From a press release issued by series organizers:

WEBSTER ON CLOUD ‘NINE’ AT MAGNY-COURS

Steve Webster and passenger Paul Woodhead clinched the 2003 World Superside championship following a sixth place finish in the final round at Magny-Cours in France.

The British pairing needed just one point to win their second title together [their first was in 2000] and they duly obliged. “Plan A was to get off to a good, clean start – which we didn’t do – and then plan B was to make sure we finished inside the top 15,” said Webster who won a record ninth world title.

Webster got off to a disastrous start, falling back to 10th place as rivals Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer took the holeshot. The Austrian pairing were, however, passed by eventual winners, Jörg Steinhausen and Trevor Hopkinson on lap two.

The British-German duo clinched their third win of the campaign to finish the season in third place overall. “In the end it was quite easy. We had no problems and I am very pleased for the team,” said Steinhausen.

Second place went to reigning world champions, Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs. “We went on a bit of a charge and pulled the lead pack back one at a time. I am well happy with that,” said Abbott, who finished the season in fourth place.

As to Klaffenböck and Parzer, the Austrians needed a win to stand any chance of upsetting the Webster-Woodhead celebrations but had to settle for a podium third place. “We tried but it was too hard. We are happy with second overall given the tough season that we have had,” said Klaffenböck.

Webster added: “I still get nervous and I guess that played a part in the start. I would like to thank Castrol Suzuki and everyone who helped us. They know who they are!”

Superside world championship result (18 laps-79.398km/49.624miles):
1 Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) 32:48.255
2 Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) -7.261
3 Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) -12.502
4 Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) -12.996
5 Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) -32.570
6 Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) -53.316
7 Renaud Dernoncourt, France (Suzuki) -56.686
8 Mike Roscher, Germany (Suzuki) -62.680
9 Richard Gatt, GB (Yamaha) -63.004
10 Jean-Noël Minguet, France (Suzuki) -63.504

Championship points after 10 of 10 rounds:
1 Webster 197
2 Klaffenböck 178
3 Steinhausen 161
4 Abbott 111
5 Van Gils 101
6 Tom Hanks, GB (Yamaha) 89
7 Philp 80
8 Roscher 76
9 Gatt 50
10 Jock Skene, GB (Suzuki) 46

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Daytona 200 by Arai to Run on Saturday

Daytona International Speedway officials announced that the Daytona 200 by Arai would run on Saturday, March 6, 2004, instead of the traditional Sunday schedule. The summary of the 2004 Bike Week events is as follows:

Wednesday, March 3:

Daytona 200 by Arai practice and first round qualifying

Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme qualifying

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock qualifying.

AMA Hotshoe Series and AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium at night.


Thursday, March 4:
Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport qualifying

BMW Boxer Cup qualifying

Daytona 200 by Arai second round qualifying

Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme race

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race

AMA Hotshoe Series and AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium at night.


Friday, March 5:

Daytona Supercross by Honda at night.


Saturday, March 6:

BMW Boxer Cup race

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship race

Daytona 200 by Arai race

The main reason for moving the 200 from Sunday to Saturday was to give an extra margin to run the race on Sunday in case of adverse weather on Saturday. “It obviously gives us a hedge on weather,” said Daytona President Robin Braig. “Weather has been a problem in the past.”

Tickets and more information are available at 1800pitshop.com or by calling 1-800-PIT-SHOP.



AMA to Race at Indianapolis?

At a press conference to announce the new 2004 Bike Week schedule, reporter D.C. Williams of the Daytona Beach News-Journal asked AMA CEO Scott Hollingsworth, who was participating via speakerphone from Ohio, “What became of the recent tests by the AMA at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?” Hollingsworth replied, “It was the culmination of a dialogue that’s been going on with Indianapolis Motor Speedway for quite some time. We were fortunate enough to be invited there while they were designing the interior road course to make sure it took into consideration the needs of motorcycles as well as cars. We talked about doing a test there to see how the motorcycles looked on the road course. At the moment there’s just an ongoing dialogue between the two organizations about the possibility of some sort of motorcycle race over there. There’s nothing definitive on the table. We called it a ‘compatibility test’ and I think that’s an accurate description. We’d like to run a race there, but we understand Indianapolis’ position that there’s probably not an opportunity to add a fourth major event there. Should the opportunity present itself sometime in the future, we wanted to know what we were facing in terms of the ability to run a race there.”



AMA vs. FIM Superbike Rules

In the press conference at Daytona International Speedway to announce the new schedule for Bike Week, 2004, Hollingsworth also said that the AMA had been in constant contact with FCSports regarding the rules for Superbike in each organization. “We had exchanged a significant amount of information over the last year or more about the future of Superbike racing both here and globally. AMA Pro Racing has announced its ’04 technical rules package for Superbike racing, but I frankly do not know the status of whether the FIM has made a public announcement about its technical Superbike regulations at this point. Our goal in having extensive dialogue with FCSports was to try to create, if not an identical form of technical regulations, (then) regulations that were close enough so manufacturers could have some economy of scale in the development costs to go Superbike racing globally. I’m confident that, at the end of the day, whether our technical regulations are identical or not, that they will be close enough so that we will provide that economy of scale. The 64-dollar question over the last year or so was whether or not we were going to use air restrictors. At that time, the FIM was a proponent of air restrictors, and we were not necessarily in favor of that, and I think that issue’s been resolved. At this point, the differences, if any, will be relatively manageable.”



Hollingsworth: No 750s in AMA’s Future

In the press, Hollingsworth was asked, “Given recent events and Ben Spies’ comments and the fact that, in the 1980s, the displacement of Superbikes was reduced from 1000cc to 750cc, is it time to consider a similar reduction again?”

