From a press release issued by Panini S.p.A.:

The first Panini Collection focused on MotoGP!

Panini will provide motorcycle fans with a high quality cutting-edge collectible including images, stats and bios of the top drivers and motorbikes.

Features

The collection features all the riders of the current season for the three classes (125cc, 250cc and MotoGP), each rider is featured in an action/race shot and a head & shoulder shot. MotoGP 2003 Riders are represented twice, both in the regular cards and in a special STARS section.

The Review 2002 sections highlight the pivotal moments of the 2002 Championship for the three classes, showing two highly dramatic shots of the event on each card. Interesting technical data, the map and an aerial shot of all circuits of the MotoGP 2003 championship are featured in the circuit subset.

Heroes of the past, with their honours list are featured in the Legends section Special materials The Legends section is printed on mirror foil with an embossing effect; the MotoGP Star Riders 2003 subset features a unique, thick, rubber-like ink which produces an embossed pattern on the cards and reflects the texture of motorcycle handles.

Release date: August 2003.

Editorial note: The U.S. importer for Panini, Imperial Toy Corporation, has no plans to import the MotoGP trading cards to America, but interested parties should e-mail Panini’s David Matalon at [email protected].

From a press release issued by American Honda:

Here’s the first look at Honda’s new Superbike platform, the all-new CBR1000RR.



*Powered by an all-new liquid-cooled 998cc four-cylinder engine.



*All-new aluminum frame patterned after the RC211V MotoGP racer.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The 2004 Honda CBR1000RR features what Honda calls DSFI (Dual Stage Fuel Injection) with two injectors per cylinder.



The 998cc sportbike has a bore and stroke of 75mm x 56.5mm and a compression ratio of 11.9:1. It has a six-speed cassette type transmission, which Honda press materials says “is easily accessible for rapid gear ratio changes and maintenance at racetrack,” just in time for AMA Superbike rules that don’t allow that type of tranmission changes anymore.



It carries a 120/70-17 front tire and a 190/50-17 rear tire and has a 55.6-inch wheelbase.

The bike has a rotary steering damper with an electronically controlled pressure relief valve, providing less damping at slower road speeds and more damping at higher road speeds.

Like the CBR600RR, the CBR1000RR has Honda’s Unit Pro Link rear suspension layout. Unlike the smaller CBR, the CBR1000RR has radial front brake calipers, with 310mm discs.

The new bike also has undertail mufflers, and comes with a “centrally mounted…fuel tank is positioned low in the frame, increasing mass centralization…”

In what may be a telling sign, Honda press materials released today do not include a claimed dry weight.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Supersport Championship points leader Jamie Hacking has re-signed with Yamaha for 2004 and is excited about the new YZF-R1 he will be racing.

“Yeah, I’ve already signed my contract, and it’s already back in their hands. That happened the week after Virginia,” said Hacking in a telephone interview Wednesday. “Supersport and we don’t know if it’s going to be Superstock or Superbike. It’s whatever the rules turn out, you know? It’s a one-year deal.

“I’m really happy. I couldn’t be any happier and wouldn’t want to be any other place. Those guys treat me good over there.”

Hacking said he just returned to his home in Greer, South Carolina after attending a special presentation of the new 2004 Yamahas. The event was held at Rancho Los Palmas Marriott Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California near Palm Springs Monday, September 8.

“We just did the introduction for the new R1 and R6 for the regional sales managers of Yamaha,” said Hacking.

When asked about the new YZF-R1, Hacking could not hide his enthusiasm. “That thing’s pretty nice. (laughs) It’s a small motorcycle! It’s smaller than my 600. I was just tickled to death when I sat on it. I don’t like big motorcycles. They don’t suit my riding style. I sat on that thing and I was like, Holy Shit! The seat where it meets the tank is only three inches wide. It’s like a damn dirt bike with street tires. It makes that thing (the existing YZF-R1) feel like a Gold Wing. It’s very impressive. They did a good job with it. I think it’s going to give us a really good base to work with.”

Hacking said he hadn’t ridden the bike yet (there’s only one pre-production model in America, being used for brochure photos), but he did stop to take his own pictures of the bike during Monday night’s ceremony.

“Yeah, I took pictures of it to show my buddies back home, because they’ve all got R1s,” said Hacking. “I was pretty impressed with it. I called ‘em up and told them they better get rid of them so they can get this one.”

