From a press release issued by the World Superbike Championship press office:

World Superbike

Phillip Island Provisional Entry List:

4 Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas Racing
5 Ivan Clementi, Team Kawasaki Bertocchi
6 Mauro Sanchini, Team Kawasaki Bertocchi
7 Pierfrancesco Chili, Team PSG-1 Ducati
8 James Haydon, Foggy Petronas Racing
9 Chris Walker, HM Plant Ducati
10 Gregorio Lavilla, Team Alstare Suzuki
11 Ruben Xaus, Fila Ducati
15 Giovannia Bussei, UnionBike GiMotorsport Yamaha
19 Lucio Pedercini, Team Pedercini Ducati
20 Marco Borciani, DFX Racing Team Ducati
23 Jiri Mrkyvka, JM SBK Team Ducati
33 Juan Borja, DFX Racing Team Ducati
35 Nello Russo, Team Pedercini Ducati
48 David Garcia, Team Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks Ducati
51 Davide Messori, UnionBike GiMotorsports Yamaha
52 James Toseland, HM Plant Ducati
55 Regis Laconi, Team Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks Ducati
91 Walter Tortoroglio, White Endurance Team Honda
99 Steve Martin, DFX Racing Team Ducati
100 Neil Hodgson, Fila Ducati

72 Robert Bugden, Gold Coast Suzuki
73 Steven Cutting, Motorcycle Weaponry Suzuki
75 Alistar Maxwell, Michelin Honda
78 Jay Normoyle, Warren & Brown Lightpaths


World Supersport

1 Fabien Foret, Kawasaki Racing Team KRT
2 Katsuaki Fujiwara, Team Alstare Suzuki
3 Stephane Chambon, Team Alstare Suzuki
4 Jurgen vd Goorbergh, Team Yamaha Belgarde
7 Chris Vermeulen, Ten Kate Honda
8 Joerg Teuchert, Yamaha Motor Deutschland
9 Iain MacPherson, Van Zon Honda TKR
12 Christophe Cogan, BKM Honda Racing Team
15 Alessio Corradi, Team Italia Spadaro FR
16 Simone Sanna, Team Yamaha Belgarda
17 Pere Riba, Kawasaki Racing Team KRT
18 Robert Ulm, Team Klaffi Honda
20 Kai Borre Anderson, Saveko Racing Team Kawasaki
21 Matthieu Lagrive, Yamaha Motor France – IPONE
22 Stefano Cruciani, Team Kawasaki Bertocchi
23 Broc Parkes, BKM Honda Racing Team
24 Gianluigi Scalvini, Team Klaffi Honda
31 Karl Muggeridge, Ten Kate Honda
33 Massimo De Silvestro, Team ICM Yamaha
34 Didier Vankeymeulen, Saveko Racing Team Kawasaki
69 Gianluca Nannelli, Team Lorenzini by Leoni
71 Werner Daemen, Van Zon Honda TKR
77 Thierry Van Den Bosch, Yamaha Motor France – IPONE
93 Christian Kellner, Yamaha Motor Deutschland

42 Shannon Johnson, Castrol Honda Racing
83 Kevin Curtain, Nikon Yamaha Racing Team

From a press release issued by the World Superbike Championship press office:

Second Stop For the SBK Express

The second race of the 2003 season provides the first ‘long haul’ for the SBK circus, as the world’s premier streetbike-based series abandons the European arena (site of the first race of the season at Valencia in Spain) for the delights of Phillip Island in Australia.

Consistently one of the favourite venues of the year, thanks to the warm Aussie welcome and the awesomely undulating and challenging Phillip Island circuit itself, the lone Australian round of the season is a highlight of this or any SBK campaign.

The gloriously designed Phillip Island track, 4.445km in length, features a fast main straight, a bravery test at turn one and a myriad of other gradients, cambers and cornering speeds.

With no official all-encompassing SBK Phillip Island test sessions forming part of the off-season routine this winter, most of the teams entering the second round will have much work to do over two days of qualifying, with the grippy but increasingly bumpy Victorian circuit always presenting a particular set up quandary in any case.

Favourites to battle for the wins in the brace of World Superbike races will be the Ducati Fila factory squad of Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus, after Hodgson’s double win and Xaus’ twin appearances on the second step of the Valencia podium.

One short step behind the leading Ducati pairing is a plethora of ex-factory and privateer Ducati 998 riders, with the most impressive thus far being the HM Plant pairing of Chris Walker and James Toseland, who shared a podium and a fourth place finish each at the first round, on March 2. Equipped with 2002 spec fully factory machines Toseland and Walker will be aiming to mix it with the full factory duo in Australia, and thereafter.

Sharing almost equal star billing with the podium stars at the Valencia curtain-raiser were the Foggy Petronas Racing 900cc triples, ridden by 1996 World Champion Troