From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Sights set on Italian success

Imola was first introduced to the Superbike World Championship calendar in 2001 and the last two years have seen some epic battles around the 4.93km Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit. Last year the Italian venue was the setting for a breathtaking season finale during which Colin Edwards snatched the 2002 title from Ducati’s Troy Bayliss. In 2001 it was the turn of Ruben Xaus as Regis Laconi to come to the fore.

This year, the French circuit of Magny Cours will stage the final round of the season on 19 October and Fila Ducati’s Neil Hodgson has already wrapped up the 2003 championship with four races yet to run. But this certainly does not mean that there will be any shortage of fireworks at the weekend. Hodgson will no doubt be keen to remind everybody just why he was crowned 2003 Superbike World Champion and Laconi and Xaus will be hoping to recreate their previous results at Imola.

However, these three Ducati riders will have their work cut out if they are to repel the orange attack that will be heading their way courtesy of James Toseland and Chris Walker.

For the HM Plant Ducati team-mates, Imola presents both challenges and opportunities. Toseland now has his sights firmly set on second place in the championship by the end of the season and is hoping to claw back some of the 51-point advantage that Xaus currently holds over him.

“I’m really fired up for this one,” said Toseland. “Getting a DNF at Assen has really put the cat among the pigeons. It might have been a slightly different situation if I’d got two fourths and moved out of Laconi’s reach. Then I could have ridden with nothing to lose at Imola – but I’m going to anyway, because that’s just me.

“It’s going to be every man for himself out there and everyone will be trying to get past at every opportunity, so I’m sure there’ll be elbows rubbing now and again. I desperately want second in the championship but I’ve also got to watch my back.”

Many other riders will be just as eager to impress as they look to secure their championship positions and hopefully a ride for 2004. The on-track competition is guaranteed to be fierce and this is something that Chris Walker, for one, will relish.

“This season has had its fair share of ups and downs for me,” said Walker. “A few unlucky injuries have made life difficult but on the whole I’ve had a great time with HM Plant Ducati. It’s a real shame that the team doesn’t feel that it is able to take part in the championship next year but there are still two rounds left to go this season and I want to do the best possible job for them. I’m on good form and really looking forward to the weekend. If things go my way there’s the opportunity to improve on sixth place in the championship before the end of the season and I’ve still got time to get my first World Superbike race win.”


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy PETRONAS Racing face uphill task at Imola

Carl Fogarty today sounded a note of caution ahead of his Foggy PETRONAS Racing team’s penultimate World Superbike championship round of the season at Imola, Italy, this weekend.

The four-times World Superbike champion was encouraged by the performance of Troy Corser at the previous round in The Netherlands, when the Australian achieved his second best finish of the season on the FP1 – the Malaysian superbike – with a stylish sixth place in the opening race. But Carl warned that the engine modifications which contributed to that improvement at the fast-flowing Assen circuit are unlikely to have as marked an effect around Imola’s tight corners and uphill sections.

Foggy said: “Just because we had a sixth at Assen doesn’t necessarily mean we will be able to repeat that at Imola, where you need a lot more acceleration and power for the slow corners and uphill drags. I have only ridden here once, for a Ducati test in 2000 with Ben Bostrom and Ruben Xaus. The weather was not helpful, but I did find it a difficult circuit to learn and my team has not tested here. So we will be aiming to finish in the top ten and I think that anything more than that will be a bonus.”

Corser still holds the Superpole record at Imola and was second in the first race of his only visit here, in 2001. But he echoed Carl’s realism, saying: “I really like the circuit but I do not think it will suit the FP1, at this stage of development, as much as Assen did. You need a lot of horsepower here as there are a few up and downhill climbs. The start-finish straight is also long, with top speed important. So I think this weekend is going to be one of the harder ones for us.”

Team-mate James Haydon has been struggling to recover from a hand injury sustained in a spectacular Assen crash, but is hopeful that, with painkilling injections, the strained tendons will not prevent a positive finish to his season. He said: “I would say that the hand is 80-85 per cent okay and some of the movements that I still can’t do I won’t really need for riding. I still don’t like people shaking my hand and it is a bit swollen but I have my grip back, which was what stopped me from racing at Assen. I also went out for a hard enduro session in Andorra, which is what you have to do with an injury like this, to break down the internal scar tissue.”

Circuit information: Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit, Imola, Italy

Superpole record: Troy Corser, 1:48.649 (2001).

Lap record: Troy Bayliss, 1:48.389 (2002 race)

Pole position: Left. Circuit length: 4.933km.

Corners: 10 left, 6 right

Corner radius: Maximum 60 degrees, minimum 11 degrees.

Slope: Downward 6.22 per cent. Upward 7.81 per cent


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Mission accomplished for Ducati Fila as the Team returns to Italy with two World Superbike titles

Imola (Italy), 25 September: Imola, the scene for last year’s titanic battle between Bayliss (Ducati) and Edwards (Honda), opens its gates again this weekend to World Superbike, which reaches the penultimate round of the 2003 championship. Team Ducati Fila’s mission for 2003 was accomplished at Assen when Neil Hodgson picked up the Riders’ title to go with the Manufacturers’ crown that Ducati had already clinched at Brands Hatch.


“Imola is exciting, historic and demanding” says the newly-crowned world champion. “and in particular I really enjoy the uphill part of the circuit after the tight corner, the flat out right then downhill to the Acque Minerali. It’s special, a real privilege to race for the factory with the support of all the fans, you have a responsibility to put on a good show. Although I have never had a good result at Imola, I am looking forward to this race like no other. I won the title at Assen but for me the only enjoyment out there comes from winning and I want to get two first places at Imola.”


