From a press release issued by Octagon Motorsports:

OCTAGON MOTORSPORTS SIGNS MERCHANDISING LICENCE AGREEMENT

Octagon Motorsports, organiser of the FIM Superbike World Championship, is pleased to announce that it has signed a three-year merchandise licence agreement with Firebrand Live.

Official merchandising forms a integral part in the development of the Superbike brand and is always in high demand by the Championship’s loyal and ever-expanding fan base.

London-based Firebrand Live has contracted an significant client roster that is as impressive as it is diverse. With a strong music and popular events base, Firebrand Live delivers merchandise solutions for clients that include Cream, Party in the Park, Capital FM, Alanis Morrissette and Sophie Ellis Bextor.

“We are very pleased to have concluded the agreement with Firebrand as our global merchandising partners for the Championship. They are very experienced in delivering a strong merchandising presence at large events and feel that they will be able to offer our fans a broad range of quality merchandise that reflects the spirit of the Championship,” said SBK Marketing Manager, Robert Wicks.

Firebrand Live MD Danny Oakes is excited at the prospect: “From the outset, we have always attempted to bring something fresh and dynamic to the merchandising business with emphasis on customer satisfaction. In the World Superbike context, we want to create a merchandising operation that reflects the culture of the Championship and its fans.”

“We want to provide fans with more attractive, visible and effective vending facilities at the track and at the same time deliver a comprehensive product range that sees an improvement on design and product quality plus the introduction of new products that haven’t been part of the Superbike merchandise experience in the past,” added Oakes.

Another initiatives include the development of extensive on-line retailing facilities with product exclusives, competitions and discounts to reward the Superbike community.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Several of the AMA factory teams are displaying interest in young Australian racer Jamie Stauffer following his impressive performance at Daytona.

Stauffer, 23, was fast in most practice sessions and in qualifying at Daytona before finishing seventh in the Supersport final on a privateer Yamaha YZF-R6 he built. Stauffer says he was contacted after the Daytona event by several of the AMA factory teams who displayed interest in working with him on a variety of levels.

“They are talking about helping me with parts and bikes, and some are talking about maybe having me join their team,” said Stauffer Friday before adding that the Yamaha factory team gave him some parts for his R6 in the week prior to the Fontana race.

But the factory teams want to see Stauffer repeat his Daytona performance before they talk contracts.

“They want to make sure that it wasn’t a fluke,” said Stauffer.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s 250cc Qualifying Times:

1. Hiroshi Aoyama, Honda, 2:17.930
2. Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Yamaha, 2:18.105
3. Alex Debon, Honda, 2:18.274
4. Roberto Rolfo, Honda, 2:19.990
5. Naoki Matsudo, Yamaha, 2:20.018
6. Sebastian Porto, Honda, 2:20.285
7. Yuki Takahashi, Honda, 2:20.998
8. Sylvain Guintoli, Aprilia, 2:22.111
9. Fonsi Nieto, Aprilia, 2:22.457
10. Jakub Smrz, Honda, 2:22.464
11. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia, 2:22.811
12. Tekkyu Kayo, Yamaha, 2;22.869
13. Johan Stigefelt, Aprilia, 2:23.476
14. Hugo Marchand, Aprilia, 2:23.717
15. Jaroslav Hules, Yamaha, 2:24.348
16. Franco Battaini, Aprilia, 2:24.692
17. Anthony West, Aprilia, 2:25.134
18. Hector Faubel, Aprilia, 2:25.496
19. Dirk Heidolf, Aprilia, 2:26.028
20. Randy DePuniet, Aprilia, 2:26.560
21. Erwan Nigon, Aprilia, 2:26.613
22. Tamoyoshi Koyama, Yamaha, 2:26.730
23. Christian Gemmel, Honda, 2:27.509
24. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia, 2:28.281
25. Henk vd Lagemaat, Honda, 2:28.804
26. Katja Poensgen, Honda, 2:28.988
27. Toni Elias, Aprilia, 2:29.312
28. Joan Olive, Aprilia, 2:33.222
29. Eric Bataille, Honda, 2:33.886
30. Chaz Davies, Aprilia, 2:37.382

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Defending AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore did not ride in AMA practice Friday at California Speedway because he had no bike to ride.

“My bike’s not here,” said Pridmore when asked why he wasn’t on the track. “I’ve got the Number One plate and no bike to race.”

Pridmore said that Attack Suzuki team owner Richard Stanboli was working to finish his 2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike as he spoke, but Pridmore did not have a Formula Xtreme racebike to ride Friday.

“The thing I’m bummed about,” continued Pridmore, “is that other people (Yoshimura Suzuki) are getting their bikes in November. I don’t understand that.

“My team is the best. I love my guys. This is no reflection on Richard Stanboli or my team, but I don’t know who to blame. All I know is I’m here, I’m ready to ride, I don’t have a bike and it shouldn’t be like that.”

When asked about Pridmore’s situation, American Suzuki’s Pat Alexander said that the American Suzuki AMA support teams – Corona Extra Suzuki, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki and Attack Suzuki – all received their bikes within a few days of the AMA race at Daytona and Yoshimura Suzuki got its bikes first because it is the Suzuki factory AMA Superbike team.

Alexander added, “My understanding is that Jason’s team ran into problems during the bike’s preparation. As you know, the GSX-R1000 was a late release, and they just wanted it to be right.”

Corona Extra Suzuki put the finishing touches on its three 2003 GSX-R1000s at the racetrack Thursday and Friday. Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki concentrated on getting one, topline 2003 GSX-R1000 Formula Xtreme bike built for rider Steve Rapp for the California Speedway race and planned to have Chris Ulrich’s 2003 GSX-R1000 built in time for the Sears Point race.

Pridmore’s teammate Josh Hayes rode on of the team’s 2002-model GSX-R1000s Friday at Fontana, and the team plans to have Pridmore’s new bike at the track on Saturday.

Attack Suzuki also fielded young gun Danny Eslick on a GSX-R750 Superstock bike Friday. The Oklahoma teenager made his AMA debut wearing the number 69 on his Suzuki.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Afternoon Supersport Practice Times:

1. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:29.182
2. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.254
3. Jamie Hacking, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.504
4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.659
5. Jamie Stauffer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.021
6. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.037
7. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.080
8. Miguel Duhamel, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.204
9. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.208
10. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:30.283
11. Ty Howard, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.557
12. Alex Gobert, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.685
13. Marty Craggill, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.211
14. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.622
15. Craig Connell, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.686
16. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.762
17. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:32.337
18. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:32.640
19. Steve Crevier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.747
20. Jason Perez, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:33.113

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden rode a 636cc ZX-6R to the AMA Superstock pole position Friday at California Speedway in Fontana, California. Hayden’s time of 1:27.989 beat Ben Spies’ 2002 Superstock lap record (1:28.987) by nearly a second.

When asked about his fast time, Hayden said he thought the revised 2.3-mile course was slower than before but his new Kawasaki was also better. “It’s a lot of fun to ride,” said Hayden. “I have so much fun riding that bike. I don’t think we’ve touched one clicker on it. It’s exactly the way I rode it at Daytona and exactly the way I rode it at the test at Sears Point. We just change the tires and put gas in it.”

Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:27.989
2. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.125
3. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.879
4. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.913
5. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:28.926
6. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.253
7. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:29.459
8. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.538
9. Jamie Stauffer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:29.689
10. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:29.902
11. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.091
12. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.289
13. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.353
14. Jeremy Toye, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.510
15. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.523
16. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.675
17. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.809
18. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.898
19. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:30.948
20. Craig Connell, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.114

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist:

2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship
Round 2 & 3 – California Speedway, Fontana, California, USA
First Qualifying Session Report

MLADIN TAKES AMERICAN SUPERBIKE POLE AT FONTANA

Fontana, California, USA (Friday, 4 April) – Australia’s Mat Mladin has set the fastest time during the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s double header, second and third rounds of the 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship being held at California Speedway in Fontana, California.

In taking provisional pole position, Mladin’s fastest time of 1-min 25.123-secs was under the existing lap record of 1:25.250 for the 3.70km / 2.30 mile Californian circuit that is located one hour east of Los Angles.

Mladin, a three times winner of the AMA Superbike Championship, was well clear of his Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Aaron Yates with 0.805 seconds separating the pair, with Yates producing a best time of 1:25.928. The Suzuki GSX-R1000 mounted pair were the only riders to break into the 1:25 barrier.

Third fastest was Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts (1:26.146), with Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom completing the provisional front row of the grid with a time of 1:26.259.

“That was a good session for us this afternoon,” said Mladin. “I was happy with the times and with the progress that we made with the setup of the bike. We’ve got another one hour session in the morning before tomorrow afternoon’s race that will give us some more time to check a few more settings, so it’s looking good at the moment.

“We did a lot of laps when we tested here a few weeks ago and that is definitely paying off. The Showa suspension technicians have worked really hard since that test and have given us some updated parts for this weekend, which have worked well. Last year we had some problems in that area, but it appears that we are now on top of that and it’s great to see the support and responses made by Showa.”

Qualifying for the AMA Superbikes concludes tomorrow morning with the first of the two 28-lap Superbike races being held later on Saturday afternoon.

AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship, Qualifying – Friday
1. Mat Mladin (Team Yoshimura Suzuki), 1:25.123
2. Aaron Yates (Team Yoshimura Suzuki), 1:25.928
3. Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda), 1:26.146
4. Eric Bostrom (Team Kawasaki), 1:26.259
5. Larry Pegram (Dream Team Ducati), 1:26.308
6. Miguel DuHamel (American Honda), 1:26.405
7 Anthony Gobert (Ducati Austin), 1:26.460
8. Ben Bostrom (American Honda), 1:26.496
9. Doug Chandler (No Limits Honda), 1:28.081
10. Shawn Higbee (Suzuki),1:28.738


More, from a press release issued by Dream Team Ducati:

Larry Pegram on his Dream Team Racing DUCATI, blazed his way to a very strong 5th place qualifying time against the heavily supported Japanese Factory Teams. He accomplished that feat on his back-up bike after some minor setbacks on his primary bike. In fact his Michelin shod Ducati 998RS03 may find its way to the front row tomorrow depending on if Kurtis Roberts’ qualifying time is made offical or disallowed. (Roberts’ Honda is currently shown in 3rd place.)

Pegram in an interview said, “It’s nice to be the top Ducati on the grid. I felt good today even though I qualified on my secondary 998 after I had a lowside in the tight turn 10-11 section. It really wasn’t a big deal, just enough damage to force me to ride my slightly slower bike for the qualifying session. I want to thank Michelin for working so closely with us at Fontana. The tire testing we did here in February is making a difference in our times. Tomorrow and Sunday should be very interesting.” He said with a smile.

Dream Team Racing (DTR) DUCATI is currently being sponsored by Michelin, Options Italia, Competitions Accessories, Pro Italia, Nutec, Spiegler, Ferodo, Kerker and Ducati Corse.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Attack Suzuki’s Joshua Kurt Hayes turns 28 years old today.

Hayes was born and raised in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he still makes his home.

From a press release:

ABE TO REPLACE MELANDRI IN JAPANESE GRAND PRIX

The Fortuna Yamaha Team has announced that Yamaha factory test rider Norick Abe will replace Marco Melandri for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix. Melandri sustained a double fracture of his right ankle and chipped his femur in a high-speed fall yesterday during the first practice session at Suzuka. He is currently under observation at the Mie General Medical Centre near Yokkaichi, a thirty-minute drive from the circuit.

Norick Abe was already competing in this weekend’s event riding the Yamaha test team YZR-M1 as a wildcard. Under rules introduced last year to the MotoGP World Championship, the team is permitted to nominate a replacement rider before noon on Saturday and Yamaha can withdraw the wildcard entry. A former two-time Japanese GP winner, Abe was fourteenth fastest in yesterday’s damp qualifying session.

The latest prototype version of the M1 features a different chassis, engine position and the twin-shock suspension first seen at February’s IRTA test at Jerez. Since Abe is accustomed to riding this machine and has already completed the two days of testing on Sunday and Monday and yesterday’s first day of MotoGP practice at Suzuka, he will continue with this bike today and Sunday.

The Fortuna Yamaha Team has added limited branding of the team’s sponsors to the bike, but will not be able to replicate the full Fortuna Yamaha livery given the unforeseen circumstances and timing of the change. The test machine also uses different bodywork than the Fortuna Yamaha M1s of Melandri and Checa.

Commenting on the decision, Fortuna Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio said: “After consultation with our title sponsor, Fortuna, and with Yamaha’s motorsport management we have decided to replace Marco with Norick Abe for this race. After the weekend we shall assess Marco’s condition before making any final decision about the South African GP.

“The decision to replace Marco immediately means that we stand to gain points in the new Teams’ World Championship and it also seems correct that Yamaha’s wholly-owned factory team should field two riders in the company’s home Grand Prix. It may look a little strange that he will ride in different leathers and livery to Carlos, but we feel that this is the most sensible solution. He has more experience with Yamaha’s test bike than the 2003 race-spec M1.

“We have discussed our decision with Marco in hospital and, while he is obviously extremely unhappy that he won’t be making his MotoGP debut on Sunday, he is fully supportive of the decision and wishes Abe well.”


NOTE: The team has established an e-mail address for anybody wishing to send “get well” messages to Marco Melandri.

The address is: [email protected]

Marco will be very happy to receive messages from fans and supporters around the world even if he will be unable to reply.

From a press release issued by SMRI:

Fifteen sections of Airfence Bike soft barrier provided by the Roadracing World Action Fund have been assembled at Sandia Motorspeedway, Albuquerque, New Mexico and are ready for installation!

The Sandia deployment was spearheaded by SMRI, which agreed to host and demonstrate Airfence at SMRI events, provide a local crew to be trained in proper deployment and care of Airfence, as well as provide storage facilities for Airfence. This along with recent dirt work to extend run-off areas improves track safety considerably.

Thanks especially to the Roadracing World Action Fund, Dan Haft representing the Joseph C. and Esther Foster Foundation, Inc. of Santa Fe, New Mexico for their contribution to the Action Fund, and Sandia Motorspeedway for their overwhelming support and help. Last but not least, thanks to those who contributed to the dirt work fund and volunteered their time to make this happen.

Feedback from SMS directors, owners, AHRMA riders passing through from the race in Phoenix, and even car racers testing at the track were all very positive.