Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The FIM Endurance World Championship race scheduled for October 10, 2004 at Vallelunga in Italy has been moved to October 3, 2004.

The updated 2004 Endurance World Championship calendar now reads:

4/12* 500km Assen, Holland
5/2 6hr Zhuhai, China
6/5 12hr Albacete, Spain
6/27 200mi Imola, Italy
7/25 8hr Suzuka, Japan
8/14-15 24hr Oschersleben, Germany
10/3 200mi Vallelunga, Italy

* Easter Monday

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The factory Kawasaki road racing team semi-truck pulled into Willow Springs Raceway this morning. The truck was at Infineon Raceway yesterday and the day before where most of two days of scheduled testing was rained out.

The truck still carries an action photo of Eric Bostrom on the number 32 Kawasaki superbike and Bostrom’s name is still on both sides of the trailer.

The WSMC office was fully staffed and operating normally at 7:00 a.m. for the start of this month’s three-day race weekend.

This event marks the first in WSMC’s 12-year history that Kenny Kopecky is not running the show. Kopecky resigned last month to pursue other interests.

Also at Willow Springs, long-time Dunlop user Jack Pfeifer is testing Pirelli tires.


Making the extra test day at Willow Springs happen wasn’t easy for Kawasaki. The team’s semi-truck had to be driven all night to reach Willow Springs from Infineon Raceway by this morning, and the nine additional crew members present at Willow Springs had to fly back to Southern California and drive to the Rosamond, California track with little sleep to be ready for the additional day.

The Kawasaki team told Roadracingworld.com it wanted to test some things it didn’t get to try during its rain-plagued two-day test at Infineon Raceway.

Roger Lee Hayden has two ZX-10Rs at his disposal, while older brother Tommy has a pair of ZX-10R Superstock bikes plus his ZX-6RR Supersport machine ready to go Friday at Willow Springs.

The Attack Kawasaki team, which fields Josh Hayes and Tony Meiring, is not at Willow Springs today.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

TEAM SUZUKI 2004 SEASON PROGRAM

Thanks to the support of valuable technical and commercial product sponsors, and the continuing support of the media in all its forms, Team Suzuki once again celebrated a successful season across many different race formats and different continents in 2003. With the new season already starting to get under way, Team Suzuki is aiming for even greater success in 2004.

In the 2003 World Endurance Championship, the Suzuki GSX-R1000 won six races out of eight races, winning the FIM manufacturer’s title and, with the Suzuki GB Phase One Team the individual championship as well. In fact, the GSX-R1000 dominated the class, taking five of the top-ten positions in the championship.

In the World MXGP championship, Team Suzuki’s Michael Pichon led for most of the season, but missed the last three rounds through injury and finished in third position. Kevin Strijbos had an exceptional first season with Team Suzuki, taking ninth place in the premier MXGP racing class.

In the World Superbike championship, Gregorio Lavilla took the Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 to fifth place in the series – the highest placed 4-cylinder machine rider in the class. Team Suzuki Alstare’s Stephane Chambon took the GSX-R600 to second place in the World Supersport championship with team mate Katsuaki Fujiwara finishing in fifth position, and Michele Fabrizio took his Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 to the European Superstock championship.

In the USA, Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates dominated the AMA Superbike series, taking first and second places in the championships on the Yoshimura GSX-R1000 racers. And the Suzuki American Success story didn’t end there with Ben Spies taking the Formula X-treme title and Josh Hays the Superstock title to give Suzuki a brilliant triple crown.

In the British Superbike Championship Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds overcame an early season injury to fight his way up to second place in the championship on the GSX-R1000 and Yukio Kagayama became a fan’s favorite in his BSB ‘rookie year’ winning three races and finishing in seventh place in the series despite missing the last three races through injury.

In the All Japan championship JSB class, Keiichi Kitagawa and Atsushi Watanabe produced another Suzuki GSX-R1000 double, taking first and second places in the championship and the third consecutive All Japan championship Super Bike class. (Re-named JSB1000 for 2003). In the All Japan Motocross championship, Akira Narita and Kazumasa Masuda took yet another Suzuki double in the 250cc class, and Saya Suzuki won the fourth Ladies class in a row, giving Suzuki four out of five All Japan Motocross classes for the second year in a row.

In conclusion, the continuing success of Team Suzuki’s GSX-R and RM machines in 2003 proved that Suzuki is firmly on target to ‘Own the Racetrack.’

