Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Several of the factory and factory-supported AMA road racing teams have not officially announced their racing plans for the 2004 season, but most of the details were disclosed Monday morning during the Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway.

American Honda will field Ben Bostrom and Miguel Duhamel on CBR1000RR Superbikes. Duhamel will also race a CBR600RR in the new-for-2004 AMA Formula Xtreme class, but Bostrom will not run the new class all season, instead racing a Honda FX bike at Daytona and possibly in other selected events.

Jake Zemke has taken over what was basically Kurtis Roberts’ ride and will race Superbike on a CBR1000RR and Formula Xtreme on a CBR600RR, both in Erion Honda colors.

Erion Honda will also enter Alex Gobert in Superstock on the CBR1000RR and in Formula Xtreme on the CBR600RR.

American Honda will not race the RC51 in Superbike and will not race in AMA Supersport in 2004, according to Team Manager Chuck Miller.

Yamaha and Graves Yamaha will share Damon Buckmaster, Aaron Gobert, Jason DiSalvo and 2003 AMA Supersport Champion Jamie Hacking. The foursome will ride factory Yamaha YZF-R6s in Supersport and Graves Yamaha-badged Yamaha YZF-R1s in AMA Superstock.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin will look for his fifth AMA Superbike Championship on a GSX-R1000. Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates will also race in Superbike and in addition will race Supersport on the all-new 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600. 2003 AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Ben Spies will race a GSX-R1000 in Superstock and a GSX-R600 in Supersport.

Kawasaki will enter Tommy and Roger Lee Hayden on ZX-6RRs in Supersport and ZX-10Rs in Superstock.

Tony “The Tiger” Meiring will move over to the Attack Kawasaki team and only race Supersport while teammate Josh Hayes will race in AMA Superstock, and possibly Superbike, on the new ZX-10R.

From a press release issued by Club Motorsports:

MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS REVVING UP FOR MOTORSPORTS COUNTRY CLUB IN TAMWORTH, NH

Interest Exceeding Expectations – More Than Fifty Days Reserved by Motorcycle Organizations



DERRY, NH – Club Motorsports, Inc. (CMI), developers of New England’s first motorsports country club (www.clubmotorsports.com), announced today that interest from motorcycle enthusiasts in their recently named Valley Motorsports Park has far exceeded expectations. According to Mike Botan, President of Corse Moto, an affiliate of CMI, motorcycle organizations have already reserved more than fifty “track days” at Valley Motorsports Park’s 3.3-mile European style road course, which is currently under development in Tamworth, New Hampshire.

“Initial response from the motorcycling community has been phenomenal,” said Botan. “It’s clear that motorcycle enthusiasts have been thirsting for this type of facility in the Northeast – a challenging yet safe road course engineered by a world-renowned designer like Alan Wilson. Valley Motorsports Park will allow riders to experience the performance and excitement of their machines in a controlled environment, free from the problems associated with street riding.”

Through Corse Moto (www.corse-moto.com ), motorcycle organizations such as Northeast Sport Bike Association and Sportbike Track Time have reserved more than fifty “track days” at Valley Motorsports Park over the next three years, according to Botan.

Botan said, “These organizations and individuals are very excited by the prospect of having a purpose built motorsports course that will have over three hundred feet of elevation change and four different circuit configurations. Valley Motorsports Park’s country club atmosphere and world class facilities will provide motorcycle enthusiasts with the amenities not normally seen at other race oriented facilities.”

In addition, Corse Moto has reached an agreement with one of the world’s largest and most successful motorcycle road racing schools to offer its course at Valley Motorsports Park. Keith Codes’ California Superbike School, which has trained thousands of motorcyclists in the art of cornering, will be coming to Valley Motorsports Park in August, 2004. The Superbike school trains motorcyclists throughout the United States, Europe and Australia.

A first-of-its-kind concept for New England, the Valley Motorsports Park development is located in wooded land off Route 25 in Tamworth, approximately two miles west of the intersection of Routes 25 and 16. Described as a “ribbon through the woods,” the road course would be available for use by its members, much like a golf course country club.

