Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Because American Honda is paying in both the Supersport/Superstock classes and the Superbike classes at many club races, at first glance it sounds like a racer with a CBR600RR could win $3000 a weekend in just 600cc classes. However, there is a catch, (actually a couple of catches, if you’re not a U.S. citizen or don’t have a green card), as explained in the fine print for the Honda contingency program:

“Contingency awards will be paid based on the rider’s best overall finish in one class, per registered unit, per event. Contingency will not be paid for multiple classes at the same event with the same machine. A minimum of five (5) riders in a class (in any event) must race for contingency to be paid. Contingency payouts will only be issued to riders with a valid U.S. social security number, a valid U.S. mailing address and a completed W-9 form.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

According to a letter dated March 5 and addressed to “Benelli Dealer/Prospect,” Benelli has split with its U.S. distributor.

The letter, signed by Sandro Caparelli, Sales and Marketing Manager for Benelli SpA, states:

Thank you for your patience over the past several months as we continue to implement our introduction into the USA market.

Please be assured that Benelli Motorcycles realizes the importance of a timely introduction of the Benelli Motorcycle brand to the North American market, while at the same time building the best possible foundation for the brand’s ongoing growth and development in your country.

It is for this reason that after careful consideration, we have decided to end our relationship with Superbike Inc.

While this change will inevitably result in a delay in the arrival of our bikes in the market, we feel that it is necessary to reach the best results for our dealers and their clients in the long term.

In the meantime, please feel free to forward any correspondence directly to us, as we will make it a priority to assist you in handling any issues that may arise concerning Benelli Products.

In the near future, we will contact you again to advise you of our next steps and to provide you with our best estimate of the first arrival of USA products.

Again, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,

Sandro Caparelli
Sales and Marketing Manager
Benelli SpA
FAX 011-39-721-404-232
e-mail [email protected]


Benelli SpA’s address is:
Strada della Fornace Vecchia s.n.
61100 Pesaro,Italy

From a press release:

VP RACING APPOINTS NEW SALES MANAGER FOR PACIFIC REGION

SAN ANTONIO, TX – VP Racing Fuels, Inc., an industry leader in the production and distribution of racing fuels, named Kelley Hendel as Regional Manager-Pacific Region. Hendel steps in behind her husband, Bruce Hendel, who in a previously announced move, was promoted from Regional Manager to Global Sales Manager for VP.

Kelley Hendel will be based in VP’s Southern California office and is responsible for directing sales activities in VP’s Pacific region, which includes California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, western Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Rim. An avid motorcycle rider, racing enthusiast and 8-year veteran at VP, Hendel has been instrumental in the growth of the company’s Pacific region over the last several years, according to VP’s President, Fred Morrison. “Kelley will be a tremendous resource to our Pacific region customers due to her vast knowledge of racing fuels and the racing industry,” Morrison said. “Her customers already attest to her unbridled energy and her ability to maintain solid, mutually supportive relationships. As we continue to experience significant growth, it’s a pleasure to be able to tap an experienced professional like Kelley to ensure we don’t miss a step during these transitions.”

Over its 28-year history, VP Racing has fueled champions in virtually every racing category and class — from drag racing and circle track to motocross, off-road, off-shore and even airplane racing. VP has earned a reputation for producing high quality racing fuels with superior power and consistency – as illustrated by the 2002 AMA Supercross, Formula USA Superbike, Formula One Hydro-Prop and other champions, each of whom made VP their fuel of choice. In addition to fuels, VP’s product line includes synthetic oils, 2-cycle lubricants, additives, chemicals, traction compounds and racing-related accessories – each designed to produce the most power and best performance in their respective racing applications. More information can be obtained from VP’s website – vpracingfuels.com.

From a press release issued by American Suzuki:

Former ATV Magazine Editor Joins Forces with American Suzuki Motor Corp.

BREA, Calif. – American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC), announced that former ATV Magazine Editor in Chief Glenn Hansen assumes the role of advertising manager for ASMC’s motorcycle/ATV division. Hansen, 39, will be responsible for media planning, coordinating advertising and dealer-support materials, budget management and more. He will report directly to Mel Harris, vice president of ASMC’s motorcycle/ATV division.

“We are very excited to welcome Glenn Hansen to American Suzuki,” said Harris. “He brings years of industry experience to the table, he comes from a very creative background and he’s enthusiastic about our sport. We expect great things from Glenn.”

Before coming to American Suzuki, Hansen worked for Ehlert Publishing in Minneapolis, Minn., where he presided over ATV Magazine, ATV Sport and Rev Magazine. He was employed there for nine years, first as a managing editor on the personal watercraft magazines and later as editor in chief in the ATV group. He is a life-long motorcycle and ATV enthusiast.

“I’m really looking forward to working for American Suzuki, while still maintaining my media relationships,” said Hansen. “I’ve always enjoyed Suzuki’s products, and I like the idea of being able to contribute to Suzuki creatively and to use my knowledge of the industry and the products themselves to help Suzuki communicate and grow.”

Although Hansen and his family – wife Christine, 10-year-old son Ben and 6-year-old daughter Haley – still reside in Minneapolis, they plan to relocate to Southern California in June.

