From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship Presented By Parts Unlimited
62nd Daytona 200 by Arai – March 5-10, 2003
Daytona International Speedway – Purse $192,500

Chevy Trucks Superbike
TOTAL PURSE = $140,000
(Includes $25,000 Arai Bonus & $2,000 Front Row Qualifying Bonus)

The rider earning the Pole Position for the 2003 Daytona 200 by Arai will be awarded a limited edition Rolex Daytona.

FRONT ROW QUALIFYING BONUS
1. $1,000
2. $500
3. $300
4. $200

RACE PURSE = $138,000
1. $16,000
2. $10,500
3. $7,500
4. $6,500
5. $5,500
6. $4,500
7. $4,300
8. $4,100
9. $3,900
10. $3,700
11. $3,500
12. $3,400
13. $3,300
14. $3,200
15. $3,100
16. $2,900
17. $2,800
18. $2,700
19. $2,600
20. $2,500
21. $2,350
22. $2,250
23. $2,150
24. $2,050
25. $1,950
26. $1,800
27. $1,700
28. $1,600
29. $1,500
30. $1,400
31. $1,100
32. $1,000
33. $950
34. $900
35. $800
Positions 36-40 = $750 each
Positions 41-45 = $700 each
Positions 46-50 = $600 each
Positions 51-55 = $500 each
Positions 56-60 = $350 each
Positions 61-65 = $250 each
Positions 66-70 = $200 each
Positions 71-75 = $150 each
Positions 76-80 = $100 each

MBNA 250 Grand Prix
TOTAL PURSE = $25,000
1. $5,000
2. $3,100
3. $2,300
4. $1,800
5. $1,550
6. $1,400
7. $1,275
8. $1,200
9. $1,050
10. $950
11. $875
12. $800
13. $725
14. $650
15. $575
16. $500
17. $425
18. $350
19. $275
20. $200


Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
TOTAL PURSE = $17,500

1. $1,700
2. $1,400
3. $1,150
4. $900
5. $800
6. $750
7. $700
8. $650
9. $600
10. $550
11. $500
12. $450
13. $400
14. $375
15. $325
16. $300
17. $275
18. $250
19. $225
20. $200
Positions 21-40 = $150 each
Positions 41-60 = $100 each


Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock
TOTAL PURSE = $10,000

1. $1,500
2. $1,200
3. $900
4. $700
5. $650
6. $600
7. $525
8. $475
9. $425
10. $400
11. $375
12. $350
13. $325
14. $300
15. $275
16. $250
17. $225
18. $200
19. $175
20. $150


2003 AMA CHEVY TRUCKS U.S. SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship Bonus
$120,000

MBNA 250 Grand Prix Championship Bonus
$10,000

Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship Bonus
$24,000

Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Championship Bonus
$35,000

Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Championship Bonus
$15,000

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Miguel Duhamel Wins Fourth Daytona 200 By Arai

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., — Canadian Miguel Duhamel edged out his Honda teammates Ben Bostrom and Kurtis Roberts to capture the 62nd Daytona 200 By Arai on Monday at Daytona International Speedway.

Bostrom, Roberts and Duhamel, all riding factory Honda RC51s, were running nose-to-tail in the final laps of the 57-lap race.

On the final lap exiting the chicane, the 34-year-old Duhamel passed Roberts in NASCAR Turn 3 and then ducked underneath Bostrom coming out of NASCAR Turn 4 to nip him at the start/finish line by a tire.

The margin of victory was .069 seconds.

“It looked like I was getting Ben, but I was fearing for Kurtis to come around and get our double draft,” Duhamel said. “When I finally crossed the line and won, ‘I was like holy cow, I just won again.’ I was so happy. It’s so hard to win this race. It’s just so hard and I’m so pleased.”

Bostrom, who was competing in his first race back in the United States after three seasons overseas in World Superbike, was a sitting duck leading coming out of the chicane and did all he could to fend off his Honda teammates.

“I thought they were right behind me, so I downshifted into first to try and throw them off a little bit,” said Bostrom about his entry into the chicane. “Then I really tried to accelerate and get a good drive on the exit there. We didn’t have much tire left.

“It just didn’t pan out. The guys rode really well and set me up perfectly. If I had to take it over I’d just try and get through it the best I could and get a little more engine speed and hope that would give us a couple thousands to win this thing.”

Duhamel’s fourth Daytona 200 victory puts him second on the wins list behind Scott Russell’s five victories. Duhamel’s average race speed of 113.839 mph eclipsed the previous record of 113.631 mph set by Mat Mladin in 2000.

