From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy sets FPR sights on podium positions Foggy PETRONAS Racing embark on their second season of World Superbike championship competition this weekend aiming to turn the experience gained in their debut season into podium-challenging performances for 2004.

Australian former world champion Troy Corser is joined by British favourite Chris Walker when qualifying action starts tomorrow at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain, in the build-up to Sunday’s opening two races.

And team owner Carl Fogarty, the four-times World Superbike champion, has set realistic targets in just the second year of development of the FP1 – the Malaysian superbike.

He said: “Our aim is to improve on last year as, to some extent, this is another year of development. It’s hard for me to convince people of that, as expectations of my team are always going to be high. And it’s difficult for me to tell myself that we have to learn to walk before we can run. But it’s important to remember we have 40-50 years less history than the likes of Honda and Ducati!

“I think this year’s championship will be more competitive but, with the engine developments that are planned for later in the season, the aim is to get on the rostrum and to make sure that PETRONAS finish higher than last season in the manufacturers’ standings. I have now got two riders who, in my opinion, are as good as any in this championship. Chris has been close to Troy during winter testing and the competition will push each other along.”

Troy, who achieved his best qualifying position of last year at Valencia when he put the FP1 on the front row in its very first outing, said: “I am confident that our engine will become stronger and more consistent as the season progresses and it will be nice to get out there and racing for positions a lot further towards the front of the field. When things are going well for us I am sure we can be in the top five and the aim has to be to get on the podium. Last year the aim was to finish in the points, this year it will to be to finish every race with as many points as possible.”

Chris, who achieved one of his six podium finishes at Valencia last year, said: “I know that the bike is going to improve over the year. But, with the help of the new tyre manufacturers Pirelli, and the great team that I have, I am hoping that we will soon be right on the button. We need to make sure that we are at the sharp end by the time of the British races and, from there, put in a very strong finish to the season.”

Chief engineer Steve Thompson and his technical team have been working closely throughout the winter with the team’s engine developers in order to address reliability issues which contributed to a number of race retirements throughout 2003. It is planned to have this next phase of engine development ready before the middle of the season. The aim is then to improve performance of the engine in time for the round at Laguna Seca. The focus of this phase of development has been to produce more torque, providing the riders with better drive out of the slower corners and, consequently, higher top speeds on the straights.

Until then, increased performance will be achieved through continual improvements in tyre development with Pirelli, along with use of a new cooling system from MB Motorsport. This is not only a lighter package, but has already produced a beneficial effect on oil cooling in testing. Lower temperatures throughout race distance are expected to aid engine performance in the latter stages of races. Added to this are new Ohlins gas forks and new Brembo brake discs, so that Troy and Chris maintain their advantage through the corners.

Steve said: “We were still around a second away from our lap times of the races last year at Valencia. That is being lost in the corners, which used to be our advantage. So we do need to make further improvements in stability at the rear over the first couple of days this weekend.”

From a press released issued by Ozbike USA:

OZBIKE and Metra Kit have teamed up with W.E.R.A., C.M.R.A and other clubs around the USA to bring a new dimension to motor sports. We have duplicated our very successful, European cup and championship structure in the USA. Kids between 7 and 14 will go road racing for points with W.E.R.A. which will qualify all racers to participate in our invitational in OCT-NOV. The invitational will qualify the top five riders for a spot at the World Mini GP in Spain.

Last years World Mini GP event in Valencia brought together 47 fast kids from 8 different countries. OZBIKE was proud to bring two Americans Josh Herrin and Tommy Aquino who placed very well (6th and 7th) in a field of very seasoned racers. In 2004 we hope to bring 5 fast young Americans to represent the US at this level. As a result of the World Mini GP event, the top riders will get a chance to meet some of the World GP 125 teams and earn a chance to test ride a world caliber 125 with one of those teams.

The goal of OZBIKE USA and Metrakit together is to create the next generation world sensations in the next 2 years. One of our Spanish team riders Pere Tutusaus, who raced in an invitational in Portland, OR. 2 years ago is now an official team member of the R.A.C.C. 125 world team. Next year at 14 he will be legal to show his stuff during the world 125 season. OZBIKE USA of course would like for those sensations to be Americans.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

NEW-LOOK LOCKHART PHILLIPS USA FORMULA XTREME SERIES TO DEBUT AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Buell joins the fray at Daytona with two factory-backed teams

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (February 26, 2004) — The revamped Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series will debut at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 4. The bikes are changed, but the competition promises to be just as intense. Honda is making a big push in the new Formula Xtreme Series with Miguel Duhamel leaving the Supersport class to concentrate on this series. Honda ruled Formula Xtreme in the late 1990s and is hoping to win back the title this year. It will face tough competition from defending series champ Suzuki and strong factory-backed efforts from Yamaha and newcomer Buell.

