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Silverstone Sidecar Preview

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From a press release:

Silverstone Preview

BRIT PACK CHASE KLAFFI

Superside World championship leader Klaus Klaffenböck knows that he will face a stiff challenge from the British contingent as the series visits Silverstone, GB, for round four of the sidecar action.

The 2001 World champion and passenger Christian Parzer have been the most consistent pairing so far, having notched up three podium places in the first three races, including a win in the second round at Monza, Italy.

Klaffenböck said: “It will be tough at Silverstone but my machine [Yamaha R1] is very reliable, which gives me a lot of confidence.”

The main threat will come from Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead – winners at Valencia and Oschersleben – and from the reigning World champions, Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs.

Wily veteran Abbott won at Silverstone in 2002 – the first time the Superside World championship visited the 3.13-mile (5.036km) Northamptonshire track – and will be looking to build on his third place in the last round at Oschersleben, Germany.

“Machine-wise, we are a lot better off than this time last year. Racing at home always gives you an added edge and I’m hoping to win again this year,” revealed Abbott.

Superside World championship standings after three of nine rounds:
1 Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) 61, 2 Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) 50, 3 Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) 38, 4 Mike Roscher, Germany (Suzuki) 34, 5 Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) 27, 6 Gerhard Hauzenberger, Austria (Yamaha) 24, 7 Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) 20, 8 Dan Morrissey, GB (Yamaha) 20, 9 Billy Gällros, Sweden 10 Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) 17.

Loudon F-USA Preview

From a press release issued by Bob Holcomb for LRRS:

LRRS Preview of the Loudon Classic

The 80th Running of the Loudon Classic

Formula USA Showdown

On Father’s day weekend the Formula USA National Road Race Series will make the Loudon Classic its third round as a bookend to New Hampshire’s ‘Bike Week’. So far California’s Matt Wait and his Kneedraggers.com/Yamaha/Pirelli R6 have dominated the series. That could change when the top teams take their first practice session next Friday.

The Track – New Hampshire International Speedway

The road course at NHIS has been steadily improved over the years. The 2003 version is faster and safer then ever before. It is 1.6 miles of short chutes between twelve turns and set among elevation changes. It is the ultimate ‘street fighter’ track. Nowhere else on tour will riders more fiercely test a motorcycle’s total character. They slam it in, drag the lowers, stand it up and pull the trigger. Not only that, but fans can get themselves up close to the action almost everywhere around the track.

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Feature: The Visitors

Sam Lehrfeld, owner of Kneedraggers.com, runs the remarkable 2003 Kneedraggers Yamaha team. As a young businessman and club racer, Sam signed former World GP rider, Matt Wait, to ride his company colors late last season. They went on to win the Formula USA Grand National Title. Sam and Matt were rewarded with a whole new Yamaha program to put Wait on top again in 2003. It’s a great story and the strategy is paying off. Wait has been the class of the field since Daytona last March.

With little experience at Loudon, Wait will need a steep learning curve when he takes the grid. However, he is an accomplished dirt tracker. Wait could be spectacular at Loudon. Look for the #1 Yamaha to ‘back it in’ turn 1 like a half miler.

Arclight Suzuki/Pirelli is fielding yet another powerful team in 2003. With California’s Dave Stanton and North Carolina’s Scott Harwell, they expect big things at Loudon. The Arclight riders are fast everywhere they run. Look for the #2 and #6 Suzukis at the top of the time charts. They are stout and will be crisp.

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Feature: The Home Teams

Assembled by New Hampshire’s Scott Greenwood, the Bettencourt’s/Argo Cycles/Dunlop Team is new for 2003. They’ll field Greenwood and Mansfield’s Jeff Wood; the two fastest riders at Loudon so far this season. Both are challenging for the points lead in the National Road Race Series as well. The Loudon Classic should be their chance to dominate.

Greenwood is aboard a well-developed Suzuki GSXR600, while Wood is running the radical new Honda CBR600RR. So far both have been faster then ever before. Look for the #28 Suzuki to sit on the pole and the #9 Honda to take the holeshot.

New Jersey’s Des Conboy is back in a big way. After many seasons on big bore machines, Conboy is quickly coming to terms with his Suzuki GSXR600s in the Formula USA Series. Team Celtic Racing is new for 2003, assembled by Conboy and crewed by former racer, Mark Rozema. They should be dialed in by Father’s Day and expect to be on the box. Look for the green #8 Suzuki to cruise among the front pack early and press for the win late.

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Feature: The Buell Attack

The Buell American Motorcycle Company will be big at the Loudon Classic. No track on the National tour is better suited for the radical new Buell XB9. Buell will field Massachusetts ace, Eric Wood, and Florida’s Mike Ciccotto, to bring it home first.

Wood will be a favorite. Not only does he own the fastest race lap ever turned on a Superstock machine at Loudon, but he won the 2002 Loudon Classic on a Buell XB9. Look for Eric Wood’s #4 Buell to qualify on the front row and challenge for the win late. Wood will be on Dunlop tires.

Mike Ciccotto is a Buell test rider and their go-to guy on the race track. He is particularly adept at making the pushrod V-twin from the Motor Company run with the exotics. Look for the #13 Buell to make a start like a top fuel dragster and try to gap the field. Ciccotto will run Pirellis.

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Feature: The Spoilers

Fast Loudon regulars looking to hijack the podium at this year’s Classic:

Jim Lester; Cycles128/Pirelli Honda F4i.
John Sheeser; Boccarossa Insurance Racing Honda CBR600RR.
Brian Kent; Greater Boston Motorsports Kawasaki ZX636.
Steve Giaccomaro Suzuki GSXR600.
Carlo Gagliardo; Maximum Motorsports/Razor Unlimited Yamaha R6.
Chris McNeil; Argo Cycle/Dunlop GSXR600.
Gus Holcomb; Legg Mason/Best Cycle/Dunlop Honda CBR600RR.
Mike Martire; GMD New York Kawasaki ZX636.

Thunderbike Feature: Earplugs Required

No other Formula USA class has a more fascinating grid. The mix of machines and rider profiles will prove challenging for any fan to pick a winner. Most machines will be V-twins, but there will be other configurations. No fewer than ten roaring Buell’s will take the grid with the intent of sweeping the podium. Once again, local track knowledge should be a major factor and prove challenging to the Buell riders. The Thunderbike favorites are:

Bryan Bemisderfer, PA – Harding H-D Buell 1200 (Bryan is the 2002 Buell Lightning National Champion).
Jerry Wood, ME – Penguin Road Racing School Ducati Desmodue (Jerry won it in 2002).
Richie Morris, WI – Hoban/Appleton H-D Buell 1200 (Morris may have the fastest bike and he is in top form).
David Estok, FL – KOSCO Buell 1200.
Dan Bilanski, WI – Hal’s H-D Buell XB9.
Jeff Johnson, WI – Hoban/Appleton H-D Buell 1200 (Jeff is the defending Thunderbike National Champion).
Rick Doucette, NH – Plaistow Suzuki SV650.
Jason Smith, TN – Smith Brothers Buell 1200.
John Donald, Suzuki SV650.
Bart Chamberlain, Kawasaki EX Special.

Diablo Can Am 125 Grand Prix: The Maple Leaf Invasion

On Formula USA weekend, no racing motorcycle will rail the Loudon corners like the purpose-built 125GP machines. The Diablo Can Am Grand Prix will feature a high quality 125 field.

Canada’s best will make the trek south to take on some of America’s best. Meanwhile the Loudon regulars are looking forward to sending them all packing. Local favorites include: Dale Greenwood, Eric Yoo, Brian Yoo, Todd Puckett, Tony Pagliaroli, Chris Cosentino and Paul Duval.

Don’t miss the 125GP. Where the big bikes drag their lowers, these guys drag their elbows! Look for it in turn 9.

The Loudon 250K National Team Challenge

On Friday, June 13 at 3pm; three classes of multi-rider endurance teams will wrestle their machines for 250 kilometers of speed, fuel stops and tire changes. Victory requires the right balance of consistent track speed, fast pit stops and machine conservation.

