From a press release issued by KTM:

Casey Stoner testing with KTM at Estoril

Casey Stoner returned to Europe this week for his first official test with KTM. The Australian teenager began a three day session at the Estoril circuit on Thursday and was delighted with the results, enjoying ideal weather conditions to quickly gain feeling with the bike – lapping around three seconds off the fastest time set during September’s Portuguese Grand Prix. With temperatures of approximately 16º and low winds at one of the World Championship’s most notorious meteorological destinations, Stoner admitted things couldn’t have gone much better on his first day.

“I am very happy,” said Stoner, who was forced to miss the Estoril race earlier this year through injury. “So far the test has been spot on – the team, the bike, everything. At the beginning the bike felt quite strange, much lighter than the Aprilia, but we changed some suspension settings and I quickly started to get a good feeling. All the mechanics are very nice and seem to know what they are doing, whilst Harald Bartol has been great – he’s a very interesting guy and I think I can learn a lot from him.”

Earlier this week the 18 year old paid a visit to the factory headquarters in Austria, where he remained convinced his decision to join one of the newest teams on the Grand Prix scene was the right one. “The factory was unbelievable – for me it was like being in dreamland because I have always loved KTM off-road bikes. They turn out 350 units a day, which I could hardly believe. It just goes to show what a big firm they are and I am proud to be riding for them,” he concluded.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

2003 FIM World Champions’ Awards

The 2003 FIM World Champions’ Awards Ceremony, organised by Youthstream, was held at the Hotel Mina A’Salam in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In the presence of FIM delegates and many guests, the World Champions received their medals and trophies from FIM President Francesco Zerbi and the respective Presidents of Commissions. Representatives of the Manufacturers’ World Champions received their diplomas.

The FIM Environmental Award was given by President Zerbi to Mr Chris Grundy, representative of Phakisa Freeway, organiser of the South African Grand Prix of the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix in Welkom.

World Champions present in Dubai:

Road Racing: Valentino Rossi (ITA-MotoGP)
Manuel Poggiali (RSM-GP 250)
Neil Hodgson (GBR-Superbike)
Chris Vermeulen (AUS-Supersport)
Team Phase One (GBR-Endurance)
Steve Webster & Paul Woodhead (GBR-Sidecar)

Motocross:
Stefan Everts (BEL-MotocrossGP)
Joel Smets (BEL-650)
Steve Ramon (BEL-125)
Eddy Seel (BEL-SuperMoto)
Daniel Willemsen & Kaspars Stupelis (NED/LAT-Motocross Sidecar).

Trial:
Dougie Lampkin (GBR)

Indoor Trial:
Adam Raga (SPA)

Women’s Trial Cup:
Laia Sanz (SPA).

Enduro:
Petri Pohjamo (FIN-125)
Stefan Merriman (AUS-250 2st)
Peter Bergvall (SWE-250 4st)
Anders Eriksson (SWE-400)
Juha Salminen (FIN-500 & overall).

Cross-Country Rallies: Cyril Despres (FRA). Women’s Cup: Katrin Lyda (GER).

Track Racing:
Nicki Pedersen (DEN-GP Speedway)
Vitaly Khomitsevich (RUS-Ice Racing)
Robert Barth (GER-Long Track)
Jaroslav Hampel (POL-Speedway Junior)

Manufacturers:

Road Racing:
Honda (MotoGP, Supersport
Ducati (Superbike).

Motocross:
Yamaha (MotocrossGP, 125, Supercross)
KTM (650)
Husqvarna (SuperMoto).

Enduro:
Honda (250 2st)
Yamaha (250 4st)
Husqvarna (400)
KTM (500, overall/scratch, CC Rallies/Rallyes TT).

From a press release issued by Crescent Suzuki:

Yuki is coming home to British Superbikes

JAPANESE Factory rider Yukio Kagayama will be back in British Superbikes in 2004 dazzling race fans with his aggressive riding style aboard the Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Yuki made a huge impression in British Superbikes in 2003, winning the hearts of the fans for his gutsy performances, edge-of-the-seat riding technique and three race victories on tracks he had never visited before. His season was cut short by a horrific accident at Cadwell Park in August where he broke his pelvis in two places, but he is recovering well and looking forward to returning to his racing home in the UK.

Yuki, 29, from Yokohama in Japan, was overwhelmed by the support from his fans after his accident and is vowing to win races to repay them for their loyalty. He is currently in Japan undergoing treatment to his injuries and is confident he will be race fit by March.

The Suzuki Motor Corporation will continue to employ Yuki as its Factory test rider and is placing him in the British Championship for a second year in recognition of the importance of the series. He is expected to return to the UK early in 2004 with his family and is planning on taking part in all of the team’s pre-season testing.

Yuki joins Nottingham-based 2004 pre-season favourite John Reynolds in the official Crescent Suzuki race team. The team will be making announcements regarding its title sponsorship plans and technical staff structure shortly.

Yukio Kagayama:
“I can’t wait to be back in Britain and see my fans. My true fans are in Britain and I want to thank them for helping me through my recovery. For them I will win as many races as possible. Maybe if I win enough races I will challenge for the title, but I’m sure my team mate John-san might have something to say about that.

“Britain is my racing home. I love living in the UK, the lifestyle and the people. The Crescent team is very professional and I am happy to be given another chance by the Suzuki Company to race in BSB. I feel I have unfinished business.

“My injuries are healing well. I am still in hospital now but it is more like a job than recovery. I am in hospital through the week and then they let me go home at weekends. I can feel the improvements in my body and condition and all I can think of is racing. Sometimes I wake up in the night and all I am dreaming about is racing in the UK again.

“The doctors say I will be okay for racing in March and I know in my mind I will be able to race at the front. Several years ago I crashed during a GP in France and was very badly injured, but I got back on a bike and was faster than ever. The same will happen again, I am sure, I know this because racing is my life.

“I know the Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000 is already a very good bike and is getting better with the development taking place now, so next year I have the best opportunity to win. Keep supporting me my fans and I will see you in the New Year.”

Paul Denning, team manager:
“There was never any question from the team whether we wanted Yuki to ride for us or not – he was always on our A-team list with JR and talk of other riders has been pure speculation. We needed to wait to hear from the doctors on his progress back from injury, whether or not he would be able to compete again and the good news is that everything appears to be on course for Yuki coming back fit and as determined as ever to do well.

“Yuki is the sort of rider who lifts the entire team’s spirits and keeps us all going. Having him back will be fantastic. Not to mention that now he knows the circuits and the bike, he should be a real title contender in 2004. JR will have to keep an eye on Yuki and I expect both of them to be going for race wins week in and out.

“We know we have the bike to beat. Judging by the numbers of riders who have called asking for a ride in 2004, I think everyone accepts we have the strongest motorcycle on the grid and now we can confirm what I think is the strongest rider line-up as well. More than any other year, the expectation will be on us to win but we are up to the challenge and look forward to the start of the season in March.”

Nick Barnes, general manager Suzuki GB:
“The Suzuki dream team is back for 2004 and we can’t wait to get the season started. JR won the second half of the 2003 series after recovering from a broken collarbone and Yuki was on course for second or third in the series until his injury stopped him, so both of them still have points to prove.

“The Crescent-prepared GSX-R1000 Superbike continues to be the bike to beat and with two fit riders, we are going to be hard to beat. I am looking forward to a good year for Suzuki in 2004.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Contrary to numerous published reports neither Kurtis Roberts nor Nobuatsu Aoki have been signed to the Proton Team KR squad for the 2004 season.

That’s the word from Team KR’s media relations coordinator Karl Morris, who stated in an e-mail to Roadracingworld.com, “In case you are trying to find info on Kurtis signing with our team, he has not signed as has been reported elsewhere. In fact at this time we have not committed to signing any riders. The test in Valencia was an evaluation test from the rider standpoint. When we in fact sign riders we will make an official announcement via our electronic distribution and our website.”

