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.

From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

Bostrom Michelin Tire Test Day 1 – Daytona Beach, Florida

Christmas came early for Eric Bostrom and Ducati Austin Racing on this sunny Florida morning. They received new 999 racebikes from Ducati Corse in time for Michelin’s Daytona tire test. The race specification Ducati 999 motorcycles are not World Superbike leftovers, but rather brand new bikes built by Corse for Bostrom to use in his campaign for the AMA Superbike championship. Presently, the simplicity of the bike’s graphics contrast dramatically with Eric’s loud Dukes of Hazard “Boss Hog” leathers.

Other good news was the weather, which was the beginning of a successful day for the Ducati Austin team and Michelin. As Bostrom took his turn with the proven World Superbike technology he readily warmed up to the new bike. After all, this is his first time riding a Ducati. After one easy lap, the mechanics checked the bike and sent Eric back on his way. The team didn’t make any changes to the bike until after lunch, instead allowing him to get familiar with the machine.

After lunch, the temperature dropped and Eric picked up speed. He complained of spinning the rear tire out of some corners but with a few suspension adjustments, the mechanics from Corse and Ducati Austin had the problem solved. The combination of Bostrom’s feedback, the Marelli data system, and the Michelin technicians continued to lower lap times. Eric said that growing familiar with the bike was how the initial improvements were made. After that, the team made setup and tire changes with further positive results. Eric was impressed with both the bike and the Ducati personnel.

The test ended at 5:00 pm, with more improvements scheduled for tomorrow.

Bostrom Michelin Tire Test Day 2 – Daytona Beach, Florida

Despite the cooler weather, Eric Bostrom’s second day of tire testing was another success. He continued to surprise everyone at the track with his consistent, fast laps. Yesterday Bostrom was warming up and today he proved his intentions for the 2004 AMA Superbike season. He placed a best of 2nd in the Daytona 200 in 2001 and said today, “It’d feel better for me to win it for (Ducati) than to win it for me. It’d be nice if I can give them something they’ve never done. I feel like we have the right equipment to win it.”

And with the effort that Ducati Corse and Ducati Austin are putting towards the AMA series it is understandable why Eric is confident.

The bike was working well today and “feels very precise in the corners” according to Bostrom. The mechanics continued their adjustments to the bike throughout the day and did testing upwards of 20 laps on some sets of the Michelin tires. Eric also continued to work on adjusting his riding style for the Ducati. “This bike rewards you for being ginger,” Bostrom noted. The bike has lots of grip but at Daytona it is very important to conserve the tires during the actual race since the track abuses the left side of the rubber.

Although there was concern that the switch from a single to double-sided swingarm would slow the tire changes needed at Daytona, Bostrom is confident that with a quick release system it will actually be an improvement. The 999 swingarm is both lighter and stronger than that of the 998.

Saturday was a planned rain-day for the Michelin test but late decisions confirmed that Ducati Austin would continue testing tomorrow.

Bostrom Michelin Tire Test Day 3 – Daytona Beach, Florida

The Daytona track was much colder today for Eric Bostrom’s third day of Michelin tire testing. In the morning, the track temperature was only 17 C. The Ducati Austin team with support from Ducati Corse continued testing tire compounds throughout the day. As with the first two days, Bostrom was very impressed with the bike.

“The (999) has a great gearbox,” Eric commented in the morning. Eric continued to get comfortable on the bike today and the team made necessary changes to produce repeatable quick laps. During the morning session, Bostrom was clocked on radar at 183 mph crossing start/finish line. Endurance tire testing was also on today’s agenda for Michelin. Eric did a run of 20 consecutive laps without much variation in lap times. The Ducati Austin team was very pleased with these results.

Unfortunately, during the second endurance session Bostrom fell in the chicane.

Thankfully he was up quickly and jumped on the spare bike as soon as it was ready. Eric continued testing without problem through the day.

The three days of testing were full of positive results for both the Ducati Austin team and Michelin.

“We accomplished a lot during this test and are looking forward to racing here,” said Jim Rhodes, Michelin Roadracing Manager.

Terry Gregoricka of Ducati Austin Racing had similar sentiments about the three-day test, “The tire test went great and the team is working extremely well. I think we got a lot of very useful information from this test in Daytona.”

The combination of Ducati’s renewed efforts, Eric Bostrom, and the Michelins should prove to be a successful recipe for the 2004 AMA Superbike season.

Bostrom has a few days off from testing and will be at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California on December 13th and 14th , 2004.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati officials revealed today that the company is building a batch of homologation specials to make its World Superbike cylinder heads legal for AMA Superbike competition.

Next season’s AMA Superbike rules require machines to run the same valve angle as production bikes, and Ducati’s World Superbike machines used cylinder heads with a narrower-than-stock valve angle. When AMA officials announced the 2004 rules, they said that the standard valve angle requirement would prevent the V-twins from having a competitive advantage over 4-cylinder competition, even though V-twins are allowed to run larger-than-stock throttle bodies.

By building a batch of homologation machines, Ducati will side-step valve angle restrictions and will be able to run a machine that differs from World Superbike spec only in crankshaft material.

Ducati is testing at Daytona with Michelin and new rider Eric Bostrom. Bostrom’s Ducati reached 184 mph on radar on the tri-oval at Daytona today, and Bostrom has been turning lap times in the 1:48s despite a relatively green race track with only three motorcycles on it at any given time.

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC. DOUBLES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

Milwaukee, Wis., — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of 8 cents per share, payable December 29, 2003 to shareholders of record as of December 15, 2003. This represents a 100 percent increase over the last quarterly dividend.

“The recent change in tax law has increased the attractiveness of dividends as a way of sharing the success of the Company with our shareholders,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.

The Company currently has approximately 302 million shares of common stock outstanding.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Beth Wyse

Day two of Michelin tire testing was completed Friday at Daytona International Raceway after getting a late start due to a wet track.

Eric Bostrom with Ducati Austin and Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp and Vincent Haskovec had to wait until nearly noon to get on the track, which was wet from overnight rain.

Bostrom is still getting used to the Ducati 999, but his times steadily improved throughout the day. His best time around the Daytona road course was a 1:48.81. During the afternoon, Bostrom stopped on track with mechanical problems. Once he got back to the garage, the team got to work on repairs while Bostrom took the backup bike out for the remainder of the afternoon.

Rapp spent all of day one and most of day two riding his Supersport 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600. He tested a variety of tire compounds, and then did an 18-lap run in the afternoon on the tire combination that he had liked best. Rapp’s 600 is stock except for the suspension and bodywork, but he was still able to turn a fast time of 1:54.26 on day one of the test, running alone.

Following his long stint on the 600, Rapp tested a Superstock-spec Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the rest of the afternoon. Rapp’s quickest time on the 1000 was a 1:50.68.

Haskovec also started Friday on a Suzuki GSX-R600, riding a 2003 model built to Formula Xtreme specs. After only an hour of testing, a mechanical problem developed and he shut the bike down on the back straight. After getting a ride back to the pits, Haskovec spent the rest of the day on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Haskovec’s fast time of 1:53.85 on the 600 was set on day one of the test, and on day two he set his quickest time on the 1000 with a 1:51.02.

The third and final day for the Michelin tire tests will be held Saturday.



More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Eric Bostrom Continues To Shake Down Ducati On Day 2 of Michelin Tire Test



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., — Ducati Austin’s Eric Bostrom and Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp and Vince Haskovec completed a second day of Michelin tire testing on Friday at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6.

The Michelin tire test is the first time that Bostrom has ridden his new ride – the factory Ducati 999 motorcycle.

Bostrom had been competing for factory Kawasaki since 2000, but the motorcycle manufacturer pulled out of AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike competition for 2004 allowing the 27-year-old San Francisco rider to join Ducati.



After two days of testing, Bostrom says the comfortable level on the Ducati 999 continues to grow.

“The biggest difference (today) is that I’m getting more familiar with the bike,” Bostrom said. “The tires are also coming in better. We have some tires that we’re starting to get pretty happy with. That’s huge for us. This track, you have to have everything good. Probably the most important is tires. You have to be able to go 200 miles.”

If Bostrom, whose best finish in the Daytona 200 By Arai is a second in 2001, is able to deliver Ducati its first victory in the prestigious motorcycle race, it’ll come on a Saturday. In place of its traditional Sunday start, the Daytona 200 By Arai moves to Saturday, March 6.

Other changes to the Daytona 200 Week schedule include moving the Daytona Supercross By Honda from Saturday afternoon to under the lights on Friday night, March 5.

“It’s for the best,” said Bostrom about the Daytona 200 By Arai schedule change. “In the past, a lot of people are leaving and driving home on Sunday. Hopefully, the attendance will be up. I think it’s a good move.”

