plus 4, CMRA Announces Its 2009 Champions - RoadracingWorld.com |
- CMRA Announces Its 2009 Champions - RoadracingWorld.com
- Patrick's deal may raise NASCAR stock - Florida Today
- Engineering for the future - CharlotteObserver.com
- Sebring Christmas Parade a hit - Highlands Today
- North Myrtle Beach eyed for Harley-Davidson motorcycle rally - The Sun News
| CMRA Announces Its 2009 Champions - RoadracingWorld.com Posted: 11 Dec 2009 09:57 PM PST Dec 12, 2009, ©Copyright 2009, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association concluded its 2009 Sprint and Endurance racing series on October 18, 2009 in College Station, Texas. Seasoned veteran Eric Falt was crowned as the 2009 CMRA overall Champion accumulating 1134 points during the season which came down to the final race weekend of the year to decide. Eric battled Young Gun Conner Blevins throughout the day with the points lead swinging back and forth for the overall championship. In the end a broken reed valve on the last lap of the 125 Grand Prix race cost Conner Blevins a race win and five points in the overall championship in which he had earned 1130 points. Heavyweight Twins Champion Ted Phillips won the 2009 CMRA "Rookie of the Year" honors and Team Mancuso Powersports won the 2009 CMRA Endurance overall title. The CMRA would like to thank all of its Volunteers, Racers, Crew, Spectators and Sponsors for such a successful year.
SUPERSTOCK B EXPERT
South Central Race Center - SUPERSTOCK C EXPERT
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Road & Track Suspension - SUPERSTOCK E EXPERT
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Island Racing Services - SUPERBIKE C EXPERT
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Exel Transportation - FORMULA 2 EXPERT
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GMAN Productions - 125 Grand Prix
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Motoliberty - SUPERSTOCK C NOVICE
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FORMULA 7 MINI ENDURANCE Founded in 1974, the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) is an independent, non-profit organization with over 750 members. CMRA organizes and promotes motorcycle road races throughout the South Central region of the United States. The many world and national champions who began racing with CMRA include Colin Edwards, Nicky Hayden, Roger Lee Hayden, Tommy Hayden, Jamie James, John Kocinski, Sam McDonald, Doug Polen, Kevin Schwantz, Freddie Spencer, Ben Spies and Britt Turkington.
For more information, visit www.cmraracing.com or call 512-308-9399. More Breaking Headlines | Next Article | Home fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
| Patrick's deal may raise NASCAR stock - Florida Today Posted: 11 Dec 2009 10:11 PM PST It was destined to turn out the way it did, don't you think? Despite rumors and speculation about Danica Patrick doing a deal with Tony Stewart or even, gasp, Michael Waltrip, wasn't there a little voice telling you she would eventually end up with Dale Jr.? No one can truly claim to be As a result, notice to Fort Knox: unlock the gold. Notice to the U.S. Mint: lube the presses. Danica and Dale Jr. have figuratively consummated -- hey, we aren't talking about Tiger -- a marketing marriage made in heaven and the sky is darkening with Lear jets of account managers flying into count the cash. Never mind that Danica has won one IndyCar race and has never raced a NASCAR stock car and never mind that Dale Jr. stunk last season. It doesn't matter. The two most visible and recognizable faces in North American racing -- sorry Jimmie Johnson -- will be doing business. And if the business of America is business, then the business of NASCAR is well, business and the bottom line. While the France family holdings might be the pocket change equivalent of a few million lighter thanks to the economy, don't think for a minute that the calculators aren't being overworked tallying the potential of this mega deal. Ditto for the bean counters at Hendrick Motorsports where team owner Rick Hendrick has shown, once again, he is capable of sealing stunning deals -- i.e., his signing of Dale Jr. -- that supercede whether the driver ever finds victory lane. Hendrick doesn't have a cash cow in Dale Jr., he's got what amounts to an entire herd. And now that Danica's aboard (don't even begin to think about the heifer jokes), his share of Dale Jr.'s JR Motorsports team becomes even more lucrative. And just think of the possibilities if Danica finds her groove in stock cars and begins running up front and eventually ends up succeeding Mark Martin in Sprint Cup in the No. 5 car. You didn't think GoDaddy.com agreed to sponsor Martin for the next two seasons just because he's a nice guy? Imagine speedways paved with gold. Federal deficit? What federal