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

Guide To Daytona 200 Week

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 3, 2003) ¯ Formula USA and the Championship Cup Series wrapped up five days of racing last weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Next up at the Speedway are this week’s AHRMA and AMA events. Here’s a
guide to all the happenings this week at the “World Center of Racing.”

The main event: Daytona 200 By Arai

The 62nd Daytona 200 By Arai on March 9 is the featured event of Daytona 200 Week and the season opener to the AMA U.S. Superbike season. Nicky Hayden is the defending champion of the race, but won’t be competing as he has moved to overseas to compete in MotoGP.

Highlighting this year’s race is the return of Honda’s Ben Bostrom, who has competed the last three seasons in World Superbike. Bostrom’s main competition will be his brother Eric, who rides for Kawasaki.

Other riders with a strong shot at a victory include three-time Daytona 200 champion Miguel Duhamel, two-time Daytona 200 champion Mat Mladin, Kurtis Roberts, Aaron Yates and Anthony Gobert.

Another storyline to keep an eye on during the Daytona 200 is the breaking of the all-time mileage mark. Floridian Rick Shaw needs to turn only two laps in this year’s Daytona 200 By Arai to break Warren Sherwood’s Daytona 200 mileage
record.

The Daytona 200 By Arai starts on Sunday at 1 p.m. Qualifying for the top-four positions is on Thursday at 2:20 p.m. while second-round qualifying is on Friday at 12:20 p.m.

Historical Daytona Supercross By Honda?

Ricky Carmichael, riding aboard a Honda, will shoot for his fourth straight Daytona Supercross By Honda victory on Saturday, March 8 on the demanding course in the tri-oval designed by Gary Bailey.

If Carmichael can win, he would tie Jeff Stanton’s mark of four straight between 1989-92 and he would also tie Stanton for most career victories at four.

Elimination heat races kick off Saturday’s Supercross activity at the Speedway at 11 a.m. followed by qualifying heat races at 1 p.m. The 125cc main event (15 laps, 22 riders) is at 3:30 p.m. while the 250cc main event (20 laps, 30 riders) starts at 4:05 p.m.

New to Daytona International Speedway

Making its first and only appearance in the United States during Daytona 200 Week is the BMW Motorrad International BoxerCup. The BMW Motorrad
International BoxerCup, which features riders aboard BMW R 1100 S motorcycles, will kick off their nine-race season on Sunday, March 9 at 11:30 a.m. before the Daytona 200 By Arai.

Other races to keep an eye on

One of the fan favorites of Daytona 200 Week is the Pro Honda Oils Supersport on Friday, March 7 at 4:20 p.m. The 18-lap race, won last year by
Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates, is always highly competitive and features many of the Daytona 200 By Arai competitors. On the same day as the Supersport is the 750 Superstock, another exciting sprint race at 2:25 p.m.

Action at the Stadium

Daytona International Speedway will host dirt motorcycle races at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium on Friday night, March 7 and Saturday night, March 8. The feature program will start each night at 8:30 p.m. On Friday is the AMA Hot
Shoe National while on Saturday is the AMA Progressive Insurance Grand National Championship kickoff.

Demo rides

The outside of the Speedway will be buzzing with activity as Daytona International Speedway offers the opportunity to try out the latest and greatest
motorcycles with free manufacturer demo rides during Daytona 200 Week. Motorcycle enthusiasts can check out displays and demo rides from manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW, Aprilia, Moto-Guzzi, Buell,
Harley-Davidson, Victory, Indian and Boss Hoss. Riders must hold a valid motorcycle driver license and DOT approved helmet in order to participate in the demo rides. Demo rides will run Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 7, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and on Saturday, March 8, 9 a.m. – noon.

In addition to the demo rides, the Speedway will also host vendor displays such as the American Ironhorse, Ducati, Featherlite, Chevy AMA Trucks and the AdvanStar International Motorcycle Show, where riders can pick up the latest in parts, accessories and apparel. The AdvanStar International Motorcycle Show will be open Wednesday, March 5 through Sunday, March 9, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

AHRMA

On Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 4, the Speedway turns back the clock with vintage road racing. The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association, the leading vintage racing series in North America, will have two days of competition for classic motorcycles dating back to the 1920s.

