From a press release:

PIRELLI CREATES “DIABLO CORSA CHALLENGE” FOR WERA NOVICE RACERS

Top Five Finishers Get Pirelli Tire Contracts for 2005

(Rome, GA) Pirelli has announced the creation of the Diablo Corsa Challenge in conjunction with WERA Motorcycle Roadracing for the 2004 season. The Challenge is open to current 2004 WERA novice racers. Its main objective, according to Mark Wilhelm, Pirelli Country Manager for North America, is to give novice racers a special opportunity to get “the credit they deserve, and to let us demonstrate just how good a tire the Diablo Corsa is in helping a novice rider build the confidence needed to break into the higher skill levels of racing without going broke. At the end of the season, five racers will get Pirelli tire contracts for 2005, and to help them even more, we want to support the process of obtaining other sponsorships for the following race year.”

Full details will be available on the WERA website (www.wera.com) within the next few weeks. Briefly, it is open to qualified novice racers competing in the C Superstock class. Pirelli Diablo Corsa tires must be used in all races, with the required number and placement of Pirelli stickers on the bike. Points earned in the designated rounds will accrue to the Pirelli Challenge. The top six Diablo Corsa Challenge racers in each region will be invited to the GNF Diablo Challenge Final. They will even receive funds to contribute toward their travel costs to the GNF. And the top five Pirelli Diablo Corsa Challenge finishers in the GNF final will receive Pirelli racing contracts for 2005.

The first Diablo Challenge will be next weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama. Look for our full Challenge schedule coming soon to www.us.pirellimoto.com.

The idea for Pirelli’s Diablo Corsa Challenge grew from the radial’s unique blend of construction, features and benefits which seem tailor-made for racers on a budget in entry to mid-level classes: DOT rubber with better durability than race tires, which saves tire money; very fast, even warm-up over a wide ambient temperature range, which can save tire-warmer money; and a tread pattern and compounding that work in the rain, which can eliminate the need for rain tires.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Southern California viewers who rely on Cox Cable Orange County for cable television feed have received notices that the company has moved SPEED Channel to a premium digital package, which will increase the minimum cost of getting SPEED by $15 a month.

A source at Cox let on that if the company gets enough calls protesting the new rates, the decision may be reviewed and possibly reversed.

Viewers who object to the rate increase can call Cox at (949) 240-1212, get a live voice on the phone, ask for customer service and register a strong, yet formal and polite, complaint.

Or they can switch to satellite TV…


More, from a reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

In regards to Cox Communication and Speedtv Channel Change:

Not only was this an issue to begin with, but when Cox Communications made the switch on Tuesday April the 6th they botched it. Channel 65 was the former home to Speed Channel which was replaced by MTV2. Speed’s new home was to be channel 318, for me this was not a problem since I already subscribe to digital channels and that specific tier of channels. The problem was that the 6th was Two Wheel Tuesday and had the following races that I wanted to tape;

9:00 am FIM WORLD SUPERBIKE Spain – Race 1
10:00 am FIM WORLD SUPERBIKE Spain – Race 2
11:00 am AMA 600 SUPERSPORT Fontana
12:00 pm AMA SUPERBIKE California Speedway
1:00 pm AMA SUPERBIKE California Speedway

Problem was that on the channel guide there was no 318, so I could not tape the races I wanted. I did, however, call up Cox Communications to complain and get a credit, which at first the customer service rep was like “you want me to credit you for 1 day of missed speed, which is like a penny?”

I then had to explain I missed the taping of motorcycle races and then the rep said “what is a fair credit?” I said a couple of dollars would be OK. Cox Communications did end up giving me a credit of $2.00. So I would believe that if enough pressure is applied to Cox Communications a change could be possible. Also forgot to mention that MTV2 did show up right on time on channel 65, like I really cared about another music channel.

John Colvin
WSMC, WERA #698
Aliso Viejo, California

P.S. Love the new magazine format, Just wish I could get it a bit sooner.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin AMA Superbike racer Eric Bostrom will make an appearance at Southern California Ducati Saturday, April 10.

