From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Classic Cycle Club Offers The Ultimate Fall Cycle Scene Hospitality Experience

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — If you want to attend the Oct. 16-19 Fall Cycle Scene in style, there’s no better way than through the Classic Cycle Club.

The Classic Cycle Club, the exclusive fan hospitality package for Fall Cycle Scene, will be available on Oct. 18-19 and offers a guest a private suite in the Winston Tower that provides the perfect view of all of the championship motorcycle racing.

Also included in the Classic Cycle Club is a complimentary event souvenir pin, preferred parking (first come, first parked basis), unlimited soda and water, four beer tickets per day, light continental breakfast and picnic style lunch buffet.

The Classic Cycle Club costs $50 on Saturday, Oct. 18 and $70 on Sunday, Oct. 19 but is also available as a two-day package for $115. Availability in the Classic Cycle Club is limited. For more information, contact the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-RACE.

From a press release issued by Southern California Ducati:

Grand Opening of Southern California Ducati in Brea, CA.

Saturday, November 15th, 2003

Already awarded by Ducati North America as the “Best New Ducati Dealer In The U.S.,” Southern California Ducati is destined to be one of the leading Ducati Dealers in the country. Our Grand Opening celebration will include:

Demo Rides

Discounts on Accessories

Raffle and Door prizes

Food and Drink

Vendors

Service Specials

Factory Representatives

Music


Event hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
ROUND 15 – AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
15TH OCTOBER 2003 – MOTOGP RACE RESULT

HOME AT LAST FOR FUCHS KAWASAKI RIDERS

After ten months of testing and racing across five continents, Fuchs Kawasaki riders Garry McCoy and Andrew Pitt finally touchdown at home for the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island this Sunday.

Phillip Island is expected to bring a welcome relief from the heat and humidity of last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, where Pitt finished just outside the World Championship points. Track knowledge and cooler conditions are expected to provide a platform for both Kawasaki riders to aim for a points scoring finish in their home Grand Prix.

The pre-race preparations will be more intense than usual, with Pitt and McCoy engaged in a series of media and corporate appearances that are all part of the demands of modern MotoGP competition, especially racing at home for a high profile factory team.

But both Australians know what to expect from previous international success. Pitt was Supersport World Champion in 2001 with Kawasaki, while McCoy has five career Grand Prix victories to his credit.

And the Phillip Island visit is not just a home race for the riders. The Kawasaki race team has a solid representation of Australian technicians in the garage, all of whom will also enjoy the opportunity of racing in familiar surroundings.

As the ambitious and constantly evolving Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR project enters its second year of GP racing there is no lack of motivation to aim for the best possible result at Phillip Island with the support of family, friends and home fans alike.

The Phillip Island circuit, with its amphitheatre style seaside location, is a spectacular race track setting. The undulating layout combines the challenging test of a high speed straight, a sequence of long and fast curves and two hairpin corners that provide the ultimate test of braking skills.

Andrew Pitt
“I just love racing at Phillip Island; it’s almost like being on holidays with the beach and staying in Cowes. Plus a bunch my mates will be there for the race so it will be good to catch up with everyone. I think most riders enjoy racing here and, like Assen, it is one of the great tracks on the calendar. Phillip Island has always been a tough test on tyres but I’m sure the Dunlop guys are ready for that; they’ve made some good progress this season and the cooler weather should work in our favour. The speed of the ZX-RR will be strong on the first half of the circuit, which is really fast, but the back section, up past the hay shed to Lukey Heights, could be hard work for us.”

Garry McCoy
“It’s always exciting racing at the Island with a big crowd, but it’s also a lot of extra work with the media, team and sponsorship schedule; everyone wants some of your time. I would like qualify on the front row again like last year, but that will depend on how the ZX-RR and our tyres shape up with the track and hopefully cooler weather. The Island is fast and the Kawasaki is not short of power, but the long, high speed corners make it hard for us to get on the throttle early; I reckon we’ll be hanging off the bike through the fast stuff out the back.”

Harald Eckl – Team Manager
“All season our goal has been to develop the Ninja ZX-RR for a top performance at Phillip Island, and our early aim was the podium because Garry and Andrew know this track very well. Unfortunately, at this stage of our new MotoGP programme, we have not reached the point of being able to provide our riders with a bike that will allow them to really show their home fans what they are capable of and a podium position is out of reach in our first season. But as always, Andrew and Garry will be highly motivated and again we are expecting strong support from our tyre partners Dunlop, who have been working hard on the special demands of Phillip Island.”



