Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden told Roadracingworld.com in a recent interview that his goal for the 2004 season is to win the MotoGP World Championship.

“No doubt my goal’s to be Champion,” said Hayden at his home in Owensboro, Kentucky. “I know for a guy who’s had two podiums in his life that’s saying a lot, to step up, but I like to set my goals high. I know I’m going to have to elevate my game, do a lot to get there, but that’s my goal, that’s what I want to do.

“I have a great bike, a great team. This year if I don’t get it done I can’t use that excuse ‘I’m a rookie’ no more and ‘I don’t know the tracks,’ this, that and carrying on.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence going into this year, definitely more than last year. I feel like this year I can focus on riding a lot more. Last year, I didn’t feel quite at home with the team, early on. It took me a while.

“I was thinking the other day when I got to Malaysia (for a test), I remember getting there last year, getting to my room and no TV, no lights, no power, and I couldn’t figure out why. I finally got a guy on the phone who spoke a little English. There you have to put the key into the (wall of the room). I’d never been to a hotel in America where you had to do that. Just little things like that. Now I know where I’m going, I know the tracks, I know where they’re at, I just feel like I can focus more on the riding and see where it’s at.

“Testing’s been good. I definitely feel like I’ve improved on the bike. Definitely working with the team has come better. My suspension guy Daisuke (Hashimoto), who came with me from the (American Honda) team in 2002, me and him are working better together than ever. He’s definitely a big plus on my side. This guy is doing some great work.

“I feel like I’m stronger on the bike. I’ve been working with a trainer, Eldon Baker, who trained Ricky (Carmichael) for a while. He’s teaching me some things. We’ll see where we’re at in about five weeks.”

From a press release issued by Chuck Giacchetto Of Lonewrench Performance Engines:

Lonewrench Performance Engines of Dallas, Texas is currently taking work on a by-appointment-only basis. The shop recently constructed a website and is available for viewing and contact info with content being added daily, feel free to check it out. Lonewrench Performance has been building race-winning motors for over ten years and is currently sponsoring the 2003 FUSA Sportbike Champion Scotty Greenwood among others in various series across the USA.

Lonewrench Performance is also offering Dynojet dyno tuning and a premier suspension service with work being performed by long-time Traxxion Dynamics advocate Don Finelli. For further details and info on Lonewrench performance please visit www.lonewrench.com

From a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin:

PARTS UNLIMITED DUCATI AUSTIN CONCLUDES
TESTING AT BARBER

Birmingham (Alabama) – The Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team wrapped up a productive two-day test at Barber Motorsports Park with Eric Bostrom turning a total of 101 laps in warm and sunny conditions.

“Things went really well today,” said Bostrom. “I’m really curious about what the pace is going to be on this new asphalt. We worked with Michelin to find the right tire and I got my time down by a couple of seconds over yesterday. I’m happy about the progress because things just keep coming together.”

The team’s test follows an incredible AMA debut at the Daytona 200 where Bostrom proved the potential of the Ducati 999 by qualifying in pole position and running at the front of the field until a stone-damaged oil cooler forced his early retirement from the race.

“The main goal of our test was to find the ideal front tire and we found a solution that we are happy with,” explained race engineer Luca Ferraccioli.

“With the increased confidence Eric is showing with the set-up, we feel that good things can happen at Fontana,” declared the team’s racing manager Tom Bodenbach. Fontana is one of the few tracks where Bostrom has had the opportunity to test the 999. A test session in mid February gave the team critical data to work with as they head into the next round at the Southern California venue.

Round 2 of the AMA series will be held April 2-4 at California Speedway in Fontana.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

RIZLA SUZUKI READY TO RACE

Rizla Suzuki riders John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama are ready for the first round of the British Superbike Championship after spending today in a final pre-season test at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire.

Testing alongside the main British Superbike teams, the Rizla Suzuki riders made the most of their time on track testing new wiring looms, Ohlins suspension units and engine electronics.

Reynolds set a fast time of 1:27.9 in the third and final session on track, after finding a fork setting that he was happy with. He set the time on race rubber while testing parts. Kagayama missed the third and final session of the day when most riders posted their quickest times. He still managed an impressive 1:28.8 lap in the second session and was happy to be back at Silverstone, one of his favourite circuits.

The first round of the British Superbike Championship takes place at Silverstone on March 28th.