deficit? Danica, Dale Jr. and Hendrick could float the feds a few trillion to make them whole and still have enough on hand to buy a small country or two. And if she bombs? Look no further than Dale Jr. What's he done since joining Hendrick? Win once in two seasons. Miss the playoff. Finish 25th in points. Doesn't matter. He still has the cred to reel in the most high-profile female racer in recent memory to form a marketing and merchandising partnership with unlimited potential. And on potential alone, despite the presence of Johnson, the sport's first-time four-peat champion, it will be the dominant early-season NASCAR story that will be picked over with the same fervor as prospectors panning for gold. Or, monkeys pulling bugs out of each other's fur. Take your pick. fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Engineering for the future - CharlotteObserver.com Posted: 11 Dec 2009 09:43 PM PST UNC Charlotte engineering students decked out in new suits and nervous grins showcased their skills Friday in a semi-annual meeting of academia and the Real World. Senior design projects are required to graduate from the Lee College of Engineering, which turns out nearly 400 engineers a year. Each will contribute a little, or a lot, to the nuts and bolts of daily life: new energy sources, faster race cars, smarter electronic gadgets. For 250 seniors days or months away from graduation, Friday's design expo was their working-world debut. "The complaint, years ago, was that (students) know math and science - but they have a hard time solving a real problem," said Bill Heybruck, director of the college's Industrial Solutions Laboratory. The solution, for 15 years now, has been to apply four years of study to real-world engineering projects. Posters and prototypes displayed the results of their work, done in teams or individually. Take the Easy Jack, a 15-pound electric/hydraulic jack that lifts or lowers a car at the touch of a button - or will someday. Three mechanical engineering students will build a working model this spring. Senior Richard Hunsucker said the idea came after a broken-down car stranded his grandmother. He and teammates Jose Rios and Blake Garner stood at attention by their poster, eager to explain the design to mingling faculty members and potential employers. "It would be exciting to have a Duke Energy or (nuclear services company) Areva come by," said Hunsucker, who's from Thomasville. "To get a foot in the door would be very exciting. "But just get me through the day and I'll be doing good." Posters depicted designs from mundane to exotic: a wireless garage door switch, a vertical-axis wind turbine, a personal hovercraft, dirt-track racing suspension and wind-powered pond aerator. "I'd like to do stuff based on sustainability because it's a passion of mine, but I also feel like that's where the future is going to be," said Winston-Salem senior Wes McMillan, part of a team that designed a generator powered by ocean tides. "It's also where the jobs are going to be," added teammate Jason Meeks of Pinehurst. Students hold team meetings, procure materials, produce financial reports and meet deadlines like any business. Companies looking for fresh brainwork sometimes sponsor projects, which can work out well for students. About 60percent who work on a sponsored project get offered a job, Heybruck said. Sponsor Irwin Tools, based in Huntersville, needs a locking plier designed for use in welding. It's among the projects staff engineers haven't had time to explore, but hardly an after-thought. "They're doing a job that one of our team designers would work on," said research and development director Thomas Chervenak. "It's not an exercise." In five years of sponsorship, he said, the hand tool maker has netted two designs it hopes to put into production. Lexington senior Bryan McCrary dreamed up a new design for a lightweight cargo trailer for motorcycles. He had an internship and he hopes to have a job with a company that makes blades for gas-turbine generators. "I've got business cards and resumes, too," he said, "because you can never know who you're going to meet." fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