Coming into the Loudon Classic, the defending GTO champion Team New England Motorsports (Webster, MA) is 2nd in the points. Mid-Cities Motorsports, out of Wisconsin has the series lead with back-to-back wins. New England Motorsports field Mark Reynolds and Chad Healy on an Aprilia Mille R. They’ll be on Michelin tires. Mid-Cities will be on a Suzuki GSXR1000 piloted by Calvin Martinez, David Ebben and Brian Baker.

The Loudon Classic will run June 13-15 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

It’s the oldest professional motorcycle race in the country.

Catalunya MotoGP Preview

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From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Marlboro Catalan Grand Prix, Catalunya, June 13/14/15 2003

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM SCENTS FIRST MotoGP SUCCESS

The Ducati Marlboro Team arrives at Catalunya this weekend fresh from its strongest MotoGP performance so far. At Mugello last Sunday Loris Capirossi led the Italian GP aboard his Desmosedici, eventually finishing a superb second, just 1.4 seconds down on the race winner.

The Italian crew had already dazzled the MotoGP world with storming performances at the opening four GPs – leading every race, taking pole position in Spain and scoring two podium finishes – but Mugello proved beyond doubt that the Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici has the speed to win MotoGP races in its debut season.

And what speed! Capirossi established a new top-speed record at Mugello – tripping the timing lights at an astonishing 332.4kmh/206.5mph – and that straight-line performance will also be crucial down Catalunya’s long main straight. Capirossi has already proved the bike’s performance at the Spanish track – during preseason testing at Catalunya he clocked 328.2kmh/203.9mph, several kmh/mph better than the quickest F1 car at the recent Spanish F1 GP!

Team-mate Troy Bayliss looks forward to round six of the 2003 MotoGP series as a chance to get back on track after a couple of unlucky races in Italy and France. When things go right, the hard-charging Aussie is right on the pace – he’s already led two GPs, qualified on the front row once and finished on the podium once.

After the Marlboro Catalan GP the paddock packs up and heads north for the Dutch GP in two weeks and the British GP a fortnight later.

A BUSY TIME FOR A HARD-WORKING TEAM
It was three months ago at Catalunya that the MotoGP world woke up to the fact that the Ducati Marlboro Team would be a real force to be reckoned with in its very first World Championship season. Loris Capirossi blitzed the televised test session, breaking the all-time MotoGP top speed record at the same time.

Now everyone is used to seeing the red and white machines battling up front with their vastly more experienced MotoGP rivals. Nevertheless, the Desmosedici project is still in its earliest stages, with plenty learned from each and every outing, and those lessons quickly turned into new hardware and new settings.

“This is a busy time for everyone at Ducati Corse,” says Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo. “We have two races on back-to-back Sundays and our test team is at Mugello on the Tuesday and Wednesday in between. It’s busy… but normal! I think Loris comes to Catalunya in a perfect state of mind – he rode a fantastic race at Mugello and was very close to the winner. I think it’s also nice for Troy to have another race right after his fall at Mugello – it’s good for him to jump back on the bike as soon as possible.”

Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli has high hopes for this weekend. “We ran with the winner at Mugello, we were so close that you can’t even call us the first of the losers,” he smiles. “I think Catalunya will also be good for us, because it’s similar in some ways to Mugello. Of course, we know we need to make some improvements to the bike. We were very happy with straight-line, braking and cornering performance at Mugello, all we really need to work on at the moment is improving the way the bike changes direction. We will have to think about how to achieve this.

“The important factors at Catalunya are speed, plus braking confidence, especially in downhill corners. Loris is generally happy, he just wants the bike to change direction better. For Troy we need to improve his front-end settings. He found a good set-up for the Mugello race, but he still didn’t have enough confidence, so he had to risk too much.”

BAYLISS HOPES FOR A BETTER WEEKEND
Former World Superbike champ Troy Bayliss has had an amazing entry into the world of MotoGP racing. He led his second race in the class at Welkom in April, where he proved that he’s up for anything with some determined riding alongside reigning World Champ Valentino Rossi (Honda). And in Spain last month he scored his first MotoGP front-row start, just one hundredth of a second slower than pole-sitter and team-mate Loris Capirossi, backing up that performance with a brave race to third place.

But the last two races have been less kind to the man they call ‘Baylisstic’. He fell in France and again in Italy last weekend, where he had charged through from a third-row start to take sixth place at half-distance. “I’m not over the moon with confidence at the moment – I hate not finishing races,” says the straight-talking Aussie, currently sixth on points. “Hopefully Catalunya will be better. We’ve tested there once and I’m looking forward to going back. It’s a little bit tricky – it’s one of those tracks that doesn’t look so difficult – but there’s quite a few places where you’ve got to get it all right and put it all together, especially the last split – the final few corners, including the last two fast rights – that’s important. When I go to a new place I tend to try and rush things too much, places like this you’ve got to relax a bit, which is easy to say, but less easy to do…”

CAPIROSSI HAS THE PACE TO WIN
Loris Capirossi’s stunning ride to second in Italy last Sunday has given the Italian a huge confidence boost for this weekend’s Marlboro Catalan GP. Just 1.4 seconds behind Valentino Rossi at Mugello, he knows he has every chance of being in the hunt for the Ducati Marlboro Team’s maiden GP victory at Catalunya. That ride out front at Mugello taught Capirossi and his crew plenty about the Desmosedici, lessons which they’ll incorporate into the bike’s set-up for Catalunya.

“The bike continues to get better, day by day,” says the former 125 and 250 champ, currently seventh in the World Championship. “I’m looking forward to Catalunya and I hope we can maintain our good performances and good luck there. We had a very good test there in March – the bike was so fast, so I think we can start Friday with a good base set-up. But I don’t think it will be an easy weekend for us – there’s a big difference between running one very fast lap time running a race pace that’s fast enough to win a GP. I think the bike will be better at Catalunya than Mugello because we’ve done better tests there. It’s a fast track and that suits the character of our bike. The places to make time are the first fast right, and the double right that leads onto the start-finish.”

Capirossi has scored two podium finishes on the Desmosedici so far this year – at Suzuka and Mugello – but he’s also had three DNFs. He has also been awesome in qualifying, taking front-row starts at the last four GPs, including pole position at Jerez.

THE TRACK
Just one week after racing at Italy’s technically demanding Mugello circuit, riders and engineers face another complex challenge at Catalunya this weekend. The Spanish circuit is characterised by long, constant-radius corners that place the emphasis on a flowing riding style, and excellent chassis and front-tyre performance. But there are two other factors that further complicate matters: the surface has become increasingly bumpy over recent years, making suspension set-up a time-consuming game, and the dusty local environment can cause frequent and unpredictable changes in grip characteristics if dust gets blown onto the tarmac.

Catalunya is in the centre of Spain’s motorcycle racing heartland and joined the GP fixture list in 1992, hosting the Grand Prix of Europe. Wayne Rainey (Marlboro Team Roberts Yamaha) won the first-ever 500 GP at the track in May ’92. In ’96 the event was renamed the Catalan Grand Prix.

CATALUNYA: 4.727km/2.937 miles
Lap record: Valentino Rossi (Honda), 1m 45.594s
Pole position 2002: Max Biaggi (Yamaha), 1m 44.523s

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DATA LOGS
TROY BAYLISS
Age: 34
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici
First GP: Australia, 1997 (250)
GP starts: 6 (5xMotoGP, 1×250)
World Superbike victories: 22
World Championships: 1 (Superbike: 2001)
Catalunya 2002 results: DNS

LORIS CAPIROSSI
Age: 30
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici
GP victories: 22 (2×500, 12×250, 8×125)
First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125)
First GP: Japan, 1990 (125)
GP starts: 189 (19xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125)
Pole positions: 34 (1xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125)
First pole: Australia, 1991 (125)
World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998)
Catalunya 2002 results. Grid: 5th. Race: 6th


Conicelli Recovering At Home

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Rich Conicelli was released from Memorial Hospital on Friday, June 6 and drove a rental car from Colorado Springs home to Atlanta.

