From a press release issued by Repsol Honda:

Repsol rider finishes a succeful 2003 season
Title for Valentino Rossi in MotoGP and title for the Repsol Honda Team.

This has been with no doubt a good year for the Repsol riders at the Motorcycle World Championship. In the MotoGP class, the Repsol Honda Team has excelled by far the expectations set in the team and its riders. The result of the excellent 2003 season has been Valentino Rossi’s World Championship title, a fifth overall place for Nicky Hayden in his rookie year in the MotoGP class and, as the finishing flourish, the team’s world championship. Valentino Rossi started the 2003 season in Japan just like he finished it, winning and without leaving any chance for his rivals. His figures are a proof of both the Repsol rider’s and his team’s superiority, with nine victories, five runner-ups and two third places. In short, Valentino has been on the podium throughout the season. After a strong beginning of the 2003 World Championship, Valentino had a light performance drop after the Catalunya Grand Prix and was overtaken twice by Sete Gibernau and once by Biaggi, turning the alarm lights of the Repsol Honda team on. However, after the summer break, Rossi reacted clinching three victories in a row in the Czech Republic, Portugal and Brazil, thus engaging top gear towards the MotoGP title.

His teammate Nicky Hayden, in his first year in the championship after winning the AMA Championship in the USA the year before, made a brilliant 2003 season. His preseason was not easy at all, setting discrete times, far behind of those set by his teammate. But the Repsol rider didn’t give up and kept on working methodically and with firm consistency, leading him to start the second half of the season having already the podium in mind. And the podium finally arrived, although not the way he wanted, because at the Pacific Grand Prix, Hayden moved up from fourth to third after Tamada’s disqualification due to an incident with Gibernau. But as he explained, his aim was to achieve a real podium, on the track. So at the Australian Grand Prix and after an intense fight with much more experienced riders such as Gibernau, Ukawa and Checa, the Kentucky-born rider clinched his first podium in the class. His good job in the second half of the season has turned him into one of the riders to be taken into account in a near future. His final fifth place in his first season is good evidence.

In addition to the success of both riders of the Repsol Honda Team, the team as such has also been able to win the Teams’ World Championship title. The Repsol Honda Team took the lead of the standings from the first race and has not left the top place until the end of the 2003 season. It was always followed by the Camel Pramac Honda Pons team, that finally became runner-up. The Repsol Honda Team has scored a total 487 points, exactly 136 points over the second classified team. Of the sixteen races staged, the Repsol Honda Team has been the team scoring more points by both team riders at races, namely ten. This has been with no doubt an excellent season for the Repsol Honda Team.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

In reaction to the news that 2003 MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi would be joining him at Yamaha, Carlos Checa released a statement of enthusiastic approval on his fan website.

Checa wrote: “First of all I would like to welcome Valentino to the team and express my delight at this news. I have always wanted the best alongside me and I think that this is the ideal way to progress as a rider and a team. I hope that we work well together and make the Yamaha a winning machine once more, to bring back happy times to the factory and the sponsors. I also think that the incorporation of the MotoGP World Champion is the clearest sign yet that Yamaha are going for everything next season and that, without doubt, will help the development of the bike and whole package on the track, allowing us to aspire to maximum achievement. With respect to Rossi’s decision, my opinion is that [the] World Champion has been brave, and has decided to take on a new challenge in his sporting career with the offer from Yamaha. Personally, all I can say is that I’m sure our relationship will be good, his integration will be quick and that we can be good friends.”

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway Employees Earn Promotions

SONOMA, Calif. – Infineon Raceway employees Michelle Norman and Rachal Pollen have recently earned promotions within the company, raceway officials announced.

Norman, who has been employed at Infineon Raceway since 1996, has been named Ticket Sales Manager. She will oversee the sale of season tickets, group tickets, raceway packages and individual tickets, with the efforts of a newly created inside sales team.

