From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS U.S. RIDERS AT U.N. CONFERENCE

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — Ed Moreland, the AMA’s Vice President for Government Relations, represented the interests of American motorcyclists at the recent United Nations Working Party 29 (WP.29) meeting, which was held March 11 – 14 in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the meeting, Moreland met with members of the parliament of the European Union, officials of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Dr. Jeffrey Runge, Administrator of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Moreland reports that these discussions will prove useful in the coming months as the United Nations considers Global Technical Regulations (GTRs) on emissions testing, brake standards, and noise.

The WP.29 meeting was part of the World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, a United Nations group considering international motor-vehicle standards in areas such as safety, emissions, energy efficiency and theft prevention. The U.S. is among the countries that signed the agreement creating the Forum, raising the possibility that standards set by the international agency could become law here.

In October of last year, the AMA attended Forum meetings in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Montreal, Quebec, offering motorcyclists’ perspectives on efforts to create worldwide standards for motorcycle brakes and for testing exhaust emissions.

The United Nations Economic and Social Council granted the AMA Non-Governmental organization (NGO) status in July of 2001. With NGO status, the AMA is able to participate in the Forum and has the opportunity to offer U.S. riders’ input as well as monitor regulations that could affect this nation’s six million motorcyclists.

From a revised press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Bobby O’Gorman Named Director of Operations at Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)–Bobby O’Gorman, who has worked in both marketing and operations capacities at Infineon Raceway since 1999, has been named Director of Operations, raceway officials announced.

O’Gorman, a native of Sonoma, is responsible for managing all off-track operations for the facility’s major events, including traffic flow, parking, guest shuttles, security, facility layouts and guest services.

“Bobby brings a unique level of energy and enthusiasm to every job he takes on and he has developed in a short time to be one of the key members of our raceway team,” said Infineon Raceway President and General Manager Steve Page. “His efforts will be critical to providing our event guests with the best possible experience at Infineon Raceway.”

During his tenure at Infineon Raceway, O’Gorman has also held positions as the Manager of Vendor Displays and the Director of Guest Services. In those positions, O’Gorman helped to increase vendor display sales, create facility layouts, and improve the fan experience with a Fan Guide and information booths.

Prior to joining Infineon Raceway full-time, O’Gorman, 26, worked as an intern before graduating from Washington State University, where he obtained a degree in Communications.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Roadracing World is expanding its staff and is accepting applications for an Assistant Editor. While we are already looking at a couple of people, we want to make sure we haven’t overlooked any qualified candidates.

The successful applicant will:

–Be able to write.

–Have motorcycle road racing experience.

–Have a strong work ethic.

–Be responsible, with initiative and drive.

–Be able to complete assigned tasks without constant supervision.

–Be able to show up at the office (or anywhere else required) on time, when expected, every day.

–Have had work published, and will be able to produce work samples in originally submitted form (in other words, before somebody else edited them).

–Understand that magazine deadlines wait for no man (or woman).

–Be a team player.

–Be computer and Internet literate.

–Be willing to work their ass off.

–Be willing to immediately relocate to the Lake Elsinore, California area.

–Have a valid motorcycle operator’s license and a relatively clean driving record.

–Have a valid racing license issued by a recognized organization.

–Be a U.S. citizen or currently authorized to work in the United States.

–Have personal medical insurance that will cover them until their Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. coverage kicks in.

–Be a non-smoker.

–Be honest and loyal.

–Be enthusiastic about motorcycles and motorcycle racing, and about writing about motorcycles and motorcycle racing.

–Be able to follow directions.

–Know the difference between its and it’s.

–Know the difference between damping and dampening.

–Have a demonstrated ability to use pieces of equipment and vehicles without destroying them, i.e., as purely hypothetical examples, have no history of flinging a laptop computer across the parking lot while fooling around in front of an office or burning the brakes off a box van by attempting to do stoppies with five bikes in the back.

Formal education in communications/journalism is a plus; willingness to take journalism classes a must for anyone without formal education in journalism.

Apply by letter of introduction, via e-mail, 150 words max, to [email protected], by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Friday, April 28. Applicants with any hope of actually getting the job will be asked by e-mail to follow up with work history, race results and writing samples, addressed to:

Editor
Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 1428
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530-1428

Do not attempt to apply by phone.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Aprilia USA will be offering demonstration rides on its fleet of 2003 motorcycles April 5-6 at California Speedway. Aprilia’s Mille, Tuono, Falco, Futura and CapoNord models will be among the bikes available for demo rides during the Yamaha Superbike Challenge weekend, according to Aprilia USA Marketing Coordinator Robert Pandya.