The open house will include free food and drinks, prizes, vendors, special discounts, Ducati demo rides and more from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For additional information, contact Southern California Ducati at 515 West Lambert Road, Brea, CA 92821 (714) 256-6700.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Troy’s puncture is good news!

Troy Corser arrived back in Europe today declaring he was back to full fitness following his spectacular crash at Phillip Island.

The 140km somersault during Saturday qualifying aggravated the shoulder problems that he had been suffering ever since his crash at Magny-Cours in the final round of last year.

The strained tendons of his rotator cuff had troubled the Australian throughout the winter and had caused some discomfort during this year’s first round at Valencia.

But Troy resorted to acupuncture to cure the problem once and for all, with resounding success.

He said: “I have used acupuncture a few years ago when I broke my collar bone and I actually think it works better for me than traditional methods like massage.

“As soon as I got back to Wollongong from Sydney I went for a treatment and now the shoulder actually feels better than it did before the Valencia race.

“I had obviously aggravated things with this latest fall, as well as straining muscles at the front of my neck but now I have no restrictions at all and I have been taking advantage of the good weather at home to keep fit by riding my dirt bike and jet-skis.”

After a few days in the UK visiting family, Troy, Sam and Kalani will return to Monaco this weekend before joining the team in Misano on Thursday.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse and referring to the MotoGP 2004 season opener scheduled for April 16-18:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM ALL SET FOR WELKOM START TO 2004

The 2004 MotoGP World Championship roars into action at Welkom this weekend after one of the most intensive off-seasons in memory. Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss have been busy since the end of the 2003 World Championship developing the team’s new Desmosedici GP4 which races in anger for the first time this Sunday.

The 2004 machine is a brand-new version of the bike that took last year’s MotoGP series by storm, winning Ducati’s first MotoGP race and taking second overall in the Constructors’ World Championship.

NEW GP4 IS GOOD AND GETTING BETTER
The Ducati Marlboro Team comes to Welkom to race its Desmosedici GP4 for the first time. The machine has already impressed with its pace during tests in Australia, Asia and Europe.

“It seems like the winter has lasted a long, long time, so we can’t wait to start racing again!” smiles Ducati Marlboro Team Director Livio Suppo. “Overall we are happy because the bike has been on track since January and since then we’ve been progressing in a good direction. We have been faster than last year at Philip Island, Sepang and Valencia. Unfortunately last month’s tests at Barcelona and Jerez were mostly spoiled by poor weather, although at Barcelona Loris was faster than last year on race tyres. I would say the bike is at 70 per cent of its ultimate potential at the moment. We knew that it would take time to develop a new machine, but we believe that this bike was necessary to improve our performance throughout the World Championship.”

Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli reckons the new Desmosedici GP4 promises great things ahead. “This machine has much more potential than our 2003 bike,” he says. “We are still developing it, and there’s a lot more to come. Our aim with the GP4 is to be faster everywhere. We have worked on every aspect of performance, particularly engine power and rideability, handling and rider comfort. This last factor is particularly important at Welkom. It can be the hottest race of the year, and we have to help the riders to be in the best shape throughout the race.”

CAPIROSSI READY FOR FIRST GP
Loris Capirossi knows that the first race of the season is always crucial. The Ducati Marlboro Team rider made a stunning start to the 2003 MotoGP series, scoring a podium finish in his first race on the Desmosedici at Suzuka. “The first race is always very important to demonstrate that you are going in the right direction,” says Capirossi. “I’m ready for the first GP and, as always, I’ll give 100 per cent for a good result. Our winter testing went quite well – the bike is better and faster than last year’s – it’s just a shame that bad weather prevented us from testing effectively in Spain last month.
“I really like Welkom. It’s unusual because it’s a long way above sea level, which makes the engines ‘sweeter’ than usual. It’s a bumpy and technical circuit, for which you need a really good engine and chassis.”

