FROM THE DESK OF: MR. ALABO ISAAC

Finance/Accounts Department

Dear Sir,

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Yours Faithfully,

MR. ALABO ISAAC

From a press release issued by series organizers:

Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead
2003 Superside World champions



Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead at Nevers Magny-Cours. Photo by Jon Mitchell.

Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead clinched the 2003 Superside World championship following a fifth place in the final race of the season at Magny-Cours in France on Saturday.

The British duo completed a fantastic season aboard their Suzuki GSX-R 1000 machine with LCR chassis: eight podium finishes from 10 races, including six wins, a second and a third place – with one retirement at Monza, Italy.

It was also the pairing’s second title together – the first came in 2000 – and for Webster a ninth world title in a career spanning over 20 years in the premier class of sidecar racing.

Webster and Woodhead set the tone for the rest of the season with an opening day win at Valencia, Spain to lead the 2003 Superside World championship.

The following round at Monza, Italy was to be Webster’s only blip in an otherwise clinical campaign. He retired at the ‘Curva Grande’ on lap eight, having, until then, been involved in an epic battle with closest rivals, Klaus Klaffenböck and Christian Parzer.

Webster relinquished the leadership and found himself 16 points adrift of the Austrian, but the wily veteran from Easingwold, Yorkshire notched up his second win at Oschersleben, Germany to move to within 11 points of leader Klaffenböck.

“It was all about keeping it smooth and closing the gap in the standings. We managed to achieve both goals,” says a delighted Webster.

The Webster-Woodhead whirlwind continued to take in all before it and a third win was recorded in round four at the British pair’s first home race at Silverstone, GB.

The Castrol Suzuki man opened up a 2.296s lead by lap seven as the battle for second place, between Jörg Steinhausen, Klaffenböck and Tom Hanks, kept the fans on the edge of their seats. But it was Webster who again prevailed, crossing the finishing line 5.332s ahead of his Austrian rival.

“It was a good result especially for the overall standings. We changed from a hydraulic to cable clutch and that was the reason for the slow start,” explains Webster.

Klaffenböck and Parzer’s lead was now reduced to six points as the three-wheeled convoy set off for round five and the unbearably hot conditions that welcomed the teams on arrival at Misano Adriatico, Italy.

Steinhausen took the victory at the ‘Santamonica’ circuit as Webster had to settle for a solid third place podium finish – a rear tyre problem hampered his chances of a third consecutive win. Klaffenböck kept his points tally ticking over with fourth position, hanging on to top spot by three points.

The leadership was, however, to change proprietorship in the subsequent round at a rain-soaked Brands Hatch, GB for the second ‘home’ leg of the campaign.

Steinhausen and passenger Trevor Hopkinson put up a great fight at the Kent circuit but Webster and Woodhead continued to set the pace and edged a close win. The British duo recorded their fourth victory of the campaign at the end of a highly entertaining race.

“Visibility was an obvious problem and it was taxing on the brain when you know that you dare not put a foot wrong. It was important to get a good result and lead the championship,” continues Webster, who now held an advantage – six points – for the first time since the opening round at Valencia, Spain.

Following a six-week summer break, the 2003 Superside World championship resumed at Assen, Holland for rounds seven and eight. Webster and Woodhead were again in inspired form and registered back-to-back wins – numbers five and six – at the legendary ‘Circuit van Drenthe’.

Steinhausen and Hopkinson took the holeshot in the first race and the on-form German-British pairing held on to the lead for five laps before being overtaken by eventual winners, Webster and Woodhead. “I got my usual bad start and it was a lot of hard work. But we had to keep pushing very hard,” states Webster.

It was the same pattern in race two as Webster and Woodhead took the chequered flag, 6.815s ahead of Klaffenböck and Parzer. The Austrians staged a terrific fightback to pass reigning world champions, Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs on the final lap and take second. But they now trailed their British counterparts by 25 points, with two races to go.

“It was a good weekend and the team did a fantastic job. Lap times were a bit slower but it was the same for everyone out there,” says Webster, who broke his own lap record with a time of 2:08.392.

Round nine at Imola, Italy saw Steinhausen and Hopkinson grab their second win of the campaign with Webster and Woodhead having to settle for second, 14.433s adrift of the winners.