Team-mate Ruben Xaus will also be looking for two good results to consolidate his second place in the championship. Ruben has already won at Imola for Ducati but does not feel any particular pressure at what is essentially Ducati’s ‘home’ race. “I feel no pressure here, it’s worse for me when I am at Valencia so the Imola race doesn’t create any problems” says Ruben. “I finished first and second in 2001 and twice third last year but I love racing here because there are thousands of ‘ducatisti’, the track is in Italy and Ducati has always obtained fantastic results at Imola, starting with the 200 Miles race in 1972”.


Circuit: the Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari has been permanent since 1979, when it was updated and modified to become an established Formula 1 venue. The first World Superbike round was held here in 2001, and last year’s spectacular race was watched by a record-breaking 97,000 spectators, the highest-ever figure in Italian motorcycling history. The 4.933 km sloping circuit has 10 left and 6 right-hand corners and a finish line straight measuring 358 metres.


Ducati employees: The Imola race will also be a special event for the many Ducati employees who work at the Borgo Panigale factory just a quick trip up the motorway. A 500-seat grandstand has been reserved for employees, suppliers and supporters directly in front of the Ducati Fila pit garage and they are sure to make a spectacular sight with their red Ducati T-shirts! Meanwhile down at the Rivazza curve the usual display of pyrotechnics has been organised by the Ducati Desmodromic Club of Rome to cheer on the Ducati riders at that point of the circuit.


Fila Guests: Ducati Fila’s title sponsor will be bringing along three of its athletes, all keen Ducati fans, to Imola to lend their support to the team at the penultimate round of the championship: Italian ice-hockey star Gianluca Tomasello, Olympic slalom skier Giorgio Rocca and cross-country skiing expert Cristian Zorzi.


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

Yamaha supported teams Yamaha Belgarda and Yamaha Motor Germany will each enter an additional rider at round ten of the Supersport World Championship, in Imola this weekend (26-28 September).

One event entries have been granted for current Japanese 250 champion Tekkyu Kayo and five-times Australian champion Kevin Curtain. Kayo will ride in the colours of the Italian Yamaha Belgarda Team, for whom he finished fourth in his one and only previous World Supersport outing – at Sugo – earlier this year. The 24-year-old Japanese has had a varied season this year. His ‘full-time’ job has involved defending his All-Japan 250 title and, in addition to the Sugo outing, he has also raced as a wild-card at the Japanese 250GP and at the Suzuka 8-Hour, where he qualified strongly on a YZF-R1.



“Sugo was the first time I rode the YZF-R6 but I found that I had no trouble adapting to it after the two-stroke TZ250,” explained Kayo. “Before that race I also had concerns about communicating with the Italian team but I found them to be very professional and had no problems at all. At Sugo I learned about the team and bike and although Imola is a new track for me I have watched videos of races there so that I can learn a little about it. I do not have to consider the championship standings and I hope to thank the team for this opportunity by getting a good race result – hopefully at least as good as at Sugo.”


Kevin Curtain
By contrast Curtain is an experienced World Supersport rider with 28 previous appearances in the championship. A full-time WSS rider in 2001 and 2002, he won two races in the 2001 season. This year he won both the Australian Formula Xtreme and Supersport championships racing a YZF-R1 and YZF-R6. Earlier this year he also rode his domestic championship R6 as a wild-card at the Australian World Supersport round in Phillip Island, finishing fifth and Yamaha Motor Germany team manager Terrell Thien is hoping to use all of the rider’s experience.

He said: “Kevin is a proven rider. He knows the Yamaha R6, knows Dunlop tyres and he likes the Imola circuit. We’ve built a bike for him with an identical specification to that of our regular riders. I’ve spoken to Kevin many times over the years and I know that he is keen to return to the world championship full-time. He will be motivated to do well and I am sure that he will be able to provide us with a lot of valuable technical feedback.”

Curtain added: “I’ve been over in Europe since Monday and that has given me a chance to meet the team and adjust little things like the position of the handlebars and footpegs. They’ve built a bike especially for me and I’m hoping to repay the team by getting a good result at Imola.”


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

Race date: 28 September 2003
Track length: 4933m
Year opened: 1952
2002 WSB winner: Colin Edwards (Honda) (both races)
WSB lap record: 1:48.717 – Colin Edwards (Honda)
2002 WSS winner: Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki)
WSS lap record: 1:53.954 – Fabien Foret (Honda)

Imola – Kayo and Curtain add extra spice
The Supersport World Championship makes its third and final visit to Italy this season when the penultimate round of the 2003 campaign takes place at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, on the outskirts of the town of Imola, a 20 minute drive from the city of Bologna, next weekend (September 26-28).

This undulating 4.9km circuit is one of four circuits shared between the World Supersport and Formula One car racing series, which means that teams and fans alike can expect to find great facilities. Imola has been the scene of many great battles on both four wheels and two and last season’s World Superbike title showdown between Troy Bayliss and Colin Edwards showed that this circuit can produce some great bike racing action.

This year the Imola event will be especially hectic for Yamaha. In addition to the seven regular supported Supersport riders, Yamaha will also have two additional entries for this race: Japanese 250 champion Tekkyu Kayo and five-times Australian champion Kevin Curtain. Kayo will ride in the colours of the Italian Yamaha Belgarda Team, while the experienced Curtain is riding for Yamaha Motor Germany.

Yamaha YZF-R6 set-up report – an interesting layout

Imola, like so many circuits used by Formula One cars, is bumpy with a lot of surface changes making chassis set-up critical. The many chicanes added in to slow down the cars over the years have emancipated fast and challenging corners like Tamburello and Villeneuve and contribute to the stop-start nature which puts a premium on front-end feel. For the riders it is an interesting track to ride, although one of the more challenging tracks at which to find an optimum setting.

These slow corners provide a good opportunity to outbrake rivals, making stability and front-end feedback vital. To cope with the bumps, which are small and rippled, the riders will normally run a fairly soft front spring to provide a plush ride, although this does cause the bike to bottom out under hard braking. To compensate, a smaller air chamber will be used in the front forks.

