Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 1:58.840
2. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:59.448
3. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:59.533
4. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:59.720
5. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:59.856
6. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 2:00.180
7. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 2:00.382
8. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 2:00.432
9. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 2:00.745
10. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 2:00.913
11. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 2:01.028
12. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 2:01.145
13. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 2:01.244
14. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 2:01.489
15. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 2:01.555
16. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 2:01.687
17. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 2:01.690
18. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 2:01.763
19. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 2:02.185
20. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 2:02.445
21. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 2:02.458
22. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 2:02.564
23. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 2:04.518
24. David De Gea, ROC Yamaha, 2:06.499
25. Chris Burns, ROC Yamaha, 2:06.541

From a press release issued by The PR Group on behalf of Willow Springs International Raceway:

WILLOW SPRINGS RACEWAY OPENS “HORSE THIEF MILE”

Designed with Help from Racing Veterans Keith Code, Rod Millen, & Eddie Lawson, One-mile Paved Course Emulates Challenge of Winding Mountain Highway

ROSAMOND, Calif. — Featuring numerous elevation changes, tight turns, and scenic panoramic views, Willow Springs Raceway’s new one-mile course, Horse Thief Mile, (AKA “The Mile”), was created to let drivers experience the physical and visual challenges of a winding mountain road.

“I noticed there was nowhere to learn how to negotiate the twists you might encounter riding up a mountain course, so I decided to create a track that emulated a mountain highway,” said the track’s chief designer, Willow Springs Raceway owner Bill Huth.

With its demanding sharp corners, sweeping crests, and 11 degree rises, Huth designed “The Mile” in consultation with racing veterans Keith Code, Rod Millen, and Eddie Lawson.

“The Mile is unique,” said motorcycle cornering instructor and California Superbike School founder, Code. “It’s probably got more elevation changes in its one mile than any other circuit around – and it’s got an aspect of canyon riding that other tracks don’t have. Because you find yourself riding into crested corners where you really can’t see the other side, the course also presents some very good visual challenges. The only level section of the course is a 500 foot stretch at the start/finish line.”

To ensure the course had the necessary elements to accommodate drivers on four wheels, Huth called upon champion off-road racer Rod Millen. Huth said one of Millen’s major contributions was ensuring the course had a straight segment long enough to give drivers a sufficient passing opportunity.

“The Mile adds variety to the whole Willow Springs complex,” said Millen. “It’s a different type of course, demanding different skills of the rider or driver. I like that, because from a testing standpoint, you always like something new and challenging and demanding because it helps you develop a better machine.”

Huth also obtained advice on the course layout from multi-time motorcycle champion-turned Cart racer Eddie Lawson. “On this track you can overdo the speed pretty easily and riders will learn that,” said Huth. “Just like on a paved mountain road, you have to use judgment on how fast you can go.”

Huth said The Mile will be used for all types of vehicle racing, but predicts the course will become best known as a place to learn how to control a bike or car on tight corners.

Huth said, despite the winding layout, there are sections of the track where riders can jump on the gas – if they’re smart. “The third turn of The Mile was built to duplicate a turn located up on Highway 101 running along Oregon’s Gold Coast. You’ll go down into a dip and then swing around, but you can get on the gas just as hard as you want when you get near the bottom because the down-force won’t let you slide away. It’s a great turn,” said Huth.

“I think The Mile is similar to a road rally course in that it winds, going up and down hills — kind of an all-terrain road course,” said track manager Stephanie Huth, who predicts the track will become a favorite with riding schools.

“The track is very scenic and photogenic, and we’re purposely not allowing any garish signage,” said manager Huth. “We’d like to establish The Mile as a place where magazine and film crews can come to shoot beautiful footage of vehicles and their drivers in action.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc GP Final Qualifying Results:

1. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 2:08.100
2. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 2:08.330
3. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 2:08.421
4. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 2:08.562
5. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, 2:08.755
6. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 2:08.817
7. Thomas Luthi, Honda, 2:08.857
8. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 2:09.253
9. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, 2:09.268
10. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 2:09.322
11. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 2:09.477
12. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 2:09.532
13. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 2:09.553
14. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 2:09.602
15. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 2:09.702

18. Miko Kallio, KTM, 2:10.089

27. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, 2:11.160


More, from a press release issued by KTM:

Bad Luck for Kallio, Locatelli 27th

After a sensational debut in his first ride on the KTM-Red Bull, Mika Kallio suffered a setback in final qualifying at the Brno Circuit, site of round 10 of the 125cc World Championship. Teammate Roberto Locatelli improved his time from Friday’s practice, but lost positions, and ended the day 27th fastest.