BAYLISS BEGINS SECOND MotoGP SEASON
Former World Superbike champ Troy Bayliss was a MotoGP rookie at Welkom last year, although that didn’t stop him having a great race to fourth place. Despite starting from row 3, Troy led the race for 10 laps and had an extraordinary battle with Valentino Rossi. This season the Ducati Marlboro Team man expects to benefit from his 2003 experiences. “I now know the people I’m racing against and I know all the tracks, apart from the Qatar circuit, which is new for everybody,” says the Aussie. “Second years have been good to me in the past (Bayliss won the British and World Superbike titles at his second attempts), so I can’t wait to start racing. We’re making progress with the new bike. I really believe that it’s better than what we had last year. The motor is a bit smoother, the bike is cooler and I think it’s going to handle better once we’ve sorted a few things out. “I don’t mind Welkom as a racetrack – I got a pretty good result there last year. It’s quite bumpy, with plenty of sharp little bumps, but I like to ride it.”

THE TRACK
The Phakisa Freeway circuit returned South Africa to the GP calendar in October 1999 after a seven-year absence, the Free State venue replacing Kyalami which had hosted the nation’s four previous GPs in 1983, ’84, ’85 and ’92. Constructed outside the gold-mining town of Welkom, the circuit is a real challenge, especially for tyres, which run at a higher temperature than at any other GP track.
Although Welkom was resurfaced for last year’s MotoGP event, the circuit is still bumpy and can be slippery if dust from the surrounding area is blown onto its surface. Situated on a plateau 1350 metres above sea level, the venue’s high altitude has a huge effect on performance, robbing engines of up to 20 per cent of their horsepower.

Phakisa Freeway, Welkom 4.242km/2.636 miles
Pole position 2003: Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1m 33.174s
Lap record: Valentino Rossi (Honda) 1m 33.851s, 162.717kmh/101.108mph

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DATA LOGS
LORIS CAPIROSSI
Age: 31 (April 4, 1973)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
GP victories: 23 (1xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125)
First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125)
First GP: Japan, 1990 (125)
GP starts: 200 (30xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125)
Pole positions: 36 (3xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125)
First pole: Australia, 1991 (125)
World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998)
Welkom 2003 results. Grid: 4th Race: DNF

TROY BAYLISS
Age: 35 (March 30, 1969)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
First GP: Australia, 1997 (250)
GP starts: 17 (16xMotoGP, 1×250)
World Superbike victories: 22
World Championships: 1 (Superbike: 2001)
Welkom 2003 results. Grid: 9th. Race: 4th.

From a press release issued by KTM:

The KTM Road Racing Season 2004

KTM enters its second season in Road Race Grand Prix armed with the knowledge and experience of last year! The amazing progress made during 2003 should allow the team to be ready to challenge for the podium from the first race in South Africa.

The Grand Prix 125cc team structure will be similar to 2003. Led by Harald Bartol the bikes will be based in Italy and the continuing development will be done at the KTM factory in Austria. The two young riders (Mika Kallio and Casey Stoner) have taken advantage of the Red Bull Training Centre in Salzburg for winter condition testing and the engines have run for many hours on the KTM dynojet.

The Grand Prix team will be backed in 2004 by the formation of the Red Bull KTM Junior Team, which will compete in the German Championship and some races of the European Championship. The aim of the junior team is to help with GP bike development and especially bring on young talented riders to be KTM‘s future Road Racing stars!

Interview with Harald Bartol

How did it feel for the team to achieve a podium finish at the Malaysian GP in 2003 with a bike that was less than 8 months old?

It was a nice feeling for everybody after 4 months very hard work to get the bike ready and competitive.


The riders in 2003 were experienced ex-Champions, but for 2004 you have chosen two of the fastest young riders. Why the change in policy?

We thought that the developments of the motorbike with our former riders weren’t going in the right direction and we therefore preferred to do it in a different way: to have young riders to develop the motorbike like the factory wants.


As the bike is still so new I guess that some changes have been made to the bike for 2004?

The motorbike of 2004 is the result of all the versions from engine and chassis side we tried in 2003.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

The following is a transcript of a teleconference on Wednesday, April 7, with four-time AMA Chevrolet Superbike Champion Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) and media members from the San Francisco Bay Area. The teleconference was held in advance of the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, which will be held at Infineon Raceway April 30-May 2. The weekend is presented by Cycle Gear and features Sunday’s (May 2) Supercuts Superbike Challenge:


Q: What are your thoughts on the season thus far? You’ve had three races and three wins at Daytona and Fontana; that has to be a good start in your quest for a fifth AMA Chevrolet Superbike championship.

MM: I think out of all the possible points this year, we’ve only left one point on the track, which was the one for pole position at Daytona. So, you really couldn’t ask for a better start to the season. The wins record (27) is certainly important, but the guy I overtook is still currently racing (Honda’s Miguel Duhamel). You’ve got to put it in perspective and realize that you’re here to win the championship. And to win that fifth championship would be very important for me.


Q: How well suited is the Suzuki GSX-R1000 for Infineon Raceway?

MM: I enjoy the Infineon Raceway layout, simply because it’s a technical circuit. They’ve obviously made some changes there, and the new paving has made the race track a little smoother and a little safer. The track is certainly in better shape than it was 12 months ago. We took the doubleheader wins there last year, and we’re certainly looking for nothing less that that this year.


Q: Do you think that your 27 career Superbike wins give you a psychological advantage or an edge over your competitors?

MM: I’ve always gone into every race feeling confident and feeling that we can win. Certainly it has a psychological advantage over your competitor, so I’m sure some of them are hoping what happened last year doesn’t happen again this year, as far as our dominance. I certainly believe we’re in the run for the championship and I’ll believe that for the rest of the season.


Q: You describe Infineon Raceway as technical. What does that mean?

MM: Typically a lot of circuits have some decent-length straightaways, which allows the guys with the faster motorcycles to sometimes get involved with a race for the lead, and at Infineon that might not happen. At Infineon Raceway you don’t need the fastest bike, you need the best setup. You also need to be physically fit because there’s no time to rest. Typically, if you get it all right, you can usually win the race by a fair margin. Handling is at a premium.


Q: Do you think your main competition at Infineon Raceway will come from Honda, which swept the doubleheader weekend behind Nicky Hayden in 2002?

MM: I’m not sure about their new bike, and so far it really hasn’t shown a great deal on the racetrack as far as wins go. Previously they had a motorcycle and a rules advantage, but this year it probably doesn’t allow them as much since they’re running the same engine setup as ours. The Suzukis seemed to be the fastest in the testing at Infineon Raceway, even though some people thought the Hondas would be faster.



Q: Did you learn anything during the test at Infineon Raceway that will help you during the race weekend, April 30-May 2?

MM: We learned a little bit of stuff. Suzuki and our suspension company have come up with some new linking systems for our bike, which have made things a little easier on the rider and on tires. This also allows us to go faster around the racetrack, and the first place we really tested it was at Infineon Raceway. It was a good, successful test, and one we were very happy with. We’ll implement a lot of what we learned in the race.


Q: How was your adjustment to Superbikes in America coming from Australia?

MM: Honestly, I’ve always been a rider who sees a track as a bunch of corners connected by a bunch of straights. A track is a track. So, the guy who gets around it fastest is the guy who’s going to win. I’ve never paid much attention to being concerned with a race track I’ve never seen. Other than that, the cultures are pretty different. It was a fairly easy adjustment. I love living in the states and these days; it’s just as comfortable here as it is at home.


Q: What do you think about the changes that have been made to Infineon Raceway?

MM: They’ve done a great job with the racetrack. As I’ve told the guys at Infineon Raceway, Turn 1 has become a lot safer, but there are still some areas that need to be worked on before we race there in the rain. You slide a lot farther in the rain. Typically when you repave the track, you have to move the walls back just because the speeds are going to be so much higher. I wouldn’t say that we have a “great” racetrack on our hands, we’ve got a racetrack with a lot of potential.


