From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HRC MotoGP test Brno, Czech Republic
August 18, 2003.

No respite for Honda’s MotoGP Championship contenders

The relentless MotoGP race-testing programme continued at the Brno circuit on the day after the Czech Republic GP was held at the track. Honda mounted MotoGP Championship team riders, with the exception of Ryuichi Kiyonari (Telefonica MoviStar Honda), completed a hard days work at the 5.403km venue.

The one-day test was cantered around tyre development, all but Bridgestone supported Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda) testing Michelin rubber. HRC took the opportunity to test new engine parts on Rossi’s RC211V 990cc five-cylinder Honda.

Championship pace setters Valentino Rossi, and Sete Gibernau, first and second respectively in Sundays GP, both lapped at qualifying pace but were upstaged by Camel Pramac Honda rider Tohru Ukawa who lapped at 1:59s flat, over half a second faster than his best qualifying lap.

Ukawa’s team-mate, Max Biaggi, worked harder than most. The Italian, currently holding third place in the championship behind Rossi and Gibernau, put in 85 laps testing both tyres and a new straight pipe exhaust system.

Pramac Honda rider Makoto Tamada was the lone Bridgestone rider at Brno. Tamada suffered rear tyre problems in Sundays race and spent the day testing with two different types of chassis making back-to-back comparisons on tyres in each machine and experimenting with various suspension settings.

Honda rider quotes:
Valentino Rossi, Repsol Honda: “Satisfied with a hard days work. After the big emotion of a race like Sunday it’s sometimes really difficult to get out again but it was important and we made some good work. We tested many tyres from Michelin and some new engine parts from HRC. With some of the new tyres we need more traction so we have to do a lot of work on the settings as well.”

Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: “Bit of a tough day really because after a long hard weekend you’ve got to really motivate yourself to get out there again and work hard. He test was really based around working on tyres for the front, pretty hard really as you’ve got to find the limits. The Michelins were good and I think we made some pretty good progress. It was more good experience grindin’ out more laps. I’m off to the States for a couple of weeks which I’m really lookin’ forward to. Then back to Portugal in September.”

Sete Gibernau, Telefonica MoviStar Honda: “The test was very successful for us. The new Michelins we tested were good, both front and rear tyres. I got down to my race times very quickly. It was a good day. Now I’m going to Italy for three days. Down to the team race shop on the Adriatic to test a Super Motard machine!”

Makoto Tamada, Pramac Honda: “We spent the day testing various Bridgestone tyres on the two types of chassis we have. We have to fix the problem we had with the rear tyre at Brno. In the race I had to get the bike almost upright before I could get on the throttle. I also have to work on my starts, I’ve got to get off the line better and get to the first corner with the fastest riders. My lap times in the race were OK, once I got going.”

Max Biaggi, Camel Pramac Honda: “I started testing at 9:30 in the morning and I finished around 18:00. stopped for only one hour, between one and two o’clock, because the track was closed. I cannot get Sunday’s race out of my mind and getting back down to work is the only thing that helps me get over the disappointment a little. We were supplied with new exhaust systems for one of the bikes, they are very noisy! I completed 85 laps and the bike is running a little better. I am still not satisfied but we are all determined and working hard”.

Tohru Ukawa, Camel Pramac Honda: “I am happy because I believe this test has been very productive. After completing more than 400km I improved significantly on my qualifying time for the race and after trying many different riding positions I now feel more comfortable. We have also tried some suspension tweaks and some new tyres, and I really do think it has been a positive day’s testing.”.


Honda rider lap Times:
Valentino Rossi: 1:59.92
Nicky Hayden: 2:00.00
Sete, Gibernau: 1:59.70
Makoto Tamada: 2:00.40
Max Biaggi: 2:00.1
Tohru Ukawa: 1:59.00

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

EVENT SCHEDULE RELEASED FOR AUGUST 30 SOUTH BOSTON AMA SUPERMOTO RACE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Aug. 19, 2003) — AMA Pro Racing announces the following schedule and purse for the round two of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship to be held Aug. 30 at Big Daddy’s South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va..