From the very beginning of the session Kallio had trouble with the electronics on his race bike, switching back and forth between his race bike and his spare during the session, causing him to lose valuable time. With time running out, Kallio was pushing hard to improve his position and crashed, breaking the little finger on his left hand. He was taken to the Clinica Mobile and the prognosis is good for Kallio to start his first grand prix for the KTM-Red Bull team. Nevertheless, an operation will be necessary on the damaged finger. Locatelli experienced front tire chatter when he chose wrong on the tire, preventing him from improving his time. For the race, Locatelli has opted for the softer, more compliant front.


#10 Roberto Locatelli
27th 2:11.160

Because the race will start two hours earlier than today’s qualifying session, and the temperature will be cooler, I can use the softer tire which will solve the problem with chattering. In free practice this morning it went perfect and I was 0.7 seconds faster than in qualifying. I’m certain I can go faster tomorrow in the race.


#36 Mika Kallio
18th 2:10.089

I’m disappointed because I was looking forward to my first race for KTM-Red Bull tomorrow. The front end slipped away and there was nothing I could do. I’m going to do all I can to try to race tomorrow. Whatever it takes to get me on the grid, I’ll do it.

Harald Bartol
Team Manager

Bad luck for Mika, we lost a lot of time at the end. He risked everything and he risked too much. I hope the injuries won’t prevent him from giving 110% tomorrow in the race. For Roberto, I’m confident we can find a solution to the problems he had in qualifying.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

250cc Grand Prix Final Qualifying Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 2:03.872
2. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 2:03.920
3. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 2:04.037
4. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 2:04.088
5. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 2:04.233
6. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 2:04.413
7. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 2:04.663
8. Anthony West, Aprilia, 2:04.771
9. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 2:04.909
10. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 2:05.054
11. Radomil Rous, Aprilia, 2:05.157
12. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 2:05.563
13. Alex Debon, Honda, 2:05.995
14. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 2:06.018
15. Eric Bataille, Honda, 2:06.032

28. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 2:10.193


More, from a press release issued by MS Aprilia:

ANOTHER POLE FOR POGGIALI AND APRILIA

The second day of practices was helpful to Manuel Poggiali to define the work already done yesterday. After having achieved the 4th position in the free session Manuel made 6 laps with the qualifying tyres getting the pole position as well. The session has been stopped at 30 minutes to go because of a Antony West’s crash. Then the riders came in again but the time was not enough and the standing did not change. This is a triumphal day for Aprilia with 5 bikes in the firsts 5 positions.

Manuel Poggiali: “Unfortunately I am not bale to improve in those 30 seconds.. Joking aside I feel very satisfied about this second day on this track. I did my best lap with the tyres I am going to use tomorrow for the race as I have not been able to use the soft tyres in the best way. I just want to verify another tyre during the warm up that probably could give more advantage. I like this track on 250 because my Apirlia is very fast”.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

MONT-TREMBLANT, QC – Pascal Picotte continued his mastery of Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant Saturday as he claimed pole position for round 7 of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

The St-Cecile de Milton, QC rider took his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 around the 2.65-mile track in 1:40.240 to snatch the $500 MPM/Array Pole Award for the feature event of the Coors Light Tremblant Superbike weekend.

Tom Kipp of Chardon, OH set the second best time, a 1:40.562 on the Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-7RR and Calgary’s Clint McBain was third fastest at 1:41.276 aboard the Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Australian Robbie Baird completes the front row for Sunday’s feature race after recording a time of 1:42.003 on his Orion Motorsport Honda CBR954RR.

Picotte also received four points for his qualifying performance, allowing him to extend his Parts Canada Superbike lead to 12 points over Maple Ridge, BC’s Steve Crevier. Picotte now has 235 points to the 223 of Crevier.

“The bike has gotten better every time out,” said Picotte after claiming his second MPM/Array Pole Award of the season. “I tried really hard to get those points. That’s a big plus and hopefully I can capitalize tomorrow.”

Crevier qualified fifth on his Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000 at 1:42.152.

Rock Forest, QC’s Francis Martin is third in the standings with 220 points. Martin set the fourth best time in qualifying on his Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000, worth one point, but was penalized five positions for exceeding the class horsepower limit in post race technical inspection.

