Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam “Crusty” Fergusson says he has lost 8.5 pounds since the last round of the series, at Brainerd International Raceway two weeks ago. Fergusson says he has stopped drinking alcohol and has started training hard on a new Specialized mountain bike.

“The theory has been how good would I go if I worked out hard, thinned down and took it serious,” joked Fergusson. “Whether it works out or not, we’ll see, but I’ve got to do something because I’m getting killed off the corners by some of these littler guys.”

Fergusson also has an eye toward the grueling Suzuka 8-Hours, which he will race with Anthony Gobert.


No Limit Motorsports Honda has brought in South African Lance Issacs to ride the bikes left vacant by Doug Chandler’s recent departure from the team.

Issacs rode for No Limits last season in AMA Formula Xtreme and finished fifth in the Championship. The former World Superbike rider has been racing in South Africa and been contesting some European rounds of the BMWMotorrad Boxer Cup series in 2003.

A crash in the Assen round of the Boxer Cup has left Issacs with a broken right wrist, but he said cortizone injections are allowing him to ride.

Chandler is at Laguna Seca to race in the AMA Red Bull Supermoto races.


Yamaha’s Aaron Gobert is back in action at Laguna Seca after breaking his wrist one month ago when he hit a wall at Road America. Gobert said he is 75 percent sure he will race at least in the Supersport class this weekend.

If the middle Gobert brother chooses to sit out, SPEED Channel’s Greg White will race Gobert’s factory Yamaha YZF-R6 in the Supersport race.


American Honda’s Ben Bostrom and Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts will join Miguel Duhamel in the Supersport class at Laguna Seca, but none of the three riders will participate in the World Superbike races.

One Honda crew member pointed out the irony that the Laguna Seca event is called the Honda International Superbike Classic yet there will only be one, privately-entered Honda in the World Superbike races.


Erion Honda has acquired new sponsorship from MTX Audio, a company that specializes in car audio electronics. Team Owner Kevin Erion said the deal was for “the rest of this year and all of the next year. We will have a MTX Audio show car on display by the truck this weekend. MTX is getting pretty heavy into motorcycle stuff. He (Loyd Ivey, CEO of MTX Audio) sees it as a big crossover.” Erion added that Ivey is a motorcyclist.


There are 204 racers with a total of 313 AMA Pro race entries at Laguna Seca. There are 64 entries in Superbike, 63 in Supersport, 64 in Formula Xtreme, 63 in Superstock and 59 in 250cc Grand Prix.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:25.757
2. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:26.717
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:26.876
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:27.212
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda, 1:27.358
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:27.814
7. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati, 1:28.106
8. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:28.532
9. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:30.000
10. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:30.049
11. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki, 1:30.438
12. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki, 1:30.794
13. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:31.714
14. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki, 1:31.927
15. Thomas Montano, Ducati, 1:32.211
16. Ricky Orlando, Suzuki, 1:32.464
17. Alan Schmidt, Suzuki, 1:32.610
18. Shane Turpin, 1:32.661
19. Jake Holden, Suzuki, 1:32.746
20. Robert Mesa, Suzuki, 1:32.805

From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

A1-Ring 6 Hour

Spielberg Spectacular for Suzuki?

The World Endurance Championship travels to Austria next week, for the fifth round of the eight race series.

The A1-Ring 6 Hour race will be held at the spectacular Spielberg A1-Ring circuit last visited by the championship in 1987. The track has been extensively re-worked since then, and is up to Formula 1 standards.

Split Six-Hour

The six hour race will be run in a split format, with three hour stages held on both Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of July. The starting grid for Saturday’s race will be based on qualifying times as usual.

Sunday’s grid will be based on the finishing order of Saturday’s race, with the overall result decided on the aggregate time of both races.

Championship Challenge

Suzuki Zongshen No.1 are currently leading the championship by 25 points, and riders Warwick Nowland and Stephane Mertens will be hoping to consolidate this lead. Second placed Suzuki GB Phase One will field a strong line-up; Olivier Four, James Ellison and Jason Pridmore will settle for nothing less than a win.

Local Heroes

The A1-Ring 6 Hour race is the home event for the Yamaha Austria team, and they will be hoping that local knowledge will give their Superbike specification Yamaha R1 an extra edge over the leading Suzukis.

