Pegram Takes Win at Road America
Following
two top-five finishes at Infineon
Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., Team AMSOIL
road racing star
Larry Pegram was looking for a
strong finish at the sixth round of the
AMA Pro Racing American Superbike
Championship, held June 5-7 at Road
America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
The American Superbike race featured an
epic battle between Pegram and Mat
Mladin. Pegram started the race strong
by grabbing an outstanding start from
the second row and claiming the lead for
the first six laps. From there, a seesaw
battle between Pegram and Mladin ensued,
with the two continuously wrestling the
lead from each other. The race came to
an exciting conclusion on the final lap,
with Pegram grabbing the lead on the
front straight heading into turn one,
but Mladin passing him on turn three.
Pegram finally sealed the deal on the
run from turn three to turn five,
pulling away from Mladin for a
0.342-second victory. The victory vaults
Pegram to fourth in the overall
standings.
“It was definitely a great race,” said
Pegram. “I was expecting that I could
run the pace, but I wasn’t expecting to
lead like that most of the time. I was
real comfortable.”
The Road America race airs on the Speed
Channel this Saturday at 10 p.m.
Eastern.
AMSOIL is the Official Oil of AMA Pro
Road Racing and presenting sponsor of
the Daytona SportBike class.
Canard Takes Third Place Podium in
Wortham
The third round of the 2009 AMA
Motocross season was held June 6 at
Freestone County Raceway in Wortham,
Texas. Team AMSOIL racer
Trey Canard grabbed the holeshot and
the lead in the first moto, and although
a fall set him back in the pack, he
quickly recovered and fought all the way
back up to a strong third place finish.
In the second moto, Canard grabbed the
holeshot and lead once again before
finishing second for an overall third
place podium finish.
Blake Wharton finished seventh and
third for fourth overall, while
Brett Metcalfe finished fourth and
seventh for fifth overall. In the 450
class,
Dan Reardon finished 12th and fourth
for sixth overall.
The fourth round of the 2009 AMA
Motocross season was held June 13 at
High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa.
Wharton finished sixth in both motos for
fifth overall, Justin Barcia finished
eighth in the first moto and fifth in
the second moto for sixth overall,
Canard finished second in the first moto
and 32nd in the second moto for 10th
overall and Metcalfe finished 19th in
the first moto and seventh in the second
moto for 13th overall.
The fifth round of the AMA Motocross
season will be held Saturday, June 27 at
Thunder Valley Motocross Park in
Lakewood, Colo.
AMSOIL Helps Paralyzed Rider Return to
Track
In
October 2007, Aaron Horsley of Hesperia,
Calif. was struck by a pickup truck and
paralyzed from the chest down while
riding his motorcycle. After almost two
years of recovery, Horsley was ready to
return to motorcycle riding aboard his
reconstructed motorcycle. AMSOIL teamed
with Direct Jobber Dane Evans to provide
Horsley with AMSOIL products and
clothing
for his return to the race track. News
coverage of the event can be seen at
http://www.nickblaisracing.com/videos/AaronHorsley.wmv.
Public 'at risk' from rival gangs
- BBC News -
The jailing of seven bikers for
their part in rioting between two
rival gangs at an airport has
prompted police to call again for an
annual biker event to be cancelled.
Organisers of the Bulldog Bash, held
at Long Marston airfield in
Warwickshire every August, were
granted a 10-year licence last year,
despite police opposition.
But police said the recent
escalation in violence between the
Outlaws and Hells Angels, gangs
which have an ongoing feud that
stretches back 40 years, means
innocent members of the public could
be put at risk.
Seven men from the two rival gangs
were each jailed for six years on
Friday after a brawl at Birmingham
Airport's Terminal Two last January.
But on top of that incident,
35-year-old Hells Angel Gerry Tobin
was shot dead on the nearby M40 in
Warwickshire after leaving the
Bulldog Bash in 2007.
The seven men later jailed for his
murder turned out to be the entire
Chapter of the South Warwickshire
Outlaws, based in Coventry.
It is a matter of official record
that over many years, outlaw
motorcycle clubs have been actively
engaged in organised crime
Asst Ch Con Bill Holland
Bikers jailed for airport brawl
Peter Wilson, BBC Midlands Today's
crime correspondent, said there had
been a vast expansion of chapters
across the globe since the 1990s.
