Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The final AMA Superbike qualifying session for even-numbered machines was stopped within moments of starting at approximately 12:20 p.m. Eastern Time Friday due to rain at Daytona International Speedway.

According to local weather reports, a line of thunderstorms is currently passing just to the north of the Speedway, and heavy rain is falling on the Speedway itself. The Friday forecast called for an afternoon chance of thunderstorms.


The front row of the 62nd Daytona 200 By Arai AMA Superbike race was locked in during qualifying Thursday. Friday’s AMA Superbike qualifying sessions are supposed to set the remainder of the grid positions and allow the front-row qualifiers extra set-up time.

From a press release issued by the Daytona International Speedway PR Department:

Daytona 200 By Arai Qualifying Quotes
Ben Bostrom, No. 155 American Honda
“No I wasn’t really sure (I could win the pole). Miguel (Duhamel) and I were sitting in the truck watching these guys and they were a really fast group. All of them put up mid-48s so I didn’t know if we had enough to pull it out. The Honda worked really well, a big thanks to the team for setting it up. I kind of got lucky. It was really close. That’s one of the closest poles probably ever at Daytona. There’s a lot of guys right there within a few tenths of each other.”

Kurtis Roberts, No. 80 Erion Honda
“I tried to work on just being smooth. I’m not the best qualifier up here. I really don’t give (care) about it myself, except Daytona is Daytona and you get a watch.”

Mat Mladin, No. 66 Yoshimura Suzuki
“It’s one point, that’s what I say all the time. If it didn’t offer a point for the pole, then I wouldn’t care where I qualified. But it’s one point and at the end of the year that could make a difference and we missed out on that so I’m pissed.”

Aaron Yates, No. 20 Yoshimura Suzuki
“We got the bike working, really comfortable. It felt good to run that kind of pace. Just riding the 1000 around like that, it’s been awhile since I’ve been that comfortable on the thing. It was pretty good. It was a lot of fun there until the right at the end when we all went out together and nobody wanted to go. It’s got a little frustrating.”

YOU HAVE TO BE HAPPY ABOUT BEING ON THE FRONT ROW
“I don’t have to worry about anybody bumping me back tomorrow. Just knowing that we have the bike working good enough to put up here with these guys.”

Rick Shaw, rider of the No. 79 Suzuki
“The pressure was really, really on today. Actually, the pressure has been on for months and months and months. Now, it’s over and done with. The race is going to be anti-climatic. Getting in was the hard thing. In the future, it’s going to be the same thing. You’ve got to really uncork one to get in the race. The new bike was good. All the new products were good and the tires were good. It helped out quite a bit. I just sat on it and rode it with everything I had.”


Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock Qualifying
Jason Pridmore, No. 43 Attack Suzuki
“We been having a little trouble this year just getting laps on the 750. The team did a great job getting everything put back together. It was just little nagging stuff that kept up off the track. We broke the track record on a race tire to start with and then we went out on a single compound tire to see if it was any better for the race, but I saw with four minutes to go I wasn’t too many more laps anyway so we saved that tire for tomorrow. There were two guys that I desperately wanted to get by in the infield because I didn’t want to get stuck behind them in the chicane. I got by one guy on a 600 in the middle of turn six and then I got the other guy just coming off the back banking – that was on my fast lap.”

Eric Wood, No. 36. Barden Precision Ball Bearings Suzuki
“That’s probably my best AMA qualifying effort yet. We’ve been working really hard on getting the chassis setup. We actually blew up our bike yesterday and Vince Haskovec loaned us a motor from his backup bike, so I’ve got to thank him because without his help we probably wouldn’t have even been riding today. We put a soft race tire on and on the out lap I was going to try to hook up with Josh Hayes because he was really going good. But then I saw a bunch of riders bottled up and I just backed off and decided to wait and do the best I could by myself. I pushed the brake markers a little deeper and got on the gas a little earlier and it worked. I tried to go harder on the second lap (with the soft) and I got stuck behind some slower riders. I was happy to be on provisional pole (after the even numbered session) and I just sat back and saw Jason cut a 52.3, then a 51.5, I just thought ‘Man, he’s on the gas.’ Jason is a world-class rider and I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Pro Honda Oils Supersport Qualifying Quotes
Kurtis Roberts, No. 80 Erion Honda”The qualifying run wasn’t so special. I was a little faster earlier this morning by myself and was faster in December. I’ve had a hard time switching to the 600 this week from the Superbike because we’ve only rode it here for a few laps this winter and I hadn’t rode it since. It’s hard for me to go back forth and I’m just concentrating on Superbike. I could care less really about the 600. I just wanted to put in a real comfortable qualifying and get through without any close calls. First or second row was all I was hoping and just to be there for the race tomorrow because it’s always the last two laps that matter here anyway. I just wanted to put ourselves in a good position for that and hopefully we can pull on out.”

