From a press release issued by Adrenalin-Moto:

Jonathan Harrison (23), riding the Adrenalin-Moto Buell XB12R Firebolt, has become the first rider outside of the USA to win a national championship for the marque after winning the Auto 66 Sound of Thunder series at the final round last weekend at Carnaby, U.K.. With a final points score of 215 Jonathan beat the Aprilia RSVR of Keith Pringle into second place on 200 points.

Adrenalin-Moto, the Buell aftermarket specialists, are the only team in the UK to be campaigning the diminutive Firebolt this year, and have been steadily improving and evolving the bike all season from what started out in March as a pretty standard XB9R.

The Buell’s strongest feature has always been in the handling department, and to take advantage of this the suspension was upgraded in favour of a Hyperpro fully adjustable rear shock produced specially by Hyperpro UK. This enabled them to raise the rear ride height and quicken steering response. Brembo Radial front brakes and master cylinder from Free Spirits of Italy have been fitted to replace the single rim mounted disc, together with rearsets from the same company. Exhaust is courtesy of Wileyco in Italy.

The biggest boost to performance came in the form of a 1200cc XB12 engine fitted from August onwards, which went a long way in redressing the power differential against the other competitors on Italian made twins.

Team owners Matt & Debbie Purdy said ‘To have achieved this would have been unthinkable at the start of the season, but we have worked hard all year and received some incredible backing. We have even received an e-mail of congratulation from Erik Buell himself!’

For next year Jonathan is hoping to move up to BSB Privateers, whilst Adrenalin-Moto will again be campaigning the Buell, this time in New Era Superclub with new rider Martin Jarvis from Surrey at the controls. There will be some major modifications over the winter and the team believe the bike will be pretty competitive even against the top class opposition in the Superclub series.

The team would like to thank the following sponsors for their help and support during the season:

Torco Oil, Hyperpro Suspension UK, Free Spirits (It), Racing-Motor(It), Wileyco exhausts, SBS Brake Pads, Talon Engineering (Sprockets), Britnett Internet Services, Pizza Perfekt, KBC Helmets, Diadora boots and of course Erik Buell and the team at East Troy.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

I, too, was the victim of an attempted Nigerian check scam. The whole thing smelled bad from the beginning. First, an e-mail from the U.K. Next the story about sending a check for more than I was asking so they want you to deposit the check then cut them a check back. Here’s the deal…all they want is for you to deposit the check. They don’t care about your bike.

They are hoping to get the check returned to them with your bank account # on the back of it. Apparently there are few if any laws in Nigeria protecting against bank fraud so they want to use your account # to do whatever they want. Drain it, spend with it, anything they can think of.

The check I received looked cheesy, no watermark, anyone with a decent computer and a half-assed printer could have produced it. The message here is, DO NOT DEPOSIT THE CHECK!!

Steve Norton
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail from Heather Cassell:

Live your Dreams

I would like to start by thanking everyone for the enormous amount of support we have received. It is very comforting to read all of your e-mails. I must say that these past few days have been the hardest of my life. I wake up every morning in tears. The days all seem to be a blur. And the nights are just plain scary. I am left with wonderful memories of a man that had so much drive and passion for the things in his life. He touched the lives of more people in just 28 years than most people do in a lifetime.

Bryan was amazing! He knew everyone! What can I say, the man talked 24/7. It used to drive me crazy! We used to joke and say that if Bryan ever had to be quiet for more than a few minutes, he would explode. He had the gift of gab. He was a wonderful salesman. I often times had to tell him to stop trying to sell me his ideas. He was a “networker.” It was funny that no matter where we went, we always bumped into someone he knew. We could be right down the street from our house or hours away from home. That was just Bryan. He wanted to know everyone!