Friday, August 29

3:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests (located in the white building to the right of the main track entrance)

3:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Tech Inspection


Saturday, August 30

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Registration: Riders, Crew, Sponsors & Guests (located in the white building to the right of the main track entrance)

9:00 a.m. – Entries Close for All Classes

9:00 a.m. – Mandatory Riders Meeting

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Will-call (NO PURCHASES)

7:30 a.m. – Tech Inspection opens

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Practice (Three 10-minute sessions); Supermoto Unlimited; Honda Jr. Supermoto Challenge (6 minutes); Supermoto; Group A; Group B

12:00 p.m. – GATES OPEN TO SPECTATORS / Lunch Break

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Pre-Qualifying Heats (3 laps); Supermoto Unlimited; Supermoto;

2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Heat Races (8 laps); Supermoto Unlimited; Honda Jr. Supermoto Challenge (6 laps); Supermoto

5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Break

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – On-track autograph session

7:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies

7:30 p.m. – Supermoto Unlimited Semi-Finals (6 laps); Supermoto Semi-Finals (6 laps)

8:35 p.m. – Supermoto Superpole (8 riders)

9:00 p.m. – Supermoto Unlimited Final (24 laps)

9:30 p.m. – Intermission

9:40 p.m. – Honda Jr. Supermoto Challenge Race (10 laps)

10:00 p.m. – Supermoto Final (24 laps)


Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling toll-free (877) 440-1540 or via www.tickets.com. Tickets purchased the day of the event are as low as $15 for adults and $10 for young adults (ages 10-15). Children nine and under are admitted free. Anyone attending the AMA Superbike event at nearby Virginia International Speedway (VIR) during the day on Saturday can obtain a coupon for a $3 discount off the admission price to the AMA Supermoto event at South Boston Speedway.


Purse For Supermoto and Supermoto Unlimited classes (each):

1. $1000
2. $750
3. $600
4. $550
5. $450
6. $400
7. $350
8. $300
9. $300
10. $300

From a press release issued by D&B Firepower Ducati:

Cadwell Park British Superbike Preview
24th & 25th August 2003

Dean Ellison and the D&B Firepower Ducati Team supported by Alcatel head to Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire this weekend. One of the most exciting and entertaining tracks on the British Superbike Calendar.

Dean is confidently looking forward to challenging the mountain course and gaining some creditable results in the process. A technically but perfectly built track Cadwell is the highlight of the year for spectators and riders.

Pulling in massive crowds over the last few years and an expected 30,000 due this year it will be interesting to see how the races pan out. Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne will be hoping to gain the 2003 British Superbike title after he failed to clinch it at the previous round at Oulton Park.

A small, narrow, fast track Cadwell woos the crowds. Adding to that the spectacular mountain section of the course aptly named due to the steep gradient from a tight right hander. The sheer power forces the bike to separate itself from the track, for a split second, an impressive sight for anyone to see and incredible feeling for any rider to ride.

Speaking with Dean he said ‘I grasped a 12th and 10th at Cadwell last year on my trusty 996 Ducati, it’s a tough track and very difficult to pass on. I have to ensure that I get good starts in both races and hopefully I’ll bag a handful of good points. My bike is now four years old but I’m confident I can still run up there with the top boys, I just have to remain focused and keep them in my sights.’

Cadwell Park (www.britishsuperbike.com) is situated near Louth, Lincolnshire. One of the most spectator friendly circuits, Cadwell will most definitely pull in a large crowd over the weekend to cheer on Dean and the Team.

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
KAWASAKI RACING TEAM BRNO TEST

DEVELOPMENT WORK CONTINUES FOR KAWASAKI AT BRNO

Less than 24 hours after finishing in the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Fuchs Kawasaki’s trio of riders were back in action at the Brno circuit, during the first day of a two-day Dunlop tyre test.

As part of their ongoing test and development programme, Dunlop arrived at the Brno circuit with new tyres, sporting a number of different compounds, profiles and constructions, for Andrew Pitt, Garry McCoy and Alex Hofmann to evaluate on both the front and rear of their Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machines.

