Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Top Speeds from VIR Race 2 (generated by official Timing & Scoring):

1. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC-51, 174.4 mph*
2. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 172.6 mph
3. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 171.3 mph
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 170.9 mph*
5. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 169.6 mph
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC-51, 169.6 mph*
7. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 168.8 mph
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 168.8 mph
9. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC-51, 168.4 mph*
10. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 167.5 mph*
11. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 166.7 mph
12. Byron Barbour, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 166.7 mph
13. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 165.6 mph
14. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 165.5 mph
15. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 996, 165.1 mph*
16. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 164.7 mph
17. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 164.3 mph
18. Douglas Duane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 162.7 mph
19. J. J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, 162.0 mph
20. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 161.6 mph
21. Anthony Fania, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 161.2 mph
22. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 160.8 mph
23. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 160.9 mph
24. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 160.1 mph
25. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 159.7 mph
26. Robert Christman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 159.3 mph
27. James Kerker, Honda CBR954RR, 158.9 mph
28. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, 158.9 mph
29. Jacob Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 158.6 mph
30. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 157.8 mph
31. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 156.4 mph
32. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 156.0 mph
33. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 155.3 mph
34. Kevin Hanson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 154.6 mph
*Factory riders

From a press release issued by FIM:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Pacific Grand Prix: decision of the Race Direction

On Sunday 5th October, during the MotoGP race, American rider John Hopkins has ridden in an irresponsible manner causing danger to other riders.

For this infraction to Art. 1.21.2 of the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations, the Race Direction decided to impose upon him a suspension for the next Grand Prix event (Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang, 10-12 October 2003).

This decision of the Race Direction was subsequently confirmed in appeal by the FIM Stewards.


The decision of the FIM Stewards is final.


More, from another press release issued by FIM:

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Pacific Grand Prix: decision of the Race Direction

On Sunday 5th October, during the MotoGP race, Japanese rider Makoto Tamada has ridden in an irresponsible manner causing danger to Spanish rider Sete Gibernau.

For this infraction to Art. 1.21.2 of the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations, the Race Direction decided to disqualify him from the race results.

This decision of the Race Direction was subsequently confirmed in appeal by the FIM Stewards.

The decision of the FIM Stewards is final.

From a press release:

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® Presented By Toyota Trucks Announces 2003/2004 Schedule

Fun For Motorcycle Fans This Winter In Thirteen U.S. Cities

Santa Ana, CA — This winter, powersports fans, manufacturers and dealers are coming together to celebrate a common passion: motorcycles. The Powersports Group, producer of the popular Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® presented by Toyota Trucks, has just announced its 2004 show schedule. Traveling to 13 major cities across the country, the series is an unparalleled opportunity for bike buffs along with casual enthusiasts to experience the cutting-edge of powersports vehicles, products, and services.

SAN FRANCISCO
November 7-9, San Mateo County Exposition Center

DALLAS
November 21-23, Dallas Convention Center

SEATTLE
December 5-7, Seahawks Exhibition Center

LONG BEACH
December 12-14, Long Beach Convention Center

DENVER
December 19-21, Colorado Convention Center

NEW YORK
January 2-4, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

WASHINGTON
January 9-11, Washington DC Convention Center

ATLANTA
January 16-18, Cobb Galleria Centre

OHIO
January 30-February 1, IX Center (Cleveland)

CHICAGO
February 6-8, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

DETROIT
February 20-22, COBO Conference/Exhibition Center

DAYTONA
March 3-7, Daytona International Speedway

MINNEAPOLIS
March 26-28, Minneapolis Convention Center

Popular with powersports fans across multiple segments and skill levels, all thirteen shows are fully supported by the industry’s major Original Equipment Manufacturers—Aprilia, BMW, Buell, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory, and Yamaha. The Powersports Group is also pleased to welcome back KTM, as well as Ducati, and Moto Guzzi this time for the full tour. As always, an onslaught of the hottest sportbikes, cruisers, scooters, dualsport machines, off-road bikes, motocross and 4-wheel ATVs will be represented.