I first met Bryan when we were in high school, about 11 years ago. I instantly knew that he was a great person. It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I met up with him again. We began dating the next day. He was 19 and I was 18. Six months later we were engaged. We had a very long engagement but we were considered already married. We finally got married a couple of years ago. We were together for over nine years. He was my world. We did everything together. It was funny how we were complete opposites. You could not of had two other people be as different as we were and have as great of a relationship and share as much love as we did for each other.

He taught me many things in life. I was blown away with his ability to learn new things in a matter of seconds. He always found a place for himself. He has certainly taught me about passion. Since he started racing this year, I became more and more amazed with him. I used to joke with him about how excited and passionate I thought he was (especially about racing). I told him that some day I would also find a passion like he had, and that I would also learn to take more risks. I have been learning how to paint and I enjoy art. He asked me about that being my passion. I laughed and said that comparing art to road racing seemed a bit funny. I told him that road racing was full of risks. Painting was not quite comparable. The only risk was maybe poking myself with a paint brush. I am sure that one day I will find my passion. I have had the best role model!

I love that he was able to bring meaning and enuthsiasm to the sport of road racing. I have had huge amounts of support from everyone, many of whom I have never met. I have always known that Bryan was special, but I never realized that he had touched so many lives. He was an inspiration to us all.

I will continue to maintain his website www.mightyducracing.com and I will keep his screen name. Please feel free to contact me if you need someone to talk to, or if you just want to share something about Bryan. I would love it if you introduced yourselves! I have enjoyed reading all of your posts. Thank You for taking the time to post your thoughts. They have been more helpful than you will ever know.

A public viewing will be held Thursday, October 23rd, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. There will be a Celebration of Life ceremony on Friday, October 24th, at 2:00 pm. Both will take place at:

Harvey-Engelhardt Metz Funeral Home
1600 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239)936-2177

In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up under Bryan’s name at any SunTrust Bank.

I have so much more to say about Bryan. But mostly I will miss him! I am very happy that he got to live his lifelong dream of racing at Daytona. There are not a lot of people that can say they have lived their dream! He was a happy man. This is what he wanted to do. Remember to live your dreams!

I LOVE YOU BRYAN!

Forever your wife,

Heather



More, from a reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

This is Bryan’s personal website that he kept a history of his racing.

http://www.mightyducracing.com/home.html

If you run a follow-up to the announcement of his passing, I thought you may want to include it so others can see what kind of person he was and how he loved road racing.

Bryan was also a big contributor to the CCS board, www.racemotorcycles.com.

His input and passion for the sport will be truly missed. I was at the track when this tragic accident claimed his life. My prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Heather, his family, friends and all those who new him. May he rest in peace as he was passed doing something he truly loved.

Steve Sidman
CCS Expert #75
Lake Mary, Florida

From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing Australia:

2003 SKYY Vodka Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Victoria

Australian Superbike and Supersport support races.

SUPERBIKE AND SUPERSPORT PODIUMS FOR STAUFFER AND CLARKE AT AUSTRALIAN GP

The final national road race meeting of the 2003 season took place at Phillip Island last weekend with competitors in the Superbike and Supersport categories taking part in the support action to the Australian Grand Prix.

It proved to be another strong weekend for Yamaha riders in both categories with Nikon Yamaha riders Daniel Stauffer and Brendan Clarke scoring podium finishes in each class. Stauffer placed second overall in Superbike aboard his R1, while Clarke brought his R6 home in third place in the hotly contested Supersport event.

The GP weekend always proves difficult for those competing in the support categories as they have limited track time for practice and qualifying before taking to the circuit for their three scheduled races late on Friday and Saturday afternoon. A stark contrast to their regular race formats.

In the absence of Kevin Curtain (who is still recovering from an injured hip), Stauffer upheld the Yamaha challenge and battled for the lead in each of the three 8 lap races. He was the first to cross the line in the opening 8-lapper, but was adjudged to have jumped the start and was given a twenty-second penalty which dropped him down the result sheet to sixth. He responded in the remaining two races, finishing second and third, with a final overall placing of second behind Shawn Giles.