While the main focus of today’s test was tyre evaluation, the development of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR has also continued apace, with different frame and swinging arm combinations tested to identify a standard set-up that all three riders are able to superimpose their own settings upon. This standardisation process will also benefit the tyre testing programme, as data collected on the performance of the tyres from one rider is now relevant to the others.

Having completed his schedule today, Andrew Pitt will leave tomorrow’s testing duties to his Fuchs Kawasaki team-mates, Garry McCoy and Alex Hofmann.

Andrew Pitt:
“We concentrated solely on tyre testing today and, after trying ten new rears in the bike, we’ve identified two that seem to offer slightly better and more consistent grip compared to the tyre I ran in the race yesterday, which itself was a definite improvement over what’s gone before. Although short, today’s test has allowed us time to evaluate the new tyres prior to the next race at Estoril, as well as providing Dunlop with even more data with which to continue their development programme. So, overall, it’s been a pretty worthwhile day.”

Garry McCoy:
“Andrew’s bike is working well, so he’s done most of the planned tyre testing today, while we’ve worked on the set-up of my bike to try and eliminate the chatter that caused us so many problems during practice and qualifying here. We also tested a different length swinging arm to see what effect that would have on the bike and, overall, it was pretty positive, although it hasn’t really had a noticeable effect on my lap times. We did test a couple of new rear tyres as well, but they didn’t seem to offer any advantages over the tyre we used in the race yesterday. Hopefully tomorrow we’ll get the chance to test the rest of the new rear tyres that the Dunlop boys have brought along with them.”

Alex Hofmann:
“I’ve not been happy with the set-up of my bike all weekend, so we decided to work on improving things with the bike before starting the tyre test proper. We’ve made a few changes to the forks which have improved my confidence in the front of the bike, but I think we need to make some fundamental changes to the rear if we are to see an improvement in that area tomorrow. Hopefully we can get things sorted tonight so that I can get on with the job of testing tyres tomorrow.”

Hamish Jamieson – Technical Director
“We’ve achieved most of what we set out to do today. Andrew worked his way through his part of the tyre test and had positive comments about two of the tyres he tried, which is good for both him and Dunlop. Garry tested a different swinging arm and reported an improvement in grip from the rear, so that’s pretty positive also. Alex struggled all weekend with set-up, but is now a lot happier with the front of the bike and just needs to make the same improvement at the rear. I’m confident we can get things sorted out pretty quickly; leaving him to concentrate solely on the tyre testing programme we have planned for tomorrow.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIM has released its provisional 2004 MotoGP World Championship.

The schedule does not include a U.S. round, as reported earlier this month.

The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka is listed as “to be confirmed” presumably due to the pending alteration and homologation of the Casio Triangle chicane.

The current chicane layout, as used during the recent Suzuka 8-Hours World Endurance race, will not be approved, according to FIM’s Claude Danis.

“I will not accept this chicane anymore. For next year, they have to change the chicane,” Danis, the official FIM circuit inspector, told Roadracingworld.com on August 2.


Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
2004 provisional Calendar

April 4 – Suzuka, Japan (tbc)
April 18 – Welkom, South Africa
May 2 – Jerez, Spain
May 16 – Le Mans, France
May 30 – Mugello, Italy
June 13 – Catalunya, Spain
June 26* – Assen, Netherlands
July 11 – Donington Park, Great Britain
July 18 – Sachsenring, Germany
July 31* – Rio, Brazil
August 22 – Brno, Czech Republic
September 5 – Estoril, Portugal
September 19 – Motegi, Japan
October 2* – Qatar, Qatar
October 10 – Sepang, Malaysia
October 17 – Phillip Island, Australia
October 31 – Valencia, Spain

Tbc – to be confirmed

* – Saturday Race

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Brian Parriott finished first in the final round of the 2003 BMW Motorrad BoxerCup series Sunday at Brno in the Czech Republic, but the American was penalized 10 seconds for a “bad start,” according to the official BMW Motorrad BoxerCup website, and was scored as finishing eighth.