Show attendees who want in-depth information on motorcycle parts and accessories can visit the expert staff in “The Factory,” a showcase of the latest aftermarket products and essential riding gear where they can compare and discuss everything from performance parts to the latest communications hardware with manufacturer representatives. We are please to have the following companies participating in the Factory: Arai Helmets, Avon Tyres, Bell Powersports, Inc., Chatterbox, Cobra Engineering, Desser Tire & Rubber Co., Dowco, Inc., Dunlop North America, HJC America, K & N Engineering, Kendon Industries, Metzeler Motorcycle Tire, Pirelli Motorcycle Tires, Progressive Suspension, Shoei Helmets, Suomy Helmets, Top Gear Accessories, Travelcade, Ventura and Yuasa Battery, Inc.

Show highlights will include stunt riders, special demonstrations and interactive features. This year’s series premiers the Ball of Steel Stunt Show complete with gravity-defying stunts and caged performances by extreme motorcycle riders in an enclosed steel ball. Attractions will also include vintage displays highlighting vehicles of all makes and models, the innovative Video Lounge showing the latest extreme motorcycle videos on the market, and the all-new Club House with special features, message boards, and contests targeting motorcycle club members.

“We’ve got big plans for this year’s International Motorcycle Shows,” enthuses Show Director, Jeff D’Entremont. “After 23 years, the series has taken on a life of its own and has become an annual tradition for most attendees. Drawing folks from every walk of life – from families with kids to hard-core, 20-something riders – the series will be this winter’s must-see event for motorcycle fans across the nation.”

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® presented by Toyota Trucks kick off this November in San Francisco, with later stops across the U.S. including: Dallas, Seattle, Southern California, Denver, New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Ohio, Chicago, Detroit, Daytona, and Minneapolis.

Tickets are available in advance at www.motorcycleshows.com and on-site at the box office. Members of the American Motorcyclist Association who show their membership cards when purchasing tickets at the box office on-site are eligible for a $1 rebate coupon redeemable at the AMA booth inside the show. Discount coupons are also available at participating local dealers. Visit www.motorcycleshows.com for a complete list of participating dealerships. Only one discount will be granted per ticket; no discount offers may be combined.

Please direct all reader inquiries to the InfoLine at (800)-331-5706 CST and (218)-723-9130 CST or to www.motorcycleshows.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I remember hearing about some scam where some guy from Nigeria or someplace was offering to buy racers’ motorcycles that he saw in the classified ads. Well I just got an e-mail (see below) from an Allan Smith saying he’s interested in buying my bike and that he will send me a cashier’s check and then I am to air freight the bike to Nigeria. He didn’t ask any questions about the bike or anything, just gave me info on shipping the bike over and that he’d send a cashier’s check and once that check has cleared, I am to send him the bike.

Chris Pyles
Breezewood, Pennsylvania


HELLO Chris Pyles,

I am interested in buying your bike for immediate shipment to me once payment gets to you. Payment will be with Cashier’s Check. The bike will be shipping to Nigeria in Africa via Airfreight; Help me find out the cost of this immediately, and get back to me via email or phone the total amount.

As soon as you are ready we will finalise ans you will, send me your full name as well as, mailing address where I will send you a cashier’s check to for payment. I will need the full amount as well as the price at which you will help me ship it down here by Airfreight alone as I do not like shipping via sea. Please get back to me on phone or email. Once the check is cleared at the bank you will ship the bike to me immediately.

Regards,
ALLAN SMITH



Note: In a phone interview Monday morning, former Illinois police detective and current AMA professional road racer Kevin Hanson told Roadracingworld.com, “The reason this works is because banks will automatically cash the cashier’s check up front because it looks legit. But once it goes through the channels of the bank, which typically takes 10 days to two weeks, it will come back bogus and you will be out of luck.

“They use good cashier’s checks and doctor the routing and account numbers on the computer so they look real, but when they go through the system they lead to a bogus account,” continued Hanson. “You just need to be careful of anyone who is real hasty to get the stuff.”


Additional Note: A variation of this scheme involves selling a bike, to be delivered from overseas, for less than fair market value, i.e., a mint Hayabusa for $4000. The scammer tells the would-be buyer to hurry and wire the money via a service such as Western Union because he has several other interested buyers who he will sell to unless the deal is concluded quickly. This scam often involves promised delivery from Amsterdam. After the money is sent, the would-be buyer never gets the bike.



And now some reader feedback:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Just read about the scam–do not fall for it! I have a bogus check stamped FRAUD. My check was for 10 grand. I was cautious and waited over two weeks before I was informed about the counterfeit cashier’s check.

I contacted local law enforcement, but no one calls me back. I have even been contacted again by the same individual. If I can help out in any way to catch this guy, let me know!

Adrian M. Gutierrez
Celina, Ohio



More reader feedback:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

Thanks for exposing this scam. These are all over Cycletrader right now. One example is an Aprilia Colin Edwards Replica–worth about $19,000 in the USA–being offered for $8000. The ad says the bike is in Viola, ID, is in mint condition, and has only 100 miles. The listed phone number is bogus. If you e-mail the supposed owner you hear back from someone named Jan in Amsterdam, Holland, giving you the same Western Union scam you listed on your website.

Last week alone I found two 954s and the Edwards replica, all with the same scam, while I was looking for a sportbike to buy. One said he would ship the bike to the USA from Berlin free. The bike is a 2003 954 in mint condition, low mileage, and the price was $4000. A friend who is from Germany said the shipping costs alone would be nearly $1500 from Germany to the USA!

On a more positive, note, I love your website and check it at least three times daily for the latest news. Keep up the great work.

Paul Moore
Colorado Springs, Colorado

From a press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment Motor Sports:

Remembering & Celebrating – 20 years at the Daytona Race of Champions

20th Anniversary of Daytona Beach “Biketoberfest”

The most prestigious sportsman motorcycle event in North America celebrates its 20th anniversary at Daytona Int’l Speedway October 16-19 hosted by Championship Cup Series (CCS). CCS has now been hosting this winner-take-all National Championship for 2 decades. Riders from across North America who have the opportunity to race against other Regional Champions and all comers when the green flags flies at Daytona. Over 50 different racing classes will crown a Champion with some classes reaching 80 competitors, all on the track making their bid for the prestigious Champion titles at stake.

It seems like only yesterday when a small group of riders and staff appeared at Roebling Road Raceway to participate in the inaugural Championship Cup Series event over 20 years ago. From that humble beginning evolved the largest sportsman motorcycle road racing series that the United States has ever seen, and for that we are all forever grateful to Roger and Peggy Edmondson and their family. If not for the sacrifices that they made to keep the series going through the trials and tribulations they faced, we would not be able to enjoy our 20th Annual Race of Champions at Daytona International Speedway this Fall (October 16-19).

Along with the Edmondsons, there were the Dovels, the Richardsons, the Abbotts and the Pennells who all gave their time and talents to keep CCS growing and working smoothly through the years. To all these behind-the-scenes heroes we say thank you for making this journey possible.

While these folks were the movers and shakers for CCS, it has taken thousands of volunteers and regular staff members to man the nearly 1000 races held under CCS sanction over these past 20 seasons. Without these unsung, everyday heroes, CCS would not be celebrating our past and looking forward to a brighter future. For this effort, we say thank you for everything you do and we hope you are a part of our future success, as we continue to build and grow.