Conicelli suffered broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a broken collarbone in a crash at Pikes Peak International Raceway during practice on Thursday, May 29. He was knocked unconscious for about 10 minutes following the crash.

Doctors told him he could not fly for two weeks following his release.

He is recovering at home in Atlanta, and hopes to make the AMA National at Brainerd International Raceway June 26-29.

In Response To Crashes, Suzuka Circuit Building A New Chicane

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

In response to what they termed “too many” collisions and crashes in the chicane during a May 24-25 Japanese National race, Suzuka Circuit officials are building a new, relocated chicane for motorcycle use.

The track will be closed from June 9 through June 15 for construction of the new chicane and for general track maintenance.

The new, relocated chicane will feature a wider and longer braking area, a faster initial turn, and increased run-off area.

The course using the new chicane will be 5.821 kilometers long, slightly longer than the existing course’s 5.807 kilometers.

Wild Card Riders Announced For Catalunya GP, Silverstone World Superbike Events

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIM has announced the wild card riders for the MotoGP event at Catalunya in Spain and the World Superbike round at Silverstone in England, both scheduled for this coming weekend, June 13-15.

Kawasaki’s Akira Yanagawa will be the only MotoGP wild card at Catalunya, but many of the British Superbike Championship regulars will take part in the Silverstone World Superbike races.

Team Renegade Ducati’s Michael Rutter and Sean Emmett, Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama and D&B Ducati Racing’s Dean Ellison have received wild card entries for the Silverstone World Superbike round, according to the FIM.

Notably absent from the list of World Superbike wild card entries is runaway British Superbike Championship leader Monster Mob Ducati’s Shane Byrne. After 10 of 24 scheduled races, Byrne leads the British Championship by 104 points over second place Rutter.

Byrne has won eight of the first 10 races and placed second in the two races he did not win.

Corrected Post: Greg Moore Breaks Track Record At No Problem Raceway

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From a press release issued by the Church Of Speed:

Saturday June 7 and Sunday, June 8, the Church of Speed presented the second Grand Bayou Motorcycle Festival of Speed at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, LA.

After a rainy morning, the sky turned blue and was perfect for racing and spectating. During Saturday’s road racing qualifications, Pro racer Greg Moore, from Tuscaloosa, AL, caused some major excitement when he broke the track record with a 1.12.77 on a Michelin shod GSXR 1000, which bettered existing record set during last January’s Festival of Speed by John Haner by 0.13 seconds.

Saturday night, engines roared and smoke filled the air as the Drag Racing competitors leapt from the very sticky NPR starting line. The winner of the ensuing pandemonium was Jeffery Alphonse Winning the head Up class with a 8.471 second pass at 168 mph. Chris Lebou took Runner Up. In the 9.99 second or quicker top honors were captured by Chris Leboeuf from Lafayette on his backup bike with Dave Latino taking Runner Up. In the +10 seconds class, top honors went to Buddy Pravato, Runner-up in that class was Seth Duncan.

In an exciting and ground-shaking war of music competition, spectators danced and rocked to the music of seven different groups during the “Battle of the Bands”. MP79 took the honors of first place, Maven won second place and Rusty Duet took third place on the jamming PA supplied by PM productions.

Accompanied by the bands’ music and all of the spectators’ and riders’ celebrating, the pit bikes raced into the wee hours Saturday night. Topping off Saturday night’s festivities, a spectacular fireworks display by Johnny C. of Precision Pyrotechnics lit up the night sky over No Problem Raceway and the equally spectacular winner of the Trophy Girl Contest was Tasha Stubbs.

After Sunday morning practice sessions, Mike and Anna Bradford from Circuit Riders Motorcycle Ministries held Sunday services and the blessing of the bikes and riders.

Sunday was filled with breathtaking feats of speed, agility and daring as the motorcycle roadracers vied for the prizes.


The winners of Sundays Motorcycle Road Races were:

In the featured race: Heavyweight Expert 25 laps:
1st place: Greg Moore, from Tuscaloosa, AL, on a Suzuki GSXR1000 with a best time of 1:14.462
2nd place: Chad Smith, from Metairie, LA. On a Suzuki GSXR 750. (Dunlop)
3rd place: Bradley Champion, from Houston, TX. on a Suzuki SV650.

1st place Lightweight: Bradley Champion from Houston, TX, on a Suzuki SV650, with a best lap time of 1:17.982
2nd place Lightweight: Shannon Silva, from Kenner, LA on an Aprillia RS250
3rd place Lightweight: John Horton, from New Orleans on a 750 Ducati.


1st place Mediumweight Novice: Chris Murphy (CLK Racing, Dunlop), from Baton Rouge, LA on a Yamaha 600, with a best time of 1:19.530
2nd place Mediumweight Novice: Ryan Babin, from Schriever, LA on a Yamaha 600
3rd place Mediumweight Novice: Dave Chaplin, from Metairie, LA on a Suzuki 600


1st place Mediumweight Expert: Ben Thomas, Franklinton, LA, on a Suzuki GSXR 600, with a best time of 1:16.014
2nd place Mediumweight Expert: Bradley Champion, from Houston, TX, on a Suzuki SV650
3rd place Mediumweight Expert: Logan Young, from Houston, TX, on a Suzuki GSXR600


1st place Heavyweight Novice: Chris Murphy(CLK Racing), from Baton Rouge, LA, on a Yamaha R6; with a best time of 1:18.109
2nd place Heavyweight Novice: Tom Roche, from New Orleans, LA, on a Suzuki GSXR750
3rd place Heavyweight Novice: Daryll Ricks from Kenner, LA, on a Kawasaki ZX6R

Log on to www.mylaps.com for more complete race results and www.hotshotphotos.com for event pictures.

Sunday afternoon the crowds were thrilled by the awe-inspiring stunts and daring feats of courage performed by the professional stunt riders.

1st place: Jeremy Baker of Performance Extreme of Baton Rouge
2nd place: Michael Hebert of Performance Extreme of Baton Rouge
3rd place: Blaine Guidry of Voodoo Racing of Breaux Bridge (www.voodooracing.com).

The weekend culminated with Tasha Stubbs presenting the winners of the competitions with their “pieces of wood”, that were plucked from the mighty Mississippi River, and of course, the cash that went along with the trophies.

The Church of Speed would like to thank all of the volunteers’ and staff without whom the event would not have happened.

Event Sponsors included: Red Bull Energy Drink, Jagermeister, Gold Star Trophies BR, Matteis Cycles NO, Performance Extremes BR, GMD Computrack of Dallas TX, Calmes Cycles BR,

What About Those MotoGP Bridgestones?

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From a press release issued by Pramac Honda:

Casole d’Elsa (Siena, Italy)
Tuesday 10 June 2003

Eleven questions for Mr. Hiroshi Yamada, Motorcycle Racing Manager of Bridgestone Corporation

1) Mr. Yamada, Makoto Tamada got an impressive result last Sunday at Mugello, making fourth place in the Italian Grand Prix. Were you expecting he’d do so well?

R) In all honesty, I must say it was an unexpected result, in view of all the variables of Mugello. Tamada had never seen in the circuit until last weekend, and Mugello is a difficult track for anyone when it comes to choosing the tyres and guessing the ground temperature (which can be very high) and indeed it was much higher than we were expecting. On top of all this there was the fact that Makoto Tamada really whipped our products into shape in his extraordinary comeback from eighteenth place to fourth. It must be said it was worth the suspense: we really had no time to prepare for the race on Sunday but with two hours on Friday and two on Saturday we managed to scrape together enough information to get things going.


2) Bridgestone: your workgroup seems to be gaining incredible ground – you’ve never stopped since January. You should be pretty highly motivated by now.

R) You’re right: this result has galvanised the whole team. It’s a new boost not just for us on the MotoGP, but for all those at “home” who’ve made this whole project possible. In other words, I really mean the whole company. I think this result just goes to show that what we’ve been doing so far is really not too far off the mark.


3) Are you talking about the glorious Formula One group too?

R) Sure, we’re in constant contact and our F1 colleagues and technicians are sharing their know-how with us.


