Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha Motor Corporation racing team members have stated that five-time World Champion Valentino Rossi will be given a competitive motorcycle in 2004 but they do not expect to win the MotoGP Championship until 2005.

Yamaha’s Masao Furusawa told the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) that many changes have been made within the Yamaha racing department and the organization is “working as hard as possible to make sure the package is fully capable to get the results we desire.”

In an earlier interview with the BBC, Yamaha MotoGP team director Davide Brivio said the 2004 season would be a time for Rossi to establish a relationship with his new bike and team but the MotoGP World Championship is Yamaha’s target for 2005.

Yamaha hasn’t won the World Championship in the premier class of motorcycle road racing since Wayne Rainey took the 1992 500cc World Championship on a YZR500.

From a press release:

North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW 2003

This Friday, January 2nd to Sunday, January 4th

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Over 50,000 Motorcycle Enthusiasts are expected to converge on The Toronto International Centre this weekend to mark the opening of the 2004 Motorcycling Season at the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW.

The SUPERSHOW is the largest motorcycle consumer show in North America encompassing more than 300,000 square feet. Spanning over six buildings, enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view more than 1,000 motorcycles and talk to over 400 exhibitors.

There will be an amazing selection of new 2004 motorcycle models at this year’s SUPERSHOW as seen throughout the Dealer Displays. Visitors will see the full line from Harley-Davidson and Buell and the latest Japanese models like the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Cruiser. The Honda Rune and CRF250R will be showcased as well as the Suzuki GSXR1000. Triumph and BMW will be represented and exotic bikes like the Ducati Monster S4R, the KTM 950 Adventurer, the Victory Vegas and the Benelli Tornado Tre will be spotlighted. Consumers will have a chance to view the new models as well as non-current and used bikes. Motorcycle riders can purchase their new motorcycle directly from the floor and on-site financing is available.

The New Rider Academy will educate new riders on the graduated licensing system, rider training programs for on and off road, how to choose their first bike, road awareness, and financing, insurance and choosing proper riding gear.

Championship Racers Steve Crevier, Jordan Szoke, Jeff Williams and Frank Trombino will be meeting fans and signing autographs at the Joe Rocket Racing Stage.

Wild Custom Bikes from Canada and the U.S. will be competing for over $25,000 in cash and awards.

Special Guests & Personalities will include award winning Canadian country singer Jason McCoy, authors Max Burns and Michelle Duff, Extreme Freestyle video stars Jason Thorne and Bubba and Qadesh the 500 pound Siberian Tiger.

Fashion Shows and Live Bands will keep visitors entertained. ‘On the Fringe’ will be showing their latest rider ware during the ‘Basic Black’ Leather fashion shows.

The Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum will be kicking off its Road Show season with a new line up of rare and collectible bikes.

Clubs, Associations and Charities will be in abundance with more than 70 organizations represented.

The 2004 Motorcycle Awards of Excellence will be presented in over 45 categories including, Canadian Racing Champions, Rider Achievement and Media. The awards are presented to select ‘Ambassadors’ of Motorcycling for their achievements throughout the year.

Official Show Charities include ‘The Ride for Sight’ a national organization who has raised millions for the fight against blindness through their annual rides. This year’s regional charity is the B.A.D. Ride – Bikers Against Despair – whose efforts go to support the Distress Centres of Toronto.

A true shopping extravaganza, the SUPERSHOW hosts hundreds of exhibits showing the latest in aftermarket parts and accessories, motorcycle rider apparel, performance equipment, custom painters, custom bike builders and leather fashion designers.

New or used, touring or racing, custom or collectable, the SUPERSHOW will provide an unprecedented marketplace for motorcycle enthusiasts to shop, compare and save.

Complete show details, a schedule of appearances and events and $3 off admission coupons are available on the SUPERSHOW website, www.supershowevents.com.

The 28th Edition of the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW is the flagship in a series of motorcycle events produced annually by Bar Hodgson Productions Inc.