Granby, QC’s Kevin Lacombe, riding the Orion Motorsport Honda RC51, and Harrowsmith, ON racer Jeff Williams on a Diablo Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000 complete row two for Sunday’s race.

In other action at Mont-Tremblant, Picotte also edged closer to wrapping up the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike title by taking his Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 around in 1:42.874 to claim the four points awarded to the fastest qualifier.

McBain was second fastest with a time of 1:43.230 on his Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R600 and Lacombe placed third on the Orion Motorsport Honda CBR600RR at 1:43.923.

Points leader Jeremy Leduc of Keremeos, BC claimed pole for the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike class on his Yamaha YZF-R6 with a time of 1:46.835.

Wellesley, ON’s Bill Card placed second with a time of 1:47.006 on his Honda CBR600RR and Derek Bowker of Nepean, ON was third at 1:47.312 riding a Yamaha YZF-R6.

Feature races in all three national classes will run Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. and motorcycles will be on the track for practice at 9:00 a.m. Racing begins at 12:30 p.m.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 11:00 a.m. Action from Mont-Tremblant will also be shown later this year on Quebec’s RDS.

The one-hour long Superbike shows premier on the Outdoor Life Network on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1:00 p.m. and run each Sunday through September and October.


Results Saturday from qualifying for the Coors Light Tremblant Superbike, the seventh round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant in Mont-Tremblant, QC, showing qualifying position, rider name, hometown, type of motorcycle and qualifying time:

1.Pascal Picotte, St-Cecile de Milton, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:40.240

2. Tom Kipp, Chardon, OH, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:40.562

3. Clint McBain, Calgary, AB, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:41.376

4. Robbie Baird, Queensland, Australia, Honda CBR954RR, 1:42.003

5. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.152

6. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Honda RC51, 1:42.312

7. Jeff Williams, Harrowsmith, ON, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.636

9. Francis Martin, Rock Forest, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:42.801*

10. Benoit Pilon, St-Jerome, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:43.518

11. Chris Peris, Calgary, AB, Honda CBR600RR, 1:43.930

12. Matthew McBride, Toronto, ON, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:44.030

13. Andrew Nelson, Kars, ON, Honda CBR954RR, 1:45.079

14. Joel McDonald, North York, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:46.121

15. Michael Leon, Montreal, QC, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:46.372

16. Jim Proulx, Ottawa, ON, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:47.657

17. Jeremy Burgess, Halifax, NS, Honda CBR600RR, 1:48.732

18. Dan Durkovic, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:49.656

19. Steve Dufresne, St-Barthelemy, QC, Honda CBR600RR, 1:49.905

20. Larry Orde, Peterborough, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:49.911

21. Barry French, Brampton, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:50.217

22. John Brundl, Toronto, ON, Honda CBR954RR, 1:50.565

23. Elie Daccache, Ottawa, ON, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:51.858

24. Terry MacPhee, Upper Rawdon, NS, Honda CBR600RR, 1:52.124

DNS. Jean-Francois Cyr, Joliette, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1

DNS. Zenon Nelson, Bowmanville, ON, Suzuki GSX-R600

DNS. Matt Binns, Uxbridge, ON, Yamaha YZF-R6

DNS. Francois Chartrand, Anjou, QC, Yamaha YZF-R1

DQ. Brian Nielsen, Edmonton, AB, Suzuki GSX-R1000 (left pit lane during session)

* — Francis Martin penalized five positions due to 0.4 hp over on Dyno during Qualification

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Results:

1. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 2:04.099
2. Robert Rolfo, Honda, 2:04.413
3. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 2:04.465
4. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 2:04.775
5. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 2:04.853
6. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 2:05.026
7. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 2:05.370
8. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 2:05.475
9. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 2:05.580
10. Anthony West, Aprilia, 2:05.946
11. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 2:06.235
12. Eric Bataille, Honda, 2:06.621
13. Radomil Rous, Aprilia, 2:06.797
14. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 2:06.859
15. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 2:06.923

27. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 2:11.570

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing officials are claiming that they were not required to allow comment on the recently-announced, immediately-effective rule restricting who can enter both the Superbike and Formula Xtreme races and both the Supersport and Superstock races at AMA Nationals because it wasn’t actually a “rule,” but rather a “supplemental regulation.”

