Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A war of words erupted in the British press earlier this month between four-time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty and 2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson, but Hodgson is looking to put an end to the public feud.

In early November, England’s MCN quoted Hodgson as saying, “I don’t fear Rossi liked Foggy feared Doohan. Carl would never admit that but that’s probably why he never took up the challenge. He talked about it but never did it. But I’m going to do it. I want to be judged against the best riders in the world and that means in MotoGP.”

Fogarty responded in a November 10 press release issued by his team, Foggy Petronas Racing, stating, “I think it’s a cowardly comment. The simple truth is that I never got a chance to ride in GPs. I would have loved to have been given that chance, because I was certainly never scared of anyone on the track.

“It’s cowardly because I can’t go out there and race anymore and do anything about it. And people will know for sure that it’s an absolute lie. They will realize that Neil is trying hard not to be boring.

“He has a long way to go before he can be mentioned in the same breath of me. He has won nothing yet – he was given the World Superbike title this year.”

Hodgson, however, sought to set the record straight with a November 19 entry on his website, writing, “You’ve probably read a whole load of stuff about me and Carl Fogarty going at each other. Well, my website seems to be the best place to put the record straight once and for all so here it is, the last official statement on the whole mess:

“Around the time that Carl retired he was quoted, rightly or wrongly, as saying that he thought he was a better rider than Mick Doohan. I was asked what my personal opinion of that statement was and my opinion, which I think I’m fully entitled to, was that I considered Mick Doohan to have been a better rider than Carl Fogarty and, in my opinion, I doubt whether Carl would really have wanted to race against him because of that. And that’s it. As a rider I respect Carl so much and always have. I totally look up to him as a motorcycle racer and I think he’s achieved so much for racing and for World Superbikes. In the press my opinion maybe looked like an attack on Carl, but it wasn’t. Now he’s saying some pretty crazy things in the press and I’m sorry, but I’m not entering into a public slanging match. That’s it, over, case closed.”

From a press release issued by California Speedway:

Light Poles Raised at California Dragway



FONTANA, Calif. — As part of a lighting project to light the entire two-mile, D-shaped oval and quarter-mile drag strip at California Speedway, light poles were raised at California Dragway on Wednesday, November 19th.

More than half-a-dozen light poles were raised along the south perimeter of the strip. Each light pole is constructed of four separate pieces and varies from four to seven light fixtures atop the poles. The poles were placed on top of cement foundations that were drilled earlier this month and will reach 60-ft. into the air.



The pole placement along California Dragway should be completed by Thanksgiving. Additional lighting poles will be raised along the exterior of California Speedway’s oval beginning next week.

California Speedway’s 2004 individual race tickets go on sale December 1st, while season ticket packages, the Ultimate Season Package, the NASCAR Six-Pack Package and the Pick Your NASCAR Weekend Package, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-800-944-RACE (7223) or at www.californiaspeedway.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2003 Australian Superbike Champion Craig Coxhell will ride for the Vitrans Honda team in the 2004 British Superbike Championship.

According to Trevor Hedge, www.mcnews.com.au, Coxhell, 21, has reached an agreement that will see him ride a Honda CBR1000RR on Pirellis in the British Superbike series.

Coxhell won the 2003 Australian Superbike Championship on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Coxhell’s teammate will be countryman Paul Young, who will race a Honda CBR600RR in British Supersport.

Vitrans fielded Michael Laverty and Dean Thomas in the 2003 British Supersport series. Laverty and Thomas finished fourth and fifth in the Championship, respectively.

From a press release issued by Crescent Suzuki:

Reynolds says Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 is the bike to beat in BSB 2004

DOUBLE British Superbike Champion John Reynolds will ride for Suzuki in British Superbikes in 2004 and says the GSX-R1000 is the bike that’s able to take him to the series title.

“The Suzuki GSX-R1000 will be the bike to beat in 2004,” explains JR. “That’s why I am so happy to have signed again for Crescent and Suzuki GB and look forward to starting the new season with the strongest package on the grid.

“I believe the GSX-R1000 was the bike to beat in 2003 right from the start. As an all-round package it is the fastest Superbike I have ever ridden. During the coming winter months Crescent, along with the Suzuki factory, will be working on making it even better for the 2004 season. This is the bike that can take me to my third British Superbike title, no question.”

JR finished a clear second in the 2003 Championship despite breaking his collarbone at the very first round at Silverstone. He missed out on any points at the first round and spent the next four rounds riding injured. After his collarbone healed, he took the series by the scruff of the neck and outscored everyone in the second half of the season, finishing with four wins and 12 podiums to his credit, not to mention a pole position and runners-up spot in Brands Hatch WSB.

“Continuity is important in racing and this will be my third year with Suzuki,” said JR. “I know the team and the bike very well and I am confident we will be faster everywhere we go next season.”

The 38-year-old Nottingham rider is a fans’ favourite and is already looking beyond 2004. He said: “People ask if this will be my final season but that’s not the way I am looking at it. My aim is to win the Championship for Suzuki in 2004 and then return to defend it in 2005.”

Crescent Suzuki boss Paul Denning is convinced that the combination of JR and the GSX-R1000 will be a threat for the title in 2004. He said: “John has helped us to develop the GSX-R1000 from a showroom bike into a world beating Superbike racer. His determination and will to win was proven to us all when he rode through the pain barrier with his injury and never gave up until the last chequered flag of 2003. And it’s only made him hungrier for victory. This is the very strongest bike and rider line-up possible in 2004 for Suzuki.”