Team manager Mandy Kainz says “We want to be on the podium again. At the A1-Ring, attack is the best defence.”

Italian Interest

Ducati DRE will return to the championship, with ultra-experienced rider Mike Edwards joining Dario Marchetti and Marc Garcia; the A1-Ring circuit should suit the Ducati well. Also making a welcome return for the Austrian race is the X-One Mondial Piega, building on good results earlier in the season.

Austria shares borders with Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic; all countries represented in the championship. With strong support expected from all sides, the A1-Ring race looks set to be a classic.

From a press release:

2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series
Round 5, Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW
Event Preview

FORMULA XTREME FINAL SHOWDOWN AT THE ‘CREEK

Can Kevin Curtain make it back-to-back Formula Xtreme and Supersport titles, or will Daniel Stauffer break through to take his first Formula Xtreme crown and can Brendan Clarke snatch the FX Supersport title from the wily veteran?

These and many more questions will be answered this weekend at the fifth and final round of the 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series being held at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway.

While the trio of Nikon Yamaha riders battle it out for the top honours in the Yamaha sponsored Formula Xtreme and Supersport classes, there are a number of other Yamaha supported riders who are in strong positions to stake their claim on a host of other titles to be decided over the weekend.

One rider who does not have to worry about that is Nikon Yamaha’s Craig Trinder. The Queensland veteran has already wrapped up his second NakedBike title aboard his Yamaha FZ1 and will assume a different role over the weekend. Trinder will be working not only behind the scenes within his own team, but will take on some additional commentary work that will see him moving up and down pit lane with a TV crew in tow. His experience showed make for some valued comments and insights over the weekend.

With Trinder taking a back seat role this weekend, the battle is on for those completing the minor placings. Procycles Yamaha rider Graeme Wilshaw lies third on the table, one place ahead of fellow FZ1 mounted Matthew Waldren. The pair will be looking to overhaul John Allen and provide Yamaha with a clean sweep in the NakedBike class.

Not to be outdone by the premier class runners will be Taree teenager Alex Cudlin. The 16-year-old currently leads the Superstock points table aboard his Fineline Motorcycles Yamaha YZF R6 in what has been a great debut year and will be aiming to turn his points lead into a title by Sunday afternoon.

Two Yamaha riders missing from the final round are Cameron Donald (Gary O’Brien Yamaha) and Mark Stanley (Lismore Motorcycles). Both will be competing in a rescheduled round of the Asian Championship. It will be a disappointment for Donald especially as he is fresh from taking the overall round win at Queensland aboard his Pirelli shod YZF R1 and also leads the A Grade privateer point score.

His absence will only make things all the more exciting for those chasing the 2004 model YZF R1 that is up for grabs for the top placed A Grader at seasons end. Two riders within a shot of taking home this great prize are Victorians Nicholas Barton (SCR Yamaha) and Stephen Tozer (Stafford Yamaha). Both are in a position to accept the prize and will no doubt leave nothing
behind as they put everything on the line.

With four Formula Xtreme titles under his belt already, Curtain may arrive at Eastern Creek as the man to beat, but he will have his hands full as he fends off challenges in all directions.

Just six points separates Curtain from current leader Daniel Stauffer. Eastern Creek is seen as a home track for both riders and should set the scene for a great fight for the number one plate. Not to be left out will be their young teammate Brendan Clarke. The Brisbane teenager is a mathematical chance of taking the title, but from a Nikon Yamaha team point of view they will be hoping that he can be there at the end with his teammates to make it a trifecta for the new-look team.

Curtain and Clarke will also back up and continue their battle in the FX Supersport class aboard their YZF R6’s. Curtain holds a 20-point advantage over Clarke heading to the final four races of the series, but the youngster will be eager to showcase his talent and gain the upper hand over his more experienced teammate.

One rider who has shone in the Supersport class in 2003 has been Sydney privateer Glen Allerton. He has pressured his more fancied rivals on more than one occasion during the season and came away with the round win at Queensland last time out. Currently fourth in the points, he will be out to spoil the party for the bigger names in the class.

Qualifying for this weekend’s final round gets underway on Saturday morning before the first eight of the scheduled 24-races for the weekend gets underway later that afternoon. Sunday will provide fans with an action packed 16-race program that should not be missed.

