Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Motorcycle Hall of Famer George Roeder died Thursday, May 8 from an apparent heart attack, reported Paul James, Harley-Davidson/Buell Communications Manager, in an e-mail to Roadracingworld.com.

According to his bio on the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame website, www.ama-cycle.org/museum/index.asp, Roeder was born August 16, 1936 in Monroeville, Ohio and started racing motorcycles as a professional at age 17. He took his first Grand National dirt track race win at the Springfield Mile in 1963; won a total of eight GNC races; and finished second in the Grand National Championship twice, by one point to Dick Mann in 1963 and runner-up to Gary Nixon in 1967.

Roeder also road raced, taking four podium finishes in the Daytona 200, and set a land speed record of 177.225 mph on a Harley-Davidson 250cc Sprint-powered streamliner in 1965 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Two of Roeder’s sons, George “Geo” Roeder, II and Jess Roeder are both accomplished professional motorcycle racers. George Roeder’s oldest son, Will, runs the Harley-Davidson dealership George opened many years ago in Monroeville.

No memorial information was available at post time.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP Top Speeds From Provisional Qualifying:

1. Tohru Ukawa, Honda, 173.0 mph
2. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 171.1 mph
3. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 171.0 mph
4. Valentino Rossi, Honda, 169.9 mph
5. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 168.9 mph
6. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 168.8 mph
7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 168.3 mph
8. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 167.8 mph
9. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 167.7 mph
10. Olivier Jacque, Yamaha, 167.1 mph
11. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 165.7 mph
12. Colin Edwards, Aprilia, 165.2 mph
13. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 165.2 mph
14. Shinya Nakano, Yamaha, 165.0 mph
15. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 164.5 mph
16. Alex Barros, Yamaha, 164.4 mph
17. Max Biaggi, Honda, 162.2 mph
18. Andrew Pitt, Kawasaki, 161.7 mph
19. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 161.4 mph
20. Jeremy McWilliams, Proton, 159.5 mph
21. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 156.0 mph
22. Garry McCoy, Kawasaki, 155.9 mph

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Free Practice:

MotoGP:

Troy Bayliss, Station 14, Rider OK
Alex Barros, Station 3, Medical, Rider OK
Max Biaggi, Station 12, Rider OK
John Hopkins, Station 15, Rider OK

250cc:

Dirk Heidolf, Station 13, Rider OK


Qualifying Practice:

MotoGP:

Andrew Pitt, Station 14, Rider OK
Shinya Nakano, Station 19, Rider OK

250cc:

Erwan Nigon, Station 17, Rider OK
Toni Elias, Station 7, Rider OK
Sebastian Porto, Station 12, Medical, Rider OK
Randy DePuniet, Station 2, Rider OK
Johan Stigefelt, Station 10, Rider OK

125cc:

Marco Simoncelli, Station 19, Rider OK
Simone Corsi, Station 17, Rider OK
Mirko Giansanti, Station 13, Rider OK

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

New Assistant Editor Steve Atlas has reported for duty at Roadracing World headquarters in Lake Elsinore, California.

Atlas replaces Michael Hannas, who is no longer associated with the company in any way.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s 250cc Free Practice Times:

1. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:45.803
2. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:45.879
3. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:46.004
4. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:46.309
5. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:46.328
6. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:46.550
7. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:46.747
8. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:46.851
9. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:47.235
10. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 1:47.366
11. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:47.389
12. Alex Debon, Honda, 1:47.517
13. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:47.705
14. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:47.926
15. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, 1:48.023

28. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 1:53.145

Friday’s 250cc Qualifying Times:

1. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, 1:45.117
2. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 1:45.215
3. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 1:45.354
4. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 1:45.968
5. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 1:45.993
6. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 1:46.195
7. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 1:46.724
8. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 1:46.897
9. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 1:46.918
10. Christian Gemmel, Honda, 1:46.961
11. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 1:47.446
12. Anthony West, Aprilia, 1:47.389
13. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 1:47.580
14. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 1:47.608
15. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 1:47.722

107 percent of fastest time: 1:52.475

DNQ. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 1:53.145

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s 125cc Practice Times:

1. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:48.869
2. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:48.916
3. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, 1:49.049
4. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:49.093
5. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:49.248
6. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:49.372
7. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 1:49.689
8. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 1:49.871
9. Emilio Alzamora, Derbi, 1:49.886
10. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, 1:49.959
11. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:50.081
12. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 1:50.195
13. Steve Jenkner, Aprilia, 1:50.351
14. Mika Kallio, Honda, 1:50.579
15. Marco Simoncelli, Aprilia, 1:50.580

Friday’s 125cc Qualifying Times:

1. Pablo Nieto, Aprilia, 1:47.711
2. Alex De Angelis, Aprilia, 1:48.269
3. Daniel Pedrosa, Honda, 1:48.319
4. Lucio Cecchinello, Aprilia, 1:48.781
5. Andrea Dovizioso, Honda, 1:48.909
6. Youichi Ui, Aprilia, 1:49.021
7. Stefano Perugini, Aprilia, 1:49.082
8. Casey Stoner, Aprilia, 1:49.271
9. Masao Azuma, Honda, 1:49.583
10. Gino Borsoi, Aprilia, 1:49.632
11. Arnaud Vincent, KTM, 1:49.743
12. Mirko Giansanti, Aprilia, 1:49.813
13. Simone Corsi, Honda, 1:49.832
14. Gabor Talmacsi, Aprilia, 1:49.892
15. Jorge Lorenzo, Derbi, 1:50.017

From a press release:

BMG Chosen As New Husaberg Distributor

WOODSTOCK, NB CANADA – Barrett Marketing Group (BMG), an international distributor of recreational products, officially announced a distribution alliance with Husaberg, a division of the KTM Group.

“Our success with KTM motorcycles has given us the opportunity to now put our 25 years of distribution experience, our proven brand launching expertise, and our marketing power to work for Husaberg,” says BMG’s Josh Barrett.

As of May 1, all 2003 Husaberg models will be available at select BMG dealers across North America. By the end of 2003, BMG expects to have approximately 75 dealers carrying the Husaberg line.

To ensure dealers experience quick and cost-efficient product delivery, BMG has decided that inventory management and distribution of the motorcycles will be handled by their Orlando, Florida, facility. Husaberg parts and accessories will be distributed from their Arlington, Tennessee warehouse.

“We’re very pleased to be working with Husaberg,” says Barrett. “It solidifies our relationship with KTM Group and allows us to focus on one of the most exciting motorcycle launches the industry has seen in years. We fully expect to make Husaberg the premier, exotic, off-road motorcycle in North America and we want to make a strong presence in the exciting and evolving super-moto market.”

Dealers interested in carrying Husaberg motorcycles are invited to call Josh Barrett at 506-328-1315 for more information.


· With five distribution centers and a 3500-member North American dealer network, Barrett Marketing Group is the largest independent distributor of recreational products in Canada and a major force in the international distribution industry. BMG is synonymous with such well-known brands as KTM, EZ Loader, Troy Lee Designs and Kawasaki power products. The company is based in Woodstock, New Brunswick—just minutes away from the Canada-US border.

· In just 15 years, Husaberg motorcycles have moved from an old cowshed on the Husaberg Udde peninsula in Sweden, hooked up with KTM of Austria and taken the elite motocross-racing world by storm. Since the first production unit rolled out of the barn doors in 1989, Husaberg racers have nabbed 17 World Champion titles and a myriad of top-round finishes throughout North America and Europe. Husaberg bikes can now be seen on nearly every motocross, enduro, super-moto, and cross country track around the world.

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

H-D Racer and AMA Hall of Famer George Roeder 1936-2003

George Roeder passed away on May 8, 2003, he was 66. Roeder was one of the top Harley-Davidson AMA Grand National dirt track racers during the 1960s, winning eight national events and finishing second in the Grand National championship in 1963 and 1967. Like many racers of the era, Roeder was versatile. He set a 250cc land speed record with the Harley-Davidson Sprint streamliner in 1965, and finished on the podium four times at the Daytona 200 roadrace during the 1960s. In 1972, he opened a Harley dealership in his hometown of Monroeville, Ohio. Roeder’s Harley-Davidson is family owned and operated today by his oldest son Will. He is survived by wife Jessie, sons Will, George II (Geo) and Jess and daughter Kami.

A visitation will be held at the Jump-File Funeral Home in Monroeville, Ohio, on Monday, May 12, from 7-9 PM and Tuesday, May 13, from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM. Funeral services will be held at Cavalry Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 14 at 10:30 AM, followed by a reception at the Norwalk County Fairgrounds and lap around the race track. Memorials may be sent to Cavalry Baptist Church Youth Activity Center in memory of George Roeder. Calvary Baptist Church, 250 Benedict Ave., Norwalk, Ohio 44857.

From a press release issued by the FIM:

Jerez de la Frontera, May 9 2003

Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
Spanish Grand Prix: decision of the Race Direction and the FIM Stewards

Following the technical scrutineering carried out yesterday at the circuit of Jerez, the Technical Director decided to refuse the Harris WCM motorcycles as eligible for the Spanish Grand Prix, for non conformity to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Technical Regulations, Art. 2.2.1.

A protest lodged by the manager of the WCM team against this decision was declared not founded by the Race Direction. This decision of the Race Direction was subsequently confirmed in appeal by the FIM Stewards.

The decision of the FIM Stewards is final.


* * * * *

Hearing of the International Disciplinary Court

The WCM team lodged an appeal to the International Disciplinary Court against the decision of the FIM Stewards taken at the South African Grand Prix in Welkom on April 24. The hearing will take place at the FIM headquarters in Mies, Switzerland, on May 16, 2003.