From a press release issued by Pramac Honda Team:

Valencia – (Spain)
Private Tests
10/11/12 December 2003
Friday 12 December

Third and last day of tests in Valencia for Pramac Honda Team

The private tests in Valencia came to an end today for the Pramac Honda Team, in the last session of tests in 2003. Makoto Tamada only went out on the cold track this morning, but he still managed to post a highly respectable time: 1:33.5. He then went for a harmless slide on the sixth left-hander, which the riders take in first gear, and that put an end to Tamada’s test sessions. He suffered no harm, however, and had been as galvanised as ever, and highly motivated by the second-best time he recorded yesterday.

To let Makoto continued with his test work, it would have been necessary to interrupt the development work that had been carried out by Shinichi Itoh on his RC211V 2003, while Tamada spent these three days concentrating on working out the details of his 2004-version RC211V.

Shinichi Itoh, on the other hand, spent a really full day working on next year’s Bridgestone tyres, trying out about 15 different combinations. The team’s official test rider clocked up seventy-five laps, with very fast average times. The best was 1:34.5. So his pace was pretty similar to the world-championship race times set last November. After a long convalescence to get over a fractured shoulder in a Superbike race in Japan, as well as having to get back into physical shape, Itoh once again showed his extraordinary talent and determination today.

“I was sorry about the slide in the morning” said Makoto Tamada “I was really gassed up and we were going for a good lap time on the last day of tests. Especially, after what I was able to do yesterday, I really was trying to go flat out today. I can’t say I was gunning for a record, but I must say I was hoping for an important result to finish the year in style. But I must say I’m pretty pleased with the engine will be using next year. Over the last three days I’ve got the right feeling for the bike, and yesterday’s and this morning’s times on a cold track prove this quite clearly. It’s taken us no time at all to get up to a highly satisfactory level of settings.”

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Daytona International Speedway, Florida, USA
Dunlop tyre test

MLADIN: SUPERBIKES HAVE OUTGROWN DAYTONA

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA (Thursday, 11 December) – The annual Dunlop tyre test at the famed Daytona International Speedway in Florida, came to an abrupt end after two of the scheduled three days and has raised serious questions and doubts about the leading superbike riders taking to the circuit for the opening round of the 2004 Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship on March 6.

The drama began after Yamaha rider, Jason DiSalvo crashed at over 270kph (170mph) on the circuit’s ultra-fast banked section on the second day of the test. The cause of the accident was an alleged rear tyre failure and is the fourth high-speed incident to have occurred this year.

The incident saw Dunlop officials call a premature end to the test for the Superbike riders, leaving just the 600cc Supersport competitors out on the track for the third and final day.

The 2003 season saw a number of high speed tyre failures, including that of four-times American Superbike Champion Mat Mladin who had a rear tyre let go at 270kph (170mph) while leading the opening race at Road Atlanta in May. The day prior a privateer rider had a tyre fail at almost the same place as Mladin, leaving the rider with multiple injuries.

In October, Mladin’s Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Ben Spies had a rear tyre fail at Daytona during an end of season test at Daytona. He suffered severe abrasions and is still unable to ride.

The spate of tyre problems has left chief supplier Dunlop working frantically on finding a solution. This week’s three-day test was designed to sort through more tyres in preparation for next March’s opening round of the championship the Daytona 200.

This week’s tyre failure has left a number of riders concerned and undecided as to the role that they will play in that opening race, including Mladin, a two-time winner at Daytona and he is very concerned at the latest incident and it’s ramifications.

“We were told in a meeting with Dunlop, the day before the test started, that they essentially assured us (the riders) there wasn’t going to be any trouble with the tyres of the same sort we have had in the past, with tyre deflation etc,” said Mladin.

“Unfortunately there was one such incident on the second day of the test and as I’ve said many times, the bikes and the speed of the new 1000cc motorbikes has gotten beyond what this race track is capable of and the tyres cannot handle the abuse that they are given around here.