Hospitality

The Classic Cycle Club, the exclusive Daytona 200 week hospitality package available March 8 and 9, is the best way to enjoy the action in style.
Membership in the Classic Cycle Club touts a stellar list of amenities for motorcycle enthusiasts. Club packages include admission to private Campbell and Winston Tower Suites; food and beverage service; a reserved parking area; and
infield, paddock and garage area access on March 8 and 9. Closed circuit televisions for convenient track-action viewing and a complimentary Daytona 200 souvenir program are additional perks.

Reasonably priced, Classic Cycle Club membership costs $220 for a March 8 and 9 combination package — the days of the Daytona Supercross by Honda (March 8) and the Daytona 200 by Arai (March 9) — or $120 (plus tax) for individual
days.

Another option available to motorcycle fans in the infield is Harley Heaven. Available on Sunday, March 9 and located outside the International Horseshoe Curve, Harley Heaven provides hospitality that includes lunch, limited beverage service, infield/paddock/garage access, commemorative event pin, private grandstand and a reserved bike parking area. Harley Heaven costs $50 in advance and $55 on race day.

To take part in the Classic Cycle Club or Harley Heaven, contact the Sales and Sponsor Services department at (386) 947-6475.

If you want to go

To purchase tickets to any of the events at the Speedway, fans need to log on to http://www.daytoaninternationalspeedway.com or call the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

From a press release issued by Bridgestone:

BRIDGESTONE MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN IN USGPRU 125 GP

As the checkered flag fell on the USGPRU 125 GP final at Daytona on Sunday, four of the top five riders were racing on Bridgestone rain tires. Heavy rains just prior to the start of Sunday’s FUSA final events made it a guessing game for tire choices as the skies began to clear slightly and the track started to dry. Most 125 GP riders chose rain tires to tackle the high banks.

At the end of the nine lap final, Bridgestone rain tires brought four of the top five riders across the line. Stewart Aitken-Cade fought his way to a second place, a young Scott Jackson earned third, Samantha Cotter came on strong for fourth and Mark Johnson finished fifth.

Bridgestone is proud to be a new contingency sponsor with the USGPRU and congratulates their talented riders for a fine showing at Daytona!


More, from Sportbike Madness:

You posted Bridgestone dominating in the rain for USGPRU. Two of those riders, Samantha Cotter and Mark Johnson, are using Bridgestone tires supplied by SportbikeMadnessRacing.com; we also had the 6th-place rider, all three of Team Acid.

Peter Pellack
Sportbike Madness Racing.com

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin’s Publicist, Steve Reeves:

MLADIN CHASING THIRD VICTORY AT DAYTONA

The 2003 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship gets underway this weekend (March 9) with the traditional season opening Daytona 200 mile classic on the fast banked curves of the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, USA.

One rider who is looking forward to this weekend’s opening race is three-times American Superbike champion and two-times Daytona 200 champion, Mat Mladin.

The Australian Team Yoshimura Suzuki rider was forced to miss last year’s event after injuring his left elbow during practice for the event that required surgery and an overnight stay in a nearby hospital. The injury hampered his quest for a fourth national title last year, but he now arrives at Daytona 100% fit and looking forward to the challenges of the week and season ahead.

Spurring Mladin’s motivation will be the all-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 that he will ride in this year’s championship. Rule changes made to the AMA Superbike category now allows for 1000cc 4-cylinder machines to compete and with that brings the challenges of developing a new machine to become a championship winner. Early testing with the machine has provided Mladin and his team with a lot of confidence heading into the first of 18 races that will make up this years championship.

“Daytona is a very special place and I’m really looking forward to racing there, especially aboard our new GSX-R1000,” said Mladin as he prepared for the cross-country trip to Florida. “The bike has proven to be very good during pre-season testing, but like anything, we’ll just have to wait and see how good it is in race conditions.

“The bike is producing a lot more horsepower than the previous GSX-R750 that we have ridden for the past few years and that presents itself with a new list of things that we have to prepare for. With the GSX-R1000 producing over 200hp we will have to carefully plan our strategy. For the race, it will become a juggle with how hard we can press on the backing and the infield, while trying to conserve tyre wear. After having to chase our opponents there, it might be nice to turn up with a bike that has similar horsepower to our rivals. If we are on an equal footing with that, then we will give the race a good shake.

