Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The inaugural BMW Boxer Cup event at Daytona is shaping up to be a very exciting event, and race organizers and racers are excited to be racing at Daytona International Speedway.

“We are very excited to race here at Daytona because it is the dream of every racer to ride at Daytona,” Berthold Hauser, Director, Motorsport Motorrad BMW Motorrad told Roadracingworld.com.

In fact, even the most experienced of the veteran International racers attracted to the nine-race BMW Boxer Cup series, English-speaking or not, displayed big smiles when asked about racing at Daytona.

“It is very special circuit, not the same in Austria, in Europe,” said three-time Austrian Supersport Champion and 2002 BMW Boxer Cup runner-up Thomas Hinterreiter. Hinterreiter races for BMW Motorrad Austria-Hinterreiter.

“The track is very good. Everyone know most famous track in the world,” said Dream Car Team’s Italian rider Roberto Panichi. Panichi finished 6th in the 1996 World Supersport Championship and is also a veteran of the World Superbike series. “The banking would be fun with more horsepower. Superbike is better.”

“It is fantastic. I really want to come to race in America. I like the way of driving here because it is very fast,” said BMW Motorrad Belgium/Herpigny Motors’ Sebastien Legrelle, a four-time Belgian 600cc Champion, 1997 600cc European Champion and veteran of the 2000 FIM 500cc Grand Prix season.

“This is very special event, a very special place,” said Markus Barth, a German racer with the BMW Group Niderlassungen Racing Team. Barth won the 1999 German Supersport Championship, scored points in every 2000 World Superbike race on a private Yamaha, raced with the Castrol-Alpha Teknic World Supersport team in 2001 and finished fourth in the 2002 BMW Boxer Cup Championship.

“It’s the greatest racetrack in the World,” said 19-year-old British racer Richard Cooper after taking provisional pole position in Thursday’s qualifying session. Cooper has raced in the British CB500 Cup, the British Honda Hornet Cup and the British Supersport Championship.

Most of the motorcycles BMW Boxer Cup racers will ride are R1100S Boxer Cup Replikas ($13,490). Special Boxer Cup Prep models ($11,990) come without anti-lock brake systems, with block-off panels over the headlight and front turn indicators, carbon-fiber guards on the flat-twin engine’s cylinder heads, an FIM-spec belly pan, a high-output alternator, sport suspension, a 5.50-inch-wide rear wheel, different exhaust pipes (for increased sound more than increased performance, according to Hauser) and Metzeler Rennsport DOT racing tires.

The bikes are very equal, say most racers, and BMW Boxer Cup organizers keep them that way with pre- and post-race inspections of top finishers and random spot checks. Spec fuel is also used.

Riding the Boxers is different, in the opinion of most racers, as cornering clearance is limited by the protruding cylinder heads. Riders routinely drag the cylinder heads mid-corner and some have scraped the outer wall of the Speedway tri-oval with the cylinder heads.

Riders have also commented that the action of the BMWs’ Telelever front suspension, especially in terms of weight transfer, takes getting used to and “being smooth” is a phrase often heard in the pits.

Barth, Hinterreiter, Cooper and Legrelle are among the fastest International riders so far at Daytona, but Americans Brian Parriott, Tripp Nobles and 18-year-old Californian Jason Perez have consistently been near the top of most practice time sheets also.

While some of the Americans entered in the Boxer Cup event have more experience with Daytona drafting techniques, the Americans are having issues with the rough riding style of some of the European racers.

Nobles is riding a Parts Unlimited/O’Brien/Rough Stock Racing/Foothills BMW, while Parriott and Perez are riding as part of the official BMW Motorrad Team USA.

Parriott will contest the entire nine-round, nine-country 2003 BMW Boxer Cup series. Five of the BMW Boxer Cup rounds are scheduled as support races for MotoGP World Championship events.

BMW Boxer Cup competitors race for “substantial prize money” at each event. The winner of the BMW Boxer Cup Championship will receive a BMW M3 Sport Coupe, the runner-up will get a Mini Cooper S and the third-place Championship finisher will get a BMW R1150RT motorcycle.

The BMW Boxer Cup race at Daytona is scheduled to be broadcast live on SPEED, Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, and re-broadcast on Eurosport in Europe.

Judging by the cylinder-head-banging action so far in practice at Daytona, the BMW Boxer Cup will not be an event to miss.

