From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

SPEED CHANNEL TO RE-AIR TWO AMA FLAT TRACK RACES ON NOV. 19

Opening in network schedule continues due to CART series finale being cancelled

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Nov. 11, 2003) — The cancellation of last week’s CART season finale at California Speedway (due to the Southern California wildfires) continues to be a boon for motorcycle racing fans. Next week, the AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championship will have its final two shows re-aired. Starting at 12 p.m. Eastern time (9 a.m. Pacific), Wed., Nov. 19, Speed Channel will rebroadcast the Sept. 20 AMA Grand National race from Scioto Downs. Then at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific) the network will show the Sept. 28 season finale at the Springfield Mile.

Last week Speed Channel filled CART’s live broadcast window with two hours of AMA Superbike racing from the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.

From a press release issued by Triumph America:

2004 DAYTONA 955i

Europe’s Most Popular Sportbike Transformed With Sleek, New Aerodynamic Styling



New 2004 Models Arrive in US Dealerships

NEWNAN, Georgia – A distinctive interpretation of the sportbike ideal Triumph’s flagship machine the Daytona 955i, makes its 2004 model showroom debut in Triumph dealerships throughout the US in December with sleek new shapes and curves. Featuring chiseled twin headlights, contoured mirrors and a redesigned cockpit for advanced aerodynamic performance, the Daytona consistently proves to be the intelligent superbike choice for those riders with a discerning design attitude and a drive for adrenaline.

“Inspired by the sleek, sporty design cues of our legendary Daytona T595, Triumph has perfected that sought after balance between design, power, usability, and instant response,” stated Ross Clifford, Triumph Motorcycles Product Manager. “This 2004 Daytona is a powerful, sophisticated sportbike in the European tradition of Triumph.”

The Daytona 955i’s three-cylinder engine rewards the rider with a rich sound and a strong peak power output of 147bhp at 10,700 rpm. A peak torque of 74ft.lb is delivered at 8,200 rpm with an immense spread of power throughout the rev-range.

This Daytona’s aluminum alloy chassis provides a perfect blend of stability and responsiveness. The 45mm telescopic forks and rear monoshock are 3-way adjustable in preload, compression and rebound damping.

Liter class sportbikes utilize performance tires, and the tire sizes of 120/70-ZR17 (front) and 190/50-ZR17 (rear), allow the use of all the best sport rubber. The front brakes feature twin four-piston calipers clamping 320mm floating discs. In the rear, a single twin-piston caliper grips the 220mm disc.

The new 2004 Daytona 955i is available in Jet Black, Tornado Red or Racing Yellow. A special edition Daytona, with Jet Black paint work and textured black finish on the frame, wheels and swingarm is also be available.

For the rider who wants more, a full range of Triumph accessories allow him or her to sharpen the Daytona’s focus and refine its purpose – like custom-fit soft luggage — which extends the Daytona’s range as a long-distance, real-world sports bike with touring legs.

The MSRP for the 2004 Daytona 955i is $9,999.

Re-styling Design for 2004:

– Cockpit and seat cowl designed with a sleek, aerodynamic profile
– Chiseled twin beam headlamps, contoured mirrors
– Subtle, sophisticated graphics enhancing Daytona color schemes
– Color-matched air-intakes and cockpit infill compliment sleek design refinements
– Vibrant Racing Yellow paint scheme
– Special edition available with Jet Black paintwork and black finish on frame, swingarm and wheels.

Accessories Available:
– High Mount Oval Carbon Silencer (for off road use only)
– Carbon Silencer (for off road use only)
– Stainless Steel Silencer (for off road use only)
– Alarm / Immobilizer
– Carbon Fiber Tank Pad
– Aero Screen
– Tank Bag
– Gel Seat – Rider
– Throwover Soft Bags
– Gel Seat – Pillion
– Luggage Rack
– Frame Protectors
– Grab Rail
– Rear Axle Nut Covers
– Pit Stand

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd., the manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is located in Newnan, GA and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

My ’98 Laverda Ghost Strike was stolen from my home in Decatur, Alabama on Thursday October 6.

The bike is yellow with black frame and wheels. WERA, Pit-Bull, Michelin, and K&N stickers. The bike was in race trim and therefore has no street accessories.

Bike was stock with exception of clip-ons, and Yamaha front master cylinder. White number plates #64. VIN: ZLV650SP8W0002106

Any information contact myself vie e-mail [email protected] or Decatur City police dept. 256-341-4660.

Thanks for any help,

Allen Goodwin
WERA Expert #64
Decatur, Alabama

From a press release issued by Troll Honda BQR:

Report on yesterday’s final round of the Spanish Bancaja Fórmula de Campeones Motociclismo Superseries held on Sunday, November 9, 2003 at the Circuito Ricardo Tormo de la Community of Valencia

Noyes Wins Final Race and Spanish Superstock Championship

It all went down to the final race, the final lap and the final corner, but in the end the winner of the last round and the title in the Bancaja Motociclismo Superseries Championship, Spain’s top Superstock series, was American Kenny Noyes (Troll Honda CBR954RR) over José Manual Hurtado (MIR Suzuki GSX-R 1000).

The two started the race with Noyes leading by four points, but with Hurtado on the pole and Noyes second. Whoever won between them would take the title.

“I got the holeshot and worked real hard to build up a little lead,” said Noyes. “After about eight laps I had .6 of a second and that felt comfortable, but then I made a couple of little mistakes and my board showed that Hurtado was .3 back. I didn’t want him too close on the last lap because that’s how he beat me back in the spring at the first race of the season. I led into the last corner and was a little too defensive thinking he would go inside and low, but he ran high and got better drive and just made a draft pass at the line.”