The growth has also been linked to
organised crime and increasingly
bitter violence as rival gangs have
fought over the drug trade.
Warwickshire Police have said they
also believe the Bulldog Bash is
used to raise funds for the Hells
Angels, which they say is an
organised criminal gang.
The force said it prepared to go to
court to try to get it stopped.
Bill Holland, Assistant Chief
Constable, said although the
majority of the 20,000 people who
attend the festival are law-abiding,
they are not fully aware of the true
illegal behaviour of outlaw
motorcycle clubs.
"It is a matter of official record
that over many years, outlaw
motorcycle clubs have been actively
engaged in organised crime," he
said.
Gerry Tobin
Gerry Tobin was shot dead on a
motorway after the Bulldog Bash
"Their activities have included
murder, extortion, robbery,
prostitution, drugs and firearms
offences.
"There is a clear, evidenced, and
significant risk to innocent members
of the public if the Bulldog Bash is
allowed to take place.
"The Hells Angels are an organised
crime group, as are the Outlaws."
He said the two groups were not just
passionately interested in
motorbikes - "there's something more
sinister going on here to do with
organised crime".
Mr Holland added: "My purpose in
opposing the Bash is primarily to
protect the public from harm,
directly through being caught up in
some sort of attack, particularly
going to and from the event, but
also recognising that the proceeds
of the event go to the Hells Angels,
who are themselves an organised
crime group."
If the festival does go ahead, the
force would conduct a major security
operation.
'Benefited traders'
It called for a review of the
event's licence earlier this year
but it was rejected by
Stratford-on-Avon District Council
in May.
Some people living near to the
airfield said the police operation
in 2008 caused disruption to
villagers, with one resident saying
it was "over-the-top".
Last month, villagers were consulted
about future policing of the event.
Morris House, from Quinton Parish
Council, said most villagers
welcomed the festival as it
benefited local traders.
But with less than two months until
the event takes place, Mr Holland
has acknowledged that he has to act
quickly if he is to succeed.
He said: "I am still taking legal
advice as to how best to get the
licence withdrawn for 2009.
"It's proving to be a very long,
drawn out, and difficult process,
but I am persevering with that."
Mounties keeping eye on Hells Angels
gathering -
Canoe.ca - EDMONTON — Even
biker gangs have the right to party,
according to the RCMP.
More than 200 outlaw bikers are set
to gather for a campout this weekend
at a campground north of Red Deer
near Blackfalds, 134 km south of
Edmonton, said Sgt. Patrick Webb.
“If not committing a criminal act,
they have the right to enjoy the
weekend like everyone else,” said
Webb.
But Webb said cops know these guys
and are beefing up the ranks to get
ready.
“They’re going to have what they
call a party,” he said.
“These guys say they’re just good
old guys with bikes, but our
intelligence shows that 70 to 100%
are felons. These gangs commit
homicides, they traffic drugs.”
Members of the RCMP’s gang unit will
be on hand, along with other special
forces and extra officers to watch
over the gathering.
Biker campouts have happened before
in Red Deer and other communities
around Alberta, said Webb.
RCMP have spoken with the ride
organizers, and “if necessary, we
can be in contact again to deal with
incidents.”
Webb refuted claims posed to him
through the media that focusing
extra resources on a campout is over
the top.
“This is not excessive,” he said.
“The public should be assured the
RCMP is aware of the event, and that
we have enough resources in place to
properly respond to it.”
The campout is set to wrap up
tomorrow.
Despite rain, bikers and money still
flowing in -
Laconia Citizen -
Bike Week 2009 may end up a soggy
memory for many folks but the 86th
running of the rally has positives,
too, including that it's been one of
the most incident-free events in
recent memory and that despite the
weather, the city is shaping up to
be in good financial shape
afterward.
The rally, which began on June 13
and ends Sunday, has been dogged by
rain, including Friday morning when
a persistent mist, following a night
of solid downpours, made bikers a
rare site on Weirs Boulevard. A fog
settled in over Paugus Bay and the
weather made Laconia Police rethink
the scheduled 11 a.m. closure of the
Weirs Channel Bridge, which by then
was expected to be choked with
two-wheel traffic but wasn't.