4) Do you think a great performance like this could reduce development time?

R) This is a long-term project and we’ve already been able to give an idea of our ambitious projects: for the moment, we’d just like to win a few races in 2004 and we’re aiming for the championship in 2005. As far as this season is concerned, we decided on a hypothetical date by which we thought we ought to be able to achieve some tangible results. We were thinking of the late summer of this year but I believe we’ve just got there a little bit earlier. This is going to give a great boost to our development team, even though we need to keep our wits about us and continue working to schedule. It must be said, though, that last Sunday’s result obviously makes us that much more excited about the whole thing.


5) Let’s try and look at an important factor: the former RC211V is the bike that won the 2002 world championship, and thus the best choice in terms of performance. The rider could well be a variable: he’s on his first time round in the MotoGP and on the tough tracks of the world championship. If you look at his latest performance, Makoto appears to be a rider of extraordinary talent. All this should make developing the tyres that much easier.

R) When we decided to work with Tamada we knew he was going to be the right rider, both for his potential and for his skill. The only thing we weren’t sure about was his total lack of experience on the world championship circuits. His character and his style made us quite sure, however, that he’d learn fast. And he certainly has done. Jerez and Mugello showed we were right. So we’re quite sure about the bike and the rider, and this means we’ve been able to concentrate entirely on what we are most interested in: developing our tyres.


6) We’ve seen that your materials have proved to be excellent in almost extreme conditions – in other words, really high ground temperatures – but soon we’re going to be coming up against the North European rounds where the temperatures aren’t going to be anything like as high.

R) We are quite sure about the work we’ve done so far and I’ve no reason to think we’re going to be less competitive than we have been. We’ve been studying special materials for a pretty broad range of temperatures.


7) Can you give us an idea of the key points? What you are going to have to do to develop the racing products?

R) First of all we can say that the most important thing is to study the ideal compounds for the MotoGP, since the power that the latest engines can release is enormous and it certainly puts the tyres under stress during a race. The quality of the compounds is thus a key element in being competitive rate in terms of fast lap times and in terms of endurance. If, on the other hand, we look at the various steps it takes to create a racing product and absolute top performance, we can say that the shape and profile of the tyre are the first aspects we need to look at in our development work. And then there is more to follow: the construction of the tyre and the composition of the compound. But this is pure “theory” or work method, because then we have to look at the balance between the front and rear tyre on the machine when it’s out on the track, and this is another crucial aspect. Just to give a simple example: at the moment, we’re making good progress in developing the rear tyres, but we’ve also got to keep up the momentum for the front tyres as well. This is essential if we’re to maintain the same balance of the bike and improve its level of performance.


8) Was the result at Mugello the result of some particular tyre?

R) One tyre in particular – the one we used yesterday – had everything a tyre needs to have in order to be competitive in a race. If we want to go into detail, we could say that its profile improves both control and handling while making a good front and rear balance of the bike.


9) What compounds were used at Mugello?

R) A medium-hard front with a hard rear.


10) Could you give us an idea – some actual figure – for the number of different technical solutions you’ve created and tried out on track since the beginning of the year for the MotoGP?

R) We’ve tried out pretty close to 100, I’d say, during the test sessions and during the races this year with our riders.


11) Let’s enter a more sensitive area. Could you tell us about the time it actually takes to create a tyre, or rather how long it takes to make new materials for the MotoGP?

R) It’s possible to make a tyre from scratch in about two to four weeks, while it doesn’t take longer than one to actually construct it. So a totally new compound will take two to three weeks, or much less if it’s an upgrade of an existing formula.


Mr. Yamada, thank you very much indeed.

Melandri Fined By FIM

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Fortuna Yamaha MotoGP racer Marco Melandri has been fined 1000 Swiss Francs, or about $760 U.S., for violating rules during practice at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, Italy June 8.

At the end of morning warm-up session, Melandri left pit lane, and presumably went out on track, after the “red light was switched on and the red flag shown at the pit-lane exit,” according to a press release from the FIM.

Coolbeth Wins F-USA Dirt Track At Plymouth

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From a press release issued by F-USA:

Fort Worth, Texas–Cool temperatures, cloudy skies along with periods of showers around the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wisconsin could not keep the opening round of the K&N Filters Pro Series from coming off as a huge success.

The excitement started early in practice/qualifying at the 5th Annual Dairyland Classic with 56 riders attempting to qualify for the 48 rider field. As the riders took to the super-fast track, it became apparent the Formula USA rules based around 450cc production frame motorcycles was beginning a new era for dirt track. Of the 56 entries, 51 riders were on production frame motorcycles with 53 riders breaking the track record. A new track record of 16.249 was set by factory KTM rider Kenny Coolbeth who was over a full second quicker of the previous track record of 17.465.

Promoter Bert Sumner put together the inaugural Jim Sumner Memorial Dash For Cash where the top rider from each brand of motorcycle would qualify for the 4-lap dash. Local hero JR Schnabel on the Memphis Shades Yamaha took the honors with $1500donated from a variety of motorcycle dealers and individuals prior to the race. During the evening another $730 was donated by fans that was divided between runner-up Kenny Coolbeth and third place rider Kyle Ragsdale.

As the 18-riders who had qualified through 3-heat races and 2-semis were introduced for the 25-lap National, excitement filled air with first year rookies and veterans all having a shot of taking the win.

Joe Kopp on the factory KTM took the lead going into turn one off the start with Schnabel getting a good drive off turn two to take the early lead. After the first lap Kopp pulled off the track with apparent problems. Coolbeth had got off the line fourth and seemed to be waiting for things to settle down a bit before making a run to the front. His first challenge would be to get around Team Harley-Davidson’s Rich King riding the Buell Blast-based Harley-Davidson. King the veteran dirt tracker could feel the pressure of Coolbeth, however would never make a mistake forcing Coolbeth to get aggressive before Schnabel would pull away from the trio. Making a good run off turn 2 Coolbeth pulled along the outside of King down the back straight then made a daring, but successful, outside pass on King going into turn 3.

As riders were dicing for position, the fans were cheering for their hometown hero Schnabel knowing Coolbeth was now making a run for the lead. Coolbeth again put the same pressure on Schnabel as he did King hoping for a mistake. It did not take Coolbeth long to realize he would have to make the same pass on Schnabel. On lap 8 Coolbeth went on the outside of Schnabel going into turn 3, which seemed to surprise Schnabel. Within the next lap Coolbeth turned his fastest lap of the night at 15.923!

As the race was beginning to wind down, lapped riders would give Schnabel another shot at regaining the lead. Schnabel made a run at Coolbeth on the final lap coming up to his rear fender across the finish line.

King would hang onto third with Jethro Halbert on a Honda giving the top 4 positions 4 different brands of motorcycles.

Kenny Coolbeth on the KTM production based motorcycle made over $9000 in purse and contingency. After the races there was a great deal of support from the fans, teams, riders and sponsors for the 2003 K&N Filters Pro Series. Tom Cates, Senior Powersports Manager of K&N Filters was on hand commenting, “I was extremely impressed with the professional appearance of the event. The riders did an excellent job putting on a great show for the spectators.”

PLYMOUTH RESULTS
1. Kenny Coolbeth, KTM
2. Glen Schnabel, JR, YAM
3. Rich King, HD
4. Jethro Halbert, HON
5. Brett Landes, HON
6. Willie McCoy, HON
7. Bryan Smith, HON
8. Dan Stanley, HON
9. Shaun Russell, KTM
10. Kyle Ragsdale, HON
11. Jeremy Deruyter, HON
12. Jerad Cheney, HON
13. Terry Poovey, HON
14. Justin Filice, HON
15. Thomas McGrane, HON
16. Brian Vincent, HON
17. Kevin Atherton, YAM
18. Joe Kopp, KTM

The K&N Filters Pro Series resumes next weekend at the 11th Annual Ben Campanale Laconia 1/2 Mile on Friday night, June 13th in Rochester, New Hampshire during the 80th Annual Loudon Classic.

