Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon AMA Practice Times:

Supersport:

1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:30.481
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:30.727
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:30.776
4. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:30.996
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:31.345
6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:31.427
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:31.778
8. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:31.924
9. Ty Howard, Honda, 1:31.927
10. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:31.988
11. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:32.019
12. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha, 1:32.020
13. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:32.270
14. Lance Isaacs, Honda, 1:33.043
15. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:33.138
16. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki, 1:33.525
17. Chris Rankin, Honda, 1:33.781
18. Darren Luck, Suzuki, 1:34.217
19. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:35.135
20. Dirk Sanchez, Kawasaki, 1:36.608


Formula Xtreme:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.376
2. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.653
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:28.808
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.112
5. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, 1:29.215
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.749
7. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:29.798
8. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:29.931
9. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.274
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.311
11. Ty Howard, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.628
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, 1:30.876
13. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:32.674
14. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:32.815
15. Corey Eaton, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:33.598
16. Doug Duane, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.083
17. Monte Nichols, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:34.818
18. Mike Scruggs, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.019
19. Danny Eslick, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:35.873
20. David Bell, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.939


Superstock:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.271
2. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.806
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:30.932
4. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.947
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.083
6. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.348
7. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.429
8. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.463
9. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.486
10. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.843
11. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:31.877
12. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:32.086
13. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.110
14. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.143
15. Pascal Picotte, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:32.150
16. Jamie Stauffer, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:32.527
17. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.538
18. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.757
19. Lance Isaacs, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.760
20. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:32.772


250cc Grand Prix:

1. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, 1:32.015
2. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 1:32.160
3. Simon Turner, TSR Honda, 1:34.284
4. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, 1:34.650
5. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, 1:36.571
6. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, 1:36.660
7. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:37.600
8. Geoff Maloney, Yamaha, 1:37.763
9. Greg Esser, Honda, 1:37.792
10. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, 1:37.920
11. John France, Honda, 1:38.163
12. Chris Pyles, Honda, 1:38.420
13. Bill Himmelsbach, Yamaha, 1:39.186
14. Sean Wray, Yamaha, 1:39.485
15. Sean McNew, Honda, 1:39.667
16. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, 1:39.835
17. Shawn Murray, Honda, 1:40.754
18. Steve Scott, Yamaha, 1:40.855
19. Keith Floyd, Yamaha, 1:41.161
20. Mark Stiles, Yamaha, 1:41.477

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

Brits dominate in wet Brands Hatch World Superbike qualifying

Heavy rain marked the first timed qualifying session for this weekend’s massive World Superbike Championship meeting held at the historic Brands Hatch circuit in South-East England.

Although Ruben Xaus was able to nip into provisional pole ahead of Chris Walker on the HM Plant Ducati right at the close of the session, no less than seven British riders in the top ten head the provisional grid. Walker was demoted to second by a last-gasp charge by Xaus on the factory Ducati.

Regis Laconi made it to provisional third, he’s holding back a tide of wild card riders headed up by Renegade Ducati rider Leon Haslam, young son of former GP star ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam. Sean Emmett riding a privateer Ducati heads up the provisional second row in front of John Reynolds on the first of the two Rizla Suzukis. James Toseland, who’s shown promising form so far this year, lies in seventh ahead of yet another wild card rider, Michael Rutter.



Friday’s World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:36.441
2. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:36.575
3. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.598
4. Leon Haslam, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.482
5. Sean Emmett, Ducati 998RS, 1:37.756
6. John Reynolds, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.783
7. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.825
8. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.830
9. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998F02, 1:37.984
10. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:38.722
11. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.512
12. Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.521
13. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:39.535
14. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.638
15. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996, 1:39.768
16. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:40.245
17. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:40.443
18. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.689
19. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:40.924
20. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:41.570
21. Nick Medd, Ducati 998RS, 1:41.663
22. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:41.890
23. steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.303
24. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:42.335
25. Giancarlo De Matteis, Ducati 998RS, 1:42.540
26. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:44.018
27. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:44.372
28. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, 1:45.089
29. Redamo Assirelli, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:45.185
30. Luca Pedersoli, Ducati 998RS, 1:46.864


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

A Walker on water

Chris Walker backed up his pre-event pledge and gave his legion of fans something to cheer about at the Brands Hatch European round of the Superbike World Championship – the biggest event on championship calendar.

