Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki tested at Thunderhill Park in Willows, California yesterday and today, without Eric Bostrom.

Tommy Hayden, Roger Lee Hayden and Tony Meiring rode a mix of 2004 ZX-6RR and ZX-10R Kawasakis.

Eric Bostrom is said to be sitting out the test because he hurt his shoulder during recent tests at Homestead. Tommy Hayden also tested at Homestead, but Roger Lee Hayden and Meiring did not.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sources close to the deal say that Eric Bostrom is considering riding a Superbike fielded by Ducati Austin in the 2004 AMA Superbike series.

What brand of tires the bike will run on–Dunlop versus Michelin–is a major factor in negotiations.

Kawasaki’s decision to not run a Superbike in the 2004 AMA series is said to have been a factor in the opening of negotiations involving Bostrom and Ducati. Details of Bostrom’s contract with Kawasaki, and whether or not the contract specifically refers to the Superbike class, are unknown.

But Eric Bostrom’s manager, Norm Viano, denied the report.

In an e-mail to Roadracing World, Viano said the report was, “Completely untrue. We’re happy with Kawasaki and are, in fact, in a two-year deal with them. Not sure where you are getting that info.”

Despite the denial, an involved sponsor insists negotiations for the 2004 season have taken place, and sources at Kawasaki say that the company was quietly looking at possible replacement riders last week.

From a press release issued by Alice Aprilia Racing:

MotoGP: Shane Byrne!

Shane “Shakey” Byrne is the chosen one to tame in the Moto GP 2004 one of Noale’s Aprilia Cube. The new union between the Italian firm and the British rider, winner in England’s last Superbike championship, has been formalized during the meeting with Mr. Beggio. Not bad for a rider who is considered to be one of the best in UK.

British motorcycling passionate have been waiting a long time for a young champion comparable to the great Barry Sheene, winner in the 500 category in 1967 and in 1977. Shane Byrne’s double victory in Brands Hatch, this year, probably means that the long wait is finally over. Only 26 year old, Shane is only one year older than the famous Sheene, who won when only 25, and is also four years younger than Neil Hodgson, Superbike’s winner in 2003. Shane Byrne is definitely a new force in motorcycling; his name sounds like the as-well known Irish rugby player so that supporters call him “Shakey” to not confuse him with “Munch”.

“When I was first called by Aprilia, I almost didn’t believe it – Byrne said – who today visited for the first time the racing section of Noale’s factory-I realized that it was true only when I left for Valencia, the last GP of the season, to meet the chief of the racing activities, Jan Witteveen. I was really excited to get on the Rs “Cube” for the first time, it really was amazing!”

Byrne’s name, after the double victory in Brands Hatch, was on many firms notepad. “It’s true, I had few other offers to compete in the Superbike championship – revealed Shakey – but Aprilia’s one won them easily because my dream was to race in the Moto Gp. What convinced me more, beside the good project, was the fact that was precisely from Aprilia that riders such as Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi started. They are my heroes, as other riders in the “queen” category, and the thought of riding close to them gave me an enormous motivation.

Beside the results Shane Byrne is a though guy. “I know that the first year will be difficult -he admits- I’ll have to learn the environment and the tracks and in the mean time help Aprilia developing the motorbike. It’s not going to be easy, but I will dedicate myself to it totally. During the next few days I’ll try to decide whether is better to stay in England or move to Italy. Everything happened so fast that I haven’t got any time to focus on the details.”

Motocross, travels and snowboard passionate Shakey relaxes himself with long walks in the countryside together with his dog.

HIS CAREER

1988 – Debut in the Trial with one victory in four competitions

1993 – Motocross four victories in five months

1996 – His debut with a Kawasaki. A broken wrist closed his season in advance.

1997 – Supersport 600 Champion. First National victory in Cadwell Park

1998 – National Supersport Championship, 6th. One victory in Snetterton

1999 – National Superbike Championship with a Harris-Kawasaki ZX-7RR. 5th and 6th place

2000 – Shifts to Honda racing on a SP-1.5th place in Brands Hatch.

2001 – Riding a Suzuki he collected three fifth places and gets 20 times among the first eight positions. Two fourth places in Oulton Park and Brands Hatch made of him the best private in the championship.

2002 – Riding a Ducati 998 R Testastretta wins in Donington, in Knockhill and in Thruxton. He is the fourth in the championship with three fast laps.