Silverstone Sidecar Preview

From a press release:

Silverstone Preview

BRIT PACK CHASE KLAFFI

Superside World championship leader Klaus Klaffenböck knows that he will face a stiff challenge from the British contingent as the series visits Silverstone, GB, for round four of the sidecar action.

The 2001 World champion and passenger Christian Parzer have been the most consistent pairing so far, having notched up three podium places in the first three races, including a win in the second round at Monza, Italy.

Klaffenböck said: “It will be tough at Silverstone but my machine [Yamaha R1] is very reliable, which gives me a lot of confidence.”

The main threat will come from Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead – winners at Valencia and Oschersleben – and from the reigning World champions, Steve Abbott and Jamie Biggs.

Wily veteran Abbott won at Silverstone in 2002 – the first time the Superside World championship visited the 3.13-mile (5.036km) Northamptonshire track – and will be looking to build on his third place in the last round at Oschersleben, Germany.

“Machine-wise, we are a lot better off than this time last year. Racing at home always gives you an added edge and I’m hoping to win again this year,” revealed Abbott.

Superside World championship standings after three of nine rounds:
1 Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) 61, 2 Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) 50, 3 Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) 38, 4 Mike Roscher, Germany (Suzuki) 34, 5 Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) 27, 6 Gerhard Hauzenberger, Austria (Yamaha) 24, 7 Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) 20, 8 Dan Morrissey, GB (Yamaha) 20, 9 Billy Gällros, Sweden 10 Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) 17.

Loudon F-USA Preview

From a press release issued by Bob Holcomb for LRRS:

LRRS Preview of the Loudon Classic

The 80th Running of the Loudon Classic

Formula USA Showdown

On Father’s day weekend the Formula USA National Road Race Series will make the Loudon Classic its third round as a bookend to New Hampshire’s ‘Bike Week’. So far California’s Matt Wait and his Kneedraggers.com/Yamaha/Pirelli R6 have dominated the series. That could change when the top teams take their first practice session next Friday.

The Track – New Hampshire International Speedway

The road course at NHIS has been steadily improved over the years. The 2003 version is faster and safer then ever before. It is 1.6 miles of short chutes between twelve turns and set among elevation changes. It is the ultimate ‘street fighter’ track. Nowhere else on tour will riders more fiercely test a motorcycle’s total character. They slam it in, drag the lowers, stand it up and pull the trigger. Not only that, but fans can get themselves up close to the action almost everywhere around the track.

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Feature: The Visitors

Sam Lehrfeld, owner of Kneedraggers.com, runs the remarkable 2003 Kneedraggers Yamaha team. As a young businessman and club racer, Sam signed former World GP rider, Matt Wait, to ride his company colors late last season. They went on to win the Formula USA Grand National Title. Sam and Matt were rewarded with a whole new Yamaha program to put Wait on top again in 2003. It’s a great story and the strategy is paying off. Wait has been the class of the field since Daytona last March.

With little experience at Loudon, Wait will need a steep learning curve when he takes the grid. However, he is an accomplished dirt tracker. Wait could be spectacular at Loudon. Look for the #1 Yamaha to ‘back it in’ turn 1 like a half miler.

Arclight Suzuki/Pirelli is fielding yet another powerful team in 2003. With California’s Dave Stanton and North Carolina’s Scott Harwell, they expect big things at Loudon. The Arclight riders are fast everywhere they run. Look for the #2 and #6 Suzukis at the top of the time charts. They are stout and will be crisp.

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Feature: The Home Teams

Assembled by New Hampshire’s Scott Greenwood, the Bettencourt’s/Argo Cycles/Dunlop Team is new for 2003. They’ll field Greenwood and Mansfield’s Jeff Wood; the two fastest riders at Loudon so far this season. Both are challenging for the points lead in the National Road Race Series as well. The Loudon Classic should be their chance to dominate.

Greenwood is aboard a well-developed Suzuki GSXR600, while Wood is running the radical new Honda CBR600RR. So far both have been faster then ever before. Look for the #28 Suzuki to sit on the pole and the #9 Honda to take the holeshot.

New Jersey’s Des Conboy is back in a big way. After many seasons on big bore machines, Conboy is quickly coming to terms with his Suzuki GSXR600s in the Formula USA Series. Team Celtic Racing is new for 2003, assembled by Conboy and crewed by former racer, Mark Rozema. They should be dialed in by Father’s Day and expect to be on the box. Look for the green #8 Suzuki to cruise among the front pack early and press for the win late.

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Feature: The Buell Attack

The Buell American Motorcycle Company will be big at the Loudon Classic. No track on the National tour is better suited for the radical new Buell XB9. Buell will field Massachusetts ace, Eric Wood, and Florida’s Mike Ciccotto, to bring it home first.

Wood will be a favorite. Not only does he own the fastest race lap ever turned on a Superstock machine at Loudon, but he won the 2002 Loudon Classic on a Buell XB9. Look for Eric Wood’s #4 Buell to qualify on the front row and challenge for the win late. Wood will be on Dunlop tires.

Mike Ciccotto is a Buell test rider and their go-to guy on the race track. He is particularly adept at making the pushrod V-twin from the Motor Company run with the exotics. Look for the #13 Buell to make a start like a top fuel dragster and try to gap the field. Ciccotto will run Pirellis.

Pro Honda Oils Sportbike Feature: The Spoilers

Fast Loudon regulars looking to hijack the podium at this year’s Classic:

Jim Lester; Cycles128/Pirelli Honda F4i.
John Sheeser; Boccarossa Insurance Racing Honda CBR600RR.
Brian Kent; Greater Boston Motorsports Kawasaki ZX636.
Steve Giaccomaro Suzuki GSXR600.
Carlo Gagliardo; Maximum Motorsports/Razor Unlimited Yamaha R6.
Chris McNeil; Argo Cycle/Dunlop GSXR600.
Gus Holcomb; Legg Mason/Best Cycle/Dunlop Honda CBR600RR.
Mike Martire; GMD New York Kawasaki ZX636.

Thunderbike Feature: Earplugs Required

No other Formula USA class has a more fascinating grid. The mix of machines and rider profiles will prove challenging for any fan to pick a winner. Most machines will be V-twins, but there will be other configurations. No fewer than ten roaring Buell’s will take the grid with the intent of sweeping the podium. Once again, local track knowledge should be a major factor and prove challenging to the Buell riders. The Thunderbike favorites are:

Bryan Bemisderfer, PA – Harding H-D Buell 1200 (Bryan is the 2002 Buell Lightning National Champion).
Jerry Wood, ME – Penguin Road Racing School Ducati Desmodue (Jerry won it in 2002).
Richie Morris, WI – Hoban/Appleton H-D Buell 1200 (Morris may have the fastest bike and he is in top form).
David Estok, FL – KOSCO Buell 1200.
Dan Bilanski, WI – Hal’s H-D Buell XB9.
Jeff Johnson, WI – Hoban/Appleton H-D Buell 1200 (Jeff is the defending Thunderbike National Champion).
Rick Doucette, NH – Plaistow Suzuki SV650.
Jason Smith, TN – Smith Brothers Buell 1200.
John Donald, Suzuki SV650.
Bart Chamberlain, Kawasaki EX Special.

Diablo Can Am 125 Grand Prix: The Maple Leaf Invasion

On Formula USA weekend, no racing motorcycle will rail the Loudon corners like the purpose-built 125GP machines. The Diablo Can Am Grand Prix will feature a high quality 125 field.

Canada’s best will make the trek south to take on some of America’s best. Meanwhile the Loudon regulars are looking forward to sending them all packing. Local favorites include: Dale Greenwood, Eric Yoo, Brian Yoo, Todd Puckett, Tony Pagliaroli, Chris Cosentino and Paul Duval.

Don’t miss the 125GP. Where the big bikes drag their lowers, these guys drag their elbows! Look for it in turn 9.

The Loudon 250K National Team Challenge

On Friday, June 13 at 3pm; three classes of multi-rider endurance teams will wrestle their machines for 250 kilometers of speed, fuel stops and tire changes. Victory requires the right balance of consistent track speed, fast pit stops and machine conservation.

