From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
ROUND 13 – GAULOISES PACIFIC GRAND PRIX OF MOTEGI
1ST OCTOBER 2003 – EVENT PREVIEW

MOTEGI ANNIVERSARY FOR FUCHS KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-RR

The Fuchs Kawasaki Team will celebrate the first anniversary of the MotoGP debut of their ambitious Ninja ZX-RR project in the Pacific Grand Prix at Motegi this Sunday October 5th.

One year ago at this track the 990cc, in-line four-cylinder ZX-RR made its international race debut in the Pacific GP ridden by factory test rider Akira Yanagawa. The Japanese star qualified 18th but crashed out of the race. For Sunday’s first anniversary outing at Motegi the Ninja ZX-RR will be raced by Kawasaki’s all-Australian squad of regular MotoGP riders Andrew Pitt and Garry McCoy.

The race is an important milestone for Kawasaki, who this year returned to GP competition after an absence of two decades. It has been a steep learning curve as Kawasaki have balanced the challenging task of combining a test and development program with the non-stop pressure of a Grand Prix race schedule for the ZX-RR. And that continuous development program should deliver the latest engine power update parts for the ZX-RR’s first birthday appearance at Motegi.

The Pacific GP carries added significance as a home race for Kawasaki with the Japanese motorcycle and industrial giant committed to the long term success of its MotoGP campaign at the elite level of the sport.

For Pitt and McCoy the race is round 13 of the world championship with the end of season flyaway schedule allowing both riders the rare opportunity of a brief stopover in Australia following the recent Rio GP in Brazil.

In Rio two weeks ago McCoy posted the best Kawasaki qualifying performance of the season and started 13th on the grid and he is planning to capitalise on that performance in Motegi. Unfortunately the Rio race was a frustrating outcome for McCoy with a holed radiator making him an early retirement while Pitt battled the bumpy and slippery Rio circuit for 18th on his Brazilian debut.

Pitt faces a familiar challenge at Motegi; learning another new track as he builds a personal data bank of circuit information during his debut MotoGP season.

Both Pitt and McCoy have enjoyed the sun and relaxation of their beachside break with McCoy making up for lost time aboard his Kawasaki jet ski. The Twin Ring Motegi complex is situated approximately 100km north of Tokyo and is part of a state of the art motorsport facility that also includes an Indy Car oval.

Garry McCoy
“Motegi has never been kind to me in the past but I’m hoping for a trouble free run through practice and qualifying, to try and get a lot of laps on the bike and do more tyre testing. At the last couple of races little problems have cost us track time. Because we don’t get to test at Motegi it’s difficult to predict how the ZX-RR will perform there. In Rio last week the bumpy track seemed to even things out and worked in our favour, especially in qualifying. Motegi is smoother with some stop-go sections which could help the ZX-RR; it’s the fast changes of direction where we have a problem turning. The boost in engine performance is good timing, Kawasaki are making an effort and putting all their technical resources into the ZX-RR”

Andrew Pitt
“All I know about Motegi is from watching the race on TV last year when Alex Barros won. It’s another new track for me. I might watch the tape of last year’s race again just to try and get a feel for the track but otherwise I’m back in school during Friday free practice learning my way around. As long as the weather is kind and I can get in plenty of dry laps I’m confident of coming to grips with the layout and finding a comfortable race set-up on the ZX-RR before Sunday’s race. The power-up engine parts will be nice birthday present and will hopefully help us make a step forward on home ground for Kawasaki.”

From a press release issued by LRRS:

LRRS Season Capper

The Loudon Road Racing Series completed a terrific 2003 season this past weekend. While most class Championships were well in hand, the GP Singles title was still in doubt. Team Incomplete’s Todd Puckett was just four points back of Eric Yoo, both on Honda RS125s. Meanwhile Puckett’s teammate, Gregor Halenda, showed up on a Yamaha 426 Single in a Tigcraft chassis. In its second outing, the thumper showed remarkable speed and was looking to be a spoiler. Also, reigning #1 plate holder, Dale Greenwood Jr., was making his first appearance after recovering from a bad crash in July. Greenwood could have a deciding impact on the points. 28 bikes took the grid.