Honda’s sweep of the podium is the first time a motorcycle manufacturer has swept the top three finishing positions of the Daytona 200 since 1985 when Honda riders Freddie Spencer, Wes Cooley and Jeff Haney landed on the podium.

Another rider celebrating a victory of his own was Rick Shaw, who after completing Lap 2 broke the Daytona 200 mileage record formerly held by Warren Sherwood.

“It was an exciting lap,” said Shaw, whose first Daytona 200 was in 1981 and now has turned 3,365.48 miles. “I felt it. Finally, the weight was lifted off me after the second lap and I could go out and race. I put some much pressure on myself to get this done.”

The top finishing privateer in the Daytona 200 was Floridian Michael Barnes, who came home in eighth-position aboard the No. 34 Suzuki.


Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock: Tommy Hayden, riding the No. 22 Kawasaki, nipped Lee Acree at the checkered flag by .009-second to capture his first victory at Daytona.

Hayden threw out the theory of being a sitting duck when leading out of the chicane as he was able to hold off Acree at the start/finish line in what was a thrilling Superstock race.

“I knew it would be close,” Hayden said.

Said Acree: “I thought I got him, but that’s not what the screen said when I got back around.”

Rounding out the podium was Eric Wood aboard a Suzuki.

The victory was Hayden’s first at Daytona. His brother Nicky Hayden captured the 2002 Daytona 200 By Arai.

Motorcycles return to Daytona International Speedway for Fall Cycle Scene on Oct. 16-19. For tickets and more information, log on to http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

More, from a press release issued by OMS:

Ducati Austin’s Anthony Gobert Leads Daytona 200 Before Retiring

Pre-race mishap forces Ducati Austin to field its ‘back up’ bike, which an undeterred Anthony “Go Show” Gobert promptly put into the lead

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 10, 2003) – Though Ducati Austin’s initial race of the 2003 AMA/Chevy Trucks Superbike season at Daytona International Speedway didn’t end up as planned, the team comes away from the Daytona 200 knowing full and well the Ducati 998RS03 and pilot Anthony Gobert will be highly competitive on the American superbike circuit this year.

“Despite the final results, it was a very positive outing for the Ducati Austin team,” said Ducati Austin Crew Chief Vic Fasola of the team’s DNF at the rain-delayed superbike season opener. “Any time you can take your ‘B’ bike at a race of this caliber – at the start of a season with a new team – and put it up front in the lead, you know you’re going to be a threat to win all year long.”

Just moments prior to the race, somebody had bumped into Gobert’s front brake lever and more or less broke it. Said Fasola: “We couldn’t change it in time.” So Gobert was forced to go with Ducati Austin’s back up bike.

“Anthony got out of the gate a bit slow, but adjusted quite rapidly to the back up bike,” added Fasola. “In theory, it should have been exactly the same as the primary bike. But ask any rider and they’ll tell you it’s not at all the same.”

After starting in ninth position, Gobert put on a masterful ride, working the Ducati 998RS03 through the pack and into the lead by lap nine – pulling away on the Daytona high banks from the eventual podium finishers and leading through lap 14 of the 57-lap race.

Gobert would settle into second place for the next several laps, then came in for a scheduled pit stop on Lap 19. Upon re-entering the track the bike suffered a “yet-to-be-determined” mechanical failure.

Said Fasola: “We’ll look into what happened this week, make any necessary corrections and come back to Fontana (Calif., April 4-6) stronger than ever. Anthony and the 998RS03 proved today they can run with the leaders and be a constant force to win races in this series. And we’re going to work very hard as a team to see that he does just that.”

Noteworthy: Gobert’s best lap time of 1:50.098 was the seventh fastest of the day, less than a second off the fastest lap time.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superbike Point Standings:

1. Miguel Duhamel, 37
2. Ben Bostrom, 33
3. Kurtis Roberts, 29
4. Aaron Yates, 27
5. Eric Bostrom, 26
6. Mat Mladin, 25
7. Ben Spies, 24
8. Michael Barnes, 23
9. Jason Pridmore, 22
10. Shawn Higbee, 21
11. Andrew Deatherage, 20
12. Larry Pegram, 19
13. Jack Pfeifer, 18
14. Sandor Bitter, 17
15. Ricky Orlando, 16
16. Vincent Haskovec, 15
17. James Randolph, 14
18. Warwick Nowland, 13
19. Mike Ciccotto, 12
20. Geoff May, 11
21. Thomas Montano, 10
22. Akiharu Shigeno, 9
23. Michael Rouleau, 8
24. John Jacobi, 7
25. C.R. Gittere, 6
26. Dean Mizdal, 5
27. Brett Ray, 4
28. Rich Conicelli, 3
29. Tom Wertman, 2
30. Rick Shaw, 1

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden won the AMA Superstock race at Daytona International Speedway on a 636cc Kawasaki ZX-6R. Hayden made a break in the infield on the last lap, was able to put a lapped rider between himself and his pursuers in the west horseshoe, led into and through the chicane, and was able to hold on by 0.009-second at the line over Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree.

Acree was fourth into the chicane on the last lap and drafted Barden Bearing’s Eric Wood and Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Steve Rapp to get up to second. Wood drafted by Rapp for third at the line.

Hooters Suzuki teammates Vincent Haskovec and Mike Ciccotto, Corona Extra Suzuki’s Adam Fergusson, Hayden’s teammate Tony Meiring (on another Kawasaki ZX-6R), Yamaha YZF-R6-mounted Jason DiSalvo (from the 50th starting position, with a hand deeply bruised in a crash last week) and Rapp’s teammate Matt Furtek finished fifth through 10th, respectively.

The race was a very exciting battle with as many as 11 riders fighting at the front, and seven riders exchanged the lead all the way until the end.

Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore led several laps before having a moment and running off in turn one in the second half of the race.

Pridmore’s teammate Josh Hayes ran at the front but was called in for a stop-and-go for jumping the start and eventually finished 11th.

Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich bounced back from a bruising crash in qualifying to take 12th.

Defending AMA Superstock Champion Jimmy Moore ran straight at turn one off the start and worked back up to finish 15th.


AMA Superstock Race Results:

1. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 15 laps
2. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, -0.009 second
3. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, -0.098 second
4. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, -0.209 second
5. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1.410 seconds
6. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1.412 seconds
7. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, -1.436 seconds
8. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, -7.576 seconds
9. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha YZF-R6, -12.059 seconds
10. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, -12.067 seconds
11. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 12.135 seconds
12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, -16.839 seconds
13. Scott Greenwood, Suzuki GSX-R750, -17.387 seconds
14. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R750, -17.424 seconds
15. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, -20.769 seconds
16. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, -21.656 seconds
17. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, -22.421 seconds
18. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, -22.426 seconds
19. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, -25.721
20. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, -25.779
21. Hawk Mazzotta, Suzuki GSX-R750, -37.941 seconds
22. J.J.Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, -38.458 seconds
23. Jason Peters, Suzuki GSX-R750, -39.592 seconds
24. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, -46.823 seconds
25. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, -51.131 seconds
26. Kevin Pate, Suzuki GSX-R750, -60.006 seconds
27. Dave Estok, Buell, -84.708 seconds
28. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki GSX-R750, -103.131 seconds
29. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R750, -106.457 seconds
30. Eric Haugo, Suzuki GSX-R750, -119.641 seconds
31. Crash Chris Lowe, Suzuki GSX-R750, -119.682 seconds
32. Michael Hanley, Suzuki GSX-R750, 14 laps
33. David Alley, Suzuki GSX-R750, 14 laps
34. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600RR, 14 laps
35. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 13 laps
36. Michael McAllister, Yamaha YZF-R6, 9 laps
37. Michael Hannas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 8 laps
38. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i, 6 laps
39. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 4 laps
40. Ottis Lance, Moto Guzzi, 4 laps

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Superbikes took to the track at Daytona as scheduled, for a short practice starting at 10:00 a.m.

The sun is still shining.

Based on the last week at Daytona, that’s big news.

In the Superbike practice session, Mat Mladin was fastest, followed by the Bostrom brothers. Times follow:

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:48.843
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:49.858
3. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC-51, 1:50.184
4. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.251
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC-51, 1:50.607
6. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC-51, 1:50.682
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:51.070
8. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 1:51.078
9. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:51.362
10. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:51.747
11. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.619
12. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.813
13. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 1:52.840
14. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.543
15. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.640
16. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.857
17. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.906
18. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:54.057
19. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.258
20. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.479
21. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:54.481
22. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:54.656
23. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.202
24. James Randolph, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:55.298
25. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.406
26. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.413
27. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.144
28. Akiharu Shigeno, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.302
29. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.662
30. Scott Jenson, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.764

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Rick Shaw is the new holder of the Daytona 200 career mileage record.