“The Daytona 200 is the single most important race on the calendar and it is very important to win there for a number of reasons. But on the other side it is still only one race in the championship that we have to consider. I want to win there as much as the next guy, but we will still be looking at it as part of the championship as well.”

Mladin heads a strong list of nine Australian riders who are competing in various classes of the 2003 AMA Superbike Championship. He is the only Australian to have won the Daytona 200 and along with Troy Corser is the only other Australian to have won an AMA Superbike championship.

Daytona 200 by Arai, Schedule (American East Coast time)

Wednesday, March 5
Superbike practice (10:20am – 11:50am)
Superbike practice (3:20pm – 4:50pm)

Thursday, March 6
Superbike practice (10:40am – 11:40am)
Superbike Qualifying/Even (2:20pm – 3:20pm)
Superbike Qualifying/Odd (3:30pm – 4:30pm)

Friday, March 7
Superbike practice (10:40am – 11:20am)
Superbike Qualifying/Even (12:20pm – 1:10pm)
Superbike Qualifying/Odd (1:20pm – 2:10pm)

Sunday, March 9
Daytona 200 by Arai/57 laps (1:00pm)

From a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corporation:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cypress, Calif.—March 3, 2003: As all new, fuel injected Yamaha YZF-R6 sport bikes begin to roll onto the track for the 2003 road race season, Yamaha has announced its largest road race contingency support program ever. The program will see nearly $850,000 up for grabs to winning Yamaha YZF- R1 and R6 road racers.

According to Mike Guerra, Yamaha racing department manager, “We want to support up-and-coming riders with a strong contingency program. Last year Yamaha riders took home a lot of money—and for 2003 they’ll take home even more.”

Also, Guerra noted that the program offers significant incentives for wins. “At qualifying club level races we pay increasing amounts from third place, with $2000 for a win.

For program details, click here, contact your local Yamaha dealer or go to www.yamaha-motor.com.

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

MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM ANNOUNCES $50,000 DONOR

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has announced that Dal Smilie, of Helena, Montana, has become a “Charter Founder” by contributing more than $50,000 to the Museum.

Smilie’s support, which began in 1985, includes financial contributions as well as in-kind donations, such as rare motorcycling post cards, AMA Gypsy Tour memorabilia, and other literature, art, and collectibles. He also serves on the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Board of Directors, and is Vice Chairman of the American Motorcyclist Association Board of Directors.

“Dal’s extraordinary generosity is just one of many ways that he shows his leadership in the American motorcycling community,” said Don Emde, Chairman of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “Everyone who supports our mission of preserving motorcycling’s heritage gratefully welcomes Dal as our newest Charter Founder.”

Smilie joins four other individual Charter Founders: Mike and Margaret Wilson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1997); Robert and Mae Beard of Fort Wayne, Indiana (1998); Fred and Jerriann Dauer of Honolulu, Hawaii (1999); and Samuel G. Swope of Louisville, Kentucky (2000). Contributions exceeding $50,000 from Progressive Motorcycle Insurance and the Antique Motorcycle Club of America have earned these organizations Charter Founder status as well.

More than 43,000 motorcycling enthusiasts, through their tax-deductible contributions, support the work of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the on-line Contributor’s Guide at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Fujiwara overcomes strong challenge from Vermeulen

By Glenn LeSanto

Katsuaki Fujiwara got the better of a race-long battle with Chris Vermeulen to take victory at the debut World Supersport race of the 2003 season.

Pole sitter Fujiwara took the hole shot on his Alstare Suzuki, followed by the two Ten Kate Honda boys Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge. The three quickly put distance in between themselves and the pack and looked set for a race-long battle.

But things changed on lap four when Chris Vermeulen tried an audacious overtaking manoeuvre, poking his CBR600 up the inside of Muggeridge. The pair touched mid-turn, pushing Muggeridge wide. Muggeridge lost momentum and was quickly swallowed up by the second group.

