Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:49.478
2. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:50.301
3. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 1:50.410
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:50.522
5. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:50.624
6. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:50.655
7. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:50.779
8. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:50.857
9. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:50.945
10. Akira Ryo, Suzuki, 1:51.220
11. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 1:51.433
12. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 1:51.665
13. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 1:51.679
14. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 1:51.794
15. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:51.829
16. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:51.843
17. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 1:52.127
18. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:52.215
19. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 1:52.231
20. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:52.550
21. Tamaki Serizawa, Moriwaki, 1:52.600
22. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 1:52.881
23. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 1:53.902
24. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 1:55.224
25. David De Gea, Harris WCM, 1:55.877
26. Chris Burns, Harris WCM, 1:57.326

From a press release issued by Willow Springs International Raceway:

The first WSIR/ROADRACINGWORLD.COM 250/50 will be held Sunday, October 19, 2003. This race is for 250cc two-stroke machines only – Expert licensed road racers only.

Tentative start time (subject to change) will be 12:00 Noon.

Riders will be gridded by:

For Saturday heat races based on: WSMC 250cc GP class points, then date of entry

For Sunday main event based on: Results of 5-lap heat races held on Saturday, October 18.

Race Entry fee for the 250/50 is $100.

Race entry includes one warm-up Saturday morning, one 5-lap heat race Saturday afternoon; one warm-up Sunday morning and the 20-lap main event.

A maximum of forty (40) riders will be accepted as starters for the 250/50. If a pre-entered rider is an event “no show” there will be no refund or carry-over credit issued. Should a rider not qualify for 250/50 main event there will be no refund or carry-over credit issued.

If racer is not a licensed 2003 WSMC competitor, rider must fill out required WSIR releases and show proof of current (i.e. 2003 season) Expert Road Race Competition License status with a recognized sanctioning body. No exceptions.

WSMC Licensed racers shall run their regular 2003 WSMC competition number.

Visiting Expert racers may run their National or local club number providing the WSMC racer with that number assignment is not participating in the 250/50 event.

Track time will be available on Friday, October 17 for testing and tuning. See pre-entry or post-entry form for sign up.

Riders may participate in Saturday, Oct. 18th race events IF entered in F-1, F-2, and/or 250cc GP race classes. See pre-entry or post-entry form for sign up. Note that riders participating in the WSMC sprints must purchase a one-weekend event license.

Event race distance is 20 laps = 50 miles. Should a red flag or orange and white checkered flag incident occur prior to the field completing half distance (10 laps) the riders will restart for the remaining distance based on their running order at end of last fully completed lap by the field. Should a red flag or orange and white checkered flag incident occur after the field has completed half distance the race may be called complete by the race director, or restarted based on the running order at end of last fully completed lap by the field.

This event will not pay class or track championship points for the WSMC series. A separate 250cc GP race for regular series points will be held Saturday, October 18.

All bikes must display WSMC logo decals (one clearly on each side of bike).

All bikes must display ROADRACING WORLD logo decals (one clearly on each side of bike).

Bikes/riders NOT displaying the above decals will not receive monetary awards from WSIR.

Payback awards from WSIR will be available from the racetrack office t.b.a. after race results are final.

WSMC Flag Rules apply in all practice session and race event.

All bikes must pass WSMC Technical Inspection. Please see WSMC Rule Book for details.


TOTAL PURSE $30,000

1st $5000
2nd $3750
3rd $3000
4th $2200
5th $1650
6th $1450
7th $1300
8th $1200
9th $1100
10th $1000
11th $ 850
12th $ 750
13th $ 700
14th $ 650
15th $ 575
16th $ 500
17th $ 425
18th $ 350
19th $ 300
20th $ 250
21st $ 200
22nd $ 200
23rd $ 200
24th $ 200
25th $ 200
26th $ 200
27th $ 200
28th $ 200
29th $ 200
30th $ 200
31st $ 100
32nd $ 100
33rd $ 100
34th $ 100
35th $ 100
36th $ 100
37th $ 100
38th $ 100
39th $ 100
40th $ 100

From a press release issued by Henry DeGouw:

U.S. Team Set for 50th Macau GP

Three riders from the United States have been selected to compete in this year’s 50th anniversary Macau GP. The three riders are:

Geoff May of Alpharetta, Georgia on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 ponsored by Team Embry/May Racing

Jeremy Toye of San Diego, California on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 sponsored by Lee’s Cycle

Jason Perez of Brentwood, California on a Yamaha YZF-R1 sponsored by Graves Motorsports.