In conditions that could only be described as atrocious, the HM Plant Ducati rider put on a breathtaking display of skill and bravery to take second place on the provisional grid for Sunday’s Superbike double-header. His team-mate James Toseland took a slightly different approach to the session, literally preferring to test the waters with a brisk but reserved seventh place time of 1:37.825, in preparation for Saturday’s second qualifying and Superpole.

The unpredictable nature of the British climate is something UK residents have become accustomed to, however riding a 190bhp Superbike through heavy rain and standing water is a different story all together. Unfortunately, this was the unenviable task that faced the HM Plant Ducati riders when they tackled first qualifying for the ninth round of the series.

After riding injured for several rounds, Walker is determined to make an impact in front of the team’s home crowd. The 31-year-old rider from Nottingham dominated the majority of the timed session. After feeling his way around the slightly revised Grand Prix circuit for the first 20 minutes, the second half of the session saw him turn up the heat considerably – despite the terrible weather. Walker started out fast and just got faster, but he saw provisional pole snatched away from him by Spaniard Ruben Xaus in a last lap charge that left the Brit with no time to retaliate.

“I’ve raced at Brands quite a few times in the past,” said Walker, “but the track conditions round the back of the GP circuit are as bad as I’ve ever seen them. Everybody was taking it easy for the first half of the session and I spent a bit of time getting dialled in, but after a few laps I knew that my Dunlop wets were spot-on and that we had some great settings for the HM Plant Ducati, so I decided to wind it up a bit. It’s supposed to dry out over the weekend which will be better for the fans but I don’t think I’ve ever felt so comfortable in conditions like those and it won’t faze me at all if it keeps on raining.”

James Toseland posted the seventh fastest time of the day. With experienced riders such as Michael Rutter, Frankie Chili, Gregorio Lavilla and Neil Hodgson all circulating slower than the 22-year-old sensation, he is in a strong position for Saturday’s qualifying.

“Chris seems to be on a mission this weekend,” said Toseland. “But for me there wasn’t much point in pushing so early in conditions as bad as those. It was just a case of getting dialled in and sussing the tyres to start with – then everybody upped the pace a bit at the end. The wild cards are always strong in Britain and they didn’t have anything to lose by giving it some today, but the weather forecast is better for tomorrow and if it’s right, today’s times will be blown away.”


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Rain obstructs Foggy PETRONAS Racing set-up at Brands Hatch

Appalling weather conditions robbed Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and James Haydon of valuable set-up time on the first day of round nine of the World Superbike championship at Brands Hatch.

Constant rain left standing water on certain sections of the track, in particular the newly-extended sections around Dingle Dell. On the FP1’s first competitive action at the circuit, and with seven wild card riders demonstrating their local knowledge of the Kent circuit, the team had hoped that dry conditions would aid optimum data collection in advance of Sunday’s two races.

James Haydon finished the first practice session in 12th and managed to reduce his lap time during the afternoon’s torrential rain with a best time of 1:41.581, 19th fastest. Team-mate Troy Corser was 17th in both sessions, improving his morning time by nearly two seconds to 1:40.443.

James said: “The conditions were unbelievable, with a lot of standing water, and are probably the worst I have ridden in. It was so dark it was like riding at night. I tried a few different set-ups, none of which were perfect, and I was struggling for front end grip, especially on the left-hand side. But I had forgotten how valuable it is to know which way you are going round a circuit, which made the weather even more frustrating as I know what I need to do round here. I had trained really hard for this event but I am hardened to the task in hand by now.”

