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

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc

By David Swarts

Kneedraggers.com Yamaha’s Matt Wait dominated both the Formula USA Sportbike and Superbike races on his Pirelli-equipped 2003 Yamaha YZF-R6 at Daytona International Raceway during a Sunday that started wet and ended dry.

Wait, the defending F-USA Grand National Champion, got the holeshot in the 18-lap Sportbike feature event, fending off Mike Ciccotto on the Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell Firebolt XB9R for two laps before pulling away with consistent mid-1:57 lap times to win by nearly 20 seconds.

Ciccotto lost touch with Wait and was caught by Bettencourt/Argo Cycles’ Jeff Wood late in the race. Ciccotto and Jeff Wood were lining up for a classic Daytona drafting battle to the line when Ciccotto’s Buell ran out of fuel coming off NASCAR turn four. Jeff Wood took second easily, and his teammate Scott Greenwood passed a coasting Ciccotto to claim the last spot on the podium.

Ciccotto’s fourth place was then taken away by race officials when his Buell didn’t have enough gas left in its frame/tank to make the mandatory post-race dyno run. The Hal’s Performance Advantage crew lobbied for Formula USA officials to allow them to add fuel while trying to start their Firebolt on the dyno but were unsuccessful in both efforts.

Formula USA/CCS Racing boss Kevin Elliott told Ciccotto’s team, “I have to go by the rulebook. I have an appeal board decision from last year that told us we have to go 100 percent by the rules. I have no choice…it has to be run as it came off the racetrack.”

Ciccotto was disqualified from the results, promoting Canadian young gun Andrew Nelson up to fourth; Nelson had run his 2003 Honda CBR600RR off the track during the race. First-year Expert Alex Barrera finished fifth. Hooters Suzuki’s Vincent Haskovec took sixth after starting on row 13 on the grid, in the second wave. Concept Five’s Jason Perez drafted by Chris Peris to finish seventh. Mexican rider R. Jonathan Gomez Martinez was ninth on a Yamaha YZF-R6 while Arclight Suzuki’s Scott Harwell rounded out the top 10 in the 66-rider race.

Wait came back moments later on his Supersport-spec Yamaha and DOT-labeled Pirellis to go even faster (high-1:55s) in the 660cc Superbike class.

“That race was really good for us,” Wait said from the podium. “We made a few suspension changes and it obviously worked pretty good. Our goal was to go out there and put in some good laps and try to beat my own race pace from the last race and just better it. I really wanted to prove a point to everyone that I’m fully back (from injuries). This gives me a lot of confidence going into next week (AMA event).”

The battle for second place was a much more entertaining race. After Arclight Suzuki’s Michael Hannas–running second at the time–slowed and pitted with a chunked rear tire, Harwell, Jeff Wood and Annandale Honda’s Craig Connell held a drafting battle for the runner-up spot. Riding a big-bore GSX-R600 on 16.5-inch Pirelli slicks, Harwell used a horsepower advantage to lead into and out of the chicane on the last lap and hold on for second. Connell’s Michelin-DOT-shod CBR600RR Superport bike did not have enough gearing for the tri-oval and he finished third. Jeff Wood rode around the outside of Connell and Harwell in the infield and chicane but lacked top speed and finished fourth.

Nelson took fifth. No Limit Honda’s Doug Chandler, Haskovec, Chandler’s teammate Jason Curtis, Arclight/Tapeworks’ Lee Acree and Barrera – all coming from the second wave of the 60-rider grid – filled out the top 10.

In other Formula USA racing, Kosco Harley-Davidson/Buell’s David Estok won the red-flag-shortened, wet Thunderbike final on an oil-leaking Buell Superbike.

Prieto Racing’s Michael Barnes made the Pirelli rain tires on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 last long enough on a drying track to win the Unlimited Grand Prix by over five seconds.

Defending USGPRU National Champion Brian Kcraget won the USGPRU 125cc Grand Prix by 45 seconds.


More, from a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway’s PR office:

Wait begins Formula USA title defense with a victory at Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 2, 2003) – Californian Matt Wait had little trouble in the opening round of the Formula USA SportBike Series Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. Wait pulled away to a convincing 18-second victory in the class on his KneeDraggers.com Yamaha R6. New Englanders Jeff Wood and Scott Greenwood rounded out the top three finishers on a pair of Suzukis. The hard luck rider of the day was Sebastian, Florida’s Mike Ciccotto. Ciccotto battled Wood for second, but as the duo sped down the DIS trioval, Ciccotto’s Buell sputtered and lost power. He coasted across the finish line in fourth.