John Reynolds: “That’s the testing over with and it has been very worthwhile for the team. We now have the best evolution of the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 ever to be ridden on a race track and that is very encouraging.

“In a way it is a relief to finish testing and know that the next time we go on track we will be at a race meeting. I can hardly wait to get back on track here at Silverstone in just over a week’s time and get stuck into the racing.”


Yukio Kagayama: “Silverstone is a nice circuit and I really like it. I was riding comfortably and I am still close to the fastest time. Today I tried at 80 per cent. When I come back to race I will be at 100 per cent or more.

“My fitness is now becoming very good. I am training three hours a day in the gym. I feel stronger every day and riding my Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 gives me big power to heal quickly.”


Simon Green, Team Co-ordinator: “We are ready to start racing now. We have used our pre-season test sessions to evaluate parts and settings and it has been a huge success. We have concentrated on getting a bike that will be competitive when the the racing starts and we are very confident.

“JR and Yuki are both in high spirits and happy with the performance of their Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000s. No question, we will be at Silverstone on March 28th racing for the top step of the podium.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The total purse is $150,000 for the Yamaha Superbike Challenge at California Speedway, scheduled for April 2-4.

Purse payments per class follow. Note that the Superbike purse is split between two races, with half paid for each race:

Superbike
$112,500
1. $12,000
2. $9000
3. $7000
4. $6000
5. $5200
6. $4900
7. $4700
8. $4500
9. $4300
10. $4200
11. $4000
12. $3900
13. $3700
14. $3500
15. $3300
16. $3100
17. $2900
18. $2700
19. $2500
20. $2300
21. $2100
22. $2000
23. $1900
24. $1700
25. $1600
26. $1400
27. $1300
28. $1200
29. $1100
30. $1000
31. $900
32. $900
33. $700
34. $600
35. $500


The Formula Xtreme, Supersport and Supertock races each have a $12,500 purse and each pay as follows:
1. $1700
2. $1400
3. $1150
4. $900
5. $800
6. $750
7. $700
8. $650
9. $600
10. $550
11. $500
12. $450
13. $400
14. $375
15. $325
16. $300
17. $275
18. $250
19. $225
20. $200

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing has issued a new schedule for the April 2-4 Fontana National.

The new schedule has Superstock Qualifying Group One at 1:00-1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 3 with Superstock Qualifying Group Two at 1:40-2:10 p.m.

The revised Saturday afternoon schedule looks like this:

Saturday, April 3
1:00-1:30 p.m., Superstock Qualifying Group One
1:40-2:10 p.m., Superstock Qualifying Group Two
2:20-2:50 p.m., Supersport Qualifying Group One
3:00-3:30 p.m., Supersport Qualifying Group Two
3:40 p.m., Superbike Race One (100k, 28 laps)
4:40 p.m., Formula Xtreme Race (60k, 17 laps)

Some riders are complaining about the new back-to-back scheduling of the Superstock and Supersport races on Sunday; many riders competed in both classes at Daytona while crossover between Formula Xtreme, scheduled for Saturday at Fontana, and Supersport, scheduled for Sunday at Fontana, was nil at Daytona.

The current Fontana schedule has lunch between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, with the Superstock race starting at 12:00 noon, followed by the Supersport race at 1:00 p.m. and the second Superbike race at 2:00 p.m.

At least one rider has suggested running the Superstock race before lunch on Sunday, starting the race at 11:00 a.m., followed by lunch, and then starting the Supersport race at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday as currently scheduled. That schedule would give riders competing in both races a chance for some rest between events.



And now, some reader input:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

What about putting the Superstock race between the Supersport and Superbike races?

Since the rules state you can’t run Superstock and Superbike many Superbike riders are running the Supersport race. Maybe we should give them a little break.

Maybe have the Supersport race, then lunch, then Superstock and Superbike.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Rodney Rayborne
West Covina, California

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A printed schedule issued by AMA Pro Racing for the April 2-4 National at California Speedway in Fontana, California shows that riders will have two 30-minute practice sessions prior to Formula Xtreme and Supersport qualifying on Friday, April 2.

But the schedule lists no qualifying sessions for Superstock!

The schedule was mailed to AMA Pro Racing credential holders.

There is no Thursday practice at Fontana.

