Priem progresses at Gemert - Newsflash, 17 March 2008
Kawasaki Racing Team’s Manuel Priem continues to gel with the factory KX450F-SR at round one of the Dutch championship in Gemert Returning to the championship that he won in 2006 as a privateer, Kawasaki Racing Team’s Manuel Priem continued to improve and gel with the KX450F-SR in the deep soft sand of the Gemert circuit. Using the race as another chance to test in race conditions Manuel’s riding improves throughout the day even if his results don’t show it.
After qualifying in eighth place amongst many sand track specialists Manuel’s first moto didn’t get off to the best of starts. But by using the awesome power and handling traits of the KX450F-SR along with his own incredible fitness Manuel is able to push hard through the 35-minute moto to finish 7th after starting outside the top-20.

Moto two is not so enjoyable for Priem. After getting a better start than in moto one. Manuel’s scythes through the pack to seventh once more before a pair of crashes ended Manuel’s race early. 

KRT team manager Martin van Genderen remains positive about Manuel’s progress. “Results at these races aren’t so important, it’s much more important that Manuel gets more used to the bike and finds the correct set-up for himself. He’s getting better and better on the bike each and every week and I expect him to reach full form in time for round one of the World Championship at Valkenswaard in a few weeks time.”

Meanwhile Manuel’s KRT teammate Tanel Leok is recovering from the shoulder injury he sustained in Valence several weeks ago and is on target to be fully fit for the season opener on April 6. Able to ride his bicycle already it’s expected Leok will be behind the bars of his factory KX450F-SR later this week.
http://www.kawasaki-racingteam.eu/motocross/krt/news.asp?Id=B633B3DDDF&PMId=34082489773 

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Fourth place for Kevin Strijbos in Dutch sand of Gemert - Newsflash, 17 March 2008
Kevin Strijbos and Grand Prix Kawasaki Racing teammate Sébastien Pourcel both entered the opening round of the Dutch Championship this weekend in Gemert It was only the second race of the season for the Belgian star who underwent surgery one month ago after a crash while practicing in Spain. Kevin raced Mantova with this injury and then visited his doctor for further examination. “I had a small piece of bone lost in my shoulder and the best solution was to have surgery otherwise I could have troubles later this season. It was a minor surgery but then I had to rest for two weeks,” explained the GPKR rider who started practicing again three weeks ago. Gemert was Kevin’s first appearance since Mantova and the track was so demanding that he didn’t take any risks. 10th in qualification Kevin got a pair of decent starts and rode safely to fourth and third positions. 

Sébastien Pourcel who had never raced in these conditions before retired in the first heat and then collected a 13th position after crashing several times but never giving up. 

Kevin Strijbos. “The race was demanding with muddy sand and many ruts, so after the race my shoulder was pretty painful. It was difficult for me but I rode safely and didn’t take any risks, as it was only my second race of the season. Fourth and a third is not a bad result but I think that we need now to test more in the sand - we did some testing but not enough at the moment due to my injury. I will have an international race at my home town next weekend and then the Belgian championship opening round to prepare for the GP season.”

Sébastien Pourcel. “I never rode in these conditions before and it’s the first time that I race on such wet sand with deep ruts. I finished fourth in the timed practice period but it was not so important as there were 50 riders on this one line track so you just needed to be lucky to post a fast lap! I didn’t finish the opening lap of the first heat and in the second moto I crashed twice. Then I waited for the fastest riders and tried to follow them – I learned a lot and that was a good training even if it could have been better with less rain.”

Roger Pourcel. “It never stopped raining this weekend and it was the first time that we raced on this kind of track! Of course we practice a lot on sandy tracks but never this kind of sand – wet and heavy. Seb retired with a technical problem in the first race and in the second moto he tried to ride as he is used to. He was fast but crashed twice and then learned a lot from Ramon, De Dycker and Kevin who are used to these conditions. Kevin did two strong heats for his second race of the season – just one month after his surgery while Alex Rouis didn’t qualify.”

Sebastien Pourcel will race at the second round of the French series with Alexandre Rouis next weekend while Kevin Strijbos will stay in Belgium for an International race.
http://www.kawasaki-racingteam.eu/motocross/gpkr/news.asp?Id=B633B65AA5&PMId=34082489773 

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STRONG START FOR JOE ROCKET SUZUKI - Team Suzuki Press Office - March 17, 2008.
Team Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Shawn Giles showed he's lost none of the skill and bravado that has earned him three Australian Superbike Championships when he finished second overall at the opening round of the 2008 Australian Superbike Championship at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway at the weekend.
 
Giles engaged in two thrilling high-speed duels in the two 13-lap races with defending champion Jamie Stauffer, missing victory in race one by just 0.252sec and 0.927sec in race two.
 
In race one the duo swapped positions throughout, Stauffer later commenting that he'd never seen the Suzuki rider in better form than he was at Eastern Creek.
 