The race was held on a drying track after morning rains.

“I didn’t know how this race was going to start out because of the weather,” said Wait, a former Moto Grand Prix rider from Lodi, Calif. “but we prevailed and everything came out all right. I basically set my own pace and rode a calm race. I had a little challenge at the beginning and then just put my head down and pulled away. We decided about a minute before the race that DOTs (tires) would be the way to go since the track was drying out.”

Later in the day Wait came back to win the Formula USA SuperBike race.

It was a Buell sweep in the Thunderbike final. Buell racing veteran David Estok, from nearby New Smyrna Beach, held on for the win despite the fact that his bike was losing power and began leaking oil late in the race. Estok held off Daytona Beach native Richie Morris to win the shortened event. The race was called with eight of 10 laps complete due to oil on the circuit. Estok has been racing Buells for seven years and was the winner of the very first Buell event at Daytona in 1996.

American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association takes to the track tomorrow for two days of classic cycle racing. AMA Pro Road Racing starts Wednesday. Tickets for any of the Speedway events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.


Sunday’s Results:
Thunderbike: 1. Dave Estok, New Smyrna Beach, Fla, Buell; 2.Joseph Rozynski, Newton, NJ, Buell; 3. Richie Morris, Elkhart Lake, WI, Buell.
Expert Unlimited Grand Prix: 1. Michael Barnes, Boca Raton, Fla, Suzuki; 2. Brian Stokes, Kingston, GA, Suzuki; 3. Geoff May, Alpharetta, GA, Suzuki.
USGPRU 125 GP Final: 1. Brian Kcraget, Danville, VA, Honda; 2. Stewart Aitken-Cade, Mt. View, CA, Honda; 3. Scott Jackson, Honda.
Sportbike: 1. Matt Waite, Lodi, CA, Yamaha; 2. Jeff Wood, Mansfield, Mass., Suzuki; 3. Scott Greenwood, Dunbarton, NH, Suzuki.
Amateur Unlimited Grand Prix: 1. William Meyers II, Jacksonville, Fla., Kawasaki; 2. David Loikits, Northhampton, PA., Suzuki; 3. Brian Shaw, Miami, Fla., Suzuki.
Formula USA SuperBike: 1. Matt Wait, Lodi, CA., Yamaha; 2. Scott Harwell, Lincolnton, NC, Suzuki; 3. Craig Connell, Cresson, TX., UNK.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Hodgson does a ‘Bayliss’ with a double win season opener

By Glenn LeSanto

Neil Hodgson inherited Troy Bayliss’ ride when the Australian changed over to MotoGP racing at the end of last season, and it seems he may have inherited his form too!

Two convincing wins for a factory Ducati rider at the first WSB meeting of the year has a familiar ring about it, Troy Bayliss did it here last season and now Hodgson is literally following in Bayliss’ tyre tracks.

Hodgson dominated race two from start to finish and ever looked seriously threatened by second place-man and team mate Ruben Xaus. All the Spaniard could do was follow for a safe second.

Behind the Fila Ducati pair a repeat of the first race struggle between the two HM Plant Ducati riders was being re-enacted. This time James Toseland got the better of Chris Walker to take the third step on the podium.

Behind Walker Steve Martin won a race-long duel with Gregorio Lavilla to take an impressive fifth. It was Pirelli vs Michelin vs Dunlop as the three struggled for supremacy. In the end the Pirelli-shod Ducati twin clinched it from Lavilla on the Dunlop Suzuki and Corser on the FP1 Triple running Michelins.

World Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 36:46.191
2. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 36:48.810
3. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 36:56.659
4. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 37:09.617
5. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 37:22.730
6. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 37:24.785
7. Troy Corser, Foggy FP1, 37:29.160
8. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 37:37.816
9. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 37:39.015
10. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 37:40.912


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corsa:

CONVINCING DOUBLE DEBUT WIN FOR HODGSON (TEAM DUCATI FILA) AND THE DUCATI 999 AT VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), Sunday 2 March: Britain’s Neil Hodgson (Team Ducati Fila) took a convincing double win at Valencia today in the opening round of the 2003 World Superbike Championship. The Spanish round marked the Superbike debut of the Italian manufacturer’s latest creation, the Ducati 999, and Hodgson’s two wins, which took his WSBK tally to 5, were the first time the Isle of Man resident has won races outside his home country.