Norman began at Infineon Raceway as a Marketing Assistant, before being promoted to Executive Marketing Assistant and then to Marketing Manager in 2003. She is a graduate of Cal-State Northridge in Southern California with a degree in Marketing. She resides in Benicia.

Pollen has been named Marketing and Sponsorship Services Manager. Her responsibilities include management of the raceway’s signage program, as well as assisting on sales and sponsorship contracts and event-marketing execution. Pollen began at Infineon Raceway in 1999 as a Ticket Sales Representative and continued in that position until her recent promotion.

She is a graduate of Sonoma State University with a degree in Business Administration. Pollen resides in Vallejo.


More, from another press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Sonoma Valley Cyclocross Event Comes to Infineon Raceway Nov. 15

SONOMA, Calif. — Racecars and dragsters will give way to bicycles on Saturday, Nov. 15, when Infineon Raceway hosts the Sonoma Valley Cyclocross on a temporary 1½-mile course.

Cyclocross is the latest cycling rage: a hybrid of mountain biking, road biking and running all in one race. Napa Valley Velo, an amateur club based in Napa, will host the event, which will be sanctioned by USA Cycling, the largest cycling sanctioning body in the country.

The course at Infineon Raceway will be laid out behind Turn 2 and include a variety of terrains and elevations, as well as barriers and stairs. Competitors will both race their bikes, as well as dismount and carry them over barriers and up stairs. It’s kind of like a merger between cycling and hurdling, all in one race.

Laps times are in the 5-7 minute range, and races range from 30 minutes for novices to 60 minutes for professionals. Bicycles are usually road bikes with more powerful brakes, custom gearing and meatier tires.

Approximately 150 cyclists are expected for the event, which will span from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. Entry fee is $20-25 depending on race category, and $5 for juniors (ages 14-18). There will be six categories in all, from novice to professional. Riders must have a USA Cycling license to compete — a one-day license may be purchased through Napa Valley Velo on the day of the event. For more information, visit www.sonic.net/napavalleyvelo/svcx Spectators are free.

“Infineon Raceway has all of the facilities that make for a great cyclocross event,” said Dave Carr, race director and president of Napa Valley Velo. “The terrain is great, and it’s unique with its elevation changes, as well. It should be very competitive.”

Top local competitors expected to compete include Berkeley’s Andy Jacques-Maynes, who placed fifth at last year’s national championships, and Los Gatos’ Jackson Stewart, who placed eighth. On the women’s side, San Anselmo’s Rachel Lloyd placed second in last year’s national championships, while Richmond’s Gina Hall was fourth. Other top female competitors include Mary McConneloug (Fairfax), Carmen D’Aluisio (Watsonville) and Christine Vardraros (Mill Valley). All three placed in the top 10 at the 2002 national championships.

Carr said the sport originated in Europe more than 50 years ago, but has enjoyed growth in the United States over the past five years. He estimated that there are approximately 5,000-10,000 competitive cyclocross riders in the country.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Carl Fogarty has reacted angrily to comments from new World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson that he was ‘scared of taking on Mick Doohan in GPs’.

The comments, published this week in Motorcycle News, have infuriated the four-times World Superbike champion.

Hodgson, who has joined the D’Antin team in MotoGP for next season, was quoted 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.”

But Carl countered: “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.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

SPEED CHANNEL TO RE-AIR TWO AMA FLAT TRACK RACES ON NOV. 19

Opening in network schedule continues due to CART series finale being cancelled

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Nov. 11, 2003) — The cancellation of last week’s CART season finale at California Speedway (due to the Southern California wildfires) continues to be a boon for motorcycle racing fans. Next week, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship will have its final two shows re-aired. Starting at 12 p.m. Eastern time (9 a.m. Pacific), Wed., Nov. 19, Speed Channel will rebroadcast the Sept. 20 AMA Grand National race from Scioto Downs. Then at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific) the network will show the Sept. 28 season finale at the Springfield Mile.