Team Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Robbie Bugden finished fourth in race one, with Craig Coxhell sixth and TJRS-supported privateer Trent Gibson 13th.
 
Stauffer and Giles continued their battle in the second 13-lap heat, Giles' Suzuki GSX-R1000 hitting 290kmh down the front straight.
 
Such was the pace at the head of the field that in the second 13-lap race the top six riders all lapped faster than the Superbike lap record for the 3.93km Sydney circuit. The new mark eventually went to Stauffer at 1:31.057 with Giles' best lap just 0.048sec slower.
 
Bugden was again fourth in race two, with Coxhell adopting a safety-first approach after experiencing gear-selection difficulties on his TJRS GSX-R1000 and finishing eighth. Gibson was 13th and again in the points.
 
Stauffer's two race wins and bonus championship point for pole position gives him a 51pt tally and an 11-point lead in the seven-round series over Giles, with Coxhell sixth on 28pts.
 
In the opening round of the 2008 Australian Supersport Championship, Team Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Joshua Waters secured two fourth places on his brand new 2008 Suzuki GSX-R600 to lie fourth on the points chart.
 
Waters' bike had not turned a wheel until Friday's opening practice session, the team opting to debut the new bike earlier than initially planned and use the Eastern Creek meeting to help fast-track development.
 
The decision proved to be the correct one with Waters leading the second Supersport race and improving his race time by over five seconds compared to race one.
 
Phil Tainton - Team Manager:
"It's been a good weekend for us and I'm extremely happy with the results. Shawn rode with hunger and determination that was rewarded with a very close runner-up position to Jamie Stauffer on a track that hasn't been kind to us in the past. Craig showed a lot of maturity in race two to ride safely for a points finish when he had some gear-selection issues, and Robbie's results of two fourths were excellent given the little amount of time he's had on the new bike.
 
"To have all three riders placed in the top six of the Superbike championship at a track that's been our worst results-wise in recent years is a great start to the 2008 season.
 
"Josh's rides were impressive on the new GSX-R600, and especially his second race. It's been a big learning curve this weekend with the new bike, and we've learned a lot about the bike. It hadn't turned a wheel until Friday, so for Josh to lead the second race shows just how good the standard bike is with very little development time."
 
Shawn Giles:
"I'm really happy with results - although I wanted to win, not come second. But this is a track that Jamie Stauffer has always been strong at, so to push him so close in both races is a great start to the season.
 
"I'm hungry for another title, and I'm injury free and fitter than I've been for a couple of seasons.
 
"It was a pretty fast pace out there; I don't think Jamie and I could have ridden any harder. I never gave up to trying to get past him in that final race - I was lucky on the last lap as I lost the front between turns 11 and 12, but was able to save it.
 
"My bike had good speed all weekend, it was one of the fastest through the speed trap - and I can't say enough about the team. The Superbike class is so competitive this year - one of the toughest ever."
 
Craig Coxhell:
"I went into this round wanting to start the season with a good haul of points, so I'm a little disappointed with sixth overall. But when I had some gear-selection problems in race two I knew that the important thing to do was finish.
 
"I ran wide at the first turn three laps in a row, so the safest thing to do was let the other riders around me go and give myself some clear track. Before the problem I'd lapped faster than the old lap record, and faster than the three riders ahead of me, so the bike had good pace.
 
"I wanted to be a couple of places further up, but I just couldn't push any harder. I knew where Dan Stauffer was and knew I could get him on the run to the finish. Those points could be important at season's end."
 
Robbie Budgen:
"The new bike is great - lots of power. I only got in an hour's testing before the meeting, so there's more development to come.
 
"I'm happy with the results, and two fourths is a good start to the season, although I'm a little disappointed as I had the pace to run with the leaders. My starts weren't as good as they could have been - even though I'd qualified okay with fifth grid on the second row. It's difficult to peg back the leaders once they get a jump."
 
Joshua Waters:

"It was always going to be a challenge to ride the brand new bike at this meeting, especially as it didn't turn a wheel until the first practice session on Friday.
 
"But it was a good opportunity to do some development in race conditions and I guess I should be happy with two fourths to start the season - the bike is only going to get faster.
 
"Fourth in the first race was okay for the points, but I was a long way behind the leaders - around 12 seconds. The team made some changes between races and although I was fourth again we were a lot closer - and I led the race for a while. We learned a lot at this meeting.
 
"The championship points are good but I want to win races - not ride for points. I'm looking forward to the next round at Mallala as the new bike has so much potential."
 
Superbike Overall Results - Round 1: 1 Jamie Stauffer, 2 Shawn Giles (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 3 Jason O'Halloran, 4 Robert Bugden (Suzuki GSX-R1100), 5 Glenn Allerton, 6 Craig Coxhell (Suzuki GSX-R1000), 7 Daniel Stauffer, 8 Kevin Curtain, 9 Shannon Johnson, 10 Scott Charlton.
 