The sun was scheduled to make a
cameo appearance in between the rain
drops and Ward 5 City Councilor Bob
Hamel, who rides a Honda Gold Wing,
predicted that as soon as it showed
itself, there would be bikers
aplenty, clogging the boulevard
outside the Naswa Resort where
Friday's Bike Week news conference
was held.
"Bikers are a pretty resilient
bunch," said Hamel, who several
years ago was instrumental in the
city council's creation of a
dedicated line item for Bike Week in
the annual municipal budget. In
theory, the city is looking to break
even or to turn a modest profit from
Bike Week.
The city receives Bike Week revenue
from several sources, including fees
from property site plan reviews and
rental of city property but mostly
from vending licenses. It is hoped
that the revenues will offset the
cost of providing police, fire and
public works services. The city
allocated $226,700 for Bike Week
2009.
"I think we'll be OK financially,
we'll be able to pay our bills,"
said Hamel, who is a member of the
city council's Finance Committee.
State Police Major Russ Conte agreed
with Hamel that despite the many
great places to ride and to be
during Bike Week, most people ended
up at The Weirs. And, interjected
Hamel, as soon as the weather
breaks, "it'll be jammed like this,"
he said, snapping his fingers.
Hamel was pleased that the council's
decision to allow vending one day
before the start of Bike Week was
paying dividends, from both a
financial and public relations point
of view. He said that 85 vendors —
who pay $450 to sell their wares
during the nine-day rally — ponied
up the additional $50 to also sell
on June 12.
Charlie St. Clair, who is the
executive director of the Laconia
Motorcycle Week Association, which
promotes Bike Week, said the early
vending option was very popular
since it gave vendors an opportunity
to recoup money that they may have
lost due to the inclement weather
that has kept attendance down.
Asked about attendance, St. Clair
replied "On Monday, I'd be happy to
take a guesstimate," but not before
then.
Trying to figure out how many people
come to Bike Week in any given year
is a decidedly unscientific
endeavor. There are no turnstile
counters, there's not one central
point through which all visitors
must pass, no one's looking at
aerial photos of Lakeside Avenue to
do a head count that is then
extrapolated.
St. Clair will, however, try to come
up with a number after speaking with
state and local law enforcement
agencies, state tourism officials
and the New Hampshire Department of
Transportation which has data about
how many people went through toll
booths during Bike Week.
Generally speaking and generally
accepted, Bike Week attendance has
gone down since hitting a peak of
about 430,000 visitors in 2004. St.
Clair said the attendance estimate
for 2008 was 230,000 visitors. He
noted that the decrease in Bike Week
attendance mirrored a decline in
attendance at many other events
caused in large measure by a
troubled economy that forced many
people to reconsider their spending
priorities.
"Our worry and concern is not
numbers. Our No. 1 concern is that
the visitors who do come leave happy
with a wonderful experience and come
back and bring friends with them,"
said St. Clair.
Conte reported that all roads
leading to The Weirs were clear and
that there had been "no major
accidents, no major tie-ups."
Reflecting on Bike Week so far,
"actually, we've been very lucky
this week," said Conte. "The
contacts (with Bike Week visitors)
have been very good and we're just
happy to help."
Laconia Deputy Fire Chief Deb
Pendergast said in response to the
relatively quiet Bike Week, her
department had cut back on the
number of personnel working on
Thursday, but that the LFD was fully
staffed for Friday, today and
Sunday.
Bike Week evolved over the years
from 1959 to 1999 -
Laconia Citizen -
LACONIA — Brad Andres, 24-year-old
San Diego mechanic, "became the
first four-time winner of the annual
100 mile national championship
(motorcycle) race at Belknap
Recreation area and broke the track
record, set by himself, in 1956,"
The Citizen reported, 50 years ago
this week.
Assigned to the Laconia area for the
motorcycle weekend were 20 State
Troopers and 11 Motor Vehicle
Department inspectors. Chief Charles
Dunleavy "said the entire Laconia
force will be on duty (Saturday and
Sunday) including special and
reserve officers, numbering about 35
in all."
The Knotty Pine at Weirs Beach was
"the scene of a happy get together
as over 300 motorcyclists gathered
for an evening of dancing. The Weirs
Beach Publicity Bureau, headed by Ed
Hoagland furnished free
refreshments. According to
authorities this was the largest
gathering in the four years that
this event has been sponsored.