Troy said: “I hope it is dry tomorrow because the engine feels more responsive, probably due to the cooler temperature. It’s hard to find a dry line through the new sections as the water is just lying there. But I have managed to get the set-up balanced so that I am reasonably happy with it. I tried a full treaded front at the end and dropped nearly a second and a half and it will be okay if I could get the same feel in the rear.”


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Third Laconi in a wet Brands Hatch

Bad surprise this morning for the rider at Brands Hatch in the practice’s debut day for the ninth round of World Superbike: an appalling rain scourged the circuit along all the practice time. That’s been a perfect occasion for a challenge between the British rain master riders and the riders from the continent, as at the end have been the winners. Regis Laconi, as third fastest in today’s first qualifying, is the fastest rider on a “replica” bike in a group of eleven factory bikes. The 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks has recorded the highest top speed in the speed trap placed in the Hawthorn Hill straight.

“I’m rather satisfied for the moment.” – said Laconi at the end of the practices – “I could grab a faster laptime i the last lap available, but I found a parked rider in the last split and I’ve lost a lot of time to pass. I preferred to went out to get the best feeling with the different tyres and so I mounted the best tyre late in the session. So I hadn’t enough time to try a faster lap, otherwise I believe that I could be a bit faster. The bike performs very well and the engine push hardly. The new track’s profile look to be more safe, also if in the new part the grip in wet conditions isn’t the best.”

Also satisfied at the end of the day Giancarlo De Matteis; the rider native from Sanremo, who replaces the injured Garcia, had never seen neither the track nor the bike, but has been however able to grab a laptime good enough to be qualified, while a total of five rider are at the moment out of qualifying limit.

“I’m quite satisfied about this debut day.” – told at the end De Matteis – “I’m confident to be faster. Actually I’ve not selected the easiest occasion for this debut, on a very hard track and in wet conditions! At the beginning of the session we had a small trouble at the electronic gear, but it has been easily solved. More another problem has been that I’m not allowed to take part at the morning’s free practice session this morning, because after a terrific fly travel yesterday I arrived to late to be present at the compulsory briefing session, and I’ve not admitted to the first free practice session. So I’m confident that tomorrow I’ll be able to do a bit better.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

XAUS (DUCATI FILA) GRABS PROVISIONAL POLE AS HODGSON SETS 13TH QUICKEST TIME IN FRIDAY QUALIFYING

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Fila) was the master of the appalling weather conditions in Friday qualifying at Brands Hatch as the Spanish rider put in a quick lap at the end of the session to take provisional pole. Championship leader Neil Hodgson found the going tough on the wet and slippery tarmac and could only set thirteenth quickest time.

Ruben, winner of three of the last four races, was feeling confident after knocking Chris Walker off the top slot with a 1:36.441 lap.

“There’s too much water out there and it’s too cold to heat the tyres up quickly” said Ruben. “I went out to get a good feeling with the different tyres and to get to know how my 999 behaves around Brands Hatch. I wanted to do many laps with that pace in those conditions and I did it. The feeling wasn’t that bad, we tried different set-ups and I’m quite happy for the moment. I’m trying to do as many laps as possible, even in the wet and although the feeling is not the same as in the dry and the track is bumpy, it’s important to do that because we have already missed one day in dry conditions”.

Despite only clocking thirteenth quickest time with a 1:39.535 lap, Neil was not too downhearted with his performance and was confident for tomorrow’s final qualifying sessions.

“I’m getting there now in these conditions and I don’t feel I’m too far off the pace” declared Neil. “I didn’t have a very good feeling early on so now I’m going faster nearly every lap and feeling more and more confident. In my career in wet conditions, I’ve always been slow at the beginning and it takes me a lot to get the right feeling. I need more and more laps to generate more heat in the tyres to get more grip to go faster. It works like that in the wet but today it was a pity because in the final part of the session while the others were improving, my visor misted up and I had to stop and it broke my rhythm”.