Show dates: Friday, January 2nd through Sunday, January 4th, 2004

Location: Toronto International Centre, 6900 Airport Road

Hours: Friday, January 2
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 3
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m,

Sunday, January 4
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission:
Adults $15.00
Youths (6-12)$5.00
Children 5 yrs and under Free

Parking:
Free parking for over 7,000 vehicles

GENERAL INFORMATION:
905-678-4408
www.supershowevents.com

From a press release:

PARTS UNLIMITED’S TV SERIES KICKS OFF SATURDAY

The new TV series “Inside Motorcycling presented by Parts Unlimited” debuts this Saturday at 10 a.m. (PST and EST) on Spike TV. Each show in the six-part series will feature a mix of different aspects of the people and products of the motorcycle sport.

This week’s opening show will include a spotlight on the series sponsor Parts Unlimited with introductory comments from Parts Magazine Publisher Don Emde, who also serves as the show’s Editorial Director.

Other features of the show include comments from off-road star Rodney Smith and road race team manager Kevin Erion; a profile on Chad Reed; a project bike built by Performance Machine, and a fun “tour” of Grant Langston’s gear bag by the man himself.

Note: for attendees to this weekend’s Anaheim Supercross, a tape of the show can be viewed at the stage TV screens on the Thor truck in the pits.

For more information, log onto www.insidemotorcycling.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The racing department of Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S. is developing a YZF-R1 Superbike with the help of independent contractors.

The bike should be ready to race in time for the Daytona 200.

From a press release issued by Triumph ValMoto:

Triumph ValMoto announces 2004 plans

Triumph ValMoto is pleased to announce that in 2004 it will once again contest the British Supersport Championship with the stunning Daytona 600. The factory effort is aiming to build on the success of its first season of competition and become a genuine title contender.

Teenage sensation Craig Jones has been confirmed as the team’s sole rider. Last season, the 18-year-old impressed many with his skill and determination before finally achieving Triumph’s first-ever British Supersport podium finish.

“I’m extremely happy to be continuing ValMoto’s groundbreaking partnership with Triumph,” said Team Manager Jack Valentine. “Working with a British manufacturer has been a lifetime ambition for me and last season was one of the most rewarding of my career. We had our highs and lows but certainly succeeded in demonstrating the true potential of the Daytona 600. We’ve made further improvements in performance since the end of the season and I’m feeling exceptionally positive about the year ahead.

“The single-rider structure has proven to be a success in Supersport,” he continued. “In 2003 the championship was dominated by teams that fielded only one rider. Craig learned a great deal during that time thanks to a close working relationship with Jim Moodie and I now feel that he is ready to shoulder the responsibility himself. He is an exceptional talent and one which Triumph and ValMoto are keen to nurture.”

Jones’ never say die attitude helped develop Triumph’s 600cc challenger from an excellent road bike to a remarkable racing machine. By signing for a second year, he has also shown that he has the maturity and commitment to see a project through to completion.

“I’m really looking forward to my second season with Triumph ValMoto,” said Jones. “There’s a lot being said at the moment about the lack of opportunities for young riders, so it’s great that a major manufacturer has put its faith in me.

“The learning curve was steep last season but I had a fantastic team-mate and things came together toward the end. I got a real sense of satisfaction from playing my part in our success and next year we should be competing on a more level playing field.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Yoshimura Suzuki AMA Superbike team is planning on testing at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia January 20-23.

According to Team Manager Don Sakakura, Mat Mladin and Aaron Yates will spend four days, “looking at some updated parts. It’s good to run four days consistently. The weather and the track are ideal to test at. We learned a lot there last year.”

Yoshimura Suzuki tested for four days at Sepang in January of 2003, and Mladin called the test “the most productive I’ve ever been involved with.”

Sakakura added that Mladin and Yates would most likely be sharing the track with the Suzuki MotoGP team of Kenny Lee Roberts and John Hopkins but not Ben Spies, the third member of the Yoshimura Suzuki team.

Sakakura said Spies would test his Supersport and Superstock racebikes during the same approximate time period somewhere in the United States. It will be Spies’ first test since a high-speed crash during tire testing at Daytona October 13.

Spies crashed when the rear tire on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike exploded as he passed through the tri-oval at 186 mph. He suffered serious skin abrasions — some requiring skin grafts – in his long slide on the pavement.

From a press release:

American racer John Pearson riding again in Australia

After severely breaking his collarbone in September, American racer John Pearson returned to Eastern Creek Raceway and participated in a recent track day practice.

“I was ready to get back on the bike in November, but Dr. Burrow, the orthopedic surgeon who operated on me, wanted one more month to heal, and since it’s the off season down here, it was no big deal to wait a little longer,” said Pearson. “When I asked Dr. Burrow if I could ride this month he said yes, but I had to promise not to crash, and I was like…uh, yeah, sure.

