From a press release:

Practice Schedule-April 3, 2003

7:00am – 3:00pm Registration Open

7:00am – 5:00pm Tech Open

8:15am – Riders Meeting

9:00am – 9:30 Group 2 (Superstock)

9:30 – 10:00 Group 3 (Superbike/FX)

10:00 – 10:30 Group 1 (Supersport/250GP)

10:30 – 11:00 Group 2

11:00 – 11:30 Group 3

11:30 – 12:00pm Group 1

Lunch will be taken to corner workers at 12:00, and then Group 2 will be started. No official lunch break will be taken.

12:00 – 12:30 Group 2

12:30 – 1:00 Group 3

1:00 – 1:30 Group 1

1:30 – 2:00 Group 2

2:00 – 2:30 Group 3

2:30 – 3:00 Group 1

3:00 – 3:30 Group 2

3:30 – 4:00 Group 3

4:00 – 4:30 Group 1

4:30 – 5:00 Open Practice

Schedule is subject to change. If practice is red flagged less than halfway through session, riders will be held at pre-grid to be re-started, and remainder of session will be run. If the practice is over halfway completed, then the session will be over, and the next group will be called up to pre-grid.

From a press release issued by the Plummer-Menapace Group on behalf of Pirelli:

PIRELLI RACING’S HUGE WEEKEND:

1st And 3rd In World Supersport, 4th In World Superbike, 1st In WERA Nat’l Endurance, 1st in Five WERA National Races, 1st And 3rd At World Motocross Opening Round

(Rome, GA) Racers dream about weekends like this. And Pirelli tires just had one at both the world and national levels roadracing and motocross.

Young Aussie Chris Vermeulen and his Pirelli DOT Supercorsa-shod factory Ten Kate Honda 600 won his first-ever World Supersport race in his home country’s round at Phillip Island. Belgarda Yamaha’s Jurgen van den Goorbergh, also on Supercorsas, took third, giving Pirelli two of the three podium finishes and five of the top 10 World Supersport positions. In Phillip Island’s first World Superbike race of the weekend, Pirelli’s Steve Martin had both his and Pirelli’s best series finish with a fourth.

At home, Pirelli-sponsored Vesrah Suzuki and riders Mark Junge, Tray Batey, and John Jacobi, took the overall win and first in Heavyweight Superbike at the opening round of WERA’s National Endurance Series at Jennings GP in Florida. Team Northern Getaway also gave Pirelli a third in Heavyweight Superbike. Pirelli and Team InfoTech riders Nicky Wimbauer, Bradley Champion, and Bobby Miosek took fifth overall and first in Mediumweight Superstock on their Yamaha R6. Ricochet Racing and Ray C’s Racing completed the Italian tire company’s sweep of the Mediumweight Superstock endurance podium.

In the Jennings WERA National Challenge races, Tray Batey, his Vesrah Suzukis, and Pirelli tires, won three of the weekend’s 10 races: 750 Superstock, Heavyweight Twins, and the Pirelli-sponsored Formula 1 final. Bradley Champion and Bill St. John completed a Pirelli sweep in Heavyweight Twins. Mark Junge, also on a Vesrah Suzuki, won Open Superstock, and Bradley Champion won Lightweight Twins, giving Pirelli five wins for the weekend. First-year Expert Martin Musil put his Suzuki SV650 right behind Champion’s to give Pirelli the top two spots on that race podium.

Meanwhile, across the pond and in the dirt, Pirelli’s 250cc World Motocross Champion Mickael Pichon, picked up where he left off last season, winning his tenth straight MX GP race at the first round of the new Motocross GP World Championship series in Spain. Pirelli’s other 2002 World MX champion, 500cc class champ Stefan Everts, finished third riding a works Yamaha/Pirelli 450 four-stroke in the brand new, combined “Motocross” class that puts 250cc two-strokes against 450cc four-strokes, eliminating the separate 250cc and 500cc classes of prior years. Pichon was aboard his factory 250cc two-stroke Suzuki in Spain.