From a press release:

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® Presented By Toyota Trucks Announces 2003/2004 Schedule

Fun For Motorcycle Fans This Winter In Thirteen U.S. Cities

Santa Ana, CA — September 10, 2003 — This winter, powersports fans, manufacturers and dealers are coming together to celebrate a common passion: motorcycles. The Powersports Group, producer of the popular Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® presented by Toyota Trucks, has just announced its 2004 show schedule. Traveling to 13 major cities across the country, the series is an unparalleled opportunity for bike buffs along with casual enthusiasts to experience the cutting-edge of powersports vehicles, products, and services.

SAN FRANCISCO
November 7-9,
San Mateo County Exposition Center

DALLAS
November 21-23
Dallas Convention Center

SEATTLE
December 5-7
Seahawks Exhibition Center

LONG BEACH
December 12-14
Long Beach Convention Center

DENVER
December 19-21
Colorado Convention Center

NEW YORK
January 2-4
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

WASHINGTON
January 9-11
Washington DC Convention Center

ATLANTA
January 16-18
Cobb Galleria Centre

OHIO
January 30-February 1
IX Center (Cleveland)

CHICAGO
February 6-8
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

DETROIT
February 20-22
COBO Conference/Exhibition Center

DAYTONA
March 3-7
Daytona International Speedway

MINNEAPOLIS
March 26-28
Minneapolis Convention Center

Popular with powersports fans across multiple segments and skill levels, all thirteen shows are fully supported by the industry’s major Original Equipment Manufacturers—Aprilia, BMW, Buell, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory, and Yamaha. Also, for the very first time, the Powersports Group announces the support of Indian Motorcycles for the complete 2004 tour. Their commitment to the tour adds to the already impressive vehicle line-up featured at the shows. The Powersports Group is also pleased to welcome back KTM, as well as Ducati, and Moto Guzzi this time for the full tour. As always, an onslaught of the hottest sportbikes, cruisers, scooters, dualsport machines, off-road bikes, motocross and 4-wheel ATVs will be represented.

Show attendees who want in-depth information on motorcycle parts and accessories can visit the expert staff in “The Factory,” a showcase of the latest aftermarket products and essential riding gear where they can compare and discuss everything from performance parts to the latest communications hardware with manufacturer representatives. We are please to have the following companies participating in the Factory: Arai Helmets, Avon Tyres, Bell Powersports, Inc., Chatterbox, Cobra Engineering, Desser Tire & Rubber Co., Dowco, Inc.

Dunlop North America, HJC America, K & N Engineering, Kendon Industries, Metzeler Motorcycle Tire, Pirelli Motorcycle Tires, Progressive Suspension, Shoei Helmets, Suomy Helmets, Top Gear Accessories, Travelcade, Ventura and Yuasa Battery, Inc.

Show highlights will include stunt riders, special demonstrations and interactive features. This year’s series premiers the Ball of Steel Stunt Show complete with gravity-defying stunts and caged performances by extreme motorcycle riders in an enclosed steel ball. Attractions will also include vintage displays highlighting vehicles of all makes and models, the innovative Video Lounge showing the latest extreme motorcycle videos on the market, and the all-new Club House with special features, message boards, and contests targeting motorcycle club members.

“We’ve got big plans for this year’s International Motorcycle Shows,” enthuses Show Director, Jeff D’Entremont. “After 23 years, the series has taken on a life of its own and has become an annual tradition for most attendees. Drawing folks from every walk of life – from families with kids to hard-core, 20-something riders – the series will be this winter’s must-see event for motorcycle fans across the nation.”

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® presented by Toyota Trucks kick off this November in San Francisco, with later stops across the U.S. including: Dallas, Seattle, Southern California, Denver, New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Ohio, Chicago, Detroit, Daytona, and Minneapolis.

Tickets are available in advance at www.motorcycleshows.com and on-site at the box office. Members of the American Motorcyclist Association who show their membership cards when purchasing tickets at the box office on-site are eligible for a $1 rebate coupon redeemable at the AMA booth inside the show. Discount coupons are also available at participating local dealers. Visit www.motorcycleshows.com for a complete list of participating dealerships. Only one discount will be granted per ticket; no discount offers may be combined.

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

SHAKEY LOOKS TO CELEBRATE IN STYLE

The new British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne heads for home ground this weekend aiming to celebrate his recent title success with another pair of wins at Brands Hatch where the penultimate round of the 2004 series takes place on Sunday (14th September).