In 2004 Team Suzuki is committed to achieve even greater success on the racetracks of the world. In the premier MotoGP road racing class, Kenny Roberts Jr. and John Hopkins will take the radical, new 2004 GSV-R four-stroke racer into battle with the promise of improved performance and a new technical partner in the form of the Bridgestone tyre company. In the new MX1 premier motocross GP class, multiple world champion Joel Smets joins Kevin Strijbos in Team Suzuki to race the all-new RM-Z450WS four-stroke. Stephane Chambon and Katsuaki Fujiwara will take the new GSX-R600 Team Alstare Suzuki into the World Supersport championship as firm favorites for the title.

In major national championships around the world, Team Suzuki will be looking to repeat the winning form in 2004. In the All Japan Road Race championship, Keiichi Kitagawa and Atsushi Watanabe will be looking to retain the JSB1000 class championship. Matt Mladin and Aaron Yates are determined to repeat the Suzuki one-two in the AMA Superbike series and John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama will be aiming for the British Superbike Championship. So, Team Suzuki is aiming high for the three top national Superbike championships in three continents. In the All Japan Motocross championship, Shinichi Kaga and Takuma Kojima will join Kazumasa Masuda in the new factory team with the aim of making the new RM-Z450 the champion in its first year.

Suzuki remains committed to maximizing its commitment and support of all Team Suzuki activities in 2004 and beyond. The invaluable support of all the technical sponsors, commercial sponsors, media, riders, team members, distributors, dealers and supporters is central to the continuing Team Suzuki program and Suzuki is grateful for all that continuing support.


2004 GSV-R SPECIFICATION

ENGINE TYPE – FOUR-STROKE, WATER-COOLED, V4
DISPLACEMENT – 990cc
MAX POWER – 220+ ps @ 14,500+ rpm
VALVE TYPE – DOHC FOUR-VALVE
CARBURATION TYPE – FUEL INJECTION
LUBRICATION SYSTEM – WET SUMP
CLUTCH – DRY MULTI PLATES (BACK TORQUE REDUCE TYPE)
TRANSMISSION – SIX-SPEED CONSTANT MESH
FINAL DRIVE – CHAIN
FRAME TYPE – TWIN SPAR ALUMINUM ALLOY FRAME
SUSPENSION FRONT – INVERTED TYPE TELESCOPIC
SUSPENSION REAR – LINK TYPE
TYRES – BRIDGESTONE
WHEEL FRONT – 16.5 inches
WHEEL REAR – 16.5 inches
BRAKE SYSTEM FRONT – DOUBLE CARBON DISC (CARBON)
BRAKE SYSTEM REAR – SINGLE DISC (STEEL)
OVERALL LENGTH – 2060mm
OVERALL WIDTH – 660mm
OVERALL HEIGHT – 1150mm
WHEELBASE – 1450mm
WEIGHT – 145kg
FUEL TANK – 24L



2004 RM-Z450WS SPECIFICATION

ENGINE TYPE – FOUR-STROKE, WATER-COOLED, SINGLE
DISPLACEMENT – 450cc
MAX POWER – 60+ ps @ 9,000+ rpm
VALVE TYPE – DOHC FOUR-VALVE
CARBURATION TYPE – KEIHIN FCR
LUBRICATION SYSTEM – SEMI DRY SUMP
CLUTCH – WET MULTI PLATES
TRANSMISSION – FOUR SPEED CONSTANT MESH
FINAL DRIVE – CHAIN
FRAME TYPE – TWIN SPAR ALUMINUM ALLOY FRAME
SUSPENSION FRONT – INVERTED TYPE TELESCOPIC
SUSPENSION REAR – NEW LINK TYPE
TYRES – PIRELLI(World GP MX1), BRIDGESTONE(All Japan MX)
WHEEL FRONT – 21 inches
FRONT REAR – 19 inches
BRAKE SYSTEM – SINGLE DISC (STEEL) FRONT AND REAR
OVERALL LENGTH – 2175mm
OVERALL WIDTH – 815mm
OVERALL HEIGHT – 1270mm
WHEELBASE – 1490mm
WEIGHT – 98kg
FUEL TANK – 7.5L


2004 RM250WS SPECIFICATION

ENGINE TYPE – TWO-STROKE WATER COOLED SINGLE
DISPLACEMENT – 250cc
MAX POWER – 58+ PS @ 8,000+ rpm
VALVE TYPE – PISTON REED VALVE
CARBURATION TYPE – MIKUNI TMX39S
LUBRICATION SYSTEM – PRE-MIXTURE 30:1
CLUTCH – WET MULTI PLATES
TRANSMISSION – FIVE-SPEED CONSTANT MESH
FINAL DRIVE – CHAIN
FRAME TYPE – SEMI DOUBLE CRADLE
SUSPENSION FRONT – INVERTED TYPE TELESCOPIC
SUSPENSION REAR – NEW LINK TYPE
TYRES FRONT – BRIDGESTONE 21 INCHES
TYRES REAR – BRIDGESTONE 19 INCHES
BRAKE SYSTEM – SINGLE DISC (STEEL) FRONT AND REAR
OVERALL LENGTH – 2175mm
OVERALL WIDTH – 840mm
OVERALL HEIGHT – 1280mm
WHEELBASE – 1470mm
WEIGHT – 98kg
FUEL TANK – 8.0L