From a press release:

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL SPRING MOTORCYCLE SHOW 2003

This Saturday, April 5th to Sunday, April 6th

Toronto International Centre

The 2003 Motorcycle Season officially opens this weekend at the Toronto International Spring Motorcycle Show being held at the Toronto International Centre on Airport Road. Now in its 14th year, this year’s show promises to be better than ever.

Motorcycle Enthusiasts will have the chance to gear up for the 2003 season by viewing hundreds of motorcycle related exhibits offering the hottest bargains and the newest products.

Dealer displays will feature new 2003 motorcycles including the new Arlen Ness styled Victory ‘Vegas’, recently released in Canada. Show vendors will have bargains on all types of riding apparel, accessories, new parts and hard to find used parts, as well as information on safety and rider training. Stage shows featuring ‘Daytona Fashions by On The Fringe’ and entertainment run both days of the show. Over 30 Clubs, Associations and Racetracks will be on hand to meet the public and present their ‘Summer 2003′ activities. The Auto Trader Used Bike Market will bring out the deals on used bikes with a great selection of motorcycles of all types for sale by individual owners. The finest vintage, touring, off-road, racing and custom Showbikes will compete for over $15,000 in Mid-USA Cash & Awards, with a top prize of $3,500 for Best Bike in Show.

The Canadian International Motorcycle Heritage Museum Foundation, The Ride for Sight, and the B.A.D. Ride has been named the Official Show Charities and the Brampton Motorcycle Association is the Host Club. Show hours are Saturday; 10am-9pm and Sunday; 10am-6pm Admission is $12 for adults, children under 12 are admitted free. Parking is free. Admission also includes a 1/2 price discount coupon to the Collector Car Auction going on at the same time at the International Centre. For more information call (905)655-5403 or visit www.supershowevents.com.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing.

2003 MotoGP 500 World Championship, round 1
Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
April 4/5/6 2003

ROSSI LEADS HONDA CHALLENGE INTO NEW MOTOGP SEASON

After months of intense testing for the Honda supported teams and riders in MotoGP the prospect of starting the 2003 season at Suzuka in Japan this weekend is an understandably welcome one, especially given the impressive performances put in during recent IRTA tests at the classic venue.

Originally built in 1961, modified at the Dunlop corner last season, and now lengthened by three metres to 5.824 km following alterations to the 130R bend and final chicane, Suzuka was the venue for the final on-track preparations of the top teams, during which Honda riders were once more packed tightly into the top positions on the time sheets.

No fewer than five of the top six times at the IRTA test were set on Honda RC211V machines, with the outright fastest rider once more proving to be world champion Valentino Rossi (Repsol Honda RC211V).

Rossi was on phenomenal form during the inaugural four-stroke MotoGP season in 2002, winning 11 of the 16 races and being crowned champion as early as the Rio GP. The ebullient Italian rider finds himself in an enviable position once more, and despite taking nothing for granted, he knows that he has everything in place to mount a successful title defence.

“I know we are ready for the season but this will be a very hard year for everybody,” said Rossi, equal sixth on the list of premier class race winners after scoring 24 victories in only three seasons of competition. “There are so many riders who will want to fight for the win. Every race will be a battle, so I think it will be a great season for everyone who loves racing.”

MotoGP rookie Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) earned his dream 2003 MotoGP slot alongside Rossi after winning the prestigious AMA Superbike championship on a VTR1000SP last season, securing the most coveted saddle in the MotoGP world. Twelfth on the timesheets after the IRTA sessions, Hayden acknowledges that although there is more to come when he gains valuable experience during the season, he has already learned a great deal about MotoGP and the RC211V.

“If I think back to my first experience on the five-cylinder RC211V here at Suzuka at the back end of last year then I’m happy,” said Hayden, “because I’ve knocked a load of time off the laps and I’m feeling so much more comfortable and confident on the bike. The team’s working well and I’m feeling really positive about my first MotoGP race.”

The prowess of the five-cylinder RC211V was proved once more last week, when the second and third places on the IRTA timesheets were set by Tohru Ukawa (Camel Honda RC211V) and Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V).