Supersport rules allow the use of different camshafts, air intakes and fuel injection mappings to boost power over the stock bike. The many slow corners at Imola means that the top-power specification used at some of the faster tracks will be replaced by a more conservative motor tuned to deliver strong mid-range power between 8,000 and 12,000rpm. This mid-range punch is a real benefit at Imola, which has two uphill sections. These follow low-gear corners where it is difficult to make an advantage from carrying high corner speed.

Power counts up these hills, and the Yamaha has generally worked well on these types of circuit, with the R6 regularly recording the fastest speed trap figures thanks to this strong acceleration out of the slow corners.

Season so far – Vermeulen can win the title in Italy
A crash for Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Belgarda Team) at Assen may have ruled the Dutchman out of the championship race, but there is still plenty to play for at the final two races.

The Australian with the Dutch name, Chris Vermeulen (Honda), looks to have one hand on the title and will secure the title with a finish of eighth or better in Imola. Second in the final standings is still a possibility for Van den Goorbergh, who is keen to chalk up his first win in a debut Supersport season that has seen him on the podium in four of the ten races so far.

Christian Kellner (Yamaha Motor Germany) was a winner in Sugo and some strong results in the last two rounds could see him with a top five championship finish. Challenging him for that honour will be Italian rider Alessio Corradi (Yamaha Team Italia Spadaro) who is currently seventh in the series and always impressive on home territory.

(Note of explanation for confused e-mailers: As opposed to another press release issued by AMA Pro Racing, seen in the earlier post 9/24/2003 More Press Releases From The AMA Finale At Barber Motorsports Park, which basically states that Jamie Hacking won the 2003 Supersport title on a Suzuki, which is why we dropped in the word “sic” behind the reference in that release.)

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

SPIES WINS AMA LOCKHART-PHILLIPS USA FORMULA XTREME TITLE

Third straight championship in the class for Suzuki

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 25, 2003) — Ben Spies, 19, of Longview, Texas, won the AMA Lockhart-Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series championship Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park. Spies was the foremost rider of the series earning five victories in 10 races on his factory Yoshimura Suzuki. The championship marked the first pro title for Spies, a former AMA Horizon Award winner, who is considered by many experts to be the leading up-and-coming rider in AMA road racing. It was also the third straight AMA Formula Xtreme championship for Suzuki.

Spies opened the 2003 AMA Formula Xtreme Series with dominating wins at California Speedway and Infineon Raceway. A crash at the rainy Road Atlanta round in May cost Spies the points lead.

From that point Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke took over. Zemke, who actually tied last year’s champion Jason Pridmore in the championship and lost in a tiebreaker, appeared to have control of the series until he uncharacteristically crashed at Road America.

It was then Graves Yamaha rider Damon Buckmaster’s, a perennial contender for the Formula Xtreme title, turn to lead the series. But even the Aussie racing veteran Buckmaster found the Formula Xtreme lead a slippery proposition to hold on to. Buckmaster jumped the start of the last round in Monterey, Calif., came back to finish eighth in that race, yet he too lost the series lead.

After suffering through a sub-par mid-season, Spies came back to life in a big way. He proved he loved racing in the Golden State by taking a lopsided victory during the World Superbike weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and took back the series lead.

From there it was all Spies. He went on to win at Mid-Ohio and Virginia International Raceway to open up a nearly insurmountable lead. By the time the series rolled into Barber Motorsports Park Spies needed only to finish 23rd or better to win the championship. He cruised home to an easy third in the season finale behind Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking and Zemke to take the top prize.

“The year went exactly like I wanted it to,” Spies claimed. “We came here (to Barber Motorsports Park) with a 30-point lead, just did what we had to do. It was my first year with the factory team and it gives me confidence going into next year on superbike. I mean the championship was awesome and it’s definitely going to be there forever, but I’m ready to get in the superbike class. We start testing next month and I’m ready to go.”

Buckmaster once again came up just short in his title bid. He finished the year a distant 33-points down to Spies, even though the Aussie veteran was able to keep his hopes alive for a first AMA title until the final race. Buckmaster was runner-up to John Hopkins in 2001 and finished a close third last year to Jason Pridmore and Zemke. Zemke dropped one spot from his ranking last year and was third in this season’s final standings.

From a press release issued by Team Stargel Aprilia:

New Beginnings At Barber, But A Sad End For Two Strokes In America

This past weekend, Barber Motorsports Park hosted its first round of AMA motorcycle races, sadly it also marked the last running of two stroke grand prix motorcycles in AMA competition. Defending AMA 250GP series champion, Team Stargel Aprilia, was hoping that it could capture a win in the final AMA 250GP race.

Barber Motorsports Park is a beautiful facility that also proved to be a challenging one in regards to preparing the team’s remarkable Aprilia RSV250. After three revisions to the transmission, and a fair amount of chassis work, Chuck Sorensen landed on top of Friday afternoon’s practice times, with a time of 1:29.4. On Saturday, he qualified second, a few tenths behind pole sitter, Rich Oliver.

Sunday morning brought a period of heavy rains and the track conditions became uncertain. The 250GP race was delayed slightly, and the track was mostly dry by race time.

In the race, Sorensen got away in third position, passed for second by turn four, then tried to reel in the race leader, Oliver. Oliver built a lead of fractions of a second each lap that would not be erased. Sorensen brought his strong running Aprilia over the line in second to end the season.

In eleven rounds of AMA 250GP competition this year, Team Stargel Aprilia suffered one DNS due to rider injury, one DNF due to engine failure, one fourth place finish due to a faulty spark plug, and recorded eight second place finishes. The year included a dislocated right hand that required surgery, a broken foot, and a number of instances of simple bad luck. Through it all, the team displayed a sense of unity, pride, and a competitive spirit that was never diminished.