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX – PREVEW
Phillip Island, October 17/18/19

TROY’S HOMECOMING FOR DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM

Ducati Marlboro Team rider Troy Bayliss returns to Australia this weekend to contest his first race on home tarmac in 18 months. The hugely popular Aussie, currently fifth overall and top rookie, is joined by team-mate Loris Capirossi, the man who clinched the squad’s first MotoGP victory at June’s Marlboro Catalan GP.

The Ducati Marlboro Team has played a starring role in the 2003 MotoGP World Championship, racking up enough points to put Ducati second in the Constructors’ World Championship standings. Both Bayliss and Capirossi will be aiming for more podium finishes on the Island to further strengthen the factory’s stunning rookie MotoGP campaign.

Sunday’s Australian GP concludes a gruelling run of three back-to-back ‘flyaway’ races which has taken the MotoGP circus from Motegi in Japan to Sepang in Malaysia and to Phillip Island in the space of just three weekends. After this event teams return to Europe for the season finale, the Marlboro Valencia GP, in Spain on November 2.


DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM ALL SET FOR ISLAND RACE
The Ducati Marlboro Team contests its first Australian MotoGP event this weekend, ten months after the squad’s Desmosedici machine underwent its first full tests at Phillip Island. Riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss were bang on the pace in that outing but much has changed since then – the Desmosedici has been substantially developed and the MotoGP pace has got faster and faster.

“We tested at Phillip Island last December, it was our first real track test of the circuit when we did our first race simulations with Loris and Troy,” says Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli. “Our lap times were very fast, though we were using 2003 Michelins compared to the 2002 tyres that riders used during last year’s Australian GP, so it was difficult to draw direct comparisons. Anyway, we’re confident that we can run a good pace at this track.

“The circuit is unusual – it’s a very flowing, high-speed track with only one area of heavy, prolonged braking, at Honda corner. Most of all it’s very hard on the left side of the rear tyre. The last double left-hander generates a huge amount of heat in the tyre because the bike is at the same lean angle for a long time, with full throttle in fourth gear.

“You need a very stable bike for this track, especially if it’s windy. The wind can be worst on the start-finish straight – as the riders pass the end of the pit wall they encounter strong side winds. You can do a few things to make life easier for the rider in such conditions: maximise stability, reduce the fairing’s surface area by drilling holes in it and lowering the bike. But the number one thing is a good, stable set-up. And, of course, you have to hope that no seagulls get in the way!”

Before competing on the Island, Capirossi and Bayliss take part in a street parade, organised by fuel and lubricant partners Shell Advance, in nearby Melbourne on Wednesday.

“Both our guys are looking forward to racing at Phillip Island – the fans are so appreciative of our sport in Australia,” adds Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo. “We therefore go into the penultimate race of our first MotoGP campaign in positive mood. Troy can’t wait to race in Australia again, it’s been a long time. He’s got some great memories of this track, and Loris too, he won his first World Championship here in 1990.”


CAPIROSSI AIMS FOR ANOTHER PODIUM FINISH
Loris Capirossi comes to Phillip Island aiming for another high-scoring finish on his Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici. The hard-riding Italian has already achieved some remarkable results on the awesomely powerful V4, including the bike’s historic first win, four podiums and ten front-row starts. Capirossi has enjoyed plenty of success in Australia – he won the 1996 500 GP at Eastern Creek and the 1990 and 1991 125 GPs at Phillip Island.

“I like Phillip Island so much, but it’s a difficult track, especially for tyres,” says Capirossi. “But we did a race simulation during our tests at Phillip Island and the Michelins worked well. We also tried many different chassis and engine settings to get less wheelspin, and I think we worked in a good direction. Everyone in the team is working so hard to make the bike better. This is our first year but I think we can be very happy with what we’ve achieved so far. And next year should be even better because we’ll have full track data from which to work.”

Capirossi always looks forward to returning to Phillip Island, for it was here that he secured his first World Championship way back in 1990. That year he won the 125 crown at his first attempt at the age of 17 years old, and he’s still the youngest winner of a World Championship. The win captured the hearts of local Australians – one Cowes pizzeria even created the Capirossi pizza in celebration of the teenager’s triumph! “A long time ago, but it’s still a sweet memory,” he smiles.


BAYLISS RETURNS TO HAPPY HUNTING GROUND
Ducati Marlboro Team rider Troy Bayliss has high hopes for the 2003 Australian GP. He rode the most crucial races of his career on the Island – the 1997 Australian Superbike round and the ’97 250 GP – which launched his international career. Four years later Bayliss was World Superbike champion and last year he won both races at the Island round of the series. This weekend he rides his first MotoGP race at the track.