2003 – Riding a Ducati ex Hislop Byrne wins the championship two competitions before the end with nine victories on eleven races. Three pole positions and seven fast laps crown his season. The double victory in England’s Gp comes soon after.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Dennis Noyes

Fila Ducati factory rider Regis Laconi did two race simulations on the Ducati 999F03 at Valencia today, lapping consistently in the low 1:36s, clocking a best time on a race tire of 1:35.9. His best time on a qualifier was 1:35.6. Conditions were dry and chilly.

Teammate James Toseland had a quick time of 1:36.4 on a race tire and did not use a qualifier.

Top Petronas rider was Troy Corser who lapped in 1:36.9 on a race tire and did not use a qualifier. New teammate Chris Walker’s best time in only his second day on the Malaysian Triple was 1:38.2. Corser was finding it hard to ride around chatter problems on the Triple. “We tried lots of different constructions and compounds but couldn’t get past the chattering. We gave Pirelli our input and now they will go back and try and build a tire that works for us.”

Considering that this was the first time Superbike riders have run on the new generation of Pirelli slicks, team managers, riders and Pirelli technicians were pleased, especially with the Ducati performance, but that might be expected since Ducati has worked with Pirelli in the past and since the D.F.X. Ducati team ran Pirellis last year.

Most promising was the 17-lap stint in the 36s put in by Laconi–a pace that would have secured him a podium position at the World Superbike opener run at Valencia this spring but was not quite on the pace to match factory riders Neil Hodgson and Rubén Xaus who finished one-two in both races. A Solo Moto journalist who observed the three days of testing from trackside reported by phone from the circuit, “Laconi seemed to be very comfortable in the 1:36 range. I timed all his laps and can verify that he did 17 consecutive laps in the 36s and broke into the high-35s twice. The times I got were confirmed by Pirelli. It looked like he was not having any trouble running those times.”

Giorgio Barbier of Pirelli said, “We are very happy with the way this test went because this is the first time we have had a major test of our mass productions. Until now our slicks have been made one at a time in a laborious process. This was a big step forward, but it is only the beginning.”

The Chinese ZongShen team of Warwick Noland and Piergiorgio Bontempi did 38.5 and 38.3 respectfully on their heavy (185 kilo) and under-powered (160 horsepower) endurance-spec Suzukis. The team will contest the SBK championship.

The Alstare Corona Suzuki team was present but only in Supersport. It looks increasingly as if Suzuki will not back the team in the Superbike Championship.

Best Supersport time was by Jurgen Van den Goorbergh on the Belgarda Yamaha R6 in 1:38.0. His new teammate, Fabien Foret, very pleased with the Yamaha and with the Pirellis, lapped in 1:38.3 but crashed at the end of the third day, slightly injuring his thumb. Both Ten Kate Honda riders, Broc Parkes and Karl Muggeridge were said by the team to have done 1:38.3, a full second faster than Lorenzo Lanzi on the new Ducati 749. Stephane Chambon was the quickest Suzuki Supersport rider in 1:38.9.

It is far too early to tell how the switch to Pirelli will go in the Superbike class, but the first tests showed that the huge gap in times that some pessimists feared did not materialize, at least not at Valencia.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

LACONI AND TOSELAND MAKE 999 DEBUT FOR DUCATI AT VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), 13 November 2003: The Ducati Fila 2004 World Superbike championship pairing of Regis Laconi and James Toseland made their first appearance for the team this week as they completed a three-day testing session at the Valencia circuit in Spain, organised by Pirelli. The Italian manufacturer will be official one-make tyre supplier for next season’s World Superbike, World Supersport and European Superstock championships.

The 28-year-old Frenchman, who finished fourth in this year’s championship, was quick right from the start of the test on Tuesday and ended up with a time of 1:35.6 on qualifying tyres, which was the quickest time recorded in the three days. During his total of 215 laps, Laconi also did several long-runs, setting a quickest time of 1:35.9.

“It’s the first time I have ridden the 999 after following them around all year so I’m very happy!” declared Regis. “Ducati have made the 999 fast, it’s so enjoyable to ride and I’m already working very well with the team. We have a good feeling with the bike and we did a lot of work in these days, testing a lot of tyres and changing the settings. The front tyre is already OK and good for my style of riding and it’s important to set a good lap time right at the start.”

