SYKES SHOWS WINNING RACE PACE - Team
Suzuki Press Office - May 5.
 Rizla
Suzuki's Tom Sykes led both of today's third round races at the Bennetts
British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park and declared his intentions
for the rest of the season.
In race one Sykes led in wet but drying conditions before eventually
finishing in fifth place; and in the second dry race he led for the first 10
laps before clashing with another rider and crashing unhurt.
Team mate Atsushi Watanabe scored his first top 10 finish of his British
Superbike campaign in the second race. In the opener he claimed points
finishing in a competitive 13th position.
Ducati's Shane Byrne won both races at the 2.69 mile Cheshire track.
Rizla Suzuki is back in action at the Brands Hatch GP circuit in Kent this
Sunday, May 11th. This race was originally the opening round but postponed
due to heavy snow. It is a shortened two-day meeting with practice on
Saturday and racing on Sunday.
Tom Sykes:
"I'm incredibility frustrated; I thought I could have won my first
Superbike race today for Rizla Suzuki. I was leading comfortably whilst
watching my pit signals and the race was under control when another rider
clashed with me and I crashed.
"I will be focusing on the positives from this meeting and can't wait to get
my Rizla Suzuki back on track at Brands Hatch later this week. We proved we
have the bike, rider and team to challenge for race wins and that is my
intention for the rest of the season."
Atsushi Watanabe:
"My feeling with my Rizla Suzuki is improving with every lap I complete.
Finishing ninth is ok but I want better.
"We return to Oulton Park later in the year and this I am looking forward
to. I now know base setting and how to go fast here - so watch out for Atsu."
Jack Valentine - Rizla Suzuki Team Manager:
"Tom was very unfortunate not to win his first Superbike race today. We are
all looking forward to the remaining races as it is very clear that the
Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 is capable of winning and Tom Sykes without a doubt
is ready for a victory. It will come soon.
"Atsu in only his second race meeting has got into the top 10 at possibly
one of the hardest tracks to master. His talent is beyond doubt and we are
all eager to see what he can achieve at Brands Hatch, a circuit he has
already ridden on his Rizla Suzuki.
"I am proud of the effort, determination and professionalism shown by the
entire Rizla Suzuki team. Hard work and effort will bring its just rewards
and this team is capable of winning - roll on the next round."
Race one results:
1: Shane Byrne (Ducati) 32:29.161
2: Leon Haslam (Honda) +0.204
3: Leon Camier (Ducati) +2.604
4: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +11.495
5: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +20.015
6: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +22.023
7: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +37.259
8: James Ellison (Honda) +39.322
9: Tristan Palmer (Honda) +54.028
10: Stuart Easton (Kawasaki) +57.885
13: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +1min 18.712
Race two results:
1: Shane Byrne (Ducati) 21:13.862
2: James Ellison (Honda) +4.247
3: Leon Camier (Ducati) +8.027
4: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +1 lap
5: Stuart Easton (Kawasaki) +1 lap
6: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +1 lap
7: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +1 lap
8: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +1 lap
9: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +1lap
10: Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +1 lap
DNF: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki)
Sword extends series lead in British Championship
- Newsflash, 5 May 2008
 Molson
Kawasaki’s flying Scotsman Stephen Sword completely dominated round four of
the Maxxis British motocross championship - held under sunny skies at Lyng -
to further extend his MX2 series lead Stephen Sword took another step
towards re-winning the British MX2 title by completely dominating round four
at Lyng on his factory KX250F-SR. Fastest in qualifying and easily fastest
in both races, there was no stopping Sword in Norfolk as he was head and
shoulders above the competition with only Shaun Simpson able to nudge ahead
for three laps in moto two.
Such was Sword’s speed he won moto one by a massive 20 seconds ahead of
Simpson with the third placed rider Jason Dougan over half a lap behind at
the finish. The gap between first and second was almost equally as big in
moto two with Sword finishing 16 seconds clear of Simpson who charged hard
all day.
“In the first race I took the holeshot and put in four or five fast laps in
the beginning and managed to stretch out a gap,” said Stephen. “I kept
pushing hard and managed to keep on stretching the gap all the way to the
finish.
“The second race was a little bit more difficult, I got the holeshot but
Simpson was able to pass me going into turn two. I stuck with him and
watched his lines and I knew I had the speed to pass him. When I did pass
him I was able to pull away again quite easily.
“Overall today has been fantastic and it’s the first time since my injury
that I’ve felt really on top of my game. I hope I can continue this form
through to the grand prix races and try and get up at the front of those
too. At the moment I couldn’t be happier with my riding, the bike is working
well and all the team members are working very hard – everything’s going
well.”
Molson Kawasaki’s MX1 rider Tom Church qualifies well on his KX450F at the
Cadders Hill circuit ending the session in fourth position with a time right
up there with the leaders. Despite suffering with a little bit of arm pump
in moto one, Church charges from eighth to fourth place in the 30-minute
plus two lap moto to finish just off the podium. Unfortunately for Church
moto two isn’t as successful as gearbox gremlins end his race early.
“It’s been another one of those days,” said Church. “Qualifying and race one
didn’t go as well as I hoped they would but fourth place in both was still
okay. I suffered with arm pump in race one which really slowed my pace so I
was all set to improve in moto two but my gearbox broke. I’ve got to look
forward to Sevlievo now for the next GP where I’ll turn my luck around.”