Hollingsworth answered, “We just went through a fairly lengthy process about what technical regulations are for Superbike. Some consideration was given as to whether it was time to reduce displacement or not, and the uniform opinion was that the 1000cc platform was the right way to go at this point in time. Obviously, we’ve dialed back significantly the amount of modifications allowable on the 1000s to keep a handle on performance.”

As issued by Daytona International Speedway:

DAYTONA 200 WEEK SCHEDULE**
Wednesday, February 25 – Saturday, March 6, 2004

Wednesday, February 25

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Team Hammer Advanced Riding School


Thursday, February 26

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Championship Cup Series
Friday, February 27

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Championship Cup Series
Saturday, February 29

8 a.m. – 5 p.m: Championship Cup Series
Sunday, February 29

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Formula USA Championship Series



Monday, March 1

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: AHRMA Classics Days Vintage Road Races


Tuesday, March 2

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: AHRMA Classics Days Vintage Road Races


Wednesday, March 3

8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Practice in sessions: Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport; Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock; Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme

9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.: Chevy Trucks Superbike Practice

10:50 a.m. – noon: Practice in sessions

1 p.m. — 2:10 p.m.: Timed Qualifying: Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock

2:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Timed Qualifying: Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme

3:40 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.: Timed Qualifying: Chevy Trucks Superbike (Provisional Pole)

5:20 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.: BMW BoxerCup Practice
Thursday, March 4

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Practice in sessions: Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport; BMW Boxer Cup; Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock; Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme

10:10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Chevy Trucks Superbike Practice

11:10 a.m. – noon: Timed Qualifying: Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport

12:50 p.m. — 1:20 p.m.: Timed Qualifying: BMW BoxerCup

1:30 p.m – 3 p.m.: Timed Qualifying: Chevy Trucks Superbike for the Daytona 200 Rolex Pole Award

3:30 p.m.: Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Final (15 laps, 80k)

4:40 p.m.: Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Final (15 laps, 80k)


Friday, March 5

DAYTONA SUPERCROSS BY HONDA

8 a.m.: Semi Truck Parking

9 a.m.: Paddock open to all participants

Noon – 2:30 p.m.: Practice

2 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Paddock Fan Walk

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Qualifying Heats

7 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies

7:15 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Heat Races; Semis; Last Chance Qualifier

9:15 p.m.: 125cc SX Series Main Event (15 laps)

10 p.m.: Daytona Supercross By Honda (20 laps)


Saturday, March 6

8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Practice in sessions: Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport; BMW BoxerCup; Chevy Trucks Superbike

10:30 a.m.: Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport (18 laps, 103k)

11:50 a.m.: BMW BoxerCup (13 laps, 70k)

1:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies & Presentation of Rolex Pole Award

1:45 p.m.: Sighting lap for Daytona 200 By Arai

2 p.m.: 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited (57 laps)


DAYTONA BEACH MUNICIPAL STADIUM
AMA CHAMPIONSHIP DIRT TRACK SERIES

Wednesday, March 3
12:30 p.m.: Practice sessions
1:30 p.m.: Qualifying Heats
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Pits open to spectators
8:30 p.m.: Feature Program: AMA Hot Shoe Series Championship

Thursday, March 4
12:30 p.m: Practice sessions
1:30 p.m.: Qualifying Heats
6 p.m – 7:30 p.m.: Pits open to spectators
8:30 p.m.: Feature Program: U.S. Flat Track Championship AMA Progressive Insurance Grand National Final

**Preliminary Schedule subject to change



More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway and AMA Pro Racing:

Daytona 200 Week Schedule Boasts New Look
Daytona Supercross By Honda Moves To Friday Night; Daytona 200 By Arai To Be Contested On Saturday Afternoon

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona 200 Week schedule will have a new look in 2004, Speedway President Robin Braig announced.

Highlighting the changes to the Daytona 200 Week schedule is the Daytona Supercross By Honda, which will move under the lights for the first time in event history on Friday night, March 5.

The 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai motorcycle classic, the season opener to the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike championship season, will be held for the first time at the Speedway on Saturday afternoon, March 6.

The Daytona Supercross By Honda has traditionally been held on a Saturday afternoon in the tri-oval grass while the Daytona 200 By Arai has been contested on a Sunday afternoon on Daytona International Speedway’s historic 3.56-mile road course.

Other changes to the Daytona 200 Week schedule include:

· The AMA HotShoe Series and the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship races, traditionally held on Friday and Saturday nights at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium, will be moved to Wednesday night, March 3 and Thursday night, March 4 respectively.

· The Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship race will precede the Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6 along with the much anticipated return of the BMW BoxerCup.

· Thursday’s schedule will include Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Qualifying, BMW BoxerCup Qualifying, Daytona 200 By Arai second-round qualifying followed by the inaugural Daytona Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme race and the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock event.

· Wednesday’s schedule will include Daytona 200 By Arai practice and first-round qualifying, Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme qualifying and Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock qualifying.

“We’re thrilled about the changes to the Daytona 200 Week schedule,” Speedway President Robin Braig said. “We feel these improvements to the schedule will enhance our fans’ experiences at our facility. Moving the Supercross to Friday night is going to create an electric atmosphere for both fans and competitors and scheduling the Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday afternoon will make it more convenient for our guests to attend one of the most prestigious motorcycle races in America.”

AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth shares Braig’s enthusiasm.

“Reworking the schedule so more fans can attend the races during Daytona 200 Week is consistent with our business plan to aggressively grow the sport of motorcycle racing in the United States,” Hollingsworth said. “We’re gratified to have been able to work with the folks at Daytona International Speedway to make this happen.”