The win in the close race was then given to pole-sitter Thomas Hinterreiter on a BMW Motorrad Austria – Hinterreiter entry over Frenchman Gwen Giabbani on his Team Reseau France machine with Italy’s Roberto Panichi credited with third on a Dream Car Team-sponsored BMW.

Parriott’s BMW Motorrad Team USA teammate Jason Perez finished fourth, after Parriott’s penalty, and recorded the fastest lap of the race at 2:16.879.

Switzerland’s Andy Hofmann battled for the lead early in the race before settling back for a fifth-place finish, which was enough for the Motorrad Senger Racing Team rider to claim the 2003 BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Championship and the BMW M3 grand prize.

Parriott and Perez finished seventh and 16th in the final Championship standings, respectively.

BMW BoxerCup “ambassador” Randy Mamola crashed out of the race on lap nine.

BMW BoxerCup Round Nine Results (all on BMW R1100S):

1. Thomas Hinterreiter, AUT, 29:58.267
2. Gwen Giabbani, FRA, -0.091 second
3. Roberto Panichi, ITA, -0.158 second
4. Jason Perez, USA, -0.618 second
5. Andy Hofmann, CHE, -4.385 seconds
6. Sebastien Legrelle, BEL, -8.339 seconds
7. Richard Cooper, GBR, -8.689 seconds
8. Brian Parriott, USA, -9.963 seconds
9. Laurry Fremy, FRA, -13.763 seconds
10. Udo Mark, GER, -14.248 seconds

13. Markus Barth, GER, -24.208 seconds
14. Fernando Cristobal, ESP, -32.749 seconds

22. Andy Meklau, AUT, -48.264 seconds


2003 BMW Motorrad Boxer Cup Final Point Standings (After round nine of nine):

1. Hofmann, 147 points
2. Legrelle, 140 points
3. Panichi, 136 points
4. Hinterreiter, 123 points
5. Barth, 79 points
6. Cooper, 76 points
7. Parriott, 69 points
8. Alessandro Tomassoni, 64 points
9. Fremy, 49 points
10. Dirk Buylinckx, 40 points

16. Perez, 28 points

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

THE DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM TESTS AT BRNO

Brno (CZ) – Monday August 18, 2003 – MotoGP Ducati Marlboro Team Tests – After the exciting and successful Czech Republic GP at the weekend, the Ducati Marlboro Team has remained at the Brno circuit today for a busy day of testing. Tests have been carried out on the latest machine modifications and important new parts fitted to the Desmosedici starting from this GP.

After having successfully checked the efficiency of the new bodywork and chassis (these new parts were used both in practice and in the race by both the Ducati Marlboro Team riders), Bayliss and Capirossi have worked today on the new, larger diameter Ohlins forks, which had been left to test during these post-race sessions, and on a series of new Michelin front tyres.

Bayliss completed 45 laps at a stunning pace, and on two occasions recorded lap times of 1:59.4 (using the new front tyres and with the same rear tyre compound used for yesterday’s race). Unfortunately, a crash – luckily without any injury – forced him to put an early end to the second part of the test day, when he was supposed to test the new forks. “Now, this bike is perfect!” Was Troy’s comment at the end of the test. “I lapped fast and spent a lot of time on the track today. I’ll try the new forks as soon as possible but, for the time being, I’m more than happy. I’d say this trip to the Czech Republic has certainly been a positive experience.”

Overall, Capirossi completed 52 laps, with a fastest time of 1:59.0 (about 1 second faster than the best lap time recorded in yesterday’s race). Unlike his team mate, Loris used the first part of the session to test the new forks, and then focussed on the new front tyres later in the day.

“The new fork is really good,” said Loris. “The bike feels even more stable under braking and, with this fork, the new chassis and new Michelin front tyre we’ll make good progress in the next few races.”

Today at Brno new Shell Advance lubricants were also tested, especially designed for the high-performance Ducati Desmosedici engine.