Eighty orchids were presented lady
motorcyclists through the courtesy
of the Laconia Chamber of Commerce
... Music was ably furnished by
Hazel Cannon, George Tarlson, Bob
Roucher and Pat Hershey."
Then, 25 years ago, as of June 15,
1984, motorcyclists by the thousands
were "converging on the Lakes Region
for the annual Gypsy Tour and 61st
running of the Loudon Classic. The
crowd is expected to reach 40,000,"
The Citizen predicted.
Three days later, Citizen staffer
Gordon D. King wrote that
"Motorcycle Weekend 1984 will go
down in the books as one of the
quietest in recent years.
Authorities said the only major
incident occurred last Saturday
afternoon when members of two rival
motorcycle gangs 'mixed it up' in
downtown Laconia. The fight involved
an estimated 18 to 20 members of the
Hells Angels of Los Angeles, New
York and Massachusetts and the
Pagans from New York. Police said
six people were arrested and charged
with disorderly conduct following
the disturbance at the four-way
intersection near the
Sheraton-Laconia Inn where an
estimated 40 Hells Angels were
staying."
At Loudon, Mike Baldwin, 29, of
Stamford, Conn., "charged into the
early lead and never looked back ...
winning an unprecedented third
consecutive formula 1 championship
in the 61st running of America's
oldest motorcycle race."
Laconia and state police made 338
arrests in The Weirs area, and 151
in other parts of the city over the
weekend, mostly for traffic, liquor
and drug violations.
Traffic "clogged Route 3, Weirs
Boulevard and Lakeside Avenue as
cyclists and followers jammed into
The Weirs on Friday and Saturday
evenings."
Thousands of cyclists "sat on their
parked machines or embankments near
the veterans' buildings, or walked
up and down the strip looking at the
bikes and chatting with the owners.
Friday's crowd was smaller than
usual. Police attributed it to the
cool temperatures which dipped into
the 40s."
Laconia police received 174 calls
for service over the long motorcycle
weekend. Seventeen accidents were
investigated and 489 arrests were
made, 338 at Weirs Beach, the others
in Laconia.
And 10 years ago, as the bikers hit
the road and vendors packed their
wares, June 20, 1999, statistics
told "the story of a quieter and
calmer week, one attended by more
families and fewer rowdies."
The number of individuals "brought
to the Belknap County Jail — the
destination for those arrested and
charged — was nearly half this year
what it was a year ago in what
officials say is a clear sign of a
change in tone."
Traffic was "so smooth and the crowd
so light as the 76th motorcycle week
came to a close that police opened
up the Weirs Beach bridge to all
traffic early Sunday afternoon."
There were two fights between crowd
members and law enforcement officers
early Sunday morning, "but no one
was hurt."
Police reported 248 arrests during
the week, including four women,
arrested in the Weirs Beach area
"for baring their breasts."
Three members of a Quebec chapter of
the Hells Angels were taken into
custody by police and deported.
Hyundai strikes motorcycle -
Gaylord Herald
Times - Samuel Werden, 60,
Alanson, was driving a 2002 Harley
motorcycle, Monday, around 1:15 p.m.
westbound on South Wisconsin Avenue
just south of Eighth Street when he
reportedly attempted to make a left
turn from the inner lane into a
private drive.
Reports indicate Savannah Hypp, 17,
Gaylord, driving a 2003 Hyundai, was
traveling westbound on South
Wisconsin Avenue in the outermost
lane when she changed into the
innermost lane to pass a vehicle and
struck Werden.
Motorcycle driver injured in
Woodstown accident -
Today's Sunbeam
- NJ.com - WOODSTOWN -ÊA man
was injured here Friday afternoon
after losing control of the
motorcycle he was riding, state
police said.
Robert Puitz, 51, of Pennsville was
heading east on Haines Neck Road,
west of Pointers-Auburn Road, when
he lost control of his Kawasaki
Ninja motorcycle.
The incident, which occurred at
12:15 p.m., caused extreme damage to
the front end of his bike.
According to police, red and black
pieces of his bike were scattered
around the field where Puitz was
laying.