Pandya said it was surprising to him that other manufacturers and importers have not arranged to do demo rides especially considering California Speedway has laid out a special, 7.2-mile long demo ride course through the facility’s vast parking lots and has made a special demo ride start/stop point in the Speedway’s infield.

“It’s really nice to be able to do the demo rides on-site,” said Pandya. “They’ve laid out a real twisty, technical course with cones and such, which is also nice considering there aren’t a lot of exciting roads to ride near the Speedway.”

Pandya went on to say that Aprilia USA is putting on a big effort to make its demo fleet available to potential customers by attending 150 events in 2003.

To learn more about Aprilia USA’s demo ride program, go to www.apriliausa.com or call (877) APRILIA.

From a press release issued by the Superbike World Championship press office:

Special Tribute

Two time world 500cc motorcycle champion Barry Sheene will be remembered during a special two wheel tribute at this weekend’s Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island.

Sheene, 52, passed away earlier this month after a battle with cancer, however his old riding rivals have ensured he will be remembered with a special lap of Phillip Island planned.

Sheene’s Classic No 7 1961 Manx Norton racebike will be brought from the Gold Coast for the Superbike event and will be ridden by good friend and team mate Mike Farrell as a precursor to Sunday’s first World Superbike race.

The Manx Norton machine allowed Sheene to continue his passion for racing, with his famed competitive spirit surfacing at Phillip Island’s Annual Island Classic. Sheene set a new Classic lap record for the 4.45km circuit on the Manx when he raced it to victory in the 2002 event. Sheene also competed in the Classic support events at the British Grand Prix at Donington Park in recent years, as well as the Goodwood Classic Festival late last year where he recorded a hard-fought victory over 1987 World 500 Champion Wayne Gardner.

“We have many many great memories of Barry and he has done so much for motorsport in this country. He just loved to race and fans at our January historic meeting were always treated to a great showdown when he competed here,” said Fergus Cameron, Managing Director, Phillip Island Motor Sport Pty Ltd.

“In recent years, Barry, Mike, Craig Morris and Peter Guest had many great tussles around this circuit and Barry more often than not, came out in front. His love of racing, his ever competitive spirit and his unique humour will always be remembered at Phillip Island.”

Naturally, the bike – on which Sheene holds the current Classic 500cc Phillip Island lap record (1min.51.570seconds) – will be pitted at the No 7 garage this Sunday for the demonstration session – with the lap of honour allowing World Superbike riders and fans a chance to remember racing’s Cockney larrikin.

The tribute will take place at 11.00 on Sunday.

The #7 Manx Norton will be on display throughout the weekend in the Australian Motorcycle News Superbike Expo.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

JenningsGP Executive Director Bill Brown said Wednesday that the track near Jennings, Florida is doing everything it can to meet existing county noise restrictions, including installing an additional 150-feet of 14-foot-high berm–making the berm extend along the entire east side of the property–and topping the berm with 180-linear feet of new, 8-foot-tall sound wall.

Brown said that he had mis-stated the sound limit at the property line, and that it is actually 78 dB, not the 87 dB he said it was yesterday, and that he is seeking to have the sound limit raised to 86 dB, not to 94 dB as he said yesterday.

Brown said that the track has only exceeded the existing sound limit twice, with one of those instances being questionable, adding that he is hopeful the new measures will cure the problem.

Brown said the track’s loudest event was a combined AHRMA/WERA Vintage race held in late February.

Brown made his Wednesday comments in reaction to a Tuesday post which accurately quoted his mis-statements.

“I may have said 87 but it actually is 78,” said Brown of the sound limit at the JenningsGP property line, in a Wednesday afternoon phone call to Roadracingworld.com.

A corrected version of the original post follows:

In the face of local government threats to shut the facility down for noise violations, JenningsGP (formerly North Florida Motorsports Complex) Executive Director Bill Brown is asking racers to help keep the racetrack open.

According to Brown, there is pressure from local government officials to close the racetrack due to noise violations. Brown is asking racers to write to Hamilton County in support of keeping the JenningsGP racetrack open.

The problem stems from two alleged violations of the 78 dB noise limit placed on the track, measured at the property line.

The Db measurement of sound levels works on a logarithmic scale, i.e., an increase from 87 to 90 dB indicates twice as much as sound.

For reference, Laguna Seca’s sound limit is 92 dB for motorcycles, while Buttonwillow, Thunderhill and Infineon Raceway have 103 dB motorcycle sound limits. Portland International Raceway has a 105 dB vehicle sound limit. Bridgehampton Raceway on Long Island, which closed in the late 1990s, operated under a 102 dB at-the-motorcycle limit and a 70 dB limit at the property line.