For Ukawa, third in the 2002 championship battle on an RC211V, his home circuit may offer a perfect opportunity to start his season off with a maximum 25-point score, even if he suffered a fall in Suzuka testing.

“I hope not to have any physical after-effects from the crash,” affirmed Ukawa, who went on to state, “my hand and leg are sore, but doctors have told me I can race and I will do everything possible to start the World Championship with a good result. If I am fit I think we are ready to be competitive right from the start of the championship”.

Max Biaggi’s return to the Honda fold at Suzuka will bring back memories of his first ever ride in the premier Grand Prix class, when he scored a superb maiden victory on his NSR500SWS two-stroke. In a position to be a threat from the first official timed qualifying session on Friday April 4th, to the race itself on Sunday 6th, Biaggi’s perfectionism was clear from his pre-race comments.

“There are six or seven riders who are very close and we must continue to work to be competitive,” said the four-times 250 World Champion. “I hope to make a good start in the Championship, although so far I have given my all and we have got the maximum performance out of the material we have.”

Spanish hopeful Sete Gibernau (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) ran out fifth fastest in the recent Suzuka tests, having been quickest at one point, underlining his return to form since his assimilation back into the ranks of Honda riders. One of the top Spanish riders in the championship, 2003 will arguably be the biggest of Gibernau’s career to date.

Said the Catalan, “I think I have shown already that I can do my job as a rider, and now we are going through the steps which will allow us to challenge at the front. We are working at a very good pace, although I am still getting used to the five-cylinder Honda. What is especially positive for us is the consistency we are showing, as this will be important for the overall championship.”

Local star Daijiro Kato (Telefonica Movistar Honda RC211V) ended the Suzuka sessions sixth quickest. Four times a 250cc Suzuka GP winner, and the 2001 250cc world champion, the hugely talented Japanese has already proved to be a factor around the modified circuit.

“I love riding at Suzuka, and have been successful here in the past, but there isn’t any added pressure for me to ride here, I enjoy it and will do what I always do and hope that this pleases all my fans who come this weekend.” Veteran of many a successful Suzuka 8-Hour campaign, Katoh was initially challenged by the modified Suzuka layout. “I found the new corners hard to get used to because I know the circuit so well, but I am picking up a rhythm now, and I am very positive that I can go out there and win the first race of 2003.”

Makoto Tamada (Pramac Honda RC211V), a three-time Sugo World Superbike race winner for Honda as a wild card, has been charged with helping to develop Bridgestone’s slick tyres in a race setting, and is keen to make an impression in his first full season of GPs.

Tamada stated, “I’m very pleased about all the work we’ve done. As far as the tyres are concerned, I tried various sizes at the front and we’ll have a number of types to choose from for the race. We may have to do some more endurance tests but we’ve still got some time left to tweak things here and there before the green light comes on for the first 2003 MotoGP race.”

The Moriwaki Racing team will also make its public race debut at the Japanese GP with their RCV powered MD211VF.

Their rider, Tamaki Serizawa has no more than a few hours experience of the prototype MotoGP bike, with its unique chassis designed and built at the team’s engineering headquarters in Suzuka. Serizawa was under four seconds off Rossi’s best time of 2:05.105, which cannot be compared to last year’s records due to the remodelling the circuit has undergone since then.

In the 250cc World Championship, Honda is represented by a strong contingent of top-level riders, including 2002 Rio GP race winner Sebastian Porto (Telefonica Movistar Junior Team Honda RS250RW) and Italian Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW).

During recent IRTA tests at Estoril on February 27th, Rolfo set the 4th and Porto the 5th fastest times, proving the initial competitiveness of Honda’s 2003 vee-twin two-stoke. For Porto there is more to come from the new machine, but he sees himself as being in a strong position.

“To have the experience of Alberto Puig in this team is something that will be reflected on the racetrack,” assured Porto from his home in Argentina. “It won´t come straight away, because the bike is new and still under development, but we will be very competitive very soon”.

