Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Honda’s Ben Bostrom turned a 1:48.218 on his new CBR1000RR Superbike Tuesday morning at Daytona International Speedway. Not only was the lap the fastest so far of the three-day Dunlop tire test, the time was faster than Bostrom’s own pole position qualifying time of 1:48.376 for the 2003 Daytona 200 by Arai.

According to Merlyn Plumlee, Bostrom’s Crew Chief, the lap time came while Bostrom was making five-lap test runs on development Dunlop tires and pointed out that the CBR1000RR is “not anywhere near finished.”

Riding the second CBR1000RR that just arrived at the track Monday evening, Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke was second-fastest Tuesday morning with a 1:48.632, within his first 25 laps. Just before breaking for lunch, Zemke turned a 1:47.152, which would have been under the existing lap record, but Zemke admitted to blowing through the chicane on that lap. Zemke’s bike, however, was recorded at 192 mph through the tri-oval on team radar guns.

“Not bad for a crate bike,” joked Zemke. “Just wait ‘til we get it broken in.”

Third-fastest Tuesday morning – and not happy about it – was Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin.

“I haven’t been a second off the pace for a while,” said Mladin. “They’re (Honda) already under the pole position time from last year testing tires, and we’re riding our ass off to be a second off the pace.”

Mladin feels the 2004 AMA Superbike rules requiring stock throttle bodies and airboxes on Superbikes have resulted in his Suzuki GSX-R1000’s reduction in top speed and slower lap times.

“We’re doing 183-184 mph. In August during the tire test we were doing 186-187 mph. They’re (Honda) doing 190 mph,” said Mladin. “I did a 1:48.2 in August when it was pretty hot. Now I’m pushing to do a 1:49.4.

“You ever ride so hard to be one second off the pace?” Mladin asked teammate Aaron Yates.

“It’s a f—king joke,” answered Yates.

Yates is the only rider to crash so far in the test, falling Monday afternoon one lap after recording his fastest time of that day, a 1:49.877. He did a 1:49.776 Tuesday morning to be fourth-fastest overall.

Once again a Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock bike was able to top Yates on the lap time charts Tuesday morning, as happened Monday. Although Yates was concentrating on testing tires Tuesday, Jason DiSalvo’s 1:49.508 was third-fastest overall and impressive nonetheless.

There are only two Superstock-specific tires for riders to evaluate at the test versus 15 different rears and four different front tires for the Superbike riders to get through. According to Dunlop National Road Race Manager Jim Allen, most of the Superstock tires will be constructed with the same compounds and carcasses of the Superbike tires, only in a 17-inch diameter.

Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking, the fastest Supersport rider of the test so far, spent Tuesday morning working on his YZF-R6 Supersport bikes. Mechanic Jefferson Burks said the 2003 AMA Supersport Champion was comparing a 2003-spec bike with a 2004-spec bike and looking for “that little bit we were missing last year at Daytona.”

At noon Tuesday, Hacking’s best time (1:52.376) was 0.4-second faster than Miguel Duhamel’s Daytona Supersport lap record (1:52.785).

Dunlop representatives declared that the track would be open all day, without a lunch break, but most riders and teams stopped for a break around 12:30 p.m. local time.

The weather continues to be near ideal for testing with the ambient temperature topping 70 degrees F shortly after noon, but the Dunlop men are concerned with the forecasted chance of rain on Wednesday.

Tuesday morning lap times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing Timing & Scoring):

1. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:48.218
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:48.632
3. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:49.416
4. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.508
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:49.776
6. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:50.809
7. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:51.316
8. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:51.768
9. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:51.846
10. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:52.376
11. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:52.384
12. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:52.573
13. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:52.896
14. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:53.562
15. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:54.999
16. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:55.304

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The media guide for the 2004-model Suzuki GSX-R600 boasts Titanium valves, a significantly higher rev-limit and class-leading dry weight, but on the track at Daytona International Speedway during the annual Dunlop tire test, the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R600 Supersport racer is lacking.

At the end of day one of the test, 2002 AMA Supersport Champion Aaron Yates had turned a best time of 1:55.323 on the paint-less Suzuki compared to the fastest Supersport lap time of the day, a 1:52.792 by Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo.

“It feels good, it’s pretty comfortable, it seems to handle pretty well, but it doesn’t pull too good,” Yates told Roadracingworld.com Tuesday. “We’re gonna try something and try it again tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Unlike the 2004 Honda CBR1000RR, which arrived at Daytona in a crate in ready-to-race condition, Yoshimura Suzuki’s 2004 lone Suzuki GSX-R600 arrived as a streetbike in a crate at their race shop in California 10 days before it was loaded in the truck.

“We only had a-week-and-a-half before it left,” said Yoshimura Suzuki team manager Don Sakakura. “We only had time to mount a pipe, do some slight (fuel-injection/ignition) mapping on the dyno and mount some bodywork.”

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway’s press department:

Speeds Pick Up On Day 2 Of Dunlop Tire Test At Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Dec. 9, 2003) — Honda stayed atop the speed charts during the second day of Dunlop tire testing on Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6.



Ben Bostrom, aboard the Honda CBR1000RR, broke the one minute, 47-second barrier in the Tuesday afternoon session with a fast lap of 1:47.650 seconds. The Daytona 200 By Arai pole record held by Nicky Hayden is 1:47.174, which was set in 2002 with Dunlop qualifying tires.

“We’re making big head way, but we still have more to go,” Bostrom said.

Honda also had a second Honda CBR1000RR on track on Tuesday for riders Miguel Duhamel and Jake Zemke to shake down. Both riders turned laps in the one-minute, 48-second range.

Duhamel is chasing his fifth Daytona 200 By Arai victory, which would tie him at the top of the wins list with Scott Russell.



Unlike past years, Duhamel won’t be racing in Supersport in 2004, where he has a record six victories at Daytona. Instead, the Canadian rider will compete in the inaugural Daytona Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme event, which will be held on Thursday, March 4.

Duhamel has spent most of the Dunlop tire test developing the new Xtreme bike.

“Hopefully, we can get six in Xtreme,” Duhamel joked. “It’s a brand new bike. Just a few minutes ago before the lunch, we did a really good change. Some changes do nothing, some changes do a lot. We did a change on it and it went really good. We’re quite a bit happier with it. It’s progressing nicely which is to be expected on a project bike like the Xtreme is right now.”

Dunlop tire testing, which concludes on Wednesday, is free and open to the public with free access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.

Tickets to the Daytona 200 By Arai and the Daytona Supercross By Honda are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Day two of the Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway ended on a bittersweet note Tuesday with Ben Bostrom approaching the lap record on his new Honda CBR1000RR Superbike and Jason DiSalvo crashing due to an exploding rear tire on his Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock racebike.

Early in the afternoon, Bostrom recorded the fastest time of the test so far with a 1:47.650 while doing five-lap tire test runs.

“That bike is pretty impressive,” Bostrom told reporters Tuesday, unable to curb his enthusiasm for his new mount. “I think that shows what we have going, but there’s actually more to come. The bike has some development work that needs to be looked into.

“Jake’s been riding it really well, but he’s kind of used to the Formula Xtreme bike and stuff like that and realizes how to use the clutch. Me, I kind of chatter the back a lot going into the corners. The boys got some ideas how to fix it. I think that ought to make up a lot, and we should be able to gain a couple of tenths in each corner.

“The bike’s incredible. With myself, Miguel and Jake all turning fast laps out here it shows you that the bike’s doing good.

“I’m real excited. I can’t believe what an advantage it is having a four-cylinder. I think we all knew it a little bit because, basically, Mat (Mladin) and Aaron (Yates) kicked all of our butts last year. This year, now that we’re on the four-cylinder, I think we understand more what kind of advantage those two had. You have more power basically from low-rpm all the way through and they steer better. How do you beat that?”

The day, however, ended slightly early at 4:30 p.m. local time when DiSalvo’s Superstock racebike, which had been clocked at 183 mph Tuesday, came sliding into the tri-oval on its side with a damaged rear tire and without DiSalvo.