Independent tests of automobiles have shown that the ambient sound level inside a typical sedan traveling at 70 mph is around 70 dB, with the radio off.

Authorities have been taking sound measurements at the JenningsGP fence line during events, and say the 78 dB limit has been exceeded twice, most recently during the February 27-28 (Thursday-Friday) AHRMA/WERA Vintage event at the facility, according to Brown. The county notified the track that any more violations of the sound limit could result in closure of the facility.

Brown said the track is attempting to get the county to either raise the sound limit to 86 dB–more than four times the current sound limit–or grant the track exemptions for events. He is urging all racers who have participated in track days or races at the facility and would like to see the track continue operations to write or e-mail the county.

Brown said that Hamilton County benefits from track operations because Jennings GP attracts many outsiders who spend significant amounts of money on food, fuel and lodging in the county.

Brown is asking all racers to write in, stating, “That’s what’s gonna convince them. Economic impact.” Brown added that angry letters “won’t do any good,” and reminded those who write in to refrain from doing anything that could make the track’s situation more difficult.

Interested racers can e-mail comments to: [email protected], or write to Ronny C. Morgan, County Commissioner, 207 NE First Street, Jasper, FL 32052

From a press release:

FASTRACK RIDERS ASSOCIATION REMINDS AMA RIDERS OF DATES BEFORE AMA NATIONAL EVENT

FASTRACK RIDERS ASSOCIATION is staging their traditional “Track Days” at California Speedway on March 28th, 29th, and 30th in Fontana, CA. “We are reserving one riding group for all the AMA licensed riders only to give them time to really dial in their motorcycles before the AMA National event April 4th, 5th, and 6th” states Larry Pointer, Vice President of Operations. “We felt we would limit one group to only AMA racers so they can get ample track time to properly prepare for the national event. The 2.3 mile 21 turn track changed in two areas from last year which has improved the track making it safer but also most riders will need a few days to really get the track figurer out and get their bikes dialed in.”

In addition FRA is holding a one day test and tune practice day for AMA licensed racers only on Thursday, April 3rd.

David Pyles, President of FRA stated, “Several AMA Riders are calling us asking if our track day weekend was a race weekend because they thought they could not practice unless we were staging races. No, we are not having races that weekend but the practice rule was changed by the AMA rules committee a couple of months ago and announced in Roadracing World. I suggest all teams and riders consult the AMA for verification but it would be a shame for them to not get the track time they need to properly prepare for the national event because they might not be aware of the rule change.”

For more information visit the website at www.fastrackriders.com , or call David Pyles at 949-488-0543

From two press releases issued by California Speedway:

Two-Wheel Action Ready to Roll
YAMAHA SUPERBIKE CHALLENGE SET FOR APRIL 4-6

FONTANA, Calif. — America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, the AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship, returns to California Speedway April 4-6 for its second year of competition on the speedway’s 21-turn, 2.36-mile road course.

Now that the season opening Daytona 200 by Arai is over, the California Speedway event takes on a different meaning for the competitors – two points paying rounds – Saturday, April 5 is the Yamaha West Region Dealers 100k and Sunday, April 6 is the Yamaha 100k.

Miguel Duhamel captured the season-opening Daytona 200 in impressive style, slipping past his Honda teammates, Kurtis Roberts and Ben Bostrom, on the final lap to claim his fourth Daytona win. Duhamel passed Roberts on the famous Daytona high banks in Turn Three. Coming out of Turn Four, Duhamel slid underneath Bostrom and nipped him at the line by 0.069 seconds.

“This is so sweet,” Duhamel said in the post-race press conference. “I was thinking the whole race ‘just stay in the race, stay focused, stay out there.’ It was 57 laps of full concentration. When I finally crossed the finish line and won, ‘I was like holy cow, I just won again.’ I was so happy. It’s so hard to win this race.”

Duhamel’s debut at California Speedway last year didn’t produce any “holy cow” finishes. In the Yamaha West Region Dealers 100k on Saturday, he finished 31st. He rebounded on Sunday to finish seventh.

“Our bikes are working really (well), and California, I went out there and tested, and I was right in the lap times, so I’m feeling pretty good about that,” Duhamel said. “That’s a track I went really well at in testing. It’s going to be a barn burner.”

His teammate, Roberts, accepted his finishing position at Daytona and immediately began looking ahead to Rounds Two and Three at California Speedway on his quest to win a title.

