 fter
several near misses leading to a string of second-step podium
appearances, Superbike rookie Jake Zemke finally scored his first
career AMA Superbike victory following a classic battle at the
Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, MN.
In Zemke’s inaugural year in the AMA Chevrolet
Superbike Series he has managed nine podium finishes so far this rookie
season. Zemke raced to his first Superbike win in front of a
cheering throng of Parts Unlimited personnel.
With BIR located just a “short” six-hour
drive from the Janesville, WI, home offices, a large group headed by Jeff
Fox, Parts Unlimited V.P. Greg Blackwell and National Sales Manager
Lou Lopez met up with hundreds of area dealers to partake of
the generous spread of food and drink under the big tri-color
canopies of the Parts Unlimited hospitality area. The gathering
that watched Zemke battle to the last lap at BIR was able to
celebrate what will likely be only the first of many wins for
the Parts Unlimited-backed Erion Honda rider.
“Much as we did at Road America, where Jake just missed
getting his first win, we had a great group of dealers on hand
for the races. And as it turned out, they couldn’t have
seen a better show or a better ending,” said Blackwell. “It’s
always gratifying to have all of our hard work—both in
building a winning dealer network and in building winning race
programs—come together at once in the same time and place.
We’ve won races this year with Eric Bostrom and now with
Jake here. Everywhere we go our riders from different teams are
in the mix, and our dealers have a place to meet and eat at all
of the Superbike Nationals that we help to sponsor. There’s
still several stops left, and we’re looking forward to
having more of our customers come out to enjoy the races with
us.”
Following a multi-bike skirmish that featured four different
leaders and lasted well past half distance, the works of Hondas
of Zemke and Miguel DuHamel finally separated themselves at the
front; the two outracing a battle for the final podium position
between Parts Unlimited-backed Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom
and defending champion Mat Mladin.
The
men behind the winner’s machine:
Parts Unlimited chief
Jeff Fox and Erion founder Kevin Erion.
The Erion Honda pilot took the checkered flag to
earn his first ever Superbike victory at the same circuit he also grabbed his
first Supersport and Formula Xtreme wins.
“Brainerd’s a pretty special place for me,” Zemke
said. “I won my first Formula Xtreme race here, I won my
first 600 race here, and now I’ve won my first Superbike
race here.”
With his impressive finishes so far this season,
Zemke continues to challenge any claim to the Superbike title. Sitting a mere
ten points below leader Mladin, and four below teammate and
second placed Duhamel after the points from the Brainerd round
were tallied, Zeke could easily overtake one of the top two
positions. With seven races left in the series following the
Brainerd round, the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Series title remained
decidedly undecided.
Alan Rutherford, point man for Parts Unlimited hospitality
at road race events, gets the party started by breaking bread
with Speed television “Two-Wheeled Tuesday” host
Greg White and Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin racing manager
Tom Bodenbach.
A winning hand? Eventual race winner Jake Zemke isn’t playing
poker—he’s just enjoying a quick lunch in the Parts
paddock shortly before nailing down an even quicker pole position
in Saturday qualifying. Jeff Fox, Ohlins specialist Chris Jensen,
V.P. Greg Blackwell and daughter Nicole offer encouragement.
 undreds
of Parts Unlimited dealers flocked to the outdoor opener of
the motocross season, and while they enjoyed their lunch
in the shade and grandstands of the dedicated Parts hospitality
area the large gathering also reveled in cheering on the
many Thor-clad riders who played a prominent role in the
36th Annual Hangtown Classic.
“We had a great turnout for both our dealer showcase the
night before the race and at our hospitality area during the
event. I understand that it was a record crowd, and we couldn’t
have been happier that a big portion of that turnout was in our
dealer area,” said Parts Unlimited’s Lou Lopez. “WE
SUPPORT THE SPORT®, and with the performance of our riders
on the track and the enthusiasm of our people in the pits and
in the crowd, we’re really looking forward to seeing this
season unfold across the country.”
For more information on upcoming Parts Unlimited
hospitality events at AMA outdoor motocross races, GNCC and WORCs and other
off-road events, AMA Superbike weekends, or Formula USA and WERA
roadracing events in addition to many other major events and
series sponsored by Parts Unlimited, ask your sales rep or call
608-758-1111.
Only
a sampling of the Parts Unlimited personnel on hand for Hangtown:
From left to right: National Sales Manager Lou Lopez, Motorsports
Manager Hylton Beattie, Thor CEO Bob Maynard, a representative
from Braking U.S.A, Product Specialist Marty Hummel and Moose’s
Gary Gibbs.
Signage is good, and participation is even better.
Can you find yourself in this picture? Can you find Parts Unlimited
chief Jeff Fox? Attend an event near you, and enjoy the effort
that the world’s largest parts distributor puts into
providing the best event hospitality anywhere.
