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1. KTM USA Dakar Team Rider Casey McCoy injured in Tunisia testing
2. Honda's Carmichael Injured
3. Grant Langsten and Ben Bostrom earn Supermoto wins in Las Vegas final
4. Eric Bostrom to compete in 2004 AMA Superbike series aboard a Ducati 999
1. RED BULL KTM USA DAKAR TEAM RIDER CASEY MCCOY INJURED
IN TUNISIA TEST; SCOT HARDEN SELECTED AS REPLACEMENT
The Red Bull KTM USA Dakar Rally team was in its final testing phase in Tunisia, Africa last week when Casey McCoy sustained a broken leg during one of the practice sessions. Scot Harden, the Red Bull USA Dakar Team Rally Manager has been selected to fill Casey’s riding position.
Scot Harden said, “Casey’s accident was very unfortunate. The testing had gone extremely well. Our factory KTM Rally bikes performed flawlessly. We had just finished the final suspension test session and were asked by the KTM Rally Dept to assist them in some fuel consumption tests on one of the test 950s. The test was conducted on what is referred to as “Le Chott”, a large dry lake bed of deep, wet, sand. I had just taken a couple of high-speed laps around the 30 km course and handed the bike over to Casey. At the very end of the loop Casey caught a soft pocket of sand and lost control of the bike at over 90 miles per hour. He sustained a badly broken lower leg. We transported him to a hospital in a nearby village to confirm the injury before transporting him to Europe for surgery. Loosing Casey is a huge setback to the team; however we at KTM and all of his teammates wish him a very speedy recovery. He’ll be in our thoughts.”
In a decision made by KTM Racing Director Kurt Nicoll, Scot Harden will take over for Casey and ride the factory 700cc Rally bike. According to Nicoll, “Scot was the only logical choice. Besides being one of the best off road riders ever to come out of the U.S., he has been integrally involved with all the team testing as well as competing with the team in the recent Baja 1000. His previous Rally experience and proven track record make him the best candidate for the job.”
“We really hadn’t planned for this eventuality”, reported Harden. “Stepping in for Casey will be a very big job. This is the toughest off road race in the world. I will give it my best shot. I had always dreamed of doing Dakar, although not under these circumstances”.
Former ISDE medallist and adventure rider Joe Barker has signed on to assist Scot in the daily management chores. His duties will consist of helping Harden manage the team, while providing much needed tactical support throughout the event. The team departs for the start of the 26th Telefonica Rally Dakar on Dec. 27th. The actual Rally itself begins on January 1st with the departure from the Grand Hall d’Auvergne in central France. ###
2. Honda's Carmichael Injured In Practice
(Nov 27, 2003) Torrance, CA: American Honda announced today that Ricky Carmichael, defending AMA 250 Supercross and AMA 250 National Motocross Champion sustained a knee injury while pre-season testing for the 2004 season.
Carmichael was examined by his doctor earlier today with the results showing a torn ACL knee ligament. The injury will require surgery with an estimated recovery time of 4 months.
"Ricky and the team were prepared and looking forward to defending the Supercross title", said Honda Race Team Manager, Chuck Miller, "Now Ricky is anxious to get the surgery taken care of so he can start his training for the National Motocross series." ###
3. Grant Langsten and Ben Bostrom earn Supermoto wins in Las Vegas final
(Nov 21, 2003) KTM's Grant Langsten was showing superior speed and won the big-bore class final on a large and fast track created in the parking lot of the Rio Hotel.
In a race televised live by the OLN network, Ben Bostrom came from behind to take the lead and win the first US Supermoto championship. Ben moved through the pack carrying more speed than any rider on the track, but found a determined roadblock in Jeff Ward and Doug Henry up front.
