From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

HAYES FULFILLS EARLY PROMISE WITH AMA GENUINE SUZUKI ACCESSORIES SUPERSTOCK TITLE

Injury-plagued rider stays healthy and wins his first AMA Championship

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 24, 2003) — It’s been a long and often painful road for Josh Hayes, but the 28-year-old Attack Suzuki rider from Gulfport, Miss., finally broke through to win the 2003 AMA Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock title with a second-place finish at Barber Motorsports Park last Saturday. It was the first AMA Championship for Hayes, who has been a regular in AMA Pro Racing since 1999. Hayes’ championship marked the continued domination in AMA Superstock racing for Suzuki and its GSX-R750. This year Kawasaki gave Suzuki a serious run for title with Tommy Hayden on the potent and nimble Kawasaki ZX636.

The battle for the AMA Superstock Championship was the closest of all road racing series this season and it came down to the final laps of Saturday’s race at Barber. Hayes helped his cause by winning the pole and earning a championship point. The final was red-flagged on lap 13, which meant the championship would be decided in a five-lap restart sprint race. Hayes needed to finish third or better to win. In the restart he tucked in behind rival Hayden and rode safely home to second and the championship.

“The first three races were pretty rough,” Hayes said, “but we put the rest of the season together pretty good. We’ve been on the podium a whole lot, and it all paid off at the end. This is a pretty big deal; we’ve been fighting for this for quite a while. This year Superstock has been such an awesome class. I couldn’t have had more fun, and I couldn’t have won it a better way — started putting some race wins together late in the year. I feel like we really earned this as a team.”

Hayes was considered one of the leading young riders on the circuit after he was the surprise winner of the Daytona Superstock race in 1999 on a Valvoline Suzuki. But then a series of injuries that lingered over the next few seasons saw Hayes miss a number of races. The injuries kept him from being a serious championship contender until this season. After a slow start to the 2003 campaign Hayes caught fire mid-season and earned six consecutive podium finishes, including wins at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Hayden, who won five rounds this season, finished second in the series and Hooters Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec was third. In all there were five winners in Superstock this year – Tommy Hayden and Tony Meiring of Kawasaki, Haskovec, Steve Rapp of Valvoline EMGO Suzuki and Hayes.

“For Josh Hayes to beat that brand new Kawasaki in Superstock, a bike that’s lighter, more nimble, and smaller, on all these tracks we race on here in America is quite an accomplishment,” said Suzuki team advisor and former world champion Kevin Schwantz.

Hayes joins Jamie Hacking (Supersport) and Ben Spies (Formula Xtreme) as first-time AMA champions this year, coincidentally all on Suzukis (sic).


More, from a press release issued by Corona Extra Suzuki:

2003 AMA SEASON ENDS ON DAMP NOTE AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK SUPERBIKE EVENT

The 2003 AMA Superbike season finished as it started with torrential rain and delays to the race program. The extremely damp conditions did not prevent Corona Extra Suzuki recording an eighth in Superbike and sixth in Formula Extreme. However both team riders also took tumbles, which marred the damp weekend.

In the first Superbike event of the weekend’s doubleheader, Jordan Szoke who had qualified 14th after set-up problems, did not get off the line well and found himself in 12th position after the first lap. Jordan began working his way through the field reaching 7th by lap 14. He held the position nearly to the end of the race but was passed by the Factory Honda of Miguel DuHamel leaving him with 8th. Jordan said; “We have been chasing the right setup – we missed some practice because of work we were doing on the bike and that’s why my qualifying was not too good. We still have not got it quite right but my races times were nearly a second faster than qualifying! I think we know what to do to go even better for the next race!”

In the last ever 750cc SuperStock event (for 2004, the class will be running 1000cc machines), Adam Fergusson qualified fifth after a big slide at the end of his qualifying lap, which saw him nearly high side. Ferguson had consistently been among the fastest during practice and looked set to set a sub lap-record time on his qualifier tire. Come race time, Adam did not get one of his best starts, being 9th at the end of the first lap. He quickly started working his way up the field, getting into 6th by lap 6. Five laps from the end he lost the rear end and was viciously highsided into the gravel, bringing out the red flag. Fergusson, who walked away, was not able to restart having caused the red flag. Afterwards Fergusson said; “Going into the Carousel I hit a false neutral and ran off. I got back on but the transmission jumped into first at the next corner and spat me off! I’m alright but feel pretty banged up!” Fergusson finished the season 5th in the Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock championship. Jimmy Moore, who was still unfit to race finished the season in 13th.