Pole winner Miguel Duhamel, No. 17 American Honda
“It was definitely teamwork. Ben (Bostrom) and I, we were talking before going out and we figured let’s get together and do the best that we can. On the first try around, I kind of mistimed it a bit. Then we came in together, we timed our pit stop like that, and had a little conference. He was trying to explain the way he wanted to do it which was the right way and it really worked out for me. Actually what happened out there, Ben was running in front of me and was waiting for me to come flying by him. He was going so good that I could barely catch up to him. He really took one for the team as far as that is concerned. Our bikes are running really good. I think if I would’ve got in front and gave him the same tow he gave me maybe he would be up here talking right now.”

Jamie Hacking, No. 2 Yamaha
“I was ready for him to retire. I never count him (Duhamel) out. You can’t. He has been around long enough. He knows how to play this game. I kind of lost my draft partner earlier in the session. Little Jason (DiSalvo) had a little incident in the infield. I was out there by myself running around the bottom of the race track. The wind was blowing pretty good down the front straightaway and the RPMs were just dropping. I ran as hard as I could. I was hoping it was going to hold up, but this sucker got me.”

Aaron Gobert, No. 96 Yamaha
“Yamaha has four riders and there’s two crew chiefs spilt among into the two lots. (Damon) Buckmaster and myself tried to get together and do a few laps together and get something going. There was a bit of the breeze or headwind coming down the front straightaway and we knew we needed a draft to get through that. Buckmaster and I just had a plan and went out and did four laps on one tire and did the best we could. Then we just choose another tire that which was different. We picked one that worked. The lap that I did my quick time, Buckmaster ran off in the chicane either that or it was the lap that I got caught behind some slower guys and Buckmaster got away from me and I pulled him back in. He was the only guy I rode with the whole time.”

Jason DiSalvo, No. 40 Yamaha
“I went into the Turn (6) and lost the front end. The bike came down on my knee and I tried to gas it back up and the thing just caught and spit me off. I did some deep tissue damage to my hand (right hand) and it hurts worse than when I broke it. I’ m still going to race Supersport, but I’m going to sit out the 750 (Superstock) race.”


BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup
Provisional Qualifying
Richard Cooper, No. 47 BMW
“All weekend I’ve been trying the learn the track since I’ve never been here before. I was kind of running at the back really trying to get clear track time. Watching the other classes I see that you need to have to be with a bunch of riders to get a good time. I thought I’d go out and try to get in with the bunches and get into the slipstream and see how much it makes a difference, and it sure did. I was really surprised that I was over a second quicker than anybody out there and it gives you real good confidence for the weekend to come.”

Cooper, 19, rode in the BoxerCup last year and was sixth in the series. He was 2nd in the 2001 British Supersport championship.

Tripp Nobles, No. 23 BMW
“I told Dennis (his tuner) if I’m a little off coming into this thing give me a few sessions. To be this close to begin with, well my tuner just made it real easy for me. It’s just finding the limits of the tires early on. I was surprised we got going this quick this early. We got in the 05s today and should be able to get in the 04s tomorrow. There were a lot of riders out there that we’re how do I want to say this – nervous. I didn’t want to risk getting up in with them today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get a little more brave and get up there.”

Sebastien Legrelle, No. 45 BMW (Through interpreter)
“One moment I decided to stop since I was not with the good riders. I stopped to get a drink and waited until a fast group of riders came through and I joined them. I made one shot and one my last lap made my best time.

Legrelle is a four-time Belgium Supersport and one-time European Supersport champ.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Bob Dragich, with files from John Hopkins

Yoshimura’s Mat Mladin crashed late in the first Daytona 200 qualifying session, for even-numbered bikes, after turning what was, at the time, the fastest lap at 1:48.555. Mladin crashed out uninjured in the chicane. “I just lost the front,” he said with a shrug after the session. Mladin made it back to the pits with the help of a mini-bike pilot. Deposited at the entrance to the pits, Mladin ran to his pits, sat for a minute, and took off on his backup bike. In the meantime, Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts set the fastest lap, just 0.001-second faster than Mladin. With six minutes left in the session, Mladin went out and turned a 1:48.613, pretty fast for just crashing, but not enough to retake the pole.

Early in the session, Kawasaki’s Eric Bostrom was seen pushing his bike next to the track. “We blew a motor,” he said. Asked if he was still considering two different big-bore motors as he had at the last test a Laguna Seca, Bostrom said, “We’re down to (considering) two motors: the big motor and the 750cc. We just might run the 750cc in the race.”


