Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

There was considerable press leading into this year’s Daytona 200 about tires. There were a few problems during the tire test that have been pretty well documented so I won’t go into that again. However: Privateers were not involved in the test so some of us use the CCS weekend to do our testing.

When I first got to the Speedway I checked in with the Dunlop people. Thursday morning afforded us two practice sessions prior to the CCS 200-mile endurance race held that afternoon. This would be my first opportunity to get a feel for the tire designated to be used in the AMA 200 the following weekend.

The race was a strange one with the red flag and all. We (Brian Shaw and myself) had won the race in October with a two-stop strategy. This time Brian started the race and went for 18 laps. We watched the performance drop off about 3 seconds a lap. When he handed the bike off to me, he told me I would be pissed for him trashing the tire. The tire was basically unridable with no grip at all. Please let me make this very clear, the tire was built for 18 laps and we tried to stretch this out. Dunlop built a tire to last the speeds the 1000s were going and they succeeded. Using this race for testing revealed two things, the tires gripped for two or three laps then fell off (performance wise) dramatically.

Afterwards, I went to the Dunlop garage and began to question what tires would be available for Daytona 200 qualifying. I was told by three separate people that what I had been using would be what I would have to qualify on. All three of the tire reps advised that there would be no “Q” (qualifying) tires. Armed with this information I made my plans for the rest of the weekend by trying DOTs and combos of DOTs and slicks. I came up with a combo I was happy with and would get me in the program.

Forward to Wednesday qualifying for the Daytona 200. With my tire selection made I attempted to enter the track but was stopped by AMA officials. I was told I could not use the DOTs because this was a slick spec class. With no time for discussion I had no choice but to change the tires. I went out on cold tires and crashed my brains out. My own fault.

After the qualifying session I went to discuss with the AMA about the tire situation. No one could show me in writing (the rulebook or the meet supplemental regulations) where DOTs were excluded. I checked with Dunlop and as far as they knew the tires were approved. All of this was after Bostrom uncorked a monster lap giving him the pole.

Licking my wounds that night I watched Wind Tunnel and guess what…both Boz bros. were on Q tires (one M and one D). I was livid that I was lied to by the vendor I had been supporting for better than 15 years. The next morning I went to the Dunlop garage and requested a Q tire and was told there were none available. Well, the rest is history–I used up three slicks trying to get up to speed and couldn’t get the job done. The previous weekend I had been as much as a-second-a-lap faster on the DOTs on a very cold track.

My beef is: The tire manufactures make Q tires for the bragging rights to the pole position and more importantly the points that are awarded to the pole winner. Can anyone see the problems with this?

1. The pole and cutoff time become unrealistic as far as the actual race pace will go. The cutoff time (which has also been reduced this year) becomes more difficult to make. If a privateer is not provided the same tire choice for qualifying they may not make the grid. I don’t think spectators will want to go to Road America or Mid Ohio and see 15-bike fields. We don’t want to even think what the TV coverage would look like.

2. Q tires work, they work well, what if the tire rep decides to give a chosen rider a better Q tire than the rest? Doesn’t that give the manufacturer the power to select who wins the pole. Won’t that also give the manufacturer the power to select who will win the Championship based on the 11 points acquired by winning the pole?

These issues were brought to the attention of (AMA Road Racing Manager) Ron Barrick. His response was that they (the AMA) know that it is a problem but they have no way of fixing it so they will allow it to continue as is.

My recommendations would be: Take away the qualifying points and have all riders start on the tire they qualified on. This works well in F1, why not AMA?

Rick Shaw
AMA Superbike #79
Miami, Florida




This just in from AMA Pro Racing Chief Steward Laura Perry:

I was the official who told Rick Shaw he could not go out on DOT tires in the Superbike qualifying session. The wording in the 2004 rulebook is:

“4. Tires

Only non-DOT, racing tires are permitted.”

I don’t know who he asked from the AMA who would have been unable to show him this rule since it is in the printed rulebook.