In 2004, history could be made in both the Daytona 200 By Arai and the Daytona Supercross. Miguel Duhamel, the 2003 Daytona 200 By Arai winner, will be racing for his fifth triumph, which would tie him for most Daytona 200 By Arai wins with Scott Russell.

Ricky Carmichael, the 2003 Daytona Supercross By Honda winner, is currently tied with Jeff Stanton with four straight victories and will be gunning for a record fifth consecutive Daytona Supercross By Honda on the tough and demanding Gary Bailey-designed course.

Tickets to any of the Daytona 200 Week events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Double podium for HM Plant Ducati

James Toseland and Chris Walker finished the 2003 Superbike World Championship on a high after completing the last race of the year in second and third positions respectively at Magny-Cours. The HM Plant Ducati duo had been disputing third position in the closing stages of the race when World Champion Neil Hodgson crashed out of second while closing in on his Fila Ducati team-mate – and eventual race winner – Ruben Xaus.

With Regis Laconi only finishing in 16th position after encountering some technical problems during the race, Toseland’s 20 points for second elevated him to third overall in the final standings for the series. Walker also completed his season by confirming his highest ever position in the championship in sixth.

The highlight of the race was undoubtedly the titanic battle between Toseland and Walker. With no team orders, it was every man for himself, as the HM Plant Ducati team-mates thrashed their way around the 4.411km French F1 Grand Prix circuit near Lyon. Determined to make up for his first race disappointment, Toseland just held the advantage as the orange and black machines crossed the line in tandem for the last time.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be back on the podium and take third place in the championship,” said 23-year-old Toseland. “That was a fantastic way to finish my best year in the Superbike World Championship. Chris and I had a huge battle out on the track, but it was fair and square right down to the wire.

“I’m so pleased for everyone associated with the team. It was fitting for us to pull off such a good set of results today. You couldn’t have scripted it any better with Chris and I on the podium for the team’s last race. I’d like to thank GSE Racing and HM Plant for all their help and assistance over the past three years. The team may not be continuing next year, but I hope to follow former GSE Racing riders Troy Bayliss and Neil Hodgson to more success with Ducati Corse.”

Walker was equally delighted with his second podium finish of the day. “I’ve had an awesome year with HM Plant Ducati and it was important for me to repay them for the faith that they have shown in me with a couple of strong results,” said the popular Nottingham rider. “Unfortunately, I just failed in my quest to beat Gregorio Lavilla to fifth in the championship, but at least James and I put on a good show for the fans today.”

Race two (23 laps): 1. R. Xaus (Ducati) 39:02.330; 2. J. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) +10.435; 3. C. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) +10.582; 4. G. Lavilla (Suzuki) +22.253; 5. S. Martin (Ducati) +35.564; 6. L. Haslam (Ducati) +35.865; 7. J. Borja (Ducati) +56.716; 8. S. Gimbert (Suzuki) +1:00.813; 9. I. Clementi (Kawasaki) +1:02.307; 10. M. Sanchini (Kawasaki) +1:03.456

Final points (after 12 rounds): 1. N. Hodgson – 489 (champion); 2. Xaus – 386; 3. Toseland – 271; 4. R. Laconi – 267; 5. Lavilla – 256; 6. Walker – 234; 7. P. Chili – 197; 8. Martin – 139; 9. L. Pedercini – 112; 10. M. Borciani – 111


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

2003 World Superbike Championship
Round 12, Magny Cours, France, Sunday 19th October 2003
Circuit: 4.411 kms, Crowd: 53,000 (3-day figure), Weather: Dry, sunny/cloudy 14 C.

DISAPPOINTING END FOR TROY.

After a long, hard season for Troy and the Foggy Petronas team, the final race ended in disappointment when Troy DNF’d before even completing a race lap. He crashed on the warm-up lap – the first time he has done so – and the DNF dropped him out of what would’ve been a top ten place in the final standings. Troy had finished a solid eighth in the first race and was looking forward to another top eight finish, but it was not to be. So, the season that started so promisingly, ended not according to plan.

Champion Neil Hodgson won the race, with team mate Ruben Xaus second and Chris Walker third – all Ducati mounted. The second race saw another terrific battle between Hodgson and Xaus, which ended when Hodgson crashed out on lap twenty-one. Xaus cruised home to take the chequered flag, with James Toseland second and Walker again third – another Ducati 1-2-3.

TROY
I’m not sure if that sums up our season or not. I had to work hard in the first race, fighting with Martin and I almost beat him to the line. But I didn’t manage to block him in the last corner and he just sneaked ahead.

I’m really not sure quite what happened in race two. The bike just came round so fast; I didn’t have a chance at all. I was lucky that he bike landed behind me, but then it started pushing me into the fence, so I had to scramble to get it out of the way before it hit the wall! I’ve never crashed on a warm-up lap in my life and we still don’t know what it was, though it felt a bit similar to my incident on my Superpole lap yesterday.

But, it’s done and dusted and now I have to look forward to next season. This year has been a development year really and we have all made a lot of progress – probably more then many people expected. We’re all confident that 2004 is going to be a good year for us.