YAMAHA XTREME Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Daniel Stauffer (251); 2. Kevin Curtain (245); 3. Brendan Clarke (178); 4. Cameron Donald (165); 5. Ben Attard (133); 6. David Butler (132); 7. Nicholas Barton (130); 8. Stephen Tozer (110); 9. Robert Bugden (106); 10. Benn Archibald (101).

YAMAHA SUPERSPORT Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Kevin Curtain (300); 2. Brendan Clarke (280); 3. Russell Holland (225); 4. Glen Allerton (170); 5. Simon Rattenbury (152); 6. Wayne Maxwell (146); 7. Mark Aichison (138); 8. Mark Stanley (82); 9. Christopher Seaton (76); 10. Rory Rock (60).

YAMAHA SUPERSTOCK Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Alex Cudlin (335); 2. Alex Tomasetti (301); 3. Jarrod Curren (246); 4. Benjamin O’Brien (200); 5. Scott Evans (155).

NAKEDBIKE Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Craig Trinder (385); 2. John Allen (282); 3. Graeme Wilshaw (262); 4. Matthew Waldren (211); 5. Lee Munro (176).

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA PRO RACING AND FGSPORT WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE UNIFIED SUPERBIKE RULES

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (July 9, 2003) – In an effort to strengthen Superbike racing globally, AMA Pro Racing and FGSport have confirmed their intention to cooperate in creating a unified rule structure. AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth stated that his company is in ongoing discussions with FIM World Superbike organizer FGSport.

“Our joint goals are many,” said Hollingsworth. “In addition to increasing the number of motorcycles on the grid, we’d like to see lowered costs, increased parity between factory-supported riders and privateers and a tightening of the performance gap between twins and multi-cylinder models. By working in harmony with FGSport we have an increased opportunity to achieve these common objectives.”

Maurizio Flammini, President of FGSport concurs. “Adopting a unified rule structure will allow us to globalize the marketing opportunities for Superbike racing as well as stabilize rules in both the medium- and long-term. This will encourage the participation of teams and riders, from all over the world, to both championships.”

An additional benefit to a unified national and world set of rules is that a “link” between the various championships will be created. This will not only grow the number of riders on a given grid, but lead to free circulation of riders (subject to wild card regulations) between championships.

Staff from AMA Pro Racing and FGSport will be meeting this weekend at the combined FIM World Superbike/AMA Superbike event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to continue discussions.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship and the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. Nearly 2 million race fans attended AMA Pro Racing events during the 2002 season.

About FGSport
FGSPORT Group, born 20 years ago, is specialized in Sports Marketing management. Between others, managed:

*Columbus Games: the 500 Jubilee Italian Celebration of the America’s Discovery

*European Basket Ball Championship

*IAAF Golden Gala of Athletism

*Ford Martini Rally Team (2 championships won)

*The FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

*The FIM ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

For more information about FGSPORT please e-mail: [email protected]

FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP current achievements can be categorized as follows:

*12 Rounds on 4 Continents

*2 Billion Worldwide Television Viewers

*88 Television Networks Covering 173 Countries

*1,908 Broadcast Hours During 2002 with a Television Media Value of US$593 Million

*1,100,000 Race Spectators During 2002

*25 Million Internet page views

For more information about the FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP visit: www.worldsbk.com

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

KAGAYAMA REJOINS HOPKINS FOR HOME GP

Team Suzuki Press Office July 7th 2003
The British GP is as close as it gets to a home GP for Suzuki rider John Hopkins. The Union Jack alongside the Stars and Stripes on his helmet and personal logo is the mark of a rider who, but for an accident of geography, was very nearly British.

The race, at the historic Donington Park circuit outside Derby, is also the home round for the factory Suzuki team, based in Britain since the days of Barry Sheene’s back-to-back championships in the mid-Seventies.

And second Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama – substituting for injured team regular Kenny Roberts Junior for a second race – also has reasons to think of this as a surrogate home GP. The Japanese Suzuki factory rider is living in England, contesting a full British Superbike season on a Rizla Crescent Suzuki this year.

The hope is that the quirks of the track will work in favour of the home team, and prove a turning point in the development of the technically adventurous 2003 V4 Suzuki GSV-R prototype MotoGP racer.

