Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Contrary to the impression created by a recent news story on another motorcycle racing website, Anthony Fania Jr. never followed up with prosecutors regarding assault charges stemming from an incident with Aaron Yates during the Daytona 200 last March, and the case has been dropped.

Cyclenews.com ran a post headlined “8/16/2004 – Fania Files Charges– Anthony Fania has filed charges against Aaron Yates” which created the impression that Fania just filed charges, some six months after the incident happened, when in fact Fania never followed up on his initial discussion with prosecutors.

The post led to a new firestorm of criticism of Fania on various Internet bulletin boards.

Fania, an experienced journeyman racer with several top-15 finishes in the Daytona 200, was being lapped by Yates when they collided and crashed entering the West Horseshoe late in the 2004 Daytona 200. After the crash, Yates attacked Fania, and a confrontation between crews on pit lane followed. Yates was subsequently fined $25,000 by American Suzuki and $5000 by the AMA, was suspended for one race weekend by the AMA, and was put on probation by the AMA as well. Fania was not sanctioned in any way, although his GSX-R1000 racebike was seriously damaged.

Fania, who is currently undergoing treatment for compartment syndrome on both forearms, did not pursue charges because he just wanted to forget about the whole thing, according to sources close to the Fania family.

The post was triggered by an anonymous FAX to Cycle News, which included a July 16 letter from the prosecutor to Fania which basically stated that nothing would happen until and unless Fania provided the prosecutors with videotape, which he has not.

In other words, the post was triggered by a month-old letter that basically told Fania the case was being blown off due to his lack of follow-up.