“Phillip Island will be the busiest race of the year for me,” says Bayliss. “My plan had been to head back to my home town for a few days after Malaysia, but there’s been too much going on, I’ve had to do a fair bit of press and PR work. I like the atmosphere and I like the track because I like tracks where the racing tends to be close. It’s a place I do well at. It was one of the first tracks where we tested the Desmosedici and the tests went okay, so this weekend should be good for us. I’ll have a lot of friends and fans down there, they’ll make sure I pull my finger out, and I’ll be aiming for the podium.”

Bayliss’ wife Kim will be absent this weekend. She’s at home in Monaco looking after the couple’s third child – Ollie, born on the weekend of last month’s Rio GP – with help from her mum and aunt. “I always look forward to Phillip Island so much,” says Kim. “It’s our only chance during the season to catch up with old mates, but it looks like I’ll be missing it this year.”


THE TRACK
The Phillip Island circuit is the second fastest currently used for motorcycle GP racing (after Dutch GP track Assen, another rider favourite) and also demands much of machines and tyres. Its only downside is the area’s unsettled early spring weather that can whip up dangerously strong winds off the nearby Bass Strait.

There are three essentials for a good result at the Victorian state venue: guts, determination and a sweet-handling motorcycle. Most riders count the track as one of their favourites because unlike many modern circuits that have been built to contain the flight of F1 cars, the Island is dominated by high-speed curves that test rider skill and daring to the limit.

Situated 130 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, the island hosted its first motorcycle races way back in the 1920s, when riders competed over a dusty 12-mile street circuit, and the only access to the island was by boat! The circuit fell into disrepair but was redeveloped in the late eighties and hosted Australia’s first bike GP in 1989. Since then the circuit has been renowned for creating ultra-close racing action.



More, from a press release issued by Pramac Honda:

PRAMAC RACING PREVIEW

MotoGP – Round 15
Phillip Island (Australia)
17/18/19 October 2003

PENULTIMATE ROUND OF 2003 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: PHILLIP ISLAND (AUSTRALIA)

Ending the long tour away from Europe before the “Grand Finale” in Valencia, the Phillip Island Grand Prix is still of great interest for the championship standings, even though the world title has already been assigned in the premier class. Although Rossi has already won his fifth world title, there are still two races to go and the challenge for the vice-championship is still open.

Sete Gibernau and Massimiliano Biaggi will be battling it out in the final rush. Gibernau, currently in second place with 244 points and Biaggi, just behind with 215, are separated by only 29 points – but there are still 50 to be won. The final dash could bring some real excitement.

South of Melbourne, on Phillip Island, the Australian track that hosts the penultimate round of the season is a circuit of rare beauty. Just by the sea, it is surrounded by lawns and has some very special technical characteristics: fast sweeping curves, slight inclinations and tight corners that are perfect for overtaking while braking. Riders need to watch out for the weather, however, for it can be very windy and often rainy, and this is the ideal place for large seagulls – that have been hit more than once by riders when racing or practising.

The circuit.
Length: 4,448 metres
7 left-handers
5 right-handers –

longest straight: 900 metres
Maximum width: 13 metres
built in 1956 – modified in 1988

2002 winners. 125 class: Poggiali (RSM) Gilera – 250 Class: Melandri (ITA)
Aprilia – MotoGP Class: Rossi (ITA) Honda.

Circuit records – 125: 1’37.983, Pedrosa 2002 – 250: 1’33.556, Rossi, 1999 –
MotoGP: 1’32.233, Rossi, 2002.

MAX BIAGGI: NINTH PODIUM OF THE SEASON

CAMEL PRAMAC PONS TEAM SECOND IN TEAM RATINGS.

On the podium in 9 races out of 14, with two victories. This is the positive outcome of Massimiliano Biaggi’s 2003 season two rounds from the end. Currently third in the ratings, the four-times world champion still has second place, and the title of vice-champion, in his sights.

The gap separating him from today’s number two, Sete Gibernau, is now 29 points, but the 50 remaining to be won mean that second place is still within Max’s grasp. Biaggi’s podium placing and Tohru Ukawa’s seventh position gave the Camel Pramac Pons Team another 25 points, firmly endorsing its second place in the special team ratings. A prestigious position it is expected to maintain through to the end of the championship.

MAKOTO TAMADA: THE WILL TO WIN
Rear tyre too soft for the Pramac Honda Team’s Japanese rider in the Sepang race – and the heat did the rest. The fact is that, after two spectacular qualifying sessions and his start from the front row with third-quickest time, Makoto Tamada lost all hope of confirming his winning streak and arrived tenth in the Malaysia race. An honourable position, but one that does not reflect the full potential that Makoto is able to express in this stage of the championship.