Other season long Honda entrants racing RS250R machines include Alex Debon and Eric Bataille (BQR Honda), Christian Gemmel (Kiefer Castrol Honda), Johan Stiegefelt (Motoracing Honda), Gabor Rizmayer (Team Hungary Honda), Jakub Smrz (Elit Grand Prix Honda), Henk van de Lagemaat and experienced female racer Katja Poensgen (Arie Molenaar Honda)

Suzuka wild card entries usually spring surprises and 2003 could witness Yuki Takahashi (Dy Do Miu Honda) giving a repeat performance of his sensational race to third place at last years Pacific GP at, Motegi.

Takahashi will be joined on the grid by a second Honda wild card. Hiroshi Aoyama (Team HARC Pro Honda), a season wild card campaigner at Suzuka.

Suzuka’s generally fast corners, and frequent changes of direction, offer much scope for overtaking in the smallest MotoGP category, 125cc.

Third overall in the 2002 championship, with three race wins to his name, teenager Dani Pedrosa returns on his Telefonica Movistar Junior Team RS125R, intent on taking the tile he came close to securing last year.

“The focus this year is clear – win the World Championship,” said the determined Spaniard. “I was only eighth in Suzuka last year and I really want to get the season off to a good start in Japan by repeating my last Japanese race performance – at Motegi – where I won.”

A strong list of Honda riders will be at every 2003 race, with Suzuka 125 race winner in 2001 Masao Azuma now on a Honda Ajo Motorsport RS125R with teammate Mika Kallio from Finland.

Other Honda riders in the class with prospects of a good season Andrea Dovizioso and Simone Corsi with Team Scott Honda, Hungarian Imrie Toth (Team Hungary Honda)

Young Swiss Thomas Lüthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda), has the benefit of a full grand prix season to call upon, while debutantes Peter Lenart and Leon Camier (Metasystem Racing Service Honda) can look forward to stiff learning curve.

There will be five Honda 125 wildcards at Suzuka; Shuhei Aoyama, Toshihisa Kuzuhara, Akio Tanaka and Sadahito Suma. The fifth Honda wild card rider will be Chinese rider Cheung Way On (Cheung Wing Honda), making his grand prix debut at Suzuka.

The second round of the championship will be held at Welkom, South Africa, on 27 April with Jerez, the traditional European season starting point, providing the subsequent venue on 11 May.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Michelin has released details of a new tire contingency program to support the growing sport of Supermotard racing. Contingencies totaling $121,790 have been posted for races organized by nine different Supermotard organizations around the United States.

Supermoto USA leads the way with $34,040 posted in six classes over 23 events. The Super Motard series comes second with a total of $17,000 of Michelin contingency available in seven classes at 10 events. The Primedia Moto-Masters series has $16,800 up for grabs in two classes at eight events. The six-round AMA Supermoto series will have $13,950 in contingencies for its two classes. The Midwest organization will have $10,360 offered in six classes at seven events. SuperBikers 2, Super TT and the Mile High series will each have $8880 available in six classes at six events. And finally, the CMRA’s Super Motard classes, which run at CCS/CMRA road race events, will have $3000 available in two classes at six races.

Contingency rules are very similar to those found in traditional road racing, but full details are available at www.bibmen.com under the 2003 Road Race Contingency banner.

From a press release issued by World Superbike:

PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

London
3 April 2003

OCTAGON MOTORSPORTS TO HOST ROUND OF THE GERMAN YAMAHA R6 CUP AT OSCHERSLEBEN

Octagon Motorsports, organiser of the FIM Superbike World Championship is pleased to announce that it will again host the Yamaha R6 Cup during the German Round of the 2003 Superbike World Championship at Oschersleben from 30 May to 1 June.

This is the third year that Yamaha Germany and the Superbike World Championship have engaged in this successful partnership.

“We are able to provide the ideal platform for Yamaha Germany and welcome the value that this race brings to the event and its fans. We look forward to the ongoing development of this partnership with Yamaha in years to come,” said SBK President Paolo Flammini.