Coming into the Loudon Classic, the defending GTO champion Team New England Motorsports (Webster, MA) is 2nd in the points. Mid-Cities Motorsports, out of Wisconsin has the series lead with back-to-back wins. New England Motorsports field Mark Reynolds and Chad Healy on an Aprilia Mille R. They’ll be on Michelin tires. Mid-Cities will be on a Suzuki GSXR1000 piloted by Calvin Martinez, David Ebben and Brian Baker.

The Loudon Classic will run June 13-15 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

It’s the oldest professional motorcycle race in the country.

Catalunya MotoGP Preview

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Marlboro Catalan Grand Prix, Catalunya, June 13/14/15 2003

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM SCENTS FIRST MotoGP SUCCESS

The Ducati Marlboro Team arrives at Catalunya this weekend fresh from its strongest MotoGP performance so far. At Mugello last Sunday Loris Capirossi led the Italian GP aboard his Desmosedici, eventually finishing a superb second, just 1.4 seconds down on the race winner.

The Italian crew had already dazzled the MotoGP world with storming performances at the opening four GPs – leading every race, taking pole position in Spain and scoring two podium finishes – but Mugello proved beyond doubt that the Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici has the speed to win MotoGP races in its debut season.

And what speed! Capirossi established a new top-speed record at Mugello – tripping the timing lights at an astonishing 332.4kmh/206.5mph – and that straight-line performance will also be crucial down Catalunya’s long main straight. Capirossi has already proved the bike’s performance at the Spanish track – during preseason testing at Catalunya he clocked 328.2kmh/203.9mph, several kmh/mph better than the quickest F1 car at the recent Spanish F1 GP!

Team-mate Troy Bayliss looks forward to round six of the 2003 MotoGP series as a chance to get back on track after a couple of unlucky races in Italy and France. When things go right, the hard-charging Aussie is right on the pace – he’s already led two GPs, qualified on the front row once and finished on the podium once.

After the Marlboro Catalan GP the paddock packs up and heads north for the Dutch GP in two weeks and the British GP a fortnight later.

A BUSY TIME FOR A HARD-WORKING TEAM
It was three months ago at Catalunya that the MotoGP world woke up to the fact that the Ducati Marlboro Team would be a real force to be reckoned with in its very first World Championship season. Loris Capirossi blitzed the televised test session, breaking the all-time MotoGP top speed record at the same time.

Now everyone is used to seeing the red and white machines battling up front with their vastly more experienced MotoGP rivals. Nevertheless, the Desmosedici project is still in its earliest stages, with plenty learned from each and every outing, and those lessons quickly turned into new hardware and new settings.

“This is a busy time for everyone at Ducati Corse,” says Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo. “We have two races on back-to-back Sundays and our test team is at Mugello on the Tuesday and Wednesday in between. It’s busy… but normal! I think Loris comes to Catalunya in a perfect state of mind – he rode a fantastic race at Mugello and was very close to the winner. I think it’s also nice for Troy to have another race right after his fall at Mugello – it’s good for him to jump back on the bike as soon as possible.”

Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli has high hopes for this weekend. “We ran with the winner at Mugello, we were so close that you can’t even call us the first of the losers,” he smiles. “I think Catalunya will also be good for us, because it’s similar in some ways to Mugello. Of course, we know we need to make some improvements to the bike. We were very happy with straight-line, braking and cornering performance at Mugello, all we really need to work on at the moment is improving the way the bike changes direction. We will have to think about how to achieve this.

“The important factors at Catalunya are speed, plus braking confidence, especially in downhill corners. Loris is generally happy, he just wants the bike to change direction better. For Troy we need to improve his front-end settings. He found a good set-up for the Mugello race, but he still didn’t have enough confidence, so he had to risk too much.”

BAYLISS HOPES FOR A BETTER WEEKEND
Former World Superbike champ Troy Bayliss has had an amazing entry into the world of MotoGP racing. He led his second race in the class at Welkom in April, where he proved that he’s up for anything with some determined riding alongside reigning World Champ Valentino Rossi (Honda). And in Spain last month he scored his first MotoGP front-row start, just one hundredth of a second slower than pole-sitter and team-mate Loris Capirossi, backing up that performance with a brave race to third place.

But the last two races have been less kind to the man they call ‘Baylisstic’. He fell in France and again in Italy last weekend, where he had charged through from a third-row start to take sixth place at half-distance. “I’m not over the moon with confidence at the moment – I hate not finishing races,” says the straight-talking Aussie, currently sixth on points. “Hopefully Catalunya will be better. We’ve tested there once and I’m looking forward to going back. It’s a little bit tricky – it’s one of those tracks that doesn’t look so difficult – but there’s quite a few places where you’ve got to get it all right and put it all together, especially the last split – the final few corners, including the last two fast rights – that’s important. When I go to a new place I tend to try and rush things too much, places like this you’ve got to relax a bit, which is easy to say, but less easy to do…”

CAPIROSSI HAS THE PACE TO WIN
Loris Capirossi’s stunning ride to second in Italy last Sunday has given the Italian a huge confidence boost for this weekend’s Marlboro Catalan GP. Just 1.4 seconds behind Valentino Rossi at Mugello, he knows he has every chance of being in the hunt for the Ducati Marlboro Team’s maiden GP victory at Catalunya. That ride out front at Mugello taught Capirossi and his crew plenty about the Desmosedici, lessons which they’ll incorporate into the bike’s set-up for Catalunya.

“The bike continues to get better, day by day,” says the former 125 and 250 champ, currently seventh in the World Championship. “I’m looking forward to Catalunya and I hope we can maintain our good performances and good luck there. We had a very good test there in March – the bike was so fast, so I think we can start Friday with a good base set-up. But I don’t think it will be an easy weekend for us – there’s a big difference between running one very fast lap time running a race pace that’s fast enough to win a GP. I think the bike will be better at Catalunya than Mugello because we’ve done better tests there. It’s a fast track and that suits the character of our bike. The places to make time are the first fast right, and the double right that leads onto the start-finish.”

Capirossi has scored two podium finishes on the Desmosedici so far this year – at Suzuka and Mugello – but he’s also had three DNFs. He has also been awesome in qualifying, taking front-row starts at the last four GPs, including pole position at Jerez.

THE TRACK
Just one week after racing at Italy’s technically demanding Mugello circuit, riders and engineers face another complex challenge at Catalunya this weekend. The Spanish circuit is characterised by long, constant-radius corners that place the emphasis on a flowing riding style, and excellent chassis and front-tyre performance. But there are two other factors that further complicate matters: the surface has become increasingly bumpy over recent years, making suspension set-up a time-consuming game, and the dusty local environment can cause frequent and unpredictable changes in grip characteristics if dust gets blown onto the tarmac.

Catalunya is in the centre of Spain’s motorcycle racing heartland and joined the GP fixture list in 1992, hosting the Grand Prix of Europe. Wayne Rainey (Marlboro Team Roberts Yamaha) won the first-ever 500 GP at the track in May ’92. In ’96 the event was renamed the Catalan Grand Prix.

CATALUNYA: 4.727km/2.937 miles
Lap record: Valentino Rossi (Honda), 1m 45.594s
Pole position 2002: Max Biaggi (Yamaha), 1m 44.523s

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DATA LOGS
TROY BAYLISS
Age: 34
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici
First GP: Australia, 1997 (250)
GP starts: 6 (5xMotoGP, 1×250)
World Superbike victories: 22
World Championships: 1 (Superbike: 2001)
Catalunya 2002 results: DNS

LORIS CAPIROSSI
Age: 30
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici
GP victories: 22 (2×500, 12×250, 8×125)
First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125)
First GP: Japan, 1990 (125)
GP starts: 189 (19xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125)
Pole positions: 34 (1xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125)
First pole: Australia, 1991 (125)
World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998)
Catalunya 2002 results. Grid: 5th. Race: 6th


Conicelli Recovering At Home

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Racer Rich Conicelli was released from Memorial Hospital on Friday, June 6 and drove a rental car from Colorado Springs home to Atlanta.

