From a press release issued by the Master of Endurance series:

Les 24 Heures du Mans, les 24 Heures de Liège et le Bol d’Or

The three organizers having created the Master of Endurance file a complaint with the European Commission against the FIM for abuse of dominant position

The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Liège and the Bol d’Or, the three organizers which have created the Master of Endurance, have filed a complaint against the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (“FIM”) for abuse of dominant position contrary to Article 82 of the Treaty of Rome. The complaint concerns, in particular, the refusal of the FIM, announced in Prague on October 13, 2002, to recognize the Master of Endurance as a series giving rise to a classification and to prizes, and this on the sole grounds that it would not be in a position to recognize a series which would be in competition with its own World Endurance Championship. The FIM indicated that in the event that the three organizers were to proceed with the organization of such a series, it would deprive all participants in such series of the totality of access to the essential facilities which the FIM holds, alone, and which constitute the indispensable support of motorcycle sports: the granting of licenses (competitors and riders and officials); insurance; homologation/certification of race circuits; verification of safety compliance; etc.

In order to maintain their access to these essential facilities, the three organizers were obliged to respect the authority of the FIM and comply. For this reason, the 24 Hours Moto of Le Mans has been organized on April 12 and 13, 2003 as an individual international meeting. Nonetheless, the organizers believe that the decision by the FIM had as its sole purpose to protect its own commercial interests and not to defend the interests of motorcycle sports and that is the reason for which they have filed their complaint with the Commission.

Through their common name “Master of Endurance”, the three organizers want to propose a new series of endurance racing to the public. The intention of the three organizers has been to perpetuate the true spirit of endurance racing and to offer to all those who are brought together by motorcycle sports the possibility to express themselves, to communicate and to give value to the specific qualities of long-distance racing: brio and reliability.

The competitors and riders, the public, the media and sponsors should have the possibility to choose between the concept of the World Endurance Championship of the FIM and that of the Master of Endurance as a series (or championship, that is to say giving rise to a series classification and to overall prizes).

The threat of being deprived of access to the essential facilities has prevented the three organizers from proposing their new series concept to the motorcycle racing world. To the organizers’ knowledge, this is the first time that the Commission is being called upon to apply, in the framework of the rules of competition, the doctrine of essential facilities to the sports world. The three organizers have full confidence that the European Commission, as guardian of the rules of competition, will take all necessary measures in this case.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

24 Hours of Le Mans Final Qualifying Results:

1. Castrol Suzuki 2 (Bayle/Gimbert/Dussauge), Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:39.568

2. Castrol Suzuki 1 (Morrison/Dobe/Vincent), Suuzki GSX-R1000, 1:40.000

3. Suzuki Junior Team 32 (Dietrich/Tangre/Bouan), Suzuki, 1:41.087

4. Igol/ART Kawasaki 11 (DaCosta/Moreira/Devoyon), Kawasaki ZX-9R, 1:41.529

5. GMT 94 (Scarnato/Holon/Jerman), Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:41.879

6. Sarthe Racing Kart 19 (Guersillion/Hars/Legname), Suzuki, 1:42.080

7. Moto Courneuvien 93 (Lussiana/Parisse/Duterne), Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:42.318

8. Team Dap Moto 91 (Lerat-Vanstaen/Jond/Cortnovis), Suzuki, 1:42.674

9. Infini Team Moto 10 (Roche/Gaillard/Jaulneau), Suzuki, 1:42.891

10. Free Bike Performance 12 (Donischal/Protat/Gomez), Yamaha YZF-R7, 1:42.914

From press releases issued by Pro Italia and Spectum Motorsports:

Pro Italia, one of southern California’s largest dealers of Aprilia
motorcycles and scooters, announces Aprilia Day.

On Saturday April 12, Pro Italia Motors in Glendale, California will be hosting Aprilia Day. Pro Italia’s Aprilia Day will feature Aprilia’s exciting 2003 model lineup. RSV Mille R, RSV Mille, SL 1000 Falco R, Tuono 1000, RST 1000 Futura, ETV 1000 CapoNord, RS250, RS50, Atlantic 500, Scarabeo 150, SR 50 DITECH

Features:
• 2003 Aprilias
• Demo rides
• Italian style pasta lunch
• Price specials on selected parts, accessories and apparel
• Experts on hand to answer your questions

Come and join us for Aprilia Day!

Pro Italia Motors
3319 N Verdugo Road
Glendale, CA 91208
http://www.proitalia.com




Spectrum Motorsports will host an Aprilia Demo day on April 19th at their Irvine, California location from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Models available to test will be the Mille, Falco, Futura, Caponord and Atlantic Scooter.

Spectrum Motorsports is located at 45 Oldfield Road Irvine CA 92618.