Miguel Duhamel, Jason Pridmore, Pascal Picotte and Jimmy Moore are all former AMA road racing champions entered in AMA Formula Xtreme this
year. Duhamel is easily the biggest name among the riders in the class. The Montreal native, who now calls Las Vegas home, is the winningest
rider in both AMA Superbike and AMA Supersport racing. Now Duhamel will try to add a third championship title to his collection. He saw promise with Honda’s new CBR600RR-based Formula Xtreme bike in pre-season testing.

“The bike is lighter and it has a little bit of a GP attitude,” Duhamel said. “It’s so light and maneuverable and the braking is like a GP bike.”

Honda sees the new Formula Xtreme Series as an excellent place to showcase its 600cc sport bikes. The company envisions the technology it
will gain in Formula Xtreme will trickle down to its street bikes. Duhamel will be joined by teammate Jake Zemke. Many experts feel that
Zemke, now entering his eighth season of AMA Pro road racing, is entering the peak of his career and is equally favored as Duhamel for the Formula Xtreme title. Zemke was a perennial frontrunner in the old Formula Xtreme class. Rising star Alex Gobert will be the other factory Honda rider in the series.

Former AMA Superbike and current AMA Red Bull Supermoto champ Ben Bostrom is entered in the class for Daytona only.

No Limit Motorsports Suzuki will field a pair of AMA champs in Pridmore and Moore. Pridmore is the 2002 AMA Formula Xtreme Champion and Moore, a two-time AMA Supersport titleholder. Both Pridmore and Moore are known for being consistent top finishers and that could be the key in a new class with untested machinery. “The Honda’s are favored for sure,” admitted Pridmore. “But a lot of things can happen in the course of a long season.”

Suzuki will also have Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec. A native of the Czech Republic, Haskovec has earned the reputation as one of the hardest working riders in the AMA series. He’s excited about joining one of the leading teams in the series and will be running
Michelin tires against a predominantly Dunlop-shod field. Haskovec has tested the Formula Xtreme bike at Daytona, which could give him a leg up on the other Suzuki riders at the Speedway.

Oklahoman Danny Eslick is coming to road racing from the flat track ranks and will ride a Suzuki for Millennium Technologies Suzuki – the same team that Shawn Higbee rode with to become the top privateer in AMA Superbike last year.

Yamaha will be well represented in Formula Xtreme at Daytona. Topping the Yamaha roster is Yamaha Canada’s Pascal Picotte, the 2003 Canadian Superbike Champion. Picotte has a long history of winning in the AMA series, but it’s been nearly six years since his last AMA victory. Look for Picotte to be a man on a mission at Daytona this year. Perry Melneciuc makes the move from 250 Grand Prix racing to Formula Xtreme on a Mach 1-EMA Yamaha. The up-and-coming HAS/Shogun squad will field Heath
Small on a Yamaha and former Loudon AMA Supersport winner Scott Greenwood is slated to ride a Yamaha for Argo Cycles.

Perhaps the most intriguing entries in Formula Xtreme at Daytona are the Buells. Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell will field Mike Ciccotto, a Floridian who has a long history at Daytona and is always a fan favorite. The same can be said of Michael Barnes, who will ride for
Kosco Harley-Davidson/Buell at Daytona. Barnes won the AMA Supersport race at Daytona way back in October of 1989, and is still considered one
of the fastest riders in the Sunshine State. Both Ciccotto and Barnes will be trying to become the first Buell riders to win a Formula Xtreme event and will be riding Buell’s revolutionary Firebolt XB12R.

AMA Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme final gets underway with live coverage on SPEED Channel at 4 p.m. Eastern on Thursday. For additional information on the race contact Daytona International Speedway at (386)
253-7223 or visit the website www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

From a press release issued by EBC:


EBC BRAKES ANNOUNCES 2004 ROAD RACE CONTINGENCY PROGRAM

EBC BRAKES has been the leader in US Road Racing Contingency Programs for over a decade, and 2004 will be no exception! EBC is posting over $220,000.00 in US Road Race Contingencies with ALL US Pro and Club Organizations ! This is more than any other brake company’s postings!