“The point that must be made and I’ve said before, Dunlop cannot be held totally responsible for what is happening. Any tyre manufacturer that would come here and see what goes on with tyres would be pulling their hair out with trying to develop tyres for this track. They (Dunlop) cannot be held responsible, we have to hold someone responsible at other tracks and Dunlop may be partly to blame there, but here the AMA need to look at what’s going on and the performance of the motorcycle.

“The bikes have increased in performance so much in the past five years that it is becoming frightening. The new Honda did essentially 310kph (190mph) on the 31 degree banking and with all of the funny things that happen on the banking, the G forces are unbelievable.

“If something is not done about it, I certainly won’t be racing in the 200 under the circumstances we are at, at the moment. I would rather put a set of tyres on a 600 Supersport and race that, rather than a 200+hp Superbike as no one can guarantee our safety when it comes to tyres here. Motorcycle racing is full of inherent dangers and things that go wrong, but it has come to a point where there are no guarantees that you’ll come around the next lap, even if you don’t do anything wrong and I think that’s a risk not worth taking.

“Tyre wear is also not the issue or the reason why for the failures. Ben (Spies) had a tyre fail after about four or five laps and then (Jason) DiSalvo had one let go after about ten laps on a 1000cc Superstock bike and we’ve got to do 20 laps on a tyre in the 200 race.

“The problem Dunlop is facing is that they just don’t know why it’s happening. They think they’ve got a handle on why it happened and then they’ve got another failure. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticising Dunlop for not working on the problem as I know that they’ve worked day and night on this. I can’t fault them for the amount of work and time they’ve put in over the past three months, it’s been incredible. The bottom line is that the speeds and the forces generated on the banking, I don’t think can be replicated in a closed testing environment and that makes it hard. The banking does have what feels like very sharp holes, what would feel like stutter bumps on a motocross bike, but at 270kph, so is this additional load causing the tyre to fracture. That’s the thing at the moment, we just don’t know.

“This is a big problem and it needs to be addressed now. What is going to happen in a few years time when the manufacturers start to develop 240hp bikes? Just six years ago we had 155hp and now we have just over 200. One day it has to come to a point where it seriously needs to be addressed.

“We know that Daytona is the worst track on the calendar as far as safety goes, but getting it taken off the calendar won’t happen next year, so something has to be done quickly. I think the series has outgrown Daytona. Even the 600cc Supersport bikes are doing 270kph (170mph) on the banking.

“We’re going to speeds with these 1000cc bikes of over 320kph after they’ve been in the draft and that’s crazy as you are surrounded by a concrete wall. So far the recent incidents have been during practice, but what will happen if a tyre fails during the race when there’s a five-bike train happening and there are five riders on the track at 270k’s and a field of bikes following them. You can imagine it’s not going to be good.

“We met the AMA officials late on Wednesday afternoon to discuss ways of fixing it so that the race will happen next year, with less than three months before the race, a lot of things will need to be sorted out.”

Mladin left the Daytona circuit on Wednesday afternoon and will return to Australia for the festive season, before resuming his testing commitments with Yoshimura Suzuki in January.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING TO ASSESS TIRE TEST SITUATION

Additional Test Scheduled for January

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Dec. 11, 2003) — AMA Pro Racing, in concert with teams, riders, Daytona International Speedway (DIS) officials and representatives from the major tire manufacturers will work together in assessing the situation resulting from two tire-failure related crashes that occurred while tire testing at Daytona International Speedway.

Much was learned from the just-concluded tests at the speedway, but two dramatic incidents have forced all involved to carefully re-evaluate the situation. Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo walked away from a crash on Tuesday, day two of the Dunlop-hosted test, and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies had a similar crash while testing in October. Both incidents were the result of tire failure at high speed.

AMA Pro Racing, CEO Scott Hollingsworth was on hand at the Dunlop test and commented on the situation: “Obviously we’re thankful that both Jason and Ben are okay and that their injuries weren’t more extensive,” said Hollingsworth. “We’re taking this matter very seriously and are exploring all possible options in terms of dealing with it. We’ve met with, and will continue to meet with, every major team, DIS officials and representatives from the tire companies to explore possible solutions. It’s premature to say what those solutions may be, but restoring the confidence level in the minds of each and every one of our racers is just one of our objectives.”