Molson Kawasaki’s next outing is at Sevlievo in Bulgaria for round four of
the FIM Motocross World Championship on May 11 where Frenchman Gautier
Paulin will rejoin his teammates Sword and Church.
http://www.kawasaki-racingteam.eu/motocross/molson/news.asp?Id=B633C6A55B&PMId=0F2235C5D22D
GPKR riders enjoy French championship wins -
Newsflash, 5 May 2008
 Grand
Prix Kawasaki Racing riders Sébastien Pourcel and Livia Lancelot both won
this weekend – Sebastien dominated the French MX1 championship round while
Livia took victory in the new Women’s series. Sébastien didn’t have time to
celebrate his Portuguese GP win as just three days later he was in Gaillac
Toulza for the practice sessions of the French Elite Championship. He
collected another pole position - two and a half seconds ahead of Aranda and
Aubin - on a dry and fast circuit. The racing conditions were also great on
Thursday and Sébastien had no real rivals - starting the two MX1 heats in
second position he won both races easily.
His last start was not so good in the super final – mixing the fastest MX1
and MX2 riders – but once more he was leading the race before the end of the
opening lap. It was more difficult for him to create a gap with his rivals
and Nicolas Aubin joined him to offer a great show to the public. They
passed each other several times but in the end Seb won again and scored
maximum points for the first time this season. He is now second in the
standings and only four points behind leader Thomas Allier with three more
rounds to go.
On Sunday the first ever round of the official French Women’s Championship
took place in Plomion alongside the MX3 World Championship. After three
preliminary races, one regional and two national ones Livia Lancelot showed
her ability on a GP track as she dominated the event. Fastest in
qualification, Livia grabbed three holeshots and three heat wins to lead the
series ahead of Belgian Elien De Winter. It was a perfect training for Livia
just one week prior to the opening round of the Women’s World Championship
in Bulgaria as she only started to ride a bike again in March after six
months of recovery due to knee surgery.
Sébastien Pourcel: “I didn’t feel so well in Gaillac as I had some stomach
troubles on Thursday but that didn’t affect my results too much. I posted
another pole position during the timed practice period and then did three
strong races even if the last one was difficult. I started all the races in
the top five and was leading each race before the end of the first lap but
in the third one I felt tired and wasn’t able to make a gap. Nicolas Aubin
joined me and for several laps we battled together, finally I won this last
heat but it was pretty difficult during the last circulations. Once more the
bike was perfect, I hope that I will continue to collect strong results in
Bulgaria.”
Livia Lancelot: “I raced in Plomion for my fourth consecutive event after
two French national championships and I’m happy with my results so far. In
Plomion I got three holeshots and won the races pretty easily as I finished
each one 40 seconds ahead of Elien De Winter. I know that my rivals will be
stronger next week as Elien finished only eighth last year in the World Cup
but I had a good speed in Plomion and even if the track was difficult for
the last race with deep lines and ruts I rode safe and fast. We worked hard
with the team and my bike is perfect - suspension as well as the engine and
I’ve never been so well prepared to the opening round of the World
Championship.”
http://www.kawasaki-racingteam.eu/motocross/gpkr/news.asp?Id=B633C64884&PMId=0F2235C5D22D
Priem battles hard in Tongeren - Newsflash, 5 May
2008
 Kawasaki
Racing Team's Manuel Priem battles hard at the Flanders Trophy in Tongeren
with a word class field in preparation for the Grand Prix of Bulgaria Manuel
Priem put a difficult Portuguese Grand Prix behind him at the Fanders Trophy
in Tongeren by battling hard with world championship contenders Ken De
Dycker, Steve Ramon, Max Nagl, Jon Barragan and Clement Desalle. Three
sharp, short 20-minute sprints on one of Belgium's few hardpack, hillside
race tracks made it ideal preparation for the next round of the MX1 World
Championship in Bulgaria next weekend.
Priem's day started with a fine second place in qualifying as he took his
factory KX450F-SR to the runner-up position just 0.777 seconds behind De
Dycker.
Race one also saw a strong showing from Priem as he battled hard inside the
top five before a small crash saw him slip back to sixth where he settled
until a small engine problem caused him to retire on the next to last lap.
Putting the problem behind him Priem once more battle hard in moto two
improving from a sixth place start to finish fourth. Moto three was also a
strong showing from Priem as he caught and battled with De Dycker for third
place before making a small mistake and slipping back to sixth at the
finish.
"Manuel's performance pleased me today as he battled hard and rode well
against some stiff competition," said team manager Martin van Genderen.
"This race was ideal preparation for Sevlievo so we'll be hoping for a
strong performance from Manuel - as well as Tanel who won in Holland on
Thursday - in Bulgaria."
http://www.kawasaki-racingteam.eu/motocross/krt/news.asp?Id=B633225AA5&PMId=0F2235C5D22D
FasTrak®, Infineon Raceway Combine on Exciting New
Partnership for 2008 - News release
FasTrak® has extended its reach beyond the eight Bay Area bridges, thanks to
a partnership with Infineon Raceway for the 2008 motor-racing season.
FasTrak, an electronic toll-collection system that allows you to prepay your
bridge toll, eliminating the need to stop at Bay Area bridge toll plazas,
will implement a creative new program with Infineon Raceway. The program
will be structured around the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NHRA POWERade Drag
Racing Series, IndyCar® Series and motorcycle events for the 2008 season.