“We had no chance of catching Jörg and Trevor. The championship was not decided yet so we were not going to take anything for granted,” adds Webster, who would go into the final round needing just one point to seal an unprecedented ninth world title.

A fifth place was to prove sufficient for the British pairing, who finished the season on 197 points, 19 clear of Klaffenböck and Parzer.

“It’s been a big team effort and there are a lot of people who have helped us this year. They know who they are. It’s a very special day for me and this gives me the spur to go for a 10th world title!” concludes Steve Webster MBE.



Steve Webster – 2003 – the year that was:

Six race wins
Eight podium finishes
Nine pole positions (100% record)

57 career wins (second behind Switzerland’s Rolf Biland, 82 wins)

27 consecutive pole positions

Nine World championships (record):
1987 Steve Webster (GB)/Tony Hewitt (GB)
1988 Steve Webster (GB)/Tony Hewitt (GB)
1989 Steve Webster (GB)/Tony Hewitt (GB)
1991 Steve Webster (GB)/Gavin Simmons (GB)
1997 Steve Webster (GB)/David James (GB)
1998 Steve Webster (GB)/David James (GB)
1999 Steve Webster (GB)/David James (GB)
2000 Steve Webster (GB)/Paul Woodhead (GB)
2003 Steve Webster (GB)/Paul Woodhead (GB)


Steve Webster – World Superside championship/*FIM World Cup record
1983: 16th 8 points
1984 8th 15
1985: 4th 32
1986: 3rd 71
1987: 1st 97
1988: 1st 156
1989: 1st 145
1990: 3rd 166
1991: 1st 181
1992: 2nd 92
1993: 2nd 119
1994: 2nd 104
1995: 19th 12
1996: 3rd 110
1997*: 1st 163
1998*: 1st 124
1999*: 1st 190
2000*: 1st 220
2001: 2nd 120
2002: 4th 145
2003: 1st 197

From a press release issued by Kawasaki’s Public Relations/Advertising firm:

KAWASAKI NINJA® ZX-6R RACES TO HEAD OF CLASS AT KEITH CODE’S CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL

636cc NINJA® motorcycles supplied by Kawasaki earn top marks from students and instructors

IRVINE, Calif. – Kawasaki’s NINJA® ZX-6R sportbikes have been drawing unanimous praise from both students and instructors at Keith Code’s California Superbike School (CSS) since their arrival in March. The 22 NINJA middleweights were provided by Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., (KMC) as part of the company’s ongoing 23-year sponsorship of Code’s Los Angeles-based training academy, considered by many to be the world’s top venue for motorcycle cornering instruction.

“The new NINJA ZX-6R sportbikes are probably the best mid-size bikes in the world,” said CSS founder Code. “By adding the extra 37cc of displacement, Kawasaki has created a street rider’s 600-class dream bike.”

Code added that Kawasaki has been supporting the Superbike School since 1980 with upgrades to his NINJA fleet every two years.

“With the release of the 2003 ZX-6R, Kawasaki executives have gone out of their way to make sure my students are training on state-of-the-art equipment,” said Code. “Kawasaki’s commitment has helped us build our facility into the number one school in the world.”

First introduced in 2003, the Kawasaki NINJA® ZX-6R features a 37cc increase in engine displacement, giving it exceptional low- and mid-range torque for harder drives out of turns. The torque also makes it easier to ride in heavy traffic conditions. Often referred to as the “636,” the NINJA ZX-6R is one of Kawasaki’s best-selling models in the United States.

Reid Nordin, manager of Team Green™, Kawasaki’s amateur racing support program, commented that the California Superbike School “has always been the perfect venue for riders – and future racers – who want to experience cutting-edge sportbike technology in a safe, controlled environment, which makes it an ideal home for the ZX-6R.”

Nordin added that riders thinking about going to the California Superbike School would find now an ideal time to attend. “It’s the perfect opportunity to throw a leg over the NINJA ZX-6R,” said Nordin.