Suzuki GB’s General Manager Nick Barnes said: “Suzuki GB has every confidence that the Crescent-prepared GSX-R1000 can compete at the very highest level in Superbikes. Add to that the super fast John Reynolds as our first choice rider with more experience of this bike than anybody else in the world and you have a combination that is going to be difficult to beat. If John hadn’t been injured in 2003 he may well have lifted the title. We’ll be giving him all our support in 2004 to go one better and bring the Championship home for Suzuki.”

JR will ride the official Suzuki GB/Crescent GSX-R1000 in British Superbikes in 2004. The first round kicks off at Silverstone on March 28th 2004. A team mate to ride alongside JR in 2004 and the team’s title sponsor will be announced soon.

Editorial Note: Reynolds’ teammate in 2003, Yukio Kagayama, is in Japan, still recovering from a badly broken pelvis.

From a press release issued by Triumph:

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES SALES INCREASED 46 PERCENT AUGUST – OCTOBER 2003

Sharp U.S. Sales Growth Reported by Triumph in Recent Months

NEWNAN, Georgia – Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., announced today the company’s new unit sales jumped 46% in the U.S. during August, September and October 2003 – combined – when compared to the same time three-months period in 2002. Triumph’s sales have continued to increase despite concerns about consumer spending softening within the U.S. Based on prevailing economic conditions and consumer demand, Triumph forecasts steady sales growth through the 2003-year end and for next year.

In the current 2003-year, several new business initiatives were successfully launched by Triumph. This summer, Triumph introduced a strong retail finance program, which has generated a substantial increase in consumer purchases. “The reception to our America and Speedmaster models which were distinctively designed by Triumph for the U.S. “cruiser” market, has been overwhelming and continues to grow,” said Mark Brady, General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. “We are also pleased to report that on several 2004 models, such as the Tiger and the Sprint ST, we have already booked more orders than we had originally planned to bring into the U.S. And what continues to be one of the most satisfying accomplishments for us is the fact that we are exceeding our goals of quality engineering and product excellence for our dealers and consumers.”

“Globally, we have seen an even greater interest by motorcycle enthusiasts in the Triumph brand this year, ” stated Tue Mantoni, Commercial Director, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, “in part, we attribute this increase to the fact that more motorcyclists are seeking the authentic motorcycle experience with the distinctiveness and reliability delivered by Triumph. With its rich legacy, modern styling, state-of-the art technology and design – as well as high customer satisfaction – Triumph is one of the most famous names in motorcycling on streets today.”

In addition, since August, Triumph has reported a measurable increase in showroom traffic. The company sites several contributing factors to this expanded interest including the unveiling of Triumph’s ground breaking new machines – the Rocket III as well as the Thruxton – along with the entire 2004 model line-up.

“It’s obvious that the news of our 2.3 liter Rocket III – the biggest displacement standard production cruiser being built – as well as our legendary-inspired Thruxton café-racer, and our distinctive interpretation of the sportbike ideal – the restyled Daytona 955i – has piqued the full range of motorcyclists’ interests,” said Tue Mantoni. “And what is particularly rewarding to us throughout Triumph is the fact that even though the Rocket III and Thruxton are not on the showroom floors yet, many of the consumers stopping by to visit are choosing to become part of the Triumph family – and ride out of the store on one of our many other models.”

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd, 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.

From a press release issued by BCM Ducati

As many of you already know, Bryan Cassell passed away on October 18th as a result of an accident during practice for the CCS Race of Champions at Daytona International Speedway. Bryan was a first-year Novice racer and a member of the BCM customer family. We were all saddened at his loss.

In the month since this tragedy, many of you have asked how you can help Bryan’s wife, Heather. And, how you can memorialize this very special young man. Now we are pleased to offer both options to you.

Heather Cassell is a very unique lady. If you read her letter to Roadracingworld.com in October, you most likely were drying your eyes afterward. You may not have known that Bryan was the major wage-earner in their family. Heather is looking for a second job and is struggling to meet her house payments. She could really use day-to-day financial support. Any small donation to help her will be appreciated.

DONATIONS FOR HEATHER CASSELL may be made via Paypal to “[email protected]”.

From a press release issued by Pramac Honda:

Magny Cours – France
Private Tests
18/19 November 2003

Shinichi Itoh tests rain tyres on artificially wet track at Magny Cours.

Two days of testing in France came to an end today for official Pramac Honda Team test rider Shinichi Itoh. Two important days of tests in which about 50 Bridgestone rain tyres were tried out on the artificially sprayed track in France.

The modern Magny Cours facility proved to be absolutely perfect for this type of testing. The short 3.2 kilometre (about 2 mile) number 17 configuration of the circuit, sprayed abundantly by special jets, was chosen for the event.

The Pramac Honda Team and Bridgestone technicians intended to try out a lot of different rain materials that had not been subjected to in-depth testing during the season that has just come to a close. A number of different profiles and compounds were examined by an untiring Itoh, the talented test rider who just never stopped working.

Shinichi clocked up 85 laps yesterday and another 65 today. There are no lap records as the short part of the Magny Cours circuit has never been used, but really the aim was not to achieve the highest speeds but rather to get the most out of comparative tests between the various rain tyres.

Itoh raced with the Honda RC211V just as it had been used by Makoto Tamada in the last championship at Valencia. He declared he was very satisfied with the work that had been done in the two days of testing. And indeed large quantities of data and many references were gathered, and this will help Bridgestone continue its development work for the 2004 season.