Miguel Duhamel crashed during the second of two Superbike qualifying sessions on Thursday, taking a tumble in turn six and doing minimal damage to himself and his motorcycle. “I was just trying to be smooth, I was on the brakes, and I think I might have bottomed-out the forks. Tomorrow we’re going to come out of the box with something better. The bike’s fast; if we can just get the right suspension on it, we’ll be right there.” Duhamel went back out after the crash, and, with nine-and-a-half minutes left in the session, turned a 1:49.280, third-fastest in the session after pole-winner Ben Bostrom and Yoshimura’s Ben Spies. Six of the fastest guys came from the first session, however, and Duhamel’s time was only best for ninth overall, inside the third row.


More, from the post-qualifying press conference:

Ben Bostrom: “They [the first group] had a fast group and I didn’t know if we had enough to pull it out. I don’t think Kurtis deserved to be in our session. He didn’t do karaoke in Japan with Miguel and I. He’s not a team player.”

Kurtis Roberts: “I just tried to work on being smooth. I’m not the best qualifier up here and it doesn’t mean that much except getting a nice watch.”

In response to a question as to whether or not he worked with his teammates during qualifying: “The last time I checked my two teammates were in the other group, so I was pretty much screwed as far as teamwork goes.”

Mat Mladin:
“I just tucked the front end. I was trying a harder front tire and it didn’t have the grip I was expecting. It’s [the pole] one point. That’s what I say all the time. We missed out on that. So I’m pissed.”

Aaron Yates:
“Most of the time I was running by myself. We struggled a bit early on today trying to get some grip. It [the session] was a lot of fun ’til right at the end. We were all out together and nobody wanted to run. That was kind of frustrating.”


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

MLADIN TO START FROM FRONT ROW FOR DAYTONA 200

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA (Thursday, March 6) – Australia’s three-times American Superbike champion Mat Mladin, will start from the front row of the grid for this weekend’s 62nd Daytona 200 classic after posting the third fastest time in today’s qualifying session that determined pole position and the remainder of the front row of the grid.

Mladin’s run at gaining pole was disrupted in the closing minutes as he fell from his Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 at the chicane. At that stage, Mladin had set the fastest time of his session and was preparing to go quicker, but was robbed of the opportunity due to the crash.

“Having the crash with about 15 minutes came at the time when we were starting to put some new tyres on the bike and make a run at a pole position time,” said Mladin, who took pole for the 200 in 2001. “I had a different tyre on the front that I hadn’t had much time on and just lost it on the entry into the chicane. I got back to the pits and onto my spare bike as soon as I could, so that I could make sure that all of my parts were still working at least, but was only able to get a couple of laps in before the session closed.”

Pole position for this weekend’s season opening round of the AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship went to former World Superbike rider Ben Bostrom. The American Honda rider posted a time of 1:48.376, to edge out Kurtis Roberts (Erion Honda, 1:48.554) and Mladin (1:48.555). Mladin’s teammate Aaron Yates will complete the front row of the grid after setting a best time of 1:48.659. Less than one second covered the top nine riders during qualifying, with fellow Australian Anthony Gobert (Ducati Austin) seventh fastest.

Mladin ran a number of solid lap times during the morning’s free practice session as he and his team continued to develop the all-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 that they will be campaigning in this years championship.

“The morning session went well for us today. We know what the bike is capable of doing at the moment, but we’re not happy with that, as I want it to do more. We made more improvements on the bike today from yesterday, but basically we just need to have more track time and get the bike sorted since it is still so new.”

Qualifying continues tomorrow with the remainder of the grid positions to be sorted. For Mladin and his fellow front row starters, their place on the grid has already been confirmed which means that they will be able to turn their focus on race set up for Sunday’s 57-lap feature.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

In a press conference held at Daytona International Speedway Thursday around noon, AMA Pro Racing announced the 2003 AMA Red Bull Super Moto Championship.

The new series will include two classes, the Red Bull Super Moto class for 450cc machines, and the KTM Super Moto Unlimited class for larger machines.

The series will crown not only a rider as a champion, but will also include a team championship based on the results of each team’s best two riders. A manufacturer championship will also be awarded.

AMA Pro Racing announced that riders already committed to running in the six-race series include Kevin Schwantz, Scott Russell, Chris Carr and Mike Metzger.

The 2003 series will start at Laguna Seca in conjunction with the AMA National/World Superbike races in July, and will conclude in Las Vegas in conjunction with the AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet.

The series will be televised on Outdoor Life Network (OLN), which reaches about 53 million homes in the U.S.

The President and CEO of OLN, E. Roger Williams, spoke at the press conference, and said that he and his management staff were involved in the establishment and management of Speedvision prior to its sale to Fox. Williams emphasized that the current OLN staff has considerable experience in televising motorcycle racing.

Ron Heben of KTM announced that the Austrian company will field a three-rider team in the series.

Scott Russell announced that he will compete in the series on a KTM fielded by HMC Racing.