Vermeulen then set off after Fujiwara and caught and passed him on the next lap. Fujiwara tucked in behind Vermeulen and contented himself with watching Vermeulen’s strong, and weak, spots. As Vermeulen’s tyres started to suffer late in the race Fujiwara made his move, claiming first place on lap 19 and holding onto it until the flag as Vermeulen’s challenge faded.

Behind them a scrap for third turned fierce and several riders exited the fight via the gravel trap. That left the way clear for Alessio Corradi, Christophe Cogan and Jorg Teuchert to take the battle for third to the line. In the end it was Italian Corradi who took the final podium place on his Yamaha R6 after charging through the pack.

Valenica World Supersport Race Results:

1. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 23 laps, 38:10.992
2. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR600RR, -4.565 seconds
3. Alessio Corradi, Yamaha YZF-R6, -12.889 seconds
4. Christophe Cogan, Honda CBR600RR, -13.125 seconds
5. Jorg Teuchert, Yamaha YZF-R6, -13.310 seconds
6. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, -16.777 seconds
7. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, -17.193 seconds
8. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, -17.513 seconds
9. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, -20.091 seconds
10. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, -20.854 seconds
11. Pere Riba, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, -33.937 seconds
12. Simone Sanna, Yamaha YZF-R6, -34.739 seconds
13. Michael Schulten, Honda CBR600RR, -37.724 seconds
14. Fabien Foret, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, -39.501 seconds
15. Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha YZF-R6, -40.664 seconds
16. Kenan Sofuoglu, Yamaha YZF-R6, -42.290 seconds
17. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, -54.683 seconds
18. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, -66.145 seconds
19. Kai Andersen, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, -75.445 seconds
20. Didier Vankeymeulen, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, -86.724 seconds
DNF. Robert Ulm, Honda CBR600RR, -4 laps
DNF. Gianluigi Scalvini, Honda CBR600RR, -20 laps



More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA CBR600RR TAKES DEBUT PODIUM FINISH

Ten Kate Honda rider Chris Vermeulen took the all-new CBR600RR machine to runner-up place in Sunday’s opening round of the World Supersport championship at Valencia, Spain as Japan¹s Katsuaki Fujiwara ran out winner.

Vermeulen led for 14 of the 23 laps but the young Australian rider was forced to settle for second place and 20 world championship points. Vermeulen reported: “With everything being new and the conditions so different to the test here last week we had no experience of a full race distance and that was the difference.”

He continued: “The race was a good one, apart from nearly taking out my team-mate Karl Muggeridge on the fourth lap ­ I got in too deep and couldn’t stop. It’s great to get some points on the board straight away and it’s my home round next so I have to be happy.”

Christophe Cogan grabbed a hard-earned fourth place ­ behind Alessio Corradi ­as the Frenchman took advantage of the new CBR600RR for a higher finish than at any time in 2002.

Cogan said: “I was in a fight with two other riders and it was very difficult to pass. Last year I had too many crashes so I thought it was better to have a safe ride and finish the first round of the year. We only just got everything ready in time for this race so to take fourth place is a small miracle.”

Behind fifth-placed Jorg Teuchert came Karl Muggeridge on the second of the Ten Kate Hondas. Sixth place was reward for a tough race after Muggeridge had been as high as second and as low as seventh in a thrilling 23-lap affair.

Muggeridge explained: “I had a bit of trouble with my brakes throughout the race but I’ll take sixth place and some points. When Chris (Vermeulen) hit me on the fourth lap I lost all momentum and then seemed to be attacked from all angles! I almost lost the front too so a finish was good enough today.”

Cogan’s BKM team-mate Broc Parkes made his World Supersport debut and scooped seventh place for his efforts, all after a difficult build-up to and problems during the championship opener.

He said: “Seventh’s not too bad for my first Supersport race. I made a good start but didn’t push hard enough in the opening laps. Then my left shoulder, which I injured in a crash on Friday, started hurting and it was getting harder to change direction towards the end of the race. It’s my home track next at Phillip Island and we’ll be doing a lot of work to the machine so things are OK.”

Van Zon Honda’s Werner Daemen took 10th place, he explained: “I made an almost perfect start but was hit twice in the first two corners, each time by the Turkish rider Sofuoglu. From 17th place I tried hard to close the gap to the front but in doing so wrecked the rear tyre, then I hit the back of Broc Parkes and almost crashed.”