The team leaves for Hong Kong on November 8th.

The 60-mile through-the-streets event will be run on Saturday November 15th. After the race, the team will be treated to an eight-night paid vacation to Thailand.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Corser fastest in test despite head injury

Troy Corser finished a two-day test at the French circuit of Magny Cours as the unofficial fastest rider – despite missing the second day through injury.

The Australian crashed at turn two yesterday, but initially appeared not to have suffered any ill-effects. However, he awoke this morning suffering from mild double vision and a bad headache and was immediately advised to return home to Monaco for further checks.

But, on his first outing at the circuit, venue for the final round of the World Superbike season in two weeks, and in the presence of many of the top riders including Regis Laconi, Gregorio Lavilla and Chris Walker, Troy was the only rider to break the 1:42 barrier on race tyres with a time of 1:41.84.

Team manager Nigel Bosworth said: “Troy has shown that he is unbeatable at learning circuits. I don’t think the other riders could believe the time he set on the first day as they were in the late 42s. We had stop-watches on the other riders and were watching their boards and I’m confident that Troy was the only rider to get into the 1:41s on race tyres. Chris Walker was also in the 41s, but that was on a qualifier.”

Team-mate James Haydon, joined by test rider Jamie Morley, had progress hindered by morning rain on the second day before tyre selection was further tested on a drying track in the afternoon. Haydon posted his best time of 1:45.15 on the first day, with Morley lapping at 1:46.67 on the second day.

Nigel added: “We did not think Troy had been hurt but there was no point in risking anything, especially considering the weather. We also used the time to complete more throttle connection mapping work, as well as making good progress in the development of the oil and lubricant programme that we are undertaking alongside PETRONAS.”
More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Positive test day for Regis Laconi at Magny Cours

(Magny Cours 2003, October 1st )

After yesterday work, all focused on promotional activities, today Regis Laconi and the Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks could finally concentrate in a first racing test on Magny Cours track, the circuit that will held next October 19 the final round of 2003 Superbike World Championship.

The rain ruined all the morning time, but at midday the rain stopped, allowing to Regis and his 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks an useful setting job for next event. At Magny Cours from yesterday already were engaged also HM Plant Ducati and Suzuki Alstare teams, but also concentrating all the test in 3 hours, between 14 and 17 p.m., when the track was already dry, Laconi has been very satisfied about this first contact with the French track in his new shape.

“It has been actually a profitable day.” – said at the end Marco Mozzone, technical manager of Regis’ crew – “Regis focused above all on the selection of gearbox ratio and the general set up, recording however a good laptime in 1:41.8; today nobody informed of laptimes of the riders engaged, but looking at what we have seen from the pit wall nobody has been faster as Regis, and that in spite they have had also yesterday allowed for testing while we was engaged for promotional activities. The morning rain let to surface all the rubber, so in the afternoon the track was a bit slippery, and maybe next two weeks probably the fastest we’ll be quicker, but the work we have done today we’ll be very useful, that’s assured.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati tuner Mark Sutton has re-opened his Ducshop high-performance operation after several years working for Ducati Superbike teams (FBF and HMC) and doing contract work for another shop.

Ducshop is located at 1000 Cobb Parkway N Suite C, Marietta GA 30062, phone (678) 594-7717.

More, from a press release issued by Ducshop:

Ducshop spreads its wings

More than 10 years after it was first established, Ducshop is proud to announce the opening of its new performance center in Atlanta, Georgia. Former AMA Superbike mechanic, Mark Sutton, will head up the shop, which will cater to all Italian brands and specialize in Ducati.

The workshop will focus mainly on performance, concentrating on engine building and cylinder head work, but this will not detract for the regular service work, already beginning to flow in. Ducshop has an in-house, certified Ohlins technician, a machine room and a pneumatic tire changer.

Ducshop has just taken delivery of the latest Dynojet 250i for its dyno room and all engine work will be tested before being released.

Ducshop is equipped to receive and ship engines from out of state and can supply the appropriate box if necessary.

But the crème de la crème is the full Italian espresso machine in the showroom that will be used to raise money for charity.

For a full overview of services and prices, visit www.ducshop.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Richard Stanboli’s Attack Performance is leaving Suzuki and will run a Kawasaki support team in 2004.

Stanboli’s team won the 2003 AMA Superstock Championship with Josh Hayes riding a Suzuki GSX-R750.

The team has a Suzuki support deal, run out of the company’s Sports Promotion Department.

