From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

2003 Daytona 200

Qualified riders: 69

Entries by manufacturer:
Suzuki, 57
Ducati, 4
Honda, 4
Yamaha, 3
Kawasaki, 1

Oldest rider:
Rick Shaw, 54

Youngest rider:
Ben Spies, 18

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in:

I just got done buying my tickets for this year’s AMA Superbike round at Infineon Raceway scheduled for May 2-4. Last year, I paid $45 for the weekend. This year, since Infineon has decided that TicketMaster is the sole source of tickets, I paid $84.40 for the weekend. That equates to a roughly 88% increase, and the service charges totaled over 20% of the tickets’ face value.

Last year’s round at (the formerly named) Sears Point was a great value. This year it’s not.

I don’t know who else to complain to, but since everyone I know who’s into motorcycles and racing reads your magazine, I thought I’d share with you. I’ve sent an e-mail to the person at Infineon Raceway who is in charge of tickets, but since I e-mailed him on a Friday night, I don’t expect to hear back until next week.


Erik Daniels
West Linn, Oregon

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Roberto Panichi of Italy was leading when the BMW BoxerCup race was red-flagged on the 8th of 13 laps at Daytona. The running order on lap 7 will be used to set the grid for a 5-lap restart.

The race featured a huge lead pack, with riders often heading into turn one 4 and 5 wide.

The race was stopped due to a crash in turn 6, leading up onto the banking, which left a rider stuffed up underneath the Airfence Bike with a machine on the track.

A few laps earlier, American Steve Atlas crashed and was transported directly to Halifax Medical Center.

Jason Perez will not make the restart because his BMW was too heavily damaged when he was rammed from behind before the red flag.

Running order at end of lap 7:

1. Markus Barth, Germany
2. Guillaume Dietrich, France
3. Roberto Panichi, Italy
4. Fernando Cristobal, Spain
5. Andy Hofmann, Switzerland
6. Brian Parriott, USA
7. Sebastian Legrelle, Belgium
8. Jason Perez, USA
9. Thomas Hinterreiter, Austria
10. Alessandro Tomassoni, Italy
11. Eric Lejeune, Belgium
12. Federico Aliverti, Italy
13. Norbert Rebholz, Germany
14. Peter Ottl, Germany
15. Tripp Nobles, USA

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler will sit out the 62nd Daytona 200 by Arai Superbike race, the second consecutive year Chandler has missed the March classic.

“I think we’re just going to do the 600 (race),” Chandler told Roadracingworld.com Saturday.

The 37-year-old Salinas, California native missed the 2002 edition of the Daytona 200 because he had no ride (he was later hired by the HMC Ducati team to finish the remainder of the AMA season). In 2003, however, Chandler, and longtime Crew Chief Gary Medley, came to Daytona with No Limit Motorsports, a Honda support team armed with CBR600RR Supersport machines and CBR954RRs built to be legal in both Superbike and Formula Xtreme.

Chandler was 20th-fastest in Wednesday’s first AMA Superbike practice at Daytona with a 1:55.166, but the soft-spoken racer improved to a 1:51.438 in Thursday’s one and only Superbike qualifying session, good enough for the 11th on the grid.

“I don’t think we planned on doing as much as we did on the (Honda CBR954RR) Superbike, but it seemed to get better and better,” said Chandler. “I’m really happy with what we’ve done with it around this track. With as little time as we had – we just kind of threw some stuff together and brought it back here to have something to ride – I was pretty happy with the lap times.”

Chandler said his new Honda was starting to feel like the Kawasaki ZX-7 Superbikes he rode from 1996 until 2001, adding, “(At) the end of the first day, I knew we were low (on top speed) on the banking, but our infield split was really good and I was really happy with the way the bike was working. I was focusing on that, trying to relate that to later in the season to normal racetracks. I was real happy with what the thing would do for me in the infield.

“And the acceleration of it, I don’t think we were down anywhere except the last two gears on the banking. A lot of that, I think, would (relate) to the aerodynamics of the bike, which we know we need to do some more work on that.” Chandler pointed to the lack of bodywork enclosing the underside of his Honda’s tailsection.

Chandler also mentioned a lack of complete quick-change hardware and, more importantly, the high fuel consumption of his Honda as factors in the decision to skip the 200-miler.

“I think with the month between this race and the next we’ll have a little bit more time, and we’ll hopefully get the motors a little better sorted out, get a little more speed out of it and I think we’ll be sitting pretty good for Fontana,” said Chandler.

“I’m very satisfied with the tires (Michelins), no real big surprises. We’ve got a real big selection. I think it’s going to come together, and we’re going to be in contention for some wins.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Italy’s Roberto Panichi drafted America’s Brian Parriott to take a very close win on aggregate time in the re-started BMW BoxerCup race at Daytona.

The margin of victory was officially 0.052-second on combined times; slow-motion video replays of Panichi and Parriott crossing the finish line showed Parriott marginally ahead on the track.

Five riders raced for the lead in the five-lap re-start.

While the BMW Boxer Cup riders were completing their cool-down lap, rain began to fall at Daytona.

Provisional BMW Boxer Cup Results (all on BMW R1100S)
(Scored on combined time from two segments, one before the red flag and one after):

1. Roberto Panichi, Italy
2. Brian Parriott, USA, -0.052 second
3. Markus Barth, Germany, -0.074 second
4. Andy Hofmann, Switzerland, -0.169 second
5. Thomas Hinterreiter, Austria, -0.262 second
6. Sebastien Legrelle, Belgium, -0.807 second
7. Fernando Cristobal, Spain, -0.849 second
8. Alessandro Tomassoni, Italy, -1.428 seconds
9. Frederico Aliverti, Italy, -4.690 seconds
10. Tripp Nobles, USA, -4.769 seconds

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

It continues to pour rain at Daytona International Speedway, the sky dark, lightning flashing, and winds whipping from one direction to another.

There is no break in sight, and there is no chance that more racing will take place at the Speedway today.

Forecasts vary, with some news outlets predicting more rain through Wednesday and other sources predicting good weather on Monday.

Anything could happen. The Daytona 200 Superbike race and the Superstock race could run on Monday, or could run next weekend.

It all depends upon the weather.

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

PRO HONDA OILS SUPERSPORT QUOTES
Kurtis Roberts, rider of the No. 80 Erion Honda
ON THE LAST LAP
“I went back to third where I needed to be. The lapper got in the way and made Jake (Zemke) get a little antsy and jump on the throttle a little bit. It gave Jamie (Hacking) the gap to where I let him go down the straightaway that far and I passed Jake. I can’t say enough about the RR600. That Honda was running. I was just cruising through the infield saving my strength for the 200. I’ve got to take my hat off to Jamie. He was riding really good through the infield. That’s why I was trying to lead so much. I was conserving a lot more energy when I was in the lead then following. Those guys were racing for it.
“I can’t say enough about the CBR600RR. It was perfect, I don’t think I put a wheel out of place. It was definitely the most patient, smoothest Daytona 600 in a while. The changes to the chicane paid off.”

Jamie Hacking, rider of the No. 2 Yamaha
“I’m very delighted for what position we finished. The Yamaha has been running excellent all weekend long. Kurtis is not finishing out the championship season so we’re looking good right now. That’s the best thing. It’s been so frustrating. I come here every single year and just can’t seem to pull it off no matter what I do. I’m not going to give it up. Hopefully we’ll pull this thing off sometime. It took Earnhardt I don’t know how many tries.
“Once again, here I am second. I’m going to start putting those second-place trophies up in the closet because I’m tired of looking at them. I did the best I could. I rode my bike as hard as I could.”
ON USING THE LAP RIDER IN THE CHICANE FOR DRAFTING HELP
“I ran him down way to soon. I caught him right at the exit (of the chicane) and he didn’t do nothing for me.”
ON KURTIS ROBERTS’ WINNING PASS
“He just had one helluva run on me. It was unbelievable.”