Yamaha Motor Deutschland After Sales manager Theo Hoffmann added: “We are very pleased with this close co-operation with SBK. For our young riders, the chance to race in front of so many spectators is the highlight of their season.”

Yamaha R6 Cup riders all have the chance to see their idols in action with German stars Jörg Teuchert and Christian Kellner participating in the World Supersport event. Teuchert himself was an entrant in the Yamaha R6 Cup earlier in his career and in 2000 won the Supersport World Championship.

The organization of this special mono-mark Yamaha R6 Cup will ensure fans have increased race action on track throughout the weekend. In 2002 more than 73,000 fans attended the Oschersleben round of the Championship.

The provisional schedule for the Yamaha R6 Cup event will be as follows:

Friday 30 May17.10 – 17.30 Qualifying
Saturday 31 May18.10 – 18.30 Qualifying
Sunday 1 June14.00 – 14.35 Race

From a press release issued by Track Daze:

Track Daze announces its 2003 event Schedule.

Track Daze operates in Colorado and provides an opportunity for motorcyclist with street bikes to their ride own bikes on a closed course. Riders can practice their riding skills and explore the limits of their motorcycles performance in a controlled environment. Track Daze provides corner workers and EMR personnel for rider’s safety. Riders must be 18 years of age and have full-riding suits of leather or ballistic material, full coverage helmets, boots and gloves. Bikes must have tires in good condition, no oil leaks and in good general condition. Cost for day of riding varies from $125 to $150 depending on track location.

Track Daze: No Traffic No Gravel No Tickets.

Visit the website at trackdaze.com for more information or call 303-884-9234.

Schedule for 2003

May 16th Friday 2nd Creek Raceway

June 28th Saturday Pueblo Motor sport Park, Pueblo Colo.

July 26th Saturday Pueblo Motor sport Park, Pueblo Colo.

August 15th Friday 2nd Creek Raceway

September 14th Sunday Continental Divide Raceway (Mead)

From a press release issued by Proforma on behalf of HAS/Shogun Racing:

HAS/SHOGUN RACING READY FOR AMA FONTANA EVENT

HAS/Shogun Racing heads to California Speedway in Fontana, CA this weekend for the second round of the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, ready to make up for the difficulties that they had at Daytona three weeks earlier. Noted tuner Jim Cambora has joined the team, and will be working with rider Heath Small on the new 2003 Yamaha R6 machines that have been prepared since Daytona.

“I’m looking forward to riding the 2003 R6, it looks like it does everything better than my older bike” said Heath, who had a major tumble in the Pro Honda Oils Supersport event at Daytona. “I sure got a lot of exposure out of my fall at Daytona, but not exactly the kind I wanted. Fontana should be a good event for me.”

Teammate John Haner is also looking for better results on his Suzuki GSX-R750 in the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock event. “I’m determined to make up for the bad race that I had at Daytona,” said Haner. “I’m excited to get to Fontana, it’s a new track for me and I’m looking forward to getting up to speed and running at the front.”

Both riders will also compete in the Chevy Trucks Superbike class at Fontana on their 2003 Yamaha R1s.

HAS/Shogun Racing is sponsored by Shogun Motorsports, Motion CycleSports, Pirelli Tires, Yoshimura R&D, Sharkskinz Racing Bodies, Vesrah Brakes, Vortex, Dynojet, Woodcraft, Lockhart Phillips, Helimot Leathers and HJC Helmets.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Racer John Rabasa and wife Anne Michele had a daughter, Savannah Maile Rabasa, March 14 in Mountain View, California. Racer Andrew Mueller and wife Denise had a daughter, Rhiannon Danielle Mueller, March 20 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Racer and Rausch Creek Motorsports Park General Manager Andy Stutzman and his wife Alissa had a son, Aleksandar Lukas Stutzman, March 25 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. CCS racer Matt Guilbault of Speedbike Racing and wife Kristen had a son, Benjamin Thomas Guilbault, March 26 in Averil Park, New York.