The 19-year-old New Yorker was seen staggering to his feet nearly 700 feet up track toward NASCAR Turn Four, lucky to escape with abrasions and a mild concussion.

“He can’t remember anything from the chicane on,” said Yamaha Team Manager Tom Halverson, who also confirmed that there were no mechanical problems found on DiSalvo’s motorcycle other than a “shredded rear tire.”

DiSalvo was taken to Halifax Medical Center, where he underwent a CAT scan, according to Halverson.

More details will be posted as they become available.

Tuesday afternoon’s lap times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing Timing & Scoring):

1. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:47.650
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:48.475
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.501
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.731
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:49.935
6. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1, Superstock, 1:49.988
7. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:50.112
8. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:50.577
9. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:50.977
10. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:51.114
11. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.157
12. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:54.006
13. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:54.328
14. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:54.675
15. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:54.987
16. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:55.829
17. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R600 Supersport, 1:56.235

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA SUPPORTS JANKLOW VERDICT

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced its support of the verdict in the case of U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow (R-SD), who was convicted late yesterday of second-degree manslaughter and three other counts related to a traffic accident that claimed the life of a Minnesota motorcyclist.

On Saturday, August 16, motorcyclist Randolph Scott of Hardwick, Minn., was killed in a collision with a car driven by Janklow. The fatal accident took place at the intersection of two county roads in eastern South Dakota. Reports released by investigators indicated that Janklow’s car, traveling at speeds estimated at more that 70 mph, did not stop at the stop sign and continued into the path of the motorcycle, giving the rider no chance to avoid the fatal collision.

“We believe that the jury reached the correct verdict in this case,” said Edward Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government Relations, “The legal system can never eliminate the loss suffered by the Scott family, but it was clear from the beginning that the tragic events of August 16 went far beyond a simple traffic accident. We hope this verdict sends a strong message, both to citizens and to the justice system.”

The AMA will continue to monitor the Janklow case as it moves toward sentencing, set for January 20, 2004. Janklow has announced that he will resign from the U.S. House of Representatives effective the same day.

In the days following the accident, the AMA called on motorcyclists nationwide to contact South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds and Attorney General Larry Long, and to urge them to seek justice in the case. Using AMA Rapid Response, motorcyclists and other concerned citizens can send e-mail messages directly to South Dakota officials. AMA Rapid Response, which allows users to contact lawmakers, government officials and the media with the click of a button, is available on the Association’s website, AMADirectlink.com.

The AMA notes that tragic crashes like the one involving Janklow, in which a car or other vehicle violates the right of way of a motorcycle, are all too common on the nation’s highways. The most comprehensive study ever conducted into motorcycle accidents found that nearly 75 percent of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, and that in almost two-thirds of those crashes, the cause could be traced to the other vehicle violating the motorcyclist’s right-of-way.

For more than a year, the AMA has been involved in a campaign called Motorcyclists Matter that focuses attention on the dangers faced by motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users, including bicyclists and pedestrians, as a result of drivers who violate their right-of-way. The Association is also campaigning in Washington, D.C., for funding for a new study into the causes of motorcycle accidents — the first in more than two decades.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

2004 AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Dec. 9, 2003) — The AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship will have a fresh look in 2004 as it features a combination of 19 returning and new events. The season begins on Thursday, March 4, 2004 during Daytona Bike Week and will wind its way across the United States before wrapping up on Sept. 25, at the Du Quoin “Magic Mile” in Du Quoin, Ill.

Bruce Bober, AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Series Manager is anxious for the season to begin. “In addition to some of the historic events that remain on the schedule like Peoria and Springfield, we’re pleased to announce that the series will be visiting the West Coast with a stop at the Cow Palace in San Francisco,” said Bober. “We know we have a loyal following of fans out West so we’re looking forward to bringing AMA Flat Track racing back to them.” The series also visits new tracks in Lexington, Ky., Oak Ridge (Knoxville), Tenn., and Farley, Iowa. Bober added that the Knoxville race will be held in conjunction with the Honda Hoot, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the country. “The Honda Hoot draws motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country; it’s the perfect venue for an AMA Flat Track event,” said Bober.