Hollingsworth was upbeat about the valuable input put forth by several participants in the test. “By and large, everyone has a good grasp of the challenges and most are offering good, productive ideas to mitigate the concerns,” said Hollingsworth. “It’s a matter of ‘do you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution.’ I’m happy to report that there’s a high level of effort being expended to arrive at answers.”

Hollingsworth welcomes the opportunity for the teams to test again at Daytona before the 2004 AMA road racing season begins in March. “Ultimately it’s going to require additional testing to resolve this matter and DIS was able to free-up a date in late January for another tire test.” said Hollingsworth. “That’s significant because it will now allow the tire makers to analyze their data, determine what’s causing these failures and arrive at new solutions. Essentially it comes down to a balancing act between grip and wear and this added test should go a long way towards delivering tires that adequately achieve both objectives.” Hollingsworth added that the additional test will be open to all tire makers competing in AMA Superbike racing.


See related post:

12/10/2003 Worried About Exploding Dunlops, Daytona Speedway And AMA Schedule Another Tire Test In January, Will Invite Michelin And Pirelli

From a press release issued by Eric Bostrom’s publicist:

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Show will be taking place this weekend at the Long Beach Convention Center and Eric Bostrom will be there to sign autographs in his first public appearance as a Ducati rider.

Fresh off his successful Michelin test at Daytona, Eric is scheduled to be in the Ducati area Saturday, December 13, and part of Sunday, December 14 to sign autographs and meet fans. Come to the show and be a part of Eric’s “debut”!

Additionally, there will be a 1 hour question and answer period with Bostrom from 11am to 12pm at the Ducati SportClassics display.

For further information, please visit www.DucatiUSA.com

From a press release issued by Alice Aprilia Racing:

TEST VALENCIA/2nd day

SATISFACTION FOR SHANE BYRNE VALENCIA

After yesterday’s first taste of the track with quite bad weather conditions, Shane Byrne could enjoy this sunny day with a temperature of 14°C.

The English rider completed today almost seventy laps testing different setting and studying his reaction to the changes of the bike.

He used testing tyres having as point of reference the tyres used by the Aprilia team during the last MotoGP race, tomorrow instead he will use some new material.

Byrne proves to be a very clever rider who is learning quickly: in fact, compared to yesterday, today he improved his best lap time of almost 2 seconds.

At the end of this testing day “Shakey” Shane Byrne was happy of the feeling he had with the bike. Satisfaction was also expressed by the team, happy for today’s results and for the learning skills of the rider.

While Byrne is getting used to the new bike, the test rider Marcellino lucchi tried some new material for the 2004 version.

Best lap time:

Byrne (Aprilia MGP) 1:35.9 70 laps

From a press release issued by Pramac Honda:

Valencia – (Spain)
Private Tests
10/11/12 December 2003
Thursday 11 December

Satisfactory second day of tests at Valencia for Pramac Honda Team

Better weather, even though the temperature stayed as low as ever, but in the end the sun came out in Valencia and the two Pramac Honda Team riders were able to complete a successful day of tests. They started out at 10:30 in the morning on a decidedly damp track, but the grip on the tarmac got much next to yesterday and this meant it was possible to complete almost the entire work programme.

Makoto Tamada managed to get much more to grips with the new step of the RC211V engine. He put in 50 laps and got down to a best time of 1:33.4. His programme included work on the electronic tuning of the engine and on the frame and suspension settings. The aim was not so much to achieve maximum performance as to let the rider achieve the ideal speed and rhythm for an actual race.

It looks as though Makoto has already got the right feeling for his 2004-configuration bike and the Pramac Honda Team rider will be testing the Bridgestone tyres that Shinichi Itoh has been trying out over the past two days.