Halenda took the holeshot on his thumper, followed by Yoo and Puckett. After two laps, Halenda held a half second advantage over Yoo with Puckett and Greenwood another second back. At the halfway, the lead pack of four tightened up. In a great braking move, Puckett went to the front, followed by Halenda, Yoo and Greenwood. Puckett pulled a gap with Yoo desperate to get past Halenda. On the last lap, Yoo pushed past Halenda, and they both ran down Puckett. Halenda crashed spectacularly on the last turn trying to reclaim second. At the stripe, it was Puckett over Yoo by a bikelength, with Greenwood rounding out the podium. Eric Yoo claimed the 2003 GP Singles title by two points.

Eric Wood, fresh from his strong performance at the Barber AMA round, rolled up to the Unlimited Superbike grid, aboard his Dunlop-mounted Barden Bearings/Woodcraft GSX-R750 Superstock machine. Wood got a tremendous start and led the first lap by two seconds. Meanwhile, a dogfight took shape for second between Bob Blanchette, Mike Niksa, Matt Silva, Dave Ruocco and Jason Carter (all on GSX-R750s). While Wood checked out, the next four swapped positions lap after lap. Riding extremely well, Niksa pushed through the pack on his Parkway Cycles/Pirelli mounted GSX-R and began to put down fast lap times. The remaining four fought tooth-and-tong for the last podium spot. At the flag it was Wood, Niksa, and Blanchette. Silva claimed the title with a fourth.

The Middlweight GP Championship had already been decided, so the race was for the $1500 ‘Dash for Cash’ purse sponsored by Motorace, Goldfren, Dunbar Eurosports, GMD Computrack, New England Performance, VP Fuels and Street & Comp. Scott Greenwood sat on the pole aboard his Argo Cycles/Bettencourt’s Dunlop-shod GSX-R600. Teammate Jeff Wood surprised everybody by taking the grid aboard his Honda Super Motard. That was a break for everybody else.

Gus Holcomb took the holeshot aboard his Dunlop-equipped Honda, but the race was red-flagged when two riders went down in turn one. Scott Greenwood took the holeshot on the restart and held a small gap over the field at the end of lap one. Carlo Gagliardo followed on his Pirelli-mounted R6 with Holcomb and John Scheehser on his Michelin-shod Baccarossa CBR600RR in hot pursuit. Greenwood pulled half-a-second per lap on Gagliardo with Holcomb on his pipe pulling another half second on the pack. Meanwhile, Steve Giaccomaro was coming from the back on another fast Pirelli-mounted R6. On lap six, Holcomb pushed past Gagliardo into second, while Giaccomaro cleared the pack into fourth. Holcomb and Gagliardo put on a great battle until lap nine when Gagliardo repassed Holcomb and pulled a gap in traffic. Meanwhile Giaccomaro was closing fast. At the flag, it was Greenwood over Gagliardo, Holcomb, and Giaccomaro.

On the podium, Greenwood revealed that he had destroyed his record-setting Yamaha R6 during qualifying at the Summit Point round of Formula USA. Meanwhile, teammate Jeff Wood’s R6 was ‘torn down to the crank’ after the Barber AMA event. On the season, Greenwood remarked; “It’s not over yet. Jeff Wood and I are in a three-way battle with Matt Wait for the Formula USA National Championship. We’ll be going down to Daytona, winner take all…” He went on to pay special thanks to the cornercrews for their remarkable work in what turned out to be a very challenging season for them.

LRRS was strong in 2003. The track was the best ever, and the Penguin Road Racing School produced a number of talented new riders who are making their mark. Contingency money was up significantly in 2003 with Honda and Yamaha stepping up big in LRRS to join Suzuki. Kawasaki and Aprilia also paid. Dunlop, Pirelli and Michelin offered full trackside service and paid for performance with breadth and depth, yielding each a strong presence on the podium throughout the season. Several new dealers surfaced in 2003 as well, in support of many LRRS riders. 2004 is looking even better.