The heavens opened on Sunday with several inches of rain flooding the paddock and forcing the excellent crowd (48,000 total for the inaugural AMA race weekend at the brand new and outstanding Barber facility) to shelter. The heavy rain delayed the scheduled program but amazingly the track dried very quickly forcing teams to switch from wet tires to slicks just before the delayed Superbike start. Jordan’s race however did not benefit from the track conditions as it lasted less than a lap owing to a broken clutch. Szoke finished 10th in the Superbike championship.

Formula Extreme was the last race of the2003 season. Ferguson, still stiff and bruised from his Saturday get off, started from fifth position and was in 8th position after the first lap. He picked off some more riders moving up to 6th by lap three. He lost one position before the end and settled for 7th position. Afterwards Fergusson said; “I found it hard to move around and just couldn’t get comfortable. Also, my hands took a beating yesterday and hanging on was tough. I thought about pulling in but I’m glad to have finished as high as I did”. Fergusson finished the Formula Extreme Championship in 5th position.

Jimmy Moore, who missed much of the season due to injury, finished the championship in 12th.

Though 2003 did not see another championship, the Corona Extra Suzuki Team is pleased to have maintained its position at the front of the classes entered. Now the focus will be on the 2004 season and getting back the winning form of previous seasons.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Former WERA racer Chris Jones and girlfriend Spice Griffith are on a two-year trip around the world on Kawasaki KLR650s. Since starting the trip June 17, they have ridden the Trans-American Trail, a 4000 mile trail of dirt roads, across the United States, and have traveled down into Mexico. They are currently exploring Mexico and are planning on continuing south to see Central and South America before crating their bikes and flying to Europe. Before leaving on the trip, 33-year-old Jones was employed as a Steadicam Operator working on the production of movies and commercials, while Griffith, 32, was a TV commercial Production Manager. They plan on filming the entire trip and are keeping an online journal at www.rtw101.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

While newly crowned 2003 AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin says announced 2004 AMA Superbike rules requiring stock airboxes and throttle bodies will slow down 1000cc four-cylinder bikes enough to put them at a serious disadvantage to 1000cc V-Twins, he’s also stated that privateer machines (said by their crews and riders to be equipped with stock airboxes and throttle bodies) are actually faster on the racetrack than his Yoshimura Suzuki with homologated kit throttle bodies and kit airbox.

Mladin has stated that announced AMA Superbike rules, which will mandate a stock airbox and stock throttle bodies on 1000cc four-cylinder machines, will decrease the power output of his GSX-R1000 and put him at a big disadvantage to the Twins in 2004.

“I think the AMA has made an absolute massive mistake in what they’ve done with the rules…essentially they’re allowing a full V-Twin Superbike and we’re going to be handicapped by, who knows, 10-15 horsepower. So all the AMA’s gone and done is put the advantage straight back into the V-Twin’s hands, like the V-Twins have had,” Mladin told Roadracingworld.com August 28 at Virginia International Raceway.

But Mladin also said that some current privateer bikes are faster than his, making the comments during a post-qualifying press conference September 20 at Barber Motorsports Park. In the press conference held after final Superbike qualifying, Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates was telling of the difficulty he had passing Suzuki GSX-R1000-mounted Michael Barnes during the session when Mladin jumped in with a comment.

“The privateer Suzukis are quicker than ours,” said Mladin. “I got behind Shawn Higbee and he pulled away from me down the straight, and I’m a factory rider. These guys are always complaining about their bikes, but there’s a couple of Suzukis out there that are quicker than ours.”

Higbee’s 2002-model GSX-R1000 runs with stock throttle bodies under a stock airbox and is legal under the 2004 Superbike rules, according to Kevin Hunt, Crew Chief for Kaufman/Millennium Suzuki.

“We’ve never changed the airbox and throttle bodies, primarily because of cost, again. The way our bikes sit right now, there would be no deviation for the ’04 class,” said Hunt September 21 at Barber. Hunt said that his bike has run the same pistons, rods and crankshaft all season with only the bearings changed at regular intervals and has not suffered any mechanical DNFs during 2003 races.

“On our dyno, a stock one [GSX-R1000] is in the 142-145 [horsepower] range. With the stock wheel and tire assembly on, we’re in the high-180s at the rear wheel. Not bad,” said Hunt.

When asked what he thought when he heard Mladin’s comment about his bike’s speed, Hunt smiled and said, “I was grinning all night, even in my sleep. It makes me feel good because we are still on a very durable combination. That’s a real big pat on the back to all of our mechanics. We haven’t even had any stupid stuff coming loose on the bike. I’m very, very happy with that.”

“We haven’t tested the stock throttle bodies with our current engine configuration,” said Yoshimura Suzuki team manager Don Sakakura when asked what he thought of the speed of Higbee’s Suzuki.