Chris Carr said that he was looking forward to racing in some of the series events, and the television coverage will help him service his main dirt track sponsor, Ford Motor Company.

More, from a series of press releases issued by AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship

PICKERINGTON, Ohio–It began back in the late 1970s when someone wondered who was the best all-around motorcycle racer and from which discipline would he come. Would it be a road racer, an off-road racer or perhaps a flat track pilot? From that was born the notion of a new type of motorcycle race. It was first called superbikers and it blended on- and off-road racing by featuring a track comprised of both pavement and dirt. Motocross bikes proved to be the best choice for this new form of racing and with minimal modifications a racer could easily build a competitive mount. The discipline prospered in the United States for awhile and then disappeared, perhaps because of the trend towards specialization. It found a home in Europe and grew modestly. Stateside, local clubs began to emerge as interest returned. Now, in a big way, supermoto will return to where it all started in the form of an all new national series called The AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship.

“We couldn’t be more excited about launching this championship,” said AMA Pro Racing CEO, Scott Hollingsworth. “AMA Pro Racing will again take a leadership role in providing what the OEMs, racers, sponsors and, most importantly, our fans have been asking for. We’re confident that this series will be a hit immediately because it takes the best from a variety of motorcycle racing disciplines and puts them all together in one highly entertaining package. The racing will be competitive, accessible and fan-friendly. Plus, thanks to the support of our partners, Red Bull North America and KTM Sportmotorcycles USA, we’ll be able to launch this series aggressively.” Energy drink maker Red Bull has signed an agreement to be the title sponsor of the series and KTM will be a class sponsor.

From the outset, the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will look and feel different than most motorcycle racing series. For one thing it won’t be bound by traditional venue limitations. “Our vision is to take AMA Supermoto to the people by putting it in places one wouldn’t expect to find a motorcycle race,” said AMA Pro Racing Vice President of Commercial Development, John Farris. “In year one, you’ll find some AMA Supermoto events held in conjunction with other AMA Pro Racing events but, as the championship grows, you’ll begin to see more stand-alone events. The beauty of this form of racing is that that you can create a ‘motorcycle happening’ virtually anywhere. It’s not out of the question that you’ll soon see AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship races at concerts, expos or even downtown, urban locations. This will open up boundless possibilities for our sponsors in terms of marketing and cross-promotional opportunities. Plus, it will enable us to present motorcycle racing in an all new fashion.”

Top-level riders from all major disciplines will participate in the series. Former World GP champion Kevin Schwantz plans on competing as does reigning AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Champion Chris Carr, multi-time X-Games gold medalist/freestyle motocross star Mike Metzger and five-time Daytona 200 winner Scott Russell. This will not only guarantee a highly entertaining show but may just put to rest the question of which discipline actually does produce the best all around rider.

In year one, two classes will be presented. The Red Bull Supermoto class will be for motorcycles up to 450cc and the KTM Supermoto Unlimited class will feature 490cc and over motorcycles. These classes were established to allow the largest number of brands to participate. “Virtually every manufacturer already, or soon will, offers a 450cc, four-stroke motocross machine and there are a number of big-bore machines, primarily the European brands, available for the unlimited class,” said Merrill Vanderslice, AMA Pro Racing Director of Competition. “Utilizing this formula will ensure the largest fields, competitive racing, keep costs down and allow for maximum participation. Minimal modifications will be necessary to field a competitive machine. This consists primarily of wheels and tires and some suspension work. Minor engine modifications will be allowed so riders can tune their engines to fit their particular riding style. Several aftermarket companies already offer a wide selection of parts and, as the series matures, more are sure to follow.”

Hollingsworth went on to add that the creation of these two classes will expand sales opportunities for the manufacturers. “When it comes down to it, racing is really about selling motorcycles and this will allow the OEMs to explore new marketing opportunities by re-positioning existing product. For example, now the OEMs can offer a motocross bike to both the motocross enthusiast as well as a racer interested in supermoto. This lets the OEMs target a completely new customer base,” said Hollingsworth.

The 2003 AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will consist of six rounds with the series culminating at the championship finale run in conjunction with the AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet in Las Vegas in November. The program will follow the highly successful AMA Supercross formula of qualifying heats leading up to a main event. Courses will be approximately 80% pavement, 20% dirt, feature at least one significant jump and be between .6 and 1.1 miles in length. The main event will be 25 laps. Both a Team Championship and Manufacturer Championship will be awarded. Riders and teams will be able to participate in the final championship event based on points earned in earlier rounds. For more information about the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship, visit www.amaproracing.com.

“This championship will take motorcycle racing in the United States to a completely new place,” said Hollingsworth. “It is being constructed in an entirely-new, highly-creative way taking into account the needs of the manufacturers, riders, sponsors and fans. It’s not enough anymore to just show up at a racetrack, put on a race and hope that it will have value to the parties concerned. AMA Pro Racing has done its homework and will be offering a series that will become the model for motorsports presentation. We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished already and it’s only going to get better.”

