From a press release issued by Dan Gurney Alligator Motorcycles:

Production of the first half of the Limited Edition Gurney ALLIGATOR Motorcycle is nearing completion. This production run has sold out and most of the motorcycles have been delivered to riders and collectors around the country. The second half of production will start in the coming weeks.

The ALLIGATOR will appear for the first time in Europe during the upcoming Festival of Speed at Goodwood July 11-12-13. Dan himself will don his leathers and ride the Gator up the hill, which promises to be a historic and unique moment.

For additional information on the Alligator Motorcycles, go to www.allamericanracers.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Jack and Vickie Abbott are no longer working at Barber Motorsports Park.

Jack Abbott was Track Manager, employed by Barber Motorsports Park.

Vickie Abbott was General Manager of Barber Motorsports Park, and was employed by Bruno Event Team, the company contracted to manage the racetrack on the administrative and promotions side.

An e-mail sent to Vickie Abbott on June 10 received this reply:

“This message is an auto response to an email you sent to Vickie Abbott. Vickie is no longer an employee of the Bruno Event Team. Please send all email to Crystal Trammell ([email protected] ). The email that you sent has been automatically forwarded to Crystal. Thanks, Bruno Event Team”

At post time, Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Executive Director Jeff Ray had not returned a phone call requesting comment; Barber Motorsports Park is part of Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

At post time, the only phone number we have for Jack Abbott was answered by another person, who declined comment, and Vickie Abbott had not returned a call to her cell phone requesting comment.

From a press release:

SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR 80TH ANNUAL LOUDON CLASSIC WEEKEND
(LOUDON, N.H.) — The 80th Annual Loudon Classic weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway on Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15 will feature not only national motorcycle racers, but local racing stars as well.

The nation’s oldest motorcycle meet opens with the Loudon 100, an endurance event that will challenge riders and teams for 100 laps starting at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13.

The action starts at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, as the United States Classic Racing Association presents the always popular Sidecar exhibition.

Saturday will also see the amateurs, experts, and juniors of the Loudon Road Racing Series take to the 1.6 mile road course for the finals in the GTL, GTU, & GTO classes. The highlight of the day will be the 12-lap Super Motard final, as the riders challenge an asphalt and dirt course.

The racing on Sunday, June 15 features non-stop action with the Thunderbike, the Diablo Can-Am 125 GP, the Expert Unlimited GP, the Rising Sun 250 GP, the Amateur Unlimited GP, and the Formula USA SuperBike finals.

The highlight of the weekend will be Sunday’s Formula USA SportBike race featuring a new format for 2003. This event will consist of two 18-lap segments with a twenty minute pit stop scheduled between each segment.

Gary Bahre, NHIS President said, “This year’s Loudon Classic should be exciting. The intensity of these riders should provide our fans with the quality of racing that they have come to expect.”

In addition to the full slate of racing on Father’s Day, June 15, fans will be treated to a rider autograph session beginning at 11:00 a.m.
All races will be run rain or shine.

Tickets for the 80th Annual Loudon Classic are available at the gate. For more information and detailed schedules, please visit us online at www.nhis.com or call Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931.

ATVA: RIDER TRAINING KEY TO PREVENT ATV INJURIES

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA) and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) told a federal panel on June 5 that safety training is a vital part of preventing ATV-related injuries.

The two organizations were among 37 groups and individuals who testified before the Consumer Product Safety Commission on ATV safety during a public hearing held at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va. The hearing could be the first step toward more federal regulation of ATVs.

Opponents of ATVs told the commissioners that strict regulations need to be imposed on ATVs and ATV users. Some even suggested children under 16 should be banned from riding ATVs altogether, or that ATVs should be equipped with rollbars, seat belts and speed governors.

But the ATVA and AMA argued that that instead of further regulation, the CPSC should support increased training opportunities for ATV riders to educate them about proper riding gear, teach them safe riding techniques, and improve their riding skills.

Among others who joined the ATVA and AMA in support of increased ATV training opportunities were the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, the BlueRibbon Coalition, the ATV Safety Institute, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, the National 4-H Council, and various individuals.

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

RAIN DAMPENS SECOND ROAD AMERICA SUPERBIKE RACE

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA – A heavy rainstorm prior to the start of the second AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship race at Road America, brought about a contrasting set of circumstances that saw yesterday’s opening race winner Mat Mladin slip to tenth place in today’s race held in slippery and difficult conditions.

Starting from pole position and with one win already under his belt for the weekend, Mladin chose to run a pair of full wet weather tyres on his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, but the choice proved not to be as suited to the conditions that he expected.

With the track conditions changing throughout the race from one that was wet at the start, but provided a dry line at it’s completion of the 16-lap journey.

After struggling in the difficult conditions, Mladin chose to make an unscheduled pit stop to change tyres at the commencement of lap eight. After rejoining the race, the three-times AMA Superbike champion was able to work his way forward before completing the race in tenth place. His decision to pit and change tyres proved to be correct as he recorded the fastest lap of the race with a 2:25.235 on his final circuit.

Team Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom took victory in today’s event his second for the season, and finished 32.823 seconds clear of Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates, with Larry Pegram (Dream Team Ducati) third.

“I chose the wrong tyres at the start of the race, came in and put the right ones on and got going after that, but I guess it was all too late,” said Mladin, a six times race winner in this years championship. “It was a bad call right from the start. I went out on full wets front and rear and from the start it just wasn’t happening with the wets. I pitted and put on a set of lightly cut slicks which did work and suited the conditions.”

“From what I understand, Eric (Bostrom) used an older version wet tyre than the rest of us and just rode a better race than the rest of us. He handled the conditions well and chose the right tyres while the rest of us did it tough.”

Bostrom’s win today gives him a one point lead over Mladin (294 – 293) as the championship moves into the second half of the season. The battle for third has closed right up after the weekend’s results, with Yates (276) holding a two-point advantage over Ben Bostrom (274) and another couple back to Kurtis Roberts (272) in fifth.

“We arrived here with a ten point championship deficit, but leave here with a win and trail Eric by just one point. It could have been better, but it could also have been worse. It’s been a tough weekend with the changing conditions for all of us.”

The weekend had started off well for Mladin. He extended his record of AMA Pole positions to 28 after setting the fastest time in qualifying, before taking out his sixth race win of the season yesterday afternoon after a thrilling three way battle with Miguel DuHamel and Kurtis Roberts. The win took his AMA Superbike race win tally to 20, equal second on the all-time winners list with multiple AMA and World Superbike champion Fred Merkel and six shy of DuHamel’s all time record of 26.

The championship now heads to Brainerd International Raceway, Minnesota, for round 12 on June 27 – 29.

RESULTS
Round 10, 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship – Top 10
1. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki) 16 laps
2. Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki) +32.623 seconds
3. Larry Pegram (Dream Team Ducati) +42.818
4. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda) +46.090
5. Ben Bostrom (American Honda) +46.588
6. Jason Pridmore (Attack Suzuki) +47.917
7. Shawn Higbee (KWS Suzuki) +51.126
8. Michael Barnes (Hooters Suzuki) +102.022
9. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda) +122.400
10. Mat Mladin (Yoshimura Suzuki) +122.802

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship (Points after 10 of 18 Rounds)
1. E Bostrom (294); 2. M Mladin (293); 3. A Yates (276); 4. B Bostrom (274); 5. K Roberts (272); 6. M DuHamel (246); 7. L Pegram (211); 8. S Higbee (207); 9. J Pridmore (200); 10. V Haskovec (159).