From a press release issued on behalf of SpeedFreaks by Sports Byline USA:

“Clean Up On Aisle Ten…The SpeedFreaks Will Be Droppin’ Produce”

Hollywood, CA – This Sunday from the Lucas Oil Studios, America’s number one motorsports radio show will create its own March Madness. Rudolph Schenker, the guitarist and founding member of the legendary German quintet, The Scorpions, will ride his ‘Benz into the mix with his take on fellow countryman Michael Schumacher and the possible Formula One meltdown. Joining ‘Schenk’ will be three-time Superbike Champion Doug Chandler and a couple of General Managers of two premiere tracks, Bryan Sperber of Phoenix International Raceway and Bill Miller of California Speedway, sans the ties…we hope.

“Topical? You want topical…” says former Autobahn toll-taker turned SpeedFreaks’ President, Kenny Sargent. “While every other motorsports show is focused on wearing some really hideous sport coats, SpeedFreaks, just as the F1 season begins, will engage one of the flyest and fastest six stringers in some Formula One pontification. Hell, he and Schumacher are practically neighbors. Bike Week is cookin’ in ‘Tona, so Dougy boy will roll in here with THE insight. And with NASCAR’s imminent track realignment, having Sperber and Miller on the show is, well, let the campaigning begin!”

Other highlights Sunday night include bantering on the possibility of some Winston Cup races going to pay-per-view; Superbike ticket giveaways for California Speedway; and will be the last chance to register for Lugg Nuttz Freakin’ Adventure to The Lucas Oil 250 NASCAR Truck Race in Bakersfield, California.

Kenny Sargent, Crash Gladys, Lugg Nuttz and Statt Mann Caruthers can be heard every Sunday Night at 7 PM (PT)/ 10 PM (ET) on SpeedFreaks Radio Network’s legion of affiliates including Los Angeles’ ESPN Radio 710 AM, Dallas-Ft. Worth’s KYNG 105.3 FM, Chicago’s WKRS 1220 AM, Boston’s WNBW 1120 AM, Charlotte’s WZRH 960 AM, San Francisco’s KYCY 1550 AM, Detroit’s WKRK 97.1 FM, Phoenix’ XTRA Sports 910 AM, Sacramento’s KXOA 93.7 FM, Las Vegas’ KSFN 1140 AM, Albuquerque’s KNML 610 AM, Madison’s (WI) WTDY 1670, Springfield’s (IL) WMAY 970 AM, Salt Lake City’s KAOL 750 AM and Reno’s KBZZ 1270 AM.

From a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Revised Sunday Schedule (Updated Saturday 3:00 p.m.)

Due to a compressed schedule, live television coverage and expected threatening weather, the following will apply to Sunday’s road racing events:

– MBNA 250 Grand Prix will run 15 laps

– Pro Honda Oils Supersport will run 15 laps

– BMW Boxer Cup will run 13 laps (length unchanged)

– Chevy Trucks Superbike will run 57 laps (length unchanged)

– Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock will run 13 laps

Should any AMA Pro Racing-sanctioned support races be stopped in which 50% or more of the laps have been completed by the leader, the race will be considered complete and will not be restarted.

Should the Daytona 200 be stopped in which 80% or more of the laps have been completed by the leader, the race will be considered complete and will not be restarted. If the race is stopped after 50% of the laps have been completed but before 80%, the race may be considered complete at the discretion of the race manager.

If weather continues to impact the event schedule, changes will be made and announced accordingly.

Sunday, March 9, 2003:

6:30 a.m. Garages Open (new time)

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration: For Crew, Sponsors & Guests

8:00 a.m. Tech Inspection

8:00 – 9:15 a.m. Practice:

1. MBNA 250cc Grand Prix
2. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport
3. BMW Boxer Cup
4. Chevy Trucks Superbike
5. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Pit assignments (at tech garage) for riders qualified 16th – 80th in the 200

Final Events:

9:30 a.m. MBNA 250cc Grand Prix (15 laps, 80 km)

10:30 a.m. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport (15 laps, 80 km)

11:30 a.m. BMW Boxer Cup (13 laps, 70 km)

12:25 p.m. Opening Ceremony and Pole Award Presentation

12:50 p.m. Sighting Lap for the Daytona 200

1:10 p.m. Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship, 62nd Daytona 200 by Arai (57 Laps)

3:30 p.m. Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock (13 laps, 70 km)

From a press release issued by the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum:

Willie G. Davidson, Harley-Davidson’s styling guru and certainly the most famous face on Main Street, was one of the many individuals honored during the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum’s “Evening of Heroes,” a special event held during Daytona Bike Week 2003 to celebrate the opening of the Museum’s landmark exhibit, “Heroes of Harley-Davidson, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance.” The new exhibit celebrates the people, personalities and products that helped transform the Motor Company from a backyard experiment into a major American success story.