Miguel Duhamel, rider of the No. 17 Honda
“The bike was running good. I was out there really composed and really relaxed. My bike, when I got in the draft, hit the rev limiter a little bit and that’s not good. I was having a little trouble with that. I could see Jamie and Jake (Zemke) up there (and thinking) as long as they didn’t get away from me. I was just keeping that in mind and trying to figure out a way to get up there. I was hoping more guys in front of me the better because that would help me get a draft. I was so happy just to see how good my bike is. We’re definitely in there the whole rest of the season and Kurtis won’t be there at all.”

MBNA 250 GRAND PRIX
Simon Turner, rider of the No. 111 Honda
“I figured I wasn’t going to be able run with these boys. I was just trying to get a break at the start and just run the race. I lost third gear pretty early on.”

Chuck Sorensen, rider of the No. 1 Aprilia
‘Rich is always a great competitor to ride with. The bike was working really good and handling very well. We had a great motor. Today I couldn’t get the drives off the bank to hold in the draft. I happy we got to the race today. The crew worked long hours this weekend to make this thing as fast as I could.”

Rich Oliver, rider of the No. 97 Yamaha
“I knew I wanted to run out front with Chuck. I knew that if we could pull away from the rest of the field it would eliminate a lot of other complications in the race. I knew with the way the weather had been, I wanted to lead a lot of laps if I could. I know there’s a point available for that. We didn’t get any points for qualifying. First and second place point differential would be very big. Chuck is always so great to race with. He pushes me and pushes me. Chuck knows a lot more about 250 racing than I do now. He’s a lot faster at a lot of places. I just have a lot of experience that he’s going to get over with in his next few seasons.”

BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup
Winner Roberto Panichi
“I try in the first race to lead two or three times because I see in the first part of the super bowl I go very fast. Here it’s very difficult because the second and third parts are very fast. It’s impossible to lead alone. I wait many times for the last lap. For me in the last lap, the best position was second or third. I arrived with Parriott at the chicane. I closed the gas in the chicane to stay many meters back of Parriott.
“I’m very happy to win and race here at Daytona. This is one of the most important tracks in the world. It was a strange race with the weather and all the rain we’ve had. I braked very late and that was my best thing.”

Second-place finisher Brian Parriott
“I knew the competition would be stiff. I knew I had an advantage of being at my home track, but I knew the competition was world class. They know the motorcycles a little bit better than I do. This is my first event on the motorcycle. I knew that was their advantage. I’m just really happy. The race was super fun. You were never alone out there.”
ON THE LAST LAP
“I didn’t think I could break away. I just wanted to plant a seed in their mind that I was serious and that I don’t mind going for it right out of the chicane. I planned to lead coming off Turn 6, which I did. Roberto came through and led through the chicane. I didn’t want to back off too much. That was my first Daytona lead draft. My experience level was a little low. I’ve been at the track and I’ve been in drafts before but never for the win. I figured I could do the double draft on Roberto. Let me pass him and then he pass me and then I could pass him back before the line. I thought I pulled it off but it didn’t happen.”

Third-place finisher Markus Barth
“The last lap was very crazy. My plan was to on the fifth position for the last lap. I was thinking I would have the slipstream of four guys in front of me so the blend is not coming very well. I’m happy for this third position in Daytona. It’s my first visit here. I was always thinking all the time.”

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Revised (tentative) Daytona Schedule
Monday, March 10

7:00, Garages Open

7:00-10:30, Transponders must be exchanged at Tech Inspection for charged ones

10:00-10:50, Practice
1. Chevy Trucks Superbike
2. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock

Final Events
10:50, Opening Ceremony and Pole Award Presentation

11:00, Sighting Lap for the Daytona 200

11:15, Chevy Trucks Superbike, 62nd Daytona 200 by Arai (57 laps)

1:30, Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock (15 laps, 80k)


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

Daytona 200 By Arai Rescheduled For Monday; Roberts Wins Supersport

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 9, 2003) — The 62nd Daytona 200 By Arai never got off the ground on Sunday due to rain but the crowd of motorcycle fans still got a treat with three thrilling support races.