Conicelli suffered broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a broken collarbone in a crash at Pikes Peak International Raceway during practice on Thursday, May 29. He was knocked unconscious for about 10 minutes following the crash.

Doctors told him he could not fly for two weeks following his release.

He is recovering at home in Atlanta, and hopes to make the AMA National at Brainerd International Raceway June 26-29.

In Response To Crashes, Suzuka Circuit Building A New Chicane

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

In response to what they termed “too many” collisions and crashes in the chicane during a May 24-25 Japanese National race, Suzuka Circuit officials are building a new, relocated chicane for motorcycle use.

The track will be closed from June 9 through June 15 for construction of the new chicane and for general track maintenance.

The new, relocated chicane will feature a wider and longer braking area, a faster initial turn, and increased run-off area.

The course using the new chicane will be 5.821 kilometers long, slightly longer than the existing course’s 5.807 kilometers.

Wild Card Riders Announced For Catalunya GP, Silverstone World Superbike Events


Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIM has announced the wild card riders for the MotoGP event at Catalunya in Spain and the World Superbike round at Silverstone in England, both scheduled for this coming weekend, June 13-15.

Kawasaki’s Akira Yanagawa will be the only MotoGP wild card at Catalunya, but many of the British Superbike Championship regulars will take part in the Silverstone World Superbike races.

Team Renegade Ducati’s Michael Rutter and Sean Emmett, Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama and D&B Ducati Racing’s Dean Ellison have received wild card entries for the Silverstone World Superbike round, according to the FIM.

Notably absent from the list of World Superbike wild card entries is runaway British Superbike Championship leader Monster Mob Ducati’s Shane Byrne. After 10 of 24 scheduled races, Byrne leads the British Championship by 104 points over second place Rutter.

Byrne has won eight of the first 10 races and placed second in the two races he did not win.

Corrected Post: Greg Moore Breaks Track Record At No Problem Raceway

From a press release issued by the Church Of Speed:

Saturday June 7 and Sunday, June 8, the Church of Speed presented the second Grand Bayou Motorcycle Festival of Speed at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, LA.

After a rainy morning, the sky turned blue and was perfect for racing and spectating. During Saturday’s road racing qualifications, Pro racer Greg Moore, from Tuscaloosa, AL, caused some major excitement when he broke the track record with a 1.12.77 on a Michelin shod GSXR 1000, which bettered existing record set during last January’s Festival of Speed by John Haner by 0.13 seconds.

Saturday night, engines roared and smoke filled the air as the Drag Racing competitors leapt from the very sticky NPR starting line. The winner of the ensuing pandemonium was Jeffery Alphonse Winning the head Up class with a 8.471 second pass at 168 mph. Chris Lebou took Runner Up. In the 9.99 second or quicker top honors were captured by Chris Leboeuf from Lafayette on his backup bike with Dave Latino taking Runner Up. In the +10 seconds class, top honors went to Buddy Pravato, Runner-up in that class was Seth Duncan.

In an exciting and ground-shaking war of music competition, spectators danced and rocked to the music of seven different groups during the “Battle of the Bands”. MP79 took the honors of first place, Maven won second place and Rusty Duet took third place on the jamming PA supplied by PM productions.

Accompanied by the bands’ music and all of the spectators’ and riders’ celebrating, the pit bikes raced into the wee hours Saturday night. Topping off Saturday night’s festivities, a spectacular fireworks display by Johnny C. of Precision Pyrotechnics lit up the night sky over No Problem Raceway and the equally spectacular winner of the Trophy Girl Contest was Tasha Stubbs.

After Sunday morning practice sessions, Mike and Anna Bradford from Circuit Riders Motorcycle Ministries held Sunday services and the blessing of the bikes and riders.

Sunday was filled with breathtaking feats of speed, agility and daring as the motorcycle roadracers vied for the prizes.


The winners of Sundays Motorcycle Road Races were:

In the featured race: Heavyweight Expert 25 laps:
1st place: Greg Moore, from Tuscaloosa, AL, on a Suzuki GSXR1000 with a best time of 1:14.462
2nd place: Chad Smith, from Metairie, LA. On a Suzuki GSXR 750. (Dunlop)
3rd place: Bradley Champion, from Houston, TX. on a Suzuki SV650.

1st place Lightweight: Bradley Champion from Houston, TX, on a Suzuki SV650, with a best lap time of 1:17.982
2nd place Lightweight: Shannon Silva, from Kenner, LA on an Aprillia RS250
3rd place Lightweight: John Horton, from New Orleans on a 750 Ducati.


1st place Mediumweight Novice: Chris Murphy (CLK Racing, Dunlop), from Baton Rouge, LA on a Yamaha 600, with a best time of 1:19.530
2nd place Mediumweight Novice: Ryan Babin, from Schriever, LA on a Yamaha 600
3rd place Mediumweight Novice: Dave Chaplin, from Metairie, LA on a Suzuki 600


1st place Mediumweight Expert: Ben Thomas, Franklinton, LA, on a Suzuki GSXR 600, with a best time of 1:16.014
2nd place Mediumweight Expert: Bradley Champion, from Houston, TX, on a Suzuki SV650
3rd place Mediumweight Expert: Logan Young, from Houston, TX, on a Suzuki GSXR600


1st place Heavyweight Novice: Chris Murphy(CLK Racing), from Baton Rouge, LA, on a Yamaha R6; with a best time of 1:18.109
2nd place Heavyweight Novice: Tom Roche, from New Orleans, LA, on a Suzuki GSXR750
3rd place Heavyweight Novice: Daryll Ricks from Kenner, LA, on a Kawasaki ZX6R

Log on to www.mylaps.com for more complete race results and www.hotshotphotos.com for event pictures.

Sunday afternoon the crowds were thrilled by the awe-inspiring stunts and daring feats of courage performed by the professional stunt riders.

1st place: Jeremy Baker of Performance Extreme of Baton Rouge
2nd place: Michael Hebert of Performance Extreme of Baton Rouge
3rd place: Blaine Guidry of Voodoo Racing of Breaux Bridge (www.voodooracing.com).

The weekend culminated with Tasha Stubbs presenting the winners of the competitions with their “pieces of wood”, that were plucked from the mighty Mississippi River, and of course, the cash that went along with the trophies.

The Church of Speed would like to thank all of the volunteers’ and staff without whom the event would not have happened.

Event Sponsors included: Red Bull Energy Drink, Jagermeister, Gold Star Trophies BR, Matteis Cycles NO, Performance Extremes BR, GMD Computrack of Dallas TX, Calmes Cycles BR,

What About Those MotoGP Bridgestones?

From a press release issued by Pramac Honda:

Casole d’Elsa (Siena, Italy)
Tuesday 10 June 2003

Eleven questions for Mr. Hiroshi Yamada, Motorcycle Racing Manager of Bridgestone Corporation

1) Mr. Yamada, Makoto Tamada got an impressive result last Sunday at Mugello, making fourth place in the Italian Grand Prix. Were you expecting he’d do so well?

R) In all honesty, I must say it was an unexpected result, in view of all the variables of Mugello. Tamada had never seen in the circuit until last weekend, and Mugello is a difficult track for anyone when it comes to choosing the tyres and guessing the ground temperature (which can be very high) and indeed it was much higher than we were expecting. On top of all this there was the fact that Makoto Tamada really whipped our products into shape in his extraordinary comeback from eighteenth place to fourth. It must be said it was worth the suspense: we really had no time to prepare for the race on Sunday but with two hours on Friday and two on Saturday we managed to scrape together enough information to get things going.


2) Bridgestone: your workgroup seems to be gaining incredible ground – you’ve never stopped since January. You should be pretty highly motivated by now.

R) You’re right: this result has galvanised the whole team. It’s a new boost not just for us on the MotoGP, but for all those at “home” who’ve made this whole project possible. In other words, I really mean the whole company. I think this result just goes to show that what we’ve been doing so far is really not too far off the mark.


3) Are you talking about the glorious Formula One group too?