In a phone call to Roadracingworld.com today, Mladin said again that Higbee’s bike was faster than his in a straight line. Mladin also said that there is no way to know if Higbee’s bike is legal internally because the machine hasn’t been torn down by AMA officials, and that if it truly does have stock throttle bodies and a stock airbox with legal engine internals, then Higbee’s crew is building a better racebike than Mladin’s crew, and “I don’t believe it.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING FLAT TRACK RULE CHANGES TO BE RECONSIDERED IN 2005

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 24, 2003) — AMA Pro Racing will delay the implementation of new displacement and stock-frame requirements aimed at the 505 class for 2004 and reconsider phasing in the changes beginning in 2005.

This decision is primarily a result of the input gathered during the 30-day comment period that followed the announcement of preliminary 2004 rules in August. AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Manager Bruce Bober says this is an example of AMA Pro Racing’s responsiveness to the racing community. “After reviewing the feedback that was received during the 30-day comment period it became apparent to us that it is not in the best interest of the sport to enact these changes now,” said Bober. “Instead we’ll review the situation for possible 2005 race season implementation, which seems to be better for everyone involved.”

AMA Pro Racing CEO, Scott Hollingsworth added that for the long-term growth of flat track racing, evolving the rules for this class is very important. “We strongly believe that taking the 505 class more towards production-based equipment is vital for the sustained growth of flat track,” said Hollingsworth. “However, we listened carefully to those participating in the championship and agree that by delaying the changes for a year, more riders and teams can make a better transition to new equipment.”

As announced in August, rules for the twin-cylinder machines will be relatively unchanged for 2004.

To review the complete 2004 rules package logon to www.1800FlatTrack.com.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

RYO TAKES TWO MOTOGP WILD CARDS

Team Suzuki Press Office – September 23. 2003.
Team Suzuki factory rider Akira Ryo is set to make two wild-card entries in next month’s Pacific GP at Motegi, Japan and the following Malaysian round at Sepang.

Ryo, the 2001 All-Japan Superbike champion, has been engaged in the development of the prototype, Suzuki GSV-R, four-stroke, 990cc MotoGP machine this year. Although he competed in six MotoGP races in 2002, the massive GSV-R development program in Japan has so-far restricted Ryo’s opportunities to race in this year’s MotoGP events. But with the development program entering an exciting new phase, the time has come to test some of the new ideas and developments under real MotoGP race conditions.

Ryo gave the GSV-R a near fairy-tale debut, taking a close second place in the first ever MotoGP event that took place at Suzuka in 2002.


Akira Ryo – So far this year, my priority has been the continuing GSV-R development and test program. This has been very interesting and encouraging, but I am still a racer at heart, and so I am delighted to have the chance to get back to racing in these two MotoGP events. Of course we are still developing various designs, ideas, parts and technologies, but I still want to go for a good result, and because I know these two tracks really well from numerous test sessions I am hoping for the best. We have a lot of development items to test during these two events, but I would still like to get a good result for Suzuki and all Suzuki customers, supporters and fans.


AKIRA RYO – WILD CARD SCHEDULE:
October 5. Round 13. Pacific GP at the Twin Ring Circuit, Motegi, Japan.
October 12. Round 14. Malaysia GP at the Sepang Circuit, Malaysia.



AKIRA RYO PROFILE:
Birth Date & Place: Oct 20th, 1967 Tokyo


Career Highlights:
1984 – First race
1986 – First entry in MFJ Road Racing
1989 – Promoted to MFJ Junior class
1990 – Promoted to MFJ International A class, the third ranking at the All Japan TT F3
1991 – Move up to the All Japan TT F1 class
1998 – Second and Third places in World SBK Japan round
1999 – First and Second places in World SBK Japan round
2000 – First wild-card entry in WGP
2001 – All-Japan SBK Champion
2002 – Second place in first-ever MotoGP race (Suzuka). Five further wild-card MotoGP races as part of GSV-R development program.

From a press release issued by The Penguin School:

The Penguin Roadracing School partners with Ducati North America

The Penguin Roadracing School, the oldest motorcycle road racing school in the nation, has signed a multi-year agreement with Ducati North America that has the two companies working together at the grass roots level of road racing in the United States.

The Penguin Roadracing School will become the first officially endorsed Ducati motorcycle school in the US and the two companies will be working together to both increase rider participation and Ducati’s involvement in both regional road racing and track days.

Jerry Wood, founder of the Penguin School, quoted “I have been racing Ducatis for 27 years and I am excited to be working with a group of motorcyclists with the enthusiasm of Ducati North America. The sport oriented Italian marque and performance based Penguin Racing School are a perfect match to bring more riders into the sport of road racing. Our program will allow many riders to get the ‘Ducati Experience’ on the racetrack.”

“I am extremely pleased” said Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America, “to have our company associated with Penguin Roadracing School. Racing is at the core of Ducati’s values and tradition, and we look forward to promoting not only Ducati but amateur road racing as well.”