As the leaders started the final lap the gap was still .3, but on the approach to chicane before the final corner Noyes was balked by a back marker allowing Hurtado to close right up.

Hurtado made a desperate attempt to ride around the outside on the long decreasing radius left-hander that funnels down to a second gear exit onto the straight, but Noyes had him covered this time and held off the Suzuki rider to win the race. In addition to the 25 points for the win he also picked up the two bonus points for setting the fastest lap, taking him to a 117-108 final score in the points table.

Noyes won the 2000 Formula USA Pro Singles Dirt Track National Championship in 2000 riding a Lineaweaver Husaberg before traveling overseas to Spain, the country of his birth, and joining the BQR racing team based near Barcelona Spain.

“It was real tough the first season on the 600. Then last year BQR put me on the big bike and I started getting the hang of it. I had some good results at the end of last season and this year our goals were to finish top ten in the Spanish Formula Extreme and win the Superstock. We have achieved one of our objectives. The other one may be harder. I’ve got two Spanish Formula Extreme races left and we are sitting 15th in points, ten back of tenth,” he said.

Noyes, who turned 24 at mid-season, has been confirmed as BQR’s lead rider in the Spanish Formula Extreme Championship next year and will ride the new CBR1000RR Fireblade with support from Montesa Honda (the company name of Spanish Honda) Showa and Dunlop. Spain does not have a Superbike series and, therefore the nationally televised Formula Extreme is the country’s most prestigious championship.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Moto Guzzi North America plans to test its MGS/01 and several riders early next month before making a decision whether or not to compete in the new AMA Formula Xtreme class in 2004.

The early December tests at Willow Springs International Raceway will involve up to four riders, with two of those four being Mike Hale and Chuck Sorensen.

According to Bill Martin of Moto Guzzi North America, no commitment has been made to any riders, and no commitments can be made until the company tests its race platform and makes a decision to race.

Martin discounted rumors that the company is testing at Road Atlanta and said that although the company considered Road Atlanta, weather concerns motivated the choice of Willow Springs.

From a press release issued by the Wegman Benefit Fund:

Sportbike Track Time held a benefit track day at Gingerman Raceway for the Wegman Benefit Fund and raised $5,342. Two riders donated above and beyond the $75 minimum entry. Tom Peterson of River Forest, IL added an extra $1,500 donation and Michael Mason from Southfield, MI contributed an extra $150.

Another recent donation came from Crystal Gurr at Scuderia West in San Francisco, California. Scuderia West held an open house and raffle with many vendors donating to the raffle. The event raised $2,400 for the Wegman Benefit Fund.

The Wegman Benefit Fund assists road racers who have been hurt during competition. For information please contact Gordon Lunde at 414-321-2338 or email to [email protected].

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

YAMAHA CONFIRMS VALENTINO ROSSI

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has concluded an agreement with 2003 World Champion Valentino Rossi to head its MotoGP line-up in 2004 and 2005. Rossi will join Yamaha’s wholly-owned factory racing team from 1st January and will begin the 2004 championship on board the Yamaha YZR-M1 in South Africa on 18th April.

Rossi eventually won nine of the 16 races in this year’s MotoGP World Championship having sealed his third consecutive premier class title with a victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix on 12 October. He celebrated the feat with emphatic race wins the following weekend in Australia and at the season finale in Valencia, Spain on Sunday, 2 November. The 24-year-old Italian’s three MotoGP crowns followed a glittering career in the smaller classes that saw him take 125cc and 250cc World Championships before stepping up to motorcycle racing’s premier series.

Rossi and Honda held a joint press conference at the Valencia circuit after last weekend’s race to announce the end of their four-year relationship. The formal announcement cleared the way for Yamaha to conclude an agreement with Rossi.

“We are all extremely happy that Valentino will be joining Yamaha in 2004,” commented Mr Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing. “In our discussions with him it is clear that he relishes the challenge of achieving our goal in MotoGP as much as we do. He is an incredible talent and will make a huge difference. Obviously there is a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we are confident that we can give Valentino the means to achieve more World Championships and we look forward to the challenge ahead. This is a very important step in our plan to re-establish Yamaha as a leading force in Grand Prix racing.”

Rossi will be joining Spaniard Carlos Checa in the Yamaha factory team based near Monza in Italy and run by team director Davide Brivio. Checa’s current team-mate, Italian Marco Melandri, will move to the Tech 3 Yamaha team (currently the Gauloises Yamaha Team). Managed by team principal Hervé Poncharal, the French based squad is a close partner of Yamaha. The combination ensures a strong line-up for Yamaha in 2004 and both teams will continue under the Yamaha-Altadis umbrella sponsorship agreement with the Gauloises and Fortuna brands. Final colours and co-sponsors for the 2004 season have yet to be announced.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tentative 2004 FIM Endurance World Championship Calendar

4/11-12 500km Assen, Holland

5/1-2 6hr Zhuhai, China

5/22-23 TBA

6/4-5 12hr Albacete, Spain

6/26-27 TBA

7/24-25 8hr Suzuka, Japan

8/13-15 24hr Oschersleben, Germany

10/9-10 200mi Vallelunga, Italy

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The 2002 FIM Endurance World Championship-winning Zongshen Team will move up to the 2004 Superbike World Championship.

The Michel Marqueton-owned team will field 31-year-old Australian Warwick Nowland and 35-year-old Italian Piergiorgio Bontempi, but there has been no mention of what brand of bikes the team will use.

Zongshen Team ran Dunlop-equipped Suzuki GSX-R1000s in 2003.