Etc.

etc.

SUPER X IN MOTION

Excelsior-Henderson has built its first production Super X mega-cruiser. Coinciding with the Belle Plaine, Minnesota-based manufacturer’s fifth anniversary, serial number 0001 rolled off the assembly line on December 30,1998. Full-scale production will commence shortly, with bikes scheduled for shipment to dealers in late January. Suggested retail price for the air-cooled, 1386cc V-Twin starts at $17,950. For the location of a dealer near you, contact Excelsior-Henderson at 612/873-7000.

PARILLA PARTY

Parilla enthusiasts from around the world are invited to New Mexico’s beautiful Scandia Mountains on September 25-26 for Parilia Days. Achille and Angelo Parrilla, the surviving sons of company founder Giovanni Parrilla, will attend, as will collector Bruno Baccari and his father Adelmo. Author Michael Dregni will also be on hand, hopefully with copies of his soon-to-be-published Parilia history. Enthusiasts from Argentina, Canada, Japan and Mexico are expected. Further information is available by calling event organizer Paul Johnson at 505/281-3083, or via his website, www.parilladays.com.

DIRT-TRACK PAY DAY

Last fall, motorsports personality Dave Despain helped create a Labor Day dirttrack extravaganza-the First Annual Dirt Track Hall of Fame Weekend-at the sport’s mecca in Springfield, Illinois. The 10-lap Hall of Fame race paid a record $50,000 in prize money,

$15,000 of which went to race-winner and nine-time AMA Grand National Champion Scott Parker. This year, Despain and the Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association (IMDA) have posted a whopping $100,000 purse for the Saturday, September 4, event. “In the past, Springfield almost never sold out, so a lot of fans never bothered with advanced-sale tickets,” Despain says.

“They were disappointed last year to show up on Sunday and find there were no seats left. With the addition of the six-figure purse, we’re expecting both days to sell out this year.” Hotel and ticket information are available by calling the IMDA at 217/753-8866.

DUCATI UPDATE

With assistance from Mediobanca, thea strongest financial group in Italy, Ducati is set to go public on the Milan Stockj Exchange. This should help finance development of the company's nextgeneration 1000cc V-Twin. The new engine is said to represent a solid evolution of the current 996 powerplant, and nothing more. A narrower, 75-degree Vee angle, more highly oversquare bor~stroke ratio and reduced in cluded valve angle are the most notable changes. Desmo valve actuation is still considered a must for any Ducati-at least until production exceeds 50,000. Then, valve springs may be considered a viable a~ernaUve, particulariy for those who would gladly trade a bit of image for an easier-to-maintain top-end.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Learning Curves Roadrace School has a new co-owner and head instructor: former AMA 600cc Supersport and Harley-Davidson SuperTwins champ Scott "Z-Man" Zampach. "This is a terrific opportunity to help motorcycle enthusiasts ride safer and faster, while having fun," says Zampach, now re covered from his career-ending in juries. Based in West Allis, Wisconsin, the school was founded by current co-owner and racer Rick Breuer. LCRS has graduated 1725 students to date. For a schedule of newand advanced rider schools at racetracks throughout the Midwest, call 414/327-0140.

CABLE THRILLS AND SPILLS

Speedvision will broadcast the 1999 AMNPJ1 Arenacross series as part of its weekly "Two-Wheel Tuesdays" motorcycle programming. Defending champ Buddy Antunez is slated to compete against fellow indoor hotshoes Chad Pederson, Heath Voss, Cliff Palmer and others for more than $1 million in prize money. Coverage will include the full racing program, and possibly the Jump-Off Contest and four-lap Dash for Cash. For more information, contact your local cable provider or call 888/22SPEED