In race 1 Hodgson got a slow start but then passed compatriot Toseland down the main straight. “There was a lot of wind out there today which made the races a bit more physical because you are leaning forward and using the back brake a lot to keep the front wheel down, which was quite scary” he declared. “The early stages of race 1 were quite an experience because you have to get used to the start again after six months of no racing. I was just looking at what everyone else was doing and then made my move.”

In race 2 Neil led from start to finish, smashing Bostrom’s lap record on the way, to notch up 50 points in the first round of the season. “Fastest in every practice session, pole, lap record, double win on my worst track so I’m so pleased with everything. I made one mistake in race 2, when I was braking into the first corner with a backmarker on the inside. He moved to the outside and nearly pushed me off the track so I was screaming in my helmet, thinking it was all over.”

Xaus slotted in behind Hodgson as the Brit took the lead in race 1 to finish second and then shadowed his Ducati Fila teammate throughout race 2 to repeat the result. “Even though the bike is good and the tyres are perfect, all this weekend things have not been working exactly the way I wanted them to” declared Ruben. “The set-up was not 100% and halfway through the race I lost Neil, so I just settled for second place. There wasn’t much I could do today about my Ducati Fila teammate, who rode two excellent races. It’s been a hard weekend for me with the front not quite right, but I came away with two seconds and 40 points, which is good for the championship.”

POINTS: Riders – 1. Hodgson 50; 2. Xaus 40; 3. Toseland 29; 4. Walker 29; 5. Martin 21; 6. Lavilla 19. Manufacturers – 1. Ducati 50; 2. Suzuki 19; 3. Foggy 13; 4. Kawasaki 8; 5. Yamaha 5.

NEXT ROUND: Phillip Island (Australia), March 30th

Earlier in the morning 20-year-old Lorenzo Lanzi (Team Rox-Ducati Pisa) scored the Ducati 999’s maiden win when the Italian took the chequered flag in round 1 of the European Superstock Championship.


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

2003 World Superbike Championship
Round 1, Valencia, Spain, Sunday 2nd March
Circuit: 4.005 kms, Weather: Dry, mostly sunny 16-20 degrees C.

A GREAT START FOR TROY
A crash in the first race wasn’t enough to dampen a great start for Troy and the new Foggy Petronas FP1 at Valencia today. Troy made up for the fall in race one by challenging for fifth spot in race two, before finally settling for seventh place towards the end of the 23-lapper. But the finish and the nine points that came with it, marked a debut that many doubters said would never take place. Both races today were won by Briton Neil Hodgson – he had dominated all the practice sessions and was in a class of his own. Runner up in both races was his Ducati team mate Ruben Xaus, with third going to Chris Walker in race one and to James Toseland in race two.

TROY CORSER
“I’m satisfied with race two, but disappointed in race one. But generally, I feel pretty happy with today and I think it’s a great result for us all.

“Now I know that we’re pretty close to competing with the top guys and considering how soon this project has come to fruition, I think we’ve done a pretty good job. Many people thought we wouldn’t even get this far, so to come here, be competitive and get some good points is great. I was in ninth in race one, when I tipped off. On the inspection lap, I knew something was wrong but I thought that maybe the tyre wasn’t up to temperature. Then on the first lap, I knew it was going to be a struggle. I thought that the tyre would heat up and I might be OK, but it seems that the rear had lost a bit of pressure and going into the hairpin, I ran a bit wide, then saved it and then found myself heading into the gravel. When I saw the armco getting closer, I just laid the bike down. No problem and no injury.

“I used the same bike and the same tyre for the second race and there were no problems. I was in fifth spot and having a good time, but I made a little mistake when I overshot the first turn and Lavilla and Martin got past me. Their bikes seemed to have a bit better acceleration and, although I could catch them on the brakes, I just couldn’t get past. I’m happy with Michelins and they suit my style, but yesterday was the first time I had ever used a Michelin qualifier, so I took it a bit steady on the Superpole lap. I was really happy with the Michelin front today. The rear is a bit more of a gamble, but we’re new to all this and it’s going to take a bit of time.

“I feel generally pretty fit, but I’m lacking a little race fitness and race concentration. I haven’t been on a start line for eighteen months or so, but when the lights went, it was just like old times again. So all in all – apart from the first race – I think we had a pretty good day. One thing I will say though, is that it is a great relief (for me and the whole team) to get this first race under our belt. Now we’re off to Phillip Island – a track I know a bit – and I think we can look forward to some good results.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SOLID START FOR GREGORIO

2003 Superbike World Championship. Round 1, Valencia, Spain. Sunday 2nd March.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Gregorio Lavilla started the new season with a pair of solid finishes at Valencia today. After two days of mostly superb weather, today dawned overcast and that’s how it stayed for most of the day – but fortunately there was no rain. Gregorio took seventh place in the first race and then went one better in the second of the 23-lappers. Briton Neil Hodgson comfortably won both races, with team mateRuben taking a pair of runner-up spots. Chris Walker and James Toseland took a third apiece to give Ducati complete control of the podium.

GREGORIO LAVILLA Race 1. 7th, Race 2. 6th – We’ve struggled a little this weekend and I don’t think we ever got the bike to where would’ve liked. That made our life difficult and if we had found a good set-up, I’m sure the results would’ve been better. We changed our rear shock setting for race two and the bike felt better and also the
rear tyre lasted longer and had more feeling. The Alstare Suzuki’s engine feels strong – but in some areas I don’t yet like – and I think we have to carry on the work we are doing in the mapping. I’m sure there’s quite a bit to come, it’s just a little frustrating not being able to get there quicker.”


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

Toseland turns the tables

James Toseland managed to turn the tables on his team-mate Chris Walker by storming to an impressive third-place finish in race two at Valencia, despite having to go out on his spare bike. The 22-year-old Brit left nothing to chance and strung 23 consistently fast laps together to earn himself the second podium placing of his SBK career behind Fila Ducati’s Ruben Xaus and race winner Neil Hodgson. Walker put in a very solid performance to secure fourth place but was not quite able to catch the Yorkshire rider. This reversal of fortune sees the two HM Plant Ducati riders currently tied for third place in the overall championship standings with 29 points apiece.



Hodgson led the race from start to finish with Xaus following in his wake. Toseland likewise doggedly refused to give up the hunt and remained hot on the heels of the Spaniard. For the first half of the race Walker matched the pace of his team-mate and the pair lapped in tandem with less than half a second separating them. However, Toseland was the one who managed to find that little bit extra and pulled away from the other orange bike – eventually finishing almost ten seconds ahead of it.



“I had some gearbox problems with my number one bike in the first race so we decided to use the spare just in case,” said Toseland. “I knew that if the bike was good I’d be able to get in the top three – and it was perfect. By about half distance I knew that I had third place in the bag if I could just maintain my lap times. It became quite a long race then but I adapted my riding style to suit the tyres. The new rubber that Dunlop has produced for us this year is superb so I just concentrated on being smooth, carrying a lot of corner speed and not getting too heavy handed with the throttle. I probably could have done faster laps here and there but consistency was what got me on the rostrum – I just wish that I’d ridden the same way in the first race then I could have had a double podium!”



Walker was pleased with the outcome of his first two races on a twin-cylinder machine since 1996. Although Toseland was able to pull away from him, the four-time British Superbike runner-up put on a confident display and passed the chequered flag over 13 seconds ahead of his nearest pursuer.



“I tried everything I could to stick with James,” said the man nicknamed The Stalker. “My HM Plant Ducati and Dunlop tyres were faultless – I think the only thing that let me down was that I’m still not quite back to full fitness after breaking my leg. To be third equal in the championship at this is early stage of the season is an excellent position to build on and I’m going to be training really hard over the next two weeks so that I’m back on form by the time Philip Island rolls around.”