RESULTS
Race 1: 1 Hodgson (GB-Ducati), 2 Xaus (E-Ducati), 3 Walker (GB-Ducati), 4 Lavilla (E-Suzuki), 5 Toseland (GB-Ducati)), 6 Laconi (F-Ducati), 8 Troy Corser (AUS-Petronas FP1).
Race 2: 1 Xaus, 2 Toseland, 3 Walker, 4 Lavilla, 5 Martin (Aus-Ducati), 6 Haslam (GB-Ducati), Troy Corser (AUS-Petronas FP1) DNF,

FINAL POINTS STANDING
1 Hodgson 489, 2 Xaus 386, 3 Toseland 271, 4 Laconi 267, 5 Lavilla 256, 6 Walker 234, 12 Troy Corser 107


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

World Supersport Championship 2003 – Round 11
Magny Cours Race Report
17 – 19 October 2003

Weather: cool, 15°C
Track: dry, 20°C
Attendance: 53,000 all weekend

Race Report

MUGGERIDGE MAKES IT THREE IN A ROW

Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) secured the race win and the new lap record at the 4.411km Magny Cours circuit, in a race held in exceptionally cool ambient and track conditions. Starting from the front row, after his team-mate Chris Vermeulen had secured pole position, Muggeridge was unchallenged throughout, winning his third successive race by three seconds. His best lap of 1:44.643 came on the tenth lap out of 23; an indication of how cold the track surface was as this stop-start French circuit.

With Vermeulen installed as champion after the last race at Imola, and Honda already holders of the Manufacturers’ Crown, Muggeridge was determined to finish third in the championship as race day drew near. He proved to be untouchable in the race, and like Vermeulen before him this season, scored three race wins in a row. Despite his best efforts and his 25 point score this weekend he was only two points from third overall, and an agonizing three points from second place.

Sebastien Charpentier’s dramatic home event on his Klaffi Honda CBR600RR saw him as low as eighth on lap one, climb back to a seemingly certain podium finish of third, then be passed on the last lap to take fourth in the race and seventh overall.

Despite rib injuries from a practice crash, Werner Daemen (van Zon Honda CBR600RR) scored tenth place, battling heroically against visible pain and lack of mobility on the machine.

Muggeridge was in ebullient form during and after his latest victory, despite just missing out on a higher final placing. “I really wanted to win here and the bike felt great,” said the happy Aussie. “The temperature made our tyre selection difficult but we got it right. I was just watching my pit board and was able to maintain the gap at the front.”

Vermeulen had a lonely race to second place, his eighth podium finish in 11 attempts. The 21-year-old Aussie, who is signing off from Supersport duties this weekend, suffered just a little disappointment after a year of almost winning at will. “It was a good race and Karl rode really well,” said Vermeulen, still suffering from the effects of a head cold. “I’m moving to WSB next year so I really wanted to win my last race in World Supersport – but it just wasn’t to be.”

Unluckiest man of the weekend proved to be Charpentier – pipped for pole, then pipped for a podium after a weekend on the pace at his home circuit. His disappointment was tempered by the memories of an excellent season since his induction into the championship at Sugo. “I am very happy because I have finished seventh in the championship even though I didn’t ride in all the races. I am just disappointed today because I did not finish on the podium, Jurgen came past but it was too late for me to do anything about it. I’d like to thank Honda and the Klaffi team for their faith in me and look forward to riding for them again next year.”

For Daemen Magny Cours proved to be a challenge but one that left him smiling through the pain.
“It turned out OK, but it was a vary painful race for me. Crashing and hurting my ribs in qualifying did not help me today, and it made me very tired. We had a good fight and I am happy to be top ten in this race.”

Broc Parkes was inducted into the Ten Kate Honda team for the Magny Cours race and was on top form until he fell while concentrating on to scoring a podium finish at all costs. “I was just trying too hard. I saw the chance to get an all yellow podium for the Ten Kate team and that overcame my brain.”

Frederic Bolley (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) fell in the race, after a weekend in at the deep end of Supersport racing. “This has been a good experience for me, but I made a stupid mistake and I am really disappointed not to finish the race.”

Robert Ulm did not start the race; two practice crashes having a telling effect. Iain Macpherson fell in qualifying and sustained a concussion severe enough to keep him in hospital for two nights. Released for raceday, Macpherson was in attendance at the track to cheer on his Honda colleagues.

Vermeulen cracked the 200 points barrier at Magny Cours, with a final total of 201. Stephane Chambon (Suzuki) completed his year second overall on 137, van den Goorbergh third on 136 and Muggeridge top four with 134.

In the 12th and final round of the World Superbike Championship, race one proved to be a display of consistent, if not too distant, front running from Neil Hodgson (Ducati). Hodgson shot off the line from a front row start position, winning an early fight with first time Superpole winner James Toseland.

Ruben Xaus (Ducati) went from third on lap one to an eventual second following Hodgson all the way to the flag. Each factory Ducati rider set a new lap record in the later stages of the race, with Hodgson taking the best at this new track layout, with a 1:41.227 on lap 22 of 23.

A race-long battle between Chris Walker (Ducati) and Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki) went the way of Walker, with Lavilla fourth and Toseland a slowing fifth.

Race two gave Xaus another chance of a win and despite his slow pace to start, he rode to a clear victory after Hodgson had crashed in the attempt to stay on his tail in the last two laps. Hodgson improved his own lap record pace at 1:41.219.

James Toseland’s second place on his Ducati gave him third overall in the championship standings, after local hero Regis Laconi (Ducati) scored a 6th and a no score for 16th. Toseland’s team-mate Chris Walker took his second third place finish of the day.

In the World Championship Hodgson finishes with 13 wins and 489 points, with Xaus second on 386. Toseland’s has 271, and Laconi 267.