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

Weather: Cool, overcast, wet
Temperature: 13 degrees
Crowd: 40,000

Mixed Weather, Mixed Results at Road America

There was no questioning the dominance of the Honda RC-51 on the high-speed four-mile Road America track, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the machines taking a shadow second, third and fourth on Saturday’s first race of the AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike doubleheader. American Honda’s Miguel DuHamel was second, just 0.280 seconds behind the winner, with Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts less than half a second behind in third, followed by American Honda’s Ben Bostrom.

On Sunday, the track was half wet and half dry and tire choice was critical. No one was totally happy with their choice as the track continued to dry out, except DuHamel, whose experience and savvy nearly paid off with a podium finish. DuHamel chose cut slicks front and rear, the choice tenuous in the beginning, but certain at the end. Rushing towards the podium, he finished fourth after turning in most of the fastest laps of the race.

Ben Bostrom and Kurtis Roberts chose full wets, Bostrom taking the spot behind DuHamel with Roberts in ninth.

Sunday’s wet/dry race was won by Ben’s brother Eric on the Kawasaki. Suzuki’s Mat Mladin had won Saturday’s race, held under cool overcast skies.

The trio now stands fourth, fifth, and sixth in the title chase after 10 of 18 laps. Ben Bostrom in third, just four points out of third and only two up on Roberts. DuHamel, almost fully recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered three races ago, is sixth.

Roger Lee Hayden, the youngest brother of Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden, finished just behind his brother Tommy, of the Kawasaki team, in the very wet Pro Honda Oils Supersport race. Roger Lee led most of the race, only to get passed by his more experienced older brother on the penultimate lap of the 10-lap race. Still, it was his best career finish in the class. Teammate Alex Gobert was fourth, tying his best of the year.

Miguel DuHamel, Second Place, Race One
“I just made a few mistakes. I made a mistake going into turn three when I had 0.2 of a lead, which is pretty significant when you’re running at that pace. And then Mat (Mladin) got on me, then he was all over me and it was pretty tough. It’s kind of strange to say, but I’m still riding a little cautious. Not a lot. But on the brakes, where you need to be assertive to make a pass, you could see where the lapped riders were, I was cautious. Even passing lapped riders I had trouble. Passing Mat Mladin is a bigger trouble. At the end that was just my plan, that kind of backfired on me because I went so hard for four laps, I burned up a bit of my tire. It was still good, but I burned it up just enough to give Mat that breathing room that he got at the end and he was able to go out and do that really fast lap there.”

Miguel DuHamel, Fourth Place, Race Two
It was pretty dry out there. I said, ‘OK we’ll take intermediates and go real slow at the beginning.’ Not 500 yards off the start line it started raining. I said on my radio to (crew chief) Al Luddington, “It’s raining here.” For a while it was pretty sad, I was pretty far back. I was getting passed by a lot of guys, but my hat’s off to those guys to be honest with you. They didn’t do nothing crazy around me. I just put my head down when it started drying, but don’t forget there’s a line. And you get off that line, you’re off. A few times I just hit the water and trying to catch Ben (Bostrom) on the last lap when he caught a slower rider in Canada Corner, I went a little wide and I touched the water and I got the thing all sideways. It was a big risk.”

Kurtis Roberts, Third Place, Race One
“Mat (Mladin) and Miguel (DuHamel) and I rode every lap as hard as I think we could. It was definitely a hard race. I just had a few little things that prevented us from winning. But no excuses. The guys were awesome today and we just did the best we could. Just little things that weren’t as good as I’d want them for the race. No excuses. The guys rode really well. I think that just by looking at the race pace we were definitely riding 105% the whole race. The tires were great. I think the last lap was my fastest lap of the race for me. So they obviously hung in for me.”

Kurtis Roberts, Ninth Place, Race Two
“They (Dunlop) had new rain tires here that we tried and I actually thought the old ones were a bit better. The new ones were cold when I tried it, so I thought that could be it. With the weather, I didn’t want to go with a gamble on tire choice. I had to go with what Mat (Mladin) and Aaron (Yates) are running because we all three are close enough in the points. I could have gone with the gamble and who knows? I could have fallen off. We made it through and got a point or so back, not as much as we’d like for the day. The way the thing was working, we did everything we could.”

Ben Bostrom, Fourth Place, Race One
“Just no rear grip. I don’t know if I’m setting the bike up too stiff in the back or what. Somehow the Honda RC-51 doesn’t like it because (last week’s race at Pikes Peak International Raceway) was the same story but worse. This time we shortened the bike up. I thought it was going to be good. After the first couple of laps, I thought this thing was going to be good. Then we started losing grip, losing grip, (Mat) Mladin passed. He went a little bit slower, then he was able to really gas it up and I tried to gas it up and I lost the rear and it broke away a little bit and I started riding a little bit over my head and I just couldn’t make any time.”

Ben Bostrom, Fifth Place, Race Two
Intermediates were the right choice. I chose wets, actually, because someone said it was going to rain. Another storm’s coming. That’s the only reason. Otherwise I would have put on intermediates. We were real tempted to put on a little different rain tire, which is the one Eric (Bostrom) ran. It’s not so cut up. I’ve never had that little grip in the rain in my life. That’s the worse I’ve ever, ever had it. Only cause the track started to dry out. I couldn’t get enough grip to chew up the tire. The thing would sit on top and just spin. The best part for my tire is when it was half wet, half dry and it’d hit those dry lines.”

Saturday Superbike Race:
1. Mat Mladin (Suzuki)
2. Miguel DuHamel (Honda)
3. Kurtis Roberts (Honda)
4. Ben Bostrom (Honda)
5. Anthony Gobert (Ducati)
6. Jason Pridmore (Suzuki)
7. Shawn Higbee (Suzuki)
8. Jordan Szoke (Suzuki)
9. Mike Ciccotto (Suzuki)
10. Geoff May (Suzuki)

Sunday Superbike Race:
1. Eric Bostrom (Kawasaki)
2. Aaron Yates (Suzuki)
3. Larry Pegram (Ducati)
4. Miguel DuHamel (Honda)
5. Ben Bostrom (Honda)
6. Jason Pridmore (Suzuki)
7. Shawn Higbee (Suzuki)
8. Michael Barnes (Suzuki)
9. Kurtis Roberts (Honda)
10. Mat Mladin (Suzuki)

Superbike Points:
1. Eric Bostrom (294)
2. Mat Mladin (293)
3. Aaron Yates (276)
4. Ben Bostrom (274)
5. Kurtis Roberts (272)
6. Miguel DuHamel (246)
7. Larry Pegram (211)
8. Shawn Higbee (207)
9. Jason Pridmore (200)
10. Vincent Haskovec (159)


More, from a press release issued by Proforma:

JIMMY MOORE FIGHTS TO EIGHTH PLACE FINISH IN FORMULA XTREME AT ROAD AMERICA

Corona Extra Suzuki’s Jimmy Moore fought back to eighth place in the Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme race at Road America after dropping back to tenth during the first two laps of the race with front brake problems. Moore acclimated to the brakes and started to move forward, passing Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking with two laps remaining.

“The brakes were my biggest problem,” said Jimmy, “but we also changed the gearing, and we should have left it the same. I just couldn’t trust the front brakes, Jason (Pridmore) and Steve (Rapp) both got me going into turn one.” This finish moves Moore up another place to seventh in Formula Xtreme points.

Jimmy’s teammate Adam “Crusty” Fergusson finished a lonely fifth in the race.


More, from a press release issued on behalf of Dream Team Racing Ducati:

Dream Team Racing Ducati’s Larry Pegram gave Ducati and Michelin their first podium of the year in the hotly contested, AMA Superbike Championship Series.