CASH Contingencies are posted for AMA Road Race National, and three Formula USA National classes! EBC Brakes Road Race Money Certificates are available at ALL F-USA, CCS, WERA, AFM, CMRA, CRA, FASTRAX, MRA, OMRRA, SMRI, WMRRS, WSMC, race events! Be sure to list EBC Brakes as your brake pad of choice on your Tech Verification Form, or fill out our EBC Form.

EBC Brakes will continue to post more money than any other motorcycle brake company. See one of our EBC Brakes Road Race Track Vendors or call Garry Gallagher at (425) 485-7610


EBC BRAKES WILL HAVE 2004 SUZUKI GSXR GFA-HH
KIT PADs at DAYTONA AMA ROADRACE EVENT

Starting Tuesday, March 2nd, Garry Gallagher, EBC Brakes Race Rep will have the EBC
GFA379HH Kit Roadrace pads to fit all 2004 Suzuki GSXRs. See him in garage #8!


EBC ANNOUCES PRO ROADRACE TEAM LINE-UP!

EBC BRAKES is proud to announce our major US AMA/F-USA National Road Race teams that we will be sponsoring for the 2004 Season. Here’s a list of our major teams and riders:

Millennium Technology / KWS Motorsports: AMA – Suzukis, Riders Shawn Higbee & Danny Eslick.

Empire Suzuki Racing: AMA – Riders Lee Acree and Opie Caylor.

Hooters Suzuki Racing: AMA – Riders Eric Wood and John Hayner.

Road Rage Racing: AMA – Yamaha R6s – rider Giovanni Rojas.

Arclight Suzuki Racing: F-USA – Riders Scott Harwell & Chris Ulrich plus AFM #1 Dave Stanton.

Himmelsbach Racing: F-USA on Yamaha R6s – Rider Michael Himmelsbach.

HAS / Shogun Racing: CMRA – Riders Michael Sanchez, Ty Howard and Ben Thompson.

Many more TOP National and Club Roadrace will choose to ride on EBC Brakes in 2004!

For more information contact your local Road Race Organization or Garry Gallagher (425) 485-7610

EBC BRAKES TECH & RACING SERVICES, 20314 131st COURT NE, WOODINVILLE, WA. 98072

From a press release issued by MCRA:

Midwest Cafe Racing Association’s Daytona 200 Party will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 6th 2004 at Memoreze Bar and Grill. Memoreze is located in South County 1/2 mile North of 255 on Telegraph Rd.

Sign-up for a drive in bike show from 11:00am to 1:00pm with cruiser, metric cruiser, custom and sport categories. 1st and 2nd place trophies will be awarded!

Then watch the Daytona 200 on Memoreze big screen TV.

This is your LAST chance to purchase a raffle ticket to WIN a 2004 GSXR 1000 at Widman’s Motorcycle Sales. Proceeds benefit the MCRA Racers Fund for 2004. The drawing will be held on March 9, 2004. For more information visit http://www.mcraracing.com/

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

SUZUKI´S SUPERSPORT SEASON STARTER

Team Suzuki Press Office – Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra starts its 2004 World Supersport bid at Sunday´s season opener at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Italy.

And for many teams, including the Suzuki squad, it has come around too soon, with the new 2004 bikes still undergoing rigorous tests and development.

Ever since the 2004 GSX 600R Suzukis arrived at the team’s headquarters in Belgium in January, technicians have been working flat-out to get the bikes ready for the first race. Then will use the three-week gap before the bikes get shipped to Australia for the second round, to continue further development of the bike, aided by the important technical data they collect in Spain.

Stephane Chambon:

“Now that we’ve ridden the 2004 GSX 600R Suzuki’s, we have some ideas about the season ahead. The bike is more compact, handles better and feels more like a race bike than its predecessor. But there’s still a lot to do still and not much time, but I’m hoping I’ll be on the podium sooner rather then later. Last year, I missed the race through injury, so this year has got to be better!”

Katsuaki Fujiwara::

“The last test gave our team lots to think about and start working on, but it was all positive. I like the way the new bike feels and handles and if we can get the same level of power out of it as our rivals we can be successful. The first couple of rounds may be a bit frustrating, but I must try and get good finishes, even if I cannot win the races. I think it’ll be hard to repeat last year’s Valencia victory but I’m going to try for sure.”

Vittorio Lannuzzo::

There´s a lot of changes for me to understand in a short space of time, but I’m looking forward to it. Last year I was riding the GSX 1000R, so the smaller GSX 600R bike feels very different. So far, I like the new bike’s handling and the way it steers, but there’s a lot of work still to be done before I feel I can push it to its limit. I’ll know how the season is going to be after a couple of races.”