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

TROY TAKES IT STEADY IN THE WET.

The first day of qualifying for the eighth round of the Superbike World Champion ship at Brands Hatch was blighted by wet conditions and Troy and
the rest of the riders took it fairly steadily. With the weather scheduled to improve for tomorrow and raceday on Sunday, nobody wanted to risk crashing so early on in the proceedings. Brands Hatch has a new section at Dingle Dell this year and the tarmac there was more slippery then the rest of the track, so caution was the name of the game today. With less tyres to try then his competitors, Troy used today to re-familiarise himself with the track and try and find a good set=up for his Petronas FP1. As the
conditions improved a little in the afternoon, Spaniard Ruben Xaus (Ducati) claimed provisional pole, with Chris Walker (Ducati) second. Regis Laconi (Ducati) set the third fastest time, ahead of Leon Haslam (Ducati) – a superb performance from the youngster who was riding a Superbike for the first time.

TROY – 17th, 1:40.443

Well it’s more or less what we thought today, though we only had one rear tyre to try in the first session and that probably hampered our progress.

We got a good front and I am happy with that, but if I could’ve got a rear with the same feeling, I could’ve gone quite a bit quicker. But in the end, if it is dry tomorrow, then we’ll have to start again anyway! Brands isn’t
one of my favourite circuits and the new section feels a bit different to the rest of the track. We were playing with throttle settings today as
well, so I’m not too bothered about positions. We’ll progress tomorrow for sure.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

The article on your website with an interview with AHRMA Race Director John Goodpaster about the need for bellypans, has an error in it. The error is that Jim Swartout was NOT riding a Honda CB350 but a Yamaha XS-kitted 750 when he blew an engine and crashed.

Now you have a post where the maker of bellypans for CB350 Hondas is promoting bellypans on the assumption that Jim Swartout was killed on a Honda CB350. This leads to a false conclusion on a variety of issues.

I was in the same practice as Jim Swartout and I viewed his bike after it was brought to tech.

Jerry Settle
AHRMA #601
Dixon, Tennessee




(Editorial note: While we regret the confusion–since corrected–the observation that all racebikes should be fitted with bellypans designed to contain liquids, to promote overall rider safety, remains valid. To anyone who would object on the grounds that such bellypans are not correct for the period in which Vintage machines were originally raced, we hasten to point out that nobody is wearing period helmets, either, due to safety considerations.)

From a press release issued by Shadowdance Pictures:

SHADOWDANCE PICTURES in association with THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL FEATURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

“THE ASSISTANCE OF VICE” Winner of the 2003 Jack Nicholson Prize in Screenwriting is looking for FEMALE MOTORCYCLISTS, MOTORCYCLE STUNT PERFORMERS, SPONSORS, VINTAGE MOTORCYCLES, 1980’s MOTORCYCLES to collaborate on a 35mm short film that will be presented in a prestigious showcase to studios, production companies and high profile agencies.

Writer/Director: Roberta Degnore

Producer: Miranda Kwok

Stunt Coordinator: Tommy McComas

If you love to strut your stuff, we’d love to have you in our film!

Please feel free to contact us at the address below and also indicate whether you can pull wheelies, stoppies or other stunts.

Shoot dates are Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31th.

Location: Los Angeles

SYNOPSIS

Intensely sexual, totally unpredictable and completely volatile, Cyanne is a hip, edgy New York photographer struggling to make her mark while living in a whirlwind of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Always looking for recognition and love, always distracting herself from her work, Cyanne has never taken a real chance at success…until she loses everything. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Cyanne is adopted by a group of ultra sleek biker girls who teach her courage, independence and freedom. Life in the fast lane takes on a new meaning when Cyanne learns that in order to save her life, she’s got to risk it.