“I was really happy with how the Nikon Yamaha performed this weekend,” said Stauffer. “The first two races were very good, just a shame that I got pinged for a jump start otherwise we may have had a win there as well. The last race was hard as the hot track conditions made the tyres work very hard, but the Dunlop’s came through with the goods in the end though. I’m happy with how I’ve ridden in recent weeks and all I can say now is bring on the new R1 in 2004.”

Victorian veteran Stephen Tozer (Stafford Yamaha) also had a strong end to his season, completing the weekend with a pair of eighths and a sixth in the final race of the weekend to place him eighth overall on points.

As always, the Supersport competitors were in the thick of the action both on and off the track. The competition between teams and riders has definitely stepped up a gear in recent meetings and Phillip Island was no different.

Yamaha riders featured strongly in the Supersport action with five YZF R6’s placing in the top ten, with Clarke leading the way on his Nikon Yamaha machine with a consistent weekend of results that netted him third overall.

“I would have liked to have tried some different gearing on the bike, but with the limited sessions we didn’t have time, so we stuck with what we knew,” said Clarke. “The last race was quite difficult as we were kept on the start line for a long time before the race was restarted and everyone’s bikes were getting hot and I think that may have cost us a bit of power from the engine when we did get going. I did what I could under the circumstances and brought it home. I’m happy to have finished second overall, but it wasn’t quite the way I had planned for the weekend to run.”

Highlighting the depth of Yamaha’s privateer rider support were Glenn Allerton who finished fifth overall, Shaun Geronimi (Procycles Yamaha) seventh, Deon Coote (Gary O’Brien Yamaha) eighth and David Anthony (Deniliquin Yamaha) ninth.


Denso Australian Superbikes (Points after three legs):
1 Shawn Giles (Suzuki) 75; 2. Daniel Stauffer (Yamaha) 46; 3. Brent George (Honda) 36; 4. Josh Brookes (Honda) 36; 5. Craig Coxhell (Suzuki) 33; 6. Scott Charlton (Honda) 29; 7. Kirk McCarthy (Honda) 27; 8. Stephen Tozer (Yamaha) 26; 9. Nick Henderson (Honda) 20; 10. Ewan McClure (Suzuki) 18.

Denso Australian Supersports (Points after three legs):
1. Josh Brookes (Honda) 66; 2. Kirk McCarthy (Honda) 45; 3. Brendan Clarke (Yamaha) 42; 4. Russell Holland (Kawasaki) 40; 5. Glenn Allerton (Yamaha) 38; 6. Mark Aitchison (Honda) 33; 7. Shaun Geronimi (Yamaha) 30; 8. Deon Coote (Yamaha) 24; 9. David Anthony (Yamaha) 24;10. Chris Seaton (Kawasaki) 20.

From a press release issued by Brid Caveney of West Coast Racing, sponsored by Works Performance:

Mislaid Conrod

At sometime during the recent AHRMA road races at Barbers Motorsports Park (September 26-29) and Talladega Gran Prix Raceway (October 3-5) in Alabama, a motorcycle connecting rod, belonging to Works Performance owner (and sponsor) Gilles Vaillancourt, went “walkabout” from the Works Performance transporter.

The rod was housed in a wooden cigar box, and was one of Gil’s sentimental keepsakes. It is of no use to anyone–other than its rightful owner.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of the rod, or can shed any light on its disappearance, can they please contact:

Works Performance, (818)701-1010, e-mail [email protected],

or

Works Performance sponsored rider Brid Caveney, (831)484-7778, e-mail [email protected],

or

Matt Benson at the AHRMA publications office, (814) 778-2291, e-mail [email protected].

Alternatively, the rod can be sent to:

West Coast Racing,
820 Park Row #575
Salinas, CA 93901

who will be only too pleased to pay any freight costs–NO questions asked.