There would be no stands or stadium seating, as the road course is not designed to be a spectator facility. The $14 million Valley Motorsports Park development includes a 3.3-mile, 21-turn, European-style road course for drivers of cars and motorcycles to develop and practice their driving skills and attend performance and safety driving schools. In addition, Valley Motorsports Park will feature a vehicle dynamics area for driver development, short and long-term garage buildings, locker room and shower facilities, vehicle maintenance facilities, and a professional driving school. The Clubhouse will feature spectacular views of the White Mountains, function rooms, a pool, tennis courts, an automobile museum, additional locker rooms, a closed circuit media center, short-term lodging, and an elegant restaurant on its top floor.

For additional information on CMI’s Valley Motorsports Park, or Corse Moto, please contact Scott Tranchemontagne at 603-625-5713 x222 or [email protected].

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Day one of the three-day Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway ended with American Honda’s Ben Bostrom taking fastest-lap honors.

Bostrom only spent about half of the day on his unpainted carbon-fiber-clad Honda CBR1000RR Superbike but went 1:48.981 to lead all times.

In comparison, Bostrom also took fast-lap honors on the first full day of Dunlop testing at Daytona last December, but the Californian’s time on his ex-Nicky-Hayden RC51 that day was only a 1:49.322. He returned to take pole position for the 2003 Daytona 200 by Arai with a 1:48.376.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin was second-fastest Monday, his 1:49.438 from early in the afternoon holding up well. Mladin rode a Suzuki GSX-R1000 fitted with stock throttle bodies, a stock airbox, developmental bodywork and a re-shaped (to accommodate the stock airbox) 24-liter endurance fuel tank. Mladin said he has not been doing any physical training and has only been resting since the end of the season due to his affliction with Epstein-Barr virus.

On day one of last year’s Dunlop tire test at Daytona, Mladin only went 1:50.076.

The big news of the day was the exceptional speed exhibited by the new Superstock machines, the quickest of which was the Graves Yamaha YZF-R1 of Jamie Hacking.

Hacking and teammate Jason DiSalvo swapped fastest Superstock lap times in the closing moments of Monday’s session, but Hacking’s 1:49.552 won out over DiSalvo’s 1:49.853.

Both Hacking’s and DiSalvo’s times were quicker than Aaron Yates’ 1:49.877, turned on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike.

“It’s pretty cool that Yamaha can build a production bike that can run with the Superbikes,” said DiSalvo. “This year the Superstock class is going to be all about who can get traction, who can get hooked up.”

Halfway through the afternoon, Jake Zemke took over the reigns of the lone Honda CBR1000RR Superbike and managed a best time of 1:50.047 in limited laps.

Hacking also had the quickest Supersport lap time of Monday afternoon at 1:53.105, but DiSalvo’s 1:52.792 from the morning session was the fastest Supersport time overall.


Monday afternoon lap times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing Timing & Scoring):

1. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:48.981
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:49.438
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.552
4. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:49.853
5. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:49.877
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:50.047
7. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:51.143
8. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:51.472
9. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:51.592
10. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:52.063
11. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1 Superstock, 1:52.517
12. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.105
13. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.109
14. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.246
15. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.783
16. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:53.786
17. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR Supersport, 1:54.469
18. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R600 Supersport, 1:55.323
19. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:55.397
20. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR Formula Xtreme, 1:55.5*
21. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR Supersport, 1:56.04*
22. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:56.085

* times provided by team

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Long-time CMRA official Claire McMahan died Monday morning in a hospital in Alabama, from cancer.

Claire McMahan and her husband, Barry McMahan Sr., were retirees who both worked as CMRA officials. They recently resigned their posts with CMRA and moved from Texas to Alabama, where their son, AMA race mechanic Barry McMahan, Jr., lives.

Details will follow as available.

Condolences may be sent c/o 22559 Smith Rd., Athens, AL 35611.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Four-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin was the fastest rider Monday morning at the start of the three-day Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway. Mladin turned a time of 1:50.388 on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, which was equipped with stock throttle bodies and airbox, and was heard reporting to his Crew Chief Peter Doyle, “I can do that (time) easy.”