Michelin tire testing continues on Saturday and is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.

The three-day Dunlop tire test in preparation for the Daytona 200 By Arai is scheduled to kick off on Monday, Dec. 8 and is also free and open to the public.

Tickets for both the Daytona 200 By Arai and the Daytona Supercross By Honda are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Reliable sources in Europe are reporting that Jeremy McWilliams has signed a contract with Aprilia to contest the 2004 MotoGP World Championship on its RS3 Cube.

McWilliams spent the last two seasons riding the Proton KR3 two-stroke triple (including one pole position at Phillip Island in 2002) and switched to the new KR5 four-stroke V5 during the 2003 campaign. Before joining Kenny Leroy Roberts’ team, McWilliams rode for Aprilia for three years, winning the 250cc Grand Prix at Assen in 2001 and collecting two podium finishes on Aprilia’s 500cc V-twin in 2000.

McWilliams will turn 40 before the start of the 2004 season.

2003 British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne will also race MotoGP for Aprilia in 2004.


More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:

the team for the 2004 season is now complete.

Jeremy Mcwilliams will ride for Aprilia on the RScube

NOALE – Today is an important day for Jeremy Mcwilliams: he signed for Aprilia racing directly with Ivano Beggio a contract that will see him riding with Aprilia for the next season. Jeremy is really satisfied and Aprilia is sure that his rider is a fighting one and a very good tester for the 2004 season. The North Irish rider will be team-mate of the other English rider Shane Byrne that recently signed for Aprilia. Jeremy will start testing the RSCube from the next test session scheduled for the second half of January.

For this north Irish rider, who was born in Belfast on the 4th April 1964, 177 cm tall and 66 kilos, this represents an important return. He drove for Aprilia in the years 1999 (he classified 10th) and 2000 with the 500cc and 2001 in the 250cc class when he classified 6th.

Jeremy is married and has two sons. During the last two seasons he drove for Proton and for sure he is one of the most experienced rider in the world motorcycle championship: in his carrier he can count on 162 starts, one victory and three pole positions. After having signed the contact the two protagonists declare their mutual satisfaction.

Ivano Beggio: “I’m very satisfied with this choice, I know Jeremy very well and I esteem him, he is fighting on track and a very good tester and we believe he will help us to improve the performance of the bike. On one side we have Byrne that is enthusiastic for his first season, on the other side we have Jeremy who is very experienced and the right man to improve our project. Our aim for the 2004 season is to make a good performance in the championship and to develop at his best this bike “made in Noale” which is improving day by day .

Jeremy McWilliams: “I’m very happy: coming back to work for Aprilia is like coming back home. The President, Jan Witteveen and all the technical staff are for me a big family and I always have had a special feeling with this company. I really look forward to start testing but unfortunately I have to wait until January, I really look forward to this adventure. I will do my best, I believe in this project and in its big potential. It won’t be easy at the beginning but I’m sure that this project can give us big satisfactions. I really look forward to ride the “evolution” version, that is to say the bike of the 2004 season. I’m confident to say that I will do my best to bring the Rscube to its highest performance.

From a press release issued by Kawasaki:

KAWASAKI’S JOHN HOOVER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

IRVINE, CALIF. – Following a career spanning more than 20 years with Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., John Hoover, Director, Product Management, has announced his retirement effective January 5, 2004.

Hoover joined Kawasaki in 1983 as a district manager, moving to the California corporate offices as Manager, Marketing Services in 1988. His contributions to the company have ranged from the implementation of InfoMIC, an aggregate data mining software package that provides sophisticated sales data to Kawasaki’s sales and marketing departments, to an integral role in developing and marketing the Vulcan® line of cruiser motorcycles, beginning in 1996.

Of special note is Hoover’s effort in orchestrating Kawasaki’s involvement with the AMA/Prostar drag racing series. With several years of dedication to the sport of motorcycle drag racing under Hoover’s direction, Kawasaki boasts more than 20 team championships and numerous Manufacturer’s Cup awards.

“John’s impact on product design, racing and the company in general has been felt throughout our entire organization,” said Tom Orbe, Vice President, Marketing for Kawasaki. “His passion for this industry has remained strong for two decades and Kawasaki’s heritage of building powerful, high-performance products will thrive thanks to his dedication to excellence.”

“John will be missed tremendously, and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” Orbe continued.


Editorial note: Hoover also represented Kawasaki on the AMA Board of Directors for several years.