Britain’s James Toseland also got to grips with the championship-winning Ducati 999 and Pirelli rubber for the first time and the 23 year-old from Sheffield was pleased with his time of 1:36.4, recorded during a total of 195 laps.

“It’s all new for me and the only thing familiar is the track!” joked Toseland. “The first three days have been difficult as I knew they would be, but we’ve just got to get into the massive learning curve. The chassis and the riding style of the 999 are very different so we’re working hard on that as well. It’s all just a confidence-building exercise really. I’m pleasantly surprised with the way everything went and we’re not far off the times I set earlier this year. If we improve like this, I know it’s going to be a good championship.”

Lorenzo Lanzi continued testing with the Ducati 749R the Italian will race in the 2004 World Supersport championship, setting a quickest time of 1:39.3 in his 180 laps.



More, from a press release issued by Belgarda Yamaha:

Team Yamaha Belgarda Newsletter

Date: Thursday 13th November 2003
Circuit: Communitat Valenciana- Day 3

SUCCESSFUL TEST FOR TEAM YAMAHA BELGARDA
Team Yamaha Belgarda concluded three days of tests at Valencia this afternoon and left the Ricardo Tormo circuit delighted with the progress they made. New signing Fabien Foret crashed and hurt his left hand almost at the end of proceedings, but even that didn’t deter from his satisfaction with his R6 and new team and he is already looking forward to the next test. Jurgen set the quickest Supersport time over the three days and was very happy at the end of the test.

JURGEN VD GOORBERGH
130 laps (3 day total), best lap – 1:38.00
Generally I’m very content with what we’ve done here. We’ve tried lots of things and I think it’s been a very productive test for us all. We’ve gained a lot of information and now we’ll take that back to our workshops and use it to get ready for our next tests. The good news is that we know which direction to go and now when the next season begins, I will be ready straightaway. I will not be learning a new bike and new circuits – like I had to this year.

FABIEN FORET
161 laps (3 day total), best lap – 1:38.30
That was a very good test and I am happy with everything so far. At the end I crashed and maybe it was my fault. The tyre was a new one and maybe it hadn’t got up to temperature and I highsided in turn one. I banged my left hand and maybe cracked a little bone in my thumb, but it’s nothing really and I’ll be OK for the next test for sure. I am particularly happy because I feel I made some good progress today and although my times really weren’t any better, I felt much more comfortable on the bike. I did a run of about 15 laps, all in the 1:38s, so that made me very happy. It’s a shame about the crash, but I’m glad it happened right at the end of three days instead of at the start! I’m looking forward to the next test and getting my leg over the R6 again. I think I’m going to enjoy myself next year!

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Mies, November 13

Superbike & Supersport World Championships
Changes to the Technical Regulations – Tyres

The following amendments to the Superbike and Supersport Technical Regulations have been approved:

2.4.6.7 Tyres (Superbike)

1) Tyres may be replaced from those fitted to the homologated motorcycle.

2) The use of tyre warmers is allowed.

3) At each event, during free practices, qualifying practices, Superpole, warm up and races, a maximum of 15 rear and 11 front tyres may be used. Front and rear wet tyres will be included in the total quantity count. A Technical Steward must mark all of these tyres.

During free practices, qualifying practices, Superpole, warm up and races, no motorcycle may enter the track without the front and rear tyres being marked.

If the riders are given a red flag during a race (or during the Superpole for reasons beyond rider’s control) the FIM Technical Director may allow an additional set of tyres to be used.

For each race, one extra set of tyres can be put on the second motorcycle to have it ready for substitution on the grid in case of failure of the first motorcycle.

4) The competitors must use only the tyres distributed during the event by the Official Supplier.

All tyres to be used must be easily identifiable with a colour marking or a numerical system to be applied by the Official Supplier at the time of manufacturing.

At the beginning of the event, the Official Supplier must deliver to the FIM Technical Director 4 samples of each type of tyre which will be used at the event.

When the Official Supplier delivers the samples of the tyres to the FIM Technical Director, he must also give a written explanation of the marking and the general characteristics of the different types of tyres.

The FIM Technical Director may, at his discretion, require the exchange of one or more competitors’ tyres for a tyre sample under his control. The tyres exchanged remain under his control and he can exchange them for the ones of another competitor.