FasTrak and the raceway will combine to create a designated FasTrak lane
into the facility, which will lead motorists to a special FasTrak parking
lot. This access will be reserved exclusively for FasTrak customers.
Vehicles displaying a FasTrak toll tag will be eligible to use both the
special lane and parking lot at major events this season in the Sonoma
Valley. The objective is to provide FasTrak customers with easy access
in-and-out of the raceway.
“Take the FasTrak to our fast track…it’s a perfect fit. We’re looking
forward to welcoming FasTrak’s many Northern California customers with a
convenient new way to go to the races,” said Steve Page, president and
general manager of Infineon Raceway.
In addition to having a branded parking lot and driving lane into the
facility, FasTrak will also receive a season-long signage presence at
Infineon Raceway.
The company has also unveiled a special promotion where they will give away
400 pairs of tickets to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
event at Infineon Raceway on Sunday, June 22. A similar promotion will take
place around the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County event (Aug. 24). For
details, visit
www.bayareafastrak.org .
Cocaine trafficking sends pair to prison
The Province, Canada - Two associates of the
Hells Angels were sentenced yesterday to jail terms for their involvement in
a sophisticated cocaine-trafficking ring.
David Revell, 44, the leader of the two, was sentenced to five years in
prison for cocaine trafficking and possession of cocaine for the purpose of
trafficking after nine kilograms of the drug were seized in the Kelowna area
in 2005.
Richard Rempel, 25, was sentenced to four years in prison but will only have
to serve nine months, due to time already spent in custody.
In her reasons for judgment, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Anne MacKenzie said
Revell's businesses and family life had suffered significantly but he was
undergoing counselling and there was "great hope" for his life.
MacKenzie described Rempel as a "youthful first offender" who also has great
hope for rehabilitation.
Despite their links to the Hells Angels, neither man had a criminal record.
"It remains that these were brazen, arrogant offences motivated by greed,"
said the judge. "They create a wide range of victims. In the end, the real
victim is society itself."
Revell and Rempel had earlier been acquitted of the more serious charge of
possession for the purpose of trafficking in association with or for the
benefit of a criminal organization.
A third co-accused, David Francis Giles, a full-patch member of the
notorious motorcycle club, was acquitted by the judge of all charges.
Prosecutors have no plans to appeal the Giles acquittal.
The drugs were seized from several locations, including a hidden compartment
in a vehicle and a storage locker.
The charges were part of a major RCMP crackdown on the motorcycle club. Two
other trials in the case are pending.
Prosecutor Martha Devlin told the judge the pair were part of a
"sophisticated, ongoing criminal enterprise" and asked for sentences of 10
years in jail for Revell and eight years for Rempel.
Revell's lawyer had asked for a sentence of between three and seven years.
Rempel's lawyer had sought a maximum of four years in prison for his client.
Mystery on bikie gang kill victim
Whittlesea Leader, Australia - INVESTIGATIONS
into a bizarre murder-mystery with a nameless victim led to a police raid on
an Epping factory last week.
Police believe a man (pictured) was killed, possibly by several people in a
bikie gang execution, at the Salicki Ave factory three years ago but they
are still trying to work out who he was.
A "backwards" investigation is taking place to identify the murder victim,
with a call for clues going out to the public.
"It's a bit of a riddle at the moment but we have credible information that
it did take place," Det-Sen Constable Graeme Simpfendorfer, of the Armed
Crime Taskforce, told the Whittlesea Leader.
The victim is believed to have been in his 40s, thin with wide shoulders,
short hair and an olive complexion.
It is believed he may have been from Queensland or South Australia and
involved in outlaw bikie gangs.
"We believe he may have had an association with the Iron Horsemen
(Motorcycle) Club. It was just a social association, he was not a patched
member," Det-Sen Constable Simpfendorfer said.
"Some of the people of interest, we believe, also had an association with
the club."
The factory was a mechanic garage at the time and is said to have been
linked to the motorcycle gang.
It has since been sold.
Forensic scientists seized evidence from the factory during last week's
raid.
"We've taken numerous samples from there and they will be tested in due
course, bearing in mind (the case) is three years old now, which doesn't
help us," Det-Sen Constable Simpfendorfer said.
* Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Motorcyclist dies in crash
Sheffield Telegraph, UK - A MOTORCYCLIST has
died after clipping a kerb and hitting a parked car on a South Yorkshire
road, police said today.
Andrew William Taylor, aged 26, of Woodlands Way, Denaby Main, suffered
severe head injuries in the smash and was pronounced dead at Doncaster Royal
Infirmary.
He was driving a blue Peugeot Velocity 49cc scooter along Old Road,
Conisbrough, towards Hill Top, when he came off the bike after ploughing
into a parked silver Renault Laguna.
The smash happened at 2.55am yesterday, and police are appealing for
witnesses or anyone who may have seen the bike prior to the smash to call
0114 220 2970.
City pleased with first bike fest
San Bernardino Sun, CA - SAN BERNARDINO - Like
the rugged culture it celebrates, the city's Bikes and Blues Rendezvous
wasn't born of wealth and had tough beginnings.
Fear of the biker culture helped keep investors and revelers wary. Other
major events on a busy weekend vied for people's attention.