Results
SUPERSPORT:
RACE : (Laps 23 = 101,453 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team /Gap
1/K. MUGGERIDGE/AUS/Ten Kate Honda/40m 24.892s
2/C. VERMEULEN/AUS/Ten Kate Honda/3.543
3/J. VD GOORBERGH/NED/Yamaha Belgarda/6.338
4/S. CHARPENTIER/FRA/Team Klaffi Honda/6.565
5/S. CHAMBON/FRA/Alstare Suzuki/8.737
6/P. RIBA/ESP/Kawasaki R.T. KRT/14.446
7/M.LAGRIVE/FRA/Yamaha France – Ipone/23.042
8/C. KELLNER/GER/Yamaha Motor Deutschland/23.908
9/C.COGAN/FRA/Yamaha France – Ipone/24.138
10/W.DAEMEN/BEL/Van Zon Honda T.K.R./30.680
11/S. SANNA/ITA/Yamaha Belgarda/30.977
12/J. DA COSTA/FRA/ART/38.228
13/G.NANNELLI/ITA/Lorenzini by Leoni/50.712
14/M.SCHULTEN/GER/Alpha Technik-Honda/51.336
15/L. HOLON/FRA/Yamaha Racing France/52.527
Fastest Lap 10° Karl Muggeridge 1’44.643 151,750 Km/h

Riders Championship Standings:
1 VERMEULEN 201, 2 CHAMBON 137, 3 VD GOORBERGH 136, 4 MUGGERIDGE 134,
5 FUJIWARA 119, 6 KELLNER 90, 7 CHARPENTIER 72, 8 CORRADI 68, 9 FORET 64,
10 TEUCHERT 60, 11 RIBA 59, 12 COGAN 51, 13 PARKES 47, 14 MACPHERSON 31,
15 NANNELLI 31.

Manufacturers Standings:
1 HONDA 247, 2 SUZUKI 187, 3 YAMAHA 182, 4 KAWASAKI 106.

SUPERBIKE
Race 1: (Laps 23 = 101,453 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team /Gap
1/N.HODGSON/GBR/Ducati Fila/39’03.738
2/R. XAUS/ESP/Ducati Fila/0.348
3/C.WALKER/GBR/HM Plant Ducati/13.711
4/G.LAVILLA/ESP/Alstare Suzuki/13.950
5/J. TOSELAND/GBR/HM Plant Ducati/21.480
6/R. LACONI/FRA/Caracchi NCR Nortel Net./32.420
7/S. MARTIN/AUS/D.F.X. Racing Team/41.098
8/T. CORSER/AUS/Foggy PETRONAS Racing/41.204
9/J. BORJA/ESP/D.F.X. Racing Team/1’18.737
10/M.SANCHINI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/1’30.317
11/S. FUERTES/ESP/MIR Racing/1’46.534
12/C. ZAISER/AUT/Racing Team Zaiser/1’48.154
13/B. STEY/FRA/White Endurance/1 Lap
14/F. PROTAT/FRA/UnionBike GiMotorsport/1 Lap
15/H. SAIGER/AUT/Remus Racing Austria/1 Lap
Fastest Lap 22° Neil Hodgson 1’41.227 156,871 Km/h

Race 2 : (Laps 23 = 101,453 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team /Gap
1/R. XAUS/ESP/Ducati Fila/39’02.330
2/J. TOSELAND/GBR/HM Plant Ducati/10.435
3/C.WALKER/GBR/HM Plant Ducati/10.582
4/G.LAVILLA/ESP/Alstare Suzuki/22.253
5/S. MARTIN/AUS/D.F.X. Racing Team/35.564
6/L. HASLAM/GBR/Renegade Ducati/35.865
7/J. BORJA/ESP/D.F.X. Racing Team/56.719
8/S. GIMBERT/FRA/SERT/1’00.813
9/I. CLEMENTI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/1’02.307
10/M.SANCHINI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/1’03.456
11/L. PEDERCINI/ITA/Team Pedercini/1’33.537
12/A. GRAMIGNI/ITA/Nuvolari 391/1’41.234
13/B. STEY/FRA/White Endurance/1 Lap
14/M.BORCIANI/ITA/D.F.X. Racing Team/1 Lap
15/F. PROTAT/FRA/UnionBike GiMotorsport/1 Lap
Fastest Lap 17° Neil Hodgson 1’41.219 156,884 Km/h

Riders Championship Standings:
1 HODGSON 489, 2 XAUS 386, 3 TOSELAND 271, 4 LACONI 267, 5 LAVILLA 256, 6 WALKER 234, 7 CHILI 197, 8 MARTIN 139, 9 PEDERCINI 112, 10 BORCIANI 111, 11 SANCHINI 108, 12 CORSER 107, 13 BORJA 87, 14 CLEMENTI 76, 15 BUSSEI 52.

Manufacturers Standings:
1 DUCATI 600, 2 SUZUKI 306, 3 KAWASAKI 130, 4 PETRONAS 118, 5 YAMAHA 69, 6 HONDA 1.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

PAIR OF FOURTHS FOR GREGORIO

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla ended this year’s Superbike World Championship with a pair of fourth places at Magny-Cours today. He made good, but cautious starts to both races and then had to fight for places throughout the 23-lap races, almost ending on the podium in the first race. Neil Hodgson won the race, with his team mate Ruben Xaus second. Lavilla managed to get past Toseland, but could not find a way past Walker and so had to settle for fourth. Lavilla He was also involved in a battle for third in the second race, but lost out to Toseland and Walker once again. Xaus and Hodgson again controlled the race from the front, but Xaus took the chequered flag when Hodgson lost his front end trying to catch him in the closing laps.