Proton Team KR tested its 990cc, four-stroke V5 racebike with Roberts and Aoki alongside several teams at Valencia, Spain December 10-12.

Jeremy McWilliams, who rode for Proton Team KR in 2002-2003, has signed a contract to ride with Aprilia in the 2004 MotoGP World Championship.

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ARCHIVES RECEIVES HEARTFELT DONATION FROM OREGON RIDER

Albert Ver Cruysse began riding at age 62 and rode more than 775,000 miles in 25 years. The Harley-Davidson Archives recently received an impressive donation: a 1988 Harley-Davidson FLHTC Electra Glide Classic, which was donated by Albert Ver Cruysse of Salem, Ore., who rode the bike a total of 451,775 miles. In addition to donating his bike, Ver Cruysse also donated the bike’s sidecar and extensive service and maintenance records to the Motor Company.

Ver Cruysse received the Electra Glide Classic after meeting Vaughn Beals, Harley-Davidson Chairman Emeritus, at a rally in 1987. Beals was so impressed by the nearly 100,000 miles on Ver Cruysse’s Evolution engine that he asked Ver Cruysse to send the engine in for evaluation. As an exchange, Beals offered Ver Cruysse the Harley-Davidson motorcycle of his choice. Thus began the journey of 451,775 miles.

Including this motorcycle, Ver Cruysse has owned six Harley-Davidson motorcycles, ridden more than 775,000 miles and served as a goodwill ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Earlier this year, at the age of 87, Ver Cruysse failed a vision test for his driver’s license and decided it was time to hang up his helmet. Although he had hoped to reach his personal goal of riding 500,000 miles on one motorcycle, he instead gave the motorcycle back to Harley-Davidson along with a photo album and written accounts chronicling his 33 cross-country trips on his motorcycles.

After a quarter of a century and three-quarters of a million miles, the riding memories of Albert Ver Cryusse live on in the Archives as part of the heritage, history and mystique of the Motor Company.

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

WISCONSIN MOTORSPORTS CHARITIES HONORS BUELL RACER DAVID ESTOK

Kosco Harley-Davidson/Buell-Innovative Motorcycle Research rider David Estok, the 2003 Formula USA Thunderbike National Champion, will be honored along with other racing heroes at the 13th Annual Wisconsin Motorsports Charities, Inc. (WMCI) Recognition Dinner in Milwaukee, Wis., Jan. 9, 2004, at the Country Inn, Waukesha, Wis.

Estok won four of seven Formula USA National Thunderbike races this season aboard his Buell Firebolt XB12R.

From a press release issued by KTM:

Thierry van den Bosch is again for KTM
The French Thierry van den Bosch who was active in the World Supersport Championship in 2003 has decided to ride again Supermoto with KTM. Van den Bosch can look back on a successful past as a KTM factory rider: He already won the European and the World Championship on KTM in 2002.

The French is completing the KTM Factory Team with the riders Jürgen Künzel, Boris Chambon, Ivan Lazzerini and Fabrice Lecoanet.

Van den Bosch will ride the complete Supermoto World Championship as well as some selected races in America and France.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA URGES MOTORCYCLISTS TO MEET WITH LAWMAKERS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) urges all concerned motorcyclists to meet with their members of Congress now, while Congress is in recess.

During the congressional recess, which lasts until January 20, federal lawmakers normally return to their home districts and hold town hall meetings to meet with constituents.

Attending those town hall meetings is a good way to let federal lawmakers know that motorcyclists are concerned about issues, and that motorcyclists vote, said Terry Lee Cook of the AMA Government Relations Department.

Cook suggests telling lawmakers that there is a great need for a comprehensive nationwide study of the causes of motorcycle crashes, and to ensure off-highway riders get their fair share of Recreational Trails Program money to build and maintain motorized trails.

“This is one of the few opportunities people have to meet with their federal legislators,” Cook said. “We need to be sure that they know that motorcyclists are voters.”