“I wanted to get in here (Daytona) and get a podium for the championship run, and I think we can do it now,” Roberts said. “When we get to California, my bike and my team will be even stronger than what we were here. I have a good feeling about the team. I think the crew and I are going to do a lot of work that we’ve already started, and I think it will show even more at California.”

Roberts has something to prove at California Speedway. A practice crash on Friday eliminated him from the weekend competition last year.

Bostrom, a former AMA Superbike champ (1998) will be making his California Speedway debut as he returns to the U.S. after a successful run in World Superbike. He will compete against his younger brother, Eric, this year, and will be playing catch up to his primary competitors when it comes to California Speedway’s circuit.

“I’ve got one day of testing around that place, which isn’t enough,” said Bostrom. “It was a really windy day. We’ve got to learn the track when we go back there, but I think we’ll be alright.”

Eric Bostrom will be the one and only factory Superbike entry for Kawasaki. Considered by many a favorite to win the title, he finished fifth at Daytona despite giving up considerable horsepower on his Ninja ZX-7R (stock 750cc) to the 1000cc bikes. The younger Bostrom finished second in the championship standings last year to Nicky Hayden, who has moved on to Moto Grand Prix, earning four wins on the year. He finished second at California Speedway last year in the Sunday main event but started the weekend on a bad note, failing to finish Saturday’s race.

Anthony Gobert will look to defend his title in Saturday’s Superbike race with a new team. Gobert moved from Yamaha to Ducati in the offseason. Sunday’s race wasn’t as good to him as an over inflated front tire resulted in him being lapped by Hayden and finishing eighth.

Tickets for the 2003 Yamaha Superbike Challenge are available by calling 1-800-944-RACE (7223) or online at www.californiaspeedway.com. Single-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday are $30. Tickets for Friday are $10. Children 12 and under are free for this event in the general admission areas.

A great way for fans to purchase tickets is through participating Yamaha dealers. The dealers are offering $5 off a Saturday and/or Sunday ticket.


MOTORCYCLE FANS CAN GET THEIR FILL AT CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY

FONTANA, Calif. — An impressive lineup of on-track two-wheel racing action and off-track displays will highlight the second annual Yamaha Superbike Challenge weekend April 4-6 at California Speedway.

The on-track festivities begin on Friday with practice and Superbike qualifying for the Yamaha West Region Dealers 100k on Saturday. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock qualifying will also take place late on Friday.

A new rule change by AMA Pro Racing for the Superbike class could produce a new qualifying record. Anthony Gobert set the mark last year on a Yamaha with an average lap of 97.126 mph (1:25.250 seconds). During the offseason, the sanctioning body made its first major rule change in 20 years, permitting 1000cc four-cylinder Superbikes. This change will provide a mix of old-style 750cc-based Superbikes, powerful 1000cc fours and 1000cc twins.

Saturday features the first of two Superbike races on the doubleheader weekend, starting at 2:00 p.m. Gobert is the defending champ.

The Superstock race polishes off Saturday, which also includes practice and qualifying for Sunday’s 250 Grand Prix, Supersport, Formula Xtreme and second Superbike race. Tommy Hayden won last year’s Superstock race and is coming off a season-opening win at Daytona International Speedway as he nipped Lee Acree by 0.009 seconds.

Sunday is highlighted by four races, with the Pro Honda Oils Supersport final getting the racing action off to a fantastic start at Noon. Aaron Yates, last year’s series champion and California Speedway winner, returns to defend his title.

The 250 Grand Prix, which features veteran Rich Oliver, a four-time 250 GP champion, follows the Supersport race. He will look to unseat Roland Sands, last year’s winner. Chuck Sorensen, of Sunnyvale, Calif., is the defending series champion.

The Formula Xtreme race will take to the circuit next, making its season debut in what many consider to be one of the most hotly contested championships in all of motorcycle road racing. Last year’s title ended in a tie between Californians Jason Pridmore and Jake Zemke, with Pridmore getting the nod in a tie-breaker (most wins). Pridmore and Zemke finished second and third, respectively, in last year’s event here, but Yamaha’s Damon Buckmaster took the crown.

All of this sets the stage for the second Superbike race of the weekend, scheduled for 3:00 p.m. With Nicky Hayden gone to Moto Grand Prix, a new champion will be crowned in the Yamaha 100k, capping a weekend full of on-track activity.

The road course won’t be the only place where there is high-speed racing action. The Super TT races return to California Speedway during the weekend, this time inside the infield in the terrace suite parking lots C, D and E. Last year, these racing daredevils competed in Lot 12. This year, they are in the thick of racing action inside the track. The Super TT races combine high-speed pavement road racing with TT-style dirt track racing.