More than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts of all skill levels have learned and practiced the fundamentals of cornering and motorcycle control for both the highway and the race track at the California Superbike School. Founded in 1980 by motorcycle riding and racing legend Keith Code, the school has trained 15 U.S. Superbike Champions and operates in 12 countries. The California Superbike School is the world’s largest single consumer of Kawasaki 600-class motorcycles. More information about the California Superbike School can be found at www.californiasuperbikeschool.com or call (323) 224-2734.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., (KMC) markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, JET SKI® watercraft, MULE™ utility vehicles, power products and small engines. Kawasaki’s tagline, Let the good times roll™, is recognized worldwide for the spirit of fun, adventure and high performance that characterizes the Kawasaki recreational vehicle line. Kawasaki product lines are sold through a network of more than 1,500 independent retailers. The company and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United States, with approximately 400 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Special Michelin tires shipped in from France aided former Superbike World Champion Doug Polen at Willow Springs during the Toyota 200 weekend.

Polen, 43, who has been running races in Japan with sponsorship from Dunlop, called Michelin after his request for support (i.e., free tires) at Willow was turned down by Dunlop’s U.S. operation. Michelin responded by sending Polen tires not made available to other riders.

The results showed in Friday’s final Toyota 200 qualifying session, when Polen was third-fastest on his Moto-Liberty Honda CBR954RR at 1:21.293 running a Michelin 4387J S4 rear tire and an 1862C front tire on a race set-up.

The only other Michelin riders in the field, running S2 tires, languished back in 14th and 15th in the same session, in the mid-1:24s on race set-ups.

Polen had the same model tires on his bike for the start of the race on Sunday, but was black-flagged early-on when his bike sprung an oil leak and started smoking.

Dunlop swept the first eight positions in the Toyota 200, with the first Michelin rider finishing 11th.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TROY FIT AND WELL AND ON HIS WAY HOME

Following his spectacular crash in the Australian Grand Prix in Phillip Island yesterday, in which he suffered mild concussion, Troy would like to inform everybody that he is fit and well and on his way home. The Australian rider, who had been taken to Melbourne hospital for routine checks, in fact returned to the circuit on Sunday night after he had been given the all clear.

At this very moment he is in Singapore with the rest of the Ducati Marlboro Team awaiting a flight that will take them all back to Europe in time for Troy to return to his Monaco home first thing on Tuesday morning. He will then have two weeks at home before preparing for the final round of the 2003 MotoGP Championship at Valencia on November 2.

Both Troy and Ducati would like to thank the many fans around the world for showing their concern.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

WEBSTER ON CLOUD ‘NINE’ AT MAGNY-COURS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Daytona 200 by Arai to Run on Saturday

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

Wednesday, March 3:

Daytona 200 by Arai practice and first round qualifying

Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme qualifying

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock qualifying.

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


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

BMW Boxer Cup qualifying

Daytona 200 by Arai second round qualifying

Lockhart-Phillips Formula Xtreme race

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock race

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


Friday, March 5:

Daytona Supercross by Honda at night.


Saturday, March 6:

BMW Boxer Cup race

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship race

Daytona 200 by Arai race

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

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



AMA to Race at Indianapolis?

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



AMA vs. FIM Superbike Rules

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



Hollingsworth: No 750s in AMA’s Future

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

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

As issued by Daytona International Speedway:

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

Wednesday, February 25

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


Thursday, February 26

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

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

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

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



Monday, March 1

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


Tuesday, March 2

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


Wednesday, March 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Friday, March 5

DAYTONA SUPERCROSS BY HONDA

8 a.m.: Semi Truck Parking

9 a.m.: Paddock open to all participants

Noon – 2:30 p.m.: Practice

2 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Paddock Fan Walk

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Qualifying Heats

7 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies

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

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

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


Saturday, March 6

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

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

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

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

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

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


DAYTONA BEACH MUNICIPAL STADIUM
AMA CHAMPIONSHIP DIRT TRACK SERIES

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

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

**Preliminary Schedule subject to change



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

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

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

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

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

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

Other changes to the Daytona 200 Week schedule include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Double podium for HM Plant Ducati

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

DISAPPOINTING END FOR TROY.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Race Report

MUGGERIDGE MAKES IT THREE IN A ROW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

PAIR OF FOURTHS FOR GREGORIO

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

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

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

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

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


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

STEPHANE TAKES RUNNER-UP SPOT

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

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

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

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


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

FABRIZIO AND ALSTARE SUZUKI TAKE TITLE

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