Team Manager Francis Batta::

“A New Year and a new challenge. And this is a big one because we have a new bike again! Last year we were the only true competitors to Ducati in the Superbike class, but this year all our efforts are concentrated in the Supersport category and it is a very, very important category. Ever since we have been involved in the Supersport World Championship, we have been leading contenders and this year is going to be no different. Our task this year is hard because we have a brand new bike and, with a new bike, there is a lot of work to be done. We have three good, strong riders and we hope to make a lot of progress quickly. I don’t think it’s realistic to expect us to be winning straightaway, but we’d like to be competing for the top honours by the third round for sure. I hope our riders can achieve good results at Valencia and Australia and then be regular podium visitors afterwards. Supersport this year is going to be harder then ever, but it is a challenge that we, at Alstare Suzuki, relish and enjoy.”

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI FILA’S 2004 CAMPAIGN GETS UNDERWAY IN SPAIN

Valencia (Spain), 26 February 2004: The championship winning Ducati Fila team launched its 2004 World Superbike campaign this afternoon in Valencia, Spain, the day before the season action gets underway at the Ricardo Tormo circuit. With 2003 champion Neil Hodgson and team-mate Ruben Xaus both moving to MotoGP with the satellite Ducati team, Regis Laconi and James Toseland now have the task of continuing Ducati’s successful record in the world’s most important and prestigious production-based championship. Fourth and third respectively last year, the Frenchman and his British team-mate start the season amongst the favourites for the Superbike title, which reaches its seventeenth edition this year.

Ducati have a superb record in World Superbike, the Italian manufacturer winning 12 of the 16 titles so far and picking up 10 Riders’ crowns. Raymond Roche started the ball rolling in 1990 and the Frenchman was followed onto the winners’ rostrum by Texan Doug Polen in 1991 and 1992. British legend Carl Fogarty scored back-to-back championship wins in 1994 and 1995, repeating the double victory in 1998 and 1999. Two Troys from Australia, Corser and Bayliss, both etched their names into the record books with wins in 1996 and 2001, while Hodgson won the title last year with the new 999 model.

After a successful start to their partnership in 2003, Ducati and title sponsor Fila will be lining up once again this year with a new Anglo-French rider pairing, an updated version of the 999 and a new tyre package from exclusive championship supplier Pirelli but with exactly the same desire to win that was demonstrated last year.

“Our commitment to the World Superbike Championship is unchanged” declared Ducati Corse Managing Director, Claudio Domenicali. “We can see the positive effect of the development in the Superbike machine directly in our Ducati production bikes. It’s clearly visible in the 999R and the 749R we have produced for this year and therefore we continue to use racing as the best ‘dyno’ to test and check the development and evolution of the entire Superbike family. Once again considerable development work has been carried out with our technical partner, Shell Advance, to improve the performance of the bike.”

“In particular with this year’s Ducati 999 Factory ‘04, we can find a lot of detail improvement, especially with internal modifications that further improve the global performance of the engine. For example, we developed the whole piston and connecting rod group in order to reduce the overall weight and friction, therefore to increase power output. Really the bike is the same but there are a lot of tiny modifications, which are the normal development of a bike that has already proved to be a winning concept last year. It didn’t need any major changes to continue to improve its performance.”

Team Director Paolo Ciabatti added: “Our 2004 riders, Regis and James, came third and fourth in WSBK last year and showed great determination and potential during our winter tests on the 999. The competition is going to be very even this year because of the spec tyre rule, and also because we have supplied a very competitive bike, the 999RS, which is very similar to our Factory machines, to several other Ducati teams. I am sure that Chili, Haga, McCoy and Martin, as well as our other rivals, will be very competitive and that the Superbike races are going to be as fun to watch as they used to be.”

Laconi starts the 2004 season as one of the favourites for the crown after a series of good results in 2003 for the private NCR Ducati team earned him a place in the factory squad. The 28-year-old from St. Dizier is one of a select group of riders to have won at 500cc and Superbike level and hopes to become the first Frenchman to win the WSBK crown since Roche in 1990.

