From a press release:

Robert Jensen to race Tul-aris in 2003 while Steve Johnson gears up for next MotoDynamics project.

Long-time Tul-aris development racer and track record holder Steve Johnson has handed off the Tul-aris GP bike to accomplished AMA Supersport and Superbike racer Robert Jensen.

Robert first tested the Tul-aris earlier this year and has committed to racing the Tul-aris at select Formula USA, CCS and CRA races. Robert will compete on the Tul-aris in the Formula USA Unlimited GP class. In addition, Robert will compete on Yamaha R6 and R1 machines in Supersport and Superbike classes, for which the Tul-aris is not legal.

We’re excited to see Robert give the Tul-aris “the stick” at our next races at Mid-America Raceway in Iowa on April 11-13 and Road America Raceway in Wisconsin April 25-27. Robert is the current track record holder at Mid-America Raceway and we look forward to him aiming for that record on the Tul-aris.

In the meantime, Steve Johnson will concentrate on the development of next project run by MotoDynamics, the Tul-aris team’s racing business. Details of this new MotoDynamics racing project will be announced shortly.

MotoDynamics’ Tul-aris project is sponsored by Michelin Tires, Nutec Racing Fuel, Hot Seat Performance, Ohlins USA, Lofgren Racing/Manley Cycle, Mason Racing Tires, MTS Systems Corporation, Yoyodyne Titanium, GP Tech, Carbon Fiber Specialties Products, DCM Services and Deus Ex Machina.

Robert Jensen is sponsored by Butler Machinery, Michelin, Arai Helmets, RS-Taichi Leathers and Sidi Boots.

Steve Johnson is sponsored by Delano Sport Center, Hi-Per Sports, Mason Racing Tires, EBC Brakes and Lockhart Phillips.

From a press release issued by the AMA:

Federal Lawmakers Support New Motorcycle Crash Study

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that 62 members of Congress have joined U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-Wis.) in asking the House leadership to support a comprehensive study of the causes of streetbike crashes.

In mid-March, Green asked his colleagues to sign a letter addressed to U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urging him to support a comprehensive, in-depth motorcycle crash study to find ways to prevent crashes. The last such study — “Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures,” commonly called the “Hurt Report” (after lead researcher Harry Hurt) — was done more than 20 years ago.

“With motorcyclist fatalities increasing 50 percent in just the last five years, the time to act is now,” the members of Congress said in the letter. “Initiated in 1976 and completed in 1981, the Hurt Report remains the benchmark of motorcycle crash research and, sadly, the only such comprehensive study ever undertaken in the United States.”

Rider-training and motorist-awareness programs are just a couple of the efforts to improve motorcyclists’ safety that were prompted by the Hurt Report.

Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, and his staff in the AMA Government Relations Department’s Washington, D.C., office are working to get $3 million for an in-depth motorcycle crash study written into legislation now being considered for reauthorization by Congress: the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).

The new crash research would involve detailed at-the-scene study of at least 1,000 crashes to find out what goes wrong for riders.

Motorcyclists are urged to contact their federal lawmakers and to thank them if they signed the Green letter supporting motorcycle crash research. For those lawmakers who didn’t sign the Green letter, motorcyclists are urged to ask them to support the research and to contact Chairman Young expressing their support.

Motorcyclists can urge members of their congressional delegations to support funding for a comprehensive motorcycle crash study by sending a message through the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com. The Rapid Response Center tells motorcyclists who the members of their congressional delegations are, and even gives addresses to send letters rather than e-mail.

Those who signed the letter are U.S. Reps. Richard Baker (R-La.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Michael Burgess (R-Texas), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Brad Carson (D-Okla.), Julia Carson (D-Ind.), Chris Chocola (R-Ind.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and Jerry Costello (D-Ill.)

Also, U.S. Reps. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), John Duncan (R-Tenn.), Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Jim Gerlach (R-Penn.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Mark Green (R-Wis.), Melissa Hart (R-Penn.), David Hobson (R-Ohio), Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Michael Honda (D-Calif.), Christopher John (D-La.), Timothy Johnson (R-Ill.), Sue Kelly (R-N.Y.), Mark Kennedy (R-Minn.) and Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-Mich.)