Complete results for the entire season are posted on www.lrrsracing.com

From a press release issued by CMRA:

2004 Schedule

Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA)

2/21-22, Oak Hill Raceway, Henderson, TX

3/13-14, Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX

4/10-11, Oak Hill Raceway, Henderson, TX

5/1-2, Motorsport Ranch, Cresson, TX

5/21-23, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

6/19-20, Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX

7/10-11, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Hallett, OK

8/28-29, Motorsport Ranch, Cresson, TX

9/25-26, Oak Hill Raceway, Henderson, TX

10/9-10, Motorsport Ranch, Cresson, TX

For additional info, call CMRA at (817) 377-1599, FAX (817) 377-1655, e-mail [email protected], www.cmraracing.com

From a press release:

PJH BRANDS Hires Grey San Francisco

Scottsdale, Arizona, October 1, 2003 – PJH BRANDS’ founder and Chairman, P.J. Harvey, announced today that his company has hired Grey San Francisco to handle all marketing communications, including advertising, interactive and direct response work, for PJH BRANDS on a global basis. This includes both the PJ1 line of motorcycle products and the VHT line of automotive products.

Grey, founded in 1917, is the largest agency in the United States and the 6th largest agency in the world with more than 400 offices in 90 countries.

“Grey is known around the world for its success in building brands,” Harvey said. “With all of the products we now manufacture and sell both here in the United States, as well as in a growing number of countries overseas, Grey is the perfect partner.” Harvey noted that his selection of Grey San Francisco specifically was due to the fact that both the Account Director on his business and the Executive Creative Director have extensive backgrounds in motor sports and the automotive category, both personally and professionally. “They have a real understanding of what motor sports is all about. And that’s very important,” said Harvey.

Up until a year ago, Kevin McCarthy, Grey’s Executive Creative Director, raced Open Superbike and Open GP and was ranked 10th overall in the AFM. McCarthy competed on both the east and west coast and still rides motorcross for fun. Terry Foutz, PJH BRANDS’ Account Director and an 18 year Grey veteran, is the former National Advertising Manager for Nissan Motor Corporation, USA, and for many years competed in off-road motorcycle and truck racing events.

“After our very first meeting with P.J. in Scottsdale, I couldn’t wait to get started on developing creative,” said McCarthy. “Personally, I’ve used PJ1 on and in my bikes for years, so I’m already a big fan of PJ1 products. This is a great client with really good products in a super fun category. What more could we ask for?”

Casey Jones, a Managing Partner of Grey San Francisco, said that his team is elated about the addition of this new piece of business. “PJ1 chain lube has long been the Number 1 selling chain lube in the world. Now it’s our job to let the world know about all of the other equally great products from PJH BRANDS,” Jones said. “To do this, we’ll be using the full integrated power of Grey San Francisco drawing on all of our capabilities – traditional advertising, direct and interactive media – as key components in this new campaign.”

Although no specifics were disclosed, plans call for heavy print in combination with selective broadcast, point of purchase, and highly targeted interactive electronic media. “This will be the largest advertising communications’ effort in the company’s history,” Foutz added.

Founded in 1971, PJH BRANDS produces more than 50 different motor sports’ products and distributes them in 43 countries around the world.