The Penguin School will be instructing on Ducati motorcycles and will have Ducatis available to rent for both participation in the school and in some CCS races starting in 2004.

For more information, please contact the Penguin Roadracing School at (508) 339-4673 or check the official website at www.penguinracing.com.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing around the same time that Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha declared that they would not compete in the AMA Superbike Series in 2004:

MLADIN BECOMES FIRST FOUR-TIME AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPION

Australian gives Suzuki its seventh AMA Superbike title

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 23, 2003) — Mat Mladin capped off one of the finest seasons in the history of AMA Superbike racing by earning his fourth championship Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. With a third place finish in the final race of the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, Mladin became the first rider ever to win four AMA Superbike Championships.

Mladin’s championship marked the seventh AMA Superbike title for Suzuki. His Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Aaron Yates pushed the series battle to the final race by winning the first of the Superbike doubleheader at Barber on Saturday. Yates ended the season runner-up to Mladin. In addition to earning first and second in the rider’s championship, Suzuki also won this year’s AMA Superbike Manufacturers Championship.

Mladin’s 2003 racing campaign is one for the record books. The 31-year-old Mladin, who hails from Camden, Australia, won 10 races en route to his championship. That tied Fred Merkel’s 1984 mark for the most AMA Superbike race wins in a single season. Mladin also won seven AMA Superbike pole positions this season further extending his own all-time AMA Superbike pole position record to 31.

“It has been a good year for us for sure,” said Mladin, who jumped from sixth to second on the all-time AMA Superbike wins list in 2003. “We had a few tire problems and other things that handed a couple of wins away for us and then towards the end of the season we had to consolidate our position and that meant not going for the win each time, but it all worked out well for us.”

Mladin took over the championship lead in April from Honda’s Miguel Duhamel after winning round three in Fontana, Calif. He briefly lost the series lead in May after surviving a harrowing rear tire failure at over 150 miles per hour at Road Atlanta. Mladin charged back to take over the series lead again with a victory in the Saturday race of the Road America doubleheader only to fall behind again in the title chase the next day, this time to Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom, after pitting to change from rain tires on a fast-drying Road America. At Brainerd, Minn., in late June, Mladin battled for the lead with his teammate Aaron Yates before being forced to pit when another rear tire started to tear apart. With a victory in Monterey, Calif., in mid-July, Mladin took back the series lead then proceeded to go on a four-race winning streak and pull away in the championship points battle.

In the end Mladin won the championship over Yates by 31 points (550-519) – the largest margin of victory in the championship Mladin has enjoyed in his four titles. Honda’s Kurtis Roberts, bolstered by a win in the final race of the series in Alabama, finished third in the championship with 474 points.

Mladin was quick to thank Suzuki and his entire crew for the team effort it took to win the title. “It’s something we’ve worked for all year,” Mladin said. “It’s been a long season, and I was hoping it wasn’t going to come down to the last race, but that’s how it worked out. I’m happy to get it.”

Suzuki took full advantage of the new AMA Superbike rules and produced an awesome Superbike in its GSX-R1000. One needs only to look at the final tally to realize the bike’s capabilities. The factory Suzukis of Mladin and Yates won 13 of 18 rounds this season. Even the privateer Suzukis turned in a good showing. Jason Pridmore’s pair of second-place finishes at the Mid-Ohio doubleheader of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship in July on his Attack Suzuki marked the best finish in the series for a non-factory team in eight years. Shawn Higbee
was the top finishing privateer in the series. He was sixth on his Kaufman Trailers/Millennium Technologies Suzuki.

Mladin plans on returning with Suzuki to shoot for a fifth AMA Superbike title in 2004. With a host of new 1000cc superbikes being introduced, Suzuki will have its hands full defending its title. Time will tell if the brand is up to the challenge.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Indian Motorcycle Company closed the doors to its Gilroy, California factory Friday, September 20, ceasing operations of the 102-year-old motorcycle manufacturer, according to a report appearing in the San Jose Mercury News.

The company, which produces heavyweight cruisers, was enjoying record sales in recent months, was scheduled to introduce its 2004 model line-up to dealers, and was close to a deal that would have injected the company with fresh capital. But when that investment deal fell through, according to the report, Indian was forced to shut down operations, leaving 380 employees without jobs.

Read the full story at…

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/6818690.htm

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The Assen TT Circuit in Holland will host a round of the FIM Endurance World Championship series each year through the 2006 season.

The announcement of the deal was made today by FG Sport Group, which promotes and manages the series as well as the World Superbike, World Supersport and European Superstock Championship series.

The FIM Endurance World Championship held its first round, a 200-mile race, at the Assen circuit this season, according to FG Sport, and will hold Endurance World Championship races on Easter Monday at Assen for the next three years.