Also, U.S. Reps. John Kline (R-Minn.), Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), Nick Lampson (D-Texas), Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio), James Leach (R-Iowa), Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah), Candice Miller (R-Mich.), James Moran (D-Va.), Robert Ney (R-Ohio), Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), C.L. “Butch” Otter (R-Idaho), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.).

Also, U.S. Reps. Ron Paul (R-Texas), Todd Russell Platts (R-Pa.), Jon Porter (R-Nev.), Jack Quinn (R-N.Y.), Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), Dennis Rehberg (R-Mont.), Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.), Timothy Ryan (D-Ohio), F. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), John Shimkus (R-Ill.), Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Rob Simmons (R-Conn.), Michael Simpson (R-Idaho), Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), Michael Turner (R-Ohio), Jerry Weller (R-Ill.) and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)

From a press release issued by freelance publicist Dorina Clarke, for Team Hammer:

Students Get Every Penny’s Worth of Team Hammer Talent Search Presented by Alpinestars at California Speedway

Five participants in the Team Hammer Talent Search Presented by Alpinestars–first-year Expert Ivan Garza, second-year Expert Paolo Mariano, Jack Pfeifer, Chris Siglin and first-year Expert Matthew Wise–gathered at California Speedway Friday, March 28 for the second of three Talent Search set-up and riding days, followed by two days of practice in conjunction with Fastrack Riders. The Talent Search team working with the five included 1991 AMA Superbike Champion Thomas Stevens, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki rider Chris Ulrich, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki mechanic Ken Hill and racer Vincent Haskovec.

“I had a blast,” said Siglin. “I learned a lot. I had Ken Hill helping me out all day; he really showed me some new stuff. I tried to get together the best set-up I could to get ready for next week (AMA National at California Speedway).

“Set-up-wise, I’ve been so used to setting up one way. Ken actually showed me to not be afraid to try big changes. That’s really one thing he and Thomas Stevens emphasized was to not be afraid to do big changes. You never know. It could be 100 percent better, or it could be 100 percent worse. You just don’t know. That’s one thing that we tried yesterday, and it ended up being a really good thing for me. It was great. I’m really comfortable.

“Then coming into the back horseshoe here, and I was having a little bit of a chatter from the rear end coming in there. I talked to Chris (Ulrich) a little bit about it. He gave me a little advice, a little pointer. And sure enough, I went out and did it, and it really solved the problem. It was really cool.

“It’s been really good; it’s been a really good experience. It’s been nice to have that help that I didn’t have last year. It’s really cool that they put this together. I can ask (questions of) Chris and Ken Hill and even Keith (Perry, Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki Crew Chief) at the Nationals. It’s been really great. I can’t say enough about it. It really is worth the money.”

“I’m learning a little bit about set-up and how to make the bike work
better,” said Pfeifer. “Actually, Ken Hill taught me how to bleed the brakes correctly. I had a problem with the brakes at Daytona, and I had a problem again here. He showed me how to fix that problem. I’m learning some stuff, yeah. It’s great. I figured it’s probably the best 1500 bucks I’ll spend in the long run. For $1500 you’ve got a shot at winning a bike and leathers and going to Road Atlanta and doing that race (Suzuki Cup Finals). $1500 is not a lot of money considering the advertising and marketing that’s going to come out of it. If you look at it, sure, $1500 is a few sets of tires, but that’s all it is. This $1500 could be worth so much more.”

“I had a blast!” said Mariano. “This program is awesome. It’s cool to know that you have guys that really know what they’re doing, especially Ken (Hill). Ken helped me out a lot in suspension set-up. I knew it was important, but I didn’t realize how important it was until Ken came along and said, ‘Let’s try this. Let’s try that. Go out there and tell me what you think.’ I come back, and it’s like, Oh my gosh! I give Ken a big thumbs up; he’s awesome!

