Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati officials revealed today that the company is building a batch of homologation specials to make its World Superbike cylinder heads legal for AMA Superbike competition.

Next season’s AMA Superbike rules require machines to run the same valve angle as production bikes, and Ducati’s World Superbike machines used cylinder heads with a narrower-than-stock valve angle. When AMA officials announced the 2004 rules, they said that the standard valve angle requirement would prevent the V-twins from having a competitive advantage over 4-cylinder competition, even though V-twins are allowed to run larger-than-stock throttle bodies.

By building a batch of homologation machines, Ducati will side-step valve angle restrictions and will be able to run a machine that differs from World Superbike spec only in crankshaft material.

Ducati is testing at Daytona with Michelin and new rider Eric Bostrom. Bostrom’s Ducati reached 184 mph on radar on the tri-oval at Daytona today, and Bostrom has been turning lap times in the 1:48s despite a relatively green race track with only three motorcycles on it at any given time.

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC. DOUBLES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

Milwaukee, Wis., — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of 8 cents per share, payable December 29, 2003 to shareholders of record as of December 15, 2003. This represents a 100 percent increase over the last quarterly dividend.

“The recent change in tax law has increased the attractiveness of dividends as a way of sharing the success of the Company with our shareholders,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.

The Company currently has approximately 302 million shares of common stock outstanding.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Beth Wyse

Day two of Michelin tire testing was completed Friday at Daytona International Raceway after getting a late start due to a wet track.

Eric Bostrom with Ducati Austin and Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp and Vincent Haskovec had to wait until nearly noon to get on the track, which was wet from overnight rain.

Bostrom is still getting used to the Ducati 999, but his times steadily improved throughout the day. His best time around the Daytona road course was a 1:48.81. During the afternoon, Bostrom stopped on track with mechanical problems. Once he got back to the garage, the team got to work on repairs while Bostrom took the backup bike out for the remainder of the afternoon.

Rapp spent all of day one and most of day two riding his Supersport 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600. He tested a variety of tire compounds, and then did an 18-lap run in the afternoon on the tire combination that he had liked best. Rapp’s 600 is stock except for the suspension and bodywork, but he was still able to turn a fast time of 1:54.26 on day one of the test, running alone.

Following his long stint on the 600, Rapp tested a Superstock-spec Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the rest of the afternoon. Rapp’s quickest time on the 1000 was a 1:50.68.

Haskovec also started Friday on a Suzuki GSX-R600, riding a 2003 model built to Formula Xtreme specs. After only an hour of testing, a mechanical problem developed and he shut the bike down on the back straight. After getting a ride back to the pits, Haskovec spent the rest of the day on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Haskovec’s fast time of 1:53.85 on the 600 was set on day one of the test, and on day two he set his quickest time on the 1000 with a 1:51.02.

The third and final day for the Michelin tire tests will be held Saturday.



More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Eric Bostrom Continues To Shake Down Ducati On Day 2 of Michelin Tire Test



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., — Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom and Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp and Vince Haskovec completed a second day of Michelin tire testing on Friday at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6.

The Michelin tire test is the first time that Bostrom has ridden his new ride – the factory Ducati 999 motorcycle.

Bostrom had been competing for factory Kawasaki since 2000, but the motorcycle manufacturer pulled out of AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike competition for 2004 allowing the 27-year-old San Francisco rider to join Ducati.



After two days of testing, Bostrom says the comfortable level on the Ducati 999 continues to grow.

“The biggest difference (today) is that I’m getting more familiar with the bike,” Bostrom said. “The tires are also coming in better. We have some tires that we’re starting to get pretty happy with. That’s huge for us. This track, you have to have everything good. Probably the most important is tires. You have to be able to go 200 miles.”

If Bostrom, whose best finish in the Daytona 200 By Arai is a second in 2001, is able to deliver Ducati its first victory in the prestigious motorcycle race, it’ll come on a Saturday. In place of its traditional Sunday start, the Daytona 200 By Arai moves to Saturday, March 6.

Other changes to the Daytona 200 Week schedule include moving the Daytona Supercross By Honda from Saturday afternoon to under the lights on Friday night, March 5.