Superbike Championship Points (after 1 of 7 rounds): 1 Jamie Stauffer 51pts, 2 Shawn Giles (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 40, 3 Jason O'Halloran 36, 4 Robert Bugden (Suzuki GSX-R1100) 34, 5 Glenn Allerton 29, 6 Craig Coxhell (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 28, 7 Daniel Stauffer 28, 8 Kevin Curtain 27, 9 Shannon Johnson 27, 10 Scott Charlton 23.
 
Supersport Overall Results - Round 1: 1 Jamie Stauffer, 2 Jeremy Crowe, 3 Bryan Staring, 4 Joshua Waters (Suzuki GSX-R600), 5 Judd Greedy, 6 Wayne Maxwell, 7 Scott Charlton, 8 Shaun Geronimi, 9 Chris Quinn, 10 Grant Hay.
 
Supersport Championship Points (after 1 of 7 rounds): 1 Jamie Stauffer 51pts, 2 Jeremy Crowe 38, 3 Bryan Staring 38, 4 Joshua Waters (Suzuki GSX-R600) 34, 5 Judd Greedy 32, 6 Wayne Maxwell 29, 7 Scott Charlton 27, 8 Shaun Geronimi 23, 9 Chris Quinn 22, 10 Grant Hay 21.

For more stories about Shawn Giles, click here. For photos, click here
For more stories about Robbie Budgen, click here. For photos, click here
For more stories about Craig Coxhell, click here. For photos, click here
For more stories about Josh Waters, click here. For photos, click here

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 Garry Shaver (motorcycle crash) - Sent by Reader
To Whom it may Concern,
I read the brief written on my uncle Garry Shaver. He was in a motorcycle crash in North Carolina on March 4th. He was treated and released to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He sustained a broken back, broken wrist, broken hand and had rods put in his hand and arm, he also broke the knuckle near his thumb, He also broke his arm, his foot in five places and pulverized his lower leg. All his injuries are on the left side of his body. He is very lucky to be alive. I spoke to him today and he seems to be in good spirits. He will be released to a rehab center in Fayetteville as of this week. He is expected to be there for a few months. Lets all hope for a speedy recovery. Any well wishes can be sent to bevindg@aol.com. I'm sure he would love to hear from brothers in the biker community.
Sincerely, Bevin Del Guidice

Hells Angel Barger shares life with hogs, horses
Reuters - CAVE CREEK, Ariz (Reuters) - Sonny Barger spends as much time these days on his horse as his hog.
Dressed in a battered Stetson hat, blue jeans and cowboy boots with chrome spurs, the legendary Hells Angels patriarch forever identified with the motorcycle club that turns 60 on Monday, keeps a small ranch near Phoenix.
"If I learn to ride a horse like I can ride a motorcycle, the rodeo had better watch out," quipped Barger, relaxing on the desert plot where he keeps two customized Harley Davidson "hog" bikes and several horses.
Barger, as tanned as boot leather from his outdoor life in the desert Southwest, is the most famous member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, which was founded in San Bernardino, California, on March 17, 1948.
His reputation as the two-fisted granddaddy of the world's oldest, largest and most notorious motorcycle club, has spread far beyond the biker community, attracting both hero worshipers and detractors on the way.
Now in his seventieth year, he has become the best-selling author of five books, including two novels. His autobiography is due to be made into a movie later this year, he says.
While the grizzled veteran no longer holds any formal position in the Hells Angels, he still rides with the local Cave Creek Charter in Arizona, clocking up 25,000 miles (40,000 km) a year, around half of what he used to ride.
"I wouldn't say I've mellowed, but I've changed with time," he says, looking back on a lifetime spent first around motorcycles, and now shared with horses. "Everybody does."
Barger was suspended from school for slapping a teacher. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at 16 after forging his birth certificate.
He was kicked out with an honorable discharge in 1956 when his deception was discovered and was drawn to the oil-stained world of the so-called "one-percenters" -- a term coined by the American Motorcycle Association to describe the tiny minority of bikers they deemed troublemakers.
"I wanted to live my life the way I wanted to live it," he says, explaining the credo of loyalty and rugged individualism he once expressed as "don't be a rat, and sometimes you literally have to fight to be free."
Trading his first motorcycle, an Indian, for a Harley Davidson -- widely known as "hogs" for the firm's one-time pig mascot -- he swiftly became leader of the Hells Angels Oakland charter and oversaw the formation of independent charters, or branches, across the United States and then worldwide.
Their hell-raising activities shocked "straight" America in the 1960s, when among other exploits, Barger offered the services of club members to President Lyndon B. Johnson as a "crack group of trained guerrillas" to drop behind enemy lines in the Vietnam War. His offer was turned down flat.
In another notorious incident, he forced the Rolling Stones to play at gunpoint in 1969 at Altamont Speedway, near San Francisco, after the band had threatened to pull the plug on a concert when an 18-year-old man was stabbed to death by a member of the club.
An FBI agent recently said in a documentary that bad blood from the incident lingered for years, and the Hells Angels later plotted to kill Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
"I have no recollection of it ever happening, and why it showed up 35 years later, I don't know," Barger says.
Courteous and affable in person, Barger has a long history of charges for crimes including violent assaults, kidnapping, firearms offenses and conspiracy.
He first came to Arizona in the 1980s to serve time in a federal jail, just a few miles from his current home north of Phoenix, from where he sent a picture of himself soaking up the winter sunshine to the prosecutor who jailed him.
He decided to move to the desert state a decade ago, to be with his then-wife, who introduced him to horses.
The move allowed him to reconnect with an interest in the American West, where he discovered an affinity between the leather-clad world of bikers and cowboys.
"We both want the government to leave us alone," he says.
The tattooed Californian says the American quarter horses he now breeds share something with the motorcycles he loves.
"They are an American breed, like the Harley Davidson," he says.
"They're just a lot of fun, like 1,200-1,400 pound (544-635 kg) dogs."
Now, with the Hells Angels turning 60 on Monday in an increasingly regulated world, he sees less room for the kind of rugged American individualism he sees exemplified by cowboys and bikers.
"We're the last of the free Americans in the United States," he says. "There's very few of us left."