Hopkins is the only member of his family to be born in America. His mother and late father (a former TT racer) moved from Ealing in London to Ramona in California with his two older sisters before he was born, but he grew up with a strong feeling of his British roots.

His mother Linda and sister Suzanne will be coming to the race, to join his England-resident sister Suzanne and a host of relatives at Donington Park. “It’s going to be fun – there’s a bunch of people coming,” said Hopkins.

Donington Park is a favourite track for other reasons as well. Last year, in his first visit to the technical parkland track, Hopkins finished eighth, equalling his second best result of his rookie season, after qualifying sixth, on the second row of the grid.

Hopkins arrived at Donington fresh from the car GP at Magny Cours in France, where he drove a F1 car for the first time. “I’m not thinking of switching just yet,” he quipped.

Team manager Garry Taylor was looking forward to the race. “There’s always extra pressure at your home GP, and we’ve had some very good results here in the past,” he said.

“This time, we are in the middle of race-developing a new machine in the most competitive season most people can remember. As always, we will be trying our hardest, to give both riders the best possible machine for the job.

“John was already talking with us over dinner after the last race at Assen, explaining the difficulties he expected to have to get over at Donington,” continued Taylor, the most experienced factory team manager in the paddock.

“I know John is flexible enough in his mind and with his riding technique to get the maximum from what we give him.

“Of course it’s disappointing that Kenny is not fit enough, but it is important that he regains full strength before coming back.

“On the other hand, it’s another chance to work with Yukio, who we know well from past GP experiences. He always tries his hardest and is fun to have in the team, and he did a great job for us at Assen, where he was thrown in the deep end.”

The extra GP means that Kagayama will be setting some sort of a record for top riders – it will be the fourth of nine consecutive weekends of racing, including not only GPs and British Superbike rounds but also the gruelling Suzuka Eight-Hour endurance race.

Roberts, who suffered chest injuries in the Italian GP, is still recuperating at home in California, and though he had hoped to make the race was obliged to withdraw a week before by the slow pace of his recovery.

JOHN HOPKINS: HOPE THE WEATHER HOLDS
Donington was pretty good for me last year, and I’m looking forward to racing there. I like the track, and I hope the weather stays good. It’s hard to predict our chances, but some corners are similar to Jerez, where our bike handled the best it has all year. So I’m hoping for the best.

YUKIO KAGAYAMA: I THINK WE CAN DO WELL
I rode at Donington Park at the beginning of this year, testing the Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, and I liked it. That was only the short track, but the GP track is the same except for two easy corners. You don’t need maximum power there, with the short straight and many corners. I think we can get a good result.

ABOUT THIS RACE

The British round was one of the six original races on the first World Championship calendar of 1949 – but in those days, it was held on the Isle of Man. It was the TT, dating back to the dawn of motorcycle racing and reflecting generations of enthusiasm for the sport. The first TT was held in 1907, and when the modern world championship was founded after the Second World War, this week of racing was adopted as the British round. The race moved to mainland Britain in 1977, to be run at Silverstone for ten years after the public-roads Manx circuit was judged too dangerous for modern racing. It moved to Donington Park in 1987 after the length was specially extended to match the FIM minimum. This is the 17th running of the GP at the track outside Derby, bordering on the East Midlands airport – and organisers are confident of a third year with handsomely boosted spectator attendance. The revival began in 2001, after five years of flagging figures and empty banks as British fans switched their attention to production-based Superbike racing instead. In 2000, there were only 18,000 spectators; this year more than three times as many were expected.

ABOUT THIS TRACK

Donington Park was a famous racing venue before the war, but the original circuit was lost when it was turned over to military use. It was revived by millionaire building contractor and racing fan Tom Wheatcroft nearly three decades later, and last year changed hands for a third time. The track has a distinct dual character – most of the lap comprises sweeping medium-speed bends blending into one another, made more technically challenging as the track drops off the hillside towards the Old Hairpin (actually a fast corner), and then climbs up again to the short back straight. Smooth riding and quick steering are at a premium in this section. The last three corners are completely different – a slow left-right chicane followed by two first-gear hairpins linked by short straight. Here riders must switch from smooth to aggressive, while acceleration and braking performance are what matter from the motorcycle.