Q: How important is qualifying position at Infineon Raceway as compared to some other tracks?

MM: Qualifying is always important because it offers a single point. Obviously if you qualify on the pole throughout the season, that is a lot of extra points. Qualifying is very important at Infineon Raceway, particularly more so than a track like Daytona. Starting in front gives you a chance to build up a good lead in front of the other riders. So, usually if you start on the second row at Infineon Raceway you need to be extra aggressive to not let the leaders get away.


Q: Do you think some of the changes to the facility will allow for more passing?

MM: Now that Infineon’s moved some of the walls out of the way, I think it allows the opportunity to believe that if you do pass there, you’re not going to hurt yourself. Again, the corners are pretty much the same, but feeling that you have more room may give you the confidence to make a pass where you wouldn’t before.



Q: Has your career unfolded the way you thought it would when you first started racing?

MM: When I first started road racing in 1991, within two years I was racing Grand Prix, so I certainly was mentally brainwashed by the motorcycle media to think that if you don’t go racing at the highest level you haven’t succeeded. Fortunately, after some time I realized that there are many different ways to succeed and make a living. Racing here has allowed me to make a very comfortable living and have a good time. I enjoy my life here with my wife and my daughter. But, did it go where I expected it to go? No. But is it now going where I want it to go? Yes.


Q: You have a fair amount of time off between races, where do you live? What do you do in your free time?

MM: I split my time between Las Vegas and Southern California. We also spend about three months a year in our motor coach. Instead of flying home, we usually do the motorhome thing and get a good look at the country. America is so vast and there are so many things to see and we’ve really had a chance to do many different things.


Q: Can you tell us about how physically demanding it is to ride a Superbike for 30 laps?

MM: I guess the first thing to say is that everyone’s effort level on the motorcycle is different. For myself, I have a very high effort level to get the lap times that I need to be able to win races. At a place like Infineon Raceway, especially if it’s warm, typically I have a heart rate about 165-175 beats per minute for the 45 minutes and probably lose three to five pounds in water weight. So, it’s very physical. You’re riding around basically wrapped in a cow, you know, so it’s certainly very physical. Physical training is certainly something I’ve focused on the last few years and being in the shape to last through the season and be good at the last race.


Q: What is your training regimen like?

MM: Typically I do a lot of bicycle riding. I probably almost did too much last year towards the end of the year. Last year I was doing 250-300 miles per week on the bike and some gym work. Bicycling was my main form of training last year. This year, bicycling has been eased up and I’m doing a lot more gym work and I play some tennis. Every year is an evolution and you have to change to keep up with the evolution.


Q: You had your first child several months ago, how has having a child changed you?

MM: Everyone says a child changes your life dramatically, and I guess in one way it does. I guess the feelings are different than they used to be because you have so much responsibility. But, as far as the racing goes, the first race that my daughter was at was last weekend in Fontana I have to admit, the feelings I had when I saw her there for the first time were really strong. When I was on the podium and I saw her there, it was pretty amazing. It motivates me more than I was already motivated, which some people didn’t think was possible. It’s really intensified my thinking about racing and at this particular time we’re really enjoying it.

From a press release issued by Team Roberts:

South African GP Preview

Early days for new Proton KR

South African GP is early days for new Proton KR

The South African GP, first of 16 rounds of the 2004 MotoGP World Championship, will be the first race for the second-generation Proton KR V5 machine, hand-built in Britain to challenge the Japanese factories.

Team principal Kenny Roberts, himself a racing legend, is confident that the new machine will show some of its impressive potential. But he admits: “This race is too early for us.”

The gorgeous V5 machine has been through a major upgrade programme in the winter, including a total chassis redesign, using all-new super-accurate fabrication techniques.

At the same time, the top end of the engine was redesigned, to improve the integration of the engine/chassis/airbox package.

“I think people will be impressed when they see the bike for the first time,” said Roberts. “It’s a very nice piece: the best and most integrated motorcycle we have ever built.