Race two result: 1. N. Hodgson (Ducati) 36:46.191; 2. R. Xaus (Ducati) +2:619; 3. J. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) +13.468; 4. C. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) +23.426; 5. S. Martin (Ducati) +36.539; 6. G. Lavilla (Suzuki) +38.594; 7. T. Corser (Foggy) +42.969; 8. J. Borja (Ducati) +51.625; 9. L. Pedercini (Ducati) +52.824; 10. M. Borciani (Ducati) +54.721; 11. G. Bussei (Yamaha) +1:00.510; 12. D. Garcia (Ducati) +1:02.114; 13. M. Sanchini (Kawasaki) +1:02.114; 14. I. Clementi (Kawasaki) +1:09.885; 15. N. Russo (Ducati) +1:17.697

Points after round one: 1. Hodgson 50; 2. Xaus 40; 3.= Toseland 29; 3.= Walker 29; 5. Martin 21; 6. Lavilla 19; 7. Pedercini 15; 8. Borciani 13; 9. Laconi 11; 10. Borja 10


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Unlucky Regis Laconi, very fast Garcia at Valencia

(Valencia 2003, Marzo 2)

Actually not a lucky day for Regis Laconi the 2003 World Superbike debut race today here in Valencia circuit. In race-1 Regis found some problem on the front, ending however in fifth position after a strong fight against Corser first and the Martin. In the second leg Regis had a very fast start and was riding close behind the couple of GSE Ducatis factory ’02 when the engine started to give problems, forcing the Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks rider to join the pits.

“In the first leg I had some trouble in the front, the bike seems to have the tyre deflated, as well Dunlop has made a control just before to start on the grid. At the start Hodgson wasn’t too fast and so I must remain behind Corser that was slower as me, so the leading group took some advantage. When I overtook Corser then Martin arrived at my shoulder: he was very fast and only in final laps I’ve been able to earn some meter. In race-2 I started well and I was able to run together the two GSE Ducatis when, suddenly the engine started to run not correctly and I entered the pit-garage. We don’t know exactly what happened, we must open the engine in the workshop. It has really a pity because it would be not easy to recover in the pointstanding table a good result throw away like this!” – commented a disappointed Regis at the end of the day.

The Race Direction, following the FIM/CCR rules, has not considered as a force majeure the not participation of David Garcia at the Superpole session because the bike damaged in the crash and the short time (no more as 20 minutes) between the end of the free practices and the start of Superpole. So the Spanish rider, who recorded a 14th fastest in qualifying, has been forced to start from the last position of the starting grid. But with a fantastic race David has been able to finish in tenth position in the first leg, scoring his first World Superbike points. In race-2 Garcia was riding better and better, but the pain of the crash started forced him to lose positions in the final. Almeria’s rider is however very satisfied about his World Superbike debut: “When Stefano told me that I must start from the last position I feel myself like dead, but I made two good starts and at the end of the first lap I was in good position. In race-2 I was riding very well, I was fighting for the eith position, but in the final laps the pains didn’t allow me to ride comfortably, I had pain in the leg and no more power in the arms for braking. Anyway I’m really satisfied about my debut in front of Spanish spectators and the result is just what I was waiting to get.”

Valencia results:

Race-1 (23 laps = 91,115 km)

1.HODGSON Neil (Ducati) in 36’56.205 at 149,631 km/h; 2.XAUS Rueben (Ducati) at 4.700; 3.WALKER Chris (Ducati) at 12.377; 4.TOSELAND James (Ducati) at 12.682; 5.LACONI Regis (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) at 24.068; 6.MARTIN Steve (Ducati) at 27.006; 7.LAVILLA Gregorio (Suzuki) at 39.792; 8.PEDERCINI Lucio (Ducati) at 49.662; 9.BORCIANI Marco (Ducati) at 56.200; 10.GARCIA David (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) at 1’06.328

Race-2 (23 laps = 91,115 km)

1.HODGSON in 36’46.191 at 150,311 km7h; 2.XAUS at 2.619; 3.TOSELAND at 13.468; 4.WALKER at 23.426; 5.MARTIN at 36.539; 6.LAVILLA at 38.594; 7.CORSER Troy (Foggy Petronas) at 42.969; 8.BORJA Juan Batista (Ducati) at 51.625; 9.PEDERCINI at 52.824; 10.BORCIANI at 54.721;. 12.GARCIA David (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) at 1’00.510

World Championship Points Table

1.HODGSON Neil (Ducati) 50 points; 2.XAUS Rueben (Ducati) 40; 3.TOSELAND James (Ducati) 29; 4.WALKER Chris (Ducati) 29; 5.MARTIN Steve (Ducati) 21; 6.LAVILLA Gregorio (Suzuki) 19; 7.PEDERCINI Lucio (Ducati) 15; 8.BORCIANI Marco (Ducati) 13; 9.LACONI Regis (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) 11; 10.BORJA Juan Bautista (Ducati) 10; 11.GARCIA David (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) 10