Rider, Chuck Sorensen, endured both physical pain as well as personal sacrifices, while always putting forth the effort of a true three-time class champion. Team mechanic, Ward Wilson, was near flawless in his preparation of the fastest 250 the AMA has ever seen, while remaining one of the hardest working individuals in the AMA paddock. Team Stargel Aprilia is thankful for the privilege of racing with so many great AMA 250GP competitors in this, the final year of the class.

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

SHAKEY SET FOR FINAL SHOWDOWN

2003 British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne is hoping to round off a superb season in fine style as the curtain comes down on another season at Donington Park this weekend.

‘Shakey’ took his inaugural BSB win at the Leicestershire circuit earlier on last season and is hoping to go out in a blaze of glory to celebrate the hard fought championship which he has dominated this season.

With the need for consistency meaning he has enjoyed just one win in the last eleven races, the 26 year old Isle of Sheppey racer is planning on topping the podium once again to prove that he has lost none of his spark going into the winter recess and is hungry for success at the season finale:

“Make no bones about it I’m there to win this weekend and to remind people who’s the champion. I’ve had to settle for safe points in the second half of the season and I put myself under enormous pressure at Brands last time out but I’m really up for it at Donington. We’re hoping to have a few drinks on Sunday evening so I’ll need the winner’s champagne for that if nothing else!” quipped Byrne.

Meanwhile, 2002 Supersport champion Stuart Easton is aiming to redress the balance this time around after missing out on the team’s title celebrations last year. Then, the Hawick teenager was recovering from a high speed crash in which he badly broke his foot at the final round and couldn’t help fellow Scot Steve Hislop celebrate in style.

Despite relinquishing his title this year, Easton too is hoping to finish the season with his second successive victory at a track which has been less than kind to him in the past:

“Donington owes me some dues and I aim to put that right this weekend. I said at Brands I got lucky to win but this time I’m hoping to win it from the front. I was fully drugged up last year and in a lot of pain but this time perhaps I can sample a couple of shandys with the boys to thank them for the fantastic job they’ve done for me again this season” said Easton.

Team Owner Paul Bird, who is hoping to do some guest rides around the circuit in his newly acquired Hyundai Accent World Rally Car over the weekend commented:

“We need to go out with a bang because we don’t know if we are coming back” said the Penrith businessman.

“There’s a good chance but with our plans being up in the air at the moment, we need people to remember us as the race winning champions and that’s what I’m hoping my riders will do. I might even buy a round on Sunday night if they manage to pull that off but if not they’ll be standing the cost. And knowing Shakey and Rat Boy, that will spur them on more than anything, the thought of them having to dip their hands in their pockets!” joked Bird, typifying the party mood of the weekend.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

After watching the second Superbike race at Barber, it sure seems to me that Ben Bostrom owes John Jacobi, Dean Mizdal and Miguel Duhamel a huge apology for that move.

John Jacobi is right, the race is as important to himself and his team as it is to the factories, and that does not mean they own the racetrack.

Ben made a mistake, and we have all done that. But I am sick and tired of the factory guys always blaming someone else for their mistakes. It would be nice for once if someone would just say “I screwed up, I couldn’t let Kurtis get away and I tried something I should not have.”

I and alot of other people would have a lot of respect for that.

If they (the 3 lapped riders) had indeed seen the blue flag and then Kurtis comes by on the outside you wouldn’t expect to get drilled on the inside when the line was sorta out a bit (except for Ben’s line).

Again, Ben just needs to say “I screwed up.” Yes, it was racing, but just accept the blame.

Greg Esser
AMA 250cc GP #26
Pompano Beach, Florida



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I was watching the Speed Channel coverage of this when it happened. The first thing that occurred to me was: Why, if three teammates are running 1-2-3 with 4th place some seconds back, was Ben Bostrom so hot on Miguel Duhamel’s tail? He took a chance on an inside line, and it didn’t pan out. Unfortunately, it took out his teammate as well.

I saw John Jacobi’s email on your site and am amazed that anyone is even contemplating giving him grief for this incident. “That’s racing” is the only response.

Maybe lapped riders, IF they are willing to compromise their own racing line, AND they are willing to hold up for leaders to pass, AND they know there may be additional lead-lap riders coming up on them (in addition to the one that just passed him on the outside…) could possibly use a line that allows a really aggressive racer to go by on the inside. I did this when I was racing, but I was a CCS Amateur with a couple of seasons experience.

Asking, or even implying, that an AMA Expert who regularly qualifies for Superbike races should do the same is unacceptable. In this case a blue flag would have been worthless since there were not one, not two, but three racers on the lead lap passing him at almost the same time. How was John to know how many other riders were about to pass him, or where to compromise to make it less dangerous? The only answer is to race his own line and have the overtaking riders deal with it, just like the racing school instructors tell students.

CP Tomes
North Liberty, Iowa



FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I agree totally with John Jacobi’s comments. I believe Miguel Duhamel owes him an apology for his ranting and raving. Ben Bostrom clearly caused the chain-reaction crash-fest per the replay I saw so I applaud John for sticking up for himself when he feels wronged. I do believe that Ben will admit causing the crash because I’ve personally met him and he is a stand-up guy.

Blue flags are in order AMA, get the hint? MotoGP does it, WSB does it, so, for once pull your finger out and do it, too!

Darick Pash
CMRA #123 Amateur
Abilene, Texas


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

This past weekend I drove 16 hours from just north of Toronto, Ontario Canada to spend three days as a spectator at the inaugural AMA Superbike race at the Barber Motorsports facility. After spending the weekend there with a few friends, I am left with a few questions along with comments.