So the desire for a comeback is strong and the conditions are ripe for Tamada to raise his sights in the last two races. He rode on both circuits, Phillip Island and Valencia, during the winter tests and, particularly here in Australia, Bridgestone achieved brilliant results last year.

The main objective is therefore to perfect the set-up of Makoto’s RC211V right at the beginning of the sessions and then work out the best choice of tyre so as to put the Japanese rider in the ideal conditions for him to aim for the top. Tamada is now 11th in the standings, 16 points from Alexander Barros who is 10th. So Makoto’s aim could be to beat the Brazilian and end the season in tenth place.



More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION
Australian Grand Prix, Phillip Island
October 17, 18, 19

ROSSI MOVES TO MILK MOMENTUM OF MAGICAL TITLE SEASON

Three times MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) heads to Phillip Island determined to make the most of a season where he has had to work harder than ever to retain his status as the number one rider in the world. But his erstwhile rivals Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) and Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) still have second place to fight for and will, as ever, make life less than easy for the champ.

MotoGP makes the last of three ‘flyaway’ temporary encampments at Phillip Island, 130km south east of Melbourne in Australia this weekend for the penultimate race of the 16 Grands Prix season. This is the third of three back-to-back races that test teams to the maximum in terms of human endurance and logistical expertise.

Rossi has cemented his reputation as one the all-time greats with his third consecutive World Championship and the Repsol Honda Team has clinched the new Team Championship. Honda has also wrapped up the Manufacturers title. But the competitive edge remains as sharp as ever.

Phillip Island is a place where talent shines and riders know that to be fast at this bleak but beautiful and far-flung environment requires the utmost commitment – titles have been won and lost here. Part of that is due to the race calendar and accumulated points. Much else is due to the demanding nature of the track.

The 4.488km track hosted the first Australian motorcycle Grand Prix in 1989 and the contests have rarely been less than spectacular. Much of that is down to the layout of the track. Another element is the fulsome participation of the committed crowd. The end of season atmosphere cannot be discounted either.

But as well as the dispute for the runner-up honours in the premier class much is at stake in the smaller categories too. The 250 title is still up for grabs and notwithstanding Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Junior Team RS125R) having already lifted the World 125cc Championship, that class will continue to provide racing of the highest calibre whenever the gantry lights go green.

But, as ever, it’s the technicalities of the tarmac and the riders’ approaches to the event that are of primary importance.

“It’s sometimes difficult to restart after such a great weekend,” says Rossi. “But I love Phillip Island. I’ve had great experiences there and we’ll try for another good result. The bike works so well at the moment and we’ll just try to have some fun for the rest of the season. I want to get on the podium for every race this season and that is my motivation now we’ve won the title and the team Championship.”

But the track is a tough one and tyre wear is a huge issue. The two left-hand turns onto the main straight are punishing on rubber and machine set-up is directed as conserving tyres. But there are so many fast changes of direction on this circuit and sustained periods of high lean angle that riders have to prepare for late laps when grip has all but evaporated.

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) is prepared. “When I tested here at the start of the year I really enjoyed it,” said the American rookie. “The track, the atmosphere, the ocean in the background makes it special. The layout is great and the big left-handers are real fun. I want to finish my first MotoGP season on a high and I just want to up the momentum.”

Sete Gibernau has it all to ride for having proved to be Rossi’s main rival this season. “I’ve got two races left to win although the title is over,” said the Spaniard. “And I’ll give it my best shot as always. I’ll have the support of a great team behind me like I’ve had all season and like most riders I relish the challenge of this track.”

Max Biaggi too is geared to go. “I want to finish my season well,” said the Roman Rossi rival. “I’ll try to get some revenge there, although he (Rossi) is a great rider and has had a top-level season. The track is one of my favourites although I won’t leave from Malaysia for a while because I’ve heard it’s quite freezing there. I’ll arrive on Wednesday morning!”

Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) is ready too. “When you test there in winter the weather is always good, but when you race there it’s windy and cold,” he said. “This year we haven’t tested there, but we still have an idea what to expect. Last year I was third on the podium, and I’ll be trying to better that this year. Tyre choice is always crucial here, because they get a really hard time.”

For Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) Phillip Island represents a chance to continue the progress the Japanese rookie has made this year. “Last year Jeremy McWilliams got pole, so we know we have capability for good lap times here,” he said. “And we’ll be hoping for a repeat result in qualifying – and in the race.”

In the 250 class Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) will continue his determined bid to snatch the 250 crown with his resolute and consistent style. “I like the Phillip Island track very much,” he said. “The circuit has some fast sections where you need a fast engine but the corners there will allow me to exploit the handling qualities of my Fortuna Honda. The Championship is not over and I am still in there fighting. Everything is possible until the very last chance has gone.”

