From a press release:

Vmoto and HMSA stage first event April 26th and 27th.

Vmoto (Vintage Motorcycle Racing Association) is pleased to announce a new joint venture with the Historic Motorsports Association (HMSA). Under this agreement, Vmoto’s participants will share event weekends with HMSA. Vmoto will have one or more race groups in a typical HMSA weekend race schedule.

The inaugural combined event will be held at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California on April 26-27, 2003, and will feature 250, 350, 450 and 500 Grand Prix motorcycles.

“We are thrilled that HMSA has given us this opportunity,” says Llew Kinst of Vmoto. “HMSA has a long history of promoting premier vintage road racing events on the West Coast. HMSA’s philosophy, which is similar to ours, is focused more on the car than the competition. As a result, they have attracted the most exceptional historic cars to their events.”

Vmoto is currently negotiating other combined events throughout the year and is actively pursuing motorcycle-only events for 2004 at venues throughout the West Coast.

About Vmoto
The purpose of Vmoto is to encourage the restoration, preservation and use of historic, vintage, and classic road racing motorcycles. Vmoto events are, in effect, rolling museums where historic bikes of the past can be ridden once again in a venue that respects their historic value. Vmoto advocates preserving the history of the bikes and giving the rider an opportunity to experience what it was like to race in the past.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.vintagemoto.com

About HMSA
The Historic Motorsports Association has been involved with the vintage racing movement in this country from the beginning. They are associated with the best vintage racing event in the US, The Monterey Historic.

For more information, visit their web site at: http://www.hmsausa.com

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Moments ago Daytona International Speedway spokesperson Larry Lawrence announced to the media that Friday afternoon’s program of AMA racing and qualifying is on hold due to the weather.

It has been raining heavily since 12:25 p.m. Eastern Time.

A memo titled, “Rain Delay situation as of 2:25 p.m. Friday” was distributed in the media center and contained the following information about the AMA’s priorities for Friday:

1. To run the Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport and Genuine Suzuki Accessories Superstock races

2. To run Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike and MBNA 250cc Grand Prix qualifying

3. In the event qualifying cannot run: The Superbike grid will be determined by Thursday’s qualifying times, and the 250cc GP grid will be determined by 2002 250cc GP points, order of pre-entries received then by the order of post-entries received.

4. BMW Boxer Cup qualifying results from Thursday will stand.

5. SPEED Channel is currently broadcasting live and will continue to broadcast until 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time minimum, even though its live programming window is scheduled to extend from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Daytona International Speedway Operations is standing by to operate up to three jet driers.

AMA V.P., Director of Communications Kerry Graeber confirmed that the BMW Boxer Cup event was not under AMA sanction and that the BMW Boxer Cup may practice, qualify or race in rainy conditions if organizers of that series decide to.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Canadian teen Andrew Nelson tested soft barriers at Daytona during Thursday’s AMA Superstock qualifying session.

Nelson was riding his Honda Canada CBR600RR when he fell entering turn six, the last corner in the infield section of Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course. “I came in there way too deep and locked the front tire,” said Nelson.

“I was sliding along and thinking, ‘At least there’s Airfence.’ It worked out pretty good. I hit it, and I could’ve went to sleep in it. It was that soft. I’ve hit haybales that were put in front of a wall before, and it feels just like hitting a wall.”

Nelson missed the remainder of the Superstock qualifying session and ended up with the 24th-fastest time, 1:56.261.

Nelson was 12th-fastest on his repaired machine in Friday morning’s Superstock practice.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning AMA Superbike Practice Times:

1. Kurtis Roberts, Honda RC51, 1:49.501
2. Ben Bostrom, Honda RC51, 1:49.805
3. Aaron Yates, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:49.952
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:50.270
5. Miguel Duhamel, Honda RC51, 1:50.776
6. Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.805
7. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:51.558
8. Larry Pegram, Ducati 998RS, 1:51.558
9. Ben Spies, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:51.571
10. Doug Chandler, Honda CBR954RR, 1:51.715
11. Michael Barnes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.425
12. Shawn Higbee, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:52.508
13. Steve Rapp, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.771
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:52.873
15. Brian Livengood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.018
16. Eric Wood, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.428
17. Lee Acree, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:53.882
18. Jordan Szoke, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:54.029
19. Matt Furtek, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.121
20. Josh Hayes, Suyzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.141
21. Adam Fergusson, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.219
22. Mike Ciccotto, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.337
23. John Dugan, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.774
24. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:54.922
25. Vincent Haskovec, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:55.043
26. Tom Wertman, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:55.184
27. James Randolph, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:55.245
28. Warwick Nowland, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:55.273
29. Jason Curtis, Honda CBR954RR, 1:55.296
30. Brian Stokes, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.174
31. Scott Harwell, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.198
32. Jack Pfeifer, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.442
33. Sandor Bitter, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.513
34. Dario Marchetti, Ducati 996, 1:56.733
35. Scott Jensen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:56.l745
36. Michael Hannas, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.780
37. Jake Holden, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:56.965
38. Thomas Montano, Suzuki GSX-R750, 1:57.124
39. Pat Mooney, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:57.669
40. Oliver Jervis, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:57.801

From AMA Pro Racing:

Sunday, March 9, 2003:

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

8:00 a.m. Tech Inspection

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

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. Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock

Final Events:

9:30 a.m. MBNA 250cc Grand Prix (18 laps, 103 km)

10:30 a.m. Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport (18 laps, 103 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 Superbike, 62nd Daytona 200 by Arai (57 laps)

Suzuki Genuine Accessories Superstock (15 laps, 80 km)

Daytona International Speedway spokesperson Kathy Catron reports that tickets for Friday will be honored on Sunday.