Allowing comment on proposed rules via the AMA website became standard AMA procedure after a series of last-minute, poorly-thought-out rule enactments outraged racers, teams and sponsors. The theory was that a comment period would reveal any unintended consequences of a proposed rule.

One fouled-up rule that helped drive the change in procedure banned any rider who was in the top 10 in Superbike or Supersport points from participating in Thursday practice. It was intended to keep factory riders out of Thursday practice but because it used points as a criteria instead of factory ride status, it also caught out riders like privateer Brian Livengood, who made it into the top 10 in Superbike points and thus was unable to use Thursday practice, for example, to learn Sears Point the first time he raced there.

AMA officials refused to change the rule when the problem was exposed, claiming it was inappropriate to make a change mid-season. But the rule has since been changed to specifically target factory Superbike and Supersport riders.

Despite that experience, AMA again used top-10-in-points as a criteria for the latest rule (uh, sorry, supplemental regulation) and again caught non-targeted riders in the net. According to AMA officials, they had to do something immediately because Mat Mladin entered the Formula Xtreme race at Mid-Ohio and ran in FX practice with no intention of actually racing, and other factory teams threatened to do the same, raising the prospect of much of the first two rows of the grid being empty when the race started.

But instead of specifically targeting factory riders as they did with the revised Thursday practice rule, AMA officials banned any rider in the top 10 in points in Superbike or Formula Xtreme from entering both races, unless he is top 10 in both classes, like Jason Pridmore.

One unintended effect was to keep some riders (like Josh Hayes, fourth in Formula Xtreme points, and Steve Rapp, sixth in Formula Xtreme points) out of Superbike practice while others (like Hayes’ Superstock title rival Vincent Haskovec, ninth in Superbike points) will be allowed to use vastly-longer Superbike practice time to set up his Superstock bike. At VIR, for example, Haskovec will have two hours of available practice time to Hayes’ 30 minutes prior to Superstock qualifying.

The rule also prevents Rapp from running any more Superbike races. Rapp went from last place on the grid to 6th in the Superbike race at Infineon Raceway and finished 10th in the Superbike race at Pikes Peak, but missed races at Atlanta (after destroying his Superbike in a fiery crash into an unpadded concrete wall), Road America (after blowing up all his 1000cc engines), and Laguna Seca (after separating his shoulder in Formula Xtreme qualifying). He started the first Superbike race at Mid-Ohio but DNF.

The new rule also came close to taking Jason DiSalvo, who has run every Superstock and Supersport race this year, out of either the Superstock class or the Supersport class–DiSalvo is 10th in Supersport points and ninth in Superstock points and a bad race at VIR could see him banned from either at Barber.

So, the question at hand is, what is a “rule” and what is a “regulation.” We looked the words up in the Encarta World English Dictionary, North American Edition, and found that the terms mean (no surprise) virtually the same thing.

Are AMA officials playing a game of semantics to suit the demands of the factory few, with no regard for the impact on non-factory riders?

You decide.

The definitions follow:

rule [ rool ] noun (plural rules)
1. principle governing conduct: an authoritative principle set forth to guide behavior or action
the rules of the game

2. usual condition: a prevailing condition or quality

3. governing power: a governing or reigning power
under Communist rule

4. reign or government: a period during which a person or group reigns or governs

5. religion, religious principles: a body of principles governing a religious order or group
the Benedictine rule


reg·u·la·tion [ règgyə láysh’n ]

noun (plural reg·u·la·tions)

1. rule or order: an official rule, law, or order stating what may or may not be done or how something must be done (often used in the plural)


2. regulating of something: the adjusting, organizing, or controlling of something, or the state of being adjusted, organized, or controlled


3. law, government order with force of law: an order issued by a government department or agency that has the force of law


4. biology ability of embryo to grow normally: the process or mechanism by which an embryo restores its ability to develop normally after being damaged or altered without creating new tissue

See related posts:


8/13/2003 Updated Post: New Rule Was Never Discussed By AMA Pro Road Racing Advisory Board

8/13/2003 New AMA Rule Will Penalize Hayes In Superstock Championship Battle

8/12/2003 Updated Post: Haskovec Banned From Formula Xtreme By New AMA Pro Rule

8/12/2003 Pick One: AMA Pro Racing Limits Superbike/FX And Supersport/Superstock Entries

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A new 1000cc Honda sportbike set to be introduced as a 2004 model may come standard with dual-injector throttle bodies.