Laura Perry
Athens, Alabama

From a press release issued by Dorna Sports:


MotoGP Official Test to lift the lid on 2004 season preparations

The MotoGP World Championship 2004 roars into life in Spain this week at the Circuit de Catalunya, host to the MotoGP Official Test for the second consecutive year. The three day session on the 26th, 27th and 28th March is the first time during an intense preseason that all of the MotoGP teams will be on track together and it promises to provide an exciting prologue to the new season as the official timing system clicks into action for the first time this year.

A televised 45 minute session on Sunday with a BMW Z4 on offer for the fastest rider also forms the first round of the BMW Award – MotoGP Best Qualifier 2004, with a top of the range series 645Ci car from the German manufacturer on offer for the overall winner at the end of the season, providing a tantalising incentive for the riders and teams to push the limitations of their machines and give a key insight into what can be expected during one of the most eagerly awaited campaigns in the sport’s 55-year history. The ‘Official Practice’, takes place at 1405 CET, and will be screened around the world.

This time last year Loris Capirossi sprung the shock of the preseason with a sensational lap time on an early version of the Ducati Desmosedici and drove away in a BMW 330 Cd. Capirossi’s surprise form was certainly a sign of things to come, as he took a podium for Ducati on their MotoGP debut at Suzuka and then snatched an historic victory for the Italian factory at Catalunya.

This year the focus will no doubt be on Valentino Rossi, who is finalising preparations for his first campaign with Yamaha after switching from Honda, the dominant factory in MotoGP during recent seasons. The reigning MotoGP World Champion arrives at the Barcelona track fresh on the back of successful tests in Australia and, with rumours and uncertainty traditionally surrounding the authenticity of unofficial lap times throughout the preseason, there will be no hiding place this weekend as he comes face to face with all of the pretenders to his crown for the first time aboard the YZR-M1.

Aside from the exceedingly high quality opposition provided by his former employers at HRC, which includes last season’s runner-up Sete Gibernau, eternal rival Max Biaggi, Rookie of the Year Nicky Hayden, multiple-Grand Prix winner Alex Barros, former World Superbike Champion Colin Edwards and Japanese protégé Makoto Tamada, Rossi faces stiff competition from a strong MotoGP field which has taken radical steps to try and take advantage of his Yamaha gamble.

Ducati have produced an all-new version of the Desmosedici, branded the GP4, for their factory team of Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, whilst leasing the GP3 machines out to a satellite team which will include the reigning World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson and WSB runner-up Ruben Xaus. Meanwhile, rival factories Suzuki, Kawasaki, Aprilia and Proton have all produced drastically revised versions of their four-stroke prototypes as they aim to compete once more for the biggest prize in motorcycle racing.

Rossi’s challengers will get a glimpse of their ultimate goal on Saturday 27th March, when the Italian will be presented with the first ever MotoGP World Championship Trophy in a special ceremony during a break in the track action at 1330 CET.

The second and final Official Test takes place next week at Jerez, with the MotoGP contingent on the 31 March and 1 April.

From a press release issued by VP Racing Fuels:

Red Rock Distributing Joins VP Racing Fuels Team

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (March 22, 2004) VP Racing Fuels announced today the signing of Red Rock Distributing as its newest bulk distributor. Red Rock reached an agreement with VP to service the Oklahoma area with bulk VP110 and Performance Unleaded racing fuels along with VP’s line of specialty fuels, lubricants, performance chemicals and accessories. VP110 and Performance Unleaded will be available at the pump or in drums at Red Rock’s new facility at One NW 50th Street in Oklahoma City and delivered in bulk to race tracks throughout Oklahoma.

“We’re excited to be able to add VP fuels as a premium line for our existing racing fuel customers and dealers,” said David Wells, Red Rock’s racing fuels sales manager. “Red Rock Distributing will help VP Racing by bringing wider distribution of our racing fuels and other products to race tracks and other distribution channels,” according to Brad Horton, regional manager for VP. “Our customers should also benefit in the long run because of increased efficiencies in bulk shipment of fuels.”