Watercraft legend Victor Sheldon is resplendent in the latest
Thor finery while waiting for his chance to sample the Hangtwon
circuit. Sheldon finished second overall among a field of world-class
alternative sports athletes during an intermission race.
Pro Circuit and Renthal specialist Rob Buydos wasn’t out
of uniform at the outdoor opener. “Rocket Rob” is
performing dual duties, sharing the announcing chores with Tim
Cotter at the outdoor national events. Here, Buydos is talking
with Thor’s Chad Reed after a stellar podium finish.
The staff at Moose Racing is proud to introduce the newest addition
to their family. This new factory hauler is already on the road
attending selected Parts Unlimited Showcases and events. You
can also see the big rig supporting their entire racing effort
from GNCC to Parts Unlimited OMA Nationals to selected local
events. It’s just another example of how Parts Unlimited “Supports
the Sport.”
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 t
was business as usual for Pascal Picotte in Sunday’s
third round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship
at Race City Motorsport Park in Calgary. The Granby, QC
rider was last year’s champion and won the Saturday,
July 3 race handily, so his flag-to-flag victory at the
Sunday, July 4 race on his Team Yamaha/Picotte Performance
Yamaha YZF-R1 wasn’t entirely unexpected.
“That Yamaha R1 really suits me now,” Picotte
said. “It’s started growing on me. I feel confident
pushing it hard right from the get-go because the bike
feels good. After the first round we weren’t quite
there so we just went back and worked a little harder.
We’re looking good for the championship.”
The Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike race was
run in the wet and fell to 18-year-old Chris Peris, a regular on the
AMA Superbike circuit but a native of Calgary. Peris made
an excellent start from the middle of the second row and
outbraked Picotte and Crevier into turn 1.The Suzuki GSX-R600
led the rest of the way. While Picotte was never seriously
challenged for second on his Yamaha YZF-R6, Szoke had to
battle past several competitors on his way to third on
a Honda CBR600RR.
The action continues with round six in Shubenacadie,
NS (Aug. 6-8), round seven at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant in
Mont-Tremblant, QS (Aug. 19-22) and round eight at Shannonville
Motorsport Park: Long Track in Shannonville, ONT (Sept.
3-5). To learn more about the series or the racers, go
to www.cdnsuperbike.com.
Winner Pascal Picotte is joined by runner-up Steve Crevier
(to Picotte’s left) and third-place finisher Jordan
Szoke.
 aragon
Powersports is pleased to announce that effective May
1, 2004 they have been appointed as the official North
American sales and marketing agency representing SUNSTAR
SPROCKETS and BRAKE DISCS.
SUNSTAR has been manufacturing superior motorcycle
products since 1946, and is the leading original equipment supplier
of both sprockets and brake discs for manufacturers of
motorcycles and ATVs worldwide.
Paragon Powersports is positioned to professionally
provide sales, marketing, consulting and representation for manufacturers
of quality products throughout the North American powersports
industry.
For further information please contact Chris Gabel
at 909-695-5289, Brian Cornelelius at 909-695-5239, or Butch Whittington
at 623-386-8266.
 he
Fourth of July was especially historic for Bridgestone,
with the company earning a pole position, a lap record
and its first MotoGP victory at the Rio Grand Prix in Rio
de Janeiro.
The first celebration of the weekend took place
when Suzuki star Kenny Roberts stunned his competitors with a blindingly
fast final lap in qualifying, taking a surprising pole
position ahead of four Honda riders despite their superior
engine power. The former world champion confirmed his good
shape with seventh place in the race, his best result so
far this season.
But there was more to come
for Bridgestone. Makoto Tamada had dominated the free practice
session on Saturday morning, pushing his Camel Honda to
the best lap time on a slick tire that had done 18 laps
already. As race conditions could be expected to be similar
due to the earlier starting time of 11.30 a.m. on Sunday,
hopes for a strong result were high within Tamada’s
team and his tire crew. Seventh after one lap, Tamada pushed
ahead relentlessly, marking the new lap record on the Nelson
Piquet race track in the battle with Valentino Rossi on
lap seven. By mid-race, Tamada had taken third place from
the current world champion, took second spot from Nicky
Hayden soon after, and left the best for last.
Four laps from the end, Tamada swept past Camel
Honda teammate Max Biaggi in the last right-hand corner of the track,
and extended his lead to more than two seconds by the time
he crossed the finish line. The Rio success was the first-ever
MotoGP victory for Bridgestone and Tamada, after celebrating
their first podium finish on the Nelson Piquet track last
year.