Let us not forget the tens of thousands of riders who have competed with CCS over these many years… many names you will recognize (Ashmead, Chandler, DuHamel, Edwards, Russell, Sadowski, Spencer, Hayden), some that only their friends and family will recognize (Anderson, Cunningham, Krause, Martin, Pounders, Vickerman), and some of whom we shall never forget how they touched our sport and our lives, and whose spirit will always remind us of their sacrifice (Adamo, Bowman, Gowland, Jacks, Paulk, Piz, Renfrow, Stratton, Tatro, and Witt).

It is the combination of sacrifice, commitment, sportsmanship and competition that has made the last 20 years so memorable. So with that, CCS closes out the season with the 20th Annual Race of Champions at Daytona Int’l Speedway! “Biketoberfest 2003”!



From another press release issued by Clear Channel Entertainment Motor Sports:

The Race is On… to the 20th Annual Race of Champions

2003 Daytona Beach “Biketoberfest”

20th Annual Night of Champions Ceremony At Daytona USA October 19th:

Formula USA is proud to have the fabulous Daytona USA facility host its 20th Annual Night of Champions Awards Ceremony… as Championship Cup Series, Formula USA, and X-treme Sport Bike Association (Street Freestyle) Championship Series crown their respective National Champions on a night that they will not soon forget.

The Formula USA Championship has come down to the final event with only 4-points separating 1st and 3rd place in the series’ feature class “Sportbike”. With a race win worth 25-points and 3rd worth 16, not to mention the 1-point Pole Award… the has come down to this winner (may) take all race for the title. A win from point leader Jeff Wood, Matt Wait, or Scott Greenwood will earn them a $10,000 pay day! No pressure… Practice starts on Thursday, with Qualifying and Finals on Sunday.

The XSBA Street Freestyle point leader “Crazy” Dan Jackson enters Daytona with a healthy 15-point lead, and looks to be the favorite to take home the 2nd ever XSBA Freestyle Championship. Jackson is regarded as one of the most innovative riders in the world and has won 3 of 4 events in which he has competed this year. Chris “Teach” McNeil is the only rider within striking distance of Jackson at the final event, however 4 other riders are in contention for a top-3 series ranking. Jackson has only been riding sport bikes since the spring of 2002 and hails from former Freestyle MX and Arenacross Championships, while McNeil is an “old-school” rider who’s day job is teaching Latin to private middle-school students in New Hampshire. XSBA action starts on Friday with Final event Sunday.

Championship Cup Series road race classes are compiled with riders from across the country and pits the top regional riders against one another for a winner take all National Championship title in over 40 classes. These riders made up of CCS Champions of past years as well as the future of the sport. They are the heart and sole of the motorcycle road racing industry. With over $11.5 million in awards posted in 2003, most CCS riders race for the thrill, with the hopes of collecting just enough reward to pay for their weekend of racing, while others will earn enough to consider themselves professionals, and profit from their efforts.

As we complete the 20th season of Championship Cup Series racing, we look forward to crowning the 2003 National Champions in a ceremony on Sunday night at Daytona USA. With titles bestowed in 43 CCS Sportsman classes, 5 Formula USA classes, the 4 Team Challenge classes, and the XSBA Freestyle and Longest Endo classes following the action on the famed Daytona high-banks, you’ve never had a better chance to take home your share of the glory as that shared at the World Center of Racing!

Each of these riders will take their turn in the spotlight at Daytona USA’s Pepsi Theatre on Sunday night at 8:30 pm, to accept their rewards and the accolades of their peers, and we invite you to join us in the celebration. Remember it’s free when you present your weekend Daytona paddock credential! Food and drink is available, including a cash bar.

This event is the pinnacle of our season, so please dress appropriately for the occasion. (Business casual or better which means a shirt with a collar to those of us who work in a very casual office, and the ladies have always dressed to impress so we will not dare to ask for more.)

Remember Riders, Sponsors, and Industry Representatives; admission to the 20th Annual Race of Champions Award Presentation is free with your paddock pass from the speedway, so there is no excuse to miss the biggest party of the season for CCS, Formula USA, and XSBA! The banquet “after-party” is at the Ocean Deck (on the beach) following the Awards Presentations!

