Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Barber Motorsports Park General Manager Vickie Abbott said Thursday that a deal to host a 2004 MotoGP event at the new track near Birmingham, Alabama is not a done deal.

Abbott made her remarks in reponse to a Roadracingworld.com post that quoted Barber Motorsports Park Event Manager Crystal Trammell as saying “If it does come, tentative dates would be early April. I can say that. Besides that, it’s a very strong possibility. We’ll put it that way. It’s in very heavy discussion. I have a feeling it would be very soon that you would know. I don’t have a specific time you would know. It shouldn’t be too much longer.”

In a phone call to Roadracingworld.com following the original post, which was headlined “U.S. MotoGP Very Strong Possibility For April 2004, Announcement Could Come Very Soon,” Abbott said that Trammell handled club events at the track and was not authorized to comment on the track’s MotoGP plans.

In a separate phone call to Roadracingworld.com, Trammell said that she did not know that she was talking to a reporter and specifically stated that she was not to be quoted.

In fact, Roadracingworld.com Assistant Editor David Swarts called Trammell, identified himself, and, when asked, told Trammell that he was looking for information for a roadracingworld.com post. Trammell gave Swarts her name and title, and at no time stated that she was not to be quoted.

Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has said an announcement on the location of a 2004 U.S. Grand Prix could come as soon as May 9 during the Grand Prix at Jerez. Ezpeleta also mentioned Barber as a possible location but expressed concerns over Barber Motorsports Park’s infrastructure, specifically a lack of garages at the $54 million facility. Trammell said that the track could build garages to address that concern.

“It is what it is,” Abbott said. “Everybody in the industry knows that Dorna is looking at Barber Motorsports Park as well as Homestead, and that they very much want the MotoGP to return back to the States in 2004, and more than likely it will be one of the two facilities. And yes, we would very much like to have it, but that decision has not been made as yet.

“I can say that the dates they are looking for for 2004 are in early spring, but that could be here or it could be at Homestead,” said Abbott.

From a letter issued by Bruno Event Team on behalf of Barber Motorsports Park:

As I am sure you are aware, the official statement from the Barber Motorsports Track is as follows:

In observance for the Easter weekend, Cornerspeed School/WERA open practice on Friday, April 18 and the WERA weekend event has been postponed until further notice. The 2003 WERA Sportsman Series is a motorcycle club series that was originally scheduled for this weekend, April 19-20. Rescheduling options are being discussed.


I would like to add the following:

We greatly regret that we have had to postpone the WERA event scheduled for April 18-20, 2003. This decision was made after much thought and consideration, and after discussions with WERA that covered approximately one week’s time. We regret that our final decision was made so close to the date.

We are currently working with WERA to reschedule this event. In addition, we will be offering both WERA and its members a special package for this rescheduled date. We hope very much that WERA will reschedule this event. At the moment, we have offered 2 separate weekends. Neither was acceptable to WERA, but we will keep trying and find a weekend that works.

There have been many rumors flying. Please do not speculate that there is anything more into this than what we have said in our official statement, because there is not.

To address just a few of the concerns and comments we have heard:

We are indeed a purpose built track for motorcycles, and we allow cars to run on our motorcycle track. We have had motorcycles on the track and we will continue to have motorcycles on the track.

Grass roots is what makes racing, we know and support this.

There is no turmoil between the Barber Motorsports Park and WERA. Nor any turmoil between the Bruno Event Team and WERA. WERA did not upset any of us, but we do understand WERA and its members being upset with us.

The decision to postpone the event was made by Barber Motorsports Park, not Bruno Event Team.

Our focus is, and has been for quite some time, to complete all the construction in the Park. We have 3 buildings that we are completing within the next week, and we are still working hard to complete the Musuem and a fiber optics race control system. Thus, with our focus on completing the facility, we have not paid close attention to the day to day operations, and we should have. We sincerely apologize for our over-site and the necessity to postpone this event.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,
Jeff Ray
The Barber Motorsports Park

A transcription of a teleconference arranged by Infineon Raceway:

AMA Teleconference April 16, 2003
Hosted by Infineon Raceway

AMA U.S. Chevy Truck Superbike riders Eric Bostrom (Kawasaki) and Ben Bostrom (Honda) participated in a teleconference on Wednesday, April 16, in advance of the AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge, presented by Honda of Milpitas, at Infineon Raceway, May 2-4.