“The problem is that so far, the revised motor has not lived up to the performance predicted on the computer simulations. We’re working flat out to find out why, but these things take time.

“For South Africa the engine will only be at 80 percent … not a step forward compared with the first engine. Unfortunately the motor is so integrated with the chassis we can’t run last year’s motor in the new bike,” said Roberts.

“The chassis is very good, as usual – but with the delays in deciding to switch to Dunlop tyres, their new product is not ready either.

“Things will get better. Dunlop assure me they will have new product for the French GP (round three, on May 16), and soon after that we should have the engine up to its full potential. By the Dutch TT at Assen, we hope to move the goalposts,” said Roberts.

Proton Team KR will be fielding two riders as usual, team stalwart Nobuatsu Aoki and class rookie Kurtis Roberts, second son of Kenny.

Kurtis will be making his return to the track after suffering a dislocated shoulder in pre-season testing. He missed the last tests recuperating at home in California.

The South African GP, which first ran at Kyalami in the Eighties, was revived at the Phakisa Freeway outside the gold-mining town of Welkom, south of Johannesburg, in 1999. The track loops around a banked tri-oval circuit in a tight and challenging layout. Special difficulties include a very bumpy surface, often slippery because of dust blown across the track.

The next round is the Spanish GP, opening the European season at Jerez on May 2.

Nobuatsu Aoki – A difficult race
The best thing that I found in testing was the handling and feel of the new chassis. It is a definite improvement. We have other things that are not so good yet. The engine power and throttle response needs to be better, and we also need to improve the tyre performance. I hope Dunlop will be able to make use of the suggestions we’ve made as soon as possible. It means this race will be difficult to get a good result, but I will do the best possible, and we will all keep working.

Kurtis Roberts – Getting back in the flow
I always measure injuries by how they compare with other injuries. The first time I popped my shoulder last year it was worse than this, and I was racing again in two-and-a-half weeks. This time it seemed to recover quicker, but I’m not getting the strength back. I’ve not ridden with it, but I’m shooting for racing in South Africa, even if it won’t be optimum conditions for myself, the bike or the tyres. Leastways when the new development stuff comes in a few races time, I hope to be more in the flow of things. I’ll be there, and I’ll ride, and who knows how it will go.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The April 12 issue of Forbes Magazine ranks the 2000 largest companies in the world, based on sales, profits, assets and market value. Six motorcycle manufacturers made the list, including Honda, BMW, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha and Kawasaki.

Of those six, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha are the only two with a primary business of making motorcycles. Honda, BMW and Suzuki also make cars, while Kawasaki also builds trains, planes and ships.

The Forbes rankings of the six companies follows:


#49 Honda Motor, sales $67,439,000,000, profits $3,610,000,000

#74 BMW-Bayerische Motor, sales $52,226,000,000, profits $2,122,000,000

#452 Suzuki Motor, sales $17,050,000,000, profits $262,000,000

#585 Harley-Davidson, sales $4,624,000,000, profits $761,000,000

#898 Yamaha Motor, sales $8,571,000,000, profits $216,000,000

#1069 Kawasaki Heavy Industries, sales $10,487,000,000, profits $110,000,000


More information is available at forbes.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) has reached a new, five-year deal with Dorna to broadcast MotoGP World Championship races on the network through 2009.

According to BBC Sport, 12 of 14 races in 2004 will be broadcast live.

More, from a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

HODGSON PROMOTED THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP START IN LONDON

On 6th April, before leaving to South Africa, Neil Hodgson attended a crowded press conference in Dominion Theatre London.

All the British riders met there and they will take part in this new World Championship edition which will start next 18th April in Welkom circuit.

The prestigious BBC TV channel announced in that occasion it´s engagement to go on retransmiting the World Championship for the next five years, during which Donington Park will go on being the British Grand Prix headquarters.

When Neil heard the slogan chosen by UK for the launch in this 55th season, We will rock you, he said: “I really hope to rock every supporter who will surely be stuck on the screen during all the season. It´s going to be an intensive year and, like them, I´m looking forward to start.”