| Sebring Christmas Parade a hit - Highlands Today Posted: 11 Dec 2009 08:53 PM PST Published: December 12, 2009 SEBRING - Minutes before the Sebring Christmas Parade kicked off Thursday, just enough of a drizzle chilled necks and noses on some of the thousands of people who lined up along the parade route to enjoy the festivities. Some folks came prepared with canvas chairs, hooded jackets and umbrellas. There was a show of patriotism as hats came off and hands covered hearts, or formed a perfect salute to the flag of the United States when a Sebring Police Department color guard led the parade. As the color guard entered the Circle, the Carousel of Lights switched on and to the pleasure of the crowd Circle Park became a glowing wonderland. The color guard was followed closely by a Sebring police car driven by Chief Tom Dettman with his grandson Austin at his side. Grand Marshall Jackie Rawlings waved to the crowd followed by the marching steps of the Sebring High School Air Force Junior ROTC. In front of Sebring City Hall, members of the Kahn Citrus Management Relay for Life Team, in conjunction with the Angels of Hope, operated a food stand with hot dogs, pizza, candy, sodas and hot drinks. "We actually started setting up around 4 (p.m.)," said Rachael Wilkins, who added sales were kind of slow while they waited for the crowd to swell. What was their best seller? "We've been selling a lot of hot dogs so far," she said, as a customer ordered a couple of dogs and some hot chocolate. All the proceeds were for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Sebring Mayor George Hensley and his family waved from a decked out convertible followed by Sebring City Council President John Griffin, Councilman Bud Whitlock and Highlands County Commissioner Barbara Stewart. The theme of the parade was "Cartoon Characters from Christmas Past." The Grinch rode a float pulled by Cross Country Automotive, who won the award for best use of theme. Among several marchers in cartoon costume was Frosty the Snowman. The Palms of Sebring, who won the award for best overall float, had their own Grinch, but he couldn't make it rain enough to dampen the fun. Marchers pulled a lovely Christmas tree on wheels. The very popular Santa's Toy Train from Florida Hospital drew cheers from the crowd, as did the dancers from Stepz Dance Studio and the Heacock Insurance float. Heacock won the award for best business representation. Annett Bus Lines entered its bus advertising its "Stuff the Bus Toy Drive." Tamra Annett, sales and marketing director for the bus line, said they were picking up toys Thursday, but would continue to take in toys at their host sites, four Heartland National Bank sites, Wells Dodge Chrysler, Sebring Signs and Promotions. The unwrapped toys collected will benefit boys and girls ages 2 to 12 at the Redland Christian Migrant Association and New Testament Church and Mission. "They're having their annual children's holiday party next Tuesday," she said, speaking of RCMA. Heartland National and MIDFLORIDA banks had their parade entries as well. Advanced performers with The Edge Cheer Center wowed the crowd with some exciting high-flying cheerleading moves lifting their partners up for a basket toss and catching them safely before they hit the pavement. "We have a great bunch of kids," said owner Janet Rowe on Friday. "These are our competitive cheerleaders and they are headed for competition on Sunday in Orlando." Carli Watt, Sebring High School's homecoming queen, rode atop a convertible and waved genteelly to onlookers. A character in a pig suit with long blonde pigtails led the way for the Woody's Barbecue float. A trailer filled with cute little children dressed as reindeer were pursued by dancers from Dance Unlimited, dressed in red outfits trimmed in white fur. They won the award for the best walking group. Union Congregation Church took the award for having the most Christmas Spirit. Another several dozen floats, dance groups, beauty queens, cartoon characters, fire departments, organizations and a long line of motorcycles from the Latin American Motorcycle Association and GR Racing went by, each impressive in their own way. Beauty queens included Morgan Kohl, Miss Florida Teen; Celeste Breylinger, Junior Miss Highlands County and Hannah Allen, Miss Avon Park Chamber. The Sebring High School marching band led the procession for Santa's house. The young children's eyes lit up when the long awaited Santa and Mrs. Claus charmed them all at the conclusion of the nearly hour and a half-long parade. There were about 70 entrees in all, according to Dusty Johnson, parade organizer and president of the Heartland Young Professionals. Angel Nowling, who was downtown on behalf of Kahn Citrus and the Relay for Life team, had another tiny reason for being there. "My little girl Chastity, (who is 4 years old) rode in the DeSoto City (Volunteer) Fire Department truck," said Nowling. Synella West of Sebring said her favorite float was the last one with Santa and Mrs. Claus, "because the city of Sebring did that one," she said. She, too, was busy with the Relay folks and Angels of Hope. She actually missed most of the parade although she was standing just a few feet from the roadway because she was serving food. Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