For background on motorcycling issues to discuss with your lawmakers, contact Cook at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1288; or by e-mail [email protected].

To find out the names and telephone numbers of the members of your congressional delegation, go to the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com and click on the Rapid Response Center.

In addition to attending town hall meetings and speaking out in support of your right to ride, please forward the dates, times and locations of any town hall meetings to your family, friends, fellow riders, and to the AMA Government Relations Department so we can share the information with the motorcycling and ATV communities.

Also, take advantage of the recess to try to schedule personal meetings with your lawmakers or their staff in their district offices to discuss the need for a crash study and for recreational trails funding.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM CONCLUDES THREE DAYS OF TESTING AT VALENCIA

BOTH DESMOSEDICI RIDERS QUICK IN FINAL 2003 TESTS – BAYLISS (1:33.15), CAPIROSSI (1:33.48)

Valencia (Spain), 12 December 2003 – Third and final day of testing at Valencia for Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, who together with Vittoriano Guareschi have concluded the Ducati Marlboro Team’s intense testing schedule before the Christmas break.

The 2003 season comes to a successful end for the Ducati Marlboro Team which made its debut in MotoGP at the start of this year. It finished second overall in the constructors’ championship, and fourth with Capirossi and sixth with Bayliss in the riders’ standings. This, together with a historic win in the Catalunya GP and numerous other positive results, are just reward for the commitment of riders and team.

The experience accumulated during the season and the intense work carried out until now, are the starting-point for the 2004 season. “The results of these tests are the best way to end this wonderful season” – commented Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo at the end of the Valencia tests. “I want to thank the team and in particular Loris, Troy and Vittoriano, who have done a great job, their determination, ability and professionalism have been decisive on every occasion. From tomorrow everyone gets a well-earned break, even though we can’t wait for the new season to start, bringing with it a fresh challenge, and a battle that promises to be even and hard-fought. We can only look ahead with optimism, it is sure to be another great season for Ducati.”

The final day of testing at Valencia was characterised by excellent weather conditions, with temperatures much higher than on the previous days: 20° air / 25°C track.

Troy and Loris both ran a race simulation distance; the Italian continued to test the 16.5-inch front and completed a total of 62 laps, recording a quickest time of 1:33.48. The positive results obtained with the smaller size front wheel give the riders a wider choice in bike set-up for the different circuits.

Bayliss was quickest rider of the day, stopping the clock in 1:33.15 in his 73 laps, the Australian preferring to continue testing with the 17-inch front.

Vittoriano Guareschi continued development work on the 2004 ‘lab’ Desmosedici, testing a series of new components for reliability and efficiency. The Italian, who completed a series of long runs, did 38 laps with a best time of 1.36.70.

The Ducati Marlboro Team will return to the track for further pre-season testing next January.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
Valencia, 12 December 2003

LANZI NOTCHES UP THE MILEAGE IN DUCATI 749R SUPERSPORT TESTING

Italian Lorenzo Lanzi has concluded the latest test for the factory Ducati 749R, the bike that will mark Ducati Corse’s return to the World Supersport arena in the 2004 championship, with a major improvement on the time he recorded in November.

The 22-year-old from Cesena, who was out on track for three days in MotoGP company, improved his quickest time to 1:38.9 at the end of the day after fitting a softer tyre. This was not far off the times recorded by the best Supersport riders in the Valencia championship opener earlier in the year.

Lanzi used the Valencia test to make a major step forward in the 749R’s development curve as he notched up a total of 194 laps in the three days, the equivalent of over 750 kms of track time.

The engine mapping made on the Ducati Corse dyno after November’s test at Valencia proved to be extremely useful as Lanzi knocked four-tenths of a second off his previous best time around the 4.005 km circuit in perfect conditions.

“I’m pleased with the progress we have made since the last test” declared Lanzi. “There has been a lot of development, we know where we have to work on and the direction we have to take”.

The Ducati 749R’s next test will be at Phillip Island, Australia from 13-15 January 2004.