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

No Limit Motorsports Suzuki’s Jason Curtis is testing his new 2004-model GSX-R600 today during a WSMC track day at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California.

Curtis is working with mechanics Ryan Landers and Sean Stroment to set up the new bike’s suspension.

In addition, Vesrah Brakes’ Nancy Junge is at Willow Springs today meeting racers and distributing product to support contingencies Vesrah has posted for the 2004 WSMC series.

Weather conditions continue to be near perfect at the track with temperatures in the low-70’s and no wind.

From a press release issued by Phase One Racing:

Estonian Champ Signs with Junior Team

Marko Rohtlaan has signed up with the Phase One Junior Team for the 2004 season. The Estonian 19 year old has an enviable racing history, having been racing since he was seven and riding four-strokes since he was 16. He was Scandinavian and Nordic Supersport champion in 2002 and took Estonian championships in ’97, ’98, ’99, ’01, ’02 and ’03.

Marko is looking forward to a season of endurance racing with Phase One: “The possibility to ride with a top world championship team will let me test and develop my skills. It’s a real opportunity for my race career”

Marko’s website: www.rohtlaan-racing.ee

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki’s Roger Lee Hayden and Tommy Hayden are at Willow Springs Raceway for a WSMC track ride and practice day, testing their AMA Superstock ZX-10Rs.

According to independent watches, Roger Hayden had turned a best time of 1:22.7 and Tommy Hayden had gone 1:23.2, as of 3:30 p.m. local time.

According to team sources, Tommy Hayden went 1:20.93 on his ZX-10R Ninja and Roger Hayden was in the mid-1:21s on his ZX-10R.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

MotoGP class

No. Rider Nation Machine Team

3 Max Biaggi, ITA, Honda, Camel Pramac Honda Pons
6 Makoto Tamada, JPN, Honda, Camel Pramac Honda Pons
7 Carlos Checa, SPA, Yamaha, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha
9 Nobuatsu Aoki, JPN, Proton KR, Proton Team KR
10 Kenny Roberts, USA, Suzuki, Suzuki Grand Prix Team
11 Ruben Xaus, SPA, Ducati, D’Antin MotoGP
12 Troy Bayliss, AUS, Ducati, Ducati Marlboro Team
15 Sete Gibernau, SPA, Honda, Telefonica Movistar Honda
21 John Hopkins, USA, Suzuki, Suzuki Grand Prix Team
33 Marco Melandri, ITA, Yamaha, Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3
45 Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, Telefonica Movistar Honda
46 Valentino Rossi, ITA, Yamaha, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha
50 Neil Hodgson, GBR, Ducati, D’Antin MotoGP
56 Shinya Nakano, JPN, Kawasaki, Kawasaki Racing Team
65 Loris Capirossi, ITA, Ducati, Ducati Marlboro Team
66 Alex Hofmann, GER, Kawasaki, Kawasaki Racing Team
67 Shane Byrne, GBR, Aprilia, Aprilia Racing
69 Nicky Hayden, USA, Honda, Repsol Honda
80 Kurtis Roberts, USA, Proton KR, Proton Team KR
99 Jeremy McWilliams, GBR, Aprilia, Aprilia Racing
To be confirmed, Harris WCM, WCM
To be confirmed, Harris WCM, WCM
To be confirmed, Honda, Repsol Honda
To be confirmed, Yamaha, Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3