Shaw covered 52 laps and finished 30th in today’s Daytona 200.

More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Rick Shaw Sets New Daytona 200 Mileage Record

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., — While he didn’t make the podium in today’s Daytona 200 By Arai, Rick Shaw accomplished a feat no other rider in the Daytona 200 ever has. Shaw set a new Daytona 200 mileage record after completing 52 laps in the 62nd running of the Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway.

Shaw, a police officer from Miami, Fla., eclipsed the standing record of 3,187 miles set by Warren Sherwood. Entering today’s race, Shaw stood at 3,180 miles, but after his 30th-place finish, Shaw stands at 3,365.48 miles.

“I wanted to celebrate (on the record breaking lap) but I was trying to keep my head down,” said Shaw, rider of the No. 79 Suzuki. “I tried to get my hand up there and I just about lost it on the second lap trying to celebrate. Boy, was that stupid. I put my head back down and went for it. It was an exciting lap. I felt it. Finally, the weight was lifted off me after the second lap and I could go out and race. I put some more pressure on myself to get this done.”

Shaw’s first Daytona 200 By Arai start in 1981. Through the years Shaw has fallen in love with the heritage of the Speedway, which makes the record a special moment in his life.

“I love it. I’m very proud to be listed with the veterans and the pros, the people who made this sport the greatest sport in the world. It’s a honor. I hope I can live up to their image.”

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Foggy PETRONAS Racing pays tribute to Barry Sheene

Carl Fogarty and his Foggy PETRONAS Racing team today paid tribute to racing icon Barry Sheene, who died today aged 52 after a seven-month battle against cancer.

Carl said: “It’s a sad day for British motorcycle racing. He was the biggest household name that the sport has created here in Britain. Even though there had been other British world champions before him, he was the first person to make that cross-over from racer to celebrity.

“Barry lived life to the absolute full and he did more in his 52 years than most people would in 100 years. But, as well as the lifestyle, he was also a great racer, as his two world titles prove.

“He did a lot to bring the sport to the attention of the British public, especially with those two big crashes at Daytona and Silverstone, which were shown on the News at Ten. People still come up to me and think that I used to race against Barry, even though he retired so long ago, which is a measure of how well known he still is even to a new generation of fans.

“We always got on fine and had a laugh whenever we met up, even if we might have done a bit of verbal sparring in public! My sympathies go out to his wife and children.”

FPR rider Troy Corser added: “He’ll be sadly missed by many fans and friends, including Sam and I. Barry introduced the two of us in 1994 whilst I was testing and Sam worked for Sky TV, and we’ve been together ever since, so I owe him a great deal for his involvement in my early career and my future with Sam.

“He was a big inspiration on my career and he found me the chance to come to Europe, start my career and be successful at what I’d always wanted to do as a youngster.

“Whilst it’s great to be going back to Australia to race later this month, I don’t think this year will now have quite the same upbeat feel as in the past due to Barry’s loss. He didn’t come to England often so it was always good to catch up with him once a year in Oz. Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends.”

FPR team-mate James Haydon added: “Although I did not know Barry personally, everyone knows his name and he was a great ambassador for the sport. He was a motorcycling legend and enjoyed a fantastic career.”



(Note: Sheene is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and two teenage children, daughter Sidonie and son Freddie.)

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin turns 31 years old today.

Mladin was born in Camden, New South Wales, Australia.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Running commentary, results at end:


The field has completed its sighting lap and warm-up lap and is ready for the start of the Daytona 200.

Mat Mladin led Larry Pegram and Kurtis Roberts through the infield the first time, but in the run from the chicane to the line it was Mladin pullng a small gap on Roberts, Aaron Yates, Eric Bostrom and Pegram.

To start lap 4, Roberts passes Mladin in turn one, but Mladin immediately repassed him.

Mladin’s first complete lap was a 1:49.398.

Roberts led Mladin, Yates, Duhamel into the chicane on lap 4.

The pace at the front is 1:51.

To start lap 5 Roberts passed Mladin inside in turn 1, with Mladin diving back inside in the International Horseshoe.

Roberts led at the line to start lap 6, with a 7-rider train at the front, Roberts chased by Duhamel, Yates, Mladin, Eric Bostrom, Ben Bostrom, and Gobert.

Jason Pridmore has pitted and then rejoined the race.

On lap 7, Duhamel challenges Roberts for the lead into the chicane.

Duhamel drafts past Roberts to lead before the line but into turn 1 to start lap 8 it’s Roberts ahead of Yates, Duhamel, Mladin, Gobert, Eric Bostrom, Ben Bostrom.