PLEASE CONTACT: MIRANDA KWOK

ShadowDance Pictures

264 South La Cienega Blvd. Suite 1166, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

323.936.1916 office / 310.383.5563 cell

[email protected]



And now some reader reaction:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

With regard to the casting call for the Tommy McComas film:

While I’m sure many motorcyclists would be interested in seeing a film featuring, at least in part, “vintage motorcycles and 1980’s motorcycles,” is it entirely necessary that we sit through this type of drivel to enjoy
the bikes?

Admittedly I’m curious about the “ultra sleek biker girls,” but I’m sure that particular jones could be satisfied through some alternate outlet.

What we really need is a modern day On Any Sunday or at least a relatively serious attempt to portray motorcycling and the people who participate in it in a relatively realistic manner. Am I the only one who thinks our sport/hobby/passion is interesting enough on its own to achieve some commercial success in the entertainment world without being tarted up to resemble a “B” horror film?

I know, I know it’s a short film/school project and I’m likely being over critical, but enough is enough.

How about we all show up in leathers at the shoot with picket signs?

Just a thought…

Tony Shortman
Southwest Commercial Real Estate
Director of Land and Investment Services
Las Vegas, Nevada

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Road Racing World Classic Series Last round cancelled

The last round of the Road Racing World Classic Series, scheduled on the circuit of Most (Czech
Republic) on August 31 next, is cancelled and will not be replaced. The Series will thus count four events; the next round in Assen (Netherlands) on August 3 will be the final one.

From a press release issued on behalf of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum:

Industry Stars and Legends to Shine at Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction and Concours d’Elegance

From today’s superstars to yesteryear’s classics, the best of the best meet at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum October 4 – 5

PICKERINGTON, OHIO – From famous names and faces to an unparalleled collection of exquisitely preserved and restored motorcycles, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum will be filled with the industry’s brightest stars and rarest classics on October 4 – 5, 2003. This signature weekend event combines the prestigious 2003 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction, which annually honors motorcycling’s best-loved personalities and pioneers, with the by-invitation-only 2nd Annual Concours d’Elegance, a showcase of over 100 of the country’s finest, privately-owned classic motorcycles.

“This is our weekend to celebrate the amazing people and machines that have inspired America’s passionate love affair with motorcycles,” said Mark Mederski, Executive Director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “There is no other event that brings together such a priceless collection of living legends and their stories in one venue and then immortalizes their achievements for future generations.”

As announced in June, 2003 Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees include several of America’s most successful and best-known motorcycle racing stars, including AMA Supercross legend Jeremy McGrath, and Harley-Davidson factory stars Jay Springsteen and Scott Parker. They will be joined by industry mavericks, like Hollywood stunt star Debbie Evans, whose work most recently awed motion picture audiences in The Matrix: Reloaded and Fast and Furious.

Both the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and the Concours d’Elegance will take place at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the 23-acre campus of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), just outside of Columbus, Ohio.

2nd Annual Concours d’Elegance Features Country’s Finest Vintage Motorcycles

Much like the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the gold standard for vintage automotive excellence, so does the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Concours d’Elegance strive to assemble the nation’s rarest and finest vintage motorcycles. With this goal in mind, the inaugural 2002 Concours d’Elegance set a new standard for showcasing the art, design and historical significance of over 100 classic motorcycles. For the 2003 Concours d’Elegance, quality of restoration, preservation and presentation again are the key criteria for each entry. Participation is by invitation only and owners of pre-1975 motorcycles who are interested in submitting an application for consideration are invited to contact the Museum.

Executive Director Mederski expects the caliber of entries to be superior in every category, including American, European, British and Asian brands. “Our Museum’s role has always been to act as the steward of this country’s motorcycling history and heritage. As a result, we have excellent access to significant makes and models from all corners of the country, both from personal and institutional collections.” Last year’s Concours included seldom seen models, ranging from the pristinely restored “Best of Show” 1966 BSA Spitfire Mk. II to an original, unrestored 1934 Harley-Davidson VLD.