Four Cops, Attorney, Biker Indicted For Lying To Feds
North Country Gazette, NY - DETROIT, MICH—Four police officers and a member of the Highwaymen Motorcycle Club (HMG) have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on charges ranging from lying to federal agents, lying to a grand jury, and committing various drug offenses.
In addition, a formal criminal complaint was filed against Detroit area attorney Lee O’Brien for lying to federal agents. All charges arose from an FBI investigation that resulted in the indictment of over forty HMG members and associates last year.
David Tomlan, a Garden City police officer, was brought to the attention of the FBI by the Garden City Police Department after they discovered he had become an HMG member. Tomlan’s employment with the police department has since been terminated.
Tomlan was interviewed by the FBI on several occasions, and was subsequently charged with lying to federal agents about his contact and conversations with HMG member Robert Flowers, following a shooting incident at Flowers’ home. In addition, Tomlan has been charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and steroids, substances found during the execution of a search warrant at his home.
HMG member Sean Donovan (currently incarcerated by the state on stolen property charges) was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and Vicoden.
Charges were also filed against Donovan’s former criminal defense attorney, Lee O’Brien, who was charged in a criminal complaint with lying to federal agents regarding his possession, and subsequent sale of a stolen Camaro that he received from Donovan.
Brownstown Police Officer Michael Ramsey and former Detroit Police Reserve Officer Dennis Abraham have both been charged with lying to federal agents and to a grand jury. The charges arose when a patrol officer saw an informant in the HMG investigation meeting with an FBI agent and a detective from Brownstown. This was reported to Michael Ramsey, who discussed it with other officers. Dennis Abraham became aware of these discussions and later warned an HMG member that another member was an informant for the FBI. Both Ramsey and Abraham denied all of this when questioned by federal agents and an investigating grand jury.
Finally, Randell Hutchinson, a Hamtramck police officer assigned to a DEA task force, was indicted for participating in a conspiracy to distribute steroids. As part of his role in the conspiracy, Hutchinson advised HMG member Philip McDonald how to tell if law enforcement officers were focusing on him, tried to get state criminal drug charges against McDonald dropped by claiming him as his own informant, and ultimately disclosed to McDonald the existence of an FBI wiretap on an HMG member.
According to Stephen J. Murphy, “As troubling as any criminal charges are, these indictments are an egregious example of police corruption. It is conduct that undermines the public’s faith in the integrity of the criminal justice system and besmirches the profession of thousands of police officers and agents who perform their duties with the utmost integrity, bravery, and sense of ethics.”
The charges carrying sentences ranging from five to 20 years and the fines are 250,000 to 1,000,000. 3-17-08

More than 350 bikers show up for Polar Bear ride, though bad weather forces them to shorten their route
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - The 31st annual Polar Bear motorcycle ride went on even the... (Susan Cohen/The Salt Lake Tribune)«12»Most participants arrived decked out in leather from head to toe, aiming to stay safe on the gray March day.
The call of the open road drew more than 350 bikers to the 31st annual Polar Bear ride, hosted by the Salt Lake Motorcycle Club.
Under better weather conditions - last year was clear and sunny - there would have been five times as many riders, said Fred Schuman, the club's vice president.
"You'll see every walk of life here," Schuman grinned. "It's good clean fun and camaraderie at its best."
Schuman, 64, first caught the biking bug in 1959 while delivering newspapers on a Cushman scooter. Almost 50 years later, he has worked up to a hulking Photo Gallery
Polar Bear Ride
Harley - a big cruiser he and his wife can ride together.
For Schuman, these events are a way to connect with people and nature.
"Animals, beautiful green valleys, the changing fall colors - you can see it all from a bike," Schuman said. "I get on my bike and I feel like I'm 24."
Snowfall south of Salt Lake City trimmed Sunday's 130-mile planned loop to an abbreviated 50-mile jaunt west to the Flying J near Lake Point, then a return trip ending at Farmington's Davis County Fair Park.
For Lamoin and Robin Hale, of West Valley City, this was their first Polar Bear ride. Both have a machine, but Sunday they rode together for warmth.
"Yes, we're crazy," the 40-somethings laughed while waiting for the event to start.
"We made it," said an exhilarated Robin Hale in an afternoon phone interview after the ride. "It was very cold, but fun."
The Hales, along with the rest of the crowd, chowed down on homemade chili at the Davis Fair Park, while close to $5,000 worth of donated items were raffled off.
"My husband won a gift certificate to One Man Band's Diner in Santaquin," Robin Hale said. And that can mean only one thing - they'll need to rev up for another road trip.
Shane Ellison, 34, drove his Harley-Davidson Street Glide from Provo to participate in Sunday's Polar Bear event.
A proud member of Salt Lake City's 42-year-old Barons Motorcycle Club, Ellison said he enjoys the "rush" of the ride as well as having to pay less for gas to go somewhere.
A 10-year biker, Ellison acknowledged he has three goals for road traveling: ride fast, ride hard, be safe.
Although seemingly contradictory, Ellison said that trio is achievable.
"Don't ride next to someone who doesn't know how to ride, and always watch the brake light in front of you," he said.
While some bikers care little about speed, they all agree about the need for self-protection.
"We wear helmets, goggles, gloves, jackets and leathers on our legs for protection," Schuman said. "And you're a defensive driver every second you're on a bike,"
By keeping safe, there's always the next ride. The Salt Lake Motorcycle Club has 40 planned events scheduled through the end of the year. For more information, visit www.slmc1.com .

Biker Killed on I-24
WTVC, TN - A collision between a motorcycle and a vehicle in-tow Sunday evening resulted in a traffic fatality. William Ogle of Woodstock, GA was travelling westbound on I-24 near Browns Ferry Road as Timothy Smith was travelling eastbound towing a race car and trailer. Smith's race car came off the trailer, slid across the median and struck Ogle, who was on a motorcycle.
Ogle was transported to Erlanger where he succumbed to his injuries. Possible charges are pending further investigation.

Anti-biker bill voted into US law
Visordown.com - New law gives police power confiscate vehicles and suspend licences for 10 years

AN anti-biker bill has been voted into Florida law after State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera took a ride-along with local police last November.
The law comes into effect on October 1st, 2008 and will allow police to confiscate a motor vehicle if the rider is caught doing more than 30mph over the limit.
There will be further penalties imposed including jail sentences of five to ten years as well as suspended motorcycle licences for ten years.
The bill was originally introduced specifically against motorcycles but an amendment was made to include all vehicles.

Motorcyclist, 24, dies in Pines crash with car
MiamiHerald.com, FL - A motorcyclist died in a traffic accident Sunday night after suffering head injuries, Pembroke Pines police said.
Brad Lenzi, 24, was riding his black Honda CBR east on Pines Boulevard when he was struck by a car driven by Maria Saad. The accident happened at 7:45 p.m. when Saad, 28, cut across three lanes of traffic to turn south onto Dykes Road, violating Lenzi's right of way, police said.
Lenzi, of Pembroke Pines, crashed into the right side of Saad's car and flew off the motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet, but suffered head injuries. He later died at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
Saad, who lives in Pembroke Pines, was not injured.
Police say alcohol was not a factor in the crash. It is unknown whether charges will be filed.

Full Throttle pulls request for package liquor store
Rapid City Journal, SD - A request by Full Throttle Saloon east of Sturgis to open a package liquor store at the popular rally venue has been pulled, according to Meade County assistant state’s attorney Ken Chleborad.
Chleborad said an April 2 public hearing was pulled from the county commission’s agenda.
Full Throttle owner Mike Ballard originally based the Full Throttle’s request for an off-sale license on a state law that allows county officials to issue a package liquor license if the requesting business is on a platted piece of property and is contiguous to a platted unincorporated town that has a post office.
Ballard planned to use Fort Meade as the platted unincorporated town with a post office.
From the start, however, county and city officials questioned whether Fort Meade, designated as a military reservation, met the requirements of a platted town. The reservation has a map identifying its boundaries, but no maps showing it has been platted could be found.
The city of Sturgis owns the only liquor store for about 6 miles -– the next nearest is in Whitewood -– and Sturgis Liquor does strong business during the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally.
Full Throttle, also a major rally venue, provides on-sale liquor and beer, a restaurant, camping, vendors and music. It is across the road from Glencoe CampResort, a similar operation, and only a few miles west of the Buffalo Chip. All three venues hold thousands of campers and provide concerts at night during the rally.
Full Throttle’s proposal could have seriously affected business at the city’s liquor store, which uses the extra revenue generated to help fund operations at the Sturgis Community Center.

Motorcyclist killed on Kaukonahua identified
Honolulu Advertiser, HI - The motorcyclist killed yesterday in a collision on Kaukonahua Road between Wahiawa and Waialua was identified today by the Honolulu medical examiner's office as Jonathan Vincent Daniels, 27.
Daniels was an Army specialist stationed at Schofield Barracks. He suffered head and internal injuries from the 8:13 a.m. accident and died at Wahiawa General Hospital at 9:01 a.m., police said.
Daniels' 2003 Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle crossed the center line and into the path of a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder, police said. Speed was a contributing factor, investigators said.
An autopsy today determined Daniels died of multiple blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle collision. Manner of death was listed as accidental.
The ME report, however, deferred on what is described as "other significant conditions" pending lab tests.

Motorcyclist dies of wreck injuries
Billings Gazette,  USA - A 27-year-old Billings man died today from injuries he received in a motorcycle wreck last week, a Yellowstone County coroner said.
Lt. Bill Jones confirmed that Cody Lee Weschenfelder died at St. Vincent Healthcare after spending nearly six days in critical condition. He said an autopsy of Weschenfelder is scheduled for Tuesday.
Police said Weschenfelder was riding a yellow Suzuki motorcycle Wednesday at a high rate of speed when it collided with a taxicab at the intersection of Monad Road and 29th Street West.
He was thrown from the bike and was not wearing a helmet when the motorcycle collided with the driver's side of a City Cab.

Blessing Of The Bikes Is Saturday
The Chattanoogan, TN - The Chattanooga Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association will hold the annual Blessing of the Bikes at the River Park beginning at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday. Each bike and rider that is blessed will receive a 2008 Blessing sticker and pin and no registration is required.
Anyone on a motorcycle is welcome. "It's simple, if you have a motorcycle or ride on one you are welcome," said Al Kaschimer, chaplain for the CMA chapter.
Hundreds attend Blessing of the Bikes and each year more are expected.
"The event is very popular and it is the beginning of the riding season for many. We have had calls from bikers as far away as Tampa, Fl.," said chapter President Harry T. Stone. "We hope those in the motorcycle community will come and enjoy Blessing of the Bikes as much as we enjoy putting it on for everyone."
A free lunch is provided to bikers in attendance and BBQ ribs and chicken are on the menu this year.
The River Park is located on Amnicola Highway between Chattanooga State and Dupont Parkway. Look for the Blessing of the Bikes signs.
CMA will have an Easter sunrise service at the Chickamauga Dam boat ramp starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday. The sunrise service is inter-denominational and open to everyone. The annual service has been attended by area bikers and will be conducted by Cowboy Al Kaschimer. The boat ramp is located in the Chickamauga Dam reservation area at the end of Amnicola Highway. Look for the CMA signs. For more information call Cowboy Al at (423) 332-4544.
CMA is an inter-denominational outreach ministry of over 128,000 members and
925 chapters internationally. Locally, the Chattanooga chapter (Choo-Choo Wheels of Worship) has over 50 members in and around Chattanooga. There are also area chapters in Cleveland, Dayton, Dalton, and LaFayette.
For more information contact Harry T. Stone at (423) 313-1663, or visit
http://www.cmachattanooga.com .

Husband Killed in Motorcycle Crash
First Coast News, FL - CLAY COUNTY, FL -- A First Coast man is dead after a motorcycle crash.
The crash happened yesterday near the intersection of County Road 218 and Hibiscus.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office says 60-year old James Hannah and his wife 53-year old Barbara Ann were speeding and passing cars on a motorcycle.
They smashed into a car driven by Todd Lyon.
"All of a sudden, we we're turning into our driveway and the back windshield just shattered," Lyon told First Coast News.
Both victims were flown to Shands Jacksonville where James Hannah died.
Barbara Ann Hannah is in critical condition.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers say they were not wearing helmits.
They are now investigating whether alcohol played a role in the crash.

Rolling Thunder spreads cause for POW’s/MIA’s
Carthage Press, MO - Do you hear it? It’s the sound of Rolling Thunder MO Chapter 3.
With approximately 25 members in Carthage, Rolling Thunder is spreading awareness of the group and what they stand for. The organization supports past, present and future POW/MIA American soldiers.
“It’s not about us and Rolling Thunder, it’s about those guys,” said John H. Williams of Aurora, president of Rolling Thunder. “You feel like you’re in a round-about way supporting men who are still POW and MIAs … You always hear, ‘never leave a man behind,’ well the military may not, but the government sure will. The veterans from Vietnam and Korea started this because they actually knew those guys left behind. We’re trying to make this bigger and better than ever.”
Williams joined Rolling Thunder in 2005. He said he wondered how many people would stand behind the cause if they knew the organization existed, because before 2005 he and his wife didn’t. This dedicated member has a patch on his jacket of family ancestors who have died and fought in American wars, three of which died in POW camps in the Civil War. The national organization of Rolling Thunder is going on its 21st year, and the Carthage chapter is going on its seventh year.
Bryon Rohr of Carl Junction, chairman of the board for Rolling Thunder, joined the group in 2004.
“It was a group that supported veterans, and it struck my eye,” he said. “There is a potential that (POW/MIAs) still could be alive, but the government has given up on him and that’s why we’re keeping it alive.”
Jim Neatherry of Carthage works with American Eagle, which is a local designing business, created the sign for the organization. Neatherry said he believes in Rolling Thunder “quite a bit.”
To help spread awareness and the opportunity to demonstrate support of POW/MIAs, Rolling Thunder is hosting an Awareness Run April 19. Williams said anyone can join, regardless of age, race, sex or gender. The invitation to the public reads, “We invite all to ride with us. If you do not ride a motorcycle, slap some banners, flags or stickers on your auto and join us.”
Participants of the run will be meet at the Carthage VFW at 9 a.m. April 19. For more information, or to join the group, call (417) 849-8964.
POW/MIA By The Numbers
From WWI, there were 3,349; from WWII there were 78,660; from the Cold War, there were 120; from Korea, there were 8,147; from Vietnam, there were 1,773; one from the Persian Gulf, and four from the Iraqi War.