Following the incident, Puitz was
flown by medical helicopter to
Cooper University Medical Center, in
Camden.
Although his condition is unknown,
Puitz was talking and moving his
fingers before being transported to
the hospital.
Friends of the victim say they are
unsure of why he lost control of his
motorcycle.
The cause remains under
investigation, police said.
Man Dies When Motorcycle
Collides With Suburban -
Tyler Morning
Telegraph - JACKSONVILLE -- A
Jacksonville man died after his
motorcycle collided Tuesday morning
with a 1998 Chevy Suburban.
Nancy Jackson, administrative
assistant with the Jacksonville
Police Depart-ment, said Helen
Jones, 53, had stopped at a stop
sign on Beall Boulevard about 6:50
a.m. and was attempting to turn left
on to Jackson Streetwhen the
accident occurred.
Ms. Jones failed to yield
right-of-way, causing motorcyclist
David Bellows, 54, to hit the
driver's side of her vehicle as he
drove north on U.S. Highway 69, she
said.
Police said they believe Bellows was
killed on impact.
He was pronounced dead at the scene
by Cherokee County Precinct 4
Justice of the Peace Judge Vera
Foreman before his body was taken to
Tyler for an autopsy.
Ms. Jackson said Ms. Jones received
non-incapacitating injuries but
declined treatment from paramedics
at the scene.
Ms. Jones did, however, go to East
Texas Medical Center-Jacksonville to
be tested for drugs and alcohol, she
said. Authorities say those results
could take weeks to get back.
As a result of the accident, Ms.
Jackson said police issued Ms. Jones
a citation for failure to yield
right-of-way.
She said police are letting a grand
jury decide whether or not charges
will be filed.
Burial for Bellows was set to take
place Thursday in Mixon Cemetery.
Firefighters association preparing
for motorcycle rally -
Greenville
Herald-Banner - The Hunt
County Firefighters Association is
preparing for its second annual Run
for the Red Motorcycle Rally.
The event is scheduled for Sept. 12
at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center.
According to a release from the Hunt
County Firefighters Association, the
organization is currently seeking
donations to help sponsor the event.
There will be exhibits of fire
equipment, live entertainment and
firefighter-themed games.
Additional funding is needed due to
increased fire dangers and fuel and
maintenance costs, according to the
HCFA.
Last year’s event, which was held in
July, had a turnout of approximately
100 riders, during which time
thousands of dollars were raise for
the county’s 13 fire departments.
Those seeking more information can
contact Jay Atkins at 903-513-1011.
Harley owners unite in Roanoke -
WSLS.com -
Harley Davidson owners got a chance
to go hog wild Friday at a rally in
Roanoke.
Thousands of bikers packed into the
Star City for a variety of events.
It may be the Virginia state rally,
but participants came in from all
around the country.
Leading the Parade of Flags are
state police, the men who get paid
to ride with flashing blue lights on
their bike.
Behind them are the thousands of
Harley owners flying flags in
downtown Roanoke.
Their destination is Elmwood Park.
“Last time it was in Fredericksburg
Virginia which was great, but I love
Roanoke, it’s real nice,” explained
Steve Wyatt, a Harley owner.
The rally in Roanoke has received
positive reviews so far.
The last time the hog rally rolled
in to town was 10 years ago and the
response wasn’t so well received and
just 850 people showed up in ‘99.
“If the people don’t feel welcome
they don’t want to come to an area,”
said Jo Ann Emmons, rally organizer.
More than 2,000 have showed up this
year and people can’t stop raving
about the scenery on the Blue Ridge
Parkway.
“It’s startling to come up on some
of the views. You’re coming through
trees and suddenly there’s this
vista of magnificence and you just
want to stop and breathe,” explained
Martha Weslow, a Harley owner from
Florida.
Just as beautiful as the ride are
the bikes themselves.
It may be hard to pick a favorite
out of the show bikes, but Wyatt has
picked his favorite rally.
“This is third one I’ve been to and
it’s been the best so far. We love
riding through the mountains. I live
down in near Yorktown Virginia and
its kind of flat down there, so we
went up to Paint Bank today and had
a good time,” Wyatt said.
He and others say they hope they
don’t have to wait another 10 years
to come back to the Star City.
Organizers will vote on Sunday on
the location of next year’s rally.
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