this year. The British ViTrans TKR Honda team needed a rider to fill in for a few races and Roberts was able to arrange the seat for Moore.

As mentioned in the April/May issue of Parts Magazine, our Yamaha YZ450 Supermoto Project Bike will be an on-going story. The machine has been raced this year by Freestyle star Trevor Vines in the California-based STTARS series. Watch for our first update of the story in the August/September issue.