The schedule as issued by AMA Pro Racing follows:

Friday, April 2:
8:30-9:05 a.m., Formula Xtreme practice
9:10-9:40 a.m., Superstock practice
9:45-10:15 a.m., Supersport practice
10:20-11:10 a.m., Superbike practice
11:10-12:10, lunch break
12:10-12:45 p.m., Formula Xtreme practice
12:50-1:20 p.m., Superstock practice
1:25-1:55 p.m., Supersport practice
2:00-2:50 p.m., Superbike practice
3:00-3:30 p.m., Formula Xtreme Qualifying Group One
3:40-4:10 p.m., Formula Xtreme Qualifying Group Two
4:20-4:50 p.m., Superbike Qualifying Group One
5:00-5:30 p.m., Superbike Qualifying Group Two

Saturday, April 3:
8:30-9:10 a.m., Formula Xtreme practice
9:15-9:45 a.m., Superstock practice
9:50-10:20 a.m., Supersport practice
10:30-11:10 a.m., Superbike Qualifying Group One
11:20-12:00, Superbike Qualifying Group Two
12:00-1:00 p.m., lunch break
1:00-1:30 p.m., Supersport Qualifying Group One
1:40-2:10 p.m., Supersport Qualifying Group Two
2:30 p.m., Superbike Race One, 100k, 28 laps
3:30 p.m., Formula Xtreme race, 60k, 17 laps

Sunday, April 4
9:00-9:35 a.m., Superstock practice
9:40-10:15 a.m., Supersport practice
10:10-11:00 a.m., Superbike practice
11:00-12:00, lunch break
12:00: Superstock race, 60k, 17 laps
1:00 p.m., Supersport race, 60k, 17 laps
2:00 p.m., Superbike Race Two, 100k, 28 laps

From a press release issued by Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin, dated March 18 but actually issued on March 19:

ERIC BOSTROM TESTS MICHELINS AT BARBER

Birmingham (Alabama) – March 18, 2004: Eric Bostrom tested the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin 999 for the first time at Barber Motorsports Park today, putting in 71 laps at the fast and flowing track under overcast but mild conditions. With this being the first true road course for Bostrom on the 999, the focus was on the front end and continuing to get Eric comfortable with the bike on a track new to the 999.

The 27-year-old Bostrom from Las Vegas, Nevada had ridden the 2.3-mile track only once before in a short practice session, having missed last season’s final race at the Alabama venue due to injury. “It was fun to shake the 999 down on a real road course type track,” said an enthusiastic Bostrom.

The track, repaved late last year, created a specific challenge in tire selection. “It’s just unfortunate that the track is so green. It feels different from the brief test I did here on the old pavement,” said Bostrom. “With so many blind drop-away turns, it’s a challenging track to learn and judging the correct corner entry speed is critical. We made good progress today and I had a great time pushing the bike hard on this course.”

Italian race engineer Luca Ferraccioli explained, “With the condition of the repaved track we are concentrating on finding the correct front tire. Michelin has more front tires for us to try tomorrow so we will continue focusing on that.”

The two-day test concludes on Friday.

From a press release issued by Trek:

Trek Bicycles Teams Up With Mat Mladin

Already renowned for sponsoring five time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Trek Bicycles is proud to announce the sponsorship of American Suzuki rider, Mat Mladin.

“With Lance as our inspiration, we wanted to align ourselves with an athlete who stood out for their sense of courage, dedication and physical prowess. We think that among motorcycle racers today, Mat reflects those standards better than anyone,” said Trek brand manager Zapata Espinoza.

“With four AMA Superbike titles to his name, it’s obvious that fitness plays a big role in Mat’s daily routine. We had heard that Mat was already the owner of two Trek carbon fiber OCLV 5900s which had previously been our highest end road bike. With the arrival of new OCLV Madone 5.9, which is the bike used by Lance and the U.S. Postal team, we figured Mat would be the perfect person to introduce the bike to the road racing community. Mat ordered his Madone from our Project One custom program and it will have a flame paint job with the inscription, ‘Such is life’ painted on the top tube. Trek was extremely proud to see Mat cross the finish line at Daytona with a Trek sticker on his helmet. We couldn’t be happier with our affiliation with a champion like Mat Mladin!”

In addition to the Madone, Mladin will also be relying on a Trek F600 folding bike to keep in his motorhome while he travels the circuit. For more information on Trek Bicycles, go to: www.trekbikes.com.