“I still have the plate and screws in there, but those should be ready to come out in February.

“The first session out I was a little rusty, but I made some adjustments and by the third session I was going really well. In the afternoon I was turning some good laps and chasing HRC rider Josh Brookes around. He was going a bit better than I was, and there were a lot of slower riders out there in the so-called fast group, but I was able to keep him in sight.

“Things are kinda up in the air for next season. The Australian Superbike and Formula Xtreme series merged and will run a 1000cc Superbike National class next year, so my 813cc GSX-R isn’t legal and I can only race it in local and club events. For the National series next year, I am looking at riding a Honda RC-51 in the Pro Twins class with the help of one of the performance shops here in Sydney.

“I wish all my family and friends back home a Merry Christmas.”

Pearson, who is in the U.S. Navy, is part of a military exchange program and will be working, living and racing in Australia for the next two years.

His sponsors are Maxima Racing Oils, Lee’s Cycle Racing, Dunlop/Sport Tire Services, Moto-Heaven/Wintex, GRP Stabilizers, Fox Shox, and Intuitive Race Products.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited event at Daytona International Speedway March 5-10 was marred by rain, which led to the 62nd running of the Daytona 200 by Arai being held on Monday for the first time ever.

Back from a multi-year stint with Ducati in the World Superbike Championship, 1998 AMA Superbike Champion Ben Bostrom took pole position for the race on his American Honda RC51 with a time of 1:48.376. Bostrom’s time was significantly slower than Nicky Hayden’s Daytona lap record, 1:47.174, due in part to Dunlop not supplying qualifying tires during the 2003 season. Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts (1:48.554), on a full-factory RC51, and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin (1:48.555) and Aaron Yates (1:48.659), on the brand new GSX-R1000, also qualified on the front row.

Dream Team Ducati’s Larry Pegram led into turn one at the start of the race but was forced to pit for new Michelin rear tires four times (versus the norm of two pitstops) during the race and ended up 12th, the first Ducati rider.

Mladin officially led the first lap of the race but was shuffled as far back as seventh due to tire and handling problems with his new bike, before passing teammate and Superbike rookie Ben Spies in the latter stages of the race for sixth. Spies finished seventh, the final rider on the lead lap, in his Daytona 200 debut.

Despite riding with a broken left hand suffered in a training accident, Anthony Gobert led at one point of the race on his back-up Ducati Austin 998RS before mechanical trouble knocked him out on lap 21.

After his new 788cc big-bore engine proved somewhat unreliable during practice, Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom was forced to ride his 750cc ZX-7RR in the field of 1000cc machines. Bostrom ran strong early before finishing fifth.

Aaron Yates had a better time than Mladin in the 200, running with the lead group well into the last stint. The Georgian lost contact with the leading three riders when he ran off at turn one while trying to lap Vincent Haskovec. Yates finished fourth.

For the last 10 laps of the race, it looked certain it would be a 1-2-3 Honda sweep of the podium, but who would come out on top of the equally-matched group was yet to be determined. On the final lap, Bostrom led into the chicane followed by Roberts and Duhamel. Duhamel drafted by Roberts early on the east banking, caught Bostrom’s slipstream coming off of NASCAR Turn Four and passed the Californian coming into the tri-oval to win his fourth career Daytona 200 by a mere 0.069-second. Bostrom finished second with Roberts 0.155-second back in third.

Supersport

In the Supersport race (which was postponed from Friday to Sunday due to rain) it was Roberts’ turn, as he gave the new 2003 Honda CBR600RR an all-important victory in its debut race. Roberts used the top speed advantage of the bike to draft Jamie Hacking and his fast-accelerating Yamaha YZF-R6 to the finish line. Duhamel was third, inches in front of Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke – the top four were separated by 0.4-second.

As many as 10 riders contested the lead through the race. After a crash in qualifying left him 27th on the grid and with an injured hand, Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo came through to lead at one point before finishing fourth.

Damon Buckmaster was fifth, ahead of true privateer Jamie Stauffer and Aaron Gobert – a trio of Australians on Yamahas.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies came home ninth, the first Suzuki finisher, while defending Supersport Champion Aaron Yates struggled and finished 14th. American Honda’s Ben Bostrom finished 10th in a one-off ride in the Supersport class. Tommy Hayden came home 13th in the debut of the new, under-powered Kawasaki ZX-6RR.