Last week Speed Channel filled CART’s live broadcast window with two hours of AMA Superbike racing from the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.

From a press release issued by Triumph America:

2004 DAYTONA 955i

Europe’s Most Popular Sportbike Transformed With Sleek, New Aerodynamic Styling



New 2004 Models Arrive in US Dealerships

NEWNAN, Georgia – A distinctive interpretation of the sportbike ideal Triumph’s flagship machine the Daytona 955i, makes its 2004 model showroom debut in Triumph dealerships throughout the US in December with sleek new shapes and curves. Featuring chiseled twin headlights, contoured mirrors and a redesigned cockpit for advanced aerodynamic performance, the Daytona consistently proves to be the intelligent superbike choice for those riders with a discerning design attitude and a drive for adrenaline.

“Inspired by the sleek, sporty design cues of our legendary Daytona T595, Triumph has perfected that sought after balance between design, power, usability, and instant response,” stated Ross Clifford, Triumph Motorcycles Product Manager. “This 2004 Daytona is a powerful, sophisticated sportbike in the European tradition of Triumph.”

The Daytona 955i’s three-cylinder engine rewards the rider with a rich sound and a strong peak power output of 147bhp at 10,700 rpm. A peak torque of 74ft.lb is delivered at 8,200 rpm with an immense spread of power throughout the rev-range.

This Daytona’s aluminum alloy chassis provides a perfect blend of stability and responsiveness. The 45mm telescopic forks and rear monoshock are 3-way adjustable in preload, compression and rebound damping.

Liter class sportbikes utilize performance tires, and the tire sizes of 120/70-ZR17 (front) and 190/50-ZR17 (rear), allow the use of all the best sport rubber. The front brakes feature twin four-piston calipers clamping 320mm floating discs. In the rear, a single twin-piston caliper grips the 220mm disc.

The new 2004 Daytona 955i is available in Jet Black, Tornado Red or Racing Yellow. A special edition Daytona, with Jet Black paint work and textured black finish on the frame, wheels and swingarm is also be available.

For the rider who wants more, a full range of Triumph accessories allow him or her to sharpen the Daytona’s focus and refine its purpose – like custom-fit soft luggage — which extends the Daytona’s range as a long-distance, real-world sports bike with touring legs.

The MSRP for the 2004 Daytona 955i is $9,999.

Re-styling Design for 2004:

– Cockpit and seat cowl designed with a sleek, aerodynamic profile
– Chiseled twin beam headlamps, contoured mirrors
– Subtle, sophisticated graphics enhancing Daytona color schemes
– Color-matched air-intakes and cockpit infill compliment sleek design refinements
– Vibrant Racing Yellow paint scheme
– Special edition available with Jet Black paintwork and black finish on frame, swingarm and wheels.

Accessories Available:
– High Mount Oval Carbon Silencer (for off road use only)
– Carbon Silencer (for off road use only)
– Stainless Steel Silencer (for off road use only)
– Alarm / Immobilizer
– Carbon Fiber Tank Pad
– Aero Screen
– Tank Bag
– Gel Seat – Rider
– Throwover Soft Bags
– Gel Seat – Pillion
– Luggage Rack
– Frame Protectors
– Grab Rail
– Rear Axle Nut Covers
– Pit Stand

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.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

My ’98 Laverda Ghost Strike was stolen from my home in Decatur, Alabama on Thursday October 6.

The bike is yellow with black frame and wheels. WERA, Pit-Bull, Michelin, and K&N stickers. The bike was in race trim and therefore has no street accessories.

Bike was stock with exception of clip-ons, and Yamaha front master cylinder. White number plates #64. VIN: ZLV650SP8W0002106

Any information contact myself vie e-mail [email protected] or Decatur City police dept. 256-341-4660.