FROM THE DESK OF: MR. ALABO ISAAC

Finance/Accounts Department

Dear Sir,

BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Although this proposal might come to you as a surprise, since it is from someone you do not know or have seen before, but based on recommendation, trust and confidentiality, I decided to contact you.

I am a Senior Officer with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and I have in my capacity the sum of US$26.5m (Twenty Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars only) which was actually generated from an over-invoiced contract sum in my Corporation.

Right now, I write to solicit your assistance on the transfer of this fund into your account. Upon your acceptance of this proposal, I and my colleagues have generally agreed on the below sharing ratio:

1. 25% for your assistance and cooperation in the transfer of this fund into your account.

2. 5% for all expenses incurred, Local/International.

3. 70% for me and my colleagues. This amount will be used for investment purposes on a successful conclusion of this transaction.

You are therefore, advised to send to me your full banking information (as mentioned below) to enable me effect this transaction on a swift code:

Bank Name, Address, Account No.,

Telephone and Fax Numbers,

And Name to be used as Beneficiary,

Your Private Telephone and Fax Numbers.

On receipt of the above mentioned information, Seven (7) working days is enough for us to conclude this deal. You can send me an e-mail immediately you receive this letter for further clarifications.

Your urgent response is awaited.

Thanks and God Bless

Yours Faithfully,

MR. ALABO ISAAC

From a press release issued by series organizers:

Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead
2003 Superside World champions



Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead at Nevers Magny-Cours. Photo by Jon Mitchell.

Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead clinched the 2003 Superside World championship following a fifth place in the final race of the season at Magny-Cours in France on Saturday.

The British duo completed a fantastic season aboard their Suzuki GSX-R 1000 machine with LCR chassis: eight podium finishes from 10 races, including six wins, a second and a third place – with one retirement at Monza, Italy.

It was also the pairing’s second title together – the first came in 2000 – and for Webster a ninth world title in a career spanning over 20 years in the premier class of sidecar racing.

Webster and Woodhead set the tone for the rest of the season with an opening day win at Valencia, Spain to lead the 2003 Superside World championship.

The following round at Monza, Italy was to be Webster’s only blip in an otherwise clinical campaign. He retired at the ‘Curva Grande’ on lap eight, having, until then, been involved in an epic battle with closest rivals, Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer.

Webster relinquished the leadership and found himself 16 points adrift of the Austrian, but the wily veteran from Easingwold, Yorkshire notched up his second win at Oschersleben, Germany to move to within 11 points of leader Klaffenböck.

“It was all about keeping it smooth and closing the gap in the standings. We managed to achieve both goals,” says a delighted Webster.

The Webster-Woodhead whirlwind continued to take in all before it and a third win was recorded in round four at the British pair’s first home race at Silverstone, GB.

The Castrol Suzuki man opened up a 2.296s lead by lap seven as the battle for second place, between Jörg Steinhausen, Klaffenböck and Tom Hanks, kept the fans on the edge of their seats. But it was Webster who again prevailed, crossing the finishing line 5.332s ahead of his Austrian rival.

“It was a good result especially for the overall standings. We changed from a hydraulic to cable clutch and that was the reason for the slow start,” explains Webster.

Klaffenböck and Parzer’s lead was now reduced to six points as the three-wheeled convoy set off for round five and the unbearably hot conditions that welcomed the teams on arrival at Misano Adriatico, Italy.

Steinhausen took the victory at the ‘Santamonica’ circuit as Webster had to settle for a solid third place podium finish – a rear tyre problem hampered his chances of a third consecutive win. Klaffenböck kept his points tally ticking over with fourth position, hanging on to top spot by three points.

The leadership was, however, to change proprietorship in the subsequent round at a rain-soaked Brands Hatch, GB for the second ‘home’ leg of the campaign.

Steinhausen and passenger Trevor Hopkinson put up a great fight at the Kent circuit but Webster and Woodhead continued to set the pace and edged a close win. The British duo recorded their fourth victory of the campaign at the end of a highly entertaining race.

