From a press release issued by the FIM:

Mies, November 13

Superbike & Supersport World Championships
Changes to the Technical Regulations – Tyres

The following amendments to the Superbike and Supersport Technical Regulations have been approved:

2.4.6.7 Tyres (Superbike)

1) Tyres may be replaced from those fitted to the homologated motorcycle.

2) The use of tyre warmers is allowed.

3) At each event, during free practices, qualifying practices, Superpole, warm up and races, a maximum of 15 rear and 11 front tyres may be used. Front and rear wet tyres will be included in the total quantity count. A Technical Steward must mark all of these tyres.

During free practices, qualifying practices, Superpole, warm up and races, no motorcycle may enter the track without the front and rear tyres being marked.

If the riders are given a red flag during a race (or during the Superpole for reasons beyond rider’s control) the FIM Technical Director may allow an additional set of tyres to be used.

For each race, one extra set of tyres can be put on the second motorcycle to have it ready for substitution on the grid in case of failure of the first motorcycle.

4) The competitors must use only the tyres distributed during the event by the Official Supplier.

All tyres to be used must be easily identifiable with a colour marking or a numerical system to be applied by the Official Supplier at the time of manufacturing.

At the beginning of the event, the Official Supplier must deliver to the FIM Technical Director 4 samples of each type of tyre which will be used at the event.

When the Official Supplier delivers the samples of the tyres to the FIM Technical Director, he must also give a written explanation of the marking and the general characteristics of the different types of tyres.

The FIM Technical Director may, at his discretion, require the exchange of one or more competitors’ tyres for a tyre sample under his control. The tyres exchanged remain under his control and he can exchange them for the ones of another competitor.

2.5.6.7 Tyres (Supersport)

1) Tyres must be a fully moulded type carrying all size and sidewall marking of the tyres for commercial sale to the public. Tyres of V and Z rating must be used. The depth of the tyre treads must be at least 2.5 mm over the entire tyre pattern width at a pre-race control. The tyres must have a positive and negative tread of 96% positive and minimum 4% negative (land and sea ratio). The maximum distance from the external edge of the tyre to 50% of the tread elements is 35 mm.

One size for the front and two sizes for the rear are allowed. Each size, front and rear, must be available with the same tread pattern as the commercial tyres for the road use. The manufacturers may only submit one front and rear pattern for approval. The previously approved tyre pattern will remain valid until one year after the introduction of a new approved tyre pattern.

The FIM/CCR will grant the approval. The manufacturers must submit the tyre for approval 30 days prior to its first use. Templates proving the land and sea ratio must be included. The tyres must have a DOT and/or E mark. The DOT and/or E mark must appear on the tyre sidewall.

Only when a race or practice has been declared “wet”, the use of a special tyre commonly known as a full wet tyre is allowed. Wet tyres must be a fully moulded tyre, no hand cutting is allowed on moulded tyres. The use of hand cut tyres is not allowed. Wet tyres do not need to carry DOT or E marks; however these tyres must be marked “Not for Highway Use” or “NHS”.

At each event, during free practices, qualifying practices, warm up and the race, a maximum of 11 rear and 9 front tyres may be used. A Technical Steward must mark all of these tyres.

During free practices, qualifying practices, warm up and the race, no motorcycle may enter the track without the front and rear tyres being marked.

If the riders are given a red flag during the race, the FIM Technical Director may allow an additional set of tyres to be used.

For the race, one extra set of tyres can be put on the second motorcycle to have it ready for substitution on the grid in case of failure of the first motorcycle.

2) The competitors must use only the tyres distributed during the event from the Official Supplier.

All tyres to be used must be easily identifiable with a colour marking or a numerical system to be applied by the Official Supplier at the time of manufacturing.

At the beginning of the event, the Official Supplier must deliver to the FIM Technical Director 4 samples of each type of tyre which will be used at the event.

When the Official Supplier delivers the samples of the tyres to the FIM Technical Director, he must also give a written explanation of the marking and the general characteristics of the different types of tyres.

The FIM Technical Director may, at his discretion, require the exchange of one or more competitors’ tyres for a tyre sample under his control. The tyres exchanged remain under his control and he can exchange them for the ones of another competitor.

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.