Thanks for any help,

Allen Goodwin
WERA Expert #64
Decatur, Alabama

From a press release issued by Troll Honda BQR:

Report on yesterday’s final round of the Spanish Bancaja Fórmula de Campeones Motociclismo Superseries held on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at the Circuito Ricardo Tormo de la Community of Valencia

Noyes Wins Final Race and Spanish Superstock Championship

It all went down to the final race, the final lap and the final corner, but in the end the winner of the last round and the title in the Bancaja Motociclismo Superseries Championship, Spain’s top Superstock series, was American Kenny Noyes (Troll Honda CBR954RR) over José Manual Hurtado (MIR Suzuki GSX-R 1000).

The two started the race with Noyes leading by four points, but with Hurtado on the pole and Noyes second. Whoever won between them would take the title.

“I got the holeshot and worked real hard to build up a little lead,” said Noyes. “After about eight laps I had .6 of a second and that felt comfortable, but then I made a couple of little mistakes and my board showed that Hurtado was .3 back. I didn’t want him too close on the last lap because that’s how he beat me back in the spring at the first race of the season. I led into the last corner and was a little too defensive thinking he would go inside and low, but he ran high and got better drive and just made a draft pass at the line.”

As the leaders started the final lap the gap was still .3, but on the approach to chicane before the final corner Noyes was balked by a back marker allowing Hurtado to close right up.

Hurtado made a desperate attempt to ride around the outside on the long decreasing radius left-hander that funnels down to a second gear exit onto the straight, but Noyes had him covered this time and held off the Suzuki rider to win the race. In addition to the 25 points for the win he also picked up the two bonus points for setting the fastest lap, taking him to a 117-108 final score in the points table.

Noyes won the 2000 Formula USA Pro Singles Dirt Track National Championship in 2000 riding a Lineaweaver Husaberg before traveling overseas to Spain, the country of his birth, and joining the BQR racing team based near Barcelona Spain.

“It was real tough the first season on the 600. Then last year BQR put me on the big bike and I started getting the hang of it. I had some good results at the end of last season and this year our goals were to finish top ten in the Spanish Formula Extreme and win the Superstock. We have achieved one of our objectives. The other one may be harder. I’ve got two Spanish Formula Extreme races left and we are sitting 15th in points, ten back of tenth,” he said.

Noyes, who turned 24 at mid-season, has been confirmed as BQR’s lead rider in the Spanish Formula Extreme Championship next year and will ride the new CBR1000RR Fireblade with support from Montesa Honda (the company name of Spanish Honda) Showa and Dunlop. Spain does not have a Superbike series and, therefore the nationally televised Formula Extreme is the country’s most prestigious championship.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Moto Guzzi North America plans to test its MGS/01 and several riders early next month before making a decision whether or not to compete in the new AMA Formula Xtreme class in 2004.

The early December tests at Willow Springs International Raceway will involve up to four riders, with two of those four being Mike Hale and Chuck Sorensen.

According to Bill Martin of Moto Guzzi North America, no commitment has been made to any riders, and no commitments can be made until the company tests its race platform and makes a decision to race.

Martin discounted rumors that the company is testing at Road Atlanta and said that although the company considered Road Atlanta, weather concerns motivated the choice of Willow Springs.

From a press release issued by the Wegman Benefit Fund:

Sportbike Track Time held a benefit track day at Gingerman Raceway for the Wegman Benefit Fund and raised $5,342. Two riders donated above and beyond the $75 minimum entry. Tom Peterson of River Forest, IL added an extra $1,500 donation and Michael Mason from Southfield, MI contributed an extra $150.

Another recent donation came from Crystal Gurr at Scuderia West in San Francisco, California. Scuderia West held an open house and raffle with many vendors donating to the raffle. The event raised $2,400 for the Wegman Benefit Fund.

The Wegman Benefit Fund assists road racers who have been hurt during competition. For information please contact Gordon Lunde at 414-321-2338 or email to [email protected].