A struggling Iain MacPherson finished 18th, he said: “Something happened with the machine from this morning’s warm-up to the race.­ I was struggling to keep up and about four seconds off the pace so we’ll have a look at the
data-logging later and find out what went wrong. I was desperate to finish though.”

Both Klaffi Honda riders, Robert Ulm and Gianluigi Scalvini crashed out without injury. Scalvini fell from 18th place on the fourth lap, admitting: “I missed a gear and had no choice but to run wide and crash.”

Ulm fell from eighth place with three laps to go, at the first corner of the Valencia track. Ulm said: “I lost the front, trying too hard on the exit of the first corner, it was a very fast crash but I’m OK.”

World Supersport championship points after one of 11 rounds:
1 Fujiwara 25
2 Vermeulen 20
3 Corradi 16
4 Cogan 13
5 Teuchert 11
6 Muggeridge 10
7 Parkes 9
8 Kellner 8
9 Van den Goorbergh 7
10 Daemen 6

Manufacturers points:
1 Suzuki 25
2 Honda 20
3 Yamaha 16
4 Kawasaki 5

Next round: March 30 ­ Phillip Island, Australia.


More, from a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:

Date: Sunday 2nd March 2003
Circuit: Ricardo Tormo, Comunitat Valenciana, 4.005 kms- Race: 23 laps, 92.115 kms
Crowd: 35000; Weather: Dry, mostly overcast 18 degrees C

SMALL PROBLEM PREVENTS PODIUM FOR JURGEN!
Team Yamaha Belgarda rider Jurgen Van Den Goorbergh was on his way to a dream podium at Valencia today until a small problem dropped him down the order after nine laps of the race. After problems in practice, Jurgen was competitive almost from the start and was comfortably in third spot, when he had a problem whilst adjusting his clutch lever. He lost use of his clutch and brake for a moment and had to re-adjust them whilst still racing and dropped seven places in the process. He managed to get up to ninth, but the wasn’t long enough for him to make further progress. His team mate made a cautious start to his World Supersport career, but still managed to pick up four points for his twelfth place. Today’s 23-lap race featured a superb head-to-head battle between Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki) and Chris Vermeulen (Honda). The pair of them left the rest of the field for dead after just a few laps and then waged their own personal war round the twisty 4.005 kilometre Ricardo Tormo circuit. But when Vermeulen made a small mistake, Fujiwara was able to take control and from them on in he was never headed on his way to victory. Vermeulen finished runner-up, with Alessio Corradi (Yamaha) third.

JURGEN VAN DEN GOORBERGH – 9TH
Well that wasn’t bad for my World Supersport debut, but it could’ve been a lot better. The felt pretty good this morning and I knew I could put in a good performance. I passed a few riders in the early stages and then I had a little problem with the clutch and rear brake while I was trying to adjust it. Doing that lost me time and places and from then it was hard to get back into contention. I think I showed today that I can challenge for the podium and I’m really looking forward to the next race at Phillip Island. It’s a track I like and one where I go well, so I think I can make the podium.

SIMONE SANNA – 12TH
Well, that went OK and for my first Supersport World Championship race, I think I have to be satisfied. Of course, if I had qualified higher up the grid, then I would’ve probably got a much better result, but it’s early days yet. I have to get used to so many riders around me going into turns and that means getting more confident about what I’m doing. Also, a slower rider in front had some fuel spilling from his bike, so I had to take it easy until I passed him. The Yamaha Belgarda R6 is going well and I’m looking forward to the next round at Phillip Island. I’m really happy to get the first race out of the way and I’m sure I’ll get better and better as the season goes on.


More, from a press release issued on behalf of Ten Kate Honda:

Podium finish for Ten Kate Honda

Ten Kate Honda enjoyed a great start to the 2003 World Supersport championship with Chris Vermeulen finishing a hard-fought race in second place.

Vermeulen led the race for 14 of the 23 laps but had to settle for second after Katsuaki Fujiwara squeezed by on lap 19.

“While I’d obviously prefer a win anytime, I’m very happy with the result,” said a smiling Vermeulen after the race. “It’s great to get the season off to such a good start and nobody wins every race. My team has worked really hard to make the new CBR600RR instantly competitive, and I’m sure there’s yet more to come.”