“It’s for the best,” said Bostrom about the Daytona 200 By Arai schedule change. “In the past, a lot of people are leaving and driving home on Sunday. Hopefully, the attendance will be up. I think it’s a good move.”

Michelin tire testing continues on Saturday and is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.

The three-day Dunlop tire test in preparation for the Daytona 200 By Arai is scheduled to kick off on Monday, Dec. 8 and is also free and open to the public.

Tickets for both the Daytona 200 By Arai and the Daytona Supercross By Honda are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Reliable sources in Europe are reporting that Jeremy McWilliams has signed a contract with Aprilia to contest the 2004 MotoGP World Championship on its RS3 Cube.

McWilliams spent the last two seasons riding the Proton KR3 two-stroke triple (including one pole position at Phillip Island in 2002) and switched to the new KR5 four-stroke V5 during the 2003 campaign. Before joining Kenny Leroy Roberts’ team, McWilliams rode for Aprilia for three years, winning the 250cc Grand Prix at Assen in 2001 and collecting two podium finishes on Aprilia’s 500cc V-twin in 2000.

McWilliams will turn 40 before the start of the 2004 season.

2003 British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne will also race MotoGP for Aprilia in 2004.


More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:

the team for the 2004 season is now complete.

Jeremy Mcwilliams will ride for Aprilia on the RScube

NOALE – Today is an important day for Jeremy Mcwilliams: he signed for Aprilia racing directly with Ivano Beggio a contract that will see him riding with Aprilia for the next season. Jeremy is really satisfied and Aprilia is sure that his rider is a fighting one and a very good tester for the 2004 season. The North Irish rider will be team-mate of the other English rider Shane Byrne that recently signed for Aprilia. Jeremy will start testing the RSCube from the next test session scheduled for the second half of January.

For this north Irish rider, who was born in Belfast on the 4th April 1964, 177 cm tall and 66 kilos, this represents an important return. He drove for Aprilia in the years 1999 (he classified 10th) and 2000 with the 500cc and 2001 in the 250cc class when he classified 6th.

Jeremy is married and has two sons. During the last two seasons he drove for Proton and for sure he is one of the most experienced rider in the world motorcycle championship: in his carrier he can count on 162 starts, one victory and three pole positions. After having signed the contact the two protagonists declare their mutual satisfaction.

Ivano Beggio: “I’m very satisfied with this choice, I know Jeremy very well and I esteem him, he is fighting on track and a very good tester and we believe he will help us to improve the performance of the bike. On one side we have Byrne that is enthusiastic for his first season, on the other side we have Jeremy who is very experienced and the right man to improve our project. Our aim for the 2004 season is to make a good performance in the championship and to develop at his best this bike “made in Noale” which is improving day by day .

Jeremy McWilliams: “I’m very happy: coming back to work for Aprilia is like coming back home. The President, Jan Witteveen and all the technical staff are for me a big family and I always have had a special feeling with this company. I really look forward to start testing but unfortunately I have to wait until January, I really look forward to this adventure. I will do my best, I believe in this project and in its big potential. It won’t be easy at the beginning but I’m sure that this project can give us big satisfactions. I really look forward to ride the “evolution” version, that is to say the bike of the 2004 season. I’m confident to say that I will do my best to bring the Rscube to its highest performance.

From a press release issued by Kawasaki:

KAWASAKI’S JOHN HOOVER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

IRVINE, CALIF. – Following a career spanning more than 20 years with Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., John Hoover, Director, Product Management, has announced his retirement effective January 5, 2004.

Hoover joined Kawasaki in 1983 as a district manager, moving to the California corporate offices as Manager, Marketing Services in 1988. His contributions to the company have ranged from the implementation of InfoMIC, an aggregate data mining software package that provides sophisticated sales data to Kawasaki’s sales and marketing departments, to an integral role in developing and marketing the Vulcan® line of cruiser motorcycles, beginning in 1996.

Of special note is Hoover’s effort in orchestrating Kawasaki’s involvement with the AMA/Prostar drag racing series. With several years of dedication to the sport of motorcycle drag racing under Hoover’s direction, Kawasaki boasts more than 20 team championships and numerous Manufacturer’s Cup awards.

“John’s impact on product design, racing and the company in general has been felt throughout our entire organization,” said Tom Orbe, Vice President, Marketing for Kawasaki. “His passion for this industry has remained strong for two decades and Kawasaki’s heritage of building powerful, high-performance products will thrive thanks to his dedication to excellence.”

“John will be missed tremendously, and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” Orbe continued.


Editorial note: Hoover also represented Kawasaki on the AMA Board of Directors for several years.

From a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

Haskovec Joins Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki has signed Vincent Haskovec to race the 2004 season. Haskovec was born in the Czech Republic but came to the USA seven years ago to start his racing career. The 29-year-old is a legal resident of the United States and is in the process of becoming a naturalized American citizen. He currently resides in Lake Elsinore, California.

Haskovec caught the attention of the team during the 2003 season, regularly battling with Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp for top honors in the Superstock class. He finished third in the championship with five podiums, including a victory at Road Atlanta. Haskovec is very eager to join the team.

Haskovec will race a Suzuki GSX-R600 in the revamped Formula Xtreme class and will also compete in another class to be determined. Rapp, who re-signed with the team for 2004 during his successful 2003 season, will race in Supersport and a class to be determined.

Both riders will test with Michelin this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (December 4-6) at Daytona International Speedway.

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Eric Bostrom Breaks In New Ducati Ride At Daytona



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Dec. 4, 2003) — Eric Bostrom turned his first laps aboard the Ducati 999 factory motorcycle on Thursday at Daytona International Speedway as Ducati Austin and Valvoline EMGO Suzuki kicked off a three-day Michelin tire test in preparation for the 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai motorcycle classic on Saturday, March 6.

Bostrom had been riding for factory Kawasaki since 2000, but the motorcycle manufacturer pulled out of AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike competition for 2004 opening the door for the 27-year-old San Francisco rider to join Ducati.

On Thursday, Bostrom put on his new red and orange Ducati leathers and turned his first laps on the Ducati 999 that he’ll race in the season-opening Daytona 200 By Arai, which is being held on a Saturday for the first time in event history. Bostrom’s first impressions on the motorcycle were positive.

“The thing is really fun to ride,” Bostrom said. “Daytona is a very difficult track to learn a new bike because it’s so different from any other track we ride. Everything that comes here is different whether it’s tires or big straightaways.

“My initial feelings when I jumped on the bike . . . it was really easy. Right now, we’re just trying to figure out how to get in the turns a little bit quicker. The thing is really solid on the exits. Through the middle, it’s probably the easiest bike I’ve ever ridden. Right now, we’re just trying to get the entry down. Things are looking pretty good.”

Bostrom, who along with Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp and Vince Haskovec, will test on the historic 3.56-mile road course through Saturday. Beginning Monday, Dunlop will have a three-day tire test in preparation for the Daytona 200 By Arai.

Bostrom hopes his three days of tire testing can lead to a solid run in the Daytona 200 By Arai.

“Already I’ve got a good feeling for the tires,” said Bostrom, whose best finish in the Daytona 200 By Arai was a second in 2001. “I think
probably the biggest part of the puzzle to winning this race is to have a bike go around here for 57 quick laps.

“It’s very difficult. Here, a lot of times if you have a good setup for brand new tires, it’ll be a poor setup for used tires. You’ll have some screaming laps (in the beginning of a run) but you’ll fade to the back as soon as the tires go off.”

One fact that Bostrom is aware of is that Ducati has never won the Daytona 200 By Arai. He says it would be special if he could lead the Italian motorcycle manufacturer to Gatorade Victory Lane at Daytona for the first time in the legendary race.

“I’ve heard about that,” Bostrom said of Ducati’s woes at Daytona. “It would be special. They’ve already showed me a huge amount of commitment to my program. Realistically, it’s going to be a big job. There are a lot of teams that come here with a lot of history. To say we’re going to come in and win doesn’t seem like an educated statement. We’re going to come out here with our race face on. I’m sure we’ll know more after the next couple of days of testing where we stand.”

Michelin tire testing continues on Friday. The session is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.