The Ducati Marboro Team will next be racing at the “Grande Premio Marlboro de Portugal”, at the circuit of Estoril, on Sunday, September 7th.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

International Disciplinary Court
Appeal of team GMT94

The International Disciplinary Court (CDI), convened in a single judge phone hearing (Mr. Jos Driessen), in order to judge on the 12 August, the appeal formed by the team GMT94 against the decision taken by the FIM International Jury during the “Endurance 6Hours of A1Ring”. The GMT94 team manager, Christophe Guyot and the Jury President at A1Ring, Mr. Bruno Appolloni, took part in the hearing.

The CDI considered the appeal acceptable and took a decision by issuing a reclassification of the race.

The classification of the Endurance 6H of A1Ring is the following: 1st Zongshen1, 2nd Zongshen2, 3rd GMT94, 4th Suzuki-GB Phase One, 5th Yamaha Endurance Moto38, 6th Team 22 Police Nationale…etc.

The current corrected ranking of the Endurance World Championship is the following: 1st Zongshen1 (116 pts), 2nd Suzuki-GB Phase one (99 pts), 3rd Zongshen2 (65 pts), 4th GMT94 (59 pts), 5th Team 22 Police Nationale (59 pts), 6th Yamaha Endurance Moto38 (35 pts)…etc.

An appeal may be lodged against this decision before the International Tribunal of Appeal (TIA) pursuant to Arts. 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7.1 of the FIM Disciplinary and Arbitration Code.



Editorial Note: Suzuki GB Phase One was 14 points out of the lead 1 before the appeal ruling and points adjustment, and is now 17 points behind.

From a press release issued by Clear Channel Motor Sports:

BUBBA SHOBERT AND GAVIN TRIPPE NAMED DEL MAR GRAND MARSHALS

Fort Worth, Texas–Clear Channel Entertainment – Motor Sports is proud to announce two Grand Marshals for the K&N Del Mar Mile Weekend of racing that will include Vintage, Superbikers, Concours d’Elegance, Motorcycle Expo, Parts Exchange, Short Track, Lap of the Legends and Mile National. The events will take place at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California on October 3-5, 2003.

The 2003 Dirt Track Grand Marshal will be 3-Time Grand National Champion (1985-87) and 1988 Superbike Champion, Bubba Shobert. Shobert was one of the most versatile riders during the 1980’s winning at Road Race, Short Track, Mile, TT and Half-Mile.

Between 1985 and 1987 Shobert had an incredible run of three consecutive National Championship Titles while winning 20 dirt track nationals in the process. In 1988 Shobert competed in the Superbike Series where he won, while also continuing to race full-time in the Dirt Track where he finished second to Scott Parker.

Shobert was forced to an early retirement in 1989 at the U.S. World Championship Road Race Grand Prix in Laguna Seca, California due to a freak accident. Kevin Magee was doing a post-race burn out on the backside of the racetrack when Shobert ran into the back of Magee’s motorcycle. After months of rehabilitation, Shobert decided to retire from professional motorcycle racing. He is still one of the most popular figures in motorcycling and makes frequent appearances at special events.

Gavin Trippe who was one of the promoter’s of the original ABC Wide World of Sports Superbikers from 1979-1985 has been named as the Grand Marshal for the inaugural Parts Unlimited Superbikers sponsored by KTM to be held on Saturday, October 4th. Gavin Trippe and Bruce Cox sold ABC Sports the idea of bringing together top Motocross/Supercross, Dirt Track and Road Racers from around the world to compete on a special race course at Carlsbad Raceway in Carlsbad, California that consisted of both dirt and asphalt sections. This event offered race fans a showdown of the Best of the Best until the restructuring of ABC Sports, which dropped the event.

Today’s version is often called SuperMotard, SuperMoto or SuperTT with various organizations running local, regional and national series. The Parts Unlimited Superbikers sponsored by KTM will have the same format as the original Superbikers with 12 invited riders from Motocross/Supercross, Dirt Track, Road Race and Off-Road/Freestyle.

Tickets now on sale at Ticketmaster.com, cc.com and selected Southern California motorcycle dealers. For event information call 817/332-4822.