First off, why do all the Factory pro riders feel the need to complain about the amount of backmarkers in the field? Do they not realize that without them, it may be a little empty out there on the racetrack? If it is as big a problem as they make it out to be, then why aren’t they complaining to Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki? If the other manufacturers followed the lead of the U.S. Honda team and fielded three factory Superbikes, the depth and pace of the riders on the track would greatly improve, thus reducing the amount of slower riders. Where the hell does Yamaha put their racing budget, anyway? If the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” belief is really true, well, then I see no reason why they couldn’t field Hacking and Buckmaster on R1 Superbikes. Forget about FX, no one watches it anyway. Does the average fan really know the difference between that and Superbike? Lay off the privateers, it’s their own time, own money and I’m sure just about any one of them out there could easily win Regional or Club Pro races.

Overall I quite enjoyed the weekend in Alabama. I liked the fact that Rich Oliver and Michael Barnes had the decency to actually thank George Barber for building the track. I liked the fact that Mat Mladin was able to win his record 4th Championship. I enjoyed watching Shawn Higbee, Jordan Szoke and a few other privateers ride their asses off. But most of all, I just liked being at that amazing facility. From a spectator and a racer, thank you, George Barber.

By the way, I tried to take advantage of your subscription promo there, but she said it wasn’t open to Canadians so I bought the current issue and a T-shirt instead. Thanks for doing such a great job with the magazine and more importantly, the Airfence fund. Job well done.

Jesse Lauder
District Sales Manager, Parts Canada
Barrie H-D/Buell Canadian Pro Thunder #11

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

The new rules may indeed give an unfair advantage to the Twins, we have never tried to set one of those up. I’m not the last word on this by any means, but by hamstringing any development by the factory teams I don’t see any advancement happening.

This new year all of the Japanese teams will be on four-cylinders anyway and as shown this year, massive horsepower gains will damage tires sooner than later.

Our motors have been LEGAL from the first race this year, Micheal Barnes leased motors from us 2-3 times and was happy with the power delivery and output. Our trap speed at most tracks was in the top five and no one saw fit to protest. We did test 2-3 different airboxes and saw no reason to run anything but the stocker.

Our pistons (Wiseco), cams (Web-cam) and rods (Crower) are available to anyone. We did make our own version of the kit swingarm (2 inches longer than the stock) to allow Shawn to get on the gas earlier.

Again, there can be no greater praise than to have the 4-time Champion complaining about the speed of Shawn’s bike. And we never got our weight below 382 all year–and we tried!

Kevin Hunt
KWS
Charleston, South Carolina


More, from a press release issued by Shawn Higbee:

Higbee Responds to Mladin’s Comments from Barber

I got a chuckle out of reading what Mladin said in Saturday’s Superbike press conference at Barber. I couldn’t resist responding to his comment about how fast my bike was. I’m sure I could talk Kevin (Hunt) into trading some horsepower and/or larger rear sprockets for a few of those trick Yoshimura pieces that Mladin uses.

You know, the kit swingarm, carbon fiber parts, narrow charging system, slipper clutch, swingarm pivot inserts, shock linkages, steering head inserts and the rest of those nice pieces that most privateers can’t afford. If the faster privateers could get enough sponsorship for a full Superbike instead of a Supersport bike with a fast motor, then Mladin will really have something to complain about next year.

Shawn Higbee
AMA Superbike #114
Big Bend, Wisconsin

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

World Supersport Championship 2003 – Round 10
Imola Race Preview
26 – 28 September 2003

VERMEULEN HOPES FOR TITLE AT IMOLA

Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) enters the Imola WSS race in need of only eight points to make certain of his first and Honda’s second World Supersport Championship Riders’ title. His form this year has often been nothing short of outstanding, and he has secured four wins in nine attempts, scored only one DNF and has taken two additional podium slots along the way.

He was forced into giving best at the previous round at Assen to his team-mate Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR), after a convincing ride from both Ten Kate pilots, but with the championship tantalisingly close Vermeulen will be hoping to score an entire fistful of wins before the season finishes at Magny Cours in France on 19 September. In the Manufacturers’ Championship, Honda enjoys a 34-point lead over the next closest constructor, with two rounds to go.

The evocative Imola venue, which welcomes the World Supersport circus this weekend with open arms, is the third Italian track of the year, the previous Monza and Misano weekends providing excellent sport and a great contrast to Imola.

The Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in the city centre is no stranger to motorsports of all kinds but is a very different design to most others in Italy. It’s undulating straights, fast corners and elevations are reigned in somewhat by a proliferation of slower chicanes, providing some contrast to Monza’s level parkland speedbowl, Misano’s schizophrenic fast and slow flatness and Mugello’s wide corners and flowing chicanes, running either side of a Tuscan valley. Imola is thus a broad and textured canvas for the WSS artisans to produce their best work on, and the WSS weekend is a popular event in its own right, as last year’s claimed 97,000 spectators will attest to.

Last year Vermeulen scored a podium at Imola and this year he wants to improve on his third position if possible. Prudence dictates that he must adopt a flexible strategy, however, as he is so close to the championship win itself.

“I enjoyed the place last year and I finished third,” reminisced Vermeulen after his arrival in Italy, “and it might have been even better but for some technical problems. It was only my second podium ever. I really like the track and if there is the chance to win then I’ll try my best to take it. In a way I also have to be a little cautious, as it is possible to win the championship this weekend. I do not want to win the title by finishing eighth, however, so I will attack it like any other race.”

For Muggeridge, Imola could not come at a better time, after his win at Assen.

“Imola should be OK for us even if we had a problem in the race last year,” said Muggeridge, shortly before heading off to Italy. “The new bike is really good this year. And after the Assen win I will be trying to ride the wave and see where I can go from now on. I just want to get out there in all the sessions and give it all I’ve got.”

Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) will find Imola a novel experience, but if his recent performances are anything to go by, he will have no problems finding the fast lines right away.