Larry Pegram bounced back from his 11th place in Saturday’s Race 1 to finish 3rd in Sunday’s Race 2, his first podium of the season. Pegram was able to take advantage of his strong wet weather set-up today to give he and his team a long overdue top 3 finish. Larry chose full wet Michelin tires for the race which gave him the ability to charge through the field all the way to 2nd place, even though a bad start placed him in 12th on the 1st lap. Towards the end of the race as the track began to dry, Pegram came under attack from Aaron Yates, who was only able to pass the Ducati rider after a hard fought battle.

Pegram: “I got a bad start from the 3rd row and found myself in 12th after the first couple of turns. The Michelin wets allowed me to pass all the guys ahead of me in the championship, except for Eric Bostrom, who was already on a tear by the time I got to the front runners. I settled into 2nd place until the race track started to dry out which caused my tires to heat up a little. At that point Yates caught me and we fought it out for a while until he finally got past me. I want to thank everyone involved with our team, there are alot people behind the scenes that have believed in me, and this podium feels really good.”

Larry finished by saying. “We have been talking to a potential Title Sponsor since Fontana, and now we have something really good to show them.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki:

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Concludes Road America Weekend

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki wrapped up their activities at Road America on Sunday. Saturday Superstock victor Steve Rapp had a less memorable afternoon Sunday, retiring from the Formula Xtreme final after running in the top 10, due to mechanical problems.

Chris Ulrich was unable to participate in the race after aggravating a nagging shoulder injury this weekend. He flew back to California early to get checked out by his orthopedic specialist.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief Keith Perry reflected on the weekend with Rapp’s Superstock victory on Saturday at the forefront. “We were looking for that win … we really needed it. We found a good set-up that Steve liked and the Michelins were great. He was getting a super drive out of all the tight corners and the tire kept getting better as the race wore on.”

Unfortunately, Sunday’s race wasn’t a repeat win for Rapp. “Today we encountered clutch problems with Steve’s bike,” Perry said. “A combination of things including that uphill start might have caught us out.

“As for Chris, he’s struggling with his shoulder and knows he’s not riding as well as he can at the moment,” Perry said about the two-time Superstock race winner and polesitter for last year’s Road America Superstock race.

Perry also commented about the return of teenager Matt Furtek to the fold. “Matt just came back from a surgery he had to help cure some problems with his hand. He had been experiencing numbness in his hand and the surgery completely cured two out of the four fingers. It might take a combination of things to get him back to 100%, and he has another test and possible surgery scheduled on Tuesday,” Perry said.

Still, Perry is convinced Furtek’s ability will show in his results soon. “Matt hasn’t shown his full potential yet. We he gets things figured out, he’ll really come up.”


More, from a press release issued by Corona Extra Suzuki:

SOLID FINISHES BY CORONA EXTRA SUZUKI RIDERS AT WET ROAD AMERICA AMA SUPERBIKE EVENT

Once again it was the weather that was the talk at Road America. Rain most days had practice sessions sometimes running in both wet and dry conditions. The track was slippery when wet and saw both Jimmy Moore and Jordan Szoke fall during SuperStock practice. Both were uninjured but Jordan suffered considerable bruising from his “highside” which put him out of the Superstock event.

The Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock event was run in drying conditions. Fergusson started from the third row in 10th position. Jimmy Moore stated at the very back of the grid, 31 riders behind pole, having failed to qualify due to the earlier crash and then losing an engine on his backup bike at the start of qualifying. His was able to grid by using a once-a-year “Provisional” start for past champions. In the race, Moore got a fantastic start and rode like the Champion he is. By lap two he was in 14th, by lap three10th and by lap six4th after fighting through six riders battling for the position! Thereafter he kept after the leaders but they had got sufficiently away and he could not make up the distance by the end of the race. Fergusson finished 7th. Fergusson is currently third in the Superstock Championship with Moore now 6th.

Jordan Szoke qualified 18th in the Superbike event having been slowed by his bad bruising after his SuperStock get-off! In the first Superbike race Szoke ran very well, more than three seconds a lap faster than his qualifying time, to work his way up to eighth by the finish. In the second of the “Doubleheader” Superbike events he was in 11th position when an engine problem put him out. He is 12th in the Superbike Championship.

In the Lockhart-Phillips Formula Extreme “event” Fergusson started from 7th with Moore right behind him on 8th position. Both riders felt the varying conditions had impacted their qualifying performance. Fergusson rode a lonely race to finish fifth with Moore in eighth. Fergusson said after the race “I got a poor start and lost touch with the leaders”. Moore said: “I had a brake problem and just did not have the confidence to go in deep in the corners”. Fergusson is 4th with Moore 7th in the Formula Extreme Championship.



More, from a press release issued by Team Stargel Aprilia:

Rain, Rain Go Away…

Every round of the AMA 250GP season has been met with rain. Some events have hardly been affected by it, where others have faced schedule changes and poor track conditions. This past weekend at Road America, the rain slowed the track, altered the schedule, and proved to be a factor in the outcome of Sunday’s 250GP race.

Thurday’s promoter practice day greeted Team Stargel Aprilia with somewhat temperate and dry weather. During the day, the teams unofficial lap times had rider, Chuck Sorensen as the fastest 250 on the day. The Team Stargel Aprilia RSV250 registered the highest top speed on the team’s radar gun of any of the 250 or 600cc machines in the practice group.

Friday morning’s first office practice was dry and once again, Sorensen was at the top of the time sheets. The next two practices would be wet and Sorensen was displaced for the top position.

Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session was dry (at least the majority of it), and Sorensen once more recorded the fastest lap time, securing pole position for Sunday’s race. Unfortunately, the team awoke Sunday morning to find more rain falling and a wet and foggy race track. The team went back and forth on tire choices, and which Aprilia RSV250 to race, as the weather see-sawed all morning and into the afternoon.

As the delayed race start approached, the track was neither totally wet, nor dry. Still injured rider Sorensen made a determined effort, but wisely remembered the diminished traction that the cold damp track offered. In the end, he brought his Aprilia home in second place.

Team Stargel Aprilia hopes that the next AMA 250GP round at Brainerd, Minnesota on June 27-29 is warm and dry and that rider, Chuck Sorensen, is free of surgical steel.


More, from a press release issued by Graves Yamaha:

Another Buck-masterful victory at Road America
makes Yamaha Hat-Trick

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 7, 2003

There is no racing motorcycle in professional racing in the US that approaches the power output of an AMA Formula Extreme specification motorcycle. Couple this with the breathtaking speeds of the three long straightaways of the Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and you have all the makings of an awesome spectacle. These machines, which give in the neighborhood of one hundred and eighty horsepower, reach speeds approaching one hundred and ninety miles per hour at the end of Road America’s long straightaways.

Last week’s victory by Graves Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster at Pikes Peak closed the title chase considerably, with Jake Zemke still topping the table, Ben Spies five points behind, and Damon third, thirteen points in arrears. All three of the title protagonists were on the pace in qualifying at Elkhart, with Spies quickest and Damon, working on his race setup, close behind.

The race start was fraught with tension, as earlier rains which had soaked the track were quickly giving way to a dry line all the way around . Drizzling rain just prior to the start made some second guess, but all the runners opted for dry weather slick tires. Spies was quickly out front and trying to make an escape, but Damon and sixth place qualifier Josh Hayes hung onto him gamely. Pushing hard early Spies struggled for grip, while Buckmaster smoothly kept his Yamaha R1 looking like it was on rails.

After sizing his opponent up for the first two laps, Buckmaster made his move forward. He would lead across the stripe for the rest of the race. Points leader Zemke, trying to make up for a bad qualifying position, made a critical mistake trying to pass teammate Roger Hayden, and ran off the track, falling in the mud, unable to restart his machine. Hayes also passed Spies, and even tried Damon on the brakes a few times only to have Damon quickly repass him under acceleration.

Damon’s smooth as glass riding style and the power and grip of the 2003 Yamaha R1 would see him gracefully sliding both ends into the tighter corners and outdriving his opponents out of them. The top speed of his Graves R1 kept him ahead of his rivals as they hurtled down the long Road America straights.

Buckmaster’s victory completes a hat trick of wins for the 2003 Yamaha R1 at Road Atlanta, Pikes Peak, and now Road America.

Zemke’s mistake coupled with Spies third place now puts Damon into the championship lead at the halfway point of the season.

Following a two week layover, the team will head back into battle at Brainerd International Raceway, in Brainerd, Minnesota, hoping to carry on Yamaha’s winning tradition.



More, from another press release issued by Proforma:

CONNELL LEARNS MORE AT ROAD AMERICA

Annandale Honda’s Craig Connell made progress on the set-up of his CBR600RR at Road America. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and Connell was not able to take advantage of the improvements when he fell relatively unhurt in the rain-soaked Pro Honda Oils Supersport race. Connell lost the rear end exiting turn eight, quickly picked the bike up to continue, but found the clutch inoperable due to cable damage. Connell strained the same arm that he injured at Road Atlanta.

Craig fared better in the Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme event, finishing 11th on a drying track. Craig is still refining the set-up on his Annandale Honda CBR954RR, concentrating on front end feel and stability. “My arms were knackered after about five laps, we made some changes and went the wrong way,” said Connell.

Craig’s teammate Ty Howard continues to mend after hip injuries suffered at Pikes Peak, and has been hand-cycling with Justin Meaders, a paraplegic friend who competes in hand cycling races.

From a press release issued by Parts Canada Superbike Championship series organizers:

TAYLOR BACK ON TOP

CALGARY, AB – Michael Taylor ended over three years of frustration by winning a dramatic second round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Race City Motorsport Park Sunday.

The Toronto rider took his Orion Motorsport Honda CBR954RR to a 2.497-sec. victory over the Diablo Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Maple Ridge, BC’s Steve Crevier. Taylor’s teammate Robbie Baird of Australia claimed third on his Honda CBR600RR.

After leading twice in the early going, Taylor took the lead from the Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-7RR of Tom Kipp for good on lap 10 of the 16-lap race to score his first victory on the national tour since 1999 and the 10th of his career.

“The conditions were screwy but I have a history of doing well in these conditions,” said Taylor, a two-time national Superbike champ. “I had a lot of challenges along the way. It was a good way to win.”

The race started on a wet track that dried progressively throughout. Taylor led the first lap but was passed by the Honda CBR600RR of Calgary’s Chris Peris on lap 2. Peris led two laps before giving way to Taylor, and then Kipp got in front on lap 5. The Chardon, OH rider stayed in the lead until lap 10, when Taylor snuck inside him in the Keyhole section of the track.

After running as far back as fifth at half distance Crevier worked his way up to second by lap 13 but was unable to challenge Taylor.

“It’s a long front straight and I just ran out of top end,” said Crevier, who still leads the Parts Canada Superbike point standings after two of eight rounds.

Crevier was under intense pressure over the closing laps from Baird, who produced a brave ride despite losing his helmet visor early in the race.

“It was my toughest race ever,” Baird said. “I couldn’t see anything by lap 2 so I just tore my visor off.”

Kipp slipped back to fourth at the finish and Peris was fifth.

Calgary’s Clint McBain started from pole on his Coors Light Racing/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 but struggled in the race and finished 10th.

In other action at Race City Baird claimed his first victory on Canadian soil by winning a wet Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike feature. Riding an Orion Motorsport Honda CBR600RR, Baird held off the Picotte Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 of St-Cecile de Milton, QC’s Pascal Picotte by 2.123 secs. for the win. Crevier placed third on his Diablo Suzuki GSX-R600.

Jeremy Leduc of Keremeos, BC dominated the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amateur 600 Sport Bike race on his Yamaha YZF-R6. In his first ever race in the rain Leduc finished 25.444 secs. ahead of the Honda CBR600RR of Wellsley, ON’s Bill Card. Erin, ON rider Jeremy French finished third on another Honda CBR600RR.

The Parts Canada Superbike Championship continues at Autodrome St-Eustache in St-Eustache, QC July 4-6.

This weekend’s event will be televised on TSN on Sunday, July 6 at 12:30 p.m. EDT and later this year on Quebec’s RDS and across Canada on the Outdoor Life Network.

For more series information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com

Results Sunday from the second round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Race City Motorsport Park, showing finishing position, rider name, hometown and type of motorcycle:

1.Michael Taylor, Toronto, ON, Honda; 2. Steve Crevier, Maple Ridge, BC, Suzuki; 3. Robbie Baird, Queensland, Australia, Honda; 4. Tom Kipp, Chardon, OH, Kawasaki; 5. Chris Peris, Calgary, AB, Honda; 6. Benoit Pilon, St-Jerome, QC, Yamaha; 7. Jean-Francois Cyr, Joliette, QC, Yamaha; 8. Brian Nielsen, Edmonton, AB, Suzuki; 9. Frank Trombino, Kleinburg, ON, Yamaha; 10. Clint McBain, Calgary, AB, Suzuki; 11. Andrew Nelson, Kars, ON, Honda; 12. Pascal Picotte, St-Cecile de Milton, QC, Yamaha; 13. Francis Martin, Rock Forest, QC, Suzuki; 14. Michael Leon, Montreal, QC, Suzuki; 15. Jeff Williams, Harrowsmith, ON, Suzuki; 16. Dale Yamada, Calgary, AB, Kawasaki; 17. Guy Tomlinson, Calgary, AB, Kawasaki; 18. Darryn Wilbur, Maple, ON, Yamaha; 19. Alan Schmidt, Clearwater, BC, Suzuki; 20. Brad Gavey, Calgary, AB, Honda; 21. Kevin Lacombe, Granby, QC, Honda; DNF. John Brundl, Toronto, ON, Honda; DNF. Steve Dick, Coquitlam, BC, Yamaha; DNF. Peter Holzinger, Canmore, AB, Suzuki

Margin of Victory: 2.497 secs.
Fastest Lap: 1:22.502 by Robbie Baird on lap 11

Point standings for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship following Sunday’s second round at Race City Motorsport Park, showing position, rider name and point total:

1.Steve Crevier, 101; 2. Michael Taylor, 69; 3. Robbie Baird, 62; 4. Clint McBain, 61; 4. Tom Kipp, 61; 6. Francis Martin, 56; 7. Jean-Francois Cyr, 54; 8. Pascal Picotte, 52; 9. Benoit Pilon, 46; 10. Frank Trombino, 44; 11. Jeff Williams, 31; 12. Chris Peris, 29; 13. Brian Nielsen, 23; 14. Michael Leon, 22; 15. Darryn Wilbur, 17; 15. Andrew Nelson, 17; 17. Bruce McDonald, 15; 18. Kevin Lacombe, 12; 19. Matthew McBride, 8; 19. Dale Yamada, 8; 21. Brent Strong, 6; 21. Guy Tomlinson, 6; 23. Joel McDonald, 4; 24. Jim
Proulx, 2; 24. Alan Schmidt, 2; 26. Shane LeGros, 1; 26. Brad Gavey, 1



More, from a press release issued by Diablo Racing:

Crevier Streches His Lead In Canadian Superbike

Steve Crevier, on his Diablo Suzuki, ran a strong race in the rain to finish second and extended his lead in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship by 32 points

“With the rain came a very strong tail wind which made my Diablo Suzuki GSXR 1000 gain alot of speed, but because of that wind our gearing was all of a sudden too short and I was hitting the rev limiter halfway down the straightaway” unabling him to catch the leader who was ahead 2.5 seconds.