From a press release issued by Pirelli:

PIRELLI’S “LARGEST-EVER” DAYTONA AMA RACING PRESENCE YIELDS SECOND IN SUPERSTOCK, EIGHTH IN SUPERBIKE

(Daytona, FL) With 22 AMA Superbike racers, 15 Superstock, and eight Supersport racers on its tires, Pirelli enjoyed its largest-ever AMA Daytona racing presence in the just-completed 2003 Bike Week action, and came away with some impressive results.

Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree, riding Pirelli Supercorsa DOT radials, came within .009 of a second of catching Tommy Hayden at the line in Monday’s rain-delayed Superstock race, the closest Superstock finish ever. Teammates Vincent Haskovec and Mike Ciccotto on Pirelli-shod Hooter’s Suzukis finished fifth and sixth after swapping the lead for much of the race. Pirelli racers took seven of the top 20 Superstock finishes. In Monday’s Daytona 200 By Arai Superbike showdown, Michael Barnes, on the Prieto Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000, took Top Privateer honors with his eighth-place finish on Pirelli’s latest 16.5-inch slicks. He ran as high as sixth in the race. Pirelli-equipped superbike racers captured six of the top 20 positions.

Explaining Pirelli’s increased AMA presence, Race Manager Rich Munson said it’s “a combination of some of our 2002 Formula-USA racers moving over to AMA racing for 2003, and more AMA racers making the switch to Pirelli.”

While some Pirelli F-USA racers may have made the move to AMA, enough remained to make a difference. In Daytona’s Formula USA Sunday finale on March 2, Pirelli racers won the Superbike, Sportbike, and Thunderbike races in dramatic fashion. Dave Estok, Joseph Rozynski, Richie Morris and their Buells swept the Thunderbike podium in a race that saw Pirelli take five of the top six spots. Matt Wait and Scott Harwell gave Pirelli first and second in the Superbike final. And Wait also gave Pirelli the victory in the F-USA Sportbike race.

Friday and Saturday’s CCS action saw Pirelli take 23 podium finishes, including seven race wins.


From a press release issued by Dream Team Ducati:

Dream Team Racing ends the Ducati jinx of recent years with a top 12 finish. The 200 is notoriously hard on the big V-Twin although Larry’s motor ran perfectly.

Larry Pegram led the field into the first turn from 8th place on the starting grid aboard his Ducati 998RS03. “I got a great start and it’s nice to begin my first race riding for Dream Team Racing with a holeshot.” Pegram ultimately finished 12th from a field of 79 after two unexpected extra pit stops.

Engine Builder Mike Velasco built a motor that was prepped by Elliot Cho & Maci Matsumoto that lasted the distance. In fact Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Superbike Director and Gabriele Raccio Customer Technical Assistant were very happy with the performance data on the engine. They were especially pleased that the motor was still running strong after 200 miles on the high speed banked track.

The Team is very unique in that it is owned by an African-American, Deveaux Hill and a Chinese-American, Kaming Ko. They were both on hand in the pits and were pleased with the overall result. They said, “We are very happy with the bike in general and look forward to Fontana where we had an opportunity to test in February.” Dream Team Racing (DTR) being brand new, only tested twice before the season opener. Once at Laguna Seca in January and the above mentioned Fontana test.

Speed Channel in their Daytona broadcast mentioned a rumor that a well known entertainer was interested in sponsoring DTR Ducati. It is however a Team policy not to comment on any potential sponsors. They did confirm that they are actively seeking an outside the motorcycle industry Title Sponsor and that they have been talking to several sources.

COpyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superbike World Championship headquarters have been moved from London to Rome.

The new address is:

Octagon Motorsports Italia s.r.l.
Via di Tor Pagnotta 94
00143 Rome
ITALY

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Infineon Raceway Names New Information Technology and Asset Manager

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) — Jason Sacco has been named Information Technology (IT) and Asset Manager at Infineon Raceway, it was announced by raceway officials.

Sacco, 32, will be responsible for managing day-to-day technology needs for Infineon Raceway, as well as managing facility assets, including golf carts and radios, during event weekends.

Prior to coming to Infineon Raceway, Sacco served as a Network Support Engineer at Lucent Technologies. During his seven years at Lucent, Sacco’s responsibilities included LAN/WAN support and a migration project which consisted of more than 6,000 voice and data lines.

“I am very excited and extremely proud to be part of such a great team,” said Sacco. “This is a dream job for me, and, as a huge motor sports fan, I can honestly say that I look forward to coming to work every day.”

Sacco, a San Lorenzo native, now resides in Brentwood with his wife and three daughters.

From a press release:

T.E.A.M. Arizona will be conducting a racer’s practice at Firebird Raceway on Friday, March 14. This is the day before the CCS races on the weekend.

Gates will be open at 7:00 a.m., the track goes green at 8:00 a.m. Please call T.E.A.M. Arizona at (480)998-9888 to register.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Via e-mail:

After watching the conclusion of the AMA Superstock Race at Daytona, I realized the physical consequences of a 0.009-second delta between first and second place. Easy calculations show that this time equates to a distance on the order of 2.4 ft. This was obviously not the case in this finish.

My question is, how are these small time deltas obtained since they seem to be in obvious error? Is it a limitation of the transponder system?

John Kos
Albuquerque, New Mexico


(Note: Given that Tommy Hayden’s transponder was mounted in the nose of his bike’s fairing, and that Lee Acree’s transponder was mounted on his bike’s tailsection, this is a very good question. We invite AMA Pro Racing to enlighten us on this matter, as well as to explain why a standard transponder mounting location is not required of all competitors…Editor.)