GP DATA

Donington Park
Circuit Length: 2.500 miles / 4.023 km
Lap Record: 1:32.247 – 97.555mph / 157.000km/h
V Rossi (Honda, 2002)
2002 Race Winner: Rossi
2002 Race Average: 46:32.888 – 96.566mph / 155.567km/h
2002 Fastest Race Lap: see record
2002 Pole Position: Rossi (Honda) 1:31.563
2002 Kenny Roberts: 14th, Qualified Eighth (Telefónica MoviStar Suzuki)
2002 John Hopkins: Eighth, Qualified Sixth (Yamaha)


More, from a press release issued by Alice Aprilia Racing Press Information:

British Grand Prix, preview

THE CHALLENGE GOES ON AND THE DEVELOPMENT TOO

NOALE – New commitment for the Alice Aprilia Racing team at the start of the British GP, 8th round of the championship, scheduled on Sunday the 13th at Donington Park.

The team has used the short break after the Assen GP to work on the RScube. The work has been done both at the race dept. in Noale as well as on track. Edwards and Haga in fact tested on Michelin track in Clermont Ferrand, they focused on specific tyre testing as well as some evolutions.

Despite the rain that spoiled the first testing day, the results have been encouraging. A new chassis was tested too, the development of the new chassis will continue during the next test session scheduled the next week in Brno. The idea is to use the new chassis in the second part of the season.

For the moment the challenging track of Donington Park doesn’t frighten the riders and the mechanics, either. The track is divided in two sections: one section is fast and smooth, the second one is much more tormented with lots of stop and go and slow curves.

With reference to some news regarding the riders market Colin Edwards comments:

COLIN EDWARDS – “first of all I’d like to say hello to all the fans, especially the Italian ones that are enjoying the sun. I’m already in England and here it’s raining, just for a change. But I’m not here for speaking about the weather. I have heard that on the newspapers was stated that I could eventually change company for next year. There is nothing true in this statement: I want to remain in Aprilia also next year for many reasons. First of all because I can see that they are working hard to solve the problems and I’m sure that we will see the results quite soon. I think that we can do well in the second part of the season. Moreover I think that at this level it’s not enough to work together for only one season and I have a very good feeling with Aprilia. I think that we are going in the right direction: in France we tested with good results some new material. Certainly, this material needs to be tested again in race like conditions, therefore I’m looking forward to the next test session in Brno. Useless to mention that before Brno there is the race in Donington park: I have lots of expectations from this race and I’m very focused on my job. I hope that the rain doesn’t spoil everything.”

GIGI DALL’IGNA (Project Leader) – It’s a pity that due to bad weather we could only test half a day in Clermont Ferrand. We had a lot of new stuff to test and the time at disposal was not enough. Everybody has spoken about the new chassis but I want to test it again in more race like conditions. I don’t want get carried away by enthusiasm, I’m very satisfied with the tyre testing we did in co-operation with Michelin and the progress of other parts. In Brno we will test again the new chassis.

As for the race on Sunday, I have to say that the British track is similar to the other ones. We don’t have problem with sharp braking, the RScube has a good balance in these conditions so we don’t need a specific set up for this. We will work hard on our weak points that is to say the traction and the wheeling. We are working hard to reach a good balance which is essential to be competitive in the motoGP. To reach this target we have to come to a compromise, maybe sacrificing some thing which represents an advantage for us. But I think we are working in the right direction. We haven’t be lucky sofar and I think we deserve more. But I’m happy that the work is going on and the commitment of the people working on track and those working in the race dept. in Noale is really big. I hope that our bikes are in the lead at Donington park.

THE TRACK

Donington Park: length 4.023 metres equal to 2.500 miles

Lap Record: Valentino Rossi (Honda); 1:32.247.

Pole 2002: Valentino Rossi (Honda); 1:31.563.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

British Grand Prix at Donington Park

11/12/13 July 2003

TITLE FIGHT SHAPING UP AS DONINGTON SHOWDOWN LOOMS

Donington marks the mid-point of the season and what Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) predicted would be a much harder fight for him for the World Championship this year is proving correct.