GREGORIO LAVILLA Race 1: 4th, Race 2: 4th
That was a long hard day and two long, hard races. If I had made much better starts, maybe I wouldn’t spent so much time trying to catch the guys up front and maybe the races would’ve been a bit easier. I really wanted at least one podium today and I really tried my hardest, but although I could catch Toseland and Walker’s Ducatis, it wasn’t so easy passing them. I could catch them on the brakes, but if they exited the corners first, my Suzuki just couldn’t match their drive and so I lost out. It’s problem, I think we’ve had most of the season and one that we’ve been working on all year. At some tracks (the faster ones) the problems have been less, but at twisty tracks, I think we’ve suffered. Now it’s time for a bit of a break, before working on whatever is next.

Results
Race 1: 1 Hodgson (GB-Ducati), 2 Xaus (E-Ducati), 3 Walker (GB-Ducati), 4 GREGORIO LAVILLA (E-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA), 5 Toseland (GB-Ducati)), 6 Laconi (F-Ducati),

Race 2:
1 Xaus, 2 Toseland, 3 Walker, 4 GREGORIO LAVILLA (E-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA), 5 Martin (Aus-Ducati), 6 Haslam (GB-Ducati),

Final points standing: 1 Hodgson 489, 2 Xaus 386, 3 Toseland 271, 4 Laconi 267, 5 GREGORIO LAVILLA (E-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) 256, 6 Walker 234


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

STEPHANE TAKES RUNNER-UP SPOT

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Stephane Chambon used all his experience at Magny-Cours today, resisted the pressure and did enough to end the season as runner-up in the Supersport World Championship. The Frenchman was involved in a four-rider battle for most of today’s 23-lapper, but watched his pit-signals carefully before bringing his GSXR600 Suzuki home in fifth place enough to clinch runner-up spot by one point! Before Friday’s heavy fall, Chambon’s team mate Katsuaki Fujiwara was also in contention for a top three finish, but the left hip he injured in the fall prevented him from riding the GSXR600 Suzuki hard and getting the points he needed. Fujiwara had to have painkillers before the race today, but after ten laps the pain was so great he was forced to pull in. The Australian Honda duo of Karl Muggeridge and Chris Vermeulen controlled the race from the front, with Muggeridge taking a comfortable victory by over three seconds. Dutchman Jurgen VD Goorbergh was third a further three seconds down on Vermeulen, with Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) fourth.

STEPHANE CHAMBON 5th
Before the race I wanted a podium, but more then that I wanted to finish second in the championship, so I used my head. I had really good pits-signals from my team, so I knew exactly what Jurgen was doing and what I needed to do. It’s always hard to run a race like that, because you have to control your instincts and think of the end result not just the race. Our GSXR600 is the oldest bike in the championship, so I think our team has done superbly to finish second. Next year Suzuki will have a new 600 and I’m hoping that I’ll be on it and taking it to a world title at the end of the year.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA DNF
Yesterday I was feeling very sore, but I thought the pain would become less and I would be able to ride OK today. I had some painkillers before the race, but it wasn’t long before the pain in my hip was so much that it was hard to concentrate on riding the bike. I stayed out for ten laps and by then I knew that if I carried on, I might have been a danger to other riders, so I decided to pull in. It’s not the way I wanted tom end the season, because before we came here, I really thought I’d be fighting for second place if things went my way. It was not to be and so my season ended with a DNF my second one of the year.

Results Race 1: 1 Muggeridge (AUS-Honda), 2 Vermeulen (AUS-Honda), 3 VD Goorbergh (NL-Yamaha), 4 Charpentier (F-Honda), 5 CHAMBON (F-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA), 6 Riba (E-Kawasaki), FUJIWARA (J-ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) DNF, Final points standing: 1 Vermeulen 201, 2 CHAMBON (ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) 137, 3 VD Goorbergh 136, 4 Muggeridge 134, 5 FUJIWARA (ALSTARE SUZUKI CORONA EXTRA) 119, 6 Kellner 90


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

FABRIZIO AND ALSTARE SUZUKI TAKE TITLE

Team Alstare Suzuki Italian rider Michel Fabrizio is the 2003 European Superstock Champion! The Italian was riding in pain due to a badly bruised arm and shoulder but finished today’s final round in fourth place and that was enough for him to be crowned champion! Fabrizio held a fifteen-point lead before this round, but his injury meant that he had to ride a carefully controlled race today and make sure of the title. His main rival, Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) won today’s race, with James Ellison (Suzuki) second and Rocamora ((Suzuki) third. Throughout today’s 14-lapper Fabrizio was involved in a four rider tussle, but he kept out of trouble and watched his pit-signals carefully. The reward for all his efforts (and the team’s) is the 2003 European Superstock Championship.

From a press release issued by AMA:

AMA SPORTS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2003 AWARDS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — AMA Sports, which manages amateur and pro-am competition for the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), is pleased to announce the nominees for several of the special awards that will be presented at the inaugural AMA Sports Awards Banquet on Friday, November 21 at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and Conference Center.

Champions in the AMA Sports programs from across the country, as well as some of the key media who cover them, will be honored at this year’s ceremony. Naughton Insurance will be the presenting sponsor for the banquet, while reception sponsors include MX Sports and Racer X Illustrated with additional sponsors for the banquet such as Trackside Software, KTM, Kenda Tire, and Troy Lee Designs. “Support for this event and the champions who will be honored at it has been tremendous,” said Douglas Neubauer, director of AMA Sports.