“Imola will be the first time for me because last year I had a fracture after the Bol d’Or but I like the look of it. It appears to be a special track – up-down, chicanes, and faster corners. I am confident and relaxed, have a good team and a good bike behind me. It is necessary to get good points so I can improve my championship position in readiness for next season.”

Iain Macpherson (van Zon Honda CBR600RR) makes the long journey from his native Scotland to the middle of Italy once more this year, with high hopes but a relaxed attitude for the penultimate race.

“I quite like the circuit,” said Macpherson, “and I’m hopeful of getting a good result. I’m just going to ride as smooth and fast as I can and see how it’s going to go. I have no expectations about places I’ll finish in, I’ll just go and do my very best.”

Robert Ulm (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) has not that long a journey to reach Imola from Austria and experience prevents him from making any pre-race prophecies.

“I think Imola is a nice track but I don’t have any predictions for the race,” said Ulm. “I think the Honda is good everywhere and the best bike of this season so I am certainly ready for Imola.”

Werner Daemen, Macpherson’s teamster in the Van Zon effort is another who will be making the most of his last two chances to shine in the 2003 season – and may well now have the means to extend his results into new territories.

“We got some new parts for the Assen race and they made a big difference,” said Daemen. “The bike is really good, fast and suits me well so I am hoping for a good result at Imola. The track is good there, a nice mix of corners and hills.”

The final race, at the re-visited SBK venue of Magny Cours, takes place on October 19.


More, from a press release issued by the World Superbike Press Office:

Penultimate Round holds high hopes for SBK

As the home stretch comes into view for the 2003 SBK express there is still much for the top competitors in SBK to play for. Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila 999 F03) may have clinched the overall championship, and Ducati have taken the manufacturers’ crown, but for most of the rest of the competitors, with 2004 plans still not fixed, the results of the two Imola Superbike races will be pivotal.


Since the inclusion of Imola into the SBK calendar in 2001, it has formed the final hurdle of the challenging SBK championship, but this year it is the penultimate test of production derived machines, with the final round appearing on October 19 at Magny Cours in France.


Imola, a traditionally rapid circuit, albeit adorned by numerous chicanes to maintain a safe level of corner speed on today’s 200bhp Superbikes, has seen some epic clashes over the past two years.


Of the current crop of Superbike aces two have enjoyed wins at the Imolese circuit, Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila 999 F03) and Regis Laconi (Ducati NCR Nortel 998RS). Each took a win in the 2001 season, on a Ducati and Aprilia respectively and each was good value for their successes.


Xaus has mounted more of a challenge to Hodgson than any other rider this season, and his total of four race wins have helped him to a 51-point lead over third place, almost guaranteeing second place on his factory machine. For Laconi, on a customer machine, wins have come tantalisingly close this season, but as yet he has not scored a full pointer. An old fashioned hard charger with the approach of a cavalier and the experience of a proven SBK and MotoGP race winner, Laconi will be on top form for his Italian based team at Imola, as he attempts too finish third overall.


Laconi’s target in the title race is English fighter James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati 998F02), after scoring a race win at Oschersleben in June and gathering points in a host of other races. Both Laconi and Toseland have a small fistful of DNFs this season, and that as much as anything else may determine their overall fates come Magny Cours.


Imola will present the Alstare Suzuki rider Gregorio Lavilla with a special challenge on his four cylinder 1000cc GSX-R. Despite the mandatory restrictor plates fitted on the intakes of his factory machine, the big Suzuki has proved to be fast at virtually every track, and a fully competitive machine in its first year of competition. The prospect of his first win will be enough to see Lavilla pushing as hard as ever in Italy.


Chris Walker, Toseland’s HM Plant Ducati team-mate has had his usually dramatic season, riding the highs as well as the lows with his infectious enthusiasm for the next challenge and Imola will be no different for him than his home circuits like Brands or Silverstone or the far flung rounds at Sugo.


The most experienced man in the championship is the elder- statesman of the SBK paddock, Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati 998RS). His business suit may be made out of leather but his approach to the art of on track war is still as pugilistic as ever. Having already scored a race win at Laguna Seca in July. Chili could only top that marvellous display with a win in front of a home crowd at Imola.


With the usual crew of tough privateers running Ducati 998RS machines, the Suzukis of Lavilla and part time rider Vittorio Iannuzzo, are joined in the exhaust symphony by the high-pitched howl of the three-cylinder Foggy Petronas FP1, piloted by Troy Corser and James Toseland. Improvements to the triple have seen it almost match its early season best of fifth at the previous Assen round. Corser, the 1996 World Champion, can maybe even improve on that score in Italy, but needs to be on absolute top form to take on the more highly developed competition.


More, from a press release issued by Michelin:

Michelin: Imola Preview UK

Hodgson looking to celebrate world title at Ducati home track

Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila-Michelin) rode to the 2003 World Superbike title at the last round, in Assen, on September 7. He comes to Italy ready to celebrate his new crown at a track located only minutes from his employer’s home. Imola is only 35 km away fr om Ducati’s Bologna HQ so Hodgson and Spanish team-mate Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila-Michelin) will be aiming for more glory in front of Ducati personnel and numerous local Ducati fans. Hodgson’s title is Michelin’s twelfth in the championship. In a recent interview, Hodgson, who previously worked with a rival manufacturer, revealed some of the secret to Michdelin’s success. “People think they didn’t do as much development work, but I did three tests with Michelin and they turned up with twenty new tyres just because I didn’t like the feeling at the front,” Hodgson answered, when asked how much of a difference his Michelins made this year, despite the fact that the French tyre giant didn’t do a lot of development work. “They couldn’t have worked much harder, they must have produced sixty tyres for me to test, which I’d never experienced before. They didn’t really have to because I was leading the championship and going well. They realised I had a problem and so they worked hard. At the start of the season I was nervous about doing the transition from Dunlop to Michelin but I took to them like a duck to water. They are the best tyres I have ever used.”