Honda hotshot Sebastian Porto (Telefonica Movistar Junior Team RS250RW) will give it everything too. “Phillip Island I like very much, in fact it’s one of my favourite circuits,” said the Argentine rider. “The track has everything, it’s a real rider’s circuit and I have done well there in the past. I don’t have a favourite section – I like every aspect of the place. My bike will work well there, even if I do need a little more power. I also like Australia very much and that helps a lot.”

Dani Pedrosa, the new 125cc World Champion from the Telefonica Movistar Honda Junior Team is relaxed and raring to go. “Phillip Island is a good track, but it’s very difficult for a 125,” he said. “The gearing is very difficult to get right because of the wind. It helps you going in one direction but hurts you going the other way. Nobody really has an advantage at Phillip Island because so much of the track is in fifth and sixth gear, full open on the gas running up to the last corner and down the front straight, and also at the back of the circuit. Slipstreaming is very, very important. The only problem is the wind – it’s a little dangerous sometimes, very much so when it comes from the side. The races are always really good for the fans and television because they are always close.”

Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) is keen to build on a fine first full season of top level competition. “Phillip Island is not an easy track for me,” said the Swiss teenager. “Last year was not so bad for me and I enjoyed racing there but the wind was a big problem. I’m very light and I got caught you by the wind and crashed three times! Slipstreaming is very important at that track and I have to improve the way I use slipstreaming. My bike is really working well now, the engine is good and that’s important at Phillip Island. I’m looking forward to the race.”

Andrea Dovisioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) will be going all-out out to secure a high finish in the points table. The Italian currently lies fourth. “All Grand Prix riders like racing at Phillip Island and for sure I have a good feeling when I’m there,” he said. “If everything is okay with the bike I’m sure I can finish in the top five. The only problem we face is with the wind but it’s the same for everybody.”

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON REPORTS RECORD Third QUARTER Earnings

Milwaukee, Wis., October 15, 2003 — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) today announced record earnings for its third quarter ended September 28, 2003. Third quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) were 62 cents, a 14.8 percent increase compared with last year’s 54 cents. Revenue for the quarter was $1.134 billion, which compares to $1.135 billion in the year-ago quarter.

“I am pleased to report that we delivered our third quarter shipment target for Harley-Davidson® motorcycles while starting up our new factory for Softail® motorcycles in York, Pennsylvania,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “Achieving total revenues that equaled last year’s record third quarter performance was also a significant accomplishment since last year’s quarter benefited from the extraordinary impact of the introduction of our 100th Anniversary products.” Revenue growth in the third quarter of 2002 was 28.4 percent for motorcycles, 32.3 percent for Parts & Accessories (P&A) and 88.5 percent for General Merchandise. “During this year’s third quarter, we also successfully began production of our new 2004 line of motorcycles, including a completely redesigned Sportster® family,” said Bleustein.

“Strong demand continued throughout the third quarter as our dealer network sold Harley-Davidson motorcycles in record numbers. Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. grew over 27 percent compared with last year’s third quarter and resulted in a decline in dealer inventories of nearly 12,000 units during the quarter,” added Bleustein.

Continued strong demand for Harley-Davidson motorcycles and planned increases in production capacity support the Company’s new 2003 target of 291,000 units and a 2004 target of 317,000 units. The 2004 target represents an 8.9 percent increase over the 2003 target.

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment – Third Quarter Results

Third quarter revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles was $844.3 million, an increase of 1.4 percent over last year. Worldwide shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the third quarter totaled 67,458 units, in line with the Company’s previously announced target of 67,500. This compares to last year’s third quarter shipments of 67,474 motorcycles.

Third quarter revenue from P&A, which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $207.8 million. This is a 4.3 percent increase, or $8.5 million more than the year-ago quarter.

Third quarter revenue from General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes* apparel and collectibles, totaled $60.5 million, down 27.2 percent over the same period last year.

Both P&A and General Merchandise revenue benefited from strong sales of 100th Anniversary products in 2002. Excluding the $46 million of revenue from 100th Anniversary products, the P&A growth rate is 15.8 percent and the General Merchandise growth rate is 3.5 percent over 2002’s third quarter.

For the longer term, the Company expects the growth rate for P&A revenues to be slightly higher than Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle unit growth rate, and the General Merchandise growth rate is expected to be lower than the motorcycle unit growth rate.

Third quarter gross margin improved from 34.9 percent of revenue in 2002 to 35.6 percent in 2003. Gross margin was impacted primarily by foreign currency exchange rates. Third quarter operating margin of 21.3 percent increased from 19.6 percent in 2002. This increase was driven primarily by higher gross margin and the timing of operating expenses in 2002 and 2003.