“I can’t wait to start the first race because we’ve done well in testing so far and I’m feeling really confident” declared Laconi. “We haven’t seen all our potential yet but so far I think we have done a good job with the team and with the new Pirelli tyres. Starting the new season with the factory Ducati Fila team is not a big problem for me, the bike is different and the tyres are different but these are the only two things I have to learn. I think the big difference in me now is that I have more experience and I use it better than before. I’ve waited a long time to be in a good factory team and they can help me do my best. I’m sure it’s not going to be easy out there for me this year because you mustn’t forget guys like James, Chili, Haga, McCoy, but the most important thing is to get the first race over with, hopefully with a win, to see where we are.”

His team-mate will be the 23-year-old James Toseland, who hopes to follow in the footsteps of his GSE Racing predecessors Bayliss and Hodgson in moving to the factory team and becoming World Superbike champion.

“I’m ready for the new season, now with the Fila Ducati team there’s a lot of pressure on board but I’m handling it well and looking forward to the first race” declared Toseland. “I’ve had a few mishaps in winter testing at Valencia and Phillip Island but now everything is going well, the times are there and thereabouts, I’m just looking forward to getting the first race meeting in to see where I’m at. I actually like Valencia now, testing here two weeks ago was the final shakedown to get the bike as good as you need it and I concentrated on getting the best set-up because it will become the benchmark for the rest of the season. The championship will see things close at the front, in my opinion there will be quite a few winners but until you find out where you’re at with a race distance on new tyres and new bikes, you just don’t know. With the same tyres, things will be evened out and there’ll hopefully be a scrap to the end and that’s what people want to watch.”

CIRCUIT INFO
Name: Ricardo Tormo.
Length: 4005 m.
Pole Position: Right.
Corners Left/Right: 9/5.
Finish Line Length: 876m.

STATISTICS
Best lap: Hodgson (Ducati), 1:34.633 (2003).
Lap record: Hodgson (Ducati), 1:35.007 (2003).
Superpole: Bayliss (Ducati), 1:34.814 (2002).

From a press release written by Eddie Lawson’s girlfriend and issued today by Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.:

EDDIE LAWSON SETS PERSONAL-BEST SPEED RECORD –
EXCEEDS MACH ONE IN BLUE ANGELS FLIGHT



El Centro, Calif., February 20, 2004 – Best known for his skills on two-wheels, four-time motorcycle road racing world champion Eddie Lawson today took to the skies with the famous Blue Angels. Lawson, who along with Lt. Justin Otto, flew the F/A-18 Hornet 12,000 feet above the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, Calif., the Blue Angels winter testing grounds.

“Wow, talk about shock and awe, I’m just shocked ya’ll let me fly in this jet,” exclaimed Lawson after stepping onto the tarmac. “What I experienced is simply indescribable, I always have had the greatest respect for our military and especially for these pilots and now even more so. They are so smart, they’re engineers, tacticians, and athletes all rolled into one.”



Founded in 1946 by Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, the Blue Angels represent the finest that the Navy and Marine Corps have to offer. Each team member, whether officer or enlisted, is handpicked from the fleet to be a part of the Blue Angels.

“Eddie epitomizes the characteristics we represent in the Navy and Marine Corps,” said Lt. Otto. “It’s an honor for us to share our passion for flying and our love of serving our country with him.”

Lawson began his professional racing career on the dirt tracks of Southern California during the mid-1970s. He made the switch to road racing by the late-1970s and won his first road-racing championship in 1980. After winning four American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) national titles, he moved on to the FIM Grand Prix world championship arena in 1983 to compete in the 500cc class. During his decade on the Grand Prix circuit, Lawson won four-world championship titles, the most by any American to this day.
Today Lawson continues his relationship with Yamaha, the company that he captured three of his world championships with, as well as the prestigious Suzuka Eight Hour endurance race, and two Daytona 200 titles, America’s top motorcycle racing event. He feeds his “need for speed” by competing in International Karting Federation (IKF) events in his Yamaha-powered twin-250cc superkart, and now, rides with the Blue Angels…whenever they’ll let him.

From a press release issued by Augusta Triumph:

Augusta Triumph/Ducati is pleased to announce our 2004 Racing Team. We are excited to begin our 2004 race season with two Triumph Daytona 600s at Daytona on March 6, 2004.

Joining Steven Breckenridge is our newest addition to the team, Mark Crozier.

We look forward to a successful racing season with the help of the following sponsors: Bridgestone, Hyperpro, Spiegler, LSL, Pit Bull, Penske, Sharkskinz, GMD, Applyd Kinetics, and VP Fuels. Steven’s sponsors include Arai and Joe Rocket clothing, while Mark is sponsored by Shoei, Spidi, and XES.