Michelin and Ducati in World Superbikes

Michelin and Ducati started winning together as soon as the World Superbike championship was created. At the very first round held at Donington in 1988, Marco Lucchinelli won the second leg on a Ducati-Michelin. Michelin’s years working alongside Ducati ha ve yielded great results including Carl Fogarty’s four world titles in 1994, 95, 98 and 99, Raymond Roche’s 1990 title. Then came the Australians with Troy Corser becoming world champion in 1996 and Troy Bayliss in 2001. Neil Hodgson put Britain back in fr ont this year as Ducati’s latest Superbike world champion.

Foggy Petronas Racing’s development work

The Foggy Petronas Racing team recently asked rider Jamie Morley to ride a development session at the Bruntingthorpe test track. “We are very happy, that the development of the FP1 is heading in the right direction,” said Ariff Ahmad from the Petronas motor sports division. “And also with the, incredible hard work and commitment displayed by everyone involved in this project.”

Imola and tyres

Imola is one of few European anti-clockwise tracks (Misano is another). It used to be extremely fast but average speeds were greatly reduced after Ayrton Senna’s tragic 1994 crash. Imola is 35 km southeast of Bologna, 90 km from Florence, 16 km from Faenza and 35 km from Forili. “You need a nimble machine for Imola’s three chicanes,” says Michelin’s chief of motorcycling competitions Nicolas Goubert. “The chicanes mean that the right-hand side of the tyre doesn’t get loaded up much under braking so grip characteristics need to be good. Combining high levels of sidegrip with light steering is hard, especially on a bumpy surface like this one.”

The Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari started life in 1950 as a public road circuit. Imola’s first large-scale motorcycle race was held in 1953. Imola became a permanent racing circuit in 1979 and welcomed the Formula One ,championship for an exhibition race (held a week after the Italian GP at Monza). The first F1 championship race happened the following year and was called the “Gran Premio Dino Ferrari”. Twelve motorcycle GPs have been held at Imola: 7 Nations GPs (1969, 72, 74, ,75, 77, 79, 88), two San Mari no GPs (81, 83) and three City of Imola GPs (96, 97, 98). Freddie Spencer (Honda-Michelin) took his first 500cc World Championship at Imola in 1983, beating Kenny Roberts by just one point.

Michelin and Imola

Michelin brings a total of 600 tyres (400 rears and 200 fronts), wet and dry, for this race. Sizes are 19 / 67-420 (16,5 inch) for rear slicks, rain tyres and intermediates. Front tyre sizes are 12/60-420 (16.5 inch) tyres.

Michelin’s on-site personnel includes one team manager and two tyre fitters.

Since the start of the world Superbike championship in 1988, Michelin riders have won 264 races out of 383 and taken 12 out of 16 world titles. Michelin won 25 races out of 26 in 2002 and 15 out of 20 this year.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula USA racers Matt Wait and Nicky Cummings are scheduled to be guests on Speed Freaks, a nationally syndicated motorsports radio talk show, Sunday, September 28.

Wait, the defending Formula USA Grand National Champion, and 16-year-old Cummings, the current F-USA GNC point leader, will be talking about the F-USA dirt track event in Del Mar, California October 4-5 and the Formula USA/CCS Race of Champions at Daytona International Speedway October 16-19.

The 2003 F-USA Grand National Championship, which is decided by the most points accumulated in select dirt track and road race events, will conclude at the Daytona event.

Current Formula USA Grand National Championship Point Standings (after 8 of 10 events):

1. Nicky Cummings, 118 points
2. Matt Wait, 90 points
3. Bryan Smith, 86 points
4. Nate Wait, 85 points
5. Scott Greenwood, 83 points
6. Rob Pearson, 78 points
7. Terry Poovey, 69 points
8. Davey Durelle, 67 points
9. Jeff Wood/Logan Myers/Dan Stanley, TIE, 66 points
10. Michael Himmelsbach/Willie McCoy, TIE, 56 points

For additional information, go to www.formulausa.com or www.ccsracing.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The hottest topic of conversation at Barber Motorsports Park during the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike series finale wasn’t the lush landscaping of the perfectly manicured facility but rather the fact that as the season was ending there was confusion over how new rules and class structures will affect the paddock during the 2004 AMA season. Teams, riders and fans left the final race of the 2003 without any clear idea of what they would be doing in 2004.

Suzuki was probably the least happy manufacturer in the AMA paddock. The company wants to run Mat Mladin, Aaron Yates and Ben Spies in Superbike but does not like the announced 2004 Superbike rules, which will restrict its GSX-R1000 (and all 1000cc Fours) by forcing it to run with a stock airbox and throttle bodies while 1000cc V-Twins will be allowed to run homologated throttle bodies in 2004.

“They’re restricting us [1000cc Fours] versus what we had this year to race with, but they’re not restricting the V-Twin. And our question is we’re not the fastest bike there is out there right now. The V-Twin Honda has had faster trap speeds than we do, so why would we be restricted and the V-Twins not be restricted and be able to dominate. All we want to do is add some parity in there. That’s all we’re asking them to do,” American Suzuki vice-president, motorcycle division Mel Harris told Roadracingworld.com on Sunday, September 28 at Barber.

“Mat Mladin says if he doesn’t have a bike that’s competitive, he’s not going to go through what he went through last year. He’s going to stay home. He’s not going to take my money and race. If you have a rider with that kind of feeling, it kind of makes you step back and look at the whole situation.

“We’re not saying we have the fastest bike. We’ve won a lot of races this year, but Honda’s won races, Kawasaki’s won races. So it’s not that bad. Why do we want to change it again? To be honest with you, if Nicky [Hayden] would have been over here it would have been a lot closer on many weekends. Mat is a world class-leading rider. He’s here, and that’s why he’s dominating things. Not the bike. It’s the rider.”