Bostrom's incredible roadracing skills served him well, as he passed Ward toward the end of an incredibly fast straight. After drafting down two-thirds of the straight, Bostrom quickly pulled out carrying superior speed as the pair leaned into the sweeping left hander at the end of the straight - a roadracing move all the way. After the pass, Bostrom soon found Ward passing him back, but for a brief period. After Bostrom took the lead for the second time, a determined Doug Henry went for broke almost passing Bostrom to take his first lead. Instead, the move caused Henry to loose enough time on the leader for Bostrom to finish the end of the race without another rider within rubber swapping distance of his back wheel. It was great racing! MN
4. Eric Bostrom to compete in the 2004 AMA Superbike series aboard a factory backed Ducati 999
(11/19/03) The following release is from Ducati Corse:
Eric Bostrom is set to spearhead the Ducati attack on the 2004 AMA Superbike Championship in one of the most exciting challenges seen in North America's premier motorcycle racing series for many years.
The 27 year-old from San Francisco, who celebrates his birthday today, could not have wished for better news as it was announced that he will form part of the factory-supported Ducati effort to claim the AMA title for the first time since 1994.
The world-famous racing division from Bologna will be providing the machines and the technical support for the factory-supported team, which will take part in the 18-race 2004 AMA Superbike schedule with the new Ducati 999.
"We are extremely satisfied to have reached a two-year agreement with Eric Bostrom to take part in the AMA championship," declared Ducati Corse Superbike Director Paolo Ciabatti. "As well as being an extremely talented rider, Eric will also be an excellent 'ambassador' for Ducati in one of the most important strategic markets for our company."
"Thanks to the collaboration with Terry Gregoricka of Ducati Austin, who will make available the logistics structure, technicians and the experience of his team at their new Road Atlanta premises in a two-year deal, and with the appointment of a Ducati Corse engineer as technical director, we are certain that next year will see us obtain some important results."
Michael Lock, Ducati North America CEO, added: "This is the good news that we have been expecting for some time. Finally Ducati will have the right package of rider, team and machinery to be able to put together a serious challenge for the AMA title. We are sure that Eric's talent and popularity will help Ducati achieve major visibility in the North American market."
Las Vegas resident Bostrom, who has four US National titles to his name, finished seventh overall in the 2003 Chevy Trucks AMA Superbike championship with 350 points, but would surely have finished higher up the table had he not suffered a badly-dislocated right shoulder in a first turn pile-up during the opening lap of the Laguna Seca World Superbike race.
"I'm totally pumped to sign with Ducati. They've shown a huge commitment to step up their American Superbike campaign," declared Eric Bostrom. "Obviously, jumping onto the World Championship machine brings high expectations, but at the moment I just can't wait to get on the bike. Between the 999, myself, and the Michelins, 2004 is going to be an exciting year. A year that will hopefully see a Ducati twin back on top in the U.S. and give the Ducatisti something to cheer about."
"I'd also like to thank all of my fans and sponsors for their support during this time of change in my career. I've received lots of encouraging e-mails from my fans and hope to continue giving everyone something to cheer about as my career continues to progress forward."
"Obviously leaving Kawasaki USA was a tough decision. We really had great successes over the years and I really felt comfortable there, but I believe that joining the Ducati family is a positive step in the right direction for my career."
The Ducati 999, which will be racing for the first time in the AMA championship, will be able to count on the support of French tire manufacturer Michelin, recreating a successful long-term partnership that has brought the two companies a total of seven world Riders' titles, including the 2003 crown for Neil Hodgson in the Ducati 999's debut season.
"We are delighted to be able to continue our successful collaboration with Ducati, also in the AMA championship," declared Nicolas Goubert, Michelin's Head of Motorcycle Competition. "With its different circuits and conditions, the AMA Superbike championship will offer a major technical challenge for us and we are happy to face up to it with our long-term partner Ducati."
With over three months to go before the start of the 2004 season, Eric will be seen in action on the Ducati 999 for the first time at Daytona tire testing on 4-6 December, but already expectation is high over the combination of one of the USA's most talented riders and one of the world's most exciting Superbike racing machines. ###