The Honda throttle bodies are said to be similar to the kit throttle bodies currently run by Yoshimura Suzuki and Attack Suzuki, with one injector located in the conventional position in each throttle body throat and another, shower-type injector positioned over the mouth of each velocity stack.

AMA rules require non-standard throttle bodies used by factory teams to be sold to other competitors at a controlled price, but the dual-injector throttle bodies used by Yoshimura are sold without wiring harness, velocity stacks, black box or software. Purchasers cannot buy the wiring harness, stacks, black box or software used by Yoshimura, and must instead use the aftermarket to source a wiring harness, stacks, control system and software, and then get the parts to work together.

Yoshimura runs its dual-injector throttle bodies using a Mitsubishi control system that is not available to other teams.

Just before Mid-Ohio, after months of effort, Attack Suzuki finally got its dual-injector kit throttle bodies working correctly using a Motec box and software, and gained over 15 horsepower compared to the power produced with the standard single-injector throttle bodies the team used before.

The result was an instant and obvious increase in the performance of the Attack Suzuki ridden by Jason Pridmore, who finished second in both Superbike races at Mid-Ohio.

Because complete fuel injection systems as used by Yoshimura Suzuki were not made available to qualified buyers, AMA Pro Racing is now considering requiring the use of standard throttle bodies only, starting in 2004.

If that happens, the Suzukis would have to run the standard single-injector throttle bodies and give back the power gains realized with the dual-injector system.

If the new Honda does come with standard dual-injector throttle bodies, it could have an immediate horsepower advantage over the Suzukis at the start of the 2004 AMA Superbike season.

Stay tuned.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

More from an Army Captain we know, who is stationed in Irag and will remain anonymous:

Alright–payday! Well, at least it means half the month of August is over.

Fridays are the best for me ’cause to Arabs Friday is our Sunday–they go to their Mosques or what-nots but they sure don’t work, which is not a departure from their normal habits other than they are not actually here today.

Loose translation–Americans can get their work done. We get caught up on all our ID cards and databasing for the job pickups for next week. We are putting almost 1500 people to work this month. On Wednesday I am meeting with all the big-wig businessmen in town to pitch my office as THE source to find employees. We’ll see how it works since they are sooooo steeped in nepotism.

This week we had Basrah Limon instead of the normal chai. It is a tea made from lemons and oranges, it’s actually really good, but when you aren’t expecting lemons and get a hit you get the Jagermeister face bad. We had a staff breakfast the other day which proved to be fairly interesting. We had grape juice but in their juices they ground their leaves as well–so the grape juice tasted like it had mint in it. Kinda cleared out the sinuses and tasted good, nice combo!

Power of the Note:

Little did I know that notes carry the weight of law around here. What kinda notes? Small ones, big ones, Arabic ones, English ones–but they all have one thing in common, my name on them.

People ask me for notes to see American lawyers, doctors, intelligence guys, get medicine, breathe–just about anything you can imagine they want a note. I mean I got notes popping up in Baghdad saying that I said they could have a job. No, I didn’t, but it makes ’em happy. Now that I have hired a couple thousand guys, who all seem to remember me, my name is getting tacked on to sentences around here like a period. So when anyone asks an American for anything the Americans are sending people to come see me NOW? What the? I got six guys that work for me and 72 Iraqis. I give people jobs, not counsel. Two days ago I had a guy come to me ’cause he had cancer and needs drugs available in America.

Yesterday I had a woman see me ’cause her husband lost his leg in the war and she wants reparations.

Tommorrow I have a woman coming to see me ’cause her and her brother own a tract of land and he harvested it all and sold it and gave her nothing. People, I cannot solve your problems, but if you sign right here I can get you a job next week. People come to see me ’cause they know where weapons are buried, because their car was stolen, but I got one for you:

Got a letter from a man yesterday who had $128,000 American confiscated from his house by U.S. soldiers, his brother got arrested in the process, and what he described as “massive amounts of women’s jewelry” were also confiscated. His claim: He owns a trading business. Yeah, well, why the hell did he have four times the National GDP stuffed in a mattress, a brother on the most-wanted list who is now in a maximum security prison in Baghdad, and enough gold to sink a Spanish galleon? Get outta here, chief–sign the dotted line, get a job!

I deal with all classes, the poor, the rich, the officers who still believe they are privileged (News flash: You lost, no privileges for you!), crazy people, lazy people, and the worst, other Americans who think I can help solve their problems with the Iraqis.

So that is my week in a nutshell. Hope your days are not as fun-filled as mine!