2.5.6.7 Tyres (Supersport)

1) Tyres must be a fully moulded type carrying all size and sidewall marking of the tyres for commercial sale to the public. Tyres of V and Z rating must be used. The depth of the tyre treads must be at least 2.5 mm over the entire tyre pattern width at a pre-race control. The tyres must have a positive and negative tread of 96% positive and minimum 4% negative (land and sea ratio). The maximum distance from the external edge of the tyre to 50% of the tread elements is 35 mm.

One size for the front and two sizes for the rear are allowed. Each size, front and rear, must be available with the same tread pattern as the commercial tyres for the road use. The manufacturers may only submit one front and rear pattern for approval. The previously approved tyre pattern will remain valid until one year after the introduction of a new approved tyre pattern.

The FIM/CCR will grant the approval. The manufacturers must submit the tyre for approval 30 days prior to its first use. Templates proving the land and sea ratio must be included. The tyres must have a DOT and/or E mark. The DOT and/or E mark must appear on the tyre sidewall.

Only when a race or practice has been declared “wet”, the use of a special tyre commonly known as a full wet tyre is allowed. Wet tyres must be a fully moulded tyre, no hand cutting is allowed on moulded tyres. The use of hand cut tyres is not allowed. Wet tyres do not need to carry DOT or E marks; however these tyres must be marked “Not for Highway Use” or “NHS”.

At each event, during free practices, qualifying practices, warm up and the race, a maximum of 11 rear and 9 front tyres may be used. A Technical Steward must mark all of these tyres.

During free practices, qualifying practices, warm up and the race, no motorcycle may enter the track without the front and rear tyres being marked.

If the riders are given a red flag during the race, the FIM Technical Director may allow an additional set of tyres to be used.

For the race, one extra set of tyres can be put on the second motorcycle to have it ready for substitution on the grid in case of failure of the first motorcycle.

2) The competitors must use only the tyres distributed during the event from the Official Supplier.

All tyres to be used must be easily identifiable with a colour marking or a numerical system to be applied by the Official Supplier at the time of manufacturing.

At the beginning of the event, the Official Supplier must deliver to the FIM Technical Director 4 samples of each type of tyre which will be used at the event.

When the Official Supplier delivers the samples of the tyres to the FIM Technical Director, he must also give a written explanation of the marking and the general characteristics of the different types of tyres.

The FIM Technical Director may, at his discretion, require the exchange of one or more competitors’ tyres for a tyre sample under his control. The tyres exchanged remain under his control and he can exchange them for the ones of another competitor.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

37th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix
3.8-mile Guia Street Circuit
Macau, China
Thursday Morning Free Practice Lap Times:

1. Michael Rutter, GBR, Ducati, 2:29.739, 91.22 mph
2. John McGuiness, GBR, Ducati, 2:33.267, 89.12 mph
3. Markus Barth, GER, Suzuki, 2:35.737, 87.70 mph
4. Ian Laugher, GBR, Ducati, 2:35.754, 87.69 mph
5. Brian Morrison, GBR, Suzuki, 2:36.484, 87.29 mph
6. Stuart Easton, GBR, Ducati, 2:36.723, 87.15 mph
7. Ryan Farquhar, GBR, Suzuki, 2:36.767, 87.13 mph
8. Stephen Thompson, GBR, Suzuki, 2:37.421, 86.77 mph
9. Iain Duffus, GBR, Suzuki, 2:38.354, 86.26 mph
10. Richard Britton, GBR, Suzuki, 2:38.360, 86.25 mph

22. Jeremy Toye, USA, Suzuki, 2:43.335, 83.62 mph

25. Geoff May, USA, Suzuki, 2:45.273, 82.64 mph

32. Jason Perez, USA, Yamaha, 2:48.309, 81.16 mph

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

37th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix
3.8-mile Guia Street Circuit
Macau, China
Thursday Afternoon Qualifying Times:

1. Michael Rutter, GBR, Ducati, 2:31.546
2. Stuart Easton, GBR, Ducati, 2:33.518
3. John McGuinness, GBR, Ducati, 2:34.384
4. Markus Barth, GER, Suzuki, 2:34.646
5. Ryan Farquhar, GBR, Suzuki, 2:34.825
6. Brian Morrison, GBR, Suzuki, 2:34.867
7. Richard Britton, GBR, Suzuki, 2:34.912
8. Ian Lougher, GBR, Ducati, 2:34.926
9. Pete Jennings, GBR, Suzuki, 2:35.013
10. Alan Patterson, GBR, Ducati, 2:36.129

15. Jeremy Toye, USA, Suzuki, 2:36.859

22. Geoff May, USA, Suzuki, 2:40.111

27. Jason Perez, USA, Yamaha, 2:41.243

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

California teen Jason Perez crashed out of the first qualifying session for the Macau Grand Prix today, causing a red flag.

Perez was hauled off to the hospital following the incident, but was released after an examination and treatment for abrasions to his neck.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Positive start for Chris in Valencia

New rider Chris Walker made a promising start to his Foggy PETRONAS Racing career on the first day of the team’s two-day test at Valencia.

The Englishman joined team-mate Troy Corser for the first time on the Pirelli tyres that will be used by all teams in the World Superbike championship next year.

But Chris spent the day concentrating on the feel of the FP1, completing 60 laps and setting a best time of 1:38.3 compared to Troy’s 1:37.7.

Chris said: “I have just been familiarising with the bike and the way the team works today. The first day at the office is always very different. But I already know that the bike does certain things very well. All I can do at this early stage is use Troy as a benchmark and I was only half a second behind him today which is very encouraging. The new tyres were the least of my worries today – I can concentrate on them when I know the bike a bit better.”

Troy said: “The tyres do feel different to the Michelins – actually a bit more like Dunlops – and we both struggled with a bit of chatter at the front and rear. But this is only to be expected on our first day on them, and we are a full day behind the factory Ducati guys, who were out yesterday here. We played around with constructions and compounds and we have a few more options to try tomorrow.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Dennis Noyes

We now have Supersport times from a Solo Moto journalist present at the Pirelli tests in Valencia.

While the quickest Fila Ducati 999 was taken around Valencia in 1:36.5 by Regis Laconi, Jurgen Van den Goorbergh led the Supersport lists with a time of 1:39.00.

Here are the top Supersport times reported from the circuit after two of the three days of testing. Of interest was Lorenzo Lanzi on the works Ducati 749, marking a return by Ducati to the Supersport class.

Van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Belgarda): 1:39.00

Fabien Foret (Yamaha Belgarda): 1:39.05

Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda) 1:39.50

Stephane Chambon (Alstare Corona Suzuki) 1:39.50

Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Honda) 1:40.00

Michel Fabrizio (Alstare Corona Suzuki) 1:40.40

Lorenzo Lanzi (Fila Ducati 749) 1:40.70

Stefano Cruciani (Bertocchi Kawasaki) 1:42.00


As a reference, the fastest time set in the World Supersport race held at Valencia in March 2003 (won by Fujiwara on a Suzuki) was a 1:38.874 set by Allesio Corradi on a Yamaha.


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Belgarda:

JURGEN AND FABIEN PUT IN THE LAPS.

After yesterday’s reduced time due to weather, it was all systems go today at Valencia and Jurgen and Fabien completed 118 laps between them in almost ideal conditions. Jurgen posted a lap of 1:38.3, which was the same as his best qualifying lap in the WSS round earlier in the year. That was on a soft tyre, whereas today’s lap was on normal rubber, so Jurgen was particularly please with today’s progress. Fabien rode steadily today and spent the day learning the bike, tyres, suspension and new Magneti Marelli electronic system. Although, he didn’t improve on his lap time, he left the circuit happy that he had learnt a lot about the R6.

Jurgen vd Goorbergh – 58 laps, best lap 1:38.3
I think we have made some good improvements today and I’m happy with the way this test is going. I feel I’m not in a ‘learning year’ anymore and now I’m enjoying just going out and riding hard – racing in fact! The new Magneti Marelli system seems to be giving us a bit more power but we’re at the early stage of working with it, so there’s still more to come and understand. At the moment, I’m happy because everything is going well and we’re making progress and that’s what this test is all about.

Fabien Foret – 60 laps, best lap 1:39.1
Today I did a lot of laps and I think I learnt a lot of things – which is good because there’s so many new things for me to learn! Everything – bike, suspension, tyres is new for me and I’m using this test to try and understand the R6 and ride it fast. Although, I didn’t improve so much, I’m happy because I’m learning all the time. I’m being a bit cautious and taking things a bit steady, but this is just a test and we’ve a long way to go yet. Already, I can see the potential of this bike and I’m really looking forward to racing it and getting good results.