Red Bull to Sponsor New AMA Supermoto Championship

PICKERINGTON, Ohio–Energy drink maker Red Bull North America has signed an agreement to be the title sponsor of AMA Pro Racing’s new supermoto series. To be called the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship, the series will be the premier national championship for this rapidly expanding form of motorcycle racing.

“We’re delighted to partner with Red Bull in presenting our new AMA Supermoto Championship,” said Andy Leisner, AMA Pro Racing Vice President. “Our vision for this series is to present motorcycle racing in an all new fashion and the support and commitment by Red Bull will go a long way in allowing us to do that.”

Supermoto is unique in that it combines the disciplines of both on- and off-road racing. Slightly-modified motocross machines are primarily used and the action takes places on courses that are approximately 80% pavement and 20% dirt. A long list of top-level riders are committed to participating in this AMA Pro Racing series including former World GP champion Kevin Schwantz, reigning AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Champion Chris Carr, multi-time X-Games gold medalist/freestyle motocross star Mike Metzger and five-time Daytona 200 winner Scott Russell.

The series is scheduled to begin this summer and will culminate at the championship finale run in conjunction with the AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet in Las Vegas in November. The six-race series will include rounds held at existing AMA Pro Racing Events as well as selected stand-alone events. For more information about the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship, visit www.amaproracing.com .

AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship To Be Telecast on Outdoor Life Network

PICKERINGTON, Ohio–AMA Pro Racing’s newest motorcycle racing series, the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship, will be broadcast on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN). Races will be telecast in the fall in a weekly, episode-format and will be presented in a unique, highly stylized way according to AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth.

“The AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship presents us with the opportunity to completely re-think the conventions of motorcycle race presentation,” said Hollingsworth. “Not only will our events look different, but so will the television coverage. The ‘show’ will be more entertaining, both at the track and on TV. Working with OLN from the launch of our series will enable us to achieve a completely new look and feel for motorcycle racing.”

OLN is the largest provider of premier action sports programming. OLN offers such diverse programming as the Tour de France cycling race and FIS World Cup Skiing. “OLN’s programming mix presents the perfect home for the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship,” continued Hollingsworth. “The network’s viewers are avid followers of action sports and by placing this series on OLN we’re adding tremendous value to our sponsors, particularly Red Bull North America and KTM Sportmotorcycles USA.” Energy drink maker Red Bull has signed an agreement to be the title sponsor of the series and KTM will be a class sponsor.

“We are excited to bring AMA Pro Racing’s newest motorcycle racing series, the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship to our viewers,” said E. Roger Williams, President and CEO of Outdoor Life Network. “OLN is constantly striving to provide the best in action adventure sports and we are confident that this original and distinctive programming will strongly appeal to our avid adventure sports fans.”

Supermoto is unique in that it combines the disciplines of both on- and off-road racing. Slightly-modified motocross machines are primarily used and the action takes places on courses that are typically 80% pavement and 20% dirt. A long list of top-level riders are committed to participating in this AMA Pro Racing series including former World GP champion Kevin Schwantz, reigning AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Champion Chris Carr, multi-time X-Games gold medalist/freestyle motocross star Mike Metzger and five-time Daytona 200 winner Scott Russell.

The series is scheduled to begin this summer and will culminate at the championship finale run in conjunction with the AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet in Las Vegas in November. The six-race series will include rounds held at existing AMA Pro Racing Events as well as selected stand-alone events. For more information about the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship, visit www.amaproracing.com.

About Outdoor Life Network

The leader in adventure TV, Outdoor Life Network (www.olntv.com ) offers more outdoor recreation programming than any other network. The 24-hour cable network, now available in over 51 million homes, is the leading source for television coverage of outdoor adventure sports and outdoor leisure recreation.

KTM to Sponsor Unlimited Class in

AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship

PICKERINGTON, Ohio–KTM Sportmotorcycle USA has signed an agreement to be a class sponsor in AMA Pro Racing’s new supermoto series. To be called KTM Supermoto Unlimited, the class will be one of two classes making up the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship. The other will be the Red Bull Supermoto class.

The KTM Supermoto Unlimited class will be for motorcycles 490cc and over. The Red Bull Supermoto class will be for motorcycles up to 450cc.

“Offering two classes will make the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship much stronger in terms of OEM and rider participation as well as improve the racing for our fans,” said Andy Leisner, Vice President, AMA Pro Racing. “We’re pleased that KTM will be supporting our championship by sponsoring the unlimited class.”