Ben Bostrom was second-fastest on the brand new American Honda CBR1000RR Superbike with a 1:51.957, within his first 10 laps on the machine. Bostrom was heard telling the half-dozen HRC engineers, “You did a good job on the bike. It’s awesome. It’s so fast.” The huge smile on Bostrom’s face added weight to his words.

Third-fastest overall Monday morning was Jason DiSalvo on his factory Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport bike with a 1:52.792, which is just off Miguel Duhamel’s 2003 Supersport pole time of 1:52.785. DiSalvo swore his time was legitimate and not done by cutting the chicane. “And I did it pretty much without a draft, so I’m pretty happy about that,” said DiSalvo.


Monday morning test times (as provided by AMA Pro Racing Timing & Scoring at 11:40 a.m. local time):

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:50.388
2. Ben Bostrom, Honda CBR1000RR Superbike, 1:51.957
3. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:52.792
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike, 1:53.189
5. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:53.559
6. Josh Hayes, Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock, 1:53.594
7. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:54.051
8. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport, 1:55.424
9. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR Supersport, 1:55.598
10. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R600 Supersport, 1:56.882
11. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:59.152
12. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport, 1:59.366

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

CCS Florida at Homestead-Miami Speedway
December 7, 2003

Eric Wood Dominates Homestead

By Lisa Theobald

Penguin Racing School’s Eric Wood dominated at Homestead-Miami Speedway on his GSX-R1000 during the CCS Florida Region 2003 grand finale. Wood won all three of his races after working his way through traffic to get to the front of the field in the GTO, Unlimited Supersport and Unlimited Grand Prix Expert events. “I was a little bit of a ways back and I just tried to put my head down and pick them off one by one,” Wood said after the Unlimited Grand Prix race. “Several were a bit tough.”

This event marked the first time a race was run on the infield course of the track since the banking was widened and the entire oval portion of the track resurfaced. Because of the surface changes, the transition from the back straight to the infield course in turn 10 caused the concern for race officials. Race promoter Henry DeGouw and Penguin Racing School officials met early on Thursday, prior to the weekend event, to set up cones and brake markers to guide the racers through the best possible line into the infield. The resulting low line was a safe, smooth entrance with only a mild dip at the transition from new to old asphalt.

Florida racer Jim Pihokken secured the Regional Number One plate for the 2004 season, beating out contender Alex Ferreira. Pihokken entered the event with a 218-point gap over Ferreira, which closed up to a mere 80-point lead at Ferreira’s final race of the day, Lightweight Supersport. Pihokken was presented with the 2004 Number One plate by this year’s plate holder, Darren Luck.

Pihokken chalked the whole thing up to consistency and said, “I don’t know that I really deserve this thing. I not one of these dominant Champions like Shane Prieto or Marco Martinez. My goal this year was just to win one regional Championship, Heavyweight Superbike. By the middle of the year, I was leading in the points and was flabbergasted. I don’t think this has been done in a long time by a guy with one bike. So really, there was nobody going after it, so I kind of lucked into it.”

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Dunlop Tire Testing Underway At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Dec. 8, 2003) — The three-day Dunlop tire test in preparation for the 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6 kicked off Monday at historic Daytona International Speedway.



At the center of attention on the first day of Dunlop tire testing was the debut of the new Honda CBR1000RR with rider Ben Bostrom.

After completing Monday’s session as the fastest rider with a lap of one minute, 48.9 seconds, Bostrom gave the new ride the thumbs-up.
“I’ve never smiled so much on a road race bike before,” Bostrom said. “I don’t want to stop riding the thing. I really love it.”

Bostrom’s solid start to the three-day Dunlop tire test has raised his confidence level for the March 6 Daytona 200 By Arai motorcycle classic, which will be held for the first time in event history on a Saturday.