Q. Eric, Suzuki took both Superbike race victories at Fontana were you surprised by that? What problems might Suzuki encounter at Infineon Raceway due to not testing here?

A. Well, I wasn’t too surprised that they had such good results there (Fontana) because the track is real fast and they tested so well there. Right now, they just seem to have motor advantage on the rest of the field, but we’re all the same going into Infineon Raceway. I’m pretty sure that their advantage with the motor won’t matter there. We haven’t raced a tight track yet this year, from Daytona to Fontana, and Infineon’s always been best for my bike. For some crazy reason I’ve never won a doubleheader yet, and that’s definitely my goal.

Q. Ben, how’s the transition been from World Superbike?

A. It’s been a bit of a struggle. I thought it would come easier. Your brain gets used to a fast moving tracks, and you come back to Superbike and the turns are a bit slower. Fontana is a bit of a stop-and-go racetrack. Obviously I’m not finishing up front, so I need to get my brain in gear. I’m riding a great bike, so hopefully that will move me up front.

Q. How great is it for the two of you to be racing together again? Obviously, with Ben in Europe quiet a bit, it must be great to see each other and compete against one another.

A. Eric – It’s really been special because for the last three years I’ve been kind of lonesome. Ben’s been awesome and I just haven’t had a good partner to play with and train with. Even today, we got to the track down here and we were off checking out some boulders down south of Atlanta, doing a little climbing. It’s really special to have someone to do that with. The racing’s great too, because we’re both really competitive. To have someone you know so well is almost a good benchmark. You think, I’ve really got to put it to my brother.

Ben – It’s been great to be back with your brother and your friends. It’s almost like I took a break from my life (when in World Superbike). On the track, Eric’s as competitive as ever and it’s nice to have someone who doesn’t mind having you follow them around. At some of the tracks we just go around together to try to figure things out. It’s just great to be back with my brother.

Q. Ben, how do you look back on your experience in World and what made you decide to come back?

A. The experience was second to none and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The first two years were great, but the third year was tough. I needed to come home to recharge and remember where I came from. When a seat opened up, I wanted to come back home to Honda and the fantastic company. And it’s just nice to remember the good things in life.

Q. Ben, did you get to test yet at Infineon?

A. We did. I went up there for a couple days and tested. It was strange because I couldn’t wait to get back on the Honda and do some laps. But, at the end of the day we were a second or two behind the group. I was riding with Nicky’s transmission, but he’s a different rider, so that was hard. It’s a fantastic track – much, much safer and they’ve made some great change. Now I believe it’s a safe place to race and they’ve provided for more passing spots.

Q. Last year, there was lots of flap about the race and the safety issues. Obviously the track has spent some money on changing things, what are your thoughts on the improvements?

Eric – Basically, there were several issues at the track last year, but I think Infineon’s the first track we’ve ever been to that’s asked the riders for feedback. They brought us all up to the track there a few months ago to get our input. It really shows their commitment and how much this event means to them. We came up with some pretty good options that made the track safer and made more passing opportunities. I’m looking forward to going back. I think it’s the first time I’ll be able to ride that track to my fullest ability. I’m looking forward to a good race. (Turn 1, 8-10 and 11 to address concerns).

Q. Ben, you mentioned earlier that when you were testing you were on Nicky’s transmission on the Honda. What do you like about the Honda? What are you doing to make the bike more comfortable for you? What are the differences?

A. Basically we’re putting laps on it. Every time we go test I try to stay out and put as many laps in as I can. Anytime we change the bike too much it seems to get worse. Nicky and I had a slightly different set up, so we’re running a different front end and transmission. The transmission is so important because it changes the back pressure of the tires through the corner. Minor tweaks to the chassis mean a lot, too – it results in a major, major change for the motorcycle. I’m still just trying to get comfortable on the bike.

Q. Is it a frustrating process to try to dial in the bike week-to-week now that the season’s started?

Ben – It’s really frustrating. We went to a test, our first good-weather test, and we were so far off the pace I couldn’t believe it. Riding these bikes is supposed to be fun, and it’s not an opportunity you get too often. You want to just put your head down, but when you’re not comfortable you can’t do that. It’s not any fun to run in the back, so when we get to Infineon we hope we’ll be excited and ready to go. I think the results will get better as the year goes on.