Willie G. Davidson takes a break from the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum’s Daytona Bike Week party to “customize” an Anniversary Edition 2003 Heritage Softail (R) Classic, donated to the Museum by Harley-Davidson. The bike will be raffled off, and the winner announced during Daytona Bike Week 2004.

The by-invitation-only event, held Tuesday, March 4 in Daytona Beach, drew nearly 200 industry and media guests, including many of the “Heroes” whose stories are showcased in the expansive exhibit. Spirited benchracing between modern-day and “vintage” heroes provided plenty of entertainment as well as a priceless collection of anecdotes. Racing legends like Everett Brashear–one of the most talented riders of his era–swapped stories with fellow Hall of Fame members like Tammy Kirk, the first woman ever to qualify for a starting position in an AMA Grand National Final, and Brad Lackey, the first American to win the 500cc World MX Championship. Today’s racing talent was also represented, including top-ranked Harley-Davidson factory rider Rich King and Jennifer Snyder, as were the people who keep the machines in motion, such as legendary Harley-Davidson tuner Bill Werner. Many of the industry’s best-known names, such a Willie G. and Bill Davidson and Erik Buell shared their stories and gave generously of their time. The motorcycle industry’s closely entwined family tree was much in evidence–where else could you catch television personality Larry Maiers catching up with his first boss, the eternally young-at-heart John Penton?

“An Evening of Heroes” also featured a Silent Auction, benefitting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Unique auction items–many bearing famous autographs–ranged from one-of-a-kind racing memorabilia to exclusive artwork, such as an Edsel Ford II signed lithograph tracing Ford Motor Company’s century of heritage.

“Heroes of Harley-Davidson, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance” is now open to the public. For a closer look, visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony and ride-in event is planned for May 3, 2003.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The outcome of the 2003 Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport race at Daytona International Speedway is yet to be determined, but history favors American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel.

Duhamel, listed as 34 years old in the 2003 AMA Media Guide, is the all-time leader in AMA Supersport race wins with 40. The next closest rider is Mike Smith with 13 career Supersport race wins.

Duhamel has the most career Supersport race wins at Daytona with six. The next closest rider is again Smith with two Daytona Supersport race wins.

Of Duhamel’s six Daytona Supersport victories, five came on brand new models: 1991 on the Honda CBR600F2, 1993 on the Kawasaki ZX-6E, 1995 on the Honda CBR600F3, 1999 on the Honda CBR600F4, and 2001 on the Honda CBR600F4i.

Duhamel will race the new 2003 Honda CBR600RR later today.

Other former Daytona Supersport race winners in the 2003 field include 2002 winner Aaron Yates (Suzuki), 2000 winner Kurtis Roberts (Honda) and 1998 winner Doug Chandler (Honda).

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Friday’s AMA racing and qualifying schedule has been called off. That’s the word from Daytona International Speedway spokesperson Kathy Catron, who made the announcement in the media center at approximately 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

A revised schedule is expected to be released by AMA Pro Racing shortly.

The decision to call it a day was apparently made based on the progress–or lack thereof–of efforts to dry the Daytona infield.

“I think it’s a wise call,” Miguel Duhamel told track announcer Richard Chambers. “There’s a lot of painted lines and tar strips out there.”

Daytona International Speedway is scheduled to hold an AMA Supercross event on Saturday. The Supercross is run on a course constructed on a grassy area of the tri-oval’s apron between the Speedway’s start/finish line and hot pit lane and therefore no road racing can take place on the road course at the same time. That means all four AMA road races – Supersport, Superstock, 250cc Grand Prix and Superbike – plus the BMW Boxer Cup race will have to run on Sunday.

When asked about the consequences of having to race both the Supersport final and the Daytona 200 on Sunday, Duhamel told Chambers, “I guess that gym membership I bought – and I did go a few times – is going to pay off.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

J. Wood & Company’s annual Daytona auction is scheduled for Saturday, March 8 at 1:00 p.m., at Stetson University in Deland, Florida.

