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December saw the National Powersports Dealer Association ( NPDA ) announce that the Federal Trade Commission had released the final version of its Auto Rule ( renamed the Combating Auto Retail Scams Rule - CARS ). Designed to protect consumers from auto retail scams , the rule would have required powersports dealers to fundamentally alter the way they do business . However , the final language of the CARS Rule explicitly exempts powersports dealers and other non-automotive dealers from the requirements of the rule . Bob Althoff , NPDFA Chairman , said : " The NPDA appreciates the collaboration shown by our various partners to help overcome this regulation . We are also thankful that the FTC listened to the input and allowed for these exemptions ."
December saw the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ) in USA release its annual Traffic Safety Facts report for 2021 . A compilation of motor vehicle traffic crash data , the 225-page report contains information on crash types , causes and participants involved . According to the report , motorcyclists made up 13.8 % of all nationwide traffic fatalities in 2021 , with 5,932 motorcyclists killed on U . S . roads . That is the highest number since data collection began in 1975 . In comparison , the pre-Covid year of 2019 saw 5,044 bikers killed . The number of those injured on motorcycles reported in 2021 was 82,686 , which is fewer than the all-time high of 104,442 in 2016 . This total injury count represents 3.3 % of the 2.5 million people injured in all motor vehicle crashes . It is important to note that 2021 showed a substantial increase in motorcycles registered . The data also shows an increase in vehicle miles traveled by bikers . NHTSA data shows 9.8 million registered motorcycles with approximately 19.6 billion miles traveled in 2021 . Those increases mean that while the total number of fatalities and injuries went up , the rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles went down . Riders accounted for 95 % of deaths , while 5 % were motorcycle passengers ; 57 % of fatalities occurred by collision with another vehicle , 26 % resulted from a collision with a fixed object , 4 % collision with a non-fixed object , while 13 % of fatalities occurred without a collision ; 34 % of fatalities involved a rider impaired by alcohol . That number is in line with the 31 % of alcohol-related fatalities nationwide . Riders were wearing helmets in 59 % of fatalities , while riders were not wearing helmets in 38 % of fatalities . Another 3 % of fatalities occurred where helmet usage was unknown ; 29 % of fatalities involved an unlicensed rider .
Yamaha - Official AFT OEM Partner of Progressive AFT in 2024
Progressive American Flat Track , sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing , has confirmed that Yamaha Motor Corp ., USA , will again stand as an Official OEM Partner of Progressive AFT for the upcoming 2024 season . Additionally , Yamaha will once again serve as the title sponsor for the Yamaha Senoia Short Track at Senoia Raceway in Senoia , Georgia , on March 23 . This marks the fifth occasion Yamaha has stepped into that role for the series ' visits to the Atlanta area since the manufacturer first opened its corporate offices in Marietta , Georgia , in late 2018 . Yamaha enjoyed another banner
Italian suspension specialist Bitubo has announced the next stage in the development of its plans to build foundations for increased brand profile and sales in the United States . Having hired former Progressive Suspension , Performance Machine and Burly Brand ( MAG group ) Product Manager Sean Delshadi to head-up Sales and Marketing of the Bitubo brand in America , they have now hired another former Progressive Suspension and Performance Machine group man , David Zemla , as the Director of US Operations . Most recently Zemla held one of the more prestigious roles in the American motorcycle parts and accessories aftermarket as VP of Marketing for historic US performance parts manufacturer S & S Cycle . At EICMA Zemla told IDN that " I ' ve spent my entire career working with premier level aftermarket brands and am more than excited to help grow Bitubo ' s US operations ." season of AFT competition in 2023 , proving itself a title-contending powerhouse in both Mission SuperTwins and Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER . Spearheaded by Estenson Racing ' s rising superstar , Dallas Daniels , Yamaha-mounted riders racked up seven victories , 15 top twos , 23 podiums and 35 top fives in the premier class . That included a pair of 1-2 finishes and an ultimate championship ranking of second and third . Along the way , Daniels demonstrated the all-around excellence of the Yamaha MT-07 by completing the career Grand Slam -
Sales & Marketing Manager and fourth generation leader at Bitubo , Giorgia Mardollo shared : " We believe the United States has been a ' sleeping giant ' in sales terms . Bitubo is one of the very few motorcycle suspension manufacturers that can convincingly claim to offer a world earning at least one win on a Mile , Half-Mile , Short Track and TT - in just his second season competing at the pinnacle of the sport . It was a similar story in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles class , where another emerging force , young Tom Drane , led the way aboard his Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F . There , Yamaha-mounted riders secured six wins , 12 top twos , 15 podiums , 25 top fives and two 1-2 finishes en route to second and thirdplace title standings . Yamaha is well positioned to continue its modern-day dirt track ascent with Daniels and Drane recently confirmed to be back to hunt their respective # 1 plates aboard Estenson Racing-tuned Yamahas in 2024 . www . yamahamotorsports . com www . americanflattrack . com
Bitubo adds David Zemla to US team
class level of high performance suspension and with the right team in place we can bring that expertise and top shelf product to a performance hungry US market ." David hit the ground running in October and can be reached at dzemla @ bitubousa . com .
Product Manager Sean Delshadi , Sales & Marketing Manager ; Sales & Marketing Manager Giorgia Mardollo ; U . S . Chief of Operations David Zemla
14 AFTERMARKET MOTO DESIGN - FEBRUARY 2024