One of the thoroughly unique elements of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d’Elegance is the fact that so many famous competitors and industry people are on the Museum grounds for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction. “Where else can you see the legendary John Penton admire a Concours entry near and dear to his heart—a 1971 Penton Six Days?” said Mederski.

The 2nd Annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d’Elegance is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, from 10 am to 4 pm (rain or shine).

Public is Invited to See the Stars, Learn About the Legends

Visitors can meet many past Motorcycle Hall of Fame members as well as this year’s inductees at a special Museum reception and dinner, scheduled for Saturday October 4, at 6 pm. This special event, held in the Museum’s galleries, also offers an ideal opportunity to see the Museum’s latest exhibit, “Heroes of Harley-Davidson, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance.” The 8,000-square foot exhibit—open through the end of 2004—celebrates the people and products that transformed a backyard experiment into an American icon.

In addition to Motorcycle Hall of Fame members and inductees as well as media and industry representatives, special guests include two American artists whose work is currently featured at the Museum, including bronze artist and sculptor Jeff Decker and licensed Harley-Davidson artist, painter David Uhl. Visitors will also be able to capture their favorite industry legend’s autograph on memorabilia and posters—the Class of 2003 inductees will be participating in a special autograph session on Sunday.

Admission to the Saturday, October 4 reception and dinner is $15.00 per person. The event is open to the public and reservations are required. The Sunday, October 5 Concours d’Elegance and Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction ceremony are also open to the public at no charge.

About the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

The goal of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum honors those who have contributed notably to the sport, and three major exhibition halls showcase the machines and memorabilia that have shaped motorcycling. The Museum is open from 9 am. to 5 pm. daily; and closed on New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $5 per person; ages 17 and under are admitted free. AMA members, members of national motorcycle organizations and senior citizens are eligible for a $1 discount off regular admission. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Team Embry/Freewebtown.com’s Brian Stokes won the 2003 AMA Sports Horizon Award for road racing Thursday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The award, now in its seventh year, is presented to the rider who performs the best at the annual AMA Grand Championship road races and displays the most potential for an AMA professional racing career.

“I think it is the biggest accomplishment of my career. I can’t believe I won it,” said 29-year-old Stokes. “There were so many people up for it, so much strong competition over the two days. I didn’t think I had a chance because there were so many talented riders out there.”

Stokes beat out several strong contenders for the award with Matt Furtek, John Dugan, Michael Sanchez and Greg Moore also putting in worthy performances over the two-day event, July 23-24. Stokes stood out based on his top finishes in the “premier” AMA classes – Supersport, Superstock, Superbike, Middleweight Superbike, Formula Xtreme, Heavyweight Twins and 250cc Grand Prix.

Riding a Suzuki GSX-R600 and GSX-R750, both on Pirelli tires, Stokes finished on the podium in every race he entered. He won in Supersport and Formula Xtreme, took second in Middleweight Superbike and Superbike and finished third in Superstock.

Among the competition, Dugan won in Superstock, finished second in Formula Xtreme and placed fifth in Superbike; Moore took the victory in Superbike and finished third in Formula Xtreme; Sanchez won in Middleweight Superbike, took second in Superstock and finished fifth in Supersport; Furtek placed second in Supersport, third in Middleweight Superbike and fourth in Superstock; Chris Pyles won the 250cc Grand Prix race; and J.D. Hord won the Heavyweight Twins sprint.

The WERA National team of veteran racer Rueben Frankenfield, first-year Expert Greg Moore and 18-year-old Matt Furtek won the new-for-2003 AMA Road Race Team Challenge Cup, a bragging rights contest which combines the best finishes of a three-rider team representing a road racing club.

Moore led the WERA National team with a win and a third, Furtek added a second place and Frankenfield contributed an eighth.