R) Sure, we’re in constant contact and our F1 colleagues and technicians are sharing their know-how with us.


4) Do you think a great performance like this could reduce development time?

R) This is a long-term project and we’ve already been able to give an idea of our ambitious projects: for the moment, we’d just like to win a few races in 2004 and we’re aiming for the championship in 2005. As far as this season is concerned, we decided on a hypothetical date by which we thought we ought to be able to achieve some tangible results. We were thinking of the late summer of this year but I believe we’ve just got there a little bit earlier. This is going to give a great boost to our development team, even though we need to keep our wits about us and continue working to schedule. It must be said, though, that last Sunday’s result obviously makes us that much more excited about the whole thing.


5) Let’s try and look at an important factor: the former RC211V is the bike that won the 2002 world championship, and thus the best choice in terms of performance. The rider could well be a variable: he’s on his first time round in the MotoGP and on the tough tracks of the world championship. If you look at his latest performance, Makoto appears to be a rider of extraordinary talent. All this should make developing the tyres that much easier.

R) When we decided to work with Tamada we knew he was going to be the right rider, both for his potential and for his skill. The only thing we weren’t sure about was his total lack of experience on the world championship circuits. His character and his style made us quite sure, however, that he’d learn fast. And he certainly has done. Jerez and Mugello showed we were right. So we’re quite sure about the bike and the rider, and this means we’ve been able to concentrate entirely on what we are most interested in: developing our tyres.


6) We’ve seen that your materials have proved to be excellent in almost extreme conditions – in other words, really high ground temperatures – but soon we’re going to be coming up against the North European rounds where the temperatures aren’t going to be anything like as high.

R) We are quite sure about the work we’ve done so far and I’ve no reason to think we’re going to be less competitive than we have been. We’ve been studying special materials for a pretty broad range of temperatures.


7) Can you give us an idea of the key points? What you are going to have to do to develop the racing products?

R) First of all we can say that the most important thing is to study the ideal compounds for the MotoGP, since the power that the latest engines can release is enormous and it certainly puts the tyres under stress during a race. The quality of the compounds is thus a key element in being competitive rate in terms of fast lap times and in terms of endurance. If, on the other hand, we look at the various steps it takes to create a racing product and absolute top performance, we can say that the shape and profile of the tyre are the first aspects we need to look at in our development work. And then there is more to follow: the construction of the tyre and the composition of the compound. But this is pure “theory” or work method, because then we have to look at the balance between the front and rear tyre on the machine when it’s out on the track, and this is another crucial aspect. Just to give a simple example: at the moment, we’re making good progress in developing the rear tyres, but we’ve also got to keep up the momentum for the front tyres as well. This is essential if we’re to maintain the same balance of the bike and improve its level of performance.


8) Was the result at Mugello the result of some particular tyre?

R) One tyre in particular – the one we used yesterday – had everything a tyre needs to have in order to be competitive in a race. If we want to go into detail, we could say that its profile improves both control and handling while making a good front and rear balance of the bike.


9) What compounds were used at Mugello?

R) A medium-hard front with a hard rear.


10) Could you give us an idea – some actual figure – for the number of different technical solutions you’ve created and tried out on track since the beginning of the year for the MotoGP?

R) We’ve tried out pretty close to 100, I’d say, during the test sessions and during the races this year with our riders.


11) Let’s enter a more sensitive area. Could you tell us about the time it actually takes to create a tyre, or rather how long it takes to make new materials for the MotoGP?

R) It’s possible to make a tyre from scratch in about two to four weeks, while it doesn’t take longer than one to actually construct it. So a totally new compound will take two to three weeks, or much less if it’s an upgrade of an existing formula.


Mr. Yamada, thank you very much indeed.

Melandri Fined By FIM

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Fortuna Yamaha MotoGP racer Marco Melandri has been fined 1000 Swiss Francs, or about $760 U.S., for violating rules during practice at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, Italy June 8.

At the end of morning warm-up session, Melandri left pit lane, and presumably went out on track, after the “red light was switched on and the red flag shown at the pit-lane exit,” according to a press release from the FIM.

Coolbeth Wins F-USA Dirt Track At Plymouth

From a press release issued by F-USA:

Fort Worth, Texas–Cool temperatures, cloudy skies along with periods of showers around the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wisconsin could not keep the opening round of the K&N Filters Pro Series from coming off as a huge success.

The excitement started early in practice/qualifying at the 5th Annual Dairyland Classic with 56 riders attempting to qualify for the 48 rider field. As the riders took to the super-fast track, it became apparent the Formula USA rules based around 450cc production frame motorcycles was beginning a new era for dirt track. Of the 56 entries, 51 riders were on production frame motorcycles with 53 riders breaking the track record. A new track record of 16.249 was set by factory KTM rider Kenny Coolbeth who was over a full second quicker of the previous track record of 17.465.

Promoter Bert Sumner put together the inaugural Jim Sumner Memorial Dash For Cash where the top rider from each brand of motorcycle would qualify for the 4-lap dash. Local hero JR Schnabel on the Memphis Shades Yamaha took the honors with $1500donated from a variety of motorcycle dealers and individuals prior to the race. During the evening another $730 was donated by fans that was divided between runner-up Kenny Coolbeth and third place rider Kyle Ragsdale.

As the 18-riders who had qualified through 3-heat races and 2-semis were introduced for the 25-lap National, excitement filled air with first year rookies and veterans all having a shot of taking the win.

Joe Kopp on the factory KTM took the lead going into turn one off the start with Schnabel getting a good drive off turn two to take the early lead. After the first lap Kopp pulled off the track with apparent problems. Coolbeth had got off the line fourth and seemed to be waiting for things to settle down a bit before making a run to the front. His first challenge would be to get around Team Harley-Davidson’s Rich King riding the Buell Blast-based Harley-Davidson. King the veteran dirt tracker could feel the pressure of Coolbeth, however would never make a mistake forcing Coolbeth to get aggressive before Schnabel would pull away from the trio. Making a good run off turn 2 Coolbeth pulled along the outside of King down the back straight then made a daring, but successful, outside pass on King going into turn 3.

As riders were dicing for position, the fans were cheering for their hometown hero Schnabel knowing Coolbeth was now making a run for the lead. Coolbeth again put the same pressure on Schnabel as he did King hoping for a mistake. It did not take Coolbeth long to realize he would have to make the same pass on Schnabel. On lap 8 Coolbeth went on the outside of Schnabel going into turn 3, which seemed to surprise Schnabel. Within the next lap Coolbeth turned his fastest lap of the night at 15.923!

As the race was beginning to wind down, lapped riders would give Schnabel another shot at regaining the lead. Schnabel made a run at Coolbeth on the final lap coming up to his rear fender across the finish line.

King would hang onto third with Jethro Halbert on a Honda giving the top 4 positions 4 different brands of motorcycles.

Kenny Coolbeth on the KTM production based motorcycle made over $9000 in purse and contingency. After the races there was a great deal of support from the fans, teams, riders and sponsors for the 2003 K&N Filters Pro Series. Tom Cates, Senior Powersports Manager of K&N Filters was on hand commenting, “I was extremely impressed with the professional appearance of the event. The riders did an excellent job putting on a great show for the spectators.”

PLYMOUTH RESULTS
1. Kenny Coolbeth, KTM
2. Glen Schnabel, JR, YAM
3. Rich King, HD
4. Jethro Halbert, HON
5. Brett Landes, HON
6. Willie McCoy, HON
7. Bryan Smith, HON
8. Dan Stanley, HON
9. Shaun Russell, KTM
10. Kyle Ragsdale, HON
11. Jeremy Deruyter, HON
12. Jerad Cheney, HON
13. Terry Poovey, HON
14. Justin Filice, HON
15. Thomas McGrane, HON
16. Brian Vincent, HON
17. Kevin Atherton, YAM
18. Joe Kopp, KTM

The K&N Filters Pro Series resumes next weekend at the 11th Annual Ben Campanale Laconia 1/2 Mile on Friday night, June 13th in Rochester, New Hampshire during the 80th Annual Loudon Classic.

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