The reigning World Champion is a clear 38 points ahead of Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V), his nearest rival in the points standings. But the Spaniard has won as many races (three) as Rossi and would be even closer if hadn’t thrown away points by crashing while holding second place at his home Grand Prix at Jerez in May.

But it’s not only Gibernau who’s still in the hunt. Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V), Rossi’s most intense rival, is right in touch on 105 points. And it’s the Roman rider’s sheer consistency (apart from a blip when he too crashed while disputing third place with Gibernau in Catalunya last month) that has kept him the hunt.

Rossi seems to lead a charmed life while riding Donington. Last year he fell heavily in Friday practice, but still managed to win the race on Sunday. He won his maiden 500cc race here in 2000 and was victorious again here in 2001 – some record.

But the form book, if it hasn’t quite been torn up and thrown away yet, is at least undergoing some light reappraisal. Gibernau hasn’t won a race yet this year on a dry European track. He won at Welkom, on a wet/dry Le Mans and a saturated Assen), but he is riding well enough to suggest that it’s only a matter of time before he vanquishes the points leader in a ‘fair’ fight.

Gibernau is proving an exceptionally adept wet weather rider, and if he can carry with him the momentum of his toweringly fluid and precise Assen win to Donington, then his title challenge could become much more of a reality than some observers imagined.

The grim determination of Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) to unseat his nemesis from his position as reigning Champion, if not darling of the media, is never in doubt. Now he’s getting the best from his new team on a new machine he’ll be in full flow aiming for his first win of the season.

But his consistency so far in staying in the title hunt is a measure of just how fixed his mind is on in dethroning his rival. He’s won here twice on a 250 and had two-second places here in the big class before, last year and in 2001, so his form at this flowing, undulating track is not an issue.

Donington demands two almost diametrically opposed set-ups for machine behaviour: stability under braking and quick turn-in for the slow corners in the final section of the track on one hand, and good high-speed manners for the faster parts of the majority of the 4.023km course on the other.

Some riders opt for a good high-speed set-up for the main part of the circuit knowing that the major part of a good lap time (at least three-quarters of it) will be made there. Others go a different route and set the machine up to work best in the final chicane and two tight turns onto the start/finish straight, on the assumption that passing other riders there is easier and can be crucial in the final dash for places.

Acceleration, as opposed to outright top speed is vital, so engine response and power in the low to mid rev range is paramount. The other key element to Donington is second-guessing its highly variable grip level. On cold days it’s a very inconsistent surface and even in hot, constant conditions the tarmac can still baffle the best tyre technicians.

Some believe this is due to the close proximity of East Midlands Airport and that jet fuel residues settle on the surface of the track and leech out under certain weather conditions. But most tracks can play tricks with the level of grip they offer under varying conditions and Sunday morning’s pre-race warm-up will be critical for final tyre choice on the day.

“It’s special for me,” said reigning Champ Rossi. “I won my very first 500 race there and then last year I had a big crash and still won on Sunday. The layout suits my style and it’s important to take advantage of that. Points and podium finishes are more important than ever this year and at the halfway point of the season and I don’t think it’s possible to win as many races as I did last season.”

Rival Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) feels his Championship challenge is gaining momentum after his second place at Assen. “I lapped fast enough there to keep Rossi behind me,” he said. “And those 20 points were very important. I go to Donington full of confidence and I’ll be looking to keep the pressure on.”

“First of all I want to dedicate my victory at Assen to the Telefonica MoviStar Honda Team,” said Sete Gibernau. “Victories are always credited to the rider but my team has been very important in my success. I’m looking forward to England and the race and hope we can keep working in the same positive way. We have a very good set up for the rain – that was obvious at Assen. Now we are also getting close to finding the best possible machine settings in dry conditions.”

Biaggi’s team-mate Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) comes to Donington after a miserable Assen. “I’ve got nothing but bad memories of Donington,” he said. “There was my big crash there when I damaged my ribs and ankle, and I don’t know why, but Donington’s always trouble for me – crashes, jump start penalties, or something else. The track is okay, but I wouldn’t say it was a favourite of mine.”

Rossi’s team-mate rookie Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) will start from scratch at a track he’s never seen before. “It’s another new track and I’ll have to get up to pace early,” he said. “I’m pretty confident after Assen where everything was real good until the race. The team has been a real help and I just want to pick up from here and get to riding the bike closer to its limits.”