Ron Heben, Motorsports Marketing Manager at KTM, echoed those sentiments. “In Europe KTM is a leader in the world of supermoto racing and we intend to expand that leadership role in the United States,” said Heben. “We’ll be fielding riders in both classes of the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship and will use each series to showcase KTM products.”

Supermoto is unique in that it combines the disciplines of both on- and off-road racing. Slightly-modified motocross machines are primarily used and the action takes places on courses that are approximately 80% pavement and 20% dirt. A long list of top-level riders are committed to participating in this AMA Pro Racing series including former World GP champion Kevin Schwantz, reigning AMA Progressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Champion Chris Carr, multi-time X-Games gold medallist/freestyle motocross star Mike Metzger and five-time Daytona 200 winner Scott Russell.

The series is scheduled to begin this summer and will culminate at the championship finale run in conjunction with the AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet in Las Vegas in November. The six-race series will include rounds held at existing AMA Pro Racing Events as well as selected stand-alone events. For more information about the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship, visit www.amaproracing.com.

AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship Introduction
Frequently Asked Questions

Why is AMA Pro Racing launching this series?

One of the objectives of AMA Pro Racing is to manage the commercial development of motorcycle racing in the United States. This means exploring new markets and improving the economic growth opportunities for our stakeholders. Our findings indicate that there has been a growing demand for a national supermoto series and there’s no doubt that there will be tremendous benefits to OEMs, sponsors, riders and fans by this championship.

Why is AMA Pro Racing launching this series now instead of 2004?

While we originally planned to launch supermoto in 2004, it became clear to us that the market is ready for this series so we decided to accelerate the launch date. This was done primarily to benefit our stakeholders.

How many races will comprise the championship?

In 2003 there are six events planned.

Where will this year’s races take place?

The schedule is still being finalized but so far we plan to conduct races at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca in conjunction with the AMA U.S. Superbike Championship event, in Colorado at the Copper Mountain CycleFest and in Las Vegas in conjunction with the AMA Pro Racing Awards Banquet. The remaining rounds are currently being scheduled and we plan to make an announcement soon.

Will the races be televised?

Yes, the AMA Red Bull Supermoto Championship will be televised on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN), a leading cable network and the home of action sports programming.

Besides title sponsor Red Bull are their any major sponsors?

Yes, KTM Sportmotorcycles USA will be a class sponsor and several leading companies have expressed interest in being involved with the series at different levels. We expect to be making additional announcements soon.

What top level riders will race this series?

A number of national and international riders have expressed interest in competing in this series including: Jean-Michel Bayle, Ben Bostrom, Chris Carr, Doug Chandler, Joe Kopp, Mike Metzger, Scott Russell, Kevin Schwantz, Jeff Ward and Jake Zemke among others.

How many classes will be presented?

In year one, two classes will be presented. The Red Bull Supermoto class will be for motorcycles up to 450cc and the KTM Supermoto Unlimited class will feature 490cc and over motorcycles.

How were these classes chosen?

After thorough examination of the marketplace and with extensive discussion with all the major OEMs, these classes were established to maximize brand participation. Virtually every OEM currently offers, or soon will, a 450cc motocross machine and several companies, primarily the European brands, offer a big-bore machine eligible for the unlimited class. In all cases, the machines can be easily modified for supermoto competition. Another factor in our decision was to establish classes that would dramatically help curtail the rising costs of racing. For example in the 450 class, a participant could use one motorcycle for motocross, flat track and supermoto.

Will there be any support classes?

Yes, we plan to offer at least one support class. When that information becomes available, we will make an announcement.

Will the major OEMs offer contingency support?

Yes, several OEMs have stated that they plan on offering contingency support.

How will this championship be managed?

AMA Pro Racing Associate Director of Commercial Development, Chris Bradley, will be responsible for day-to-day activities in managing the series. Additionally, a race operations manager will be named soon.

How can I obtain information on rules, licensing and entries?

Rules will be available on March 17 and licensing/entry information will be available on April 7. All can be accessed by visiting: www.amaproracing.com .

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Attack Suzuki’s Jason Pridmore took pole position for Friday’s Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock final with a new lap record time of 1:51.567 on his Dunlop-equipped GSX-R750.

“I just did what I knew I could do,” said 1997 AMA 750cc Supersport Champion Pridmore. “The team’s done a great job. Dunlop had a great tire. That fast lap was still on a race tire, so I’m pretty happy with it.

“The first tire – that I did some low-1:52s on – is my race tire, dual-compound. We just tried a single compound to see how it would work, because I haven’t had a lot of time on the bike. Once we had the 1:52.4 to start with, I thought, well, maybe we can put a soft one on and go out there and run it around. I’m pretty happy right now, happy for the team.”

Barden Bearings/Woodcraft’s Eric Wood came up just short of his first-ever AMA pole position with the fastest time from the even-numbered session but only the second-fastest time overall at 1:52.613.