DI critical after motorcycle crash
Marine Corps Times (subscription) - JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A drill instructor found in a wooded area hours after his motorcycle crashed Friday remains in critical condition in a South Carolina hospital.
Staff Sgt. Shaun Dirkach, 31, with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island, S.C., was airlifted to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga., on Friday. A hospital spokesman on Monday afternoon said Dirkach’s condition was still critical.
Local emergency and law enforcement officials told the Beaufort Gazette that Dirkach ran his motorcycle off the road around 1 a.m. Friday. Emergency crews were called to the scene nearly seven hours later.
The paper reports that firefighters found Dirkach lying facedown, unconscious, about 20 feet from the motorcycle. The Marine was not wearing a helmet when he was found, and first responders to the scene told the Gazette they do not believe he was wearing one at the time of the accident.
South Carolina does not have a helmet law, but Marines are required to wear a helmet, as well as other safety gear, while riding a motorcycle.
Since the beginning of this fiscal year Oct. 1, eight Marines have died in motorcycle accidents. A Corps-wide message on new motorcycle safety regulations is being drafted.

Desert Hot Springs Man Killed In Weekend Motorcycle Crash
KNBC.com, CA - PINYON PINES, Calif. -- A motorcyclist who suffered fatal injuries in a crash on Highway 74 near Pinyon Pines was identified Monday as a 37-year-old Desert Hot Springs man.
Jeffrey Sean Rosenborough lost control of his Suzuki 1000 motorcycle about 12:45 p.m. Sunday on eastbound Highway 74 near Mile Marker 82, just below Sugarloaf Mountain and east of Pinyon Pines, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The bike veered off the road and came to rest in pieces at the bottom of a 40-foot embankment, according to the coroner's report.
Rosenborough was transported by Mercy Air to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Bayou riders hold benefit for toddler
Daily Iberian, LA - The Bayou Country Riders, a local motorcycle-riding club, is holding its inaugural Ride for St. Jude Children Research Hospital March 30, based at Bourbon Hall in New Iberia. The event will also benefit local 2-year-old Maddox Citrano, who in January was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye-cancer.
His eye was removed at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in February. He will have to go back every six to eight weeks to get check-ups until he is an adult.
The Ride for St. Jude is a poker run. In a poker run, cars and bikes travel between five different points, drawing a card at each point. At the end of the run, the person with the highest hand wins.
3/15/08 Paul Richard, Steve Ball, Walter Derouen and Patrick Miller of the Bayou Country Riders. Lee Ball/The Daily Iberian (I.d.'s not left to right)
Walter J. Derouen Jr., president of the club and organizer of the benefit, said he hopes for a turnout of 80 to 120 motorcycles and cars. If the turnout is that large, he said the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department will escort riders out of the town, eliminating the need to stop at red lights.
“I think it’s gonna be pretty big,” Derouen said. “We’re gonna be barbecuing, just having a good time, really.”
Registration for the run begins at 8 a.m., and the ride starts at 10 a.m. The fee is $20 per vehicle and $10 for each additional hand. Those who participate in the poker run receive a free plate lunch.
Those who don’t take part in the poker run can begin buying barbecue plate lunches for $5 at 10 a.m. at Bourbon Hall, Derouen said.
There also will be a raffle and performances by The Ross Paul Band and Seasoned Soul.
Wells Cornette, with Top Gun Motorcycle School, will perform and do tricks and stunts on his motorcycle. He also will be giving tips on how to ride and control a motorcycle.
“It’s pretty fun to watch him do,” Derouen said. “He does it on a big ol’ Harley Davidson, which is a big heavy bike. He makes it looks like it’s a regular bicycle.”
As Mayor Hilda Curry will be unable to attend the event, Mayor Pro-Tem Freddie DeCourt said he will proclaim the day “Maddox Citrano Day” and present the family with keys to the city.
The event will be held rain or shine, under tents in case of rain, said Derouen.
Those interested in participating or donating may call Derouen at 884-5282 or donate directly to the “Benefit of Maddox” account, also under the name “Walter Derouen,” at IberiaBank.
The Riders will donate 20 percent of the proceeds to New Iberia resident Amy Citrano to help with loss of income associated with cancer treatment for Maddox.
Maddox has to have checkups at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., every six to eight weeks to make sure his other eye stays cancer-free, said his mother. Maddox’s brother and fraternal twin Dominik will need to be checked every 12 weeks.
Soon after Maddox was diagnosed, Citrano’s sister and two of her friends started collecting money for a raffle to help with expenses associated with the treatment. Citrano is a cosmetologist, but has been a full-time mom ever since Maddox and Dominik were born. She will begin working again in April.
Citrano said she would like to plan other benefits for Maddox and St. Jude, such as a walk and events for families.
Eighty percent of the proceeds from the poker run will go to St. Jude’s hospital, which pays treatment, lodging and travel costs for patients.
Citrano said she thanks everyone for their support and prayers.