Team mate Karl Muggeridge had to settle for sixth after being second placed early in the race. “At the start it felt really good, but when Chris got by me we just touched and I lost the tow and fell back into the second group,” said Muggeridge. “I tried a bit too hard to make up the ground and made a couple of little mistakes. But the bike feels really competitive and I’m looking forward to the next race back in home in Australia.”

While he would also have preferred a win, team manager Ronald ten Kate was smiling after the race, “To have two riders in the first six at the first race with a brand-new bike shows just how good the package of Honda, Pirelli and WP is, and things will only get better as we get more track time on the bike.”


More, from a press release issued on behalf of Van Zon Honda:

Top ten finish for Van Zon Honda TKR at opening race

Werner Daemen took his all-new Honda CBR600RR to a tenth place finish in a hard-fought Supersport race.

“I had a good race, except for the start,” said Werner, “I got bumped by another rider, in both turn one and turn two! By then I was four seconds behind the second pack of riders. I fried my tyres trying to catch them so that was it for me.”

Werner’s best lap time of 1’39.247 showed that had he got a good start, he would have been right up there mixing it with the top finishers.

It wasn’t such a good race for Werner’s new team mate Iain MacPherson who slipped back down the field after his Honda CBR600RR developed a small fault in the fuel system. Despite the problem which left his bike unable to rev out properly, MacPherson refused to pull in and kept going to the end of the race.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Ducati takes victory at Superstock opener

By Glenn LeSanto

Italian Lorenzo Lanzi took his Rox Racing Team Ducati 999S to a fine victory in difficult conditions at Valencia today.

Lanzi pushed his Ducati overhauled Spaniard Alex Martinez who had taken the hole-shot and an early lead on his Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Perhaps as an indication of how the two very different machines, or the riders, use their tyres, Martinez went backwards Lanzi was able to set a new Superstock lap record at 1’39.685 on the 12 of 13 laps.

Spaniard Enrique Rocamora Ros took a popular second place riding a GSX-R1000, just in front of Lorenzo Alfonsi on his Yamaha R1. Martinez slipped back down the field to finish sixth.

Superstock European Championship
Valencia, Spain, 2 March, 2003
Race Result

1. L Lanzi, ITA, Ducati,
2. E Rocamora Ros, ESP, Suzuki
3. L Alfonsi, ITA, Yamaha
4. I Dionisi, ITA, Suzuki
5. R Chiarello, ITA, Ducati
6. A Martinez, ESP, Suzuki

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Hodgson wins first WSB race of 2003

By Glenn LeSanto

Britain’s Neil Hodgson took his Fila Ducati to an emphatic win under windy conditions at Valencia.

Although Hodgson had the advantage of the pole position he didn’t take the lead until lap five. Hodgson’s former teammate James Toseland grabbed the hole-shot, but he soon came under pressure from Hodgson who got ahead and stayed ahead of the young HM Plant Ducati rider.

Hodgson’s new teammate Ruben Xaus was next to pass Toseland but was unable to close on Hodgson and had to settle for second. Chris Walker also managed to blast past Toseland, squeezing by on lap 12. Toseland put Walker under pressure as the race came to a close, but it was a case of too little, too late and he missed the podium by just over a quarter of a second.

Troy Corser’s dream debut on the Foggy Petronas FP1 turned to a nightmare when he crashed out on lap 10. After qualifying fourth on the grid the Australian was obviously hoping for a better result and was sliding back down the field and running ninth when he pushed both tyres too hard mid-turn and crashed unhurt. His teammate James Haydon held on for 12th and four championship points.

Behind the leading four a titanic battle was going on between Pirelli-shod Steve Martin and Dunlop rider Regis Laconi. The two Ducatis exchanged sponsor stickers for a few laps before Laconi finally got the advantage in the closing stages, leaving Martin forced to settle for sixth.