Riders Jason Pridmore and Hayes are directly contracted to American Suzuki Motor Corp., and may or may not go with Stanboli to Kawasaki.

In the meantime, Suzuki has ended its relationship with what has been known variously as Corona Extra Suzuki and Ebsco Suzuki and is said to be having discussions with No Limits Racing.

Details to follow.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA SUPERBIKE TEST AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY A SUCCESS

Haskovec and Zemke happy to run on the historic speedway’s road course

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Oct. 1, 2003) — The AMA Superbike test Wednesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was considered a big success by all involved. Riders Vincent Haskovec and Jake Zemke were thrilled to be the first Superbike riders to turn a wheel around the hallowed racing grounds of IMS and the staff of the Speedway were happy to get input from the riders and AMA Pro Racing officials. The test was run to find out if it was feasible for motorcycles to race on Indy’s 2.6-mile road course and what configuration changes might be needed to accommodate motorcycle racing. The circuit is presently used for the U.S. Grand Prix Formula One race.

---

Vincent Haskovec and Jake Zemke at the brickyard.

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“It was a very productive test,” said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “Jake (Zemke) and Vincent (Haskovec) gave us excellent input and the staff of IMS was very interested in hearing what the riders had to say. Nothing is on the table at this moment as far as having an AMA Pro Racing event at the Speedway. It was simply a feasibility test to see what might need to be done if an opportunity arose to bring a motorcycle race to this venue.”

Haskovec was the first to take the track on the Austin Ducati Superbike Wednesday morning. Zemke came out a short time later on the Erion Honda Formula Xtreme bike. It was an historic occasion to bring motorcycles back to the fabled Brickyard. A little known fact in the Speedway’s history is that one of the very first races at the track was a motorcycle race held in 1909. Haskovec and Zemke later rode together for a number of laps. Both said they relished the opportunity to get a chance to ride at Indy.

“It’s a huge moment for motorcycling,” said Haskovec, a native of the Czech Republic. “I’m very happy I got an opportunity to do this. This place is so huge you feel like you are on top of the world. This is the best track on the planet. It seems like it was really made for motorcycle racing.”

Zemke pitted after his first laps around the Speedway and shivered a little in the crisp fall conditions, but still had a smile on his face.

“It was good,” Zemke said. “It was pretty cold here this morning, but the track felt like it had a lot of grip. The track was really wide and it seemed like run-off was good. The infield feels tight but it felt pretty racy at the same time. I think it might have felt tight simply because the front straightaway is so long here. There’s a cool section right after the back straightway there with some esses. With the tall grandstands the front straightaway felt like you were going through a tunnel. I can only imagine what it would be like with the grandstands full. It would definitely be great to come through here with the grandstands full of people.”

Both riders confirmed that one change needed to accommodate motorcycle racing would be the final turn of the road course. Essentially, the outside retaining wall is too close to run Superbikes at speed in racing conditions. AMA Pro Racing and the IMS were aware of this issue and it was addressed with the riders in meetings before and after both practice sessions. Diagrams of the track were brought out and track officials discussed possible ways to reconfigure that section of the circuit.

“This would be a good place to bring motorcycle competition,” Haskovec said after the final session. “We were going through some different ideas on how to slow down the bikes through the final section and if that can be worked out this will be a great thing for our sport.”
More, from a press release issued by Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

AMA BIKES TEST AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway and American Motorcyclist Association officials conducted a feasibility test Oct. 1 on the Speedway’s 2.605-mile road course.

Two teams representing AMA Pro Racing’s Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship ran several laps and debriefed with officials from IMS and AMA.

“This test was simply a series of compatibility runs on the road course,” said Joie Chitwood, IMS senior vice president of business affairs. “The AMA took advantage of the fact that the facility is still in its road-course configuration after Sunday’s successful United States Grand Prix Formula One race. There are no serious discussions right now regarding hosting a motorcycle race in the future.”

Jake Zemke, of Paso Robles, Calif., and Vincent Haskovec, of the Czech Republic, turned laps at IMS. Zemke rode an Erion Honda Formula Xtreme bike, while Haskovec was on an Austin Ducati Superbike. Haskovec was the first rider on track, at approximately 11:15 a.m. (EST).

“It was a very productive test,” said Scott Hollingsworth, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “Jake and Vincent gave us excellent input, and the staff of IMS was very interested in hearing what the riders had to say.

“Nothing is on the table at this moment as far as having an AMA Pro Racing event at the Speedway. It was simply a feasibility test to see what might need to be done if an opportunity arose to bring a motorcycle race to this venue.”