The nominees include:

2003 AMA Sports Athlete of the Year

Geoff Aaron, Ramona, CA, Observed Trials Champion Greg Hancock, Costa Mesa, CA, National Speedway Champion

Barry Hawk, Smithfield, PA, GNCC Champion
Mike Lafferty, Millfield, NJ, Enduro Champion

Brian Stokes, Kingston, GA, Road Race Champion and Horizon Award Winner

Blake Young, Madison, WI, Dirt Track Champion and road racer


2003 AMA Sports Print Media Journalist of the Year

Clete Campbell, Dubuque, IA, Telegraph Herald

Dewanna Comer, Hazel Green, AL, Flat Track Illustrated

Kit Palmer, Costa Mesa, CA, Cycle News

Jason Weigandt, Morgantown, WV, Racer X Illustrated


2003 AMA Sports Broadcast Journalist of the Year

Brian Jackson, Evansville, IN, Corbin’s Ride On

Kevin Kelly, Autell, GA, DMXS Radio

Larry Maiers, Hogansville, GA, Speed Channel


2003 AMA Sports Track Racing Organizer of the Year

Lodi Motorcycle Club, Lodi, California

Pine Lake, Ashtabula, Ohio

Polka Dots Motorcycle Club, Midland, MI


2003 AMA Sports Off-Road Organizer of the Year

Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan

P&D Promotions

Racer Productions


2003 AMA Sports Vet/Senior Rider of the Year

Kevin Foley, Cypress, CA, Motocross Vet/Senior of the Year

Kevin Snyder, Taylorville, IL, Dirt Track Vet/Senior of the Year

Craig Pickett, Linden, MI, Ice Racer of the Year


2003 AMA Sports Female Rider of the Year

Amanda Mastin, Whitehouse, OH, Enduro, Hare Scrambles, GNCC, Motocross

Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, MI, Motocross
Nichole Cheza, Clio, MI, Dirt Track, Ice Race


2003 ATVA Amateur Rider of the Year

Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, PA, Motocross

Jeffrey Hillian, Beebe, AR, Dirt Track

Bryan Cook, Casar, NC, GNCC


2003 ATVA Youth Rider of the Year

Cody Miller, Greenville, TX, Motocross, Dirt Track

Mitch Reynolds, Greenbrier, AR, Motocross, Dirt Track

Joel Hetrick, Seneca, PA, Motocross, Dirt Track


Several other categories and nominees will be announced shortly, including Motocross Organizer of the Year, AMA Sports Youth Rider of the Year, ATVA Pro Rider of the Year, ATVA Vet/Senior Rider of the Year and ATVA Female Rider of the Year, as well as two other media awards, Photojournalist of the Year and Website of the Year.

Tickets for this exciting inaugural event are $75 per person, which includes entry to the evening’s hosted reception, dinner, a souvenir program, memorabilia and seating for the awards ceremony. Our masters-of-ceremonies will be Speed Channel personality Greg White and veteran race announcer Tim Cotter. To make reservations for the AMA Sports Awards Banquet, contact Sue Mason at (614) 856-1900, extension 1244, or at [email protected].

Attendees staying at the Las Vegas Hilton will receive a special room rate of $79 if they call (800) 732-7117 and mention the AMA Sports
Awards Banquet by October 21st, so call soon!

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Garret ten Kate, “In two or three years Superbike will be stronger than ever”


By Dennis Noyes

Magny Cours, France — Garret ten Kate, owner of the Supersport World Champion Ten Kate Honda team that took Fabien Foret to the title in 2002 and repeated the win this year with Australian Chris Vermeulen, announced this weekend that they will field a two-rider World Superbike team in 2004 with Vermeulen and a second rider on Ten Kate CBR1000RRs. In Supersport the team will run Broc Parkes and, almost certainly, Karl Muggeridge once the final details of his contract are worked out.

“For my other rider in SBK along with Chris I am looking at a several riders, mostly from Great Britain and Spain because those countries have the best national championships in Europe for big four strokes. The British run Superbikes and the Spanish run a kind of class called Formula Extreme that is closer to Superstock but with slicks and lots of freedom to modify suspension, so these riders have the kind of experience that is needed to ride the new bike,” said the Dutchman.

Asked if his team would have Honda backing, he replied, “No. We will have Honda’s encouragement and they will supply us with standard machines, but we will modify and prepare them under SBK rules. The new Honda CBR600RR is a wonderful motorcycle and with our preparation has now a slight edge over the others. The new Fire Blade, from all that I have been able to see and learn, will be as good a Superbike as the CBR600RR is in Supersport, but it may take half a season to reach its potential. That is one of the reasons we are not trying to sign a big winner like Ruben Xaus. Ruben is very, very good and capable of winning at any level, even at MotoGP I think, but if we finish seventh of fifth with Ruben he would be disappointed and everyone would say the bike was crap since Ruben wins on the Ducati. We need a year before we would look at signing a rider like Ruben.”

Ten Kate went on to give his opinion of the new rules including the one-brand tire rule. “The new Superbike rules are a positive step for a team like mine. With a bike like the CBR1000RR or the new Yamaha, a good tuner can easily reach 200 horsepower and this means that the rider and the team and the suspension become more important and the direct involvement of the factory becomes less. Ducati will be strong, especially at first, but we should be seeing many different winners. Yamaha will be back in 2005 for sure. Kawasaki, too. Right now the factories are spending too much money in MotoGP and, except for Honda, Yamaha and Ducati, they are getting nothing for their money and they are forgetting that their business is selling their sports production bikes. If Maurizio and Paolo Flammini do not make some new changes in rules, the factories will all come back. I think in two or three years the World Superbike Championship will be stronger than ever and the big national championships will also be very strong also and supply riders to World Superbike. The one-brand tire rule is not what I would want, but I understand it. It is all Michelin’s fault. They want to supply only one team, the best team, and they say screw the rest of you. Dunlop and Pirelli worked hard in Supersport each backing several teams and offering service and product to all teams. Pirelli were trying to do this in SBK too, like Dunlop, but Michelin said we can do whatever we like. Then they found out that they do not own the championship. Flammini’s decision to contract Pirelli was bad for my team because Pirelli was my sponsor, but it is not good that a tire company can choose just one team and have so much influence about who wins. Pirelli will have to work hard, but they have the capacity as I have seen in Supersport. I think what will happen is that in 2006 when the Pirelli contract runs out the championship will open again to tire companies like Pirelli and Dunlop and maybe Bridgestone that understand that they must back several teams and sell to everyone.”