The auction features over 100 motorcycles, ranging from a 1917 Indian Twin with gas lights to a pair of 2000 Buell Blasts. Brands represented include AJS, BSA, Buell, Bultaco, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Hercules, Indian, Kawasaki, Matchless, Moto Guzzi, Mustang, Norton, Ossa, Penton, Rokon, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Velocette and Yamaha.

More information is available from www.jwoodandcompany.com.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Four days after issuing a press release that claimed it would field an AMA Superbike with “Suzuki Factory” support, Corona Extra Suzuki has retracted the claim with a new release.

The original release, posted on Roadracingworld.com March 3, read, in part, “Corona Extra Suzuki is very pleased to announce it will be entering the Superbike class for the 2003 AMA Superbike Season with support from American Suzuki Motor Corporation and Suzuki Japan. Jordan Szoke will be handling the riding duties aboard the all-new 2003 GSXR1000….Commenting on the announcement, Jordan said…’to get…on the Suzuki with factory support should mean a really competitive package.’…Corona Extra Suzuki principal Landers Sevier said; ‘This is going to be a terrific opportunity for the Team and Jordan. We are very honored to have been chosen by Suzuki for this important project. This will be the first time in a long while that Suzuki Factory support has been provided to a Team in the US other than Yoshimura.'”

After the original release was issued, American Suzuki spokesmen flatly denied that Corona Extra Suzuki was receiving direct support from the Suzuki factory, with one saying, “It’s not true.”

Now the Corona-sponsored team has issued another release, as follows:


CORONA EXTRA SUZUKI 2003 SUPERBIKE PROGRAM – MORE DETAILS

The upcoming assault by Corona Extra Suzuki on the 2003 AMA Superbike Series has raised eyebrows and expectation around the road racing world. Some of this arises from the Team’s relationship with American Suzuki Motor Corporation. This relationship will involve supply of Yoshimura kit parts developed for the GSX-R1000 and made available through their catalog. The Corona Extra Suzuki relationship with Yoshimura R&D will facilitate this partnership. To clear any possible confusion, Corona Extra Suzuki is not receiving the same level of support as that received by the Yoshimura Suzuki Team and has no relationship with Suzuki Japan.

Corona Extra Suzuki will field Jordan Szoke aboard the development GSXR1000 for the full 2003 AMA Superbike Series as part of the Team’s support contract with American Suzuki.

The team is looking forward to showing what a fantastic Superbike platform the GSX-R1000 can make in the hands of any privateer racer. Jordan will debut the new 2003 Team Corona Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike at the second round of the AMA Superbike Series at Fontana Speedway.

Corona Extra Suzuki is proud to be partnering with Corona Extra, Suzuki, EBSCO Media, MTS, Parts Unlimited, Dunlop, Yoshimura R&D, Joe Rocket, Sidi Boots, MotionPro, Braking, Silkolene Lubricants, Suzuki Genuine Accessories, STR Motorsports, Lindeman Engineering, Bickle, FastDates.com, Yoyodyne, Hotbodies Racing, Zero Gravity, Regina Chain, Race Girl, GP Tech, RB Components, Spiegler, Box R, Stahlwille Tools.

From press releases issued by Ducati Moto Holding S.p.A.:

DUCATI CEO DI BIAGIO STEPS DOWN
CHAIRMAN FEDERICO MINOLI TO ASSUME CHIEF EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Bologna, Italy – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH and Borsa Italiana S.p.A.: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced that Carlo Di Biagio, Chief Executive Officer, has resigned from the company for personal reasons. Federico Minoli, Chairman of the Board, will assume chief executive responsibilities.

“We are very grateful to Carlo for his important contributions to Ducati since the early days of the turnaround, and in particular during the busy period of the IPO in 1999,” said Minoli. “We have asked him – and he has agreed – to continue to support the company in a consultancy role which will allow us to benefit further from his deep knowledge of the company.”

“It has been incredibly exciting to lead Ducati through this dynamic period of product innovation,” said Di Biagio. “I am now looking forward to concentrating on other professional and personal opportunities.”