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Dirt tracker Bryan Smith wrapped up the 2003 Formula USA Pro Singles Championship with a win in the final event of the season, a mile, at Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California, October 5. Dirt tracker/road racer Nicky Cummings finished second in the Del Mar Pro Singles Mile Sunday, earning the 16-year-old from Michigan the 2003 Formula USA Grand National Championship (which combines points from select F-USA dirt track and road race events) and F-USA dirt track Rookie of the Year honors.

“It went really good,” Cummings said Monday in a telephone interview. “Really, Saturday [short track, October 4] wasn’t the best, but Sunday [mile] helped out. I had to catch [Smith], and then we battled for about three or four laps. I got away a little bit, but I started making little mistakes. Then I made a big mistake, and he caught me. I looked back and saw I had a good gap over third and just settled in. Then I won the Rookie of the Year [Sunday night at the awards banquet], so that was a cool bonus.”

Although he failed to make the short track main event Saturday night, Cummings took home $8095 in purse, contingency and Championship bonus money.

Cummings is currently driving home to Michigan to prepare his Honda CBR600RR for the final round of the Formula USA Grand National Championship, which is also the final round of the Formula USA Sportbike road race Championship, at Daytona International Speedway October 19. Cummings is currently 17th in the F-USA Sportbike point standings.

With a 10th in the short track race and his win in the Pro Singles mile at Del Mar, Smith won the F-USA Pro Singles Championship with 282 points over Terry Poovey (208 points). Smith won a $20,000 bonus for the Pro Singles Championship, $5410 in purse money at Del Mar and $4250 in contingency money from Honda for a total of $29,660.

The Del Mar event included the Superbikers SuperMoto race, which was won by Jeff Ward (Honda) over Grant Langston (KTM), who was competing in his first-ever SuperMoto race. Micky Dymond (KTM) finished third ahead of Scott Russell (KTM), Roger Lee Hayden (Honda) and Joe Kopp (KTM). Saturday night after the race, Ward, Mike Metzger and Troy Lee flew from California to Columbus, Ohio to compete in the AMA Supermoto race Sunday, October 5.

The Del Mar Pro Singles short track was won by Mees (Honda) over Tommy Hayden (Yamaha), Glen Schnabel, Jr. (Yamaha), Kopp (KTM), John Hlebo (Honda) and Kenny Coolbeth (KTM). Roger Lee Hayden finished seventh on a Honda.

Smith (Honda) won the Del Mar Pro Singles Mile over Cummings (Honda), Mees (Honda), Logan Myers (Honda), Poovey (Honda) and Dan Stanley (Honda). Kopp finished seventh on a KTM.

Geo Roeder, II, (H-D) won the Twins Challenge Mile at Del Mar, beating Kevin Varnes (Suzuki), A.J. Eslick (Suzuki), Mees (H-D), Willie McCoy (H-D) and Jess Roeder (H-D). Kopp again finished seventh on a KTM.

Formula USA Grand National Championship Point Standings (after round 9 of 10):

1. Cummings, 140 points
2. Smith, 111 points
3. Matt Wait, 95 points
4. Rob Pearson, 92 points
5. Poovey, 87 points
6. Myers/Nate Wait, TIE, 85 points
8. Stanley/Scott Greenwood, TIE, 83 points
10. Davey Durelle, 80 points
11. McCoy, 71 points
12. Jeff Wood, 66 points
13. Michael Himmelsbach, 56 points
14. Dave Stanton, 55 points
15. Des Conboy, 53 points
16. Mees/Jason Smith, TIE, 47 points
18. Shaun Michael Fields, 46 points
19. Kyle Ragsdale, 45 points
20. Lee Acree, 44 points

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM PREVIEW

Malaysian Grand Prix
Sepang
October 10/11/12 2003

MALAYSIAN TROPICAL HEAT BECKONS MOTOGP
Round fourteen of the MotoGP World Championship carries the Fortuna Yamaha Team straight from Japan to the humid skies of Malaysia this weekend. This is just a fleeting visit, however, for the over a thousand-strong MotoGP paddock, as they will journey directly onward to Australia after the Sepang race on Sunday. The Malaysian contingent takes its toll on riders and mechanics not only because it is sandwiched back-to-back with two other races, but also due to the swelteringly clammy conditions that they must work in. During last year’s Sepang weekend temperatures soared up to 36 degrees C and the track surface reached an incredible 45 degrees C.

Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri hope to be able to adjust immediately to the muggy location. The Fortuna Yamaha pair had a disappointing start to the Pacific Grand Prix in Motegi last weekend. A first turn crash involving Suzuki rider John Hopkins and Ducati’s Troy Bayliss forced Fortuna Yamaha rider Carlos Checa off the track and out of the race. Checa’s team-mate Marco Melandri was also involved in the incident, forced off his racing line and onto the trackside gravel. The young Italian got back on track and despite having been relegated to 19th position on the opening lap, made a determined comeback in the 24-lap race to finish a respectable sixth. Melandri’s result was altered to fifth place soon afterwards, however, due to a separate incident between Honda riders Makoto Tamada and Sete Gibernau. Tamada clashed fairings with Gibernau on the last lap and the Japanese rider was disqualified shortly after the podium ceremony.

Fortuna Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio considers the Malaysian Grand Prix to be one of the most demanding events of the season, not only for his riders and mechanics but also for Yamaha’s YZR-M1.

“It always seems like the longest race weekend of the year because of the incredible heat,” says the Italian boss. “The riders have to be extremely careful not to dehydrate as they get so hot in their leathers, the mechanics can barely lift a finger without dripping with sweat, and as for the bikes…! The track temperature gets so high that it’s hard on tyres, especially the rear, and along with our supplier Michelin we have to manage the tyre life as best as we can.

“Neither of our riders has ridden here for a year, as during the winter we only tested in Europe, whereas some of the other teams came here. Carlos and Marco will need to use their practice sessions as well as possible to get used to the track again. The track has a good mixture of high-speed corners and straights, and obviously the M1 likes Sepang as it was the winning machine here last year. That, along with our recently improved engine, should give both riders further confidence for this weekend.”

As one of the longest circuits on the Grand Prix calendar, the Sepang circuit also has the longest-lasting lap of all sixteen tracks. Its super-modern facilities and proximity to Kuala Lumpur airport make the Malaysia race popular with the MotoGP paddock, despite the heat. After next weekend’s Australian round in Phillip Island the championship concludes back in Europe at the Valencia circuit in Spain on 2 December.


CHECA TARGETS POINTS LADDER IN SEPANG
After a bitterly disappointing end to last weekend’s Pacific Grand Prix, Carlos Checa is already focusing on this weekend’s challenge. The thirty-year-old rider displayed a good pace all weekend in Motegi and even featured on provisional pole for some time during Friday’s session, only to end the race prematurely as a result of an incident beyond his control when knocked out by other riders on the first lap. The Spaniard currently lies eighth in the championship standings and is desperate to climb the points ladder significantly at Sepang this weekend.

“I had quite a frustrating time in Sepang last year because I had problems with my M1’s set-up but watched my then team-mate Max Biaggi winning with the same bike,” said the down-to-earth Spaniard. “It was a track that I had always done well at up until that point, both with Honda and with Yamaha. We made many changes but didn’t adjust the bike properly to that track.

“My target this year will be to improve my lap times and last year’s result of course. I don’t know which level I will reach but it must be the maximum of the bike and myself. It’s the kind of track I like, and I usually get used the heat quite quickly. Even though we didn’t test there during the winter like we normally do, I don’t think that will make a huge difference. The bike has changed so much anyway since the winter so the information we would have taken from winter tests might not have been directly transferable to the bikes as they are now.”