Motorcycle Retail Data – Nine Month Results
Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the United States were up 12.9 percent for the period January through September 2003 when compared to the same period last year. Harley-Davidson retail sales in Europe and Japan were up 9.5 and 12.6 percent, respectively, when compared with 2002. Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles have outpaced the heavyweight motorcycle industry in the U.S., Europe and Japan as shown in the accompanying table.

Financial Services Segment
Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. (HDFS) reported third quarter operating income of $46.2 million, up 55.7 percent from $29.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The segment’s performance was driven by continued strong marketplace acceptance of its finance and insurance products as well as a favorable interest rate environment.

The Company’s third quarter securitization of $475 million of motorcycle retail loans resulted in a gain of $22.2 million that compares to a securitization of $390 million and a gain of $17.0 million during the third quarter of 2002. The gain as a percentage of loans securitized increased from 4.36 percent in the third quarter of 2002 to 4.67 percent in the third quarter of 2003, as HDFS continued to benefit in this low interest rate environment.

Annualized credit losses on a managed portfolio basis increased slightly in the first nine months of the year from 0.68 percent in 2002 to 0.73 percent in 2003.

The Company is raising its expectation for HDFS’s operating income for 2003 to be approximately 55 percent higher than in 2002. Over the long term, the Company expects the HDFS growth rate to be slightly higher than the Company’s motorcycle unit growth rate.

Cash Flow – Nine Month Results
Operations generated cash of $862.6 million. The Company invested $124.4 million in capital expenditures, declared dividends of $34.9 million and repurchased 750,000 shares valued at $30.6 million.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. – Nine Month Results
For the nine month period, revenue totaled $3.466 billion, a 13.1 percent increase over the year-ago period. Diluted earnings per share were $1.90, an increase of 34.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Through the first nine months of this year, shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were 214,091, an 8.3 percent increase over last year’s 197,683. Harley-Davidson motorcycle revenue was $2.676 billion, a 14.3 percent increase over $2.341 billion in revenue in 2002. P&A revenue totaled $571.8 million, a 14.5 percent increase over last year’s $499.3 million. General Merchandise revenue totaled $160.7 million, a 9.1 percent decrease compared with $176.7 million during the same period in 2002.

For the first nine months, HDFS operating income was $134.0 million, a $55.2 million increase over last year’s first nine months.

From a press release issued by Willow Springs International Raceway:

THREE RACE LEGENDS SERVE AS GRAND MARSHALS OF WILLOW SPRINGS’ GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND

ROSAMOND, CA — Kenny Eggers, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey; three Motorcycle Hall of Fame recipients spanning the half century of Willow Springs existence will serve as Grand Marshals of the track’s gala 50th Anniversary Weekend, October 17th through 19th.

Kenny Eggers, the first person ever to win a motorcycle race at Willow Springs in the early 50’s will bring a historical perspective to the celebrations. Eggers, a native Californian, learned to ride at 12 and continues to restore classic cycles. He paid $40 for his first bike, which soon led to a job at a local San Jose motorcycle shop and after a stint in the army, to serious racing.

Eggers cut his teeth riding with the “San Jose Bunch” headed by hill climbing legend Sam Arena. Throughout the 50’s Eggers made a name for himself as a determined and knowledgeable racer. In 1954, Eggers raced in the AMA Grand National Series that included a stop at a new track in the California desert … Willow Springs.

“The track was quite crude in its early days, the racing surface wasn’t pavement, it was oiled dirt,” recalls Eggers. “Cars had been using it before our race and it was pretty rough.”

Despite the conditions and a flooded carburetor at the start, Eggers endurance experience paid off as he quickly worked his way through the field to win his place in Willow Springs history.

Eggers and his wife Kaye, live in San Jose where he continues to tinker with motorcycles. His current project: restoring his original bike to racing condition.

Four time 500cc World Champion Eddie Lawson has been riding since the age of seven and was racing by age 12.

“We rode tracks like Corona and Ascot, and I didn’t do very well,” admits Lawson. But by the early ‘70’s he was dominating SoCal dirt tracks.

As the decade wound down, Eddie shifted to road circuits and by age 20 was considered one of the top contenders in West Coast club racing. The early ‘80’s saw Lawson become a star on the superbike circuit while also dominating AMA’s 250GP series, where he won two straight national championships.

In 1983, Lawson went international, racing for Yamaha on the GranPrix circuit. It was a difficult time. “I was away from home for the first time, I wasn’t having much success and at the time wondered what I had gotten myself into” Eddie admits.