But on the whole, the city's inaugural Berdoo Bikes and Blues Rendezvous was
a roaring success, the man who brought it to the city said Monday.
And it will be back.
"We fell a bit short of my optimistic expectations," said Convention and
Visitors Bureau President and CEO Wayne Austin. "But the consensus is that
this was a phenomenal turnout for our first-year event, and that this event,
in this city, has a lot of promise."
The two-day event, envisioned as a precursor to the Route 66 Rendezvous -
the city's most revered car show and festival - drew thousands of people and
vintage metal steeds downtown on Friday and Saturday.
Perhaps more importantly, the event rumbled through without a hitch, easing
lingering concerns harbored by people thinking about attending and corporate
sponsors.
"The corporate sponsorship and the attendance, those numbers are going to
grow," Austin said. "A lot of people stand back and see how the first one
goes, and in the case of the corporate sponsors, they don't want to risk
their money until they see some results."
This year, the Rendezvous took in $50,000 from corporate sponsors, one-fifth
of what the Route
66 Rendezvous attracts annually, Austin said.
A Monday-afternoon tally of ticket stubs and other records yielded
preliminary tallies of 7,000 paying revelers and 1,500 registered
motorcycles, Austin said. The numbers were below his pre-event projections
of 12,000 people and 3,000 bikes, but Austin said the disparity was because
his estimates were outsized - not because the event fell short.
The event also drew 80 vendors, Austin said, including radio stations,
apparel stands and top names in the custom motorcycle industry. A small
sample of vendors lining Third Street on Saturday said business was brisk.
The event was also a short-term financial boost for the city, all the more
crucial in a flagging economy, Austin said. If revelers spent an average of
$350 over the weekend, an industry average, then the event would have drawn
nearly $2.5 million in spending to the city, Austin said.
He's confident that corporate sponsorships will roll in next year.
At least one city leader was pleased with how the inaugural event unfolded.
"For a first-year event, this was an overwhelming success," said Jim Morris,
Mayor Pat Morris' chief of staff, who strolled the downtown event late
Saturday.
Morris said the event "met all the crucial benchmarks," in terms of viable
size, being free of crime and having a family- friendly atmosphere.
"When you put together tourist-type events like this, that first year or
first few years carry an element of risk that people want to assess before
determining if the event is a wise investment," Morris said. "It couldn't
have gone more splendidly."
Austin said next year he'll look to add more stunt and trick shows, and
maybe some racing at the National Orange Show fairgrounds.
Police chief stands by decision to cancel biker show
Chicago Daily Herald, IL - Grayslake Police
Chief Larry Herzog says he has no reservations about the village's
controversial decision to halt a motorcycle show at the Lake County
Fairgrounds.
Herzog spoke Monday for the first time about the village's process to cancel
a permit for the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show, which had been expected to
attract up to 40,000 visitors Sunday. The police department has received
mostly critical e-mail and telephone messages since the event was scrubbed
late Friday afternoon.
Austin's Saloon & Eatery in Libertyville tried to stage the event, which
would have included music, food, a motorcycle blessing and other activities.
Austin's owner Mark Khayat estimated the cancellation cost his business more
than $100,000.
Information received by Grayslake authorities from the Illinois State
Police's Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center led to the
cancellation. Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said word was members of a
motorcycle club identified as an international criminal organization planned
to be at the show.
Herzog said Grayslake was told about the motorcycle club Friday afternoon.
He said an agreement to cancel the fairgrounds' permit for the Ironhorse
Roundup was reached in about two hours.
"The decision was easy," Herzog said. "The discussion among Grayslake
officials was very difficult concerning the expected aftermath of our
decision."
Residential neighborhoods are near the fairgrounds site, west of routes 120
and 45. While declining to get into specifics, Herzog said the factors
involved went beyond worry about the fairgrounds and the immediate area.
"Everyone assumes that what could have happened would have been contained to
the fairgrounds," Herzog said. "I can't guarantee that."
Lake County Fair Association attorney Rudolph Magna said he won't
second-guess the village's position. He said the safety concerns expressed
by Grayslake officials should be taken at face value.
Saying there never were problems in the motorcycle show's first three years
in Libertyville, Khayat strongly objected to Grayslake's decision. He said
he's been buoyed by public reaction that's largely been on his side in the
controversy, but still sounded stunned Monday at the event's sudden
collapse.
"We're just barely getting into it today," Khayat said.
Austin's has been encouraging its customers to contact Grayslake officials.
Mayor Timothy Perry and the village board will meet at 7 p.m. today at 10 S.
Seymour Ave.
Meanwhile, a Wisconsin radio station just over the border in Pleasant
Prairie got into the fray Friday evening with a protest of Grayslake's move.
WIIL-FM dumped its rock music programming for three hours in favor of talk
about the hubbub. WIIL was a bike show participating sponsor
Real reasons bike event was canceled
Chicago Daily Herald, IL - The arrogance of
Grayslake Mayor Tim Perry has surfaced again. This time around he has
angered motorcyclists who planned to attend the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show
at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Sunday.
In typical Perry fashion, he announced the cancellation of the show at the
eleventh-hour Friday, leaving sponsors, vendors, exhibitors and hundreds of
bikers in the lurch for this fourth annual event.
Perry and police chief Larry Herzog cited cryptic circumstances that
"threatened the health and public safety of those attending the event and
the people of Grayslake." Those of us who own motorcycles know better-- the
village didn't want any mean biker types polluting his town! Fear of rival
motorcycle groups causing trouble at the event is a bunch of hogwash (no
Harley pun intended).
We have been to motorcycle events all over Illinois and Wisconsin, including
Harley's 100th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee that attracted over
10,000 motorcyclists nationwide. Not once have there been reports of
threatening circumstances or rival gang fights at those events. Quite the
contrary, the townspeople eagerly lined the streets to watch the parade of
bikes, cheering and waving. They didn't hide in their houses because
"bikers" were coming to town.
Despite the fearful stereotype, most bikers would give someone the shirt off
of their back - many charities depend on motorcycle event fundraisers. The
Marine's Toys for Tots; the Maryville Academy Home for Children in Niles;
the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation; St. Jude's Children's Research
Hospital; Ride for the Cure (breast cancer); and Ride for Life (muscular
dystrophy) are just a few of the hundreds of organizations that benefit from
the open hearts and deep pockets of motorcyclists.
Shame on Mayor Perry for thumbing his stuck-up nose at an event that would
have brought much needed revenue to this town, and helped Challenge Aspen
Military Opportunities (C.A.M.O.), a charitable organization that helps
wounded veterans with cognitive or physical disabilities. We hope those of
you who traveled far, and didn't get the last minute press release, took the
time to ride past Mayor Perry's home to give him a heartfelt biker's salute!
Ken and Sandy Hartogh Unincorporated Grayslake
Hundreds of bikers were no problem at Libertyville bar, officials say
Chicago Tribune, United States - Libertyville
police said Monday the impromptu gathering of hundreds of bikers at a local
bar went smoothly after a weekend motorcycle rally was canceled.
"We had no problems," Officer Michael O'Connor said.
The fourth annual Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show, a motorcycle rally and
daylong festival, had been planned for Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds
in Grayslake. But Friday afternoon, Grayslake Mayor Timothy Perry canceled
the event. He said Illinois State Police and a regional gang task force
heard of a planned biker-gang showdown.
Many of the bikers who did not hear of the cancellation showed up anyway and
headed to Austin's Saloon in Libertyville, where the rally used to be held
before bar owner and rally organizer Mark Khayat tried to move it to the
fairgrounds this year. Bikers there said they heard of no such showdown and
accused officials of stereotyping.
Khayat said Monday he is weighing his legal options against Grayslake
officials. "I want to right some wrongs," he said.
Khayat said more than 100 vendors who had planned to set up at the rally
lost thousands in potential merchandise sales because the event had to be
moved to his bar. The bikers went to the two-story bar, but there was room
for only half a dozen vendors on site.
Khayat said it's too soon for him to decide where he will hold the rally
next year.
Biker killed near Whitefish identified
KPAX-TV, MT - Officials say that Douglas Ray
Knudsen, 52, of Whitefish died after he lost control of his motorcycle and
crashed while attempting a high speed pass over the weekend.
The Montana Highway Patrol says the wreck happened just after 9:00 p.m.
Sunday evening on Highway 40 between Columbia Falls and Whitefish.
Troopers say Knudsen had been seen riding at a high rate of speed and
passing cars just before the accident.
Knudsen pulled out to pass a pickup when he lost control of the bike and ran
off the road, killing him in the crash.
MHP says Knudsen wasn't wearing a helmet and wasn't licensed to ride.
Troopers say they aren't sure if drugs or alcohol were involved, but say
speed was definitely a factor.
Thunder Beach Motorcycle Death
WJHG-TV, FL - A motorcyclist has died from
injuries received in a Friday traffic accident at Panama City Beach.
The fatality, identified 46 year old Ronnie Green, of Weaver, Alabama was
riding on North Pier Park Drive just north of Back Beach Road when he
crashed into another motorcycle which had slowed to make a turn..
Green was thrown from his motorcycle and was taken to a local hospital. He
was then flown to a Dothan hospital where he died yesterday.
Meanwhile, a pedestrian who was struck by a motorcycle and a car in the 8600
block of Thomas Drive early Sunday morning is still listed in very critical
condition.
22nd Annual Teddy Bear Ride
WKYC-TV, OH - CLEVELAND-- Nearly 8,000
motorcyclists will ride through the streets of Cleveland on Sunday June 1st.
The riders will deliver thousands of teddy bears and children?s books to
children hospitalized at Cleveland Clinic Children?s Hospital.
Last year riders delivered more than 10,000 bears, toys and books and cash
donations. The gifts help pediatric patients throughout the year.
There are only two events that shut down I-71, a presidential visit to
Cleveland and the Teddy Bear Ride.
Motorcyclists will gather at Cleveland?s I-X Center at 9 a.m. on June 1 and
depart for the Clinic at 11 a.m. in a continuous line. The riders are due to
arrive at the Clinic around 11:30 a.m., where the teddy bears will be
delivered in front of the Crile Building on East 100th Street between
Carnegie and Euclid Avenues. Cleveland Clinic Children?s Hospital patients
and staff will be there to greet and thank the riders.
Once the bears are delivered, riders will be treated to entertainment,
refreshments and a biker fashion show on the plaza outside the Crile
Building. Cash donations will be accepted to support patient care, education
and research initiatives at Children?s Hospital.