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
ROUND 10 – GAULOISES GRAND PRIX CESKE REPUBLIKY
15TH AUGUST 2003 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOFMANN SECURES FULL TIME KAWASAKI RIDE FOR 2004

Today the Kawasaki Racing Team and Alex Hofmann reached an agreement that will see the 23-year-old German rider contest all rounds of the 2004 MotoGP World Championship aboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR.

Hofmann joined the Kawasaki Racing Team as European test and development rider at the end of the 2002 season and, since taking on the role, the former German and European 250cc Champion has worked tirelessly alongside engineers from both the Kawasaki Racing Team and Kawasaki’s race division in Japan to develop the Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine.

In addition, Hofmann has impressed with strong performances in his outings as a Kawasaki Racing Team wild card rider, with his best result of the season so far being a hard fought tenth place finish during this year’s rain lashed Dutch TT.

It is these wild card performances that have led to Hofmann’s future becoming the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with his name being linked to a number of high profile teams. However, after lengthy discussions between Kawasaki in Japan, the Kawasaki Racing Team and Hofmann’s manager, Dieter Theis, an agreement has been reached whereby the young German rider will continue his test and development role for the remainder of the season, before stepping up to a full time MotoGP ride with the Kawasaki Racing Team in 2004.

This weekend’s Czech Grand Prix at Brno marks the last of Hofmann’s planned wild card appearances aboard the Ninja ZX-RR this season.

Harald Eckl – Team Manager
“The discussions have been long, but I’m happy to be able to finally confirm the fact that Alex Hofmann will be riding full time for the Kawasaki Racing Team in 2004. Alex first came to my attention as a 16-year-old and, even then, it was obvious that he had the natural talent to compete at the very highest level. Since then I have watched his progress with interest and, at the end of the 2002 season, I had no hesitation in recommending him to Kawasaki for the role of European test and development rider.

“This season Alex has impressed with his mature and consistent approach, both to his test and development duties and to his wild card appearances for the team. During the past six months he has adapted well to the Ninja ZX-RR and developed his riding style to get the best from the bike; a fact borne out by his results as a wild card rider. Alex has enormous potential and I am confident that we will see him develop further as a rider in 2004. His work on developing the Ninja ZX-RR this season will also mean that we will be able to supply him with more competitive machinery in 2004.

“Alex will be the only German rider in the MotoGP class, so it is fitting that he should ride for a German team. There is of course another advantage to Alex’s nationality; for the first time I will be able to understand exactly what my rider is saying!”

Alex Hofmann
“The fact that I’ve had offers from other MotoGP teams for next season is probably the worst kept secret in the paddock at the moment! Maybe if I had only been looking at next year then the decision as to who to ride for would have been a lot easier to make, but I have had to think beyond 2004 and I believe that staying with the Kawasaki Racing Team is the best option in terms of my future MotoGP career.

“If someone had told me two years ago that I’d be starting my first full season in MotoGP at the age of 23 I wouldn’t have believed them. But it’s happened and my job now is to make the most of this opportunity, both for myself and for Kawasaki. We’ve worked hard to develop the Ninja ZX-RR this season and I’m confident that the progress we’ve made so far will allow Kawasaki to field a much stronger package in 2004. Both Kawasaki and Harald Eckl have shown a lot of faith in my ability by giving me this chance, now it’s down to me to prove their faith is justified.”

Dieter Theis
“A number of other factory teams in the MotoGP paddock were interested in securing Alex’s services for the 2004 season, but both Alex and I were keen to continue our relationship with the Kawasaki Racing Team and are therefore happy that we have managed to reach an agreement for next season. Kawasaki has shown a lot of faith in Alex this season and, as a loyal and consistent rider, he felt that it would be wrong to break the terms of his contract and depart from the team.

“However, the contract details were not the main reason for Alex’s decision to stay with the Kawasaki Racing Team for 2004. Alex is new to the MotoGP class and it is important that he is part of a team that is capable of developing his abilities as a rider. For many years Harald Eckl has been involved in developing young talent and I am confident that with his guidance Alex’s full potential will be realised. I am also confident that the development work being carried out by Kawasaki in Japan, in conjunction with the team’s engineers in Germany, will result in Kawasaki being able to provide Alex with competitive machinery with which to contest next year’s World Championship.”



(Editorial Note: Garry McCoy is looking for a ride, and has expressed interest in racing in the AMA Superbike Series.)