The test marks the first time that motorcycles have turned laps at competitive speeds at IMS since a series of seven motorcycle races took place Aug. 14, 1909. That day of racing was five days before the first automobile races on Aug. 19.

From a press release issued by the Penguin Racing School:

Multi-time National MX and SX Champ Doug Henry spent the day last Wednesday at the Penguin Racing School at New Hampshire International Speedway, learning road race skills on his Yamaha Supermoto machine.

Doug rode with instructors Eric and Jeff Wood and went quickly from dragging his foot to dragging his knee. The instructors were impressed with the Champ’s fast progress.

Doug will be riding the AMA Supermoto event at Columbus this weekend and may contest the entire series next season. The word around Bettencourts Honda was that fellow New England MX star, John Dowd, is also looking into the series as well.

Jeff Wood holds the lap record at the NHIS road course for a Supermoto machine at 1:17.70. Jeff won the Supermoto support race held at NHIS during the Loudon Classic last June. A dirt section was added to the 1.5-mile road course between turns five and eight.

NHIS track owners Bob and Gary Bahre were impressed with the crowd’s reaction to the race and want to do more. NHIS is working on hosting a Supermoto National event during next year’s Loudon Classic.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Attack Racing is close to finalizing a deal that would see it become a Kawasaki support team.

“There’s nothing official yet,” Attack Racing team owner Richard Stanboli told Roadracingworld.com Wednesday. “There will be an announcement soon. You’ll get an announcement, and that’ll all be handled by the powers that be. I’m just a mere contractor.

“There’s definitely talks going on. There’s definitely some proposals going back and forth. It’s just in the ironing out phase. I imagine something very positive is going to be happening here very shortly.”

Running as an American Suzuki support team, Attack Racing won the 2003 AMA Superstock Championship with Josh Hayes and the 2002 Formula Xtreme Championship with Jason Pridmore, but Stanboli said he is looking forward to a change he feels will be good for everybody.

“It’s kind of the right time to make a business decision,” said Stanboli. “I think they (Kawasaki) have a really nice motorcycle coming out next year, and we would like to get on board that.

“I think that us moving on opens up some room at Suzuki for another team and for the sport to grow. Obviously, if we get this deal worked out with Kawasaki, and it’s a good positive deal, you have one team there. Then you still have the teams that are over at Suzuki. That helps the sport grow. More interest, more competition. I think it’s a great thing. That’s what we’re all shooting for, job stability.”

Stanboli said he did not know who his riders would be or what classes he would be competing in if and when the deal with Kawasaki goes through.

From a press release issued by Alice Aprilia Racing Information:

PACIFIC GP/PREVIEW

EASTERN CHALLENGE

The Alice Aprilia Racing Team is ready for the triple travelling: three GPs one after another that within three weeks, will bring men and bikes to Japan, Malaysia and Australia.

The first overseas race is scheduled in Motegi from the 3rd to the 5th of October. The team has prepared with special effort this demanding race in order to score some good points. Because of chattering problems, a good result is lacking from the last races.

The racing department has studied some solutions to the chattering problem and is confident to give to Edwards and Haga two competitive bikes.

Motegi is a track characterised by violent plug chops and restarts. This configuration is favourable for the Aprilia RS cube.

Colin Edwards has remained with his family in Texas and is confident and ready for the new challenge: “I followed from here the work done by my team and I’m sure that we will solve the chattering problems that have slowed down our job in the last races”.

Nori Haga is much more motivated, he would like to score a good result in his home GP: “It’s very important for a Japanese to do a very good race here, it’s our home GP, it’s more or less the same feeling for an Italian rider in occasion of the Mugello GP”.

GIGI DALL’IGNA (Project Leader): “Motegi is a track that presents favourable characteristics for our bikes. For example, there are long curves, those one that trigger the chattering of our bikes. Moreover, the surface is smooth and this makes our bikes run better. I’m confident in a better result of our bikes. There are no big technical changes: there is no time for experiments with this calendar that foresees three races one after another. But we have continued to work to reduce the chattering: we have focused on the rear axle with particular attention to the mass and stiffness of the components (such as fork, leverages and discs) to avoid vibrations that create resonance.”

THE TRACK
Twin Ring- Motegi: length 4.801 metres, equal to 2.983 miles.
Lap Record: 1:49.947 Alex Barros (Honda 2002)
Pole: 1:49.052 Daijiro Kato (Honda 2002)