Tracks, oil jobbers, dealers and racers interested in finding out more can contact David Wells at 405-677-3373 or 800-323-7109.

For over 70 years, Red Rock Distributing has supplied Oklahomans with quality fuels for their cars, trucks, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles. With an experienced staff available to answer specific fueling questions, Red Rock Distributing can identify the best fuel for a specific engine, no matter what the application. More information can be obtained by visiting their facility at One NW 50th in Oklahoma City, or on the web at www.redrockdist.com.

VP Racing has been manufacturing the best fuels for motorsport applications since 1975, currently producing more than 50 unique blends. With these blends, VP has fueled champions in virtually every racing category and class — from drag racing, circle track and road racing to motocross, off-road, off-shore and even airplane racing. In race venues not controlled by a fuel rule, VP consistently fuels more winners than any other American fuel company. VP’s fuels have earned a reputation for superior power and consistency – as illustrated by the NHRA Pro Stock Champions who have made VP their fuel of choice for 28 consecutive years, a record unmatched by any major sponsor in the industry.

VP Racing is the Official Racing Fuel of NHRA Championship Drag Racing, as well as exclusive fuel supplier and/or sponsor of AMA (American Motorcycle Association) Supercross; ASA (American Speed Association); IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association); NMRA (National Mustang Racing Association); SKUSA (Superkarts! USA); Star Mazda; Stars of Karting; Rmax Challenge; Toyota Atlantic; and Trans Am, among others.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I just wanted to say goodbye, or better yet see you all later, to my friends, fellow racers and tire patrons. My National Guard Unit from Savannah, Georgia was called up and have to head overseas.

The past five years have been a blast helping a lot of you as the Southeast Dunlop Tire Rep and I can’t wait to get back and continue our fun and friendship.

I am heading to Afghanistan on the 29th of March and won’t get to see you for 12 months or so, I’ll be flying all around the country in my Chinook helicopter wishing I was at the track.

I don’t have an address yet but hopefully will be able to get my email, [email protected]. Maybe I can get a note or two from you while I am away.

Hope you all have a safe and successful year and see you when I get back.

SSG James Bock
U.S. Army
Savannah, Georgia

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I am disappointed to report that the trailer belonging to Per Hogdahl’s Priority Racing was broken into some time within the past two weeks.

Among the items stolen were a 2001 TZ250 (Simon Turner’s 2002 racebike with race number 111), an SV650 belonging to Mark Hamilton of Irish Bike Magazine (race number 312), and a Honda generator.

The trailer was parked in a fenced-in yard in West Palm Beach, Florida.

A reward is available for the return of these and other items with no questions asked. I can be contacted at 404-964-8879, e-mail [email protected].

Caesar Gonzales
WERA #74, AMA #274
Austell, Georgia

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The type of news on Iraq you don’t get on TV, from a soldier we know, who will remain anonymous:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

I get out of here in three and a half weeks. It is actually starting to feel like it now. We are having our finance briefing and our “reintegration” briefing–basically it tells you not to go nuts when we get back to Germany–and I am finally beginning to pack. We actually have some of the advanced party for our replacement unit here now. It is interesting to see them with the glazed-eye stare we had when we got here.

My former NCOIC was severly injured in a terrible roadside bomb yesterday. He was in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle commander’s hatch when it exploded and some shrapnel hit him in the back of the neck. Luckily the convoy he was in was right next to a U.S. base so they managed to air-evacuate him almost immediately. He spent about 6 hours in surgery and they almost declared him dead twice. They finally managed to stabilize him but they weren’t showing any brain activity. So basically they thought he had brain stem damage. But this morning he was doing better and they are putting him under observation for 2 days to see if the swelling in his brain goes down before they try to evacuate him to Germany. My soldiers are pretty upset. He is now the 3rd soldier that I personally know who has been killed or severely injured here. He had a month left to go–he has a wife and 3 kids back in Germany. We are all just praying for his recovery.