Kawasaki’s Tommy Hayden caught a terrific tow off Pridmore’s teammate Josh Hayes, and put his 636cc ZX-6R third on the front row with a 1:52.633. Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree took advantage of Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki’s’ Steve Rapp’s aerodynamic wake in a similar manner to put his Pirelli-equipped GSX-R750 on the front row with a 1:52.790.

Rapp, the former Daytona Superstock lap record holder (1:52.427), just missed the front row with a 1:52.869 on his Michelin-shod machine. Hayes was sixth-fastest at 1:52.882. Hooters Suzuki’s Mike Ciccotto was seventh-fastest with a 1:53.035, and two-time defending AMA Superstock Champion Jimmy Moore will start the 15-lap final from the outside of row two.

The 20-minute, even-numbered Superstock qualifying session was stopped at approximately the 11-minute mark when Rapp’s teammate Chris Ulrich got into the chicane too hot while drafting another rider, tucked the front and crashed heavily. Ulrich was slow to get up but was checked and released from the Infield Care Center relatively free from injury.



Provisional AMA Superstock Qualifying Results (all on Suzuki GSX-R750 unless noted):

1. Jason Pridmore, 1:51.567
2. Eric Wood, 1:52.633
3. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:52.633
4. Lee Acree, 1:52.790
5. Steve Rapp, 1:52.869
6. Josh Hayes, 1:52.882
7. Mike Ciccotto, 1:53.035
8. Jimmy Moore, 1:53.184
9. Vincent Haskovec, 1:53.433
10. Adam Fergusson, 1:53.576
11. Tony Meiring, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:53.663
12. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:53.938
13. Scott Greenwood, 1:54.200
14. Jordan Szoke, 1:54.207
15. Matt Furtek, 1:54.220
16. Chris Ulrich, 1:54.259
17. Chris Caylor, 1:54.477
18. John Dugan, 1:55.066
19. Brian Stokes, 1:55.112
20. Michael Hannas, 1:55.230
21. Matt Wait, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:55.445
22. John Haner, 1:55.933
23. Hawk Mazzotta, 1:56.250
24. Andrew Nelson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:56.261
25. Jake Holden, 1:56.505
26. Ty Howard, Honda CBR600RR, 1:56.600
27. Rich Conicelli, 1:56.675
28. Scott Harwell, 1:56.732
29. Jason Peters, 1:56.896
30. J.J. Roetlin, 1:57.015
31. Greg Moore, 1:57.041
32. Kevin Pate, 1:57.356
33. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:57.360
34. Justin Blake, 1:58.078
35. C.R. Gittere, 1:58.300
36. Thad Halsmer, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:58.392
37. Owen Weichel, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:58.546
38. David Estok, Buell Firebolt XB9R, 1:58.770
39. Darrin Mitchell, Suzuki GSX-R600, 2:00.718
40. Eric Haugo, 2:00.787
41. Crash Chris Lowe, 2:01.745
42. Paul Vitale, 2:02.017
43. Ottis Lance, Moto Guzzi 1000, 2:02.313
44. Tom Wertman, 2:02.406
45. Michael Hanley, 2:03.041
46. Michael McAllister, Yamaha YZF-R6, 2:03.078
47. Thomas Fournier, Ducati 996, 2:03.139
48. S. David Alley, 2:03.561
49. James Kerker, Honda CBR600, 2:03.800

112% of fast time: 2:04.955

50. Jessica Zalusky, 2:14.853

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Thursday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:49.220
2. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.408
3. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:49.579
4. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.599
5. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:49.929
6. Anthony Gobert, Ducati 998RS, 1:50.102
7. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.418
8. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.744
9. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.832
10. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 1:52.260
11. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.398
12. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.457
13. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.715
14. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.120
15. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.179
16. Josh Hayes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.252
17. Geoff May, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.757
18. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.952
19. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.130
20. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.158
21. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.300
22. Chris Caylor, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.363
23. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.427
24. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.477
25. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.489
26. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.563
27. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.597
28. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.652
29. Andrew Deatherage, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.352
30. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.892
31. Michael Luke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.328
32. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 1:56.430
33. Michael Hannas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.509
34. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.544
35. John Ashmead, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.587
36. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.603
37. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.754
38. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:56.800
39. Thomas Montano, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.833
40. James Randolph, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.842

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Canadian teenager Andrew Nelson went from having flaking paint to factory suspension pieces on his 2003 Honda CBR600RR in between the CCS/Formula USA and AMA weekends at Daytona International Speedway.

