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Founded in 1973 by Don Emler Sr ., Southern California based aftermarket exhaust manufacturer FMF Racing ( Flying Machine Factory ) has marked the start of its 50th anniversary year by returning as the " Official Exhaust " of American motocross . " It ' s no coincidence that the beginnings of FMF Racing coincide with the infancy of the Pro Motocross Championship , as both now boast a half century of showcasing the absolute best of what American motocross has to offer ," said Davey Coombs , President , MX Sports Pro Racing . " The sport blossomed out of the booming Southern California racing scene , fostering motocross ' first domestic superstars and one of its most influential brands in FMF . Our roots are in support of Pro Motocross , which has made the brand synonymous with this prestigious championship ."
The world ' s oldest surviving national newspaper has printed its final edition . Austria ' s Wiener Zeitung has published its final print edition almost 320 years after the first . A law change in Austria ended a legal requirement in that country for companies to publish public announcements in the print edition of the newspaper , terminating Wiener Zeitung ' s role as an official gazette . The change resulted in an immediate loss of an estimated € 18m of annual income and has forced the paper to cut 63 jobs , reduce the editorial staff from 55 to 20 and close its print edition . The paper is owned by the Austrian government , but is editorially independent and outlasted 12 presidents , ten kaiser and two republics . The oldest surviving print newspaper is now thought to be Germany ' s Hildesheimer Allgemeine Zeitung , which started in 1705 .
Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer Energica rider Stefano Mesa ( Columbia ) and Tytlers Cycle Racing continue to impress in the Super Hooligans championship series , becoming " the first EV ever in the world to lead a race against ICE machinery ", as Roland Sands pointed out in commentary breaking the e- motorcycle lap record ( 1:31.272 seconds ) at Laguna Seca during Round 6 of the 2023 series , finishing in fifth place on the Energica Eva Ribelle RS .
R 18 custom competition
Using R 18 models as a starting point , a BMW Motorrad dealer customising competition started in April this year and continues to 29 September 2023 , with 150 dealers from 18 countries having already confirmed participation . Four models of the conversion-friendly R 18 architecture can be used by customisers - the R 18 , R 18 Classic , R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental . A Grand World Finale will be staged at the opening of BMW Motorrad Welt in Berlin on 29 September 2023 . The two best custom motorcycles from each participating country will have been selected at national contests having being staged between 15 May-16 July 2023 . These bikes will be eligible to participate in an international semifinal ( 31 July-14 August 2023 ), in which six motorcycles will be selected by a jury of experts and one by means
of a public vote for the grand world final . BMW Motorrad dealers from the following countries are confirmed - Australia , Austria , Canada , China , Czech Republic , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , Mexico , Poland , Portugal ,
BIHR Adventure and travel catalogue
For 2023 , Bihr has added a catalogue concept for Adventure bikes and travel . At 212 pages , it brings together all the part numbers offered by the European leader in parts and accessories for Adventure bikes . Split into two parts , the catalogue first lists fourteen models , each one with a selection of dedicated accessories , including selections for top-sellers such as Ducati ' s Desert-X , the H-D Pan-America , Husqvarna 901 Norden and Royal Enfield Himalayan . The second part of the Adventure catalogue brings together twenty-one brands with lighting , luggage , tyres , protections , and many other product families .
New brands for 2023 include Italian exhaust manufacturer HP Corse and Australian Quadlock smartphone holders . These are alongside established products from established best sellers such as Barkbusters handguards ( Australia ), Oxford Products apparel and accessories ( UK ), Haan Wheels and Twin Air Filters ( Netherlands ), DID Chain ( Japan / Italy ), Koso Instruments ( Germany / Japan ), Shad luggage ( Spain ), AXP Racing off-road accessories ( France ),
South Africa , Spain , Switzerland , Ukraine , the United Kingdom and the USA . The panel of six expert judges will include renowned customisers who are highly regarded within the custom motorcycle community such as Thor Drake ( founder of See See Motorcycles , Portland , Oregon ); Michael Lichter ( world leading custom motorcycle photographer and event curator , Boulder , Colorado ); Roland Sands ( motorcycle racer and designer , Long Beach , California ); J . Shia ( internationally recognised awardwinning motorcycle builder and designer , Madhouse Motors , Boston , Massachusetts ); Giuseppe Roncen ( founder and editor of Lowride magazine in Italy ) and Yuichi Yoshizawa ( custom builder and coowner of Custom Works Zon , Japan ). www . bmw-motorrad . com
Continental tyres and MRA windscreens ( Germany ), Rekluse clutches ( Idaho , USA ) and Denali electronics ( Rhode Island , USA ). www . mybihr . com
20 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2023 www . idnmag . com