Itoh, the team’s official test rider, worked non-stop trying out the new Bridgestone prototypes for 2004. The Japanese test rider put in 78 laps and stopped the clock at 1:35.1. Shinichi tried out no fewer than 15 different tyre combinations and provided an enormous amount of useful data for developing the forthcoming world championship material.

“We’ve made considerable improvement on the performance curve of my RC211V by working on the power delivery” said a happy Makoto Tamada, “I wasn’t going for the fastest lap time but I did want to get up to race speed so that I could get a better idea of the difference between the new engine configuration and the one we used during the championship this year. Tomorrow I’ll be trying out the new Bridgestone materials and in the afternoon we’ve got a race simulation planned. That’s going to be the best opportunity to give the most precise opinion about the bike I’m going to be using in the 2004 season.”

From a press release issued by VP Racing Fuels:

CL Bryant Joins VP Racing Fuels Team

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (December 11, 2003) VP Racing Fuels announced today the signing of C.L. Bryant, Inc. as its newest bulk master distributor. Chuck Bryant, President of C.L. Bryant, reached an agreement with VP to service the West Coast with VP’s bulk 110 and C12, along with VP’s complete line of specialty fuels, lubricants, additives and accessories.

By joining forces with C.L. Bryant, VP becomes the number one racing fuel on the West Coast, according to Bruce Hendel, Global Sales Manager for VP Racing Fuels. “C.L. Bryant has always been a quality operation and formidable competitor,” Hendel continued. “We expect they’ll make an immediate contribution to sales and we’re thrilled to have them on our team. One of the first things our customers are likely to notice as a result of this partnership is that VP’s fuels will be available effective January 2004 at Laguna Seca Raceway, Irwindale Speedway, Buttonwillow, Thunder Hill and Mesa Marin, among other West Coast tracks.”

The new union “represents a perfect match between C.L. Bryant’s strength in distribution in the 110 leaded and 100 unleaded markets and VP’s strength in specialty racing fuels,” asserted Fred Morrison, VP’s President and CEO. “VP will provide a wider variety of products for C.L. Bryant to sell, while C.L. Bryant brings wider distribution of VP 110 and Performance Unleaded racing fuels, as well as VP’s other products, to race tracks and other distribution channels. Because of increased efficiencies in bulk shipment of fuels, our customers should also benefit in the long run.”

C.L. Bryant had been 76’s largest distributor of racing fuel. “In the wake of 76’s announced departure from NASCAR and the racing fuels market, we reviewed all our options,” advised Chuck Bryant. “We determined VP was by far the best choice based on its reputation and position in the motorsports industry, as well as its top quality products. Another important factor is VP’s focus, in that they specialize in racing. They don’t get distracted with running gas stations and convenience stores. Racing is what VP does full time. And we like the fact that VP gives my company the ability not only to continue supplying race fuel, but also to open VP’s catalog of utility jugs, motorcycle fuels, specialty oils and performance chemicals to the hundreds of accounts we service in our territory.”

Tracks, oil jobbers, dealers and racers interested in finding out more can contact Mitch Hart at 209-537-7600.

VP Racing has been making the best fuels for motorsports since 1975, currently producing more than 50 unique blends. With these blends, VP has fueled champions in virtually every racing category and class — from drag racing, circle track and road racing to motocross, off-road, off-shore and even airplane racing. In race venues not controlled by a fuel rule, VP consistently fuels more winners than any other American fuel company. VP’s fuels have earned a reputation for superior power and consistency – as illustrated by the NHRA Pro Stock Champions who have made VP their fuel of choice for 28 consecutive years, a record unmatched by any major sponsor in the industry.

VP Racing is the Official Racing Fuel of NHRA Championship Drag Racing, as well as exclusive fuel supplier and/or sponsor of AMA (American Motorcycle Association) Supercross; ASA (American Speed Association); Barber Dodge Pro Series; IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association); NMCA (National Muscle Car Association); SKUSA (Superkarts! USA); Star Mazda; Stars of Tomorrow; Rmax Challenge; and Toyota Atlantic, among others.

