Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Telefonica Movistar Honda’s Daijiro Kato is fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of a Japanese hospital following a crash into a wall during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on Sunday.

According to reports coming out of Japan, Kato crashed for unknown reasons entering the revised Casio Triangle chicane, impacted the wall on rider’s left at speed and bounced back onto the racetrack, where he narrowly missed getting run over. Kato received life-saving attention at the scene, including efforts to re-start his heartbeat and breathing, before being transported to the infield care center and then flown to a nearby hospital.

Kato is currently diagnosed as having head, neck and chest trauma and is listed in “serious” condition.

Concerns about the level of safety at the famed Japanese racetrack were raised after Marco Melandri, the 2002 250cc World Champion, broke his right leg, and Kato’s crash has resulted in many riders, most notably Kenny Roberts, speaking out about safety problems at Suzuka Circuit.

More details as they become available.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning AMA Formula Xtreme Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:25.792
2. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:25.977
3. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:26.514
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:26.554
5. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:27.041
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:27.249
7. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki, 1:27.570
8. Josh Hayes, Suzuki, 1:27.856
9. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:27.955
10. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:27.985
11. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:28.232
12. Doug Chandler, Honda, 1:28.266
13. Craig Connell, Honda, 1:28.437
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:29.187
15. James Randolph, Suzuki, 1:30.284
16. Jason Curtis, Honda, 1:30.357
17. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:31.307
18. Mark Ledesma, Honda, 1:31.534
19. Lenny Beckman, Suzuki, 1:32.507
20. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki, 1:32.534

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times:

1. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha, 1:27.988
2. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:28.135
3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:28.536
4. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.559
5. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:28.664
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:29.119
7. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:29.228
8. Doug Chandler, Honda, 1:29.237
9. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:29.358
10. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:29.446
11. Craig Connell, Honda, 1:29.552
12. Matt Wait, Yamaha, 1:29.912
13. Jamie Stauffer, Yamaha, 1:29.946
14. Marty Craggill, Honda, 1:30.107
15. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:30.245
16. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki, 1:30.729
17. Chris Peris, Honda, 1:30.987
18. Clint McBain, Suzuki, 1:31.320
19. Nate Wait, Kawasaki, 1:31.725
20. Andrew Nelson, Honda, 1:31.888

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Ben Spies won the Formula Xtreme race at Fontana, beating Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke by 6.565 seconds. Marty Craggill was third on a Bruce Transportation Group Honda.

Defending class Champion Jason Pridmore ran off the track early on and then retired his Attack Suzuki with mechanical problems. Jamie Hacking crashed out his Graves Yamaha while racing for second; Craig Connell crashed his Annandale Honda on the first lap due to a mechanical problem, and his teammate Ty Howard ran out of gas on the last lap, while running 10th.

Results
1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000
2. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR954RR, -6.565 seconds
3. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR954RR, -12.847
4. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -13.879
5. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R1, -15.626
6. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR954RR, -17.022
7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -25.975
8. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -26.865
9. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R1, -33.119
10. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -37.851
11. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, -44.481
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -70.040
13. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, -79.158
14. Ty Howard, Honda CBR954RR, -1 lap
15. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
16. David Guy, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
17. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
18. John Wilson, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
19. Steve Engelbrecht, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
20. James King, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1 lap
21. Alex McElyea, Honda, -1 lap
22. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6, -9 laps, DNF, crash
23. Mark Ledesma, Honda CBR954RR, -11 laps, DNF
24. Mickey Lane, Suzuki GSX-R750, -12 laps, DNF
25. Michael Kosta, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -13 laps, DNF
26. David Bell, Aprilia RSV1000, -14 laps, DNF
27. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -14 laps, DNF
28. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -15 laps, DNF
29. Mark Simon, Suzuki GSX-R750, -16 laps, DNF
30. Craig Connell, Honda CBR954RR, DNF, crash
31. Lenn Beckman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, DNF

Provisional Points
1. Spies, 38
2. Zemke, 32
3. Craggill, 29
4. Hayes, 27
5. Buckmaster, 26
6. Hayden, 25
7. Rapp, 24
8. Fergusson, 23
9. Gobert, 22
10. Moore, 21
11. Chandler, 20
12. Ulrich, 19
13. Curtis, 18
14. Howard, 17
15. Martinez, 16

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha
2. Chuck Sorensen, Aprilia, -14.459 seconds
3. Simon Turner, Honda, -40.497
4. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, -67.924
5. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, -85.740
6. Michael Montoya, Yamaha, -86.171
7. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, -89.163
8. Chris Pyles, Honda, -1 lap, crash
9. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, -1 lap
10. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, -1 lap
11. Greg Esser, Honda, -1 lap
12. Mark Watts, Honda, -1 lap
13. Sean Crane, Yamaha, -1 lap
14. John France, Honda, -1 lap
15. Steve Scott, Yamaha, -1 lap
16. Stephen Bowline, Honda, -1 lap
17. Sean Wray, Yamaha, -1 lap
18. Ben Welch, Yamaha, -1 lap
19. Shawn Murray, Honda, -1 lap (penalized 10 seconds)
20. Richard Denman, Honda, -1 lap
21. Michael Janzen, Honda, -2 laps
22. Sean McNew, Honda, -10 laps, DNF
23. Leonard Mellgren, Yamaha, -12 laps, DNF (penalized 10 seconds)
24. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, DQ

AMA 250cc Grand Prix Point Standings:

1. Oliver, 75 points
2. Sorensen, 64 points
3. Turner, 58 points
4. Jensen, 54 points
5. Melneciuc, 51 points
6. Pyles, 47 points
7. Marchini, 44 points
8. Esser, 39 points
9. Bowline, 28 points
10. Sorbo, 10 seconds

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Reacting to recent news reports quoting DORNA boss Carmelo Ezpeleta as saying that there will be a Grand Prix race in the United States in 2004–and that the race will feature the MotoGP class run with AMA National classes–AMA Pro Racing officials say they have had no discussions with DORNA.

