Etc.
ETC.
INDYBIKE?
As if there weren't enough racecar companies working on motorcycle projects, British Indycar chassis constructor Reynard has now entered the arena. Only Reynard's project isn't really a bike; it's a two-seater sports car powered by a four-cylinder Triumph 1200 Daytona motor. Similar to the Yamaha FZR1000-powered Rocket road car developed by McLaren F-1 car designer Gordon Murray, the Reynard Triumph is being developed both for road and track use, the latter as the basis for a low-cost, entry-level racing class. It uses a tubular-steel spaceframe clad with fiberglass bodywork, and weighs approxi mately 1100 pounds. Availability of engines may be a problem, how ever, as Triumph management is unwilling to sell engines separately.
A BIMOTA BROKER BY ANY OTHER NAME
Moto Cycle, the U.S. importers of Italian-made Bimota motorcycles, has changed its name and moved to a new location. Now known as Moto Point, the company's new ad dress is 11 Brilliant Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15215; the new phone number is 41 a'782-61 91.
The company has also announced that prices on 1997 Bimotas have been slashed by approximately 12 percent: The SB6 and YB1 1 will now sell for $20,250, while the Mantra will go for $17,030.
THUNDER CROSSER
Yamaha is developing a serious four-stroke off-road racer to comply with tough, new California emis sions standards that have effective ly banned two-strokes from everything but closed-course com petition in that state. More than a mere trailbike, however, the 440cc Thumper is expected to compete in this season's 250cc motocross championships, both in the U.S. and abroad.
CUT-RATE TRIUMPHS
Triumph motorcycles will be quite a few pounds less this year. But no, we're not talking about weight; we're talking about pounds sterling. Triumph Motorcycles America Limited, in an attempt to gain market share in the U.S., has slashed p~ces clear across the board on its 1997 models. Com pared to last year's stickers, savings range from $400 on the dual-purpose Tiger to $2500 on the hot-rod Super Ill. Even the new-f or-'97 1509 Speed Triple and T595 Daytona have had theirprices reduced from previously announced figures by $1800 and $2100, respectively. Sweetest deal of all is the Trident 900, which had its price slashed $1000 to just $7995.
THAT'S PROFESSOR SPENCER
Has Freddie Spencer traded his racing leathers for a chalkboard? The three-time roadracing world champi on recently announced his formal re tirement from racing, and opened Freddie Spencer's High Performance Riding School at the new Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada. Spencer, who has been working as a racing television commentator, also struck a deal with Speedvision to produce six half-hour TV shows on the school. Says Spencer, "Racing has been very, very good to me, but it's just time to stop. Now, all my energies will be going into the schools and announc ing." For school information, call 702/643-1099.
FAST BY DYNOJET
Dyno jet was growing so quickly, they needed more horsepower, con firms Eraldo Ferracci of Fast By Fer racci Ducati fame. The famed tuner was so impressed with Dyno jet's rear-wheel dynamometer that he put together a group of investors and pur chased the firm. No personnel changes are planned, however, and the company will stay headquartered in Montana.