Michael Leon and Jeff Williams opted to race on their GSXR 600, hoping for more rain, but the track kept on drying giving the bigger displacement machine an obvious edge. They finished respectively 14th and 15th.

In the Hindle Pro 600 Sport Bike, Steve Crevier took a few laps to get used to the new (to him) Dunlop rear rain tire and soon realised the incredible grip it provided.

Then in 6th place, he had to battle his way up to get on the last podium spot. “That was probably one of my best rain race” commented Crevier in the post race interview.

The next round will be held in St-Eustache, Quebec, on July 4th, 5th and 6th.

From a press release issued by FGSPORT GROUP:

Brno and Albacete: 18 Hours of Racing in June
The world endurance championship shifts up a gear next weekend for the Brno 6 Hour race. The Czech Republic round of the series marks the first of the season’s medium distance races, and two weeks later the championship moves on to Spain for the Albacete 12 Hour overnight race.

Brno 6 Hour – 14/15 June

The Brno 6 Hour race will be run in two 3-hour heats for the first time this year, with the first heat starting at 5:30pm on Saturday and running into the evening, and the second heat starting at 3:00pm on Sunday afternoon. This innovation will throw a number of new challenges at the teams.

The race result will be decided on an aggregate time of both heats, with championship points awarded accordingly. Between the two heats, bikes must be left untouched in the parc-ferme area and cannot be worked on, repaired or refuelled. There will be two endurance-style starts with the riders sprinting across the track to the waiting bikes, but the number of pit-stops made in each heat will be down to the individual team’s strategy; timing the stops to fit around the parc-ferme rules could give a significant advantage.

The Brno circuit, which dips and climbs through the forested hills just outside the Czech Republic’s second city, is popular with teams and spectators. Wildcard entries from Czech, German, Austrian and Polish teams will add to the level of competition and the spectacle of this always interesting race.

Albacete 12 Hour – 28/29 June

Two weeks after Brno the World Endurance circus gathers at Albacete for the Spanish round of the championship, where quite a lot Spanish and Portuguese teams are expected. The race is another new format, this time an overnight 12 hour race run from 9:00pm to 9:00am.

Racing begins with the traditional endurance start on Saturday evening, and continues non-stop through the night and into the following morning. Night racing has long been a unique feature of endurance racing and the Albacete round is eagerly awaited by everyone involved. For the less experienced riders it will bring a new dimension to the sport, and for the endurance regulars it will be a chance to make the most of their experience and skills. Endurance racing is also immensely popular in Spain and Portugal, and the local teams will present a very real challenge.

But the real treat will be for the spectators; an overnight Fiesta of racing and partying, with a long Sunday in the sun to recover.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The AMA Supersport race was stopped on the first of a scheduled 10 laps when rain began to fall on the four-mile Road America racetrack.

At the time the race was stopped, Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster was pulling away in the lead.

Buckmaster’s teammate Jason DiSalvo had moved into second place but lost the front and crashed in turn eight.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies was second ahead of Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke, but the race was stopped before the leaders reached Canada Corner, turn 12.

At post time, it was raining at Road America, most teams were changing to rain tires and AMA Pro Racing officials had declared the event a “wet” race.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP Results:

1. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 23 laps, 43:28.008
2. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, -1.416 seconds
3. Max Biaggi, Honda, -4.576 seconds
4. Makoto Tamada, Honda, -13.210 seconds
5. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, -13.411 seconds
6. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, -13.666 seconds
7. Sete Gibernau, Honda, -14.253 seconds
8. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, -22.811 seconds
9. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, -33.056 seconds
10. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, -38.882 seconds
11. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, -38.977 seconds
12. Nicky Hayden, Honda, -48.639 seconds
13. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, -50.183 seconds
14. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, -54.213 seconds
15. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, -83.281 seconds
16. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, -97.287 seconds
17. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, -5 laps, DNF, mechanical
18. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, -9 laps, DNF, mechanical
19. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, -13 laps, DNF, crash
20. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, -16 laps, DNF, crash
21. Alex Barros, Yamaha, -21 laps, DNF, crash
22. John Hopkins, Suzuki, -21 laps, DNF, crash
23. Kenny Roberts, Szuuki, -21 laps, DNF, crash


MotoGP World Championship Point Standings:

1. Rossi, 115 points
2. Biaggi, 83 points
3. Gibernau, 72 points
4. Barros, 46 points
5. Ukawa, 42 points
6. Bayliss, 40 points
7. Capirossi, 36 points
8. Nakano, 33 points
9. Jacque, 32 points
10. Hayden, 26 points
11. Tamada/Edwards, TIE, 25 points
13. Checa, 21 points
14. Norick Abe, 18 points
15. Haga, 17 points
16. Hopkins, 15 points
17. McWilliams, 14 points
18. Aoki, 11 points
19. McCoy, 8 points
20. Melandri/Roberts/Kiyonari, TIE , 6 points
23. Hofmann, 2 points
24. Pitt, 1 point


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Italian GP, Mugello
Race Day
Sunday, June 8 2003

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM SCORES BEST RESULT SO FAR AT RED-HOT MUGELLO

Ducati Marlboro Team rider Loris Capirossi rode a breathtaking Italian GP at scorching-hot Mugello this afternoon, finishing his team’s home GP in a fighting second place, just 1.4 seconds down on winner Valentino Rossi. It was a remarkably determined performance from Capirossi and his Desmosedici V4 – the Italian factory competing in its first home GP in 31 years in front of 72,000 enthusiastic fans. Team-mate Troy Bayliss had a more difficult time in the torrid 35-degree heat – the Australian was pushing through the pack when he crashed out at half-distance.

“I can hardly believe the way Loris rode – he never gave up,” said a delighted Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse CEO. “He kept trying so hard because he wanted to be in a position to take advantage if Rossi made a mistake. I think he knew it was possible to win today with our bike, but Valentino and Max (Biaggi) rode brilliantly. Our straight-line speed is fantastic, now we just need to make some improvements to the handling. Anyway, second in our first home GP in more than thirty years is a really great result. Troy was one of the fastest men on the track when he crashed, which proved he had found a good set-up after two difficult days of practice. Once again we had two of the quickest riders out there, which shows the project is heading in the right direction.”

During the race Capirossi set a new GP top-speed record at 332.4kmh, with Bayliss second at 331.2kmh.

CAPIROSSI: “THIS FEELS AS GOOD AS A WIN!”

Loris Capirossi was the star of the MotoGP show at Mugello today – eliciting roars of delight from the home crowd whenever he pulled a move on rivals Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi (Honda).

By leading the first four laps the Italian maintained the Ducati Marlboro Team’s amazing record of leading every GP so far, then settled into a long and nail-biting race that had him battling back and forth with his compatriots in a rerun of their unforgettable 2000 Italian GP contest. He spent the mid-stages of the race third, then once Rossi took off out front he came back at Biaggi with gusto, the pair passing and repassing and colliding on at least one occasion. When he finally got the better of the Roman he was 2.5 seconds down on Rossi, but he still refused to give up, his Desmosedici bucking and sliding as he closed the gap to one second with a lap to go. He crossed the line just 1.4 seconds down – by far Ducati’s best race result.

“This is fantastic – it feels as good as a win,” said a sweat-drenched Capirossi. “It’s a great day for Ducati, for all of us, and for the fans. I tried my best – got into a good rhythm from the start, but then Max and Valentino came. Valentino was so fast, then I had a big fight with Max. It was so difficult to overtake him but my bike had fantastic top speed, so I was able to do it. Then I gave 105 per cent over the last few laps. I caught Valentino a little, but with one lap to go I saw the gap was too much, so I just made sure I finished.”


