Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

37th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix
3.8-mile Guia Street Circuit
Macau, China
Thursday Morning Free Practice Lap Times:

1. Michael Rutter, GBR, Ducati, 2:29.739, 91.22 mph
2. John McGuiness, GBR, Ducati, 2:33.267, 89.12 mph
3. Markus Barth, GER, Suzuki, 2:35.737, 87.70 mph
4. Ian Laugher, GBR, Ducati, 2:35.754, 87.69 mph
5. Brian Morrison, GBR, Suzuki, 2:36.484, 87.29 mph
6. Stuart Easton, GBR, Ducati, 2:36.723, 87.15 mph
7. Ryan Farquhar, GBR, Suzuki, 2:36.767, 87.13 mph
8. Stephen Thompson, GBR, Suzuki, 2:37.421, 86.77 mph
9. Iain Duffus, GBR, Suzuki, 2:38.354, 86.26 mph
10. Richard Britton, GBR, Suzuki, 2:38.360, 86.25 mph

22. Jeremy Toye, USA, Suzuki, 2:43.335, 83.62 mph

25. Geoff May, USA, Suzuki, 2:45.273, 82.64 mph

32. Jason Perez, USA, Yamaha, 2:48.309, 81.16 mph

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

37th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix
3.8-mile Guia Street Circuit
Macau, China
Thursday Afternoon Qualifying Times:

1. Michael Rutter, GBR, Ducati, 2:31.546
2. Stuart Easton, GBR, Ducati, 2:33.518
3. John McGuinness, GBR, Ducati, 2:34.384
4. Markus Barth, GER, Suzuki, 2:34.646
5. Ryan Farquhar, GBR, Suzuki, 2:34.825
6. Brian Morrison, GBR, Suzuki, 2:34.867
7. Richard Britton, GBR, Suzuki, 2:34.912
8. Ian Lougher, GBR, Ducati, 2:34.926
9. Pete Jennings, GBR, Suzuki, 2:35.013
10. Alan Patterson, GBR, Ducati, 2:36.129

15. Jeremy Toye, USA, Suzuki, 2:36.859

22. Geoff May, USA, Suzuki, 2:40.111

27. Jason Perez, USA, Yamaha, 2:41.243

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

California teen Jason Perez crashed out of the first qualifying session for the Macau Grand Prix today, causing a red flag.

Perez was hauled off to the hospital following the incident, but was released after an examination and treatment for abrasions to his neck.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Positive start for Chris in Valencia

New rider Chris Walker made a promising start to his Foggy PETRONAS Racing career on the first day of the team’s two-day test at Valencia.

The Englishman joined team-mate Troy Corser for the first time on the Pirelli tyres that will be used by all teams in the World Superbike championship next year.

But Chris spent the day concentrating on the feel of the FP1, completing 60 laps and setting a best time of 1:38.3 compared to Troy’s 1:37.7.

Chris said: “I have just been familiarising with the bike and the way the team works today. The first day at the office is always very different. But I already know that the bike does certain things very well. All I can do at this early stage is use Troy as a benchmark and I was only half a second behind him today which is very encouraging. The new tyres were the least of my worries today – I can concentrate on them when I know the bike a bit better.”

Troy said: “The tyres do feel different to the Michelins – actually a bit more like Dunlops – and we both struggled with a bit of chatter at the front and rear. But this is only to be expected on our first day on them, and we are a full day behind the factory Ducati guys, who were out yesterday here. We played around with constructions and compounds and we have a few more options to try tomorrow.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Dennis Noyes

We now have Supersport times from a Solo Moto journalist present at the Pirelli tests in Valencia.

While the quickest Fila Ducati 999 was taken around Valencia in 1:36.5 by Regis Laconi, Jurgen Van den Goorbergh led the Supersport lists with a time of 1:39.00.