The Teddy Bear Ride is sponsored by the Blue Knights Law Enforcement
Motorcycle Club, the Gold Wing Road Riders, AVI Foodservice, Ohio Farmers,
Inc. Foodservice, the I-X Center, Harley Davidson Sales Company, and the
Sheraton Cleveland Airport.
Teddy Bear Ride Route: From the I-X Center, the caravan of motorcyclists
will take I-71 North to 90 East and exit at Chester Avenue. The
motorcyclists will travel east on Chester, turn right on East 101st Street,
turning right on Euclid Avenue and left on East 100th Street.
Harley-Davidson Museum Announces Grand Opening Date
Business Wire (press release), CA -
MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly 105 years in the making, the
Harley-Davidson Museum, located near downtown Milwaukee, will open its doors
to the public on Saturday, July 12. Grand Opening festivities will kick off
with a Harley-Davidson-style ceremony at 10 a.m. and will continue
throughout the weekend.
The 130,000-square-foot Museum will add a whole new dimension to the
Harley-Davidson experience. Visitors will get a feel for the freedom,
camaraderie and pride that Harley-Davidson riders experience every time they
fire up their motorcycles.
Museum visitors will:
Walk through a variety of exhibits that tell the stories of the
extraordinary people, products, history and culture of Harley-Davidson. In
addition to the fantastic motorcycle collection, stories are told through a
variety of media - including photographs, videos, apparel, rare documents
and other fascinating artifacts.
Peek into a portion of the Archives, never before open to the public, and
home base to more than 450 motorcycles, and hundreds of thousands of
artifacts that the Archives team can pull from for Museum exhibits
Read the various personalized messages created by individuals worldwide on
the Living the Legend rivets, found on the Living the Legend walls and
plazas
Grab a bold American meal or snack from the on-site Restaurant and Cafe
Stroll around the 20 acre Museum site, enjoy the riverwalk or just sit back
along the waterfront taking in the Milwaukee skyline
Check out the unique Museum-inspired items at the Retail Store
Examine the industrial architecture and attention to detail found both
inside and outside of the Museum’s three buildings
The Harley-Davidson Museum, located at the intersection of Sixth and Canal
Streets in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley, will be open 364 days a year.
General admission tickets to tour the Museum are $16 for adults, $12 for
students and seniors, $10 for children (ages 5-17 years), and children under
5 years of age will be admitted free with an accompanying adult. Visit
www.h-dmuseum.com
for additional updates on group sales and tour information. Access to the
Harley-Davidson Museum grounds will be available to the public, free of
charge, 24 hours a day.
Museum tickets for Grand Opening weekend and other dates will go on sale
online at
www.h-dmuseum.com/tickets on Tuesday, May 20. The majority of tickets
for Grand Opening weekend will be sold in advance online and the balance
will be available for on-site sales during Grand Opening weekend. Visitors
to the Museum site during Grand Opening weekend will be able to enjoy
watching a bike-build and a tattoo artist at work and listen to live music
on the 20-acre park-like grounds.
Museum tickets are no longer available during the Harley-Davidson 105th
Anniversary Celebration August 28-31, 2008. To ensure an excellent Museum
experience during the 105th Anniversary Celebration, tickets to the Museum
have been distributed via a lottery system to those who purchased their
105th Anniversary Celebration ticket packages before November 30, 2007.
Those who are planning to come to Milwaukee during the 105th Anniversary who
don’t have a Museum ticket will be able to enjoy the Museum grounds. In
addition, those who would like to visit the Museum exhibits and didn’t
receive a ticket through the lottery can secure opportunities to visit the
Museum before and after the Labor Day weekend.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle
manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of
motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information,
visit Harley-Davidson's web site at
www.harley-davidson.com .
Fishers motorcylist dies in Sunday crash
Indianapolis Star, United States - NOBLESVILLE
-- A Fishers man died Sunday afternoon after crashing his motorcycle into
the back of a car at 146th Street and Promise Road.
Jeffrey M. Rodeman, 29, was driving a 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa east on 146th
Street abut 3:15 p.m., Noblesville Police Lt. Bruce Barnes said in a press
release.
Witnesses told police that the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of
speed and swerving in and out of traffic before it collided into the rear of
a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The car was just starting to move into the
intersection at Promise Road after the traffic light turned green when it
was hit.
Barnes said Rodeman, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from the
motorcycle upon impact with the Eclipse.
Medics from the Noblesville Fire Department attempted to treat Rodeman and a
Methodist Hospital air ambulance was called. However, Rodeman died at the
scene.
The driver of the Eclipse, Adam Lawrence, 28, and his passenger, Debra
Shank, 29, both Indianapolis, were not injured. Damage to the car is
estimated at $7,500.
Lawrence and Rodeman were in the right lane. A 2008 Mitsubishi Gallant
driven by Melissa Walker, 35, Noblesville, that was in the left lane had
minor damage from debris. Walker was not injured.
Police are continuing this morning to investigate the accident, Barnes said.
A cause will not be determined until a toxicology report is complete on the
drivers. State law requires toxicology tests in fatal accidents, but Barnes
said police have not ruled out that alcohol may have been a factor.
This is the second fatal traffic accident in Hamilton County this year. In
February Carmel High School student Michael Schnekel, 16, died in an
accident at 146th and Stephanie streets in Carmel.