| North Myrtle Beach eyed for Harley-Davidson motorcycle rally - The Sun News Posted: 11 Dec 2009 08:31 PM PST Lazarus and Worley said they were looking for thesupport of the chamber and the business owners who would benefit from the events, which could include car shows, concerts and others in addition to the motorcycle event, before deciding whether to go to the City Council to ask for the ordinance changes that would make the events possible. "We don't want to close down streets or go into the neighborhoods for this. There are 10,000 people who come for the shag events, and that works out well for Main Street. It's the same number of people [for the motorcycle event], and they come in and bring business when it's relatively slow," Lazarus said. The chamber board was hesitant to affirm its support for the plan Thursday, but agreed to form a task force to look into the rule changes and to begin gauging the area sentiment. Mayor Marilyn Hatley couldn't be reached for comment Thursday afternoon, nor could city manager John Smithson. "We want to get an understanding of what kinds of permitting are in place right now on Main Street and in that downtown area ... and what would need to change to make it more attractive," said chamber President and Chief Executive Marc Jordan. "We have a lot of options for that area, and April and May are the months we need to look at to expand the season. I think it's probably too soon to give an opinion on [the motorcycle event]. We're going to start sitting down with elected officials and with the public to see how they feel and move from there." Worley and Lazarus said they had walked around the area with Harley-Davidson representatives earlier this week, and they are most interested in the Main Street area of the city. He said the company's corporate group had a tent at the New Bern, N.C., rally but is not the same group that organized that event. The North Myrtle Beach event would be aimed at the 10,000-person Harley Owners Group, which Worley said was much smaller than the traditional Myrtle Beach area rally and a different group of bikers. "You're not going to have Jell-O wrestling or bikini bike washes," Lazarus said. "And this isn't a long-term commitment. We're asking to try it for this one year, and then if you don't like it, if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't have to happen again." Myrtle Beach, which had been the epicenter of the two May rallies, last year enacted regulations to try to gain control over the two events after they grew too large for residents' liking. The move sparked a lot of controversy and anger among rally supporters. Some bikers did still come to the Grand Strand this year, but far fewer, and they mostly avoided Myrtle Beach - a problem, some said, in a year already marred by recession. But city leaders haven't wavered. "Myrtle Beach's position hasn't changed," said city spokesman Mark Kruea when asked about the city's reaction to the North Myrtle Beach proposal. "North Myrtle Beach will have to decide if a rally fits in with its other plans." Worley said the Harley representatives are also looking at New Orleans and Ocean City, Md., but have told them that North Myrtle Beach is their first choice. The event would take place on the site of the O.D. Pavilion and Amusement Park, which Worley and Lazarus worked to open as a pilot project last year at the end of Main Street on Ocean Drive. The two plan to open the amusement park for Memorial Day weekend and asked the Harley group to organize its event the weekend before Memorial Day. If approved, the event would officially open Wednesday, May 19, and run through Sunday, May 23. Lazarus said the pavilion would then set up all its games, rides and other areas during the next five days before opening its season on Friday, May 28. The annual Harley-Davidson Spring Rally, after several ordinances were passed inside Myrtle Beach city limits and in the county, focused its smaller attendance last year in the Murrells Inlet and South Strand areas as well as Barefoot Landing. It is scheduled to start on May 7 and run through May 16. The Memorial Day Bikefest in Atlantic Beach would start a few days after the North Myrtle Beach event. Rally promoter Mike Shank said if the North Myrtle Beach event is going to happen, the city and the organizers are racing the clock. "If it takes an ordinance, and you have to have three readings, the earliest they could start that process is probably January. That would put them into mid-February, which would be a real time crunch for promoting and organizing the event," he said. "Starting a venue from scratch was never easy in the best of times of Bike Week. I think that would be a great venue, and I think with the reduced crowd, they wouldn't have to worry about excessive noise or whatever. We are coming down to an excessive time crunch." fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger |
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