For driving directions please go www.spectrummotorsports.com

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

Abe to Ride as Replacement in Africa
4/11/2003 – Africa’s Grand Prix

The Fortuna Yamaha Team has announced today that Norick Abe will ride as a replacement for the injured Marco Melandri in the Africa’s Grand Prix in Welkom, South Africa on Sunday 27th April. The 27-year-old Japanese Yamaha factory test rider will compete on a 2003 race-spec YZR-M1.

Melandri, the team’s 20-year-old MotoGP rookie, suffered multiple leg injuries when he fell during Friday’s opening practice session of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship. He flew to Italy on Monday and has received some treatment from the Championship’s Clinica Mobile medical staff in Imola. He has a cast on his ankle where he suffered a double fracture, but this is due to be removed after next weekend so that physiotherapy can begin. The haematoma around the crack in his femur has significantly reduced and the
bone should heal without complications. On the whole medical staff are quite happy with Melandri’s progress. However, it is still too early to say exactly when the 2002 250cc World Champion will return to competitive action.

Abe, a former GP regular who finished sixth in the 2002 Championship, had been due to compete in the season-opening Japanese Grand Prix as a wildcard. With Melandri ruled out of the race he was drafted in as the Fortuna Yamaha Team’s replacement and rode to 11th place last Sunday.

Abe and Fortuna Yamaha Team regular Carlos Checa stayed at Suzuka for a pre-arranged Yamaha test where Abe had the opportunity to ride the latest 2003 race-spec YZR-M1. However, heavy rain meant that scheduled track time for the pair was significantly reduced.

Name: NORICK ABE

Born: 7 September, 1975 in Tokyo, Japan

Number: 17

First GP: 1994 500cc Japanese Grand Prix (retired)

Career:

1993 All Japan GP500 Champion
1994 500cc World Championship debut
1995 9th 500cc World Championship
1996 5th
1997 7th
1998 6th
1999 6th
2000 8th
2001 7th
2002 6th MotoGP World Championship

From a press release issued by the AMA:

House Bill Introduced to End Biker Health-Insurance Bias

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association reports a measure has been introduced in the U.S. House to ban health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle riders and others.

U.S. Reps. Scott McInnis (R-Colo.) and Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), joined by 49 colleagues, have introduced HR 1749 — “The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act of 2003” — which would bar health-care discrimination against those who take part in legal transportation and recreational activities such as motorcycling, ATV riding, snowmobiling, skiing, or horseback riding.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) introduced similar legislation in the Senate earlier: S 423.

The bi-partisan measures are in response to action taken recently by federal bureaucrats that legalized health-insurance discrimination against riders.

In the 1990s, Congress passed a law meant to bar employers from refusing to cover motorcycle-related injuries in the health-insurance coverage they offer employees: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. But federal bureaucrats reversed that law, writing rules to allow health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who engage in legal activities like skiing, snowmobiling, ATV riding or horseback riding.

“Medical bills from an accident can easily total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “Without insurance, that can amount to a devastating blow to any rider.”

McInnis noted that the regulation written by federal bureaucrats to carry out the original law “grants protective status to recreationists without any substantive benefits. This (new) legislation ensures that the original intent of the (original) legislation that passed overwhelmingly will be upheld.”

Strickland called it “sad” that Congress had to step in on the issue.

“When Congress passed (the original law) we intended to make sure someone who is motorcycling, snowmobiling, running, or walking couldn’t be denied health-care coverage,” Strickland said. “I’m pleased to be the original co-sponsor of a bill that would ensure these individuals receive the medical coverage they need in the event they are injured while doing one of these legal activities.”

Moreland wanted to thank all those involved.

“We got a lot of help on this issue, which goes to show how motorcyclists can get things done when they band together,” Moreland said. “ABATE of Wisconsin and ABATE of Ohio were particularly helpful in getting this legislation introduced.”

Participants of the AMA’s “Introduction to Washington” seminar also worked hard to lobby, as well as members of the Mid-South MILE from Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

Among those also involved in the effort to end health-insurance discrimination are the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, National Ski Areas Association, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, and the American Horse Council.

Riders and others who want to end this type of insurance discrimination are urged to send letters to their members of Congress asking them to support the McInnis-Strickland and Collins-Feingold bills. An easy way to do this is to use the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com.

U.S. representatives who support the new measure are: Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.), Mary Bono (R-Calif.), Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Michael Burgess (R-Texas), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Dave Camp (R-Mich.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Julia Carson (D-Ind.), Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Harold Ford (D-Tenn.), Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Mark Green (R-Wis.), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Tim Johnson (R-Ill.), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), Mark Kennedy (R-Minn.), Dale Kildee (D-Mich.) and Ron Kind (D-Wis.).

Also, U.S. Reps. Mark Steven Kirk (R-Ill.), John Kline (R-Minn.), Tom Latham (R-Iowa), William Lipinski (D-Ill.), Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Scott McInnis (R-Colo.), Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Thomas Petri (R-Wis.), Todd Russell Platts (R-Pa.), Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), John Shimkus (R-Ill.), Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), James Walsh (R-N.Y.), and Jerry Weller (R-Ill.).