Superstock

Hayden had a better but not easier time in the Superstock final on the 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6R. Riding near the back of the large lead pack for most of the shortened 15-lap race on Monday, Hayden took the lead going into the infield on the white flag lap and was able to just hold off the pursuing pack of Suzuki GSX-R750 riders.

Lee Acree, riding an Arclight Suzuki built to 2003 AMA 750cc Supersport specs, came up just short (0.009-second) of Hayden at the line for the closest-ever finish for the Superstock class at Daytona. Barden Bearings’ Eric Wood finished a close third with a borrowed motor in his Suzuki.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp, Hooters Suzuki teammates Vincent Haskovec and Mike Ciccotto and Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson finished fourth through seventh, respectively, after each took a turn leading the race at some point on the track.

Hayden’s teammate Tony Meiring finished eighth on the second 636cc Kawasaki, just in front of Yamaha YZF-R6-mounted Jason DiSalvo, who started the race dead-last after missing qualifying and taking a provisional starting spot at the back of the grid. Rapp’s teammate Matt Furtek rounded out the top 10.

Pole-sitter Jason Pridmore led the most laps of the race on his Attack Suzuki, before running off the track while leading and eventually pulling in on lap 14. Pridmore’s teammate Josh Hayes started what would turn out to be a Championship-winning season with a stop-and-go penalty for jumping the start and an 11th-place result. Defending Champion Jimmy Moore also ran off the track and came home 15th.

250cc Grand Prix

Qualifying for the final 250cc Grand Prix ever at Daytona was rained out and the grid was formed based on 2002 class point standings and then the order of entry. But that didn’t stop Mystery School Yamaha’s Rich Oliver, fourth on the grid, from leaving everyone in his dust. Oliver ran away to win his 61st career AMA 250cc race by over 11 seconds.

Team Stargel Aprilia’s Chuck Sorensen, the defending Champion, stayed close to Oliver for a few laps, but Oliver’s clean work through traffic and slight top end advantage sealed Sorensen’s fate at second.

Riding the late Randy Renfrow’s TSR-framed Honda 250, Simon Turner finished a distant and lonely third.


BMW Boxer Cup

One of the biggest highlights of the rain-soaked week came with the inaugural BMW Motorrad BMW Boxer Cup race on Sunday. Veterans of the highest levels of International road racing, club racers, journalists and invited VIPs bashed bars and cylinder heads of evenly-matched BMW R1100S in a highly-entertaining show. Every lap of the race saw a huge pack of swerving BMWs come across the stripe four- and five-wide. Passes were fast, furious and too numerous to recount.

As the red-flag interrupted race wound down, American Brian Parriott took a big lead coming out of the infield, but as had happened to each leader before him, Parriott was reeled back into the group. Italian Roberto Panichi caught Parriott at the chicane, and the pair drafted back and forth toward the finish line, resulting in the closest line call of the weekend if not ever at Daytona.

After numerous careful reviews of the video replay of the finish, Parriott was judged to have crossed the line first ahead of Panichi, but not until long after the checkered flag flew it was discovered that the race was scored on aggregate time. When the times from the two race segments were combined, Panichi was declared the winner over Parriott with Germany’s Markus Barth third.

From a press release:

WEBSTER READY TO CHALLENGE FOR BRITISH TITLE

Record-breaking sidecar ace Steve Webster has confirmed he will challenge for the new, 2004 Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship.

Nine times world champion Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead will campaign a Suzuki machine in the 13-round championship which gets under way at Silverstone, Northants on March 28.

“It’s been around 15 years since I last chased a British title and, indeed, since Sidecars have raced at this level. I’m relishing the chance to tackle each and every one of the 13 rounds in 2004,” said Webster.

He continued: “Of the British Superbike teams I’ve spoken to they’re all excited and looking forward to the return of a Sidecar championship at the top level especially with the new-style liveries for machines.

“From what I’ve seen of the entry list it will be very competitive and the interest from European teams is now beginning to appear. It certainly should be a championship well worthy of running alongside the established and exciting British Superbike Championship.”