Motorcyclist Killed In Freak Accident In Lookout Valley
The Chattanoogan, TN - A collision between a motorcycle and a vehicle in-tow Sunday evening left a motorcyclist dead.
William Ogle of Woodstock, Ga., was traveling westbound on I-24 near Browns Ferry Road as Timothy Smith was traveling eastbound towing a race car and trailer.
Mr. Smith’s race car came off the trailer, slid across the median and struck Mr. Ogle, who was on a motorcycle.
Mr. Ogle was transported to Erlanger, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Possible charges are pending further investigation.

Motorcyclist dies after hitting trees
Lancaster Newspapers, PA - A 57-year-old Mount Joy-area man lost his life in a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon in western Lancaster County.
David Lee Fox Sr., of 454 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, was killed when his motorcycle struck several trees in the 200 block of Longenecker Road in East Donegal Township, Susquehanna Regional Police said.
According to an initial police report released today, Fox was driving his motorcycle westbound along Longenecker Road just before 2 p.m. Saturday.
As he approached a curve near Chiques Creek, police said, he crossed into the opposite lane of travel while passing another motorcycle, but then lost control of the motorcycle and struck the trees alongside the road.
Fox, who was the only passenger on the motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the scene by a deputy Lancaster County coroner, police said.

Man killed in motorcycle accident
The Birmingham News - al.com, AL - A 27-year-old Birmingham man was killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.
Darius Adkins was pronounced dead at UAB Hospital, Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Pat Curry said.
Adkins was driving his motorcycle onto Interstate 65 North from Sixth Avenue North at 5:15 p.m. when the accident happened. No other vehicles were involved.

WVC man dies in motorcycle crash
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - WEST VALLEY CITY -- A 38-year-old West Valley City man died Saturday when he fell from a motorcycle and hit his head on a curb.
Police said Diego Cenpurion was test-driving a "bullet-style" motorcycle at about 35 mph near the 6000 block of City Vista Way when the bike slid from under him. He was not wearing a helmet, police said.

Florida motorcycle bill changed last minute
Clutch and Chrome, FL - A law which many consider discriminatory towards motorcycle riders has been voted into Florida law.
The bill, HB 137 which was born from Miami politician State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera's ride along with local police, takes effect on October 1st, 2008. It allows police to confiscate a motor vehicle if the rider is caught speeding 30 mph over the posted limit and further penalties of jail sentences of 5 to 10 years as well as suspended motorcycle endorsement for 10 years, all depending on the number and severity of the offenses.
The bill was originally introduced to target motorcycles but a last minute amendment was made altering the law to apply to all vehicles. However, the language regarding the loss of motorcycle endorsement wasn't altered and has many motorcycle action groups concerned.
State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera introduced the bill last November after witnessing speeding sport bikes weaving in and out of traffic as well as some riders performing stunts on Miami's highways.
Although few action groups attended the House infrastructure committee discussing the bill, those that did were allowed short statements and asked no questions by any members of the panel.
The lobbyist appearing for ABATE of Florida stated his organization opposed the bill and made a request for stiffer penalties for those who violate motorcycle right of way causing injury and/or death to the motorcyclists.
The issue was not addressed.

One motorcylist killed, one injured in Chiefland crash
Gainesville Sun, FL - Two motorcycles crashed while attempting to pass a car on U.S. 19 about 3 miles south of Chiefland, killing one motorcyclist and critically injuring the other, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Continue to 2nd paragraph David William McDonald, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene and Frank Stefan Dowe, 43, was transported to Shands at the University of Florida in critical condition. Both are from Crystal River.
McDonald was riding a 1998 Honda motorcycle south on U.S. 19 just behind Dowe, who was driving a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle.
The drivers attempted to pass a car, pulling into the left lane, and were returning to the right lane when McDonald clipped the rear of Dowe's motorcycle.
The riders were ejected from the bikes and both skidded more than 400 feet before stopping.