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

4/11/2003 – Grand Prix of Japan

Corporate Communications Division
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Update on the condition of Daijiro Kato following his accident

April 11, 2003—We would like to thank everyone for their concern about the condition of Daijiro Kato following his unfortunate accident. This statement is an update on the developments since the accident.

Immediately after the accident Mr. Kato was taken to hospital, where he continues to undergo medical treatment. However, there has been no change in his condition, and he remains unconscious.

The cause of the accident was investigated by the Suzuka Precinct of the Mie Prefectural Police Department and related parties were interviewed, but the specific cause was not ascertained. Honda representatives have also examined the video records generated by the Suzuka Circuit’s on-site surveillance cameras, but the video evidence is not sufficient to determine the cause of the accident.

Honda Racing (HRC) has examined the motorcycle and analyzed the available data regarding its operation, but found no irregularities.

Based on the currently available information, we have not been able to determine the cause of the accident.

From a press release issued by BMW North America:

Jason Perez Joins BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Team USA

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey … Jason Perez, one of the country’s most promising young motorcycle racers, has joined the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Team USA race team. Perez, along with fellow Californian Brian Parriott, will represent BoxerCup Team USA throughout the 2003 season of the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Race series.

Perez, who was deemed one of Roadracing World’s “Young Guns” for 2002, has spent his racing career competing in CMRRA, WSMC, AFM and CCS race events in his native California and throughout the United States. Earlier this year at Daytona USA, he raced in both the 600cc class in CCS competition and in BMW Motorrad BoxerCup race at Daytona International Speedway on March 9. A recent honors graduate, Perez has his sights set on a factory ride in the future and hopes to make the AMA Pro Racing Circuit his home in years to come.

The BMW Motorrad BoxerCup is a motorcycle roadracing series offering substantial prize money and is currently an established feature of the International motorcycle racing scene with the MotoGP Motorcycle World Championships, British National Superbike and endurance races.

Originally, the BoxerCup series was conducted on a national level in France and Belgium. When it was expanded to an International scale throughout Europe in 2001, it began to attract participants with extremely high levels of riding skills from all corners of the globe. Since the series’ inception four years ago, spectator attendance has grown to nearly 100,000 per race event.

BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2003 Race Dates

There are nine BMW Motorrad BoxerCup races planned for 2003, including the inaugural matchup in Daytona. Five of the competitions will be held as part of the MotoGP Motorcycle World Championship race series.

1. March 9 – Daytona International Speedway; Daytona Beach, Florida
2. May 5 – Oulton Park, England; British Superbike Championship
3. May 17 – Le Mans, France; MotoGP
4. June 7 – Mugello, Italy; MotoGP
5. June 14 – Barcelona, Spain; MotoGP
6. June 28 – Assen, Netherlands; MotoGP
7. July 5 – Spa, France; Masters of Endurance
8. July 26 – Sachsenring, Germany; MotoGP
9. August 17 – Brün, Czech Republic; MotoGP

Former champion and racing legend, Randy Mamola will again function as official ambassador and spokesperson for the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2003 race series. For the BMW BoxerCup enthusiast, BMW Motorcycles will offer two new versions of the R 1100 S for the American public. The 2003 R 1100 S BoxerCup Replika ($13,950 MSRP) will have unique trim and equipment to celebrate the arrival of the BoxerCup race series to the U.S. A special graphics package, which mimics the BoxerCup racebike as ridden by Randy Mamola, will grace the Pacific Blue and Alpine White paint scheme. Clear turn signal lenses replace the amber lenses found in the standard R 1100 S. Additionally, a pair of carbon-fiber cylinder head covers and a lower engine spoiler distinguish this special R 1100 S as one of only 300 units that will be designated for the U.S. market for model year 2004. Of the 300 Replikas produced, 150 will be manufactured in “pure” form without ABS and the other 150 units will be more lavishly equipped with ABS
and heated handgrips. Those who wish to own the basis for a track-ready racebike should opt for the strictly-business R 1100 S BoxerCup Prep. Unlike the BoxerCup Replika, the BoxerCup Prep is a lightweight version of the R 1100 S and does not include ABS. Instead, it adds a high-output alternator, sport suspension and 5.5-inch rear wheel. The BoxerCup Prep is available in two color schemes-Titan Silver Metallic or Titan Grey / Mandarin Metallic two-tone (which includes Mandarin-colored wheels). The Prep version will be offered for $11,990 MSRP.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI brands and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Corp. in South Carolina is part of BMW’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 Roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW car, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle, 148 BMW Motorcycle retailers, and 70 MINI dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at http://www.bmwusa.com http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com and http://www.miniusa.com