Q. Thinking back, what made you want to try World Superbike?

Ben – Initially, it was something new to try. We raced for Ducati in 1999 and I wanted to stay with Ducati in 2000, but they wanted us to come over to World Superbike. I didn’t think I was ready to go, but I was excited to try something new, ride fast tracks and see the world. I have the goal of being the World champion and there’s only one way to get it – that’s what pulled me.

Q. Can you compare the fan following and travel between World and AMA Superbike?

Ben – Traveling is much better now. You’re at home, climbing, surfing, whatever. You climb on an airplane and within five hours you’re at the track. You get there on Thursday, get on your bike and by Monday you’re back home, sleeping in your bed. The first year in World is fantastic – there’s lots to see, lots to learn, the food, motorcycles are a way of life over there and it’s great. You go into a restaurant and people stand up and clap – you almost can’t get a free moment. It’s great in the states because there are so many sports, nobody knows who you are. It’s kind of nice.

Q. Ben, you mentioned climbing and surfing. Where do you call home?

Ben – Las Vegas, but we’re in the middle of working on a house there. When you want to surf, you go to California (near San Diego). When you want to climb, you go to Las Vegas.

Q. What are you thoughts on some of the local (Central Valley) riders – Kurtis Roberts and Tony Meiring?

Eric – Tony is an up and comer. Good kid. Basically he’s still trying to pound his way through the ranks and he’s doing a good job, coming up quick. He’s currently in 600 Supersport and 750 Superstock. I don’t compete against him, but his results continue to get better. He had really fantastic results down in Fontana.

Kurtis is another competitor and son of a world champion. He’s a great rider, but sometimes he’s up and down with his results. He’ll put in fantastic results one week and really be a threat, and the next week he’ll just fade out. They’re both good guys to compete against.

Q. Ben, are you headed back to World Superbike in 2004?
Ben – No, with the manufacturer’s taking a year off to rebuild their bikes, they’ll return in 2004 and I think the series will be fantastic again. I have no plans right now. I just need to get back on my feet and learn to ride the Hondas and relearn the winning ways.

Q. What are your thoughts on racing a pair of guys (Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards) who are now in Moto GP? What does it mean for Moto GP to have those guys moving to that series?

Eric – It’s great to watch Nick and Colin. They’re both fantastic riders. It’s cool to judge yourself against them because you’ve raced against them. You know they’re trying hard and adjusting to new tracks and new teams. It’s exciting. I’d definitely like to get a chance to join them in the not-too-far distant future and get back to racing against great competitors.

Ben- They’re both fantastic riders. I think, for Nick, he was champion last year and he wanted to go try something new. With World Superbike taking a break this year, Colin was world champion and wanted to try something new, too. It’s great to have some Americans over in the series and to have someone to root for.

Q. Ben, Honda has certainly dominated at Infineon raceway with nine Superbike wins. Is there a reason why Honda would do so well here?

Ben – I think they’ve had some really great riders in the past, like Hayden (he’s a charger and likes a track like that) and Miguel Duhamel (another charger and comfortable there). I’m hoping this year, Honda will take it again.

Q. Eric, how is the Kawasaki built for a track like this?

Eric – This track suits our bike really great. Last year it seemed like we should’ve given Nicky a better run for his money. The bike didn’t work very well with the tires last year. This year, Dunlop fixed the problem for us and the track really suits our bike well. I was disappointed to not be a threat last year.

From a press release issued by Suzuki:

MOTORCYCLE CO-DEVELOPED BY SUZUKI AND KAWASAKI

Tokyo – Suzuki Motor Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced that they would start distributing their co-developed motorcycle to the worldwide market in September 2003.

On August 29, 2001, Suzuki and Kawasaki announced an agreement on their business alliance. As a first step of this alliance, in February 2002, they started mutually supplying motorcycle and ATV OEM models in the Japanese domestic and overseas markets.

The first co-developed motorcycle is a motocross model with 250cc 4-stroke motor. It is jointly designed by both companies and will be produced at Kawasaki factory in Japan. Sales of this model will be done separately through each brand’s own dealer network as Suzuki and Kawasaki product respectively. Both companies will also utilize All Japan Motocross Championship starting this April as a final test around and research by letting their supporting racers ride the prototype of this model.