Last time he was at the Kent track, ‘Shakey’ took a resounding double in the World Superbike Championship to add to his BSB win there back in June and the rider who hails from the Isle of Sheppey just down the road is planning on putting on another show for his home fans:

“I have great memories of Brands from 2003 and I aim to round that off with another double win this weekend. I’m still hoping for the record of 14 wins in a season and if I can get the wins at Brands I’m still in the frame. Now the pressure of the championship is off I can start to enjoy myself and relax a little, just as I did in the World Superbike races and look what happened there!” quipped the 26 year old who clinched his first and MonsterMob Ducati’s second successive British Superbike title at Cadwell Park in the last round.

Meanwhile, reigning Supersport champion Stuart Easton relinquished his title at the last round but the young Scot is eager to clinch second in the title race with a win around the short Indy circuit aboard his 748 MonsterMob Ducati.

The Hawick racer took an audacious debut win on the same track last season and scored a rostrum on the long track earlier on in the season but ‘Rat Boy’ is aiming for success for different reasons this time out:

“I’m still waiting to get sorted out with what’s happening for next season and the best thing I can do is go out and win. I like Brands and scored a double win there last season so there is no reason why I can’t top the rostrum this time out” said Easton.

Team Owner Paul Bird, who will be testing his newly acquired Hyundai Accent World Rally Car on his way south, commented:

“We’ve done the hard work as far as the Superbike title is concerned and now it’s just a case of ramming home our advantage. We don’t need to win but we’ll be aiming to show anyone who is in doubt just what we are capable of. We may have are one or two surprises up our sleeves just yet” said the Cumbrian who next week will embark for further talks at the Milan show with regards to his team’s plans for 2004.

Recent British Superbike Champions

1996, Niall Mackenzie, Yamaha

1997, Niall Mackenzie, Yamaha

1998, Niall Mackenzie, Yamaha

1999, Troy Bayliss, Ducati

2000, Neil Hodgson, Ducati

2001, John Reynolds, Ducati

2002, Steve Hislop, MonsterMob Ducati

2003, Shane Byrne, MonsterMob Ducati

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Young Australian racer Reece Bancell was killed August 31 during the final round of the 2003 Shell Advance Australian Championships at Eastern Creek Raceway near Sydney, Australia.

Bancell, 19, of Hornsby, New South Wales, died from injuries sustained in a multi-bike, chain-reaction collision in Eastern Creek’s fast turn one during the final Australian Supersport race of the day. The race was canceled after the incident.

Bancell started racing on a Moriwaki MH80R in 1998 and was the “Top Privateer” in the 2002 Australian Championship series, when he finished on the podium several times and took third in the series Championship.

“I have seen probably every major road race he has been in since he was old enough to get a racing license at 16,” wrote www.mcnews.com.au editor Trevor Hedge in an e-mail to Roadracingworld.com. “Really great young bloke, one of the most passionately absorbed in his racing, but at the same time he had the rare ability of also having his feet on the ground and was a truly pleasant young man. I can honestly say that I am not peering through backwards looking rose-coloured glasses clouded by his memory when I state that he was quite possibly the most genuinely liked young bloke in the paddock.”

Funeral services for Bancell were held September 5 in Australia.

Bancell’s family hopes that a “Reece Bancell Memorial Trophy” for the highest finishing privateer in the Australian Supersport Championship will be established in their son’s memory.

To send messages of condolences to Bancell’s family, go to:

http://www.mcnews.com.au/reece/



Meanwhile, WERA racer Trent Dailey from Loganville, Georgia was killed during practice August 23 at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway. Dailey ran off the track (which was being run in the counter-clockwise direction) at the back-straight kink, veered right across the run-off area and went into the forest.

A funeral was held on Tuesday, August 26. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, his mother and stepfather, and a sister.

More, from an e-mail from Paige Roberson:

The Georgia Sportbike Association and the WERA family lost a dear friend, Trent Dailey (“The Ingegnere”), who was killed in a motorcycle accident on August 23, 2003. Trent was Chief Engineer of Lombardini USA, Inc. and a graduate of Georgia Tech. He leaves behind a beautiful wife, Melanie, and two adorable daughters, Hannah (4) and Isabella (1).