“I know this thing has a lot of power and tire wear is going to be an issue,” Bostrom said. “The boys are pretty good about setting up the bike. Even if you have to hurt the lap time initially, on the 16th lap, if you can still run a quick lap, that’s the way you’re going to setup the bike. Honda is good about that kind of thing. I’ve got a lot of confidence in them. Dunlop has built us some great tires. This is the best tire I’ve ever had here by far.”

In the 2003 Daytona 200 By Arai, Bostrom was part of one of the most memorable finishes in the race’s 62-year history. On the last lap, Bostrom and fellow Honda riders Miguel Duhamel and Kurtis Roberts were running nose-to-tail.

Exiting the chicane, Duhamel passed Roberts in NASCAR Turn 3 and beat Bostrom to the start/finish line by .069 seconds.

Bostrom believes the experience of that three-bike last lap finish will help him in future drafting battles as he continues to pursue his first Daytona 200 By Arai victory.

“We’re hoping that happens again, but I want to be in first this time,” Bostrom said. “I did learn a few things. I’m going to put that in my pocket and take it to the race in March. It’s all I can do.”

Dunlop tire testing continues on Tuesday and Wednesday. The test session is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand available through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.

Tickets for the Daytona 200 By Arai and the Daytona Supercross By Honda are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling (386) 253-7223.

From a press release issued by Michelin North America:

MICHELIN STEPS UP AMA ROAD RACING PROGRAM FOR 2004

The 2004 AMA racing season will launch a new era for Michelin North America’s Two Wheel Department. While the French tire maker has all but monopolized 500GP, MotoGP and World Superbike racing for the past decade or more, it has played a less prominent role in American racing. That’s about to change.

Thanks in part to changes in the World Superbike and World Supersport rules, Michelin will mount its most ambitious effort ever in AMA road racing, beginning with Daytona Bike Week on March 3-6, 2004. The Ducati Austin team, with Eric Bostrom, and the Valvoline EMGO Suzuki team, with Steve Rapp and Vincent Haskovec, will enjoy the full backing of a team of French and American technicians led by Superbike racing manager Jean Hérissé. For the first time ever, a dedicated Michelin tractor-trailer rig will be on site at all 11 AMA Superbike weekends, supporting both teams on an equal basis.

The Michelin effort will spread across several categories. Bostrom will be aboard a factory-supported Ducati 999 in the bike’s maiden season of AMA Superbike racing; Rapp will ride a Suzuki GSX-R600 in Supersport and Haskovec will race in the revamped Formula Xtreme, with each rider also competing in a to-be-determined second class.
This increased level of participation was, to a certain extent, made possible by a rule change limiting World Superbike and World Supersport participants to a single tire brand. That decision excluded Michelin, which before the change was announced, had already committed to re-entering World Supersport in 2004 after a three-year absence. Michelin, of course, has won 10 consecutive World Superbike Championships, including the 2003 crown won by Ducati Fila’s Neil Hodgson.

“Michelin’s racing philosophy is different,” remarked Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin motorsports director. “When the most successful tire manufacturer in the history of the World Superbike Championship goes racing, it is to show the quality of its products by pitting them against other brands.” This philosophy, combined with resources freed up by the WSB rule change, and longstanding Michelin partner Ducati’s desire to enter a factory team in AMA Superbike, led to the aggressive expansion of Michelin’s U.S. road racing program.

The role of longtime Michelin loyalists Valvoline EMGO Suzuki has also gained added significance. Now that the World Supersport series is no longer available to Michelin as a proving ground, the team will play a key part in developing the next generation of Michelin DOT race tires.

The teams began their on-track preparations for 2004 at a Michelin test on December 4-6 at the famed Daytona International Speedway. The testing aimed at determining the best possible tire solution for unique demands posed by Daytona’s steep banking and sustained high speeds.

“First we focus on safety and stability,” commented Jim Rhodes, Michelin North America’s road racing manager. “Then we concentrate on speed and endurance. During the test, we were able to consistently turn laps at what we consider to be competitive speeds. And even though the tires we brought here are a number of development stages away from what we will bring next March, our riders seem very pleased with the stability and feedback of these tires. In short, we had no dramas.”