Rookie Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) is ready for another new challenge. “I’ve never seen Donington before but looking at the videos of races at the track I think it will be good for my riding style. On the downhill part you can see the corners, entry and the exit, which you can’t at Assen. The last part is hard braking and fast acceleration, which I like. When I arrive I will do a few laps on the scooter to check if I’m right.”

Another rookie Ryuichi Kiyonari (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) is slightly more sceptical. “The team had told me Assen was very technical and complicated, he said. “After competing in the race I agreed and I didn’t think anything could be as difficult as Mugello, but it was. I’ve never been to Donington Park but I’m getting more experience with each race, so it will be another new one for me. I hope to leave England with some more points.”

The 250cc World Championship is still wide open. What looked initially like a first season cakewalk for 125 graduate and Aprilia rider Manuel Poggiali has stuttered. The San Marinese rider still has more wins this season than any of his rivals, but the staggeringly consistent Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) with none so far, is only 15 points behind in the Championship.

The Aprilia’s sheer speed has been the major factor so far this season and at fast tracks with long straights like Mugello and Catalunya, the Italian factory’s riders have made that advantage tell. But Donington’s requirements are different. Acceleration out the turns is key and the Hondas have been steadily improving in that area as the season goes on. And rapid Rolfo is well overdue a win.

“I like Donington a lot,” says Rolfo. “Last year we had set-up problems in the final part of the track but I love the first section – the downhill. We did the best we could at Assen (sixth), but Donington has similar fast changes of direction without quite the same emphasis on power and we should be able to even better there. You need confidence there and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Sebastian Porto (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) who lies eighth in the overall standings needs a good result here. “Last year was okay,” said the experienced Argentine. “Last year we took a long time to find a set-up but we know this bike a lot better now. Top speed is not a problem at Donington but power is, and we should have new parts to help us with that there.”

The World 125cc Championship leader Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS125R) arrives at Donington with three wins so far. But as the season has developed so have his rivals and the young Spaniard’s 26 point World Championship lead, as is so often the case in this hotly contested class, is under constant threat from many sides.

Steve Jenkner (Aprilia) who has twice this season come within inches of a maiden win finally nailed a rostrum top spot in Assen two weeks ago. And this German rider who is consistently among the leading groups in races could prove even more of a threat as the season goes on. He currently lies second in the standings.

Third man in the points table Lucio Cecchinello (Aprilia) suffered a dip at Assen with a 16th place and will be all out to rectify that here. Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) who lies fifth will want a victory points haul and new sixteen-year-old rookie sensation Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) who finished second to Pedrosa at Catalunya will be looking to spring more surprises.

Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS125R) said. “I quite like racing at Donington Park. Last year I finished second in a close race. I’m confident and the bike is running well, I just hope it doesn’t rain again.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R), still nursing an arm injury is up for the race. “My arm is not in the best condition but better than it was at Assen,” he said. “I like Donington Park, I finished ninth last season and hope for a good race this time. The bike is very good and if I’m in better condition I think I will have a good race.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Contrary to recent Internet reports, members of Mat Mladin’s Yoshimura Suzuki crew say they have not even begun discussions about contract renewals beyond the 2003 season.

“It hasn’t even been discussed with team management or with Mat,” said Mladin Crew Chief Peter Doyle Wednesday in the paddock at Laguna Seca. “That goes for everybody, not just me.”

Asked if he knew when Yoshimura Suzuki team management would start contract discussions with him, Doyle said, “when the management is ready.”

Mladin recently extended his contract to ride for Yoshimura Suzuki in AMA Superbike through the 2005 season.

From a press release issued by Fastlap:

1-888-FASTLAP HOSTING TRACK DAY AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Fastlap Riders Association (FSRA) will be hosting a track day at the new Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., on Sunday, July 20, and there are still available spots in the Racer and Street I groups.

The FSRA is headed by 1-888-FASTLAP and has been implementing safe, well-organized track day programs for the past two years. This will be the first time the FSRA has visited Barber Motorsports Park.

The 2.3-mile, 16-turn road course held its first event this season, and many riders are anxious to turn laps at the state-of-the-art facility. The FSRA has three groups, including Street I and II, and Race. Street II has already been filled, but there are still available spots in the other two groups.