In addition to fuels, VP’s product line includes synthetic oils, performance chemicals, 2-cycle lubricants and traction compounds – each designed to produce the most power and best performance in their respective racing applications. More information can be obtained from VP’s website – vpracingfuels.com.

CL Bryant is one of the largest marketers of racing gasoline in the world. It is also one of the largest commercial lubricants and bulk fuels marketers in California. More information is available at www.clbryant.com

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

MotoGP test – Valencia, Spain, December 11, 2003.

Temperature: 15 degrees
Weather: Sunny

Weather Improves, Times Drop

Brilliant sunshine greeted riders on Thursday morning for the second day of the three-day end of season test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain, and with it came a vast improvement in lap times. All of the Honda riders went faster, with some running better than their race pace from the season-ending grand prix just over a month ago. Most put it to the next generation engine parts that were being tested as a prelude to the new Honda RC-211V that will debut in the new year.

Top honors went to Camel Pramac Pons’ Max Biaggi who lapped consistently in the low 1:33 range with a best of 1:32.8. With good weather from the start of the day, Biaggi was able to work on the various engine combinations for a full 88 laps, coming away with nothing but praise for the pace of development. “Normally to test something different you have to wait to February,” the Roman said.

Telefonica MoviStar Honda’s Sete Gibernau and Pramac Honda’s Makoto Tamada both lapped at 1:33.4, with Gibernau constantly on the number while trying the new Michelin 16.5 in front tyre. This was purely a development tactic and Gibernau was swimming in uncharted territories, knowing full well that lap times might not show the progress of the new engine. “It’s difficult to get the right feeling from it,” he said.

Tamada continued to work with the new engine parts while refining his chassis settings. The Japanese rider, who just finished his debut season in MotoGP, took delivery of a new chassis at a test just after the season ended and is using the Valencia test to continue his learning curve. So far, so good, he said. “We had a test right after the race and my lap time was much better than the race,” he said.

Telefonica MoviStar Honda’s Colin Edwards, a longtime proponent of the 16.5 inch front-he rode it to the 2002 World Superbike Championship on the Castrol Honda-struggled with it on the Honda RC-211V. Regardless of how many laps were on the tyre, he couldn’t crack the 1:34 barrier. “To me it’s telling me there’s a wall there where it’s comfortable and after that I have to find the limits,” the lanky Texan said.

The test concludes on Friday, after which there’s a one-month moratorium on testing which will end with the Honda teams testing in Malaysia in mid-January.

Max Biaggi, 1:32.8, 88 laps
>From yesterday, we had some items for engine parts that are making the bike work better. I think it’s a step forward from what I got in 2003. I’m sure this is a step forward. It’s a little bit of horsepower. Overall it’s better. Now I understand how you can win a championship. Now I’m smiling on the face all the time. I’m not thinking what are we doing here and there. Honestly I can say it’s working better and it lets me ride the bike better. It is easier to make the lap times. I went faster today compared to the race we had here, and today it’s colder and I did not use a qualifying tire. I start early and I lapped consistently in the 1:33’s.

Sete Gibernau, 1:33.4, 80 laps
We tested a lot of things, many, many things, from engine stuff to tyres. A whole bunch. Basically I’m finished. It was a good day to test. Very positive. Many things from the engine that we have to now sit down and put everything into place to what we like, what we don’t, what direction we need and what not. I tested a whole bunch of 16.5’s in the front. I still can’t ride it perfect. For the first time on the Honda we’ve got some points that we can take profit of, but overall with the Honda, the 17 is better right now. I was doing some endurance. I got almost 30 laps from the front tire and I was still doing low to mid 33’s, which was good, but without feeling. And we put a new one and you think if you’re doing that laps if you’re pushing, if you just ride you’re going to do 32’s, but no, because the feeling’s not there. So we need to understand what’s going on and I try to work on that side.