Di Biagio was appointed CEO of Ducati in July 2000. Previously, as of May 1997, he was CFO at the Company. As CEO, Di Biagio invested heavily in new product, including the new 999 Superbike and Multistrada, and led the Company’s eagerly awaited entry into the Moto GP championship in 2003.

Federico Minoli was Chairman and CEO of Ducati from September 1996 until July 2000, and subsequently remained Chairman of the Board.
Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won eleven of the last thirteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and Sport Touring. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets.

For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.Ducati.com.
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, as described in documents previously filed by the Company with CONSOB and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.



DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING CONFIRMS 2002 RESULTS

Wins Double Victory with 999 at First World Superbike Race in Valencia Bologna, Italy – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH and Borsa Italiana S.p.A: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, today confirmed its consolidated results for 2002.

Preliminary results, announced on February 14, 2003, remain unchanged after final approval by the Board of Directors on March 5, 2003.

In brief, the Company announced 2002 revenues of Euro 413.0 million representing a growth of 1.3% versus Euro 407.8 million in 2001. 2002 EBITDA was Euro 52.3 million and represented 12.7% of revenues compared to Euro 66.1 million or 16.2% of revenues, a year earlier. Net earnings were Euro 6.5 million, compared to Euro 10.6 million in 2001.

Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., as a stand-alone company, registered a net loss of Euro 3.0 million at December 31, 2002. No dividend distribution is planned.

A discussion by Ducati management of the full year 2002 results is available at www.ducati.com under Company and then Investor Relations, and can be accessed until May 8, 2003 under Webcast of Results at the bottom of the IR Press Release Schedule section.

A press release containing the detailed 2002 results is available in a release dated February 14, 2003, at www.ducati.com under Company, then Investor Relations, and then Press Releases.

Ducati also announced that Neil Hodgson, official Team Ducati Fila rider, won an impressive double victory at the first round of the World Superbike Championship in Valencia, Spain.

“We could not have hoped for a better start to the 2003 season,” said Federico Minoli, President Ducati Motor Holding. “Neil Hodgson’s performance at Valencia – as well as teammate Rubin Xaus who came in second in both races – was a staggering result. In its racetrack debut, the new 999 Superbike Testastretta is already proving to be the bike to beat this year.”

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won ten of the last twelve World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and SportTouring. The company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.ducati.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, as described in the Company’s 2000 annual report, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F, dated July 2, 2001.


DUCATI ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS

Bologna, Italy – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH and Borsa Italiana S.p.A.: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced a new structure in the communication area of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
Today Francesco Rapisarda has been appointed Head of Communications of Ducati Motor Holding.

Having arrived in Ducati Corse as Director of Communications last January, Mr. Rapisarda will report directly to Federico Minoli, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati Motor Holding.

Myrianne Gaeta and her team, and the Ducati Corse S.r.l. Communications office will report to Francesco.

The new appointment will also include his involvement as Press Officer of Ducati Marlboro Team during the MotoGP Championship.

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati has won eleven of the last thirteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. The Company produces motorcycles in four market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster and Sport Touring. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European and North American markets.

For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.Ducati.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, as described in documents previously filed by the Company with CONSOB and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The MBNA AMA 250cc Grand Prix class may, or may not, get its first official lap record today when, or if, competitors take to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway for their 30-minute qualifying session, the first official timed qualifying session for the class at Daytona.

Official AMA lap records can only be set during timed qualifying sessions, and from 1977 to 2002 the AMA 250cc GP class has set its grid through a pair of five-lap heat races, according to 250cc class veteran Bruce Lind.

The fastest time from Friday’s 250cc GP qualifying session will, therefore, be the first official 250cc GP lap record for Daytona International Speedway. Ironically, the first 250cc lap record for Daytona may also be its last if, as previously announced, the oldest AMA professional road racing class is dropped from the AMA road racing schedule in 2004.

Then again, if Friday’s schedule of racing and qualifying gets rained out (it was raining at post time) and the AMA 250cc GP grid is set by a combination of 2002 Championship points, pre-entry and post-entry order, the AMA 250cc GP class may go into the history books without any official lap record for Daytona International Speedway.

After an unofficial check of Roadracingworld.com records, Team Oliver Yamaha’s Rich Oliver’s (1:54.858) and Team Stargel Aprilia’s Chuck Sorensen’s (1:54.307) practice lap times from Friday morning are as fast or faster than any recorded AMA 250cc GP lap times at Daytona International Speedway.