Here are the top Supersport times reported from the circuit after two of the three days of testing. Of interest was Lorenzo Lanzi on the works Ducati 749, marking a return by Ducati to the Supersport class.

Van den Goorbergh (Yamaha Belgarda): 1:39.00

Fabien Foret (Yamaha Belgarda): 1:39.05

Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda) 1:39.50

Stephane Chambon (Alstare Corona Suzuki) 1:39.50

Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Honda) 1:40.00

Michel Fabrizio (Alstare Corona Suzuki) 1:40.40

Lorenzo Lanzi (Fila Ducati 749) 1:40.70

Stefano Cruciani (Bertocchi Kawasaki) 1:42.00


As a reference, the fastest time set in the World Supersport race held at Valencia in March 2003 (won by Fujiwara on a Suzuki) was a 1:38.874 set by Allesio Corradi on a Yamaha.


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Belgarda:

JURGEN AND FABIEN PUT IN THE LAPS.

After yesterday’s reduced time due to weather, it was all systems go today at Valencia and Jurgen and Fabien completed 118 laps between them in almost ideal conditions. Jurgen posted a lap of 1:38.3, which was the same as his best qualifying lap in the WSS round earlier in the year. That was on a soft tyre, whereas today’s lap was on normal rubber, so Jurgen was particularly please with today’s progress. Fabien rode steadily today and spent the day learning the bike, tyres, suspension and new Magneti Marelli electronic system. Although, he didn’t improve on his lap time, he left the circuit happy that he had learnt a lot about the R6.

Jurgen vd Goorbergh – 58 laps, best lap 1:38.3
I think we have made some good improvements today and I’m happy with the way this test is going. I feel I’m not in a ‘learning year’ anymore and now I’m enjoying just going out and riding hard – racing in fact! The new Magneti Marelli system seems to be giving us a bit more power but we’re at the early stage of working with it, so there’s still more to come and understand. At the moment, I’m happy because everything is going well and we’re making progress and that’s what this test is all about.

Fabien Foret – 60 laps, best lap 1:39.1
Today I did a lot of laps and I think I learnt a lot of things – which is good because there’s so many new things for me to learn! Everything – bike, suspension, tyres is new for me and I’m using this test to try and understand the R6 and ride it fast. Although, I didn’t improve so much, I’m happy because I’m learning all the time. I’m being a bit cautious and taking things a bit steady, but this is just a test and we’ve a long way to go yet. Already, I can see the potential of this bike and I’m really looking forward to racing it and getting good results.

From a press release issued by T.A.R.R.C. Race Director Gary Stiles:

Team Arizona Road Race Club has added the 250cc Grand Prix class to the list of classes paying an Expert purse.

The 250GP payout will be as follows: 1st $500, 2nd $250, 3rd $150.

250cc Grand Prix riders may also compete for their share of the over $3200 in cash purses in the AZROADRACING.COM Unlimited GP.

The next T.A.R.R.C event will be held at Arizona Motorsports Park on November 29-30.

For more info check out our website, AZROADRACING.COM

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2003 World Superbike Champion and soon-to-be D’Antin Ducati MotoGP racer Neil Hodgson is expected to appear and sign autographs at the Ducati UK display at the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show at the National Exhibit Center in Birmingham, West Midlands, England November 14-15.

For additional information on the show, which is scheduled to run from November 14 through November 23, go to www.motorcycleshow.co.uk.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Calabogie Motorsports Park, a new Alan Wilson-designed road course, is currently under construction in Calabogie, Ontario, Canada, about 30 miles west of Ottawa.

The track was designed, according to its website, to be used primarily for club-level car and motorcycle track days with all of the operational and safety requirements needed for club-level racing incorporated into the design. However, there are no provisions for the “operational facilities, paddock space or spectator amenities” required to host a professional racing event.