Valencia World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 23 laps, 36:56.205
2. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, -4.700 seconds
3. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, -12.373 seconds
4. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, -12.682 seconds
5. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, -24.068 seconds
6. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, -27.006 seconds
7. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -39.792 seconds
8. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -49.662 seconds
9. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, -56.200 seconds
10. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, -66.328 seconds
11. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -69.139 seconds
12. James Haydon, Foggy FP1, -69.541 seconds
13. Nello Russo, Ducati 998RS, -74.450 seconds
14. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, -74.712 seconds
15. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -82.845 seconds
16. Martin Isaac, Yamaha YZF-R1, -1 lap
DNF. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -3 laps
DNF. Giovanni Bussei, Yamaha YZF-R1, -9 laps
DNF. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, -9 laps
DNF. Serafino Foti, Ducati 998RS, -13 laps
DNF. Troy Corser, Foggy FP1, -14 laps, crash
DNF. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, -14 laps
DNF. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, -19 laps


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Haydon notches first points for Foggy PETRONAS Racing

James Haydon notched Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s first four World Superbike championship points in the team’s debut race at Valencia, Spain. The Englishman finished 12th on the FP1, although Troy Corser suffered a slow crash on the tenth lap whilst in ninth place.

James said: “It’s good for the team to get in the points in the first race and there are a number of things we can work on for this afternoon’s race.”

Troy, who qualified on the front row, said: “I felt as though I was losing grip in the rear tyre. I had a moment on the tenth lap and ran wide into the gravel, where there was not much run-off so I had to lay the bike down. Until then I was happy with the performance of the bike.”


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Walker wins the race to the podium


HM Plant Ducati riders Chris Walker and James Toseland got the 2003 Superbike World Championship season off to an excellent start by bringing their Ducati 998 F02s home in third and fourth place respectively. The pair battled incredibly hard throughout the race – which was won by Toseland’s former team-mate Neil Hodgson – but it was Walker who managed to hang in and claim the first HM Plant Ducati SBK podium of the year.



Despite being narrowly beaten by his team-mate, the race was significant for Toseland because – for the first time in his career – the 22-year-old Rotherham-based rider headed the field for the first few laps. While Walker was working his way up from eighth on the grid to fourth on the track, Toseland got the holeshot and quickly demonstrated just how much confidence his brilliant qualifying performance had given him by showing the factory 999 F03s the way around the tight and technical four kilometre Spanish circuit.



Walker however, was not content to hang on to the tail pipe of the number 52 HM Plant Ducati and began to reel Toseland in. Both riders rode incredibly hard but a small error from Toseland eventually allowed the number nine bike to slip past. The pair continued to duke it out for the final podium position but Walker’s experience paid off and by taking defensive lines throughout the final few laps he was able to keep 0.3-seconds between himself and the younger rider as they crossed the finish line.



“I downshifted one gear too many on the way into turn one and Chris got past me,” said Toseland. “You always want to beat your team-mate and obviously I’m disappointed not to have made it onto the podium but fourth place and 13 points is solid start to the season. Last year I would have been over the moon with that but I’ve upped my game for 2003, so you can expect to see me back at the front again.”



The narrow margin that separated the two HM Plant Ducati riders not only demonstrates just how much Toseland has improved as a rider, but also how quickly his new team-mate has adapted to the power delivery and handling characteristics of the factory-supplied V-twins.



“To make it onto the podium in my first race on the HM Plant Ducati is fantastic,” said Walker. “Mine and James’ qualifying times suggested that it was going to be close out there – and it really was. I had a good old tussle with him and he pushed me all the way to the line – I expect there’ll be a lot more of that in race two and throughout season. Hopefully at some point we’ll be battling for first place.”

Race one result: 1. N. Hodgson (Ducati) 36:56.205; 2. R. Xaus (Ducati) +4.700; 3. C. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) +12.377; 4. J. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) +12.682; 5. R. Laconi (Ducati) +24.068; 6. S. Martin (Ducati) +27.006; 7. G. Lavilla (Suzuki) +39.792; 8. L. Pedercini (Ducati) +4.662; 9. M. Borciani (Ducati) +56.200; 10. D. Garcia (Ducati) +1:06.382; 11. I. Clementi (Kawasaki) +1:09.139; 12. J. Haydon (Foggy) +1:09.541; 13. N. Russo (Ducati) +1:14.450; 14. J. Borja (Ducati) +1:14.712; 15. S. Fuertes (Suzuki) +1:22.845