“Visibility was an obvious problem and it was taxing on the brain when you know that you dare not put a foot wrong. It was important to get a good result and lead the championship,” continues Webster, who now held an advantage – six points – for the first time since the opening round at Valencia, Spain.

Following a six-week summer break, the 2003 Superside World championship resumed at Assen, Holland for rounds seven and eight. Webster and Woodhead were again in inspired form and registered back-to-back wins – numbers five and six – at the legendary ‘Circuit van Drenthe’.

Steinhausen and Hopkinson took the holeshot in the first race and the on-form German-British pairing held on to the lead for five laps before being overtaken by eventual winners, Webster and Woodhead. “I got my usual bad start and it was a lot of hard work. But we had to keep pushing very hard,” states Webster.

It was the same pattern in race two as Webster and Woodhead took the chequered flag, 6.815s ahead of Klaffenböck and Parzer. The Austrians staged a terrific fightback to pass reigning world champions, Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs on the final lap and take second. But they now trailed their British counterparts by 25 points, with two races to go.

“It was a good weekend and the team did a fantastic job. Lap times were a bit slower but it was the same for everyone out there,” says Webster, who broke his own lap record with a time of 2:08.392.

Round nine at Imola, Italy saw Steinhausen and Hopkinson grab their second win of the campaign with Webster and Woodhead having to settle for second, 14.433s adrift of the winners.

“We had no chance of catching Jörg and Trevor. The championship was not decided yet so we were not going to take anything for granted,” adds Webster, who would go into the final round needing just one point to seal an unprecedented ninth world title.

A fifth place was to prove sufficient for the British pairing, who finished the season on 197 points, 19 clear of Klaffenböck and Parzer.

“It’s been a big team effort and there are a lot of people who have helped us this year. They know who they are. It’s a very special day for me and this gives me the spur to go for a 10th world title!” concludes Steve Webster MBE.



Steve Webster – 2003 – the year that was:

Six race wins
Eight podium finishes
Nine pole positions (100% record)

57 career wins (second behind Switzerland’s Rolf Biland, 82 wins)

27 consecutive pole positions

Nine World championships (record):
1987 Steve Webster (GB)/Tony Hewitt (GB)
1988 Steve Webster (GB)/Tony Hewitt (GB)
1989 Steve Webster (GB)/Tony Hewitt (GB)
1991 Steve Webster (GB)/Gavin Simmons (GB)
1997 Steve Webster (GB)/David James (GB)
1998 Steve Webster (GB)/David James (GB)
1999 Steve Webster (GB)/David James (GB)
2000 Steve Webster (GB)/Paul Woodhead (GB)
2003 Steve Webster (GB)/Paul Woodhead (GB)


Steve Webster – World Superside championship/*FIM World Cup record
1983: 16th 8 points
1984 8th 15
1985: 4th 32
1986: 3rd 71
1987: 1st 97
1988: 1st 156
1989: 1st 145
1990: 3rd 166
1991: 1st 181
1992: 2nd 92
1993: 2nd 119
1994: 2nd 104
1995: 19th 12
1996: 3rd 110
1997*: 1st 163
1998*: 1st 124
1999*: 1st 190
2000*: 1st 220
2001: 2nd 120
2002: 4th 145
2003: 1st 197

From a press release issued by Kawasaki’s Public Relations/Advertising firm:

KAWASAKI NINJA® ZX-6R RACES TO HEAD OF CLASS AT KEITH CODE’S CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL

636cc NINJA® motorcycles supplied by Kawasaki earn top marks from students and instructors

IRVINE, Calif. – Kawasaki’s NINJA® ZX-6R sportbikes have been drawing unanimous praise from both students and instructors at Keith Code’s California Superbike School (CSS) since their arrival in March. The 22 NINJA middleweights were provided by Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., (KMC) as part of the company’s ongoing 23-year sponsorship of Code’s Los Angeles-based training academy, considered by many to be the world’s top venue for motorcycle cornering instruction.