“One specific example is going into chicane at the beginning of the infield straight. Being on the throttle, I would hit that little stutter bump, and I would get a little tankslapper. I asked Ken, and he asked me, ‘Was that on the throttle, Paolo?’ And I said it was.

“So he backed off my compression, made it softer, and told me to go out there and tell him what I think. I went back out and I was able to get on the throttle harder and sooner, and that equals seconds on the track.

“Then after he did that, coming into turn one, the left into that chicane, getting on the gas, then it started doing this (makes motion of bars wagging), and I had to back off the throttle. I came back and told Ken, and he goes straight to my rear suspension, tightened the spring a full turn and adjusted the compression. I went back out there, and he fixed it.

“So now, the big difference of having Ken, instead of me going out there and going, ‘You know, I’m not having any fun. I don’t like Fontana. Fontana sucks.’ Now, I love Fontana. I’m one with the bike because the bike is pretty much set-up for Fontana.

“This is how clueless I was with suspension. I would stay with one suspension set-up from round one of the Formula USA series all the way to round eight. If the bike was wiggling, I would adjust my riding style and ride it out. Now with being in the program and seeing the knowledge I’m getting from the Team Hammer Talent Search is just awesome. I’m definitely going to school, taking notes and glad I did it (joined the program).

“Vincent (Haskovec) was a huge help. He was a great motivater. Vincent worked with me all day. As the day progressed, I just went quicker and quicker and quicker. Then he said ‘We’re going to pick it up, and I want you on my tail.’ He’d always turn around and say ‘Come on! Come on!’ And I was always there, and he would give me a thumbs up. He was just awesome! The Team Hammer Talent Search is awesome. I’m glad I’m doing it.”

“I had a lot of fun,” said Wise. “Vincent Haskovec was out here. He was able to follow me around while I was learning the track. It’s a real busy track; there’s a lot of turns and stuff. He was able to give me pointers on my line and what gear I should be in at different parts of the track. That really helped me get used to the track a lot faster.

“I got to follow him around for a while. Just being able to ride with a professional rider and get advice from him. And to meet all of these guys and get my name out there to where all of the guys on the team know my name so they can be looking out for me as I’m coming up is a great opportunity.

“From Vincent, I learned a lot about riding technique, because you think you do things right. You think you look really good going through there, but to have somebody who really knows their stuff to ride right behind you and come back to the pits and immediately tell you, ‘Hey this is what you’re not doing right and this is what you need to work on,’ it just helps a lot.

“As far as suspension, I haven’t really messed with my bike a lot because I had it set up by G.M.D. Computrack, so it’s working really good. But I’ve also been trying to pick these guys’ brains as to how long tires will last, what to look for when they go away and what I should be doing right now to help advance my career. In that, they’ve been a great help to me. I know where I want to go, I know what my goals are, but it’s just how to get there. So that’s been a great help just talking to Thomas (Stevens) and Vincent and Chris and everybody. It’s just cool. I think it’s well worth it.”

“It was great,” said Garza. “I definitely had a good time. I’m so glad I got the support from Ken. My bike went from being a Cadillac to a Porsche. The example I like to use is I had a fine suit, because I had real good accessories on it, but it hadn’t been tailored for me yet. So Ken went ahead and made it fit. He dropped the front, he messed with the compression and the rebound quite a bit and got it to where it needed to be. It was a more aggressive set-up, and I dropped my times drastically. If it wasn’t for him, I think I would still be turning the same lap times I was turning before.

“I’m getting to meet a lot of pro riders. I mean, being a privateer, you don’t just get to walk up and spend quality time with them. Thomas Stevens has been giving us great mental support, and then just to get professional people like Ken Hill to work on my suspension. Chris Ulrich, I got support from him; he was very open to help us out. The people who didn’t sign up for it this year, if it’s still around next year they should do it. I know I will be a part of it.”

The next Team Hammer Search set-up day will be at Barber Motorsports Park April 22.

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