From a press release:

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.

Erion Honda team owner Kevin Erion said today that no action will be taken as a result of Anthony Gobert’s recent arrest for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) until at least next week.

“Honda’s closed for the (Good Friday) holiday,” Erion told Roadracingworld.com. “And as the header on the newspaper report says, everybody is innocent until proven guilty. We’re kind of waiting until we all decide what to do and what the actual situation is. The fact is a local newspaper that’s published weekly has a shame list of people who were arrested for DUI and his name was on the list.”

Gobert’s arrest was reported in the Huntington Beach Independent, a weekly newspaper. A reader of the paper tipped off Cyclenews.com, which broke the story nationally this morning.

Roadracingworld.com is attempting to contact Anthony Gobert for comment.

From a press release:

Cal-Sportbike invites SoCal riders to an open house on April 18th to celebrate the opening of our new store at 1255 Apple Street in Wrightwood, California.

Food and drinks will be served. Cal-Sportbike will be providing several giveaways including Speedo Healers, track day certificates for Willow Springs and Spring Mountain Motorsports Park (Pahrump), Galfer stainless steel brake line kits, Dunlop D208ZR tires, and Cal-Sportbike’s new “Angeles Crest” souvenir T-shirts. One winner will get a year’s supply of Motul fluids*! (*details/conditions on request)

As this will be the opening round of the MotoGP season held at Phakisa Freeway in Africa, riders are invited to join in watching the race in Cal-Sportbike’s indoor TV viewing area. The MotoGP race will air at 11AM, to be immediately followed by both rounds of World Superbike from San Marino. NOTE: Drawing for prizes will be conducted after the MotoGP showing, winners must be present to win.

While Angeles Crest is still closed through the top of the mountains, the back side of Big Pines Highway has been heavily traveled past Mile High and Valyermo, so riders will be able to enjoy some beautiful local riding as well throughout the day!

Cal-Sportbike wishes to thank the following forums and organizations for their valuable ongoing support; SoCalRPM, Gixxer.com, Honda Sportbike Network, TL Planet, R6 MessageNet, SoCal Sportbikes, Sportbikes.net, Fireblades.org, FZ1 Owner’s Association, the Aprilia USA Owner’s Club, One Down Five Up, YZF600R USA forum, VFR Discussion forum, Ducati.net, Mayhem Street Riders, AV Sportriders, VC Bike Nites, and Sportbike Track Time.

Cal-Sportbike is located at 1255 Apple Street in Wrightwood. Riders should turn south off Highway 2 and proceed to the top of Park Drive to Apple Street. Just to the right and forward is the Cal-Sportbike parking lot and front doors. Shop phone is 760-249-8890, and the fax is 760-249-9917. Summer hours will be Monday through Friday 11AM to 5PM, Sundays 12-4PM.

Cal-Sportbike would like to remind riders that we are decorating the roof of our shop with old traffic citations, so if you have them available to you, we encourage you to make a donation when you come up for the event.

From a press release:

X GAMES WELCOMES SUPERMOTO X TO LINEUP

Exciting Moto X sport that fuses multiple disciplines of motorcycle racing debuts at X Games X; McGrath, Metzger, Pastrana and Reed Among Expected Participants

LOS ANGELES – ESPN X Games, the premier action sports competition in the world, announced the addition of SuperMoto X to its lineup. X Games X will take place August 5-8 in Los Angeles for the second consecutive year. For the first time ever, complete X Games daily live coverage will be featured on ESPN and ABC Sports.

SuperMoto X is a fusion of supercross, dirt track racing, freestyle motocross and road racing. It uses four-stroke motocross bikes on a purpose-built track that is approximately 60 percent asphalt for speed racing and 40 percent dirt with turns, rollers and hits. This mix of racing formats entices racers from all backgrounds. As a result, SuperMoto X is expected to include legendary athletes from different motorcycle competition disciplines such as Jeremy McGrath (Supercross), Mike Metzger (Freestyle), Travis Pastrana (Freestyle and Supercross) and Chad Reed (Supercross).

The new SuperMoto X competition joins the returning Moto X disciplines of Best Trick, which was added in 2001, Freestyle (added in 1999) and Step Up (added in 2000). The complete listing of athletes participating in X Games X, the venues and the competition schedule will be announced at a later date.

SuperMoto X at X Games X will feature the 20 top racers going head-to-head in a race to the finish. A timed trial for starting positions will be held the day prior to competition. Racers will line up alongside each other in the start and the first racer to complete 20-25 laps wins the gold medal. The sport organizer for this event is SuperMoto X LLC, a collaborative effort between MXi, Inc. – X Games’ current Moto X sport organizer – and MetzMoto, Inc., led by Freestyle star, Metzger.

Gavin Trippe, a former U.K. racing journalist – turned American-based motorcycle racing promoter – created the sport of Supermoto in 1979. ABC’s Wide World of Sports embraced the standalone event, called “The Superbikers,” and the event aired on the network annually from 1980-1985. In 2003 the sport was revived in the U.S. as “Supermoto” and an AMA Red Bull Supermoto Series. Ironically, SuperMoto X will be aired live in its entirety back on the first place to broadcast it – ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

“It definitely doesn’t come as a big surprise to me that they are adding the most extreme form of motorcycle racing to the X Games,” said Metzger. “I’m absolutely positive that this will put SuperMoto in the international spotlight. X Games fans will be seeing some incredible handlebar-to-handlebar racing action with the top riders from many different types of motorcycle racing going for X Games Gold.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, X Games X will be held August 5-8, 2004 in Los Angeles with live coverage on ESPN and ABC Sports. ESPN, The Worldwide leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. As part of the ESPN Original Entertainment division, X Games, Winter X Games, EXPN 2Day and X Games Global Championship are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. The brand has also grown to include international X Games events, EXPN.com, EXPN Radio, the large format film ESPN’s Ultimate X, X Games skateparks and various X Games-branded retail products.

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.