BAYLISS BACK ON THE PACE, THEN FALLS

Ducati Marlboro Team rider Troy Bayliss rode a typically tough race at Mugello today – fighting back from a third-row start to move into sixth place on lap nine. But two laps later he crashed.

“It’s not been a great weekend,” said the Aussie who had struggled during practice to find the right set-up for this technically challenging track. “The race was going okay, though the rear tyre I’d chosen wasn’t going to plan. I thought I had it under control, I was riding hard, trying to bridge the gap, had a few moments with the front, then just crashed. I really hate not finishing races and that’s two races in a row I’ve not finished.”

LUCA GETS HIS KNEE DOWN AGAIN!

Former 125 and 250 World Champion Luca Cadalora returned to action at Mugello this morning – as passenger to former rival Randy Mamola on the Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici two-seater MotoGP bike. The pair rode two laps of the track, Cadalora becoming the first ever two-seater guest to get his knee down.

“That was great, you just need to place total trust in the rider, which was difficult because it was Randy!” joked Cadalora, who raced 500 GPs for Marlboro Team Roberts and 250s for Marlboro Team Agostini. “After half a lap we both shifted forward and then the fun really began, that’s when I started to get my knee down. It was great!”

Ducati aerodynamics consultant Alan Jenkins also took a ride this morning. “I spend quite a lot of time in wind tunnels,” said the Briton. “But I really had to fight to stay on down the straights. And it’s so physical on the brakes, you kind of lose your focus because you’re trying not to end up in the grandstand!”


More, from a press release issued by John Hopkins’ publicist:

Hopkins crashes out of Italian Grand Prix

MUGELLO, Italy (June 8, 2003) – The Italian Motorcycle Grand Prix ended on a sour note for Suzuki’s John Hopkins. Hopkins crashed out of the race on the third lap when he and teammate Kenny Roberts Jr. collided. It marked the second straight DNF for Hopkins and dropped him to 16th in the World Championship point standings. Italian Valentino Rossi won the race on a Honda.

“It’s very frustrating,” said an extremely disappointed Hopkins. “I was going along riding my own race and never saw Kenny. I turned in for turn 12 or 13, I don’t know for sure what they call it, and I got T-boned. I saved it from the initial impact but then Kenny’s bike slid into me and took me down.”

Hopkins strained his neck in the accident.

“My head dug into the gravel trap,” he explained.

The teammates did not speak after the accident so Hopkins was unsure of what caused Roberts to crash into him.

“He just walked away from the crash,” Hopkins said. “I’m sure he knew I was in no mood to talk and he probably wasn’t either.”

Hopkins estimated that his speed was between 80 to 90 miles per hour when the two riders collided.

“The team is working too hard for this kind of thing to happen,” concluded a frustrated Hopkins.

Hopkins now heads to Barcelona in preparation for next Sunday’s Catalunya Grand Prix.


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

SWELTERING CONDITIONS IN ITALY PROVE TOUGH FOR FORTUNA YAMAHA

The Italian Grand Prix in Mugello today became an all Italian affair after Valentino Rossi (Honda), Loris Capirossi (Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Honda) dominated the 23-lap race in sweltering conditions – finishing in the same order. Spurred on by a massive home crowd the trio left the remaining 20-bike field in their wake. Despite all efforts made by Fortuna Yamaha team-mates Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri the duo were unable to match the intense pace this weekend and eventually ended the day with a disappointing eighth and 11th place respectively.

After a solid start, which saw Checa as high as fifth in the opening few corners, the Spaniard dropped back to eighth by the end of the first lap, yet looked set to remain in contention up until half race distance. At this point the 30-year-old was back in the top six, and looking threatening with only a 4.4 second deficit to the race leader. That was until Checa lost his rhythm and began to lose touch with the battle for fourth – which included Makoto Tamada (Honda), Shinya Nakano (d’Antin Yamaha Team), Tohru Ukawa (Honda) and Sete Gibernau (Honda), who finished in that order.

“I can’t be satisfied with the final result but overall we did a good job,” said Checa. “The team have worked very hard, everyone has pushed themselves to their own limits; the technical side in the garage, and me on the track. Nakano did well all weekend on his Yamaha so we know that we had more potential. We will take today’s experience with us to Barcelona. At least I felt a bit better during the race and especially felt good on the bike at the beginning, but at the end I was behind by about 1½ seconds and it was difficult to close the gap any more.

“My main aim right now is to find a good pace, and I’m not entirely sure how to achieve that right now. We need to work carefully again from here and analyse the technical data from the race. I will talk with my technicians and we’ll look at the chassis side of things, perhaps in a slightly different direction.”

All hopes for a top five result at Marco Melandri’s home Grand Prix came to an end when a technical problem prevented him from achieving his goal in the most crucial points on the 5245m circuit. The 20-year-old Italian, who won the 250cc race here last year, was confident and feeling good on the YZR-M1 during the opening few laps. Melandri featured as high as sixth in the race, and was still making solid progress when it became difficult to ride in third gear on his factory machine – which proved too much of a deficit to overcome at such an intense pace.

“That was not such a good race,” lamented Melandri, who was hoping for a better result than eleventh position today in front of his home crowd. “I had a problem with the clutch, and the bike was jumping a lot. Most of all I had problems when I was in third gear, so on most of the corners, especially the two Arrabbiata corners. I couldn’t open the throttle and therefore couldn’t push hard in all the corners.

“At the beginning when the tyres were new it wasn’t quite so bad but I had to balance my weight on the front and enter the corners very fast. When the tyres wore out more through the race I felt myself getting slower, and the problem increased as the tyres wore out. In the last lap I overtook Olivier (Jacque) about three times but then he overtook me again.”

“It wasn’t the best day for Fortuna Yamaha,” said Team Director of the Fortuna Yamaha Team, Davide Brivio. “Of course our congratulations go to Shinya Nakano and his Yamaha team, who have performed well all weekend. Carlos rode well at the beginning of the race and put up a good fight but seemed to lose something towards the end and couldn’t keep the same pace that he found at the beginning, although he is feeling a bit better with the bike generally. Next race will be his real home Grand Prix, in Catalunya, so he’ll have to pull off a good race!

“We have found out that Marco had electronic problems when running in third gear and apologies to him for that. He has again shown his maturity, strength and potential this weekend and was looking so good at the start but unfortunately he was prevented from gaining any more positions. We are pleased with his continuing progress with the M1. Both riders are capable of more than we are currently achieving and our team will do everything to support them to change that.”


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

MUGELLO GRAND PRIX/race

SCARPERIA – In front of a warm crowd Colin Edwards qualified 9th on his Aprilia Rs Cube of Alice Aprilia Racing Team. A difficult race for the American rider because of a bad start but he has been able to get into the top ten. Noriyuki Haga fell off in the 8th lap because of the loss of the front. It’s a pity because Haga made a very good start today.

COLIN EDWARDS: “What a bad start! The bike jumped twice and I lost several positions. Anyway I reacted immediately trying to catch the firsts. Then I was riding alone without any point of reference and this was frustrating as I could easily fight for the podium with the firsts. I am very surprised about the Italian crowd: I knew that but yesterday night I was riding my scooter in the paddock meeting many fans with food and drinks. That’s very exciting”.

NORIYUKI HAGA: “I starter well and I could easily stay with the firsts. I lost the pace after two contacts with Bayliss but then I took it again. Unfortunately I lost the front in the corner. I am a bit angry!”