Nelson, who plans to race the entire Parts Canada Canadian National series, arrived at Daytona February 26 with a freshly painted but completely stock CBR600RR supplied to him by Honda Canada. While at the Speedway, Nelson received and fitted the first Hindle exhaust made for the new bike, then went on to score a fourth-place finish in the F-USA Sportbike race (despite running off the track when he bottomed the stock front forks under braking) and a fifth-place finish in the F-USA Superbike final.

But as the CCS/Formula USA weekend wore on, more and more of Nelson’s last-minute paint job came off in big flakes. “Yeah, you like that?” joked Nelson. “It was about 20 below (Fahrenheit) outside and two below inside the garage we painted it in. I guess the paint froze before it took to the bodywork.”

During the AHRMA races Monday and Tuesday, March 3-4, Nelson took his bodywork to Custom World in Tampa, Florida for a new paint job. Meanwhile, his CBR600RR was fitted with a factory Showa shock and fork internals in preparation for the AMA weekend.

Nelson had to start from scratch on his set-up but was still 18th fastest in the second AMA Supersport practice Wednesday with a 1:57.006 and improved to 1:56.421 in Thursday morning’s Supersport practice, 20th fastest.

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway’s PR Department:

Ben Bostrom Captures Pole For 62nd Daytona 200 By Arai

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 6, 2003) – Ben Bostrom is back.

Making his return to the United States after three years in World Superbike, Bostrom, riding the No. 155 American Honda RC51, captured the pole on Thursday for Sunday’s 62nd Daytona 200 By Arai.

With a speed of 118.255 mph, Bostrom took home his first Daytona 200 pole and his fifth career AMA Superbike pole. Bostrom, 28, of Las Vegas, will be awarded one point toward the AMA Superbike championship and a Rolex watch.

“The Honda worked really well, a big thanks to the team for setting it up,” said Bostrom, whose best finish in the Daytona 200 was a fourth in his most recent start in 1999.

Rounding out the front row will be Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts (118.061), Yoshimura Suzuki’s Mat Mladin (118.060) and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates (117.947).

Only the front row is locked into the field. The remainder of the field will be finalized on Friday in a final round of qualifying for the Daytona 200.

Mladin, while holding the pole with his fastest time in the first session featuring the even-numbered riders, took a spill on his No. 66 Yoshimura Suzuki in the chicane. Shortly after, Roberts turned his fast lap to overtake Mladin for the pole.

Mladin, the two-time Daytona 200 champion, quickly returned to his pit area and climbed aboard his backup Suzuki and returned to the track to try to eclipse Roberts’ speed only to come up short.

In the second session with the odd-numbered riders, Bostrom toured the 3.56-mile road course to secure the Daytona 200 pole.

Dunlop didn’t produce a special qualifying tire for the Daytona 200 By Arai so riders were unable to break last year’s pole-winning record speed of 119.580 mph (1:47.174) set by Nicky Hayden.

Shaw Is In: Rick Shaw, who needs only two laps to eclipse Warren Sherwood’s Daytona 200 mileage record, cleared a huge hurdle in pursuit of that record as he qualified for Sunday’s race aboard his No. 79 Suzuki.

Shaw, a police officer from Miami, removes a load of pressure from his shoulders as he went fast enough to guarantee a spot in Sunday’s race.

“The pressure was really, really on today,” Shaw said. “Actually, the pressure has been on for months and months and months. Now, it’s over and done with. The race is going to be anti-climatic. Getting in was the hard thing.”

Pro Honda Oils Supersport: Miguel Duhamel, six-time winner of the Pro Honda Oils 600 Supersport At Daytona, captured the pole for Friday afternoon’s 18-lap race.

Duhamel, riding the No. 17 American Honda, posted a speed of 113.632 mph during Thursday’s qualifying session. Rounding out the front row were Yamaha’s Jamie Hacking (113.600) and Aaron Gobert (113.471) and Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts (113.191).

Duhamel was grateful for the drafting help that he received from his teammate Ben Bostrom during the qualifying session.

“He really took one for the team as far as that is concerned,” Duhamel said. “Our bikes are running really good. I think if I would’ve got in front and gave him the same tow he gave me maybe he would be up here talking right now.”

Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750 Superstock: Two-time Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750 Superstock winner Jason Pridmore of Ventura, Calif., qualified for the pole for Friday’s 15-lap race with a record speed of 114.873 mph.

BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup: The first of two sessions of qualifying for the inaugural BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup put the United Kingdom’s Richard Cooper atop the provisional pole with a speed of 102.845 mph. There will be a final qualifying session on Friday.

The inaugural BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup is Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and it’s the first time the series has made a stop in the United States.

On tap: Friday’s schedule at the Speedway is a busy one that includes qualifying for the Daytona 200 By Arai, the MBNA 250 Grand Prix and the BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup and the finals for the Genuine Suzuki Accessories 750 Superstock and the Pro Honda Oils 600 Supersport.

Tickets and information on any of the Speedway events are available online at
http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.