The Championship will be managed by Sportscom Media Limited, for further details contact SML on: 01296 689042. Final championship details are subject to contract with British Superbike Championship organisers, MCRCB Events.

2004 Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship calendar:

3/28 – Silverstone, Northants
4/12 – Brands Hatch, Kent (Indy Circuit)
4/25 – Snetterton, Norfolk
5/3 – Oulton Park, Cheshire
5/23 – Mondello Park, Ireland
6/6 – Thruxton, Hants
6/20 – Brands Hatch, Kent (GP Circuit)
7/4 – Knockhill, Fife
7/18 – Rockingham, Northants
8/15 – T.B.A
8/30 – Cadwell Park, Lincs
9/12 – Oulton Park, Cheshire
9/19 – Donington Park, Derbys.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Valencia Retain IRTA ‘Best Grand Prix’ Trophy

The Grand Prix of the City of Valencia has won the 20th edition of the IRTA ‘Best Grand Prix Trophy’. Valencia retained the high standards they had established during their 2002 winning season to score a repeat trophy success this time round.

The torturous Ricardo Tormo Circuit, inaugurated by Juan Carlos, King of Spain, in September 1999, hosted the final race in the 16 round MotoGP World Championship of 2003. Following their triumph of 2002 Circuito del Motor y Promocion Deportivo, the race promoter, and the on-track staff simply employed the same successful formula as in 2002, plus a little extra.

Valencia’s success is the third consecutive win for a Spanish circuit, Catalunya outscoring strong opposition to take the 2001 award. But, as IRTA President Sito Pons has often so rightly pointed out; “The high standards set by many of the best grands prix who have taken the prestigious trophy in recent years calls for a superb effort by any circuit and race promoter seeking the ultimate IRTA accolade.”

Named in honour of one of Valencia’s famous sons, former 50cc World Champion Ricardo Tormo, the track is perfectly situated on the outskirts of the city close to a network of national highways connecting Valencia to other major cities.

Set in a 60,000-seat amphi-theatre the circuit is unique in that race fans get a clear view of every meter of the race action. Competing teams and riders have to work hard to take anything from the race. Featuring nine left and five right hand corners crammed into 4.005km, with a start – finish straight measuring just 876mts competitors have precious little time to relax.

The IRTA Trophy is awarded based upon a point scoring system that covers every aspect of the running of a grand prix. Safety measures and medical facilities are paramount in motorsport and Valencia passed those tests with flying colours.

Each year the circuit management and associated on-event staff have improved their performance. The event is now one of the most popular with the teams and riders. Certainly one of the safest venues on the calendar Valencia has competent hard working trackside marshals to back up the facilities. Medical facilities are first class and the co-operation with the Clinica Mobile is excellent.

On hearing of Valencia’s success IRTA President, Sito Pons, said; “Two in a row is quite an achievement, I’m very happy for the people there. For Valencia to take the award again this year was particularly impressive because when the teams and riders arrived at Valencia everyone was very tired. It was at the end of a hard year, especially hard after three difficult flyaway races.

“Valencia deserve the trophy, they held off close challenges from several excellent grands prix. The event is well organised and the staff are very competent. The races are always good and the race fans play an important part of the event, they create a very special atmosphere on race day.” Concluded Pons.

Only two other grands prix have recorded back-to-back IRTA Trophy successes in the twenty-year history of the award, Eastern Creek and Mugello.

All concerned with the Grand Prix deserve the prestigious honour and all are determined to equal Mugello’s incredible triple success of 1995-1997. Mugello, Catalunya, Phillip Island, and Valencia have dominated Trophy success in recent years but several other circuits are knocking at the door and showing themselves capable of taking the 2004 crown.

IRTA Trophy Roll of Honour
1984 Silverstone / GB
1985 Hockenheim / Germany
1986 Nurburgring / Germany
1987 Assen / Netherlands
1988 Suzuka / Japan
1989 Donington Park / GB
1990 Jerez / Spain
1991 Donington Park / GB
1992 Catalunya / Spain
1993 Eastern Creek / Australia
1994 Eastern Creek / Australia
1995 Mugello / Italy
1996 Mugello / Italy
1997 Mugello / Italy
1998 Phillip Island / Australia
1999 Brno / Czech Republic
2000 Mugello / Italy
2001 Catalunya / Spain
2002 Valencia / Spain
2003 Valencia / Spain