Reigning champion Chris Carr will be vying for his fourth consecutive title (sixth overall) in the 50th anniversary of AMA Grand National racing. Carr, recipient of the 2003 AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year Award, is one of the favorites of the series. Runners up Johnny Murphree and Joe Kopp are expected to return as well. The 2004 AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship schedule is as follows:

Date, Location (Type)

March 4, Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, FL (Short Track)

May 1, Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA (Indoor Short Track)

May 22, Florence Speedway, Union, KY (Half-mile)

May 29, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL (T.T.)

May 30, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL (Mile)

June 12, The Red Mile, Lexington, KY (Mile)

June 25, Atomic Speedway, Oak Ridge, TN (Short Track)

June 26, Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, OH (Half-mile)

July 3, Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH (Half-mile)

July 31, Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, MD (Half-mile)

Aug. 7, Farley Speedway, Farley, IA (Half-mile)

Aug. 22, Peoria Race Park, Peoria, IL (T.T.)

Aug. 28, State Fair Speedway, Sedalia, MO (Half-mile)

Sept. 4, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL (Short Track)

Sept. 5, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL (Mile)

Sept. 11, Vernon Downs, Vernon, NY (Mile)

Sept. 18, Scioto Downs, Columbus, OH (Half-mile)

Sept. 24, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin, IL (Short Track)

Sept. 25, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin, IL (Mile)

Note: Dates and locations subject to change

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A second Honda CBR1000RR Superbike arrived at Daytona International Speedway Monday evening, and both of the new Honda Superbikes on hand made their presence known immediately with quicker lap times Tuesday morning at the Dunlop tire test.

Within a few laps, Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke had already done a 1:49.578 on the brand-new bike, faster than the 1:50.047 he turned on the CBR he shared with American Honda’s Ben Bostrom on Monday.

After recording Monday’s fastest time, Bostrom jumped right back in the swing of things Tuesday morning by bettering his time to 1:48.886 within the first 30 minutes.

Bostrom’s teammate Miguel Duhamel will ride one of the CBR1000RRs later in the day, but he is presently continuing development work on the CBR600RR Formula Xtreme racebike.

On Monday, Duhamel’s FX bike lost an oil fitting, which caused a dramatic and smoky oil leak and forced his team to replace the engine as a precaution. In his limited time on the bike, Duhamel and Crew Chief Al Ludington learned that 16.5-inch Superbike slicks upset the Supersport geometry of the bike.

Today Duhamel’s bike has different geometry, a different front end and a different specification engine. So far, Duhamel said, he is impressed with the braking ability of the light bike with Superbike brakes, forks and tires more than its acceleration.

The weather is excellent at the Speedway with temperatures in the upper-60s F by 10:30 local time.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Rock-star-turned-reality-television-show-star Ozzy Osbourne, 55, suffered serious injuries after crashing an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on the grounds of his estate in Buckinghamshire, England Monday.

According to the BBC, Osbourne was transported to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire at approximately 3:00 p.m. Monday where he was diagnosed as having a broken collarbone, multiple broken ribs and fractured vertebra in his neck.

The BBC quoted the hospital’s medical director Dr. Dick Jack as saying Osbourne’s injuries were “not a major problem.” But Osbourne did undergo surgery to move his broken collarbone away from an artery in his neck and to address bleeding in his lungs, according to a statement released by his publicist Cindy Guagenti.

Osbourne first gained fame as the lead singer of the rock group Black Sabbath before a long and successful solo career. Most recently, Osbourne has split his time between performing on stage at concerts and starring in the Music Television (MTV) reality show “The Osbournes,” which is currently in production.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tuesday’s top radar speeds from the Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway:

Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 192 mph
Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 192 mph
Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 190 mph
Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 185 mph
Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 184 mph
Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 184 mph
Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 183 mph
Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 182 mph
Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 180 mph
Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 180 mph
Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 179 mph
Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 167 mph
Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 164 mph
Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 163 mph