NEW FOUR-STROKE CIRCUIT FOR MOTOGP ROOKIE MELANDRI
This weekend brings a completely new challenge to Fortuna Yamaha youngster Marco Melandri as he will ride his YZR-M1 at the Malaysian circuit of Sepang for the first time. The twenty-one-year-old showed fine form last weekend in Motegi after he was knocked off his racing line into the gravel on the first lap in the same incident as his team-mate Checa. After the incident the Fortuna Yamaha Team rider recovered and set the fastest lap of the race on just lap two. He then produced a string of competitive times up until the chequered flag in an effort to make up for lost time. By lap four he was 11th and by lap 13 the 250cc World Champion had moved up into sixth. After Tamada’s disqualification he moved up to fifth, and currently lies fourteenth in the championship standings.

“It’s a really difficult race course because of the weather conditions, and for me the most difficult track of the championship,” said the young Italian. “But I really like Sepang anyway, even though it’s hard on the bike and the tyres in the humidity. After a couple of laps your tyres are suffering. It’s a very important track from a technical point of view because it’s difficult to find a good line, as the track is so wide that there are many possibilities.

“Obviously I only have experience of this track with the two-stroke bike. Last year I had to stop because of a broken engine on the first lap. It was my first chance to win the 250cc championship, so I was really disappointed. In 2001 I raced there with a broken hand and managed to finish 11th! I think that the four-stroke bike will spin a lot there but I’m not totally sure what I will find. I really want to enjoy riding the bike there, to have a clear mind before I go there, and to take the best result I can.”


TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Due to the Sepang circuit’s hairpins and numerous hard braking areas, a fast lap and any hope of making a pass at the Malaysian venue, comes down to braking stability and the bike’s turn-in characteristics. Two such areas include the two long straights and hairpins that make up the final sequence of the 5542m layout. The track surface does, however, boast a high level of grip and very few bumps. It is a venue that also offers challenging high-speed sweepers. The first dives deep into a hollow before climbing back out the other side for a 90 degree righthander. This corner alone has a tendency to load up the front of the bike to the extreme on entry, and the rear on the exit. The other is a blind lefthander that disappears over an undulating crest, which ensures that keeping the back-end in line is challenging even for the best MotoGP talent.

Therefore the ideal chassis is a compromised chassis, to a realistic degree at least. The key areas of concern are then catered for; braking stability and chassis agility under heavy loads. To help cater for both, the suspension balance will be targeted towards a similar neutral feel as that used in Motegi. The front fork springs will be set slightly firmer with a higher spring rate and the bike’s attitude controlled by the spring preload.

As for the damping, it will be set to offer a softer ride, not only improving feel but also leaving the heavier springs to deal with the high cornering and braking forces. The rear shock will also carry a high spring rate but the damping will still be smooth in its motion.

Aiding the Yamaha contingent at Malaysia this weekend will be the ever-improving YZR-M1 in-line four-cylinder power plant, which has recently seen internal upgrades that have improved the torque delivery. As in Motegi, this will help to get the 220-plus horsepower machine off the slower speed turns more effectively, while increased rpm offers the M1 the ability to stretch its legs. This combination has proved effective in Motegi and Rio, where the Yamaha regularly featured high on top speeds, and will only be of more value on the long drag strips of Sepang.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

By Steve Atlas

Article II of the American Motorcyclist Association’s Code of Regulations states, “The purpose of the Corporation is to pursue, promote, and protect the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members.”

If this is the case, then explain to me why AMA Pro Racing, a division of the AMA, is considering eliminating Thursday promoter practice for all racers who finished in the top-10 in class points the previous year. Not only are they trying to get rid of promoter practice, but they are also talking about cutting events to only two days.

If the AMA is truly trying to look out for “the needs of its members,” and all AMA professional racers are required to have an AMA membership to compete, then why would they even think about excluding the top-10 from promoter practice?