GIGI DALL’IGNA (Project Leader): “With a better start Colin would have been able to get a great result today. We made some “extra” technical experiments on Colin’s bike no.2 during the warm up but the bikes were almost the same. We leave for Barcellona with the same material but next Tuesday and Wednesday we will test here in Mugello with Marcellino Lucchi”.


More, from a press release issued by Pramac Honda Team Press Information:

Mugello – Italian Grand Prix

Sunday – Race

Makoto Tamada honours the “home” race with a magical fourth place

Determination, a desire to win and absolute resolve. Makoto Tamada brought all his extraordinary skill to bear. After ending the first lap in 18th place, the talented Japanese embarked upon a furious battle to shoot up
through the ranks and cross the finishing line in fourth place just behind the three great Italians. An uphill race in which Makoto kept up an extraordinary pace and, on more than one occasion, made a lap time lower than that of the race leader. An important result that shows just what mettle Makoto is made of, and a magnificent injection of enthusiasm for the whole team. Bridgestone, the Japanese tyre giant that shods the Honda RC211V of the Pramac Honda team, is beginning to reap the fruits of its intense and
meticulous work that has never let up an instant since the season began.

Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda Team): 4th – 43:41.218

“All I needed was to make a better start and I’d have enjoyed the type of race I really like: up at the front with the leaders. You really feel good when you are battling against those who are leading the way. But my start wasn’t exactly great and I really had to go for it. I knew what the tyres could do, since we’ve done lots of tests over the past few days and I was quite sure I’d made the right choice for this race. Lots of overtaking, but no strategy. You don’t wonder whether to squeeze past when braking or
whatever – you just think about stepping on it and getting to a pace that just keeps pushing you forward. Even so, as I was saying, I like duelling with the best, so I’m going to have to get quicker off the mark at the beginning. The bike’s great, and so is the set-up: to tell you the truth, there isn’t much left to improve.”

“I’d like to thank the team, Makoto, Honda and Bridgestone for the great work they are doing”,
added Gianluca Montiron, sports director of the Pramac Honda Team.

“We’re working calmly, without feeling we are under pressure, and we’re beginning to reap the first fruits. Our Italian-Japanese workgroup is really blending together and everyone’s skills are being enhanced in a highly qualified team. Bridgestone is pouring enormous effort into the project with us, responding to our requirements and providing an extraordinary level of know-how. Today’s result shows that tough and extremely professional work pays off, especially when it’s combined with true passion. As for Makoto, his performance at Suzuka and Le Mans was no mere fluke: he’s a powerful, motivated rider. Perfect for a challenge like the one we’re facing.”


More, from a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
ROUND 5 – GRAN PREMIO CINZANO D’ITALIA
8TH JUNE 2003 – MOTOGP RACE RESULT

HOFMANN AND McCOY IN THE POINTS FOR KAWASAKI

Alex Hofmann, making only his second wild card appearance of the season for Kawasaki, opened his World Championship account with a hard fought 14th place in today’s baking hot Italian GP at Mugello.

The 23-year-old German rider made a brilliant start from the fourth row of the grid, making up places in the early part of the race before becoming embroiled in a battle with Honda riders, Nicky Hayden and Ryuichi Kiyonari, for 12th place. The top speed advantage enjoyed by the Honda pairing proved too much for Hofmann to overcome, forcing the German rider to eventually settle for 14th place and his first championship points of the 2003 season.

Hofmann was joined in the points by his Fuchs Kawasaki team-mate, Garry McCoy, who finished 15th. The Australian had planned on making a fast start, in a bid to run with his German team-mate, but the plan was thwarted at the first turn when he was slowed by the two riders in front of him and Hofmann managed to pull out a slight gap.

Mugello rookie Andrew Pitt, who faced a steep learning curve this weekend, endured a long and lonely ride to 16th place, just missing out on scoring points in his first outing on this demanding Italian circuit.

Alex Hofmann – 14th
“I got a very good start and it was a lot of fun fighting with the guys early in the race, and obviously I’m happy to get some points today. For many laps I had a good battle with Hayden and Kiyonari, but for the moment they have a slight speed advantage – although it is very positive for Kawasaki that we have been in there fighting with them. Our qualifying was good, but that is just one lap and what we were looking for today was progress over a race distance. The front end was very stable today and I only lost a little bit of rear grip towards the end.”

Garry McCoy – 15th
“It was tough in the heat but it was good progress for me today – I didn’t get lapped and I picked up a championship point! At the start I thought I would try and run behind Alex, but a couple of riders got in between us and he got a break on me. I raced the bike flat out and we made a good race tyre choice today, so I was able to run consistent laps. Alex had a good run today and clearly all his testing is paying off. Now we just have to keep working towards making the whole package better.”

Andrew Pitt – 16th
“It was no fun racing at the back, but at least I finished the race, got some laps under my belt and learnt something about the bike for the next time we come here. I struggled with chatter virtually all through the race; every time I opened the throttle off-line it was really difficult to hang onto. You need confidence in the front end here, but I’ve struggled over the bumps all weekend.”

Harald Eckl – Team Manager
“We scored some points today, which is good, but the main thing is that we’re starting to bridge the gap to the teams at the front, and this gives us confidence that we are making progress. The steps may be small, but this is a new project in a very competitive class, so we are happy each time we do move forward. It was unfortunate for Alex that, at the moment, we are down a little on top speed, otherwise Hayden and Kiyonari would not have been able to draft back past him on the straight every time he made a pass on them through the turns.”




More, from a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

PROTON KR FOUR-STROKE TOUCHES POINTS IN FIRST GP

Round Five – Italian GP, Mugello
Sunday, June 8, 2003

Jeremy McWilliams – Did Not Finish
Nobuatsu Aoki – Did Not Finish

A double did-not-finish score line in the Proton KR V5 prototype’s first ever race did no justice to a fantastic debut for the all-new 990cc four-stroke racer.

Although both riders succumbed to fuel pump problems and finished the afternoon in the pits, it was not before both had clearly shown the potential of a motorcycle running only for the fourth full day at a race-track, after shake-down tests barely two weeks before. And not before McWilliams had pushed through from a slow start to move up to 15th position, in the points and moving away from his nearest rival.

Sadly, this potential triumph did not last the full 23 laps of the scenic 5.245km circuit in the Apennine foothills outside Bologna. With just five laps remaining, McWilliams ran into fuel pump and starvation problems that had already sidelined Aoki four laps early, and he dropped back to pull into the pits.

It was still a brilliant start for the Proton KR four-stroke, built in record time to tackle the challenge of the 990cc four-stroke MotoGP class. The bike is still in first rough-cut prototype form, after a series of the inevitable teething troubles with the radical new V5 engine had been solved on the test bench. Since that time, with only three machines in existence, there have been no serious engine problems in four days of work, including three in full combat at the Italian GP.

Blazing heat did bring up the next problem, however. Today’s air temperature was 34 degrees, and ground temperature a searing 47 degrees. Engine cooling worked perfectly, but heat build up elsewhere was reckoned the most likely cause of fuel supply problems. Fuel pump failure struck both riders in qualifying, and again in the race.

With the next race in seven days in Spain, the England-based team will focus on this area in the short break, as well as bringing the first round of power-up parts to take the machine from shake-down specifications one step closer to the ultimate goal of competitive racer.

Today’s race was won by defending champion Valentino Rossi (Honda), heading an all-Italian rostrum from Loris Capirossi (Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Honda).

JEREMY McWILLIAMS
“That was just so difficult … the four-stroke is such a different monster to ride after the two-stroke – a big old monster. I’m trying to learn how to ride it and the guys are trying to learn how to make it finish. It was nice to get it up into the points, and very disappointing not to finish. It’s not as fast round the corners as the two-stroke, but it’s not the slowest thing out there, and I was able to pass McCoy’s Kawasaki for 15th because I could brake much later than he could. Then basically I suffered from fuel starvation after that, and I had to retire.”