The leaders are now in traffic and Yates leads into the chicane and across the line. Roberts and Gobert are side-by-side for second, ahead of Duhamel, Mladin, Ben Bostrom and Eric Bostrom. When Mladin ran wide in turn 1, Ben Bostrom passed him.

John Ashmead has lowsided.

Gobert drafts Roberts and Yates to lead across the line to start lap 10. Mladin passes Ben Bostrom into the International Horseshoe. The lead group is Gobert, Yates, Roberts, Duhamel, Mladin, Ben Bostrom, Eric Bostrom.

Yates challenges for the lead to the chicane but Gobert still leads at the line to start lap 11.

Lap 10
1. Gobert
2. Roberts
3. Duhamel
4. Yates
5. B. Bostrom
6. Mladin
7. E. Bostrom
8. Spies
9. Pegram
10. Higbee

Lead 7 riders are hooked together in a draft-fest, within a spread of 1.5 seconds. The 8th and 9th-place riders are about 15 seconds behind.

Lapped traffic is now a serious problem.

Duhamel could not draft past Gobert in the run to the line to end lap 12.

The pack is slcing through lapped riders in the infield.

Larry Pegram pitted early and rejoined the race.

Again Gobert holds off Duhamel to the line to finish lap 13.

Gobert, Duhamel, Yates and Roberts have gapped the second group of 3 by about 2 seconds, with Mladin battling Ben and Eric Bostrom.

Duhamel drafts around Gobert in heavy traffic to the line.

Order at line, Lap 15
1. Duhamel
2. Gobert
3. Roberts
4. Yates
5. Eric Bostrom
6. Ben Bostrom
7. Mat Mladin
8. Ben Spies
9. Shawn Higbee
10. Michael Barnes
11. Jordan Szoke
12. Brian Livengood
13. Geoff May
14. Larry Pegram
15. Jack Pfeifer

Roberts passed Gobert for third at the start of lap 16 but then ran off at the chicane.

Mladin ran very wide at the start of lap 17 in turn 1, and Roberts repassed him.

Gobert repassed Duhamel into turn 1 to take the lead to start lap 18.

Duhamel leads to the chicane in heavy traffic.

Gobert has pitted for his stop, to start lap 19. Gobert was beaten out of the pits as Ben Bostrom also pits.

Roberts pits on lap 19 and rejoins the race. Mladin is in, Mladin is out.

Duhamel is in to start lap 20, and is back out. Eric Bostrom is also in and out.

After the first round of stops several riders have dropped back into 1:49 lap times, including Duhamel, Ben Bostrom, Yates, Roberts, Mladin.

Brian Livengood crashes out at the kink.

Running order lap 22
1. Duhamel
2. Ben Bostrom
3. Eric Bostrom
4. Yates
5. Roberts
6. Barnes
7. Mladin
8. Spies
9. Pegram
10. Higbee
11. Szoke
12. Deatherage
13. Pfeifer
14. Montano
15. May

Yates and Eric Bostrom are battling hard over third.

Gobert is missing.

Gobert is walking back to his pit area, having abandoned his stricken Ducati.

Higbee is touring back to the pits with some problem. Higbee pits and rejoins the race with what looks to be a tire problem.

Gobert, who rode his back-up bike in a last-minute switch, says his B bike broke because he was “flogging the engine.”

On lap 27, Duhamel, Ben Bostrom and Yates are all in the 1:51s, as are Roberts and Mladin.

But Mladin is well behind the leaders, in 6th.

As Ben Bostrom closes on Duhamel, cutting the gap from 4 to 3.5 seconds, Yates is closing up on Bostrom.

Running order at 1/2-way point:
1. Duhamel
2. Ben Bostrom
3. Yates
4. Eric Bostrom
5. Roberts
6. Mladin
7. Spies
8. Barnes
9. Szoke
10. Pegram
11. Deatherage
12. Pfeifer
13. Pridmore
14. May
15. Higbee



Yates passes Ben Bostrom in traffic for second, Spies passes Mladin for 6th.

Yates and Bostrom are racing for second, about 4.5 seconds behind Duhamel.

At the end of lap 32, Yates is 1.7 seconds ahead of Yates with Ben Bostrom right behind Yates.

Duhamel is visibly struggling with the rear tire, sliding around and getting slightly kicked out of the seat on acceleration. Yates has caught Duhamel with Ben Bostrom and Roberts just behind.