This is not information I found out from the AMA, they haven’t told the members or the public about any of this. The only people they told are members of the non-representative Road Racing Advisory Board, which is mostly made up of factory team and manufacturer employees.

Personally I think this is totally wrong. OK, I understand excluding riders with a factory contract, as the factories have the money and time to rent tracks for testing, but excluding the top-10 in class from the previous year, and possibly shortening race weekends to only two days, is absurd.

As it is now, 26 non-factory riders would be eliminated from promoter practice next season. And to make matters worse, the majority of these riders will likely be in different classes and on different bikes next year, due to the AMA’s proposed rule changes.

All this amidst rumors that many of the factory teams will be running in the new Superstock and Formula Xtreme classes. Now guys like Vincent Haskovec, Opie Caylor and John Haner will have to learn a new bike, without promoter practice, and are expected to compete against the likes of the factory riders, who will have numerous hours of private testing.

Just to put it into prospective, Yoshimura Suzuki, said to be planning on fielding a rider in Superstock next year, spent 22 days in private testing since January 1st 2003, including four days in Malaysia in January, sorting out 2003 GSX-R1000 Suzukis that nobody else in the U.S. got their hands on until late March. The only testing Caylor or Haskovec got to do involved club races or track days, where they could get four or five 20 or 30-minute sessions, often stopped numerous times for red flags, all while sharing the track with up to 40 or 50 other riders.

This reminds me of a couple years back when the AMA decided to ban all riders in the top-10 in Superbike and Supersport points at the time, from riding on Thursdays. We all know what happened then. Everyone complained, the AMA officials said they were unable to change rules mid-season, and it took a petition signed by nearly every non-factory rider to get the AMA to realize that the rule boxed out guys like Brian Livengood and John Hopkins (who was a support rider at the time).

After that, the AMA changed the rule and everyone was happy, or should I say less pissed off, for awhile. But now rumors of this new rule pop up, and it’s exactly what the AMA previously realized was wrong, but on an even wider scale.

So, why does the AMA keep trying to make events smaller? Well, just like everything else they do, they want to keep the factory teams happy. And the factory teams want promoter practice gone altogether.

Why do the factory teams want shorter events? They complain that they have to be at the track on Wednesday to park and set-up before the pit fills up for Thursday practice, and that it costs them too much money to do so.

Well, look at it this way. The privateers, who need the practice, are taking time off from their jobs, spending their hard-earned money, and driving across the country to be there, yet the factory teams, who get paid to be there, complain about going a day early.

To that, I say let the factory teams complain. They are the minority. For example, there are over 150 licensed Superbike riders, but only 15 factory riders, and only six of whom compete in the class on a regular basis. That’s less than 10 percent.

So what if the factory teams need to spend a little bit more money to get there a day early? The money they would save by being able to show up a day later, compared to the amount of money they spend on testing alone, is tiny. But to the privateer, who makes up over 90 percent of AMA Pro racers, an extra day of practice is invaluable, and the nine available Thursday practice days in 2003 were important.

If Thursday practice puts too much strain on factory teams, they should save money by testing less during the off season.

When the AMA first eliminated factory riders from Thursday practice they said it was to help even the playing field. If they wanted to do that they should eliminate factory testing altogether. We all know that’s never going to happen, at least as long as the factories control AMA Pro Racing. And all they are going to do by eliminating the top-10 from the previous year and shortening race weekends is to hurt the privateers who actually have a shot at being competitive with the factory guys. How does that help even the playing field?

So here is what I think needs to happen. The AMA should start by paying attention to its own stated purpose, and serve the needs of its members. Then once they do that, and realize that privateers make up the majority of AMA professional racers, they need to abandon the idea of shortening events or eliminating anyone but factory riders from promoter practice. On top of that I think they should also restrict the amount of testing the factory teams can do. After all, this is AMA Pro Racing, not AMA Factory Pro Racing.



Note: Steve Atlas holds an AMA Pro Expert license and has competed in the Superstock class as a privateer.