From a press release issued by Alstare Corona Suzuki:

FUJI GIVES THE NEW GSXR600 ITS TRACK TEST. IANNUZZO BACK ON A SUPERSPORT. CHAMBON ABSENT THROUGH ILLNESS.

Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra’s final track action of the year took place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, with two of their three riders in action on both days. Frenchman Stephane Chambon missed the test through illness, but his team mate Katsuaki Fujiwara was assisted by Vittorio Iannuzzo who had not ridden a bike for nearly four months.

The test was for Superbikes and Supersport machines, but was dominate by the Supersport class.

At the end of the two days, Aussie Steve Martin (Ducati 999) posted the fastest overall time – 1:26.454. Fastest of the Supersport riders was another Australian – Karl Muggeridge – with a time of 1:38.023 on his Honda CBR600.

Fujiwara spent a lot of time (particularly on day two) on the new GSX-R600 Suzuki, which had arrived less then two weeks before the test. The Suzuki was nowhere near the finished article and so Fujiwara just put in the laps in order to give the team feedback about what needs to done before the next test. As there was only one of the new bikes available, Iannuzzo spent all his time on one of Chambon’s GSX-R600s. The Italian used the two days to re-familairise himself with a Supersport bike after a season on a Superbike, so didn’t push hard.

Katsuaki Fujiwara – 107 laps, best time – 1:38.919

It was very interesting riding the new bike, even though there’s a lot of work to be done before it is competitive. But already, I feel that it is an improvement over the 2003 bike. The new bike feels a bit more compact and slimmer and I think that it handles better and is more easy to flick from side to side. Obviously we don’t have any fast parts yet and we have a lot of work to do before I can say how good the bike is.

Riding on Pirellis was a new experience for me, after years with Dunlop, but I think it went OK – well on the not yet finished bike anyway. The slipper clutch on the new bike is very good and I also like the upside down front forks. Once we have the finished bike, I will look forward to riding it hard. I am sure it will be a significant improvement – and I hope to challenge for the title with it.

Vittorio Iannuzzo – 102 laps, best time – 1:40.468

It felt a bit strange to be riding a Supersport after a season on a Superbike. And it also felt strange because I haven’t been on a bike for the best part of four months! I thought I’d feel more sore (especially my right hand) after the two days, but actually I didn’t feel too bad at all. It was a good test for me, because I was able to spend time on a Supersport bike and get used to its characteristics all over again. What was one of the hardest things was getting used to the different braking and cornering speeds. On the Superbike, I was able to brake late and then power out of the turns. On the Supersport, I needed to change and brake earlier and then keep up good corner speed in the turns. But I took it steadily and used the track time to get back into the groove. I rode on Pirellis when I competed in the European Superstock Championship and they didn’t feel so different to me, so that is not much of a problem. Supersport is a hard series and the bikes are so even that it is difficult to gain a huge advantage. I’m looking forward to riding the 2004 GSXR600 and can’t wait for the next test.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha factory Supersport and Graves Yamaha Superstock racer Aaron Gobert, 23, is recovering at his off-season home near Sydney, Australia following surgery to remove a plate from his left wrist and a rod from his right leg.

The plate was inserted into Gobert’s wrist after he broke it in a crash at Road America in 2003, and the rod was inserted into his leg following his massive crash at Daytona International Speedway in March 2002.

Speaking at the Dunlop tire test at Daytona earlier this month, Gobert told Roadracingworld.com, “My wrist is acting up a bit, so I’m going to go back to the doctor in Australia to see if he can take the plate out of my wrist and get some strength back in it. I’d like to go see Dr. (Arthur) Ting, but I want to go home for Christmas.”

Gobert underwent surgery December 18 at the hands of Professor (and Dr.) Ron Sekel at St. George Private Hospital in Sydney, according to his mother/manager Sue Gobert. Gobert hopes to be strong enough to participate in Yamaha’s next test session, scheduled in January.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

EPA ISSUES NEW STREETBIKE EMISSIONS RULES

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that road-going motorcycles nationwide will be required to meet new strict emissions standards beginning with the 2006 models under rules released by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

But the new rules, issued December 23, give small-volume motorcycle manufacturers a break in meeting the new standards, and provide for exemptions for certain motorcycles.

The EPA rules set new emissions standards that are the same as those adopted by the state of California, but will go into effect two years after California’s standards. The first tier of the new national standards will go into effect in 2006 and a second tier in 2010.

The new national emissions standards are expected to result in an increased use of fuel injection and catalytic converters on new motorcycles. Some motorcycles sold in the United States already meet California’s strict 2008 standards, which are the same as the planned federal EPA 2010 standard.

The California standard that begins with the current model year, 2004, and the federal standard that will take effect for the 2006 model year, require new motorcycles to emit no more than 1.4 grams per kilometer traveled of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, and 12 grams per kilometer of carbon monoxide.

Before passage of the new federal rule, federal emissions standards for street motorcycles were 5.0 grams of hydrocarbons and 12 grams of carbon monoxide per kilometer traveled.

Under the new rule, manufacturers who build fewer than 3,000 motorcycles a year, and who have fewer than 500 employees, don’t need to meet the first-tier emissions standards until 2008. They also aren’t required to meet the second-tier standards.

The EPA also provides certain exemptions for “kit” and custom motorcycles.

Nothing in the new rules changes what owners may do legally to customize their motorcycles.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tentative 2004 Formula USA Schedule:

2/24-28 Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL

4/23-25 Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI

5/29-31 Summitt Point Raceway, Summitt Point, WV

6/18-20 New Hampsire Int’l Speedway, Loudon, NH

6/25-27 Virginia Int’l Raceway, Alton, VA

8/13-15 Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, AL

9/24-26 Las Vegas Classic Course, Las Vegas, NV

10/20-24 Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL


For additional information, call CCS/F-USA at (817) 332-4822, FAX (817) 870-9790, www.ccsracing.com, www.formulausa.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck the central California coast at 11:16 a.m. Pacific Time Monday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter of the quake was 24 miles west-northwest of Paso Robles, where the Associated Press is reporting two people have been killed in a building collapse.

Paso Robles (240 miles north of Los Angeles, 200 miles south of San Francisco) is the home of Erion Honda racer Jake Zemke.

Reached via cell phone Monday afternoon, Zemke reported that he was uninjured and that his home only suffered minimal damage.

“Everything is OK on my end,” Zemke told Roadracingworld.com at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. “A few things fell down, but other than that, not too bad.”

When asked if he felt the quake at his home, Zemke laughed and said, “Oh, yeah! It was big, real big. It’s hard to say how long it lasted. It lasted long enough to think about it and go, ‘Alright…OK…it can stop shaking now.'”

Zemke said he hadn’t heard from his parents at post time, but he attributed that to widespread power, telephone and even cell phone service interruptions in the area.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

The 2004 New York International Motorcycle Show will be at the Javits Convention Center on January 2nd through 4th, 2004. In addition to the new 2004 Ducati range, this event will be the U.S. East Coast debut of the Sport Classic concept bikes.

The Ducati display will feature the three Sport Classic models that were recently seen in California and headlined the Tokyo Motorcycle Show. These concept bikes combine vintage Italian style with modern engines, suspension, and brake
components. Even though they reflect the best of the past, the incorporation of the latest Ducati technology creates a thoroughly modern motorcycle family that lives up to today’s standards of performance. Additionally, the torquey, air-cooled Desmo 1000 DS engine powers the PaulSmart, GT, and Sport. The result is a range of bikes
with unmistakable Ducati heritage and no compromise.

Contrasting the vintage inspired Sport Classics, the Ducati Performance 999s and Monster 800 show off the latest performance parts and accessories available from the Ducati Performance catalog. These bikes are an example of the individuality
expressed by customizing a Ducati. The 999s is the cover story in the Holiday 2003 Motor Cyclist magazine and also features in the 2003 Motorcycle of the Year awards, along with the Multistrada, the fastest ever selling Ducati. The Multistrada
combines Ducati’s superbike expertise with sport touring inspired comfort and awesome back roads capabilities to create a bike that breaks all conventions.

Local Ducati dealers will be on hand to provide information and pricing of all 2004 Ducati motorcycles. They can also discuss the details of the ‘Feel the Deal’ 0% APR financing options currently available on all 2003 and prior models, subject to availability and customer qualification.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

THE MOTOGIRO D’ITALIA 2004 EXPLORES INNOVATIVE ITINERARY ON THE ISLE OF SICILY IN SOUTHERN ITALY FROM MAY 25-29, 2004

The fourth edition of the historic revival of Italy’s oldest motorcycle competition is organized by Dream Engine and generously sponsored for the fourth consecutive year by Ducati Motor.

Dream Engine is proud to announce that this year’s Motogiro d’Italia will be held on the isle of Sicily from May 25-29, 2004. The 2004 edition marks the fourth consecutive year of the revival of Italy’s oldest timed motorcycle road race, which was originally started in 1914. By the 1950’s, the event had become the ultimate showcase for Italian motorcycle manufacturers and the Motogiro d’Italia was part of every fan’s motorcycling lexicon.

The Motogiro 2004 is excited to chart new territories on the southern isle of Sicily. Participants will have the unique opportunity to experience this majestic and magical region of Italy on two wheels. With the last three editions of the Motogiro d’Italia held in central and northern Italy, the opportunity to explore Sicily an exciting prospect.

