ew to this year’s Summer X Games was the exciting addition of Supermoto. Parts Unlimited-sponsored rider Ben Bostrom emerged victorious in the X-Games Supermoto race which was held at the Home Depot Center in the Los Angeles area. The former AMA Superbike champion executed a last lap pass to win the inaugural event. For more X Games highlights, check out the story in our Spotlight section.

irelli continues to expand its race-contingency participation in 2004 with the announcement that it is participating in the 2004 AMA Supermoto series. In fact, the company is posting a substantial $28,920. Pirelli is paying in two expert classes, Supermoto Pro and Supermoto Unlimited, for the six-race series – and is paying down to 10th place in both. Racers in these classes will receive $600 for a win, $500 for second, and $400, $300, and $200 for third down to fifth place. Pirelli’s per-event total is $4,820.
Pirelli requirements are that Pirelli stickers must be displayed on the front forks and/or fender, the bodywork, and the tail section and/or swing arm.
     Please contact one of the following Pirelli race vendors for full information and technical help:

West Coast event support:
CALIFORNIA RACE SERVICES
Huntington Beach, CA
1-800-620-1277

East Coast event support:
TRACKSIDE RACERS SUPPLY
Canton, NC
1-828-235-8400

s one of the few tire-makers to design products specifically for Supermoto racing, Maxxis is showing its support for the resurging sport by offering an expanded contingency program for riders participating in the 2004 AMA Supermoto series.
     Maxxis’ total award contribution will increase this championship series to nearly $60,000 in hopes of generating even more interest in Supermoto racing. With Cash awards payable up to $750 per win and up to $2,975 per classification each event, cumulating with a total of $58,350 in championship bonus funds, this program boasts the largest payout of any tire sponsor to date. 
     Maxxis officials are proud of the company’s expanded involvement in this exciting new sport. “Like Maxxis, Supermoto is experiencing phenomenal growth. We’re pleased to help further this exciting series,” said Marketing Manager Michael McGunagle.
     The 2004 AMA Supermoto Championship will be telecast nationally on OLN during prime time Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. The first race aired Sept. 29.

uomy USA has recently redesigned and updated its website. Highlights include a new Dealer Locator, interesting info on the BSI 6658 Type A Safety Certification, the all-new Spectre helmet, and much more. Check out www.suomy-usa.com

fter six years of a successful partnership, Hot Rods™ and Wiseco have ended their alliance in the marketing and distribution of Hot Rods™ performance crankshafts and connecting rod kits. Hot Rods™, which is a sister company of Pivot Works™ and Hot Cams™, manufactured the product line and granted master distribution rights to Wiseco.
     Hot Rods™ firmly believes it is in the best interest of the company and the future development of the Hot Rods™ product line to conclude this exclusive contract. Furthermore, Hot Rods™ will continue to develop new and innovative products, and the Hot Rods™ line will be available through distributors.
     Please contact Jeff Wells at (760) 900-9599 with any questions about the Hot Rods™ product line.

MA Pro Racing announced recently that Dunlop will be the official tire of the AMA Supermoto Championship. AMA Pro Racing Vice President Andy Leisner said that Dunlop’s involvement in AMA Supermoto has been instrumental in the success of the new series. “We are delighted to name Dunlop as the Official Tire of the AMA Supermoto Championship,” said Leisner. “When we introduced AMA Supermoto in 2003, Dunlop stepped in with unparalleled rider support as well as extensive tire development. Their work helped the inaugural AMA Supermoto Championship get off to a strong start from a technical standpoint. Plus, with wins in both the 2003 AMA Supermoto and AMA Supermoto Unlimited Championship as well as the Gold Medal in X Games Supermoto X, Dunlop is clearly the leader in Supermoto tires.”
     Dunlop officials confirmed that the company will offer expanded rider support at each round of the 2004 AMA Supermoto Championship. Dunlop Vice President Mike Buckley says the company is proud to support the growing sport of Supermoto. “Supermoto is one of the hottest things in motorcycling right now,” said Buckley. “Our participation has been good for our business and we plan on continuing our strong support of the category.”
     For immediate post-race results, points, live transponder scoring, in-depth series and rider information and much more, log onto www.AMASupermoto.com.

he Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has released the pre-calendar for the 2005 MotoGP World Championship with July 8-10 as the date for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
     Tickets for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix are on sale now.  General admission tickets and a limited number of paddock passes are on sale now via the track’s ticket office - 1-800-327-SECA (7322) - during normal business hours or online at www.laguna-seca.com/Tickets. Renewals will be sent to those who purchased tickets for the 2004 Honda Superbike Classic by the end of August.  Non-renewed tickets/camping will be released to sell beginning Monday, October 25, 2004 at 8 a.m. via telephone at 800-327-SECA.
     Support events for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix have yet to be determined.
     Vendor information is available by calling Jeanie Sumners at (831) 648-5111 or jeanies@laguna-seca.com.   Hospitality information is available by calling Ann Bixler at (831) 648-5111 or hospitality@laguna-seca.com.
     More information on MotoGP World Championship is available online at www.motogp.com.
     More information on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is available online at www.laguna-seca.com.

on Emde Productions has announced that Jennifer Emde has been promoted to the position of Managing Editor for Parts Magazine and Drag Specialties Magazine. Publisher Don Emde said, “Jen has been working behind the scenes here for a number of years and has a good working knowledge of how our publications go together. I’ll know she’ll do a great job in her new position.”
     Jen replaces Lori Wildrick, who is no longer with the company. Jen can be reached at 949-215-4780 x 203 or by email at: jen@partsmag.com.

on Emde Productions welcomes Eric Maurer to the staff as a contributing editor of Parts Magazine and Drag Specialties Magazine. In addition, Eric will be covering many of the events, shows and races throughout the year.
     Publisher Don Emde said, “We are very excited to have Eric join our team as a contributing editor. It’s great to have someone with Eric’s enthusiasm and involvement in motorcycling working for us.”
Eric can be reached at the Don Emde Productions office by calling 949-215-4780, by cell 714-292-8479 or by email at: eric@ericmaurer.com

Want to be like Chad? Here’s a good way to start!

he YZ250 has won four of the last seven AMA Supercross Series titles, including the 2004 championship at the hands of Team Yamaha’s Chad Reed. Actually, the YZ250 was so dominant this year that, at Round One of the AMA Supercross Series, all three Team Yamaha YZ250s, ridden by Reed, David Vuillemin and Timmy Ferry, swept the podium. That set the tone for the rest of the series, as      Reed won another 9 races on his way to his first 250cc AMA Supercross Championship.
The YZ250 not only wins on the track, but dominates magazine shootouts, and the 2005 YZ250 will continue its reign. For the first time ever, its highly successful frame has been replaced by a much lighter, all-new aluminum frame. With just this one change, the bike has been lightened by 1900 grams (4.2 pounds), further enhancing the nimbleness of the machine. With such a light frame, the benefits in performance are obvious, but there’s an added advantage; lessening rider fatigue. Motocross is an extremely physically demanding sport, and the lighter the machine, the longer the rider can ride at his optimum level. That means more races won in any given season. In addition, mid-air mobility is important in motocross, and the lighter the machine, the easier it is to move around. And the YZ250’s acclaimed handling has been seriously improved with this change as well, as the lighter weight makes for easier cornering. Maybe the best thing about the new frame though, is that it retains the same ergonomics as the beloved frame previously used on this machine.
     The YZ250 engine has been widely acclaimed for years, and the two-stroke is still as lightweight and compact as ever and features its famous hard-hitting powerband. The engine now features a redesigned exhaust pipe, and the power characteristics still make for an outstanding connection between the rider’s right wrist and the track. When you twist the throttle, the 2005 YZ250 gets going like now.
     The YZ250 powerplant has been tops in MX for quite a long time, and add to that the new fork and the extreme weight economy, including the new aluminum frame, and what you have is an extremely fast, extremely nimble, very serious race machine. It looks like another banner year for YZ racers everywhere.
     The 2005 YZ250 will be available at Yamaha dealers nationwide, in the popular Team Yamaha Blue/White at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $6,099.