Harley riders suffer injuries
Vineland Daily Journal, NJ - MILLVILLE --
Daniel Hulitt, 36, of Buckshutem Road was treated at South Jersey Healthcare
Regional Medical Center after his 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle struck the
rear of a car driven by Pamela L. Eigenmann, 36, of Uranus Road at Silver
Run Road and JFK Boulevard on Saturday night.
Eigenmann told police she stopped quickly to avoid an unidentified vehicle.
Hulitt was issued a summons for following too close.
Richard Hughes, 56, of East Oak Drive suffered abrasions and a possible head
injury when his 2004 Harley Davidson collided with a deer on Dividing Creek
Road, south of Silver Run Road, Saturday afternoon.
Hughes was treated at South Jersey Healthcare after being thrown from his
motorcycle and was issued a summons for no insurance. The deer was killed in
the crash.
One dead in crash of motorcycle
Daily Inter Lake, MT - A Whitefish man was
killed Sunday night in a motorcycle crash near the intersection of Montana
40 and Dillon Road.
Douglas Ray Knudsen, 52, was westbound on Montana 40 at 9:05 p.m. when he
tried to pass a pickup truck in a no-passing zone, according to the Montana
Highway Patrol.
As he returned to the westbound lane, Knudsen lost control of his 2007
Harley-Davidson and crashed into the right-side ditch.
Knudsen suffered major head trauma in the crash and died at the scene.
Excessive speed was a factor in the crash, and Knudsen was not wearing a
helmet, according to the highway patrol. No other vehicles were involved in
the wreck. Knudsen was not carrying a passenger.
The owner of Shaker’s Steak and Ale restaurant in Whitefish, Knudsen
reportedly was the last member of a group of motorcycle riders to head home
after an evening ride.
Sunday’s crash is the first motorcycle-related fatality of 2008 in Flathead
County and third overall traffic death in the county this year. In 2007, 36
people were killed in 521 motorcycle crashes across the state.
Palm Beach Gardens: Motorcyclist hits median of Alternate A1A, dies
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - A 45-year-old man was
killed late Sunday when his motorcycle struck the median of Alternate A1A,
sending him flying onto the roadway, police said Monday.
Todd Brooks, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, was riding his 1989 Suzuki
motorcycle westbound at Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue at 11:37 p.m., Palm
Beach Gardens police investigators said. Investigators said he was in the
right-hand turning lane and continued straight across the Alternate A1A
junction.
The bike struck the center median and Brooks was thrown into the road. He
was not wearing a helmet, police said.
Brooks was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where he
later died of his injuries, police said.
Motorcyclist loses foot in crash
Cincinnati Enquirer, OH - BATAVIA TWP. – A
Williamsburg man was flown by helicopter to the hospital after his
motorcycle went off the road and crashed into a tree Monday night.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was called to Apple Road, near Lucy Run Road,
around 8:15 p.m.
David Whittymore, 44, lost control of the motorcycle, went off the road and
hit a tree, troopers said, then fell down an embankment. Trropers said one
foot was severed.
Troopers said Whittymore was not wearing a helmet. They said alcohol is
suspected to be a factor in the crash.
Whittymore was flown to University Hospital, where he is expected to survive
his injuries.
The accident remains under investigation.
RONKONKOMA: Bay Shore motorcycle rider killed in crash
Newsday, NY - A Bay Shore man was killed when
he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a utility pole on the Long Island
Expressway service road in Ronkonkoma, Suffolk police said yesterday.
Scott Crandall, 19, was riding a 2006 Suzuki 1000 motorcycle east on the
Long Island Expressway at 10:02 p.m. Sunday when he exited at Exit 60,
Ronkonkoma Avenue. There, police said, he apparently lost control of the
motorcycle and hit the pole.
Crandall was taken to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he was
pronounced dead.
Suffolk County Police Highway Patrol Officer Glen Ritchie was on stationary
patrol at Exit 59 and saw five motorcycles going east at a high rate of
speed moments before the crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to call Fourth Squad
detectives at 631-854-8452.
Motorcyclist Injured In Crash
Hartford Courant, United States - DEEP RIVER —
- A 47-year-old local man was taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment of
injuries Sunday after his Honda motorcycle crashed into a utility pole as he
was turning from Route 154 on to Lords Lane.
State police said Jon Ely of 30 Lords Lane was turning from Route 154 south
when the motorcycle struck and broke a utility pole around 6 p.m. Ely was
treated for cuts and bruises.
Police said Ely told them the throttle on the motorcycle became stuck while
he was making the turn. Police determined the accident was "likely caused by
mechanical failure" and filed no charges.
Drugs, alcohol ruled out in fatal motorcycle crash
Marin Independent-Journal, CA - The Marin
County Coroner's Office reported there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol
in the body of Ryan McKnight, the 22-year-old Novato resident who died April
20 when his motorcycle slammed into an oncoming van in West Marin.
The coroner's office, which conducted toxicology tests, reported results
Monday.
McKnight, a popular athlete who graduated from Terra Linda High School in
2003, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Ducati sport bike failed to
negotiate a curve on Lucas Valley Road, about a half mile east of Nicasio
Valley Road.
McKnight was on a morning ride with friends at the time of the accident.
Cyclist hits deer, injured on Dividing Creek Road
The Bridgeton News - NJ.com, NJ - MILLVILLE --
A city man was injured Saturday evening after his motorcycle collided with a
deer on Dividing Creek Road.