NOBUATSU AOKI
“Of course as a racer I am disappointed and frustrated, because I had the same fuel starvation problems all weekend. I wasn’t able to push hard in the race, and then I did not finish. But I have to remember this was like a very early test, and the bike has such a lot of potential. I hope they can fix this problem for next weekend, and I am really looking forward to that race.”


KENNY ROBERTS – Team Owner
“I’m happy to start from here and work our way up. At least we are going away from here with a list of things to work on rather than a box of broken engines. Obviously we have to make some changes before next week. The water and oil temperatures were fine, but it seems the gas is getting too hot. I guess we’ll have to find a way to get some air through there. We’ll also have more performance for Barcelona, and more again for the next race at Assen. The bike’s still at a low level. We have to work on things like compression ratio and cam timing. I think we will still have only the three bikes next week. We’ve been holding back until we get a list. There’s no point in building seven chassis, then deciding we need to change the engine position. Of course I’m pleased, and proud of my guys. I’m surprised that it ran so well and so long, and that we only had fuel problems – though when we start getting more performance perhaps we’ll find some more problems.”



More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

DOUBLE CRASH FOR SUZUKI IN ITALY

Mugello, Italy – Sunday, June 8, 2003
Team Suzuki riders Kenny Roberts Jr. and John Hopkins both retired from today’s Italian GP, after the pair collided early in the 23-lap race round the scenic 5.245km Mugello circuit outside Florence.

Both Suzuki riders fell off, with no possibility of restarting.

The pair had started from 14th and 18th positions, but both got away well from the start line, to finish the first lap with Hopkins 12th and Roberts 14th. One lap later Roberts was right behind his younger team-mate.

Then the bikes touched as they went into a medium-speed corner, and both crashed out.

Hopkins escaped without serious injury, but Roberts was taken to the medical centre. Although he did not suffer any fractures, he was badly knocked about, and was not available for comment. It is too early to say whether he will be fit to race at the Catalunyan GP next weekend.

The race was run in front of a capacity crowd of more than 70,00 fans, in baking heat, with an air temperature of 34 degrees and the track at a simmering 47 degrees. It was won by defending champion Valentino Rossi, the darling of the enthusiastic crowd.

JOHN HOPKINS – Did Not Finish
There’s not much to say. My team worked really hard all weekend. It’s just a pity it had to end the way it did. My neck is a bit sore, but basically I’m okay.

GARRY TAYLOR – Team Manager
Kenny’s been checked over, and there are no broken bones but there is no way of measuring the pain. You have to say it was just one of those racing things. Both are riders are having to use every ounce of skill and aggression at the moment, and in these circumstances this sort of thing can happen.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION
Raceday Sunday June 8

ROSSI ON TOP AFTER THREE-WAY DOMESTIC INCIDENT

A sun-baked crowd of 73,000 race fans lined the Tuscan hills of the majestic Mugello track to see Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V) reign supreme in a thrilling race that was typical of the superb action this 5.245km track usually provides. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) was second and Max Biaggi (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) third.

Temperatures rocketed into the 35 degree range and the track tarmac was scorched to 47 degrees by the beating heat as the grid lined up for a race where the sense of anticipation was palpable. With the three Italian main men on the front row headed by Rossi, and joined by Yamaha interloper Shinya Nakano, the first turn action would be intense.

It was Capirossi who launched his Ducati off the line best and he emerged from turn one in the lead from Biaggi and the flying Nakano. Rossi was down in seventh but in typical fashion he scythed his way through to fourth in the space of the first lap.

By lap five Nakano had been dispensed with by the home trio and the stage was set for some epic encounters along Mugello’s undulating series of off-camber turns and blind approaches. Biaggi went through to lead when Capirossi drifted wide at turn one, now approached from at least 328km/h (200mph) by the top men.

Then Rossi squeezed past Capirossi and the three knew they were in for a fight. The crowd knew it too and every time a move was pulled the crowd went berserk – this was epic stuff. So intense was the battle that no rider could accept being overtaken without coming straight back at the overtaker – to the extent that Biaggi and Capirossi were side by side bashing fairings for at least half of lap 16.

Eventually Rossi pulled clear but Capirossi hounded him all the way to the line and Rossi’s 1.4 second winning margin at the flag hardly reflects the effort he had to put in to achieve it, or the pressure he was under from two riders that never gave up the chase.

Rossi’s 53rd career win and his third this season was hard-earned. “That was a great show for everybody,” he said. “We were all three at the front and we had a great fight for the win. I would like to congratulate Max and Loris because they rode very well. At about half way through the race Max and Loris were fighting and it was possible to take some advantage. And at the end I just concentrated and kept my rhythm.”

Biaggi knew he’d made a major contribution to a storming race. “Third is a decent result but I really want to win,” he said. “I made a good start and I tried my best to hang on to the front but then Rossi came and then Loris passed me at the end of the straight. We passed and re-passed each other many times and had a good fight. Nobody crashed and I think we put on a great show for the fans.”

Another rider who never gave up was fourth-placed rookie Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V) who got an appalling start from the third row of the grid and charged through the field respecting neither reputations nor conventional corner lines as he bulldozed his way through.

“I had a terrible, terrible, terrible start,” he said. “And that was a terribly, terribly, terribly tough race. I knew what the tyres could do and I knew I’d made the right choice for the race. There was lots of overtaking but no strategy from me. You don’t wonder whether to squeeze past on the brakes or whatever – you just think about stepping on it and pushing forward.”

Tohru Ukawa (Camel Pramac Pons RC211V) was unhappy with sixth. “I almost crashed passing Checa on the straight and I ran out of braking area,” he said. “It was hard today but I can’t be satisfied with the result, sixth is just not good enough and Catalunya can’t come soon enough for me.”

Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) was another disappointed rider, unhappy with seventh. And after his Le Mans win two weeks ago, the Spaniard was never really in the running here. “We had one problem after another,” he said. “We already knew that the bike wasn’t accelerating as it should and we paid for that in the race. In any case we could have done a lot better with what we had. Luckily we’re in Barcelona next and we can sort it out there.”

American rookie Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) had a torrid time on his first visit to this demanding environment and finished 12th. “Not a lot of fun really,” he said. “I never felt comfortable all weekend and I’m not sure if it was just the fact that I was trying to learn the place or we really needed to make some big changes here.”

Rookie Riuichi Kiyonari (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) managed a 13th place finish in his second MotoGP race and felt happy with his work. “I’ve picked

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

125cc GP Race Results:

1. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 20 laps, 40:01.738
2. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, -0.730 second
3. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, -0.801 second
4. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, -0.810 second
5. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, -1.454 seconds
6. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, -7.656 seconds
7. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, -7.702 seconds
8. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, -7.708 seconds
9. Hector Barbera, Aprilia, -21.704 seconds
10. Gioele Pellino, Aprilia, -22.132 seconds
11. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, -22.208 seconds
12. Simone Corsi, Honda, -34.326 seconds
13. Mika Kallio, Honda, -34.434 seconds
14. Masao Azuma, Honda, -34.493 seconds
15. Thomas Luthi, Honda, -34.879 seconds

18. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, -46.072 seconds

20. Roberto Locatelli, KTM, -46.436 seconds
21. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, -46.615 seconds

23. Max Sabbatani, Aprilia, -53.338 seconds

32. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, -1 lap, DNF
33. Jorgo Lorenzo, Derbi, -1 lap, DNF

36. Emilio Alzamora, Derbi, -11 laps, DNF