“It was an unexpected honor to win the AMA Road Race Team Challenge Cup,” said Frankenfield, 34. “I feel privileged to be a part of it, but I wish I could’ve contributed more.”

Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association’s (CMRA) Michael Sanchez (first, second), Logan Young (fourth) and Troy Green (tenth) tied with Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association’s (WMRRA) John Dugan (first, second), Jake Holden (fifth) and Tom Wertman (ninth) for second in the Team Challenge Cup final standings.

Eight teams competed in the AMA Road Race Team Challenge Cup at Mid-Ohio.

From a press release issued by Petronas:

MALAYSIAN BUILT PETRONAS SUPERBIKE PASSES HOMOLOGATION INSPECTION

Kuala Lumpur, July 24, 2003 – The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) today announced that the second batch of 75 units of the road version of the PETRONAS FP1 – the first Malaysian superbike – has passed homologation inspection.

This second batch of the superbikes were assembled by PETRONAS using the resources and facilities of the Malaysian motorcycle manufacturer, MODENAS, under an agreement signed between PETRONAS and the manufacturer on 28 April 2003 in Kuala Lumpur. Assembly work took two months at MODENAS’ factory in Gurun, Kedah.

The first 75 units of the road going PETRONAS FP1s — assembled in the United Kingdom — had passed homologation inspection in London on 30 January this year. This paved the way in March for Foggy PETRONAS Racing Team’s participation in the 2003 FIM World Superbike Championship.

According to the FIM regulations, a superbike model needs to have a minimum of 150 homologated units before the superbike can be eligible to race in the Championship.

The FP1 road bike will be officially launched in the near future in Malaysia.

From a press release issued by Russell & Herder:

ADVERTISING AGENCY RUSSELL & HERDER BUCKS ECONOMY, EXPANDS MARINE & RECREATION GROUP

Agency Opens Sarasota, Fla., Office, Wins New Clients and Adds Staff, Including Senior Executive from Harley-Davidson

Employing a new business model, advertising and public relations agency Russell & Herder has expanded its Marine & Recreation Group. The agency has added several new clients and hired a senior executive from Harley-Davidson Motor Company to manage the growing group. In addition, Russell & Herder is opening a new office in Sarasota, Fla., that will play a key role in the continued growth of the Marine & Recreation Group.

“With a business model aimed at maximizing return on investment, we’ve been able to accomplish extraordinary things for our marine and recreation clients,” said Brian Herder, principal and executive creative director at Russell & Herder. “Clients are praising our work and ability to influence their bottom line. For example, we recently saved a client more than $250,000 on a catalog production project. It’s that kind of measurable success that has fueled the growth of the group and our agency.”

Recent Hires to Marine & Recreation Group

To keep up with the continued growth of the Marine & Recreation Group-and to expand the expertise and capabilities within the group-Russell & Herder recently hired industry veteran and senior executive Joe Hice, APR.

Responsible for managing the agency’s growing Marine & Recreation Group, Hice comes to Russell & Herder from Harley-Davidson Motor Company, where he served as director of corporate communications.

Hice has more than 20 years of executive management experience in the marine and recreational products industries. Prior to joining Harley-Davidson, he served as director of communications for the Marine Group of Bombardier, Inc., and as director of communications for Wellcraft Marine and Donzi Marine. He was also a vice president for Hill & Knowlton and a partner in the Tampa-based communications agency, Roberts & Hice, Inc. (currently Roberts Communications). In addition, Hice was business editor of the Tampa Times newspaper and a staff writer for Florida Trend Magazine and Tampa Bay Business Journal.

“We’re thrilled to bring in a proven industry veteran to manage our Marine & Recreation Group,” said Herder. “Hice’s wealth of experience and credentials are well-known and our clients are going to benefit tremendously from his skills and talents.”

As vice president of Russell & Herder’s Marine & Recreation Group, Hice will provide clients with strategic planning, market development and advertising and public relations services.