Richard C. Hughes, 56, of East Oak Drive, was taken to South Jersey
Healthcare-Regional Medical Center, in Vineland, for treatment of cuts and a
possible head injury, police said Monday.
No further information was available on his condition.
Investigation into the 4:39 p.m. accident, police said, revealed that
Hughes' motorcycle was driving northbound on Dividing Creek Road when a deer
ran across the roadway and collided with the front of the bike.
Hughes was thrown to the east shoulder of the roadway, while the deer --
which died before police arrived at the scene -- went to the west side of
the road.
The motorcycle then slid 25 feet before it came to a rest in the northbound
lane of the roadway, according to police.
The motorcycle sustained damage to its front end.
Following the accident, police issued Hughes a summons for having no
insurance.
Sober Motorcycle Club
Fox 12 Boise, ID - Meridian, Idaho -- Bikers
from all over the Treasure Valley road their hogs for a great cause Saturday
afternoon.
The Sober Riders Motorcycle Club hosted the event at the Harley Davidson
store in Meridian in support of the City Lights women and children program.
The club is made up of men and women recovering from drug or alcohol
addiction, and is the largest club of it's kind. According to the club's
leader, "Diamond", they've been looking for a way to give back to the
community.
"Well we're a clean and sober motorcycle club. We know firsthand what it's
like when drug addiction, alcohol, homelessness affect a family, and women
and children tend to suffer in silence and are victims right away and we
wanted to make sure we didn't leave them behind," said Diamond.
There were upwards of 600 riders at the rally and they hoped to raise around
$2,000 for the City Lights program.
Motorcyclist killed in head-on crash
Kansas City Star, MO - A motorcyclist from
Pleasant Hill died when he hit a pickup head-on Saturday evening in Cass
County.
The driver of the motorcycle was identified as 42-year-old Gale D. Hayes.
According to a preliminary report from the Missouri Highway Patrol, Hayes
was southbound on Missouri 7 when he crossed the center line and hit an
oncoming pickup near Elliott Road, just south of Pleasant Hill.
Hayes died at the scene.
The driver of the pickup, 27-year-old Virgil D. Terry of Odessa, was taken
to a Kansas City hospital with moderate injuries.
Clay County Deputy Killed In Motorcycle Wreck
News4Jax.com, FL - JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Deputy
Dennis Urban, a 17-year veteran of the Clay County Sheriff's Office, was off
duty on Saturday when he died after being involved in a motorcycle wreck.
Two days later, Urban's co-worker and friend spoke out in memory of the
fallen deputy.
"The last thing I said to him was, 'Have a good weekend, and I'll see you on
Monday,'" said Urban's partner, Deputy Robert Russell.
However, when Monday came around, reality of what happened the weekend
before sunk in for Russell.
The deputy said he got into his empty patrol car realizing his partner would
never be there again.
"At first it was shocking. I didn't want to believe it. It was hard,"
Russell said. "Every time you go to an accident like that, we always wonder
when's it going happen to somebody that close to you. It's always in the
back of your mind."
For the first time since he started with the CCSO, those fears came true.
"I got the call Saturday afternoon," Russell said.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 57-year-old Urban was killed
when a car pulled into the path of his motorcycle on U.S. Highway 441.
Urban, whose patrol zone was primarily the Keystone Heights area, was known
as Grandpa around the sheriff's office.
"Guidance, help or whatever it was, he was there," Russell said.
Not only did Urban introduce Russell to a career in law enforcement six
years ago, he ultimately became the younger officer's partner.
"He was just a great guy -- somebody that you respect and look up to that
has a wealth of knowledge," Russell said.
A funeral service for Urban will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Russell
Baptist Church in Green Cove Springs.
Pastor blesses motorcycles
United Press International - KENOSHA, Wis., May
5 (UPI) -- A Harley Davidson-riding minister in Wisconsin has led a convoy
of motorcyclists in a blessing over their preferred mode of transport.
Pastor Mark Jaramillo of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kenosha led the 19th
annual bike blessing event of the Lake Shore Chapter of the Harley Owners
Group, the Kenosha News reported Monday.
Jaramillo led the bikers in a ride from Lake Shore Harley-Davidson in
Libertyville, Ill., to the parking lot of his church, where he and other
religious figures blessed the bikes in groups of two or three.
The pastor said he found motorcycle riding to be its own religious
experience.
"You get to ride with people who have the same passion you do," Jaramillo
said. "Some people see me (riding) and say, 'You're a pastor. What are you
doing?' I say I'm doing it because I'm a pastor and I love life."
"A ride is about finding God in manners you never thought about," Jaramillo
told his fellow bikers. "And I hope you do find God on the road this year."
Motorcycle crash victim in serious condition
Port Huron Times Herald, MI - The condition of
a man involved in a crash while on his motorcycle Sunday has improved from
critical to serious condition.
David Timmer, 48, of Sterling Heights was traveling eastbound on Marine City
Highway in Cottrellville Township shortly before 4 p.m. when a westbound car
pulled in front of him.
Timmer was taken to St. John River District Hospital in East China Township
and then airlifted to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.
His condition improved from critical to serious Monday, according to a
hospital spokeswoman.
The driver of the car was uninjured. A deputy on the scene of the crash said
Timmer suffered serious left leg injuries.
Alcohol and speed are not believed to be factors in the crash. |