250cc class

No. Rider Nation Machine Team

2 Roberto Rolfo, ITA, Honda, Fortuna Honda
6 Alex Debon, SPA, Honda, Troll Honda BQR
7 Randy de Puniet, FRA, Aprilia, LCR
8 Naoki Matsudo, JPN, Yamaha, Yamaha Kurz
9 Hugo Marchand, FRA, Aprilia, Zoppini Abruzzo
10 Alfonso Nieto, SPA, Aprilia, Repsol – Aspar Team
11 Joan Olive, SPA, Aprilia, Campetella Racing
14 Anthony West, AUS, Aprilia, Team Zoppini Abruzzo
15 Christian Gemmel, GER, Honda, Kiefer Castrol – Honda Racing
16 Johan Stiegefelt, SWE, Aprilia, Aprilia Germany
19 Sebastian Porto, ARG, Aprilia, Repsol – Aspar Team
21 Franco Battaini, ITA, Aprilia, Campetella Racing
23 Gino Borsoi, ITA, Aprilia, Racing World
24 Toni Elias, SPA, Honda, Fortuna Honda
25 Alex Baldolini, ITA, Aprilia, Matteoni Racing
26 Daniel Pedrosa, SPA, Honda, Telefonica Movistar Junior Team
28 Dirk Heidolf, GER, Aprilia, Aspar Junior Team
33 Hector Faubel, SPA, Aprilia, Aspar Junior Team
34 Eric Bataille, FRA, Honda, Troll Honda BQR
50 Sylvain Guintoli, FRA, Aprilia, Campetella Racing
51 Alex de Angelis, RSM, Aprilia, Aprilia Racing
54 Manuel Poggiali, RSM, Aprilia, Aprilia Racing
57 Chaz Davies, GBR, Aprilia, Aprilia Germany
73 Hiroshi Aoyama, JPN, Honda, Telefonica Movistar Junior Team
96 Jakub Smrz, CZE, Honda, Arie Molenaar Racing
To be confirmed, Aprilia, Equipe de France – Scrab GP
To be confirmed, Yamaha, Yamaha Kurz


125cc class –

No. Rider Nation Machine Team

3 Hector Barbera, SPA, Aprilia, Seedorf Racing
6 Mirko Giansanti, ITA, Aprilia, Matteoni Racing
7 Stefano Perugini, ITA, Gilera, Gilera Racing Team
10 Julian Simon, SPA, Aprilia, Angaia Racing
11 Mattia Angeloni, ITA, Aprilia, Angaia Racing
12 Thomas Lüthi, SUI, Honda, Elit Grand Prix
14 Gabor Talmacsi, HUN, Malaguti, Semprucci Malaguti
15 Roberto Locatelli, ITA, Aprilia, LCR
16 Raymond Schouten, NED, Honda, Arie Molenaar Racing
19 Alvaro Bautista, SPA, Aprilia, Seedorf Racing
21 Steve Jenkner, GER, Aprilia, WWC
22 Pablo Nieto, SPA, Aprilia, Master – MXonda – Aspar Team
24 Simone Corsi, ITA, Honda, Team Scot
25 Imre Toth, HUN, Aprilia, Team Hungary
26 Dario Giuseppetti, GER, Honda, Elit Grand Prix
27 Casey Stoner, AUS, KTM, KTM Red Bull
28 Jordi Carchano, SPA, Aprilia, Matteoni Racing
32 Fabrizio Lai, ITA, Gilera, Gilera Racing Team
33 Sergio Gadea, SPA, Aprilia, Master – Mxonda – Aspar Team
34 Andrea Dovizioso, ITA, Honda, Team Scot
36 Mika Kallio, FIN, KTM, KTM Red Bull
41 Youichi Ui, JPN, Aprilia, Abruzzo Racing Team
42 Gioele Pellino, ITA, Aprilia, Abruzzo Racing Team
44 Joshua Waters, AUS, Honda, Ajo Motorsport
47 Angel Rodriguez, SPA, Derbi, Derbi Racing Team
48 Jorge Lorenzo, SPA, Derbi, Derbi Racing Team
50 Andrea Ballerini, ITA, Aprilia, Fontana
51 Manuel Manna, ITA, Malaguti, Semprucci Malaguti
52 Lukas Pesek, CZE, Honda, Ajo Motorsport
54 Mattia Pasini, ITA, Aprilia, LCR
58 Marco Simoncelli, ITA, Aprilia, WWC
63 Mike di Meglio, FRA, Aprilia, Racing World
66 Vesa Kallio, FIN, Aprilia, Team Hungary

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Weather conditions at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California are perfect Friday. Participants in the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (WSMC) track day are enjoying sunny skies, temperatures near 65 degrees Fahrenheit and no wind.

Kawasaki factory racers Roger Lee and Tommy Hayden are currently on track testing their ZX-10R AMA Superstock racebikes.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Eric Bostrom will be signing autographs and meeting with fans Saturday, January 17 during an Open House at Ducati Austin in Austin, Texas.

Bostrom, his Ducati Austin 999 Superbike and the team’s semi-truck will be accessible, as well as a free “backyard cookout” and many of the new, 2004-model Ducatis, according to the team’s official website

The open house is scheduled to last all day, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For additional information, call (512) 291-5100.