By fully utilizing both parties’ combined resources, Suzuki and Kawasaki made it possible to co-develop new product in a short period. This is another milestone accomplished by both companies through their business alliance next to on-going mutual OEM products supply.

Both companies are going to get the practical synergy out of this alliance by positively promoting further OEM supply, co-development of future products and commonizing parts and components.

From a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

17 APR: Phakisa Freeway

Proton Team KR : Welkom Preview

Is Welkom the Die-Hard Two-Strokes’ last stand?

The South African GP sees Proton Team KR riders Jeremy McWilliams and Nobuatsu Aoki in what they hope will be their last time in the role of David against several Goliaths.

The pair of racers played a valiant role last year, harrying the 500cc two-stroke rivals and now-and-then teasing the ultra-powerful new 990cc four-strokes at tracks where the lightweight KR3’s handling made up for the power deficit.

They will do so again at the South African GP, at Welkom’s Phakisa Freeway circuit, next Sunday.

At the same time, riders and team are also coming to the end of a waiting game. Even before they left for South Africa, Proton Team KR’s own V5 990cc four-stroke was fast reaching the stage of shake-down track tests, with both riders and team owner Kenny Roberts standing by for their first taste of the future.

All being well, the team still targets a race debut two weeks after the South African round, at the Spanish GP at Jerez.

This puts a different complexion on the South African round, which could be the last ever race to see a 500cc two-stroke in action. The type dominated the premier class for more than 25 years, but they were swamped by the power of the 990cc MotoGP machines introduced last year.

“I hope this will be the last GP our riders are the slowest down the straight,” said Kenny Roberts, the driving force behind the team, as well as the enormous project to design and build the all-new V5 racer.

The twisting Phakisa Freeway, at a power-sapping altitude of more than 4,500 feet, has some peculiarities that counteract the inferior speed of the two-stroke die-hards, which last year were 13 km/h slower at the Phakisa straight.

The 2.6-mile track has no less than 14 corners, where the nimble KR3 can regain lost ground; while the surface is littered with bumps both large and small – another situation where the lighter weight pays dividends.

“There’s not much to say about this race,” said team manager Chuck Aksland. “We’re playing a waiting game, really. But we’ll have a full pit crew, and we’ll do the best we can. It’s a track where the field gets spread out, and if we can keep the bikes running right both our guys have a chance of getting in the points.”

But at least part of the everybody’s minds will be back at base in Banbury, England, where the fresh new howl of the racing V5 signals a new start in the near future.

The South African round signals the end of the season-opening “flyaway” races. Two weeks later, the fortnight treadmill of the European season begins in earnest at the Spanish GP at Jerez.

Jeremy McWilliams
This track’s nothing like Suzuka. The difference with the four-strokes won’t be so great. They’re really strong the way they catapult out of corners as well as just straightline speed, but there’s some sections at Welkom that are flowing, and we’re alright there. We were holding our own quite well last year, before I had gearbox trouble. I’m hoping to have ridden the V5 before the race, so if that feels good straight away then it will be more frustrating to be back on the two-stroke. But we need to test the new bike at a circuit before we can race it. We have to do it process by process.

Nobuatsu Aoki
This was my second race last year, and once we started I was able to be quite competitive, until something leaked. Welkom is not like any other circuit. It’s more like a pocket-bike track, with one fast section. The two-stroke is quite good in the technical sections. I will be trying to make sure to finish, and hope to get some points. Of course it’s a race, and I always try my best. I will be thinking about the four-stroke as well, and how quickly we can make that ready for racing.

From a press release issued by KTM:

KTM philosophical after first ever road race GP

17.04.2003

The new KTM road racing project spear-headed by reigning World Champion Arnaud Vincent and former number one Roberto Locatelli experienced a quiet introduction into the World Championships at Suzuka.

With the paint of the Red Bull sponsored outfit still fresh and little testing mileage under the orange fairings Vincent lasted two laps in ninth position before suffering engine trouble while Locatelli finished eight places outside the points in 23rd.

Despite the obvious teething troubles the machine certainly looks the part and current technical guru in charge of the team Harald Bartol hinted this might be a brief glimpse into the firm´s future MotoGP plans.