But the 1984 season was markedly different. Lawson began winning … a lot. He won the 1984 World Championship, his first of four such titles over the next decade. By the end of the 1992 season, Eddie has scored a total of 31 victories in GP racing. In 1990 Lawson won Japan’s prestigious Suzuka Eight Hour race with teammate Tadahiko Taira and won the 1993 Daytona 200.

Today, Lawson lives in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

Motorcycle Hall of Fame recipient, Wayne Rainey also got an early start to his racing career. Born on October 23, 1960, Rainey grew up in a racing family. By the time he was six, Wayne was riding a Honda 50cc minibike. Within three years he was racing on amateur and junior dirt tracks and by age 18 had turned pro.

After a rocky rookie season, Rainey earned six top-ten finishes in 1980 and the following year won the novice 250 GP in Loudon, New Hampshire. In ‘82 Rainey moved up to Superbike class and teamed with former rival Eddie Lawson. He finished his rookie Superbike season in third place after teammate Lawson and Mike Baldwin.

His second season on the big bikes proved even more fulfilling with his six wins allowing him to best Baldwin’s points total for the championship.

In 1987, Rainey won his second Superbike title, in a season-long battle between himself and Kevin Schwantz. 1988 brought Wayne new kudos as he competed in the 500cc class, earning a World Championship victory in Donington Park England.

But after a decade of racing professionally, Rainey was just coming into his prime. For the next 3 years straight, (‘90,’ 91, and ’92) he won world titles with 24 wins in world championship races.

The 1993 season looked just as promising until a crash at Misano, Italy sidelined the champion for the remainder of the season. Back in ’94, he headed up his own racing team and continued to be active on the circuit until 1998.

Rainey calls Monterey, California home. He and fellow grand marshal Eddie Lawson continue to compete on the track today … now days in superkarts, those go-carts on steroids that top out at 150 mph.

Just like Willow Springs itself, they show no signs of slowing down.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

TORONTO, ON – The final stage of Canadian Superbike racing’s new rules package comes into effect with the start of the 2004 season.

With Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha all unveiling new 1000cc, four-cylinder sport bikes for the new model year a standardized set of rules will be put in place for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

Rules for Canada’s premier motorcycle road racing series were revamped for the 2003 season in an effort to contain costs and improve the competitive balance in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship. As part of the performance restrictions a maximum horsepower limit was introduced.

However, grandfather clauses were provided for the existing Superbikes from Honda and Kawasaki. Honda’s RC51 and the Kawasaki ZX-7RR were the two most exotic and expensive motorcycles in the Canadian series. They were allowed to remain in the series for an additional season but were restricted in their use of performance parts.

Now Honda will compete on the Parts Canada Superbike tour with its new CBR1000RR while Kawasaki will have the ZX-10R. Yamaha has made a major update to its YZF-R1, which won the 2003 Parts Canada Superbike title with Pascal Picotte. The only model to carryover from 2003 is Suzuki’s GSX-R1000, which was redesigned last year.

“Everybody will now be on a level playing field,” said series director Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsport Productions. “We have now closed the door on the old format.”

As part of the 2004 Parts Canada Superbike rules update motorcycles in the feature class will be expected to adhere more closely to their stock design. For example, competitors will not be allowed to design and install engine scoops or airboxes to improve airflow to the engine, nor will they be permitted to race with certain aftermarket items like trick swingarms or brakes.

“We’re going to deal with the original manufacturer equipment as much as we can,” Fraser explained. “Our goal with the new rules was always to reduce costs and make the feature class more accessible to competitors.”

The result of the new regulations last season was the closest points battle in Canadian national Superbike history, with Picotte edging Suzuki riders Steve Crevier and Francis Martin to the crown at the final race. Six different riders scored a race victory in the eight Parts Canada Superbike rounds and four separate racers took a turn at the top of the point standings.

With the arrival of new motorcycles from three of the four Japanese manufacturers for the 2004 season, the maximum horsepower in the Parts Canada Superbike class has been raised from 155 to 160 hp as measured on the official series Dynojet Dyno. Minimum weight remains at 360 lbs. when measured on the official series scales after qualifying sessions or race action.

Minor rules changes to the 600 Sport Bike national support classes have also been announced for 2004. In both the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike and International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike categories maximum horsepower has been bumped from 112 hp to 115 hp and minimum weight has dropped from 355 lbs. to 350 lbs. The weight limit was reduced due to concerns about the use of ballast on some motorcycles in the class.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The M4 product evaluation on page 111 of the November 2003 issue of Roadracing World has an incorrect dyno graph and power and torque tables. The M4 exhaust was dynoed back-to-back with the stock exhaust on a 2003 Suzuki SV650.