The 5-day itinerary will cover a total of approximately 1,250 kilometres (an average of 250 km per day) and will pass through many of Sicily’s most breathtaking roads*, touching on the Sicilian coast and exploring the island’s more demanding inland routes.

As in previous editions, participants in the Touring Class will also be able to admire sites of cultural and artistic interest. (*N.B. A detailed itinerary will be published closer to the date). Special events will be held throughout the itinerary and each day of riding will close with a delicious dinner featuring local specialities. The logistics of travelling to the island require all participants and motorbikes to travel on the designated ferry boat on May 24th from Civitavecchia (the main port just outside of Rome) to Sicily. On May 29th, a gala dinner will be held on the return ferry trip, marking the end of the event. The nights of the 24th and the 29th will be spent on the ferry but all riding will be in Sicily.

The Motogiro d’Italia is proud to have the generous support of Ducati Motor as its main sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. The event is also made possible by the support of: Motociclismo d’Epoca, Corriere dello Sport-Stadio, Shell, Presidenza Regione Siciliana, Provincia Regionale di Palermo, AAPIT (Azienda Autonoma Provinciale per l’Incremento Turistico di Palermo), Comune di Palermo, and Marzocchi.

Since the first revival of the event in 2001, each Motogiro d’Italia has witnessed a more passionate following, with many participants from around the globe returning year after year. Entrants in the last three editions have included champions from the Motogiro Golden Years in the 1950’s—including Giuliano Maoggi, Remo Venturi, and Leopoldo Tartarini—all riding the best names in Italian motorcycles, such as Ducati, Morini, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, MV Agusta, Bianchi, Gilera, Motobi. Participation in the Motogiro has grown at an incredible pace, with numbers leaping from 120 in 2001, to 250 in 2002 and 350 in 2003.

The last three years of the Motogiro d’Italia have proved the event’s unique appeal. Participants aged from 25-80 have arrived from all five continents, coming to test their riding skills and experience the Motogiro thrill. There has also been a steady rise in female participants in all classes, with a record of 5 women riding in the Vintage Racing Class last year. Friendly camaraderie is also increasing, with last year marking the first time in Motogiro d’Italia history to see a non-Italian competitor wear the leader’s jersey for a day. In 2004, Dream Engine will welcome 350 participants from Italy, Great Britain, Germany, France, Holland, Sweden, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan.

The Motogiro is open to motorcycles of all marques and is divided into three classes: the Vintage Racing Class, Taglioni Memorial Class and Touring Class.

Vintage Racing Class

With an overall limit of 120 participants, this class features motorbikes of up to 175cc manufactured prior to 1957. Competitors in the Vintage Racing Class will be subject to timed, competitive ability tests en-route. The winner of this class will take home a custom-designed “Motogiro 2004” motorbike. Motorbikes inspired by original Motogiro bikes yet manufactured subsequent to 1957 may also apply.

Taglioni Memorial Class

In its third consecutive year, the Taglioni Memorial Class highlights the decade in which Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni created his legendary 2 cylinder motorbikes. This class is open to street legal and insured motorbikes and sidecars of all marques and cc produced between 1968 and 1978. Competitors in this class take part in ability trials and the winner will take home a special prize.

Touring Class

For riders of newer bikes, this class is designed for those who wish to participate in the excitement of the Motogiro on a non-competitive basis. The Touring class follows the same itinerary as the Vintage Racing and Taglioni Memorial Class but at a more relaxed pace. New rule for Touring Class 2004: entrants will be divided into groups of 25 bikes and assigned a group leader who will act as a guide and provide instructions which must be adhered to at all times.

The Motogiro d’Italia 2004 is organized by Dream Engine, the Bologna-based entertainment company. Techincal support for the Motogiro is provided by the Terni Motoclub “L. Liberati” and the Italian Motorcycle Federation provides additional assistance. For the Touring Class, Dream Engine counts on the technical collaboration and expertise of the experienced professionals on the Curve&Tornanti team.

For general information and registration forms please contact:

Dream Engine
Via Saffi 4
40131 Bologna – Italia
Tel. +39 051 6494472
Fax +39 051 5286378
email: [email protected]

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Josh Hayes is testing an Attack Kawasaki 2004 ZX-10R at Willow Springs International Raceway today, during the final WSMC race weekend of 2003.

At post time, Hayes had turned about 23 laps in three separate practice sessions, running most of his laps in the 1:22 range with his fastest two laps coming in the session that started at about 3:30 p.m., a 1:22.059 and a 1:22.013 as timed by Roadracingworld.com.

Weather conditions are cool, with ambient temperatures about 55 degrees F under overcast skies, with what are, for Willow Springs, light winds.

Willow Springs is located in Rosamond, California.