´It looks a bit different from the aerodynamics of other bikes and from the engine side we have a completely new gearbox development going on,´ he said. ´Basically looking to the future, we are developing some things we will use later on in the MotoGP bike. In only four months you don´t have the time to do the full programme of testing and everything. I think it will take three or four races to reach where we should be.

From a press release issued by the Parts Canada Superbike Championship Series:

TORONTO, ON – Noted Canadian parts manufacturer Hindle Exhaust Systems has taken over the title sponsorship of the Pro 600 Sport Bike class in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship for 2003.

The division will now be known as Hindle 600 Sport Bike.

Based in Uxbridge, ON, northeast of Toronto, Hindle Exhaust Systems has become internationally renowned for its products. Legendary Canadian road racer Lang Hindle started making pipes in 1973 and his business was incorporated in 1982 following his retirement from competition. Hindle products are distributed through Canada by national series title sponsor Parts Canada.

As a racer Hindle was one of the pioneers of Superbike racing in Canada and won the national title in 1981.

“We’re happy to have the whole Hindle family involved in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship,” said Colin Fraser of Professional Motorsport Productions, which runs the national road race series. “Lang has a proud history in the sport as a competitor and builder, which is particularly noteworthy as we approach the 25th anniversary of Superbike racing in Canada. It is also nice to have a Canadian supplier take on such a prominent role in the series.”

Although the sponsorship deal is for an unspecified length of time, Hindle hopes it will become a long term association.

“We’re really, really excited to be the sponsor of the Pro 600 Sport Bike series and we want to be involved for quite a while,” he said. “We want to add the stability to the Canadian racing scene that it needs. I’m just pleased we’ve put this company in a position to do this. It’s a dream come true for me to be able to put something back into the sport.”

The Hindle 600 Sport Bike class will run alongside the Parts Canada Superbike feature division and International Motorcycle Supershow Amateur 600 Sport Bike category at each round of the 2003 national tour.

The season opens at Shannonville Motorsport Park May 16-18 before traveling to Race City Motorsport Park in Calgary June 6-8 and Autodrome St. Eustache, near Montreal July 4-6. Bowmanville, ON’s Mosport International Raceway will stage a Superbike doubleheader as part of its July 18-20 weekend. The national title chase will then move on to Atlantic Motorsport Park near Halifax Aug. 8-10 and Circuit Mont-Tremblant Aug. 15-17. The series wraps up back at Shannonville Aug. 29-31.

Competitors in the Hindle 600 Sport Bike class will race for a $3000 purse at each round and a share of the $12,500 year-end points fund.

Calgary’s Clint McBain is the defending Hindle 600 Sport Bike champion.

From a press release issued by Monster Mob Ducati:

BYRNE SET TO BLAZE A TRAIL AT THRUXTON

EASTON ALSO FIRED UP FOR SUCCESS IN HAMPSIRE

The MonsterMob Ducati pairing of Superbike star Shane Byrne and defending Supersport champion Stuart Easton head for round three of their respective championships at Thruxton this Easter weekend in determined mood after mixed fortunes last time out.

26 year old Byrne extended his lead at the top of the series despite tyre problems in race one which relegated him to second place when he had a comfortable lead, but ‘Shakey’ made amends by easily winning race two to stretch the gap to a healthy 27 points.

“The double win can’t be far off and right now, all I’m concentrating on doing is winning races. Thruxton is one of my favourite tracks and I won there last year so I’ll be hoping for more success. If I can continue to build a lead, the championship will look after itself” said the Minster, Kent rider.

Meanwhile, team mate Easton is fired up after the disappointment of retiring in the Snetterton race with a misfire. Then, the 18 year old from Hawick was poised to take the lead but is adamant that he will be redressing the balance this weekend.

“They are going to receive it!” said the ‘Rat Boy’. “People have started writing me off already and that’s a dangerous thing to do. I’m fully motivated and looking forward to the challenge this weekend at a circuit which suits me and the bike” continued the Scot who has spent the week training with Byrne.

For team owner Paul Bird, he too is looking forward to bagging a load more points on Easter Sunday:

“We’re up for the quest and we just need to consolidate. The riders love the track, the bikes are well suited and the team is confident. After this weekend, we’ll be a quarter of the way into the championship but it’s still early days and we won’t be getting too excited just yet. Shakey deserves a double and Stuart a win also after they both had bad luck last weekend and that’s what we’re shooting for” said the Penrith businessman.