PJH BRANDS is the maker of world-class motorcycle oils and premium coatings.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning 250cc Grand Prix Practice Times:

1. Yuki Takahashi, Honda, 1:54.589
2. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:54.866
3. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:54.946
4. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:55.251
5. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:55.381
6. Tomoyoshi Koyama, Yamaha, 1:55.537
7. Choujun Kameya, Honda, 1:55.701
8. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:55.706
9. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:55.779
10. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:55.797
11. Hiroshi Aoyama, Honda, 1:55.898
12. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:56.136
13. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:56.248
14. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:56.357
15. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:56.691
16. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, 1:57.062
17. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:57.176
18. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 1:57.182
19. Eric Bataille, Honda, 1:57.884
20. Christian Gemmel, Honda, 1:57.934
21. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 1:57.966

24. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:58.386
25. Joan Olive, Aprilia, 1:58.597
26. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:58.690
27. Jaroslav Hules, Honda, 1:58.943

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:49.478
2. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:50.301
3. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:50.410
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:50.522
5. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:50.624
6. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:50.655
7. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:50.779
8. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:50.857
9. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:50.945
10. Akira Ryo, Suzuki, 1:51.220
11. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:51.433
12. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 1:51.665
13. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:51.679
14. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 1:51.794
15. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:51.829
16. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:51.843
17. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 1:52.127
18. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:52.215
19. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 1:52.231
20. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:52.550
21. Tamaki Serizawa, Moriwaki, 1:52.600
22. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 1:52.881
23. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 1:53.902
24. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 1:55.224
25. David De Gea, Harris WCM, 1:55.877
26. Chris Burns, Harris WCM, 1:57.326

From a press release issued by Willow Springs International Raceway:

The first WSIR/ROADRACINGWORLD.COM 250/50 will be held Sunday, October 19, 2003. This race is for 250cc two-stroke machines only – Expert licensed road racers only.

Tentative start time (subject to change) will be 12:00 Noon.

Riders will be gridded by:

For Saturday heat races based on: WSMC 250cc GP class points, then date of entry

For Sunday main event based on: Results of 5-lap heat races held on Saturday, October 18.

Race Entry fee for the 250/50 is $100.

Race entry includes one warm-up Saturday morning, one 5-lap heat race Saturday afternoon; one warm-up Sunday morning and the 20-lap main event.

A maximum of forty (40) riders will be accepted as starters for the 250/50. If a pre-entered rider is an event “no show” there will be no refund or carry-over credit issued. Should a rider not qualify for 250/50 main event there will be no refund or carry-over credit issued.

If racer is not a licensed 2003 WSMC competitor, rider must fill out required WSIR releases and show proof of current (i.e. 2003 season) Expert Road Race Competition License status with a recognized sanctioning body. No exceptions.

WSMC Licensed racers shall run their regular 2003 WSMC competition number.

Visiting Expert racers may run their National or local club number providing the WSMC racer with that number assignment is not participating in the 250/50 event.

Track time will be available on Friday, October 17 for testing and tuning. See pre-entry or post-entry form for sign up.

Riders may participate in Saturday, Oct. 18th race events IF entered in F-1, F-2, and/or 250cc GP race classes. See pre-entry or post-entry form for sign up. Note that riders participating in the WSMC sprints must purchase a one-weekend event license.

Event race distance is 20 laps = 50 miles. Should a red flag or orange and white checkered flag incident occur prior to the field completing half distance (10 laps) the riders will restart for the remaining distance based on their running order at end of last fully completed lap by the field. Should a red flag or orange and white checkered flag incident occur after the field has completed half distance the race may be called complete by the race director, or restarted based on the running order at end of last fully completed lap by the field.

This event will not pay class or track championship points for the WSMC series. A separate 250cc GP race for regular series points will be held Saturday, October 18.

All bikes must display WSMC logo decals (one clearly on each side of bike).

All bikes must display ROADRACING WORLD logo decals (one clearly on each side of bike).

Bikes/riders NOT displaying the above decals will not receive monetary awards from WSIR.

Payback awards from WSIR will be available from the racetrack office t.b.a. after race results are final.

WSMC Flag Rules apply in all practice session and race event.

All bikes must pass WSMC Technical Inspection. Please see WSMC Rule Book for details.


