Blackmans Cycle issued a January 30 press release detailing the company’s 2001 racing program, as follows: “Kathy Blackman-Bickford, President of Blackmans Cycle, Inc., has officially announced the creation of Blackmans Racing, her latest division that specializes in developing performance and racing products for Aprilia motorcycles. “Blackmans Racing will contest three 2001 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille Rs in the 2001 Formula USA Unlimited Superbike Series. These bikes will be ridden by Chris Carr, Mike Himmelsbach and Tray Batey. Chris Carr will compete at the Spring and Fall Daytona rounds only, while Mike Himmelsbach and Tray Batey will compete at all six rounds. In addition to this, Mike Himmelsbach will also compete in the AMA 250cc Grand Prix Series aboard an Aprilia RSV250 and Mark Blackman will compete in the Formula USA Aprilia Cup Challenge Series aboard an Aprilia RS250. “William Himmelsbach will be the Crew Chief for Blackmans Racing, which is managed by Kris Bickford. Blackmans Racing is sponsored by Yuasa Batteries and Pirelli Tires and receives technical assistance from South Bay Aprilia. “Located in Pennsylvania, Blackmans Cycle, Inc. sells Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha. In 1999 Blackmans Cycle, Inc. was the largest volume Aprilia dealer in the country. Blackmans Cycle, Inc. is owned and operated by Kathy Blackman-Bickford and Mark Blackman.”