More, from a press release issued by FGSports:

TEN KATE HONDA TO CHASE 2004 WORLD SUPERBIKE TITLE WITH NEW FIREBLADE

The Ten Kate Honda team will compete in the 2004 World Superbike Championship with the new Honda Fireblade machine and newly-crowned World Supersport champion Chris Vermeulen.

Team owner Gerrit ten Kate said: “This is great news for our team, the championship, Chris Vermeulen and hopefully, when we achieve the success we desire, for Honda and its exciting new Fireblade machine.”

He continued: “After winning the World Supersport Championship for the past two years it’s great that we have a new target for 2004. The new Fireblade machine is made for racing, with its cassette-style gearbox, electronic steering damper and generic looks from the RC211V.

“We know Honda is happy this year with the CBR600RR taking the rider and manufacturer titles in World Supersport. We want to try and give Honda the same success now in World Superbike and, obviously, once again in the World Supersport Championship.”

Ten Kate concluded: “The new World Superbike technical rules are a positive step for a team like mine, offering great, new opportunities, just as Supersport offers. This is the beginning of a new era of Superbike racing.”

Vermeulen, 21, will contest the 13-round championship aboard the new four-cylinder, 1000cc machine as the talented Australian’s career rise continues.

“It’s fantastic to get the chance to move into World Superbike,” said Vermeulen. “It’s always been my dream to be able to move from World Supersport to World Superbike but to do it as champion is a special feeling.”

Vermeulen continued: “We know it’s going to be hard work getting a new machine dialled into ‘new’ circuits every weekend but I’m very confident that the Ten Kate team will be able to achieve that.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

MLADIN NOMINATED FOR AMA PRO RACING SPEED CHANNEL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Fourth nomination for four-time AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Champ

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Oct. 20, 2003) — Mat Mladin, the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Champion, has been named as a nominee for the AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year. The 31-year-old Aussie became the first rider in the history of AMA Superbike racing to win four championships when he wrapped up the 2003 title at the series finale at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., in September. Mladin had a spectacular season in AMA Superbike competition riding his factory Yoshimura Suzuki to 10 race wins, tying the nearly 20-year-old record of AMA Superbike wins in a single season set by Fred Merkel in 1984.

Mladin is being nominated for the Athlete of the Year Award for the fourth time. He won the prestigious prize in 2000 after earning his second AMA Superbike title. Mladin was also nominated in 1999 and in 2001. Mladin gave much of the credit for his fourth championship to his crew.

“You can be a good rider, you can have a good bike, you can be the best rider and have the best bike, but without a good team, you’re not going to win anything,” Mladin said. “I’ve got to give all these wins, all four of them, to my team, because I think if I was on any other team, it wouldn’t have happened. That’s for sure.”

Mladin overcame strong challenges from Miguel Duhamel, Aaron Yates and Eric Bostrom – all of whom led the series at one point – to win the 2003 championship. Mladin also showed great perseverance coming back from several catastrophic tire problems. He made one of the most miraculous saves in the history of the series somehow hauling his bike down from a triple-digit speed tire blowout at Road Atlanta in May.

In addition to his obvious skill on the track Mladin showed a great deal of compassion by helping a fellow rider when he donated $5,000 to the Jamie Brockman Foundation which was set up to aid injured Australian motocross racer Jamie Brockman.

“I have to thank the fans over here for the support they have shown for me this year,” added Mladin. “it’s been awesome. They give me a great cheer each time that I’ve been on the podium, so I look forward to coming back next year and doing it again.”

Tune in to Two Wheel Tuesday on the Speed Channel, Tuesday Night at 10:30 p.m. (EST) where host Greg White will feature this week’s nominee.

The presentation of the AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year Award will take place at the AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet on Saturday evening, Nov. 22 at the Rio Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The public is invited to the banquet. Tickets are just $125, which includes banquet admission, hors d’oeuvres and dinner. For ticket information, call (614) 856-1900, ext. 1342. To reserve a room at the Rio Suites Hotel and Casino at the special rate of $125 plus tax per night, contact the Rio directly at (888) 746-6955.

From a press release issued by AHRMA:

AHRMA to celebrate 50th anniversary of BSA’s Daytona sweep

A celebration of the 50th anniversary of BSA’s incredible top-five sweep of the Daytona 200 will highlight the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s 2004 Florida Bike Week extravaganza in late February and early March.

Run under unseasonably cold and windy conditions on the old 4.1-mile beach course, the 1954 Daytona 200 was an unqualified success for the British manufacturer. Bobby Hill rode a rigid-frame BSA Shooting Star twin to victory in a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes. Twenty seconds behind him was Dick Klamfoth on another Shooting Star, this one swingarm equipped, followed 8 seconds later by Tommy McDermott on a rigid Gold Star. Next across the line were Al Gunter and Ken Eggers, both on rigid-frame twins.

Several of the actual bikes are still in existence, and a replica of the winning machine is being built for the Dayton festivities. The machines and their riders were be a featured part of AHRMA’s Bike Week activities, particularly Sunday, Feb. 29, at the American Motorcycle Institute in Daytona Beach and then Monday and Tuesday, March 1-2, during AHRMA Classics Days roadracing at Daytona International Speedway.

For additional Bike Week information, visit the News Flashes page at www.ahrma.org.