TOTAL PURSE $30,000

1st $5000
2nd $3750
3rd $3000
4th $2200
5th $1650
6th $1450
7th $1300
8th $1200
9th $1100
10th $1000
11th $ 850
12th $ 750
13th $ 700
14th $ 650
15th $ 575
16th $ 500
17th $ 425
18th $ 350
19th $ 300
20th $ 250
21st $ 200
22nd $ 200
23rd $ 200
24th $ 200
25th $ 200
26th $ 200
27th $ 200
28th $ 200
29th $ 200
30th $ 200
31st $ 100
32nd $ 100
33rd $ 100
34th $ 100
35th $ 100
36th $ 100
37th $ 100
38th $ 100
39th $ 100
40th $ 100

From a press release issued by Henry DeGouw:

U.S. Team Set for 50th Macau GP

Three riders from the United States have been selected to compete in this year’s 50th anniversary Macau GP. The three riders are:

Geoff May of Alpharetta, Georgia on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 ponsored by Team Embry/May Racing

Jeremy Toye of San Diego, California on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 sponsored by Lee’s Cycle

Jason Perez of Brentwood, California on a Yamaha YZF-R1 sponsored by Graves Motorsports.

The team leaves for Hong Kong on November 8th.

The 60-mile through-the-streets event will be run on Saturday November 15th. After the race, the team will be treated to an eight-night paid vacation to Thailand.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Corser fastest in test despite head injury

Troy Corser finished a two-day test at the French circuit of Magny Cours as the unofficial fastest rider – despite missing the second day through injury.

The Australian crashed at turn two yesterday, but initially appeared not to have suffered any ill-effects. However, he awoke this morning suffering from mild double vision and a bad headache and was immediately advised to return home to Monaco for further checks.

But, on his first outing at the circuit, venue for the final round of the World Superbike season in two weeks, and in the presence of many of the top riders including Regis Laconi, Gregorio Lavilla and Chris Walker, Troy was the only rider to break the 1:42 barrier on race tyres with a time of 1:41.84.

Team manager Nigel Bosworth said: “Troy has shown that he is unbeatable at learning circuits. I don’t think the other riders could believe the time he set on the first day as they were in the late 42s. We had stop-watches on the other riders and were watching their boards and I’m confident that Troy was the only rider to get into the 1:41s on race tyres. Chris Walker was also in the 41s, but that was on a qualifier.”

Team-mate James Haydon, joined by test rider Jamie Morley, had progress hindered by morning rain on the second day before tyre selection was further tested on a drying track in the afternoon. Haydon posted his best time of 1:45.15 on the first day, with Morley lapping at 1:46.67 on the second day.

Nigel added: “We did not think Troy had been hurt but there was no point in risking anything, especially considering the weather. We also used the time to complete more throttle connection mapping work, as well as making good progress in the development of the oil and lubricant programme that we are undertaking alongside PETRONAS.”
More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Positive test day for Regis Laconi at Magny Cours

(Magny Cours 2003, October 1st )

After yesterday work, all focused on promotional activities, today Regis Laconi and the Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks could finally concentrate in a first racing test on Magny Cours track, the circuit that will held next October 19 the final round of 2003 Superbike World Championship.

The rain ruined all the morning time, but at midday the rain stopped, allowing to Regis and his 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks an useful setting job for next event. At Magny Cours from yesterday already were engaged also HM Plant Ducati and Suzuki Alstare teams, but also concentrating all the test in 3 hours, between 14 and 17 p.m., when the track was already dry, Laconi has been very satisfied about this first contact with the French track in his new shape.

“It has been actually a profitable day.” – said at the end Marco Mozzone, technical manager of Regis’ crew – “Regis focused above all on the selection of gearbox ratio and the general set up, recording however a good laptime in 1:41.8; today nobody informed of laptimes of the riders engaged, but looking at what we have seen from the pit wall nobody has been faster as Regis, and that in spite they have had also yesterday allowed for testing while we was engaged for promotional activities. The morning rain let to surface all the rubber, so in the afternoon the track was a bit slippery, and maybe next two weeks probably the fastest we’ll be quicker, but the work we have done today we’ll be very useful, that’s assured.”