Spectators holding tickets for Friday can exchange those tickets for General Admission tickets for Sunday at any ticket outlet at the Speedway. For $20 plus their Friday ticket spectators can upgrade to an infield grandstand seat on Sunday.


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

RAIN DISRUPTS FINAL QUALIFYING FOR DAYTONA 200

Daytona Beach, Florida, USA – Heavy rain has forced the final AMA Superbike qualifying session for this weekend’s Daytona 200 to be cut short just minutes after the start of the session.

The rain has continued through the afternoon, with the likely outcome that the Superbikes will not take to the circuit again today and that the starting grid positions for Sunday’s 57-lap Daytona 200 mile classic will be determined by yesterday’s combined qualifying times.

Australia’s Mat Mladin was only able to complete three laps in this afternoon’s session before the rain started, but will start from the front row of the grid after setting the third fastest time yesterday.

Given the loss of track time this afternoon, the 2000 & 2001 winner of the Daytona 200 was confident with the preparations that have been made to his Team Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 over the course of this week.

“The rain has definitely disrupted things here today as there are always new things that you want to try on the bike, but we don’t get that chance now,” said Mladin. “I’m happy with how we have progressed with setting up of the new bike this week. This morning we cruised around a bit and checked out some more settings on the bike, but at the moment I’m feeling quite happy with how things are going. All we can do now is wait for Sunday.”

From press releases issued by AMA Pro Racing:

PRO HONDA OILS EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP OF AMA U.S. SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP

PICKERINGTON, Ohio—AMA Pro Racing is happy to announce that long time sponsor, Pro Honda Oils will continue their involvement as title sponsor of the AMA U.S. Supersport Championship.

This marks the 10th anniversary of Pro Honda Oils’ sponsorship of the AMA U.S. Supersport Championship, being one of the longest-running sponsor relationships in AMA Pro Racing history. In addition to being title sponsor, Pro Honda Oils will be awarding a “Pro Honda Oils Championship Bonus” of $24,000 divided among the top-ten riders is the series.

Pro Honda Oils provides a comprehensive line of motorcycle-specific oils and chemicals, developed through the performance and durability testing of professional motorcycle racing. Pro Honda Oils is dedicated to providing riders with a top-quality product to fit their motorcycle performance needs.
The Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship, introduced in 1987, is expected to be a highly competitive series this year with a full field of top riders, such as all-time series wins leader Miguel Duhamel, currently residing in Las Vegas, Tommy Hayden of Owensboro, Ky., Eric Bostrom, also of Las Vegas, along with Georgia native and defending champion Aaron Yates. As one of the AMA Pro Racing’s top series, records are expected to fall this year. This series hosts bikes from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki.

“Pro Honda Oils is extremely proud to continue our association with AMA Pro Racing. As title sponsor of AMA Supersport, 2003 marks our 10th consecutive year as title sponsor of the series long acknowledged as one of the most competitive motorcycle racing series in the world,” says, Rick Mitchell, Assistant Manager, Motorcycle Parts, Sales and Marketing.

“AMA Pro Racing is proud to have Pro Honda Oils back as the title sponsor of the AMA U.S. Supersport Championship,” said Andy Leisner, Vice President of AMA Pro Racing. “Their dedication to the sport of motorcycle racing and to the AMA Supersport Championship is unequalled. Entering their 10th year of sponsorship, this series is sure to be one of the most competitive to date.”


SHOEI SAFETY HELMET TO BE PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR THE PRO HONDA OILS U.S. SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – AMA Pro Racing welcomes one of the industry’s leading helmet technology companies, Shoei Safety Helmet, as the presenting sponsor for the Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship. Effective immediately, the series will be called the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei.

Since 1958 Shoei has worked to become a leader in helmet technology. The reputation and determination of its founder to produce helmets for the racing sector has made Shoei a top brand worldwide. Shoei’s commitment to helmet safety and its innovative technology to produce a quality product makes their sponsorship of the Supersport championship a perfect fit and affirms their pledge to rider safety.

“What a way to kick off bike week,” says AMA Pro Racing Vice President, Andy Leisner, “We are excited to add such an innovative and respected company such as Shoei to our Supersport championship. With Shoei coming on board as the presenting sponsor it shows their dedication to road racing and the safety of the riders.”

“Shoei Safety Helmet is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Pro Honda Oils U.S. Supersport Championship,” said Mike Schield, National Sales Manager of Shoei. “We wanted to further our dedication and promise to advance rider safety. By becoming part of one of AMA Pro Racing’s top series we feel we can achieve that.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

The rain has stopped, the track is being dried and AMA racers have been told to prepare for their events over the public address system at Daytona International Speedway as of 4:20 p.m. Eastern Time.

Originally, the 15-lap Superstock final was scheduled to be first Friday afternoon, but the 18-lap Supersport final will run first on the revised schedule.

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.