The main course is 3.05 miles long and can be divided into two courses, a 1.74-mile West course and a 1.38-mile East course, which can be run simultaneously. The width of the track was not mentioned, but the entire facility covers 250 acres and is located inside of a 4600-acre forest. The location of the track inside of dense woodlands is important for it to meet existing noise level requirements, which are reported to be the strictest in North America.

Calabogie Motorsports, the privately held company which owns the track, has gone so far as to contract SS Wilson Associates of Toronto to create a noise model and monitoring plan to insure it meets all requirements. SS Wilson Associates were “instrumental in establishing and drawing up the City of Ottawa’s noise policies,” according to the track’s website.

Calabogie Motorsports Park has been completely rough graded but still needs final grading and safety zone development before paving can begin. No completion date has been announced.

Alan Wilson has designed several road courses in use in North America including: Barber Motorsports Park, BeaveRun Motorsports Park, Carolina Motorsports Park, Arizona Motorsports Park, Mid-America Motorplex, Gingerman Raceway, the infield road course at Pikes Peak International Raceway, the infield road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the re-design of Mont-Tremblant.

For more information, go to www.calabogiemotorsports.com.

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

NASCAR, NHRA Highlight Diverse 2004 Schedule at Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. – The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will highlight a diverse 2004 main-event schedule at Infineon Raceway that also includes the best in sports cars, motorcycles and dragsters.

The Big O Tires 2004 Racing Season will again be headlined by the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, June 25-27, the highest-attended single-day sporting event in Northern California. Robby Gordon, who swept both NASCAR road-course races in 2003, returns as the defending champion in his Cingular Wireless Chevrolet.

The NEXTEL Cup weekend will also feature the NASCAR Elite Division, Featherlite Southwest Series, as well as the popular Motorock Trans-Am Tour, which will run its feature immediately following the Dodge/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, June 27.

The racing won’t be limited to the excitement of NASCAR, as the unmatched speed and power of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will also invade Infineon Raceway for the 16th straight year with the FRAM Autolite Nationals, presented by Supercuts, July 30-Aug. 1.

Other premier events include the AMA Kawasaki Showdown, featuring the best in motorcycle racing on the 12-turn road course, April 30-May 2, as well as the Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma American Le Mans Series, July 16-18. The Grand Prix will showcase some of the world’s most exotic sports cars, including Porsche, Audi, Ferrari and Corvette. The event is presented by the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa.

Other events on the main-event calendar for 2004 are the Ferrari Challenge (March 20-21); 18th annual Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races (June 5-6); and the Team Superstores NHRA Summernationals Division 7 Drag Races (July 2-4) over Fourth of July weekend.

In all, there will be eight great weekends of main-event action planned on both the twisting road courses and world-class quarter-mile drag strip. The eighth event scheduled for the 2004 season will be announced during a press conference in December.

Race fans and competitors will also see plenty of facility enhancements, mainly designed to ensure competitor safety. It continues the raceway’s comprehensive modernization plan, which began in September, 2000. Hillsides at Turns 1 and 6 (Carousel) have been graded, giving racers additional runoff, and the bridges at both turns will be replaced. Moreover, the road course has been fully repaved.

“We’re excited about the terrific lineup of events on our 2004 schedule,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. “Our fans will have a chance to see the top competitors across the spectrum of motor racing. We’re also excited to unveil the latest facility improvements that will further enhance the raceway experience.”


2004 MAJOR-EVENT SCHEDULE:

* Ferrari Challenge: March 20-21
* AMA Kawasaki Showdown, featuring the Supercuts Superbike Challenge (Sunday main event). There will be main events on both Saturday and Sunday. The weekend is presented by Cycle Gear: April 30-May 2
* TBA: May 14-16.
* Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races: June 5-6
* Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup: June 25-27
* Team Superstores NHRA Summernationals Division 7 Drag Races: July 2-4
* Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma American Le Mans Series, presented by Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa: July 16-18
* NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals, presented by Supercuts: July 30-Aug. 1.

For ticket information, please call 800-870-RACE (7223), visit www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, Nov. 21.