Before, during and after all the on-track action, a packed display/vendor area is available for cycle fans to browse the latest selection of motorcycles, apparel, helmets and accessories.

“This year’s display/vendor area has grown considerably over year one,” said Dave Allen, director of sales and marketing for California Speedway. “The footprint we are using this year for the area is almost double 2002.”

A new feature this year is the California Cycle Club, a hospitality option featuring exclusive access by club members to one of California Speedway’s Pit Row Terrace Suites and to a luxury Skybox above the main grandstands. The suites are open for club members on April 5 and 6 from 8:00 a.m. until one hour after the last race. Benefits include reserved parking area, food and beverage service with a continental breakfast and picnic style lunch. Club members are also invited to take a parade lap on their own bikes around the speedway’s 21-turn, 2.36 mile road course, giving these guests a feel for what the pros are going through as they tour the circuit. California Cycle Club memberships are available for $125 each day or $225 for a two-day package. For membership or additional information, contact the speedway’s marketing department at 909-429-5300.

Tickets for the 2003 Yamaha Superbike Challenge are available by calling 1-800-944-RACE (7223) or online at www.californiaspeedway.com. Single-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday are $30. Tickets for Friday are $10. Children 12 and under are free for this event in the general admission areas.

A great way for fans to purchase tickets is through participating Yamaha dealers. The dealers are offering $5 off a Saturday and/or Sunday ticket.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM – PRESS INFORMATION
Mugello (Scarperia-Italia)
March 24-25, 2003

GUARESCHI TESTS THE DEVELOPMENT BIKE IN MUGELLO



Having sent the official bikes to Japan, ready for the first Grand Prix of the season at Suzuka on April 6th, the Ducati Marlboro Team continues with the Desmosedici’s development schedule. Two important and significant days of testing saw MotoGP test rider Vittoriano Guareschi busy at the circuit of Mugello for two days of testing.



In front of the technical staff – led by Ducati Corse’s Technical Director, Filippo Preziosi – Guareschi completed a series of important tests, alternating between the two available test bikes and testing several different configurations which concentrated specifically on rear suspension set-up.



After two days of intense testing Guareschi had completed 90 laps despite a crash on the first day (with no consequence) at the entrance of the “Arrabbiata 1” curve.

On Thursday the Ducati Marlboro Team will leave for Suzuka where, on Sunday 30 and Monday 31, they will have the opportunity to test on the circuit, which is completely new for both the Desmosedici and Troy Bayliss who, unlike Loris Capirossi, has never seen the track before.

From a press release issued by WERA:

WERA NATIONAL SERIES HEADS TO JENNINGS GP FOR SEASON OPENER

JENNINGS, Fla.- The WERA National Challenge Series and the National Endurance Series head to Jennings GP this weekend for the opening round of the 2003 season.

The Dunlop/WERA National Endurance Series will get underway at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 29. The 6-hour event will feature five classes of bikes and a field of about 40 teams.

Vesrah Suzuki returns to the Endurance Series this year to defend their championship title against Army of Darkness. The Vesrah Suzuki GSX-R1000 won eight of nine rounds in 2002, and the team hopes to repeat their successful run again this year.

Army of Darkness won the 2002 Mediumweight Superbike title on their Suzuki GSX-R600, but fell short of the overall championship. The hunt for the endurance championship will continue this season in one of the most exciting motorcycle road racing series in the United States.

The WERA National Challenge Series will have 12 races on Sunday, March 30, beginning at 12:30 pm. Each race will consist of ten laps around the
2-mile, 14-turn Jennings GP course.

The National Challenge Series races include both novice and expert divisions and a variety of classes, including the popular 125 GP, 600 Superstock and Superbike, 750 Superstock and Superbike, Formula 1, and Lightweight Twins classes.

The STAR School 600 Superstock novice class is where many of the current top experts honed their skills. Greg Moore won the 600 Superstock race at Jennings GP last year, and this year he is competing in both the WERA expert classes and AMA Pro Racing.

The Pirelli Formula 1 class includes machines of up to 1000cc and will feature some of the fastest bikes of the event. This year, the entrants in Formula 1 will be competing for a purse, giving riders even more incentive to be at the front of the field.

Tickets are available at the front gate of Jennings GP. Practice begins on Friday, and a three-day ticket is $30. A Saturday/Sunday ticket is $20, and fans that come after 10:00 am on Sunday pay only $15.

Directions to Jennings GP can be found on their website, www.JenningsGP.com.