Please join us for a memorial ride on September 21, 2003 (Sunday) as we remember and pay tribute to Trent. Details of the ride may be found at www.georgiasportbike.com/CharityRide/flyer.doc

The ride will benefit the Hannah & Isabella Dailey Educational Trust Fund. Donations will be accepted at registration or via PayPal at www.georgiasportbike.com/charityride/PayPal.asp. All donations accepted, no minimum or maximum.

For more information, please contact Raul Jerez ([email protected]), Marge Ramos ([email protected] or 404-680-5241) or Paige Roberson ([email protected] or 678-313-0848).

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Just hours after stepping off the Assen podium with the 2003 World Superbike Championship trophy in his hands, Ducati Fila’s Neil Hodgson faced up to questioning from the world’s press. What follows is a transcript of Neil’s press conference:

WHAT DOES THIS TITLE MEAN FOR YOU?
It means everything, the reward for 20 years hard work.

MANY PEOPLE SAY THAT WITH THE LOSS OF THE FACTORY TEAMS AND TOP RIDERS, THE CHAMPIONSHIP HAS BECOME DEVALUED. DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY?
No, I beat everyone last year except Colin and Troy who were on factory bikes and Michelin tyres. I was very close to beating them on many occasions as well so I believed that I was going to be champion whoever I rode against this year if I was on the best bike and best tyres, which I was.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP IN YOUR OPINION?
I feel that when the championship needed a boost, it has taken a step down again and it can’t really afford that.

IT WAS A FORMALITY BUT YOU STILL HAD TO WIN THE TITLE. DID YOU HAVE ANY MOMENTS THIS YEAR WHEN YOU LOST CONCENTRATION, SEEING AS YOUR LEAD WAS SO GREAT?
Everything went absolutely perfect until Misano where I lost 30 points in one weekend. And it changed my mentality and I rode defensive instead of attacking everything, which is a shame, but there again you win a championship with consistency.

WERE YOU BOTHERED BY THE FACT THAT YOU DIDN’T WIN THE FIRST RACE?
Yes, very much. But all I can say is I tried my best and I was so tense on the bike. My body was like a piece of iron and I was riding so bad.

ARE YOU GOING TO MOTOGP NEXT YEAR?
It looks like it’s going to happen but anything can happen and it’s not 100%.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOU WILL GO IN MOTOGP?
I’ve learnt over the last few years that if you never give in, anything is achievable. I didn’t think four years ago that I would become World Superbike champion. I’m not going to say I will be world champion but I will say that I will hopefully go to MotoGP and ride every lap of every race and give 100%.

WILL IT BE A PROBLEM FOR YOU TO GO TO MOTOGP OR SATISFACTION?
To be honest I would be happy to stay in World Superbikes, but the ‘old’ World Superbikes, because I’ve raced it now for many years. I understand Ducati, the circuits, the people, so my goal would be to win more championships than Foggy, but the decision has been made for me really because I have to ride against the best competition.

IT LOOKS AS IF YOU WON’T BE RIDING FOR THE FULL-FACTORY TEAM. WILL THIS BE A PROBLEM FOR YOU?
No, I don’t think so because the Ducati looks very strong this year and that would eventually be the bike I’m riding. There will surely be less pressure than being in the factory team. And there is a goal, if I succeed then it will be a perfect step into the factory team.

THIS HAS BEEN THE FIRST SEASON DUCATI HAS NOT DONE MUCH PRE-SEASON TESTING. HOW HARD HAS THAT BEEN?
It’s not been too easy, but in a way it’s been good for me as a rider because it’s made me work really hard every weekend at tracks. I can’t waste a lap, every lap I’ve got to be on it to get the best information from the bike to get the handling better. It’s a sensitive bike and I can only compare it to last year’s bike, which had six or seven years development and did everything you wanted. On the 999 the parameters are wider, the bike is unbelievably fast and is so good. This will be good for me if I do go to MotoGP next year, because the bikes are more sensitive.

DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE SITTING HERE TODAY IF YOU HADN’T GONE BACK TO BRITISH SUPERBIKES AND TOUGHENED UP?
No, what could have happened was that if I had got a ride in 1999 in WSBK, things might have been different. I would probably have got spat out after three-four years for being too old. I got spat out at 25 and won the championship when I was 26 so I still had a few more years left in me. I’ve got to thank GSE racing immensely, they were the right team at the right time and I’ve got to thank Darryl Healey, who gave me this opportunity. I was lucky to win the championship with them and be with a team that wanted to go to the next level, and win the world championship. He’s like a member of the family now, but it’s a shame I didn’t win it for him. GSE built the foundations around me and Fila Ducati built the house!

DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR MICHELINS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN’T DO A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT WORK?
People think they didn’t do as much development work, but I did three tests with Michelin and they turned up with 20 new tyres just because I didn’t like the feeling at the front. They couldn’t have worked much harder, they must have produced sixty tyres for me to test, which I’d never experienced before. They didn’t really have to because I was leading the championship and going well. They realised I had a problem and so they worked hard. At the start of the season I was nervous about doing the transition from Dunlop to Michelin but I took to them like a duck to water. They are the best tyres I have ever used.

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO BECOMING A FATHER ON TUESDAY?
Disappointingly, nowhere near! Being a dad was so much better. I actually am not that fond of babies and I was dreading Tuesday, but the bizarre feeling I had when Kathryn gave birth, nothing comes close to that, not even winning that second race and becoming world champion, sorry to say! On a scale of 1 to 10, ten was Tuesday and one was today and I genuinely mean that.

IS IT RIGHT THAT YOU HAVE BOUGHT A PORSCHE THAT YOU WILL DRIVE ONLY NOW YOU HAVE WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
Yes, it’s true. When I was a child I had a little Porsche car and it was my dream. I went through school and wasn’t very intelligent and didn’t pass many exams, then I left school and I was a builder and I didn’t think I’d ever own one. But I said if I can achieve my goal of winning the world championship then I will buy myself a Porsche 911 Turbo. When I get back to the Isle of Man, I’ll go and collect it.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE OUT THERE WITH 30,000 UNION JACKS AND BRITISH FANS?
Absolutely mega! It’s something I’ve dreamed of since being in Carl Fogarty’s huge shadow. Seeing that and wanting it to be for me and now I’ve come here today and it’s there. Not everyone is a Hodgson fan out there but it means the world to me and is very special.

WHAT DID CARL FOGARTY SAY TO YOU ON THE GRID FOR RACE 2?
He was actually very nice and congratulated me. Normally he says something sarcastic but he said ‘Now you’ll go a lot better! I could tell you were tense but I know you’ll do well in this race’. Then he was talking about Holly Jean being born on Tuesday, on the 2nd September because that’s when his first child Danielle was born. Quite a coincidence really, two world champions, both left-handers, both from ten miles apart, both started at the same schoolboy motocross club, very bizarre.

NEXT YEAR WHAT WILL THE WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP BE LIKE, WITH THE CHANGE IN REGULATIONS?
It’s difficult to comment because I don’t know what factory support there will be for the other manufacturers. I hope the factory-supported teams will be successful and that World Superbikes continues to be strong. It hurts me to think that it will continue to go down.

IT MUST BE A STRANGE FEELING FOR YOU COMING FROM 500 AND GOING TO GPS AGAIN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?
It’s strange how it all works out, I feel a little bit cheated because I felt I was quite a good two-stroke rider. In 1995 I was top privateer in my first year, I was 21 years old and arguably had quite a good future ahead of me. It all went wrong because I jumped into the most wanted seat in the paddock on a factory Ducati bike and I wasn’t ready. I was expected to be the man and I wasn’t and I lost my job. If you end up in a situation where you don’t think you can win, then you won’t and I had people around me who I thought were better than me, and they were better only because I thought they were. If you think you can beat people then you can, it’s all mental, I’m convinced about that. Troy Bayliss will always be successful because he just doesn’t care, he enjoys it, Troy is strong mentally. I feel like I’m always one step behind Troy. I was his team-mate in 1999 when he won the championship, then I won the year after. He then got into the factory Ducati team, and I did a couple of years after. He won the championship, now I’ve won it. He’s gone to MotoGP and is doing well …..

DO YOU THINK IT’S AN ADVANTAGE THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN GPS?
Definitely, because I know what it’s like. I’ve done three years already, I came to the Assen GP and I know nearly everyone so it’s not daunting in that respect.

IS IT A DISADVANTAGE FOR THE BRITISH RIDERS THAT THEY HAVE SUCH A STRONG SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP AND THEY HAVE TO GO TO GP?
No, not really, I think it’s better to have a strong Superbike championship because Superbike is always going to be the feeder for MotoGP. There are no real up-and-coming riders, but when they do come, if they win in Britain they might have an interesting future in MotoGP.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Formula USA racer Dan Bilansky and girlfriend Kristy Schedler had a son, Christian Bilansky, September 3 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.