Harris suggested the 2004 AMA Superbike rules should be similar to the technical rules used in the 2003 World Superbike series, where 1000cc three- and four-cylinder machines used air restrictors in an attempt to even things out with 1000cc V-Twins. Every race of the 2003 World Superbike series to date has been won by a rider on a 1000cc V-Twin, but there are few riders on 1000cc Threes and Fours competing in the series.

Suzuki is also not happy with the AMA’s proposed regulation which would restrict factory Superbike riders from participating in the new-for-2004 1000cc Superstock class because it wants to enter Yates in Superstock in 2004.

“This is Pro racing,” said Harris. “They should be able to race more than one class if they want to do that. But they want to restrict that. So we have some major concerns. We’ve been writing the AMA. We sent them letters. We got no response, no respect for what we want to do. So we now are in a position where we have to make a decision on what we’re going to do next year. Are we going to race anything or are we going to go away?”

Like it did last season, Yamaha Motor Corporation is going to stay out of the premier AMA class again in 2004 and race its brand-new YZF-R1 in Superstock, if the rules allow.

“Right now, I guess everyone’s waiting for a rulebook to get finalized, but I’d say there’s a strong chance we’re just going to be in the Superstock class and [Supersport] again. We’ll see what develops, but that’s what we’re looking at right now,” said Yamaha Racing Manager Keith McCarty.

Asked what the decision to race in Superstock instead of Superbike was based on, McCarty said, “I think it’s more of what we can or can’t do for Superbike (technical rules). There’s a lot of issues, I think, overall that leads you to those decision, but not really one thing or the other. Like I said, I think we’re looking at everything that we think is relevant to making a good decision and if everything was aligned we would go with the Superbike. If not, we go with Superstock.”

McCarty’s plan is for his four returning riders (Damon Buckmaster, Jamie Hacking, Aaron Gobert and Jason DiSalvo) to race in Supersport and in the 1000cc Superstock class (under the Graves Motorsports tent), which is risky considering AMA Pro Racing’s proposed entry restrictions for that class.

“I think what they’re trying to do is keep guys who are racing Superbike from going down and into Superstock,” said McCarty. “I’m not sure there’s a real purpose for that. I’m not really sure what their motivation is to do that, but in the end run I don’t think that’s going to be the issue.”

Kawasaki Racing Team Manager Michael Preston wouldn’t discuss any specifics of his plans for 2004, saying that the lack of rules made it impossible for him to make any plans.

“I can’t say,” said Preston. “We’re waiting to make sure we see a rulebook that’s finalized. A lot of other teams and officials are bantering. They’re unhappy because they haven’t been treated well by the rules. The biggest problem here is not having rules. We can accept that we don’t like something, but we want rules with some longevity so we can plan. The problem we have now, the rules, we have to make sure what they are and that they’re in writing. Until we do that, we can’t announce our team and where our guys will go.

“We just need some rules in writing. We need to think as a group, all of the team managers and all of the management of the manufacturers need to start thinking as a group and of the big picture and not just beyond their own team and what’s good for them. We need rules and some longevity. We need to quit badgering about ‘it doesn’t work for me’ and the ‘I, I, I.’

“The reason we [Kawasaki] don’t have an announcement is because we don’t have any rules. Once the rules come up, our company can decide where it best suits our needs to showcase our product. Until we see the rules we don’t really know.”

Preston said he would definitely field a team in Supersport on the 2004 ZX-6RR, but beyond that he only had several possible scenarios, which he would not discuss. He did say Kawasaki had interest in all four of the proposed 2004 AMA classes and wants to set up a Kawasaki satellite team.

American Honda’s racing teams manager Chuck Miller does not appear to be overly concerned about any of the 2004 AMA rules or class structures and said his plans mainly hinge on his yet-to-be-determined budget and on which riders he signs.

Currently, Miller has Ben Bostrom and Jake Zemke under contract and expects Miguel Duhamel to return to the team, with all three expected to at least ride in AMA Superbike in 2004. Although Miller expects his riders to be on the new CBR1000RR next season, he did not rule out the possibility of that his team would race the RC51 in 2004.

“We’re producing RC51s,” said Miller. “There’s a Nicky Hayden replica, and there has certainly been some interest in sales to continue to race that bike, because racing drives sales. We’re in a bit of a unique situation, having two machines that are two complete different configurations that could participate in the series. But I know we will be participating for sure on the new one, because it’s the new bike, it’s got all the new technology and we feel stronger capabilities to be competitive in the series here.”

Miller said it was possible that both the RC51 and CBR1000RR would race side-by-side or that his teams would start the season on the RC51 and transition over to the CBR1000RR mid-season. “Both are correct,” said Miller. “Depending on when production is and also we have to meet the homologation rules of the AMA. We have to make sure we have enough bikes in the USA by, I believe, it’s by June 1, to participate. That shouldn’t be a problem…We’re looking at a lot of different options right now.”

Saying it was possible Honda would field factory and/or support-level riders in all four proposed 2004 AMA classes, Miller seemed particularly fond of the re-structured Formula Xtreme class. “It’s going to be an exciting class because it’s going to be like the mini-Superbike class,” said Miller. “Being able to exercise your engineering potential is something that Honda’s always been happy about and happy to do. I’m confident we’ll be racing that class with multiple riders and definitely go after that Championship. Certainly support-level, but factory-level will be determined by what riders we have.”

Ducati Austin’s Vic Fasola said the team expected to return to the 2004 AMA Superbike series with increased support from Ducati Corse and possibly two riders, but added that team owner Terry Gregoricka was meeting with Ducati in Italy this week to discuss 2004 racing plans.

There are also rumors that Ducati Corse will bring its factory Superbike team from the World Superbike series to the AMA series with Michelin’s full support and possibly top-level International riders for 2004.