Makoto Tamada, 1:33.4, 53 laps
This engine is newer so we have to study a lot and understand what kind of engine this is. We have to find the good settings. It’s different internally and also engine management. Today I was able to do a lot of laps, so I was able to learn a lot. I was able to try a lot of different settings. I know it has more horsepower, but it doesn’t feel it. I can see it in the telemetry and my lap times. Combined with the new chassis I got after Valencia, it’s a big improvement.

Colin Edwards, 1:34.0, 71 laps
I just like the footprint that the 16.5 inch front puts down. That’s all I’ve been using all day, since yesterday. I’m used to it. I’ve acquired the feel already where Sete (Gibernau) has to go through the process of acquiring the feel. I still like it. We just got to work. I told the Michelin guys, to me the ultimate was one particular tyre I had on the Castrol Honda superbike in 2002, that was the best combo ever. We’ve gone away from that because we couldn’t use that particular tyre. We’ve given up something, so we just need to develop and find that again. That’s basically all I have to do. And I can do it. There toward the end I was on an old tire. It doesn’t matter if I’ve got a 12 lap tire or a new tire, I go 34.0. It didn’t matter how many laps, front, rear, which tire, whatever, 34.0.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DAY 2 OF TESTING FOR DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM AT VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), 11 December 2003 – The Ducati Marlboro Team is continuing its pre-season development work at Valencia in view of the 2004 championship. On the second day of a three-day session, the fine weather conditions (air 16°C / track 18°C) at the Ricardo Tormo circuit allowed the team to run throughout the entire day.

As part of an intense work schedule, the riders and engineers focussed chiefly on front suspension set up, while continuing comparative tests with tyre supplier Michelin. The Desmosedici took to the track with 16.5-inch rims as well as the more traditional 17-inch ones. With the smaller sized front rim, the bike’s handling appears to have improved, according to Loris Capirossi, who completed a total of 50 laps with a best time of 1:33.52.

“I like the way the bike handles with the 16.5 front, especially under braking and at maximum lean at centre curve” commented Capirossi. “I am really pleased with the way things are going, these three days are very busy but they are really important for the development of the bike”.

Troy Bayliss put in more laps around the Valencia track, 62 in total, and the Australian’s quickest time was 1:33.58. Troy also focussed on the front end of the bike, in particular fork settings, but unlike Loris he continued to use the 17-inch rim.

“Today was very positive” declared Bayliss after the test. “My laps were always on the pace and I’m pleased with the way things went today. Tomorrow I’ll try out the 16.5-inch rim, which I was really happy with when I used it in Superbike”.

Vittoriano Guareschi continued dedicated testing work with the development team, the Italian completing a total of 18 laps.

Tomorrow will see the third and final day of testing for the Ducati Marlboro Team as it completes its 2003 schedule in view of the 2004 MotoGP season.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

How much difference does a brand name make?

AMA Pro Racing officials banned Continental dirt track tires after a single incident involving tread separation, late in the 2000 racing season, at the Springfield Mile.

There is no talk of banning Dunlop road racing tires despite four tread separation incidents in the last seven months that resulted in the tires losing air and the involved riders crashing.

Dunlop 16.5-inch radial slicks mounted on GSX-R1000 Superbikes came apart and lost air twice during the May, 2003 AMA National at Road Atlanta, causing Brian Livengood to hit a wall and break his back and causing Mat Mladin to crash out of the lead of a Superbike race, without injury.

In October, 2003, during tire testing, another Dunlop 16.5-inch radial slick came apart as Ben Spies came through the tri-oval at Daytona on a GSX-R1000 Superbike, sending Spies on his head at 186 mph. He suffered abrasions and has undergone skin grafts.

Two days ago, during tire testing, a Dunlop 17-inch radial slick came apart as Jason DiSalvo came off NASCAR turn four at 172 mph and headed for the tri-oval at Daytona aboard his Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock racebike.

The Continental dirt track tires were reinstated in 2001 and were used until the AMA dirt track series adopted a Goodyear spec tire in 2002.