Rhodes cautioned that lap times in December testing are of little value in predicting the outcome of the Daytona races. “It’s not always the fastest lap time that wins,” he observed. “Often it’s the guy who can set consistent lap times over the course of the entire race.” When asked whether Michelin will provide its teams with special qualifying tires in 2004, Rhodes was noncommittal. “We’ll have to assess that. Obviously it’s not a problem for us to turn a quick lap,” pointing out that Bostrom, Rapp and Haskovec rode on race-spec rubber throughout all three days at Daytona.

Bostrom in particular was impressed with the Michelin tires, after spending his entire professional career on another brand. “The tires were easy to step onto right away,” he said. “There’s just a lot of grip. The thing that hit me straight away was the mid-corner speed. It feels like you’re riding in a rut on a dirt bike. I can’t wait to get to some real racetracks with some curves.”

Rhodes said that prior to the season-opening Daytona races, Michelin will participate in a Ducati test at Laguna Seca in January, followed by another test with both teams at California Speedway in Fontana.

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

Monday, 8 December 2003
AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Daytona International Speedway, Florida, USA
Dunlop tyre test

MLADIN LINES UP FOR DUNLOP TYRE TEST AT DAYTONA

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA (Monday, 8 December) – Defending American Superbike champion Mat Mladin heads a strong list of riders who will be taking part in this week’s three-day Dunlop tyre test at the famed Daytona International Speedway on the American east coast.

The test will see Mladin rejoin his Yoshimura Suzuki team for the first time since winning an unprecedented fourth AMA Superbike crown at Barber Motorsports Park, Alabama on September 21 after returning home for a short break and for the birth of his first child.

This weeks test will mark the beginning of Mladin’s pre-season preparation as he strives to win a fifth title.

“This is the opening week of the Yoshimura Suzuki’s testing program for next year and I am looking forward to it in that respect,” said Mladin. “The team have been working extremely hard since the end of the season and I’m feeling refreshed and ready to go. 2003 proved to be a good year for us and at this point, I cannot see any reason why we should not be able to reproduce the same form in 2004.”

“We have a lot of work to do before the season commences in March,” Mladin added. “The AMA have modified the rules in the Superbike class and we have to now get the best out of our bike in accordance with the rules. Another area in which we have to work hard will be tyres and that’s where we will start this week. We had a tough time with tyres here last year, so it will be interesting to see what Dunlop have for us this week.”

The 2003 season proved to be a stellar year for Mladin where he not only clinched his fourth AMA Superbike championship, but equalled Fred Merkel’s long standing record of ten race wins for a season, extending his overall career win tally to 24. He also further extended his own record of pole positions to 31 after setting the fastest time during qualifying on seven occasions in 2003.

This week’s test (Monday through Wednesday) will be a precursor to the Daytona 200 which opens the 18-race 2004 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship on Saturday, March 6.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The 2004 Honda CBR1000RR Superbike is impressing its new rider, American Honda’s Ben Bostrom.

“I think it’s incredible. It’s the funnest and scariest bike I’ve ever been on,” said Bostrom Monday afternoon during the Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway. “You can pretty much spin the tire anywhere. It’s really good on the front. I’ve never ridden anything close to it; it’s that amazing.”

Asked what part of the bike was better than the other bikes he has ridden, Bostrom said, “Every part of it. The motor is so fast. It’s pretty electric. It’s really soft in my hands. It doesn’t vibrate very much. I can’t get used to revving it that high. It keeps pulling from basically nowhere all the way to the rev-limiter. It just pulls all the way through. It steers well. It does everything good so far.

“I’m not used to the bike, and we’ve got a few things to work out on it, but right now I’m smiling, I’m excited every time I get on there.”

Bostrom added that he already has more front-end feel (the missing element in Bostrom’s 2003 AMA Superbike campaign) from the CBR1000RR than the RC51. “Yeah, I can ride the front on this thing. It’s pretty neat,” said Bostrom.

At post time (3:30 p.m. Eastern Time), Bostrom had the fastest time of the test so far at a 1:48.981, about 0.5-second ahead of Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin at 1:49.438.