The other bad news is that for some reason the stupid idiots at the Corps level JAG are deciding to clean out the jails here in Iraq. Well, instead of letting out the low-level weapons violators they are letting out the terrorists that are involved in putting out these roadside bombs–because they claim that we don’t have enough evidence against them. In the last two weeks three major figures in the main bad guy group here have gotten out–and we have already seen the results as one of our unit’s informants has already been assassinated. So it seems like everything we have worked for for the last year and the 13 deaths our unit has sustained has been for nothing. We are all pretty discouraged.

Anyway, that is about it from here. I’m hoping the next couple of weeks bring more good news than bad. A couple of my friends are on their way out here and I hope their experience will be OK.

Well, I must close for now. As usual, my love to all.

Coyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Lisa Theobald

Marco Martinez won the Unlimited Grand Prix race at Moroso Motorsports Park during the CCS Florida Region event Sunday, and took home a total of four first-place trophies along with three seconds, a third and a fifth.

The Sunday race schedule had to be adjusted due to an unusually high number of red-flag incidents and one extended oil-clean-up situation. Several of the afternoon races were shortened to five laps in an effort to complete the event before sunset.

After an unusually long, incident-filled day, the final race, Unlimited Grand Prix, finally got underway about two-and-a-half hours behind schedule. Ed Lis made it to turn one ahead of the pack and led the first lap on his GSX-R750 with Martinez and Jim Pihokken in hot pursuit. By the end of the lap one, the race had broken into a three-rider battle for the lead. Martinez made the winning pass halfway through lap two on his GSX-R1000, outpowering Lis down the back straight and taking over first place. And then he started to step away from the rest of the field. By the end of lap five, he was running all alone up front and took the checkered flag without further challenge. Pihokken, Lis, John-o Bowman and Dave McEnery rounded off the top five.

Martinez also won the Unlimited Supersport, Heavyweight Supersport and Middleweight Grand Prix races. He finished second in Middleweight Supersport, Middleweight Superbike and Heavyweight Superbike. Pihokken won the GTO race, and Lis won the Formula 40 and Heavyweight Superbike events.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ALSTARE CHASE AUSTRALIAN ROSTRUM.

2004 Supersport World Championship.
Round 2 Preview, Phillip Island, Australia, March 28th.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra head for this weekend’s second World Supersport Championship round at Phillip Island, Australia, aiming for podium positions.

And for team riders Katsuaki Fujiwara, Stephane Chambon and newcomer Vittorio Iannuzzo, it will be an opportunity to see if all the hard work and technical modifications the team have made since the opening round of the series in Valencia, Spain, has paid off.

The 4.445km track is a favourite amongst racers and is one of the few circuits in the world with an ocean backdrop. All riders and teams look forward to the Phillip Island event and this year will be no exception, including the Alstare Team, who have worked on boosting the top end power on the new 2004 GSX 600R.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA:

“Considering this is a new bike and that I had a very high fever in Valencia, our results were very good indeed. There is always a lot of work to be done with a new bike and we didn¹t have much time to do it before the first race. Valencia is also a tough circuit and also remember that our competitors have raced on Pirelli tyre before, whereas this was our first time. I like Phillip Island circuit and if our bike has similar top speed to the others, I can get another podium.”

STEPHANE CHAMBON:

“I¹m happy to have got Valencia out of the way because I don¹t like the track at all. In practice, the winds were strong and I had a lot of difficulty controlling the bike! At the stage of development we were at in Valencia, I was quite happy to finish in the top five, but now I want a podium and I want it soon! There¹s still lots to be done on the new GSX 600R and we have to be on the pace sooner rather than later. I like Phillip Island, so I¹m hoping for a good result.”

VITTORIO IANNUZZO:

“I was very happy to finish sixth at Valencia after qualifying seventeenth! Kats and Steph are used to riding Supersport bikes, but I was on the GSX 1000R last year, so I have to learn to adapt to the smaller bike and its different characteristics. It¹s a new bike for the team and it¹s a very new sensation for me, but we are all working hard and making progress. I hope to be attacking the podium within a few races for sure.”