AMA Pro Racing Vice President of Communications Kerry Graeber said that there has been no contact with DORNA and no planning involving running an AMA National in conjunction with a MotoGP race.

Speaking at California Speedway Sunday morning, Graeber said that AMA Pro Racing was not opposed to the idea, in principal.

AMA Pro Racing West Coast Vice President Andy Leisner added that any such event would have to be scheduled to work within the AMA National schedule.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Manuel Poggiali barely made the grid in wet qualifying, charged from the 23rd starting spot on his factory Aprilia RSW250 and won his debut 250cc Grand Prix. Honda-mounted Japanese wild card riders Hiroshi Aoyama and Yuki Takahashi finished second and third, respectively.

250cc Grand Prix Results:

1. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 19 laps, 41:36.284
2. Hiroshi Aoyama, Honda, -1.373 seconds
3. Yuki Takahashi, Honda, -1.496 seconds
4. Sebastian Porto, Honda, -1.700 seconds
5. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, -11.771 seconds
6. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, -13.220 seconds
7. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, -13.497 seconds
8. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, -14.027 seconds
9. Tekkyu Kayo, Yamaha, -24.546 seconds
10. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, -42.722 seconds
11. Alex Debon, Honda, -43.246 seconds
12. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, -47.871 seconds
13. Joan Olive, Aprilia, -69.405 seconds
14. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, -69.779 seconds
15. Jakub Smrz, Honda, -81.048 seconds

20. Katja Poensgen, Honda, -1 lap

24. Anthony West, Aprilia, -4 laps, DNF, crash
25. Toni Elias, Aprilia, -5 laps, DNF, retired

27. Randy De Puniet, Aprilia, DNF, -15 laps, retired

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

The Following Statement Is In Regards to Timing and Scoring

FONTANA, CA–Regrettably, AMA Pro Racing has experienced severe technical difficulties in regards to its timing and scoring operations this weekend. This has resulted in the delay of issuing qualifying times and final results and, in a couple of instances, errors. Fortunately, in each case, the errors were discovered and corrected. The technical problems were further complicated by difficult situations on the track including riders shortcutting the course (all sessions including Superbike, race one) and a red flag situation (Superstock). These types of occurrences require AMA Pro Racing to take such added steps as applying time penalties, etc.

According to Ken Rogers, AMA Pro Racing Director of Timing and Scoring, his team has experienced a number of unusual and frustrating occurrences. “A rash of unrelated problems such as software glitches, hardware failures, an internet failure and connectivity problems with the facility have all hit simultaneously, forcing us to scramble. Individually, any of these would have been problematic but collectively it’s made the situation almost impossible,” said Rogers.

To ensure accuracy and integrity in its timing and scoring operations, AMA Pro Racing utilizes a highly-sophisticated computer-based system as well as a manual back-up system. If discrepancies occur, the two systems can be cross-checked. Additionally, AMA Pro Racing has the ability to review video tape of the races. This multi-level “check and balance” system provides the highest level of accuracy. Rogers also pointed out that absolutely no data has been lost and that it’s simply a matter of relying on our primary back-up systems when this type of situation occurs.

For the remainder of the weekend, all results will be manually cross checked before issuance. Additionally, results will be subject to added scrutiny from AMA Pro Racing personnel. While this may result in a slight delay, AMA Pro Racing is taking these steps to ensure the high level of confidence that our riders and teams deserve and have come to expect.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Jamie Hacking and his wife Rachel narrowly escaped injury in what could have been a very serious automobile accident Saturday night on the grounds of California Speedway.

“He’s glad to be alive,” Yamaha Team Manager Tom Halverson told Roadracingworld.com Sunday morning.

The Hackings were returning from dinner on a track perimeter road, headed to their motorcoach in the paddock, at about 8:00 p.m. local time.

In the midst of negotiating a right-left in front of the Speedway administration building, Hacking struck a metal parking gate that had been left unsecured and had swung out into the roadway.

According to Halverson, a metal pole from the gate went through the Hackings’ windshield, and the pole only missed Jamie Hacking’s head because he moved it at the last second. The pole then recoiled back over the top of Hacking’s head and came back out of the car.

California Speedway Public Relations Director Dennis Bickmeier confirmed the accident, but he did not know why the gate to Parking Lot One had been left unlatched. Bickmeier added that the Speedway’s medical director went to the scene and that no one was injured in the incident.

Halverson said Rachel Hacking was in shock at the scene.

Bickmeier also said the incident is being investigated by the Speedway and by San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department deputies, who were on the property as part of the race weekend security.