Szoke pulls off the track with a mechanical problem.

Duhamel is now third, Yates leads Bostrom, Duhamel and Roberts.

Yates gets a break in traffic in the chicane, stretching out ahead of Roberts, Ben Bostrom and Duhamel in the run back to turn 1.

Roberts, Ben Bostrom and Duhamel race for second as Yates builds his gap to 1.2 seconds.

Yates loses some of his advantage in traffic in the west horseshoe.

Pegram pits and rejoins in about 10 seconds, on lap 36, one lap down.

Roberts drafts Yates to lead across the line to start lap 38.

Ben Bostrom pits and rejoins, about 12 seconds.

Yates repasses Roberts for the lead, they run nose-to-tail out of the infield. Roberts drafts past to the chicane. Roberts heads for the pits, Yates’ leads again, his GSX-R1000 bucking on worn tires.

Roberts in and out in about 14 seconds, after a relatively slow entry to pit lane.

Yates is sliding everywhere, including the infield dogleg.

Mladin is in the pits, and out again with tires and gas.

Yates is on pit lane, as is Duhamel.

Yates leaves, Duhamel loses some time wiping gas off the tank. Eric Bostrom is in and out.

After the final round of pit stops, Roberts leads Bostrom and Yates.

Running order, end of lap 40:
1. Roberts
2. Ben Bostrom
3. Yates
4. Duhamel
5. Eric Bostrom
6. Spies
7. Mladin
8. Barnes
9. Pegram, -1 lap
10. Pfeifer, -1 lap
11. Pridmore, -1 lap
12. Higbee, -1 lap
13. Deatherage, -1 lap
14. Haskovec, -1 lap
15. Randolph, -1 lap

Spies pits for the final time.

Roberts, Ben Bostrom, Yates, Roberts are at the front, within 2 seconds, with Eric Bostrom about 19 seconds behind in fifth.

In traffic, Roberts gets about 2 seconds head of nose-to-tail Ben Bostrom, Yates, Duhamel. Yates passes Bostrom off the chicane, into second.

With 47 laps done, Roberts leads Yates by about 2 seconds, with Ben Bostrom and Miguel Duhamel another second behind.

To start lap 48 Yates ran off turn 1, trying to outbrake and get around lapped Vincent Haskovec, and rejoins in 4th.

With traffic working for them, Bostrom and Duhamel have caught Roberts.

Roberts gets another break in traffic but the three leading Hondas are all within half-a-second.

Yates in 4th is almost 10 seconds behind despite matching the pace of the leaders.

The pace at the front is 1:51s and 1:52s.

Bostrom passes Roberts in traffic and Roberts and Duhamel race for second around into turn 1.

Roberts uses the apron of the banking to draft back into the lead in the run to the line, then gapped Bostrom in traffic in turn 5.

After 51 laps Roberts leads Ben Bostrom and Duhamel, all within half-a-second.

Yates is about 7 second behind the leaders. Eric Bostrom is in 5th, 22 seconds behind.

Roberts ran wide at the west horseshoe and both Ben Bostrom and Duhamel passed him, with two laps to go.

Last lap, Bostrom leads Roberts and Duhamel in the infield. Traffic is ahead. Out of the chicane Bostrom leads and Duhamel drafts both Roberts and Bostrom to win!

Finishing Order:
1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 57 laps
2. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, -0.069 second
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, -0.155
4. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -8.498
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -24.370
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -80.159
7. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -87.763
8. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
10. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
11. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -2 laps
12. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, -2 laps
13. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -2 laps
14. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3 laps
15. Ricky Orlando, Suzuki GSX-R750, -3 laps
16. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, -3 laps
17. James Randolph, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3 laps
18. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3 laps
19. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, -3 laps
20. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -3 laps
21. Thomas Montano, Suzuki GSX-R750, -4 laps
22. Akiharu Shigeno, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4 laps
23. Michael Rouleau, Suzuki GSX-R750, -4 laps
24. John Jacobi, Suzuki GSX-R750, -4 laps
25. C.R. Gittere, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4 laps
26. Dean Mizdal, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -4 laps
27. Brett Ray, Suzuki GSX-R750, -4 laps
28. Rich Conicelli, Suzuki GSX-R750, -5 laps
29. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -5 laps
30. Rick Shaw, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -5 laps
31. Marco Martinez, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -5 laps
32. Oliver Jervis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -5 laps
33. Jacob Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, -5 laps
34. Douglas Duane, Suzuki GSX-R750, -5 laps
35. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki GSX-R750, -5 laps
36. Michael Luke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -5 laps
37. Scott Carpenter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -6 laps
38. Brian Boyd, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -6 laps
39. Rick Narup, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -7 laps
40. Keith Pinkstaff, Yamaha YZF-R1, -10 laps
41. Dean Osborne, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -14 laps
42. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -14 laps
43. Shane Gonyea, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -22 laps, DNF
44. Justin Blake, Suzuki GSX-R750, -24 laps, DNF
45. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -25 laps, DNF, mechanical
46. Pat Mooney, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -30 laps, DNF
47. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, -37 laps, DNF, mechanical
48. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -37 laps, DNF, crash
49. Greg Fryer, Yamaha YZF-R1, -39 laps, DNF
50. Raymond Bowman, Suzuki GSX-R800, -41 laps, DNF
51. James Compton, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -45 laps, DNF
52. Anthony Fania, Jr., Suzuki GSX-R750, 46 laps, DNF
53. John Ashmead, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -49 laps, DNF, crash
54. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, -50 laps, DNF
55. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, -50 laps, DNF
56. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, -50 laps, DNF
57. Michael Hannas, Suzuki GSX-R750, -50 laps, DNF
58. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, -55 laps, DNF
59. Andrew Denyer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -55 laps, DNF
60. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, DNS
61. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNS
62. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNS
63. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNS
64. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNS
65. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNS
66. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNS
67. John Haner, Suzuki GSX-R750, DNS
68. Dario Marchetti, Ducati 998, DNS
69. Thomas Fournier, Ducati 996, DNS

More, from a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s publicist, Steve Reeves:

MLADIN TAKES SIXTH AT DAYTONA 200

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA (Monday, March 10) – After leading the opening laps of today’s rain delayed running of the 62nd Daytona 200, Australian Mat Mladin completed a difficult race to finish sixth overall after encountering tyre problems for much of the race distance.

Victory today went to French Canadian Miguel DuHamel, who slipstreamed past both his American Honda teammate Ben Bostrom and Erion Honda rider Kurtis Roberts on the final lap to take his fourth Daytona 200 win. The lead trio were split by just 0.155 of a second at the completion of the 57-lap classic, with Mladin completing the race on the same lap as the leaders, but 80.159 secs in arrears.

Aiming for a third Daytona 200 victory, Mladin started from the front row of the grid after posting the third fastest time during qualifying and quickly jumped to the race lead aboard his Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000. He was involved in an eight-way battle for the lead in the opening sector of the race, before tyre wear began to play a factor in his race.

“The last three or four laps of the first stint I lost about 30 seconds and just had to get far enough around to fit into my pit schedule,” said Mladin, who celebrates his 31st birthday today. “Our strategy for the race was to do whatever lap time we could without spinning up the rear tyre and that’s what we did all they way up to about lap 15 or so in the first stint and from that point we started to go backwards because we had no rubber left on the rear tyre. That proved to be the case each time we went out on a fresh tyre. The pace of the race wasn’t overly fast, it was that I just couldn’t keep a tyre on it.”

As the lead group edged away, Mladin focussed on a strong finish that would give him as many points as possible as the Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship heads to round two at California Speedway on April 6.

“About 15-laps into the race I knew we weren’t going to win so it was time to go into conservation mode and think about the championship as a whole,” added the three times American Superbike champion. “After I figured that I wasn’t going to win this race and finish with no points like I did last year, I just had to go into points mode and do the best we can. That’s how I thought when I won three championships and that’s how I’m going to think this year.”

The race also marked the debut of the team’s new Suzuki GSX-R1000 that it will campaign in this year’s 18-race championship. Rule changes made since last season have allowed the team to switch from their very successful GSX-R750 to the new GSX-R1000. With only a very short period of time to begin development of the new bike before the start of the season this weekend, the team still has a lot of work to do, but does have a good base to start from. The change has also fuelled Mladin’s desire to get the best out of the bike and ensure that it becomes a championship winner.

“We are in a lot better position than we were last year. We have a lot more horsepower on a very under developed bike and knew we were going to have a tough weekend. A lot of people thought that we were going to come here and win because we’ve got a 1000cc 4-cylinder, but there’s a lot more that goes into racing than that. We have to develop the bike some more and get ourselves into the championship over the next few races.”


More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

DAYTONA 200 BY ARAI
POST RACE NOTES & QUOTES
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
MARCH 10, 2003

Winner Miguel Duhamel, No. 17 Honda,
“I knew that they were running good, Kurtis and those guys. I knew I could draft past one guy, but I didn’t want to be behind two and I was behind two. So I thought ok I’ve got to do this right. Kurtis came by and he was giving himself a little too much of a run. Obviously he was trying to do it for his own win. But I thought he was a little too far, so I used him, got a draft, got by with Ben. Ben got a draft around a lapped rider. Just when I split Ben came back on me and it was really jarring me. I moved over and I thought ‘oh, no, Kurtis is getting the double draft, watch that guy go around us.’ But it held off. I was really saving my tires and I think that’s what made a difference at the end. This is so sweet. I was thinking the whole race ‘just stay in the race, stay focused, stay out there.’ It was 57 laps of just full on concentration. This has got to be one of my sweetest (wins) because there were three guys on the end. There was nothing decided. There was not just one guy against one guy.

“I was feeling really good out there. My energy obviously was real high. My second stint I had a four second lead at one point. I thought I was going to start pulling away and win like I did in 1991. But couldn’t do it. The tires were coming in a little too hot.

“It looked like I was getting Ben, but I was fearing for Kurtis to come around and get our double draft. When I finally crossed the line and won, ‘I was like holy cow, I just won again.’ I was so happy. It’s so hard to win this race. It’s just so hard and I’m so pleased.”


Second-place finisher Ben Bostrom, No. 155 Honda
“I tried going into the chicane, I thought they were right behind me, so I downshifted into first to try and throw them off a little bit. Then I really tried to accelerate and get a good drive on the exit there. We didn’t have much tire left. It just didn’t pan out. The guys rode really well and set me up perfectly. If I had to take it over I’d just try and get through it the best I could and get a little more engine speed and hope that would give us a couple thousands to win this thing. Miguel has got a lot of tenacity and put it up front. You learn a lot from these kind of things. I’m looking forward to the season.

“We took off on that first tire and I didn’t get through the traffic so good. I saw the boys kind of getting away from me there. Big thanks to my guys, we had great pit stops. Basically it came down to the third tire with the rest of these guys. That was the deal. Kurtis was real strong. He had about the same tire I had on. Miguel was just back there waiting for us ready to pounce. These guys let me lead on the last lap. I just put my head down and tried as hard as I could. I tried to backshift down into first in the chicane and throw these guys off. They just hooked me up and went by.”

Third-place finisher Kurtis Roberts, No. 80 Honda
“Miguel did a great job. So did Ben and so did my team and myself. We put our head down there in the middle stint and really rode as hard as we could. I was really surprised I was leading there right before I pulled back in and we just didn’t have it today for whatever reason. My team did a hell of a job I take my hat off to them. The bike was perfect all weekend. Who knows what I could have done there on the last lap. But it doesn’t really matter right now. It’s a good day for Honda. I thought we would have had it there with a few laps to go. I was kind of surprised with how close they were to me. It worked out. I wanted to get in here and get a podium for the championship run and I think we can do it now.”

Fourth-place finisher Aaron Yates, No. 20 Yoshimura Suzuki
“The race was just a big tire conservation thing. The first session, I really thought the times were pretty slow. We were doing 51s. The second tire seemed to work a bit better. We ran 50s the whole time. That last stint, I ran up on that guy. Braking into Turn 1, he stood it up and went wide and I was on the outside and it made me have to change my line and run wide. It kind of blew the whole deal.”

Anthony Gobert, rider of the No. 16 Ducati Austin
WHAT PUT YOU OUT?
“My brake broke on the start line. I had to start on the backup bike. As soon as we went out, it had a big misfire. I didn’t know for sure it was going to stop. Then it started coming good. It didn’t have any power. It lost a lot of power but it was still going. That’s the main thing. Then the next minute I caught the guys again and passed them and I thought, ‘We’re going to win pretty easy.’ I was doing it super comfortable. Then the next minute, I got a fresh tire and I was taking it easy. Then the next minute the engine stopped. I went into one of the corners and went to (decelerate) and it didn’t pick back up and started smoking. It’s a shame. It’s our backup bike and I think because I rode it hard when it wasn’t warmed up is the reason why that it stopped. It’s one of those things. It’s a shame because I think we would’ve given Ducati its first win here. I was doing it easy and I had come from a long way back even though the engine was being slow. It’s a real disappointment.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

It’s sunny with scattered clouds at Daytona. The jet-driers were hard at work this morning and practice is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m.

With any luck at all the Daytona 200 and the Superstock race will both go off as scheduled today.