Tickets for the Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6 and the inaugural nighttime running of the Daytona Supercross By Honda on Friday night, March 5 are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling (386) 253-7223.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Mike Preston, the Team Manager of the Kawasaki factory AMA road racing team, will not attend the upcoming Dunlop tire test December 8-10 at Daytona International Raceway due to injuries sustained in a recent motocross crash.

Preston was riding a Kawasaki KX250F at Lake Elsinore Motocross Park (LEMP) in Lake Elsinore, California November 22 when he was blown off the side of a table-top jump by a crosswind, according to Kawasaki Crew Chief Dan Fahie, who was riding on a different course at LEMP at the time of the crash.

“The guys we were parked next to were riding right behind and beside him over the jump when it happened,” Fahie told Roadracingworld.com Thursday. “Sometimes when you crash you say, ‘It was stupid to have tried that,’ but this wasn’t one of those cases. He wasn’t doing anything stupid and was riding well within his skill level. It was just an unfortunate accident.”

Preston crashed when he landed on the side slope of the jump. He was transported by ambulance to the Inland Valley Medical Center, near the track, where he was diagnosed with multiple fractures of his right humorous (upper arm bone) and fractures in his left hand. Preston was admitted into the hospital and had surgery to repair his injuries November 25-26.

“He’s at home now and basically doing okay for a guy with no arms. He’s sore more than anything else,” said Fahie. When asked how the team was coping without Preston present in the race shop, Fahie answered, “We’re doing what we can. We talk to him on the phone now and again, but his busy time had pretty much just ended. The lining up of the riders and mechanics was done. Now it’s mainly the crew’s job to thrash and get ready for the tire test.” Fahie added that Preston would not be at the test.

Attempts to reach Preston directly have been unsuccessful.

From a press release issued by Triumph:

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES ANNOUNCES PRICE FOR 2.3 LITER ROCKET III

Biggest Displacement Production Cruiser (140 Cu. In.)

Rocket III Retails at $15,990 in the United States

NEWNAN, Georgia – Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. announced today to the company’s dealer network that Triumph’s new power cruiser – the Rocket III – the first production motorcycle to break the 2-liter barrier, is being launched in the United States with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $15,990.

Triumph is pleased to report that even before announcing the MSRP consumers have shown strong interest in the Rocket III and the list of deposit holders is growing rapidly.

“Industry experts and enthusiasts who have had the opportunity to review this model have generated intense speculation over the price, with estimates ranging to over $20,000. We’ve now confirmed the price will be $15,990, which is an amazing value for a bike with the performance and features of the Rocket III,” stated Mark Brady, General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. “Throughout the development of this remarkable power cruiser we have taken into consideration the enthusiast’s desire to own a premium motorcycle, with state-of-the-art technology and distinctive Triumph styling, at a competitive price. ”

Triumph dealers will be offering a wide range of custom accessories to personalize the Rocket III cruising experience. High-polished chrome, custom flames or a cutting-edge tribal design paint scheme – are just a few of the options available within the Rocket III full accessory line created to excite the customizing ritual which is at the core of the cruising adventure.


The new Rocket III is powered by a distinct triple cylinder engine, an engine format that Triumph has engineered for today’s performance enthusiast. Its fuel-injected, longitudinally mounted, in-line three-cylinder engine has a cubic capacity of 2,294cc – 140 cubic inches – and uses the same size pistons as a Dodge Viper T. The Rocket III produces almost twice the peak torque of almost any other production motorcycle – an impressive 147ft.lb torque at 2,500 rpm with 90% delivered at a mere 1,800 rpm.

“From day one, we were committed to build a unique and individual true power cruiser – not a ‘me too’ cruiser that follows the crowd,” said Ross Clifford, Product Manager, Triumph Motorcycles Limited. “The Rocket III is the ultimate power cruiser and gives Triumph a strong foot-hold in the cruiser market. The attractive pricing offers enthusiasts the opportunity to turn an already truly distinctive motorcycle into a highly personal one through our accessories range.”

The Rocket III is currently on tour with the 2004 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® and will be in dealer showrooms in Summer 2004 with a wide selection of accessories.

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd., the manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is located in Newnan, GA and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.