Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Via e-mail from Connie Kassel:

Nicky Wimbauer Concludes Successful Test At Misano

American Nicky Wimbauer, who turns 16 this month, will race the Italian National Supersport Championship for Team Trasimeno in 2004. Team Manager Moreno Bacchini will also support Wimbauer during three rounds of the Supersport World Championship with two Belgarda-kitted 2004 Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport bikes.

Wimbauer recently tested at Misano with Team Trasimeno in cold conditions (about 49 degrees F) which forced caution. But Wimbauer was able to get within 1.1 seconds of the lap times turned by European Supersport veteran Massimo Biscounti, 25, who also rides for Team Trasimeno.

Wimbauer said after the test, “Even their 2003 bike feels pretty strong and I like the bike’s handling which is similar to my WERA series 2003 R6. I just wanted to get some seat time and learn the track, the team and the bike. I am very excited for this season.”

From a press release issued by WERA West:

WERA West Roadracing Update

The WERA West Roadracing series begins March 13th & 14th at California Speedway in Fontana, CA. “Several Suzuki SV650 riders and Novice riders want to know what the WERA program offers them” states David Pyles, President of Fastrack Riders and WERA West, “so we have decided to put out little news blurbs about various classes and competition as we get closer to our inaugural event the second weekend in March”.

Under WERA rules Suzuki SV650’s can run in four different race classes. Light Weight Twins Super stock (LWTSS), Light Weight Twins Superbike (LWTSB), Formula II (F2), and Heavyweight twins (HWT). The first two classes are comprised of mostly SV650 machines so they offer two classes these bikes can run in and compete for championships. The other two classes these bikes will not be as competitive but it does allow them to run in two additional classes giving any SV650 rider plenty of classes to run in over a weekend.

One of the exciting things about WERA (and there are many) is their Novice program. Novice riders compete for points in their own level even if their race is combined with another Expert group. Also, Novice Riders can compete in the WERA National Challenge Series for points and recognition on a national level. “WERA has a great Novice Riders program that is better than most because each Novice Rider can compete for a championship at the local region or on a national level as well” according to Larry Pointer, Vice President of Operations, “The great thing about WERA is it offers so much opportunity for all riders to compete regionally and nationally.”

“A bulletin will be released later this week that will outline all the classes various motorcycles can compete in a simplified format so everyone can easily understand which classes they can compete in each race weekend.” offers David Pyles. “It can be confusing racing with different organizations and how each structures their classes. This cheat sheet will make it real easy and cover 80% of all bikes that typically compete.”

From a press release issued by Super Dave Rosno:

Daytona 200 Party with Super Dave

Sportsman’s Park Yamaha will have a Daytona 200 party on March 6, 2004.

Other Sportsman’s Park sponsored riders Mark Stiles, 2003 AMA 250 GP rider; Meghan Stiles, CCS racer featured in Roadracing World Young Guns; and Dave Rosno, Owner of Visionsports Riding Schools and rider for “Super Dave’s Race Against Childhood Cancer,” will be in attendance.

A drawing will be held for the winner of a Visionsports Riding Schools’ Skills & Thrills program. This will include a free rental of Vanson Leathers. Individuals can sign up for the drawing at Sportsman’s Park Yamaha until the close of the party.

“Super Dave’s Race Against Childhood Cancer” shirts and stickers will be available for purchase during the party. A major portion of the sales go toward the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer to fund cancer research.

Sportsman’s Park Yamaha is located about five miles south on Interstate 43 on Highway 50 in Delavan, Wisconsin.

More details are available from Sportsman’s Park at (262)728-6037.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Registration for the February 25 Team Hammer track day and for the February 26-29 F-USA/CCS races at Daytona has been moved to behind the speedway, near the chicane.

Parking for rigs is available at the new location.

Click here to see a map of the new location.

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM RELEASE
Eastern Creek circuit, Australia
Saturday February 21 2004

CHECA REVS YAMAHA’S NEW R1 AT EASTERN CREEK

Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha rider Carlos Checa took advantage of his sojourn in Australia today when he dropped in on the World Press Test of Yamaha’s new model R1 at the Eastern Creek circuit near Sydney, Australia. The Spaniard impressed attending journalists with several speedy outings aboard the bike at the former MotoGP venue, where he last competed in the 500cc class in 1996.

The press test sees around 120 international journalists pass in and out of the Sydney area over a six-week period, testing both the new R1 and Yamaha’s XT 660R and XT 660X models. Checa arrived on the scene today directly from his arduous pre-season Yamaha MotoGP testing programme, which in 2004 has already sent him twice to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, and in the past week to the Phillip Island circuit near Melbourne.

Checa is no stranger to Yamaha’s new R1 model, having tried it out at the bike’s launch at the French Paul Ricard circuit towards the end of 2003. He was equally delighted with the bike’s power after today’s laps, commenting, “This was a great way to have fun, especially on such a good track. I’m very impressed by this bike, the performance is good, it handles lightly and well, and is a real pleasure to ride. When the original R1 first came on the market I got one, and the performance of the R1 model has increased since then. This bike might become my number one passion outside racing! It’s not just good to ride but I really like the look of it. I’ve just moved from the north of England down to London and the weather is normally quite bad, but this is the kind of bike that even if it was too wet to ride, I would keep it in my garage and look at it every day!”

Checa will return to Australia for Yamaha Factory Racing’s next test at the Phillip Island circuit on 9,10,11 March.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Fastrack Riders has canceled its two events scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, February 21-22, at California Speedway in Fontana, California due to weather forecasts calling for rain, according to Fastrack Operations Manager Larry Pointer.

Pointer said Fastrack would be sending out a mass e-mail to its members to inform them of the cancelation.

For additional information, call (877) 560-2233, e-mail [email protected], or go to www.fastrackriders.com

From Sport Tire Services, which for some reason keeps sending us press releases:

Press Release: S.T.S. Paso Robles, California

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, Post record road racing tire contingencies in U.S.

In 2004 Dunlop posts $2,083,750 to motorcycle racers nation wide. That is up 12% from 2003 calendar year postings.

To be eligible, riders must race with a club that is registered with and has Dunlop postings. (i.e.. WERA, CCS, WSMC, AFM and many more) Also must have Dunlop tires front and rear, and have Dunlop stickers on each side of the front fender (one size only) and each side of the fairing (12 inch min.), and have Dunlop patches on the shoulder of their leathers.

Details on class and payouts are now available from your local club, or from, Sport Tire Services 800-776-8473. (For racers west of the Mississippi)

Or Race Tire Service at 800-772-8473 (For racers east of the Mississippi)

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Larry Pegram will ride one of Eric Bostrom’s Ducati 999 Superbikes February 25, the Wednesday before the CCS/Formula USA weekend at Daytona International Speedway, during a Team Hammer day at the track.

Pegram was asked to take the testing gig by Paolo Ciabatti, who runs Ducati Corse’s Superbike program.

Bostrom cannot do the testing, due to AMA restrictions on pre-race practice for factory-backed riders.

Pegram said Friday that the test program will involve making 20-lap endurance runs at the speedway.

How Pegram will be able to fit 20 consecutive laps into the day’s scheduled 30-minute sessions remains to be seen.

Pegram will not race a Ducati in the weekend’s F-USA and CCS events, however, but will compete on a Yamaha YZF-R1 and a Yamaha YZF-R6 in a new team he has formed with club racer Richard Eanes and with Rusty Reynolds, who owns two dealerships, one in North Carolina and one in Danville, Virginia, near Virginia International Raceway. Pegram’s new team will compete on Pirelli tires, and mechanics include Brad Miller and Elliott Cho.