“The new NINJA ZX-6R sportbikes are probably the best mid-size bikes in the world,” said CSS founder Code. “By adding the extra 37cc of displacement, Kawasaki has created a street rider’s 600-class dream bike.”

Code added that Kawasaki has been supporting the Superbike School since 1980 with upgrades to his NINJA fleet every two years.

“With the release of the 2003 ZX-6R, Kawasaki executives have gone out of their way to make sure my students are training on state-of-the-art equipment,” said Code. “Kawasaki’s commitment has helped us build our facility into the number one school in the world.”

First introduced in 2003, the Kawasaki NINJA® ZX-6R features a 37cc increase in engine displacement, giving it exceptional low- and mid-range torque for harder drives out of turns. The torque also makes it easier to ride in heavy traffic conditions. Often referred to as the “636,” the NINJA ZX-6R is one of Kawasaki’s best-selling models in the United States.

Reid Nordin, manager of Team Green™, Kawasaki’s amateur racing support program, commented that the California Superbike School “has always been the perfect venue for riders – and future racers – who want to experience cutting-edge sportbike technology in a safe, controlled environment, which makes it an ideal home for the ZX-6R.”

Nordin added that riders thinking about going to the California Superbike School would find now an ideal time to attend. “It’s the perfect opportunity to throw a leg over the NINJA ZX-6R,” said Nordin.

More than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts of all skill levels have learned and practiced the fundamentals of cornering and motorcycle control for both the highway and the race track at the California Superbike School. Founded in 1980 by motorcycle riding and racing legend Keith Code, the school has trained 15 U.S. Superbike Champions and operates in 12 countries. The California Superbike School is the world’s largest single consumer of Kawasaki 600-class motorcycles. More information about the California Superbike School can be found at www.californiasuperbikeschool.com or call (323) 224-2734.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., (KMC) markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, JET SKI® watercraft, MULE™ utility vehicles, power products and small engines. Kawasaki’s tagline, Let the good times roll™, is recognized worldwide for the spirit of fun, adventure and high performance that characterizes the Kawasaki recreational vehicle line. Kawasaki product lines are sold through a network of more than 1,500 independent retailers. The company and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with approximately 400 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Special Michelin tires shipped in from France aided former Superbike World Champion Doug Polen at Willow Springs during the Toyota 200 weekend.

Polen, 43, who has been running races in Japan with sponsorship from Dunlop, called Michelin after his request for support (i.e., free tires) at Willow was turned down by Dunlop’s U.S. operation. Michelin responded by sending Polen tires not made available to other riders.

The results showed in Friday’s final Toyota 200 qualifying session, when Polen was third-fastest on his Moto-Liberty Honda CBR954RR at 1:21.293 running a Michelin 4387J S4 rear tire and an 1862C front tire on a race set-up.

The only other Michelin riders in the field, running S2 tires, languished back in 14th and 15th in the same session, in the mid-1:24s on race set-ups.

Polen had the same model tires on his bike for the start of the race on Sunday, but was black-flagged early-on when his bike sprung an oil leak and started smoking.

Dunlop swept the first eight positions in the Toyota 200, with the first Michelin rider finishing 11th.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TROY FIT AND WELL AND ON HIS WAY HOME

Following his spectacular crash in the Australian Grand Prix in Phillip Island yesterday, in which he suffered mild concussion, Troy would like to inform everybody that he is fit and well and on his way home. The Australian rider, who had been taken to Melbourne hospital for routine checks, in fact returned to the circuit on Sunday night after he had been given the all clear.

At this very moment he is in Singapore with the rest of the Ducati Marlboro Team awaiting a flight that will take them all back to Europe in time for Troy to return to his Monaco home first thing on Tuesday morning. He will then have two weeks at home before preparing for the final round of the 2003 MotoGP Championship at Valencia on November 2.

Both Troy and Ducati would like to thank the many fans around the world for showing their concern.