Participants can pre-register via the Internet at www.1888FASTLAP.com by downloading and completing a registration form. Complete details about the FSRA and Barber Motorsports Park can be found at http://www.mindspring.com/~se-sport/barber/index.html.

The cost of the FSRA track day is only $225 per rider. A current race license is required in order to enter the race group.

Registration for the FSRA track day begins at 7:00 am, and bikes will be on the track at 9:00. The three groups will each get 20-minute sessions as they rotate throughout the day, assuring that all riders receive plenty of track time.

Interested riders can get more information from www.18888FASTLAP.com or by calling 1-888-FASTLAP between 10:00 am and 6:00pm EDT.

From a press release issued by Norm Viano, Law Dog Sports Management:

It’s that time of the year for Ben Bostrom. Time for the thrilling Laguna Seca round of the AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship. Although currently sitting 5th in the standings, Ben is only 28 points behind the current leader, brother Eric Bostrom. Truth is, the title is still a four, or maybe even five man battle that Ben hopes to win. He was looking fast at Brainerd a couple weeks ago, passing brother Eric before tire troubles forced him into pit lane.

“We really made progress there at Brainerd despite the tire troubles that set us back a bit. But now I’m getting ready to ride my Superbike and also the Honda 600 at Laguna. I’m obviously a little bummed out that we can’t ride in World Superbike, but the 600 race should be fantastic. We got a chance to put a few laps on it recently and the thing is really fast.

“But I’m just looking forward to Laguna Seca this weekend. I love that place. We’ll have a pretty short program, riding as early as tomorrow, and then racing on Friday and Saturday. Sunday I’ll be spectating. I kind of wish I was running that RedBull Supermoto race now, as my whole weekend would be non-stop action! But I’m still looking forward to the weekend. It’ll be great to see all my friends from World Superbike, including all the staff there too. There’s such a good group of people that participate in that series, and I’m looking forward to seeing them all.”


More, from a press release issued by Raven Communications on behalf of Brian Stokes:

MARIETTA, Ga.- Team Embry rider Brian Stokes announced today that WWW.FREEWEBTOWN.COM will be sponsoring him for the remainder of the 2003 season.

Stokes races a Suzuki GSX-R750 in the AMA’s Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock series for Team Embry. In his first year with the team and first full season of AMA competition, Stokes has earned a finish as high as 10th, which came at Brainerd International Raceway in June.

WWW.FREEWEBTOWN.COM is a new Internet community that offers free website creation, tools and hosting, as well as chat forums, auctions, online stores and e-mail addresses. “Neighborhoods” of general interest categories, such as sports, entertainment, and personal finance, allow visitors to easily find websites that match their interests.

“I’m really happy to have acquired this sponsorship in conjunction with Team Embry,” commented Stokes. “I’m excited about this new partnership, and we hope to get a lot of good results during the remainder of the season. Privateers like us wouldn’t be able to race if it weren’t for the generosity of our sponsors, and we are always searching for partnerships like this.”

Stokes’ next race weekend with the Superstock series is at Laguna Seca, July 11-13.


More, from a press release issued by Proforma:

HAS/SHOGUN RACING READY FOR LAGUNA SECA

The HAS/Shogun Racing team will be back in action at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend, July 10-13, for the combined AMA/World Superbike event. Rider John Haner is fully fit and ready to race following carpal tunnel surgery on his right wrist on June 13th. John’s teammate Heath Small continues to heal after surgery to repair tendon damage to his left hand after crashing at Pikes Peak Raceway on June 1st. Heath is attending therapy daily and expects to be back racing at the Virginia International Raceway round, possibly earlier.

In the four weeks since their last event, the HAS/Shogun team has gone through both of Haner’s Suzuki GSX-R750s mechanically, and John tested both of them, and his wrist, at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX on Saturday before leaving for Laguna Seca.

“I got a chance to test at Cresson,” said Haner. “I did quite a few laps on both bikes, did some good lap times, and I didn’t have any problems with my hand or wrist. My hand was a little sore in the palm, but the doctor said that was to be expected.”

John will race in both the Genuine Suzuki Accesories Superstock and the Chevy Trucks Superbike events at Laguna Seca.