Said Tamada, “I chose a new rear tire shape that
was only introduced at Assen last week, so there were not
so many compounds available. But from the first free practice
session on, I knew that I didn’t have to keep looking
because this tire performed flawlessly, and we concentrated
entirely on a set-up that would suit this kind of tire—with
a fantastic result in the end.” A greatful Tamada
went on to dedicate his victory to his friend, Daijiro
Kato.
“What a fantastic weekend: Pole position, lap record,
victory, all of our riders within the point rankings, and
three of them in the top ten—that is clearly our
best result ever, and exceeds all our expectations!” exclaimed
a jubilant General Manager Akira Nishimura.
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The powersports industry
was deeply saddened recently by the passing of Tom Cates, Senior
Sales Manager, Powersports Division at K&N Engineering.
Cates, whose K&N employment spanned more than two decades,
succumbed to cancer on Friday, June 18th, 2004, following a brief
hospital stay. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Cates was 75 years old
and is survived by his wife Georgia, daughters, Tina, Anita and
Tomi, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Tom’s experience in powersports began at an early age as
an active motorcycle racer. His specialty was in Dirt Track racing
and in 1960 he was the #1 ranked AMA Short Track rider in the
United States.
He worked as a District Manager for American Honda Motor Corp.
in the early 1960s as the first Honda dealer network was being
set up. He later joined the BSA company and moved to the west
coast. From the mid-1960s until 1977, when the BSA-Triumph organization
went out of business, Tom held many positions for BSA that included
National Service Manager and National Sales Manager.
In 1981 Cates accepted an offer from K&N founders, Ken Johnson
and Norm McDonald to become K&N’s General Manager. “Though
many at K&N knew Tom was waging a battle with cancer, he
rarely missed work and through his dedication, tenacity and sense
of humor it was hard to know he was ill at all,” said K&N
Owner and Chairman Jerry Mall. “I am sure that everyone
who knew Tom will miss him greatly—especially his extended
family here at K&N. Our prayers are with Tom’s wife
Georgia and his family.”
In addition to working in the industry, Cates shared his vast
experience and knowledge as an active member of the Motorcycle
Industry Council’s Board of Directors. A private pilot,
Cates also shared a love for flying and often flew his own experimental
airplane.
A memorial service was held Saturday, June 26th at the K&N
Engineering Headquarters in Riverside, Calif. In lieu of gifts
or flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to
the City of Hope and Beckman Research Institute.
Donations can be made online at www.cityofhope.org/donate or
by mail to: City of Hope, Central Processing, 1500 E. Duarte
Road, Duarte CA 91010. If you do make a donation to City of Hope,
please use “K&N Engineering” as the address of
interest. This will allow City of Hope to send a card regarding
each donation made in Mr. Cates’ name and K&N will
deliver the cards to the Cates family.
During its annual
dealer show in Las Vegas this week, Yamaha Motor Corporation
unveiled its new 2005 product lines. Some new models for ’05
include the new aluminum-frame YZ125s and 250s, the Royal Star
Tour Deluxe, the TT-R230, the Grizzly 80 and the Majesty scooter.
A few of the updates and modifications on the existing models
include a redesigned combustion chamber, piston, intake ports,
carburetor jetting and airbox, redesigned CDI unit, and new aluminum
Renthal handlebars and revised triple clamps on the YZ450F and
YZ250F. The Kodiak 450 and 400 Automatic 4 x 4s now feature independent
rear suspension, and the immensely popular Rhino 660 now includes
a new glovebox lid and open-flat tailgate. To view the innovative
new 2005 Yamaha lineup in its entirety, go to
www.yamaha-motor.com.
Also make sure to check out Yamaha’s wide selection of
accessories and apparel. Whether your customers are riding a
YZ, TT-R, R-6, Raptor, Road Star or Vino, Yamaha offers a ton
of fun and functional extra gear to complete the Yamaha riding
experience, whatever their pleasure may be.
On hand for autographs at the dealer show was Yamaha’s
entire race team, including Chad Reed, Tim Ferry, David Vuillemin,
Aaron Gobert, Jason DiSalvo, Josh Hansen and Heath Voss. 2004
THQ AMA 250 Supercross champ Chad Reed also took the opportunity
to announce that he has re-signed his contract with Yamaha for
another two years, much to the delight of Yamaha fans everywhere.
With this great new lineup for 2005, it’s clear that Yamaha
is continuing their dedicated quest to accommodate—and
surpass—their client’s needs and expectations, which
is clearly what creates the immense brand loyalty for which Yamaha
is so famous.
Yamaha teammates Chad Reed (left) and David Vuillemin.
The brand-new TT-R 230 is the perfect addition to the popular
TT-R line.
The latest addition to the Grizzly family, the Grizzly 80.
The flashy new Majesty scooter in Galaxy Blue (it also comes
in Charcoal Silver).
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