The correct peak horsepower and torque numbers are: 70.3 bhp @ 9000 rpm and 42.5 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 7000 rpm with the stock exhaust, and 74.5 bhp @ 9000 rpm and 45.6 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 7000 rpm with the M4 exhaust, as measured on a Dynojet dyno.

The error is due to an inconsistency between version 7.0.1.0 and version 7.0.7.14 of Dynojet’s RunViewer software. The same dyno run viewed with each version of the software showed a difference of nearly two horsepower. During the research and editing process, version 7.0.1.0 was used, but during the production (pre-press) process, version 7.0.7.14 was used. The software-induced changes in the numbers and graphs were not caught before the issue was printed.

The correct graph and tables will be printed in the December 2003 issue.

From a press release issued by Renegade Ducati:

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR RENEGADE’S RUTTER

Renegade Ducati rider Michael Rutter stormed to victory in both 20 lap Race of the Year races at Mallory Park Sunday Local man Rutter, who lives just a stone’s throw away from the Leicestershire track, was able to use his in-depth circuit knowledge to take his first double victory of the year and reward the Renegade team with whom he’s endured a difficult season.

Hawk Kawasaki’s Glen Richards got the hole-shot into Gerard’s in the first race and then set about opening a three second gap between himself and the chasing pack of Virgin Mobile Yamaha mounted Gary Mason, ETI Ducati’s Sean Emmett and Rutter. Richards’ charge was halted by his Renegade rival, however, who muscled his way past both Emmett and Mason by mid-race distance.

Two laps later he’d caught and passed the Kawasaki rider and set about opening up a lead of his own. Richards tried to respond but his rear tyre had passed its best, forcing him to settle for second at the flag – 3.6 seconds behind Rutter and five seconds ahead of Emmett in third.

Rutter looked even stronger at the start of the second outing, taking control at the front from the first lap. The race was stopped a lap later, however, after Hawk Kawasaki rider Lee Jackson crashed heavily going into The Esses. Luckily he was unhurt, but he was unable to take any further part in the proceedings after his ZX-7RR was destroyed in the incident.

Jackson’s team mates, Glen Richards and Scott Smart, made up for his disappointment by streaking straight into first and second after the restart. While Richards tried to stretch out a lead, Smart battled with Rutter for second. The Renegade rider eventually made a pass stick on the fifth lap before mounting his challenge for the lead.

The Ducati rider hit the front two laps later and remained there until the flag, although his winning margin over Richards was a less comfortable 0.4 seconds. Emmett bagged his second podium of the day, while Mason and Smart rounded out the top five.

Veteran GP star Ron Haslam saw his one-off return to racing cut short, when his Renegade Ducati 998 blew up on the start finish straight on lap 15 of the first race. Ron, who was hoping to use the experience to further increase his knowledge of the superbikes he helps his son Leon set-up, was warmly applauded by the crowd for his efforts however.


RACE OF THE YEAR – RACE 1
1) Michael Rutter, Renegade Ducati. 2) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki. 3) Sean Emmett, ETI Ducati. 4) Gary Mason, Virgin Mobile Yamaha. 5) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki. 6) Leon Haslam, Renegade Ducati. 7) Jon Kirkham, TDB Yamaha. 8) Karl Harris, Honda Racing. 9) Lee Jackson, Hawk Kawasaki. 10) Dave Wood, Dave Wood Racing Suzuki

Fastest Lap: Michael Rutter, Ducati: 51.722, 96.74mph

RACE OF THE YEAR – RACE 2
1) Michael Rutter, Renegade Ducati. 2) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki. 3) Sean Emmett, ETI Ducati. 4) Gary Mason, Virgin Mobile Yamaha. 5) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki. 6) Leon Haslam, Renegade Ducati. 7) Jon Kirkham, TDB Yamaha. 8) Karl Harris, Honda Racing. 9) Malcolm Ashley, MAR/Bikerden Ducati. 10) Dave Wood, Dave Wood Racing Suzuki

Fastest Lap: Glen Richards, Kawasaki: 51.743, 96.70mph

From a press release:

On Sunday Oct 12, Mark Ledesma set a new lap record of 1:38.6 during a TrackTime practice session at the 2.3 mi. Arizona Motorsports Park.

Ledesma aboard his North Valley Honda CBR 954 was gearing up for the upcoming AZROADRACING.COM
UNLIMITED GP on Oct. 19. Ledesma plans on taking home his share of over $8000 in prize money posted in the 6 feature sprints.

For race info go to azroadracing.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

WSMC racer (and Trackdaz co-owner) Rudy Cortez and wife Melissa had a son, Noah Samual Cortez, October 10 in Corona, California.