The Daytona 200 By Arai has been rescheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. followed by the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock event. Tickets from Friday’s activities and Sunday’s activities will be honored on Monday with grandstand gates opening at 9:30 a.m.

Monday’s schedule is as follows:

7 a.m. – garages open

10 a.m.-10:50 a.m. – Practice
Daytona 200 By Arai Superbike
Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock

10:50 a.m. – Opening Ceremony and Pole Award Presentation

11 a.m. – Sighting Lap

11:15 a.m. – Start of the Daytona 200 By Arai

1:30 p.m. – Start of the Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock

Here’s recap of Sunday’s support races.
BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup: Italian Roberto Panichi nipped Californian Brian Parriott in a photo finish in the inaugural American running of the BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup. The race was a wild affair with a 12-rider breakaway pack battling for the win all the way to the checkered flag.

“I’m very happy to win and race here at Daytona,” said Panichi, an experienced BoxerCup competitor. “This is one of the most important tracks in the world. It was a strange race with the weather and all the rain we’ve had. I braked very late and the was my best thing.”

The two crossed the line side by side with Parriott trying to draft by on the low line. Parriott admitted that his lack of experience might have hurt him.

“I drafted too early,” said the former AMA Superbike racer. “I’ve never been in the position here at Daytona where I was running in the lead draft.”

German Markus Barth finished third, followed by Swiss rider Andy Hofmann and Thomas Hinterreiter of Austria.

Pro Honda Oils Supersport: Kurtis Roberts, riding the No. 80 Erion Honda, made the winning pass on Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking coming off NASCAR Turn 4 to win the Pro Honda Oils Supersport, his second Supersport victory at Daytona International Speedway. The Supersport was a fierce battle as usual with the margin between the top-seven finishers within a second.

Hacking, aboard the No. 2 Yamaha, settled for runner-up honors while Miguel Duhamel, riding the No. 17 Honda, ducked under Jake Zemke and Jason DiSalvo at the start/finish line to round out the podium.

“I just wanted to make sure I didn’t suck up on Jamie fast enough to go by him and then get passed by again,” Roberts said. “I was playing around with that all weekend. It just paid off. I got lucky and my strategy worked.”

Hacking was able to breakaway from the pack coming out of Turn 6. He was hoping to use the draft from a lapped rider exiting the chicane to prevent Roberts from catching him.

“I ran him down way to soon. I caught him right at the exit (of the chicane) and he didn’t do nothing for me.”

MBNA Grand Prix: Rich Oliver, riding the No. 97 Yamaha, dominated the MBNA Grand Prix, leading all 15 laps on his way to a 11.464-second victory over Chuck Sorensen. Sorensen, aboard the No. 1 Aprilia, stayed close to Oliver in the early portion of the race but he couldn’t keep up with Oliver’s race pace.

Oliver, who lapped riders through ninth place, registered his sixth career MBNA 250 Grand Prix victory at Daytona. In last year’s MBNA 250 Grand Prix, the Auberry, Calif., rider didn’t compete after suffering in injuries in a crash earlier in the week.

Oliver did a masterful job of navigating through lap traffic.

“One lap, I think I got a draft on five or six bikes on one straightaway,” Oliver said. “There were all spread out just perfect for me to leap frog from one to another. It was kind of like a video game. I was having fun out there.”

Simon Turner, riding the No. 111 Honda, rounded out the podium.

Sitting Out: No Limit Honda’s Doug Chandler won’t compete in Monday’s Daytona 200 By Arai and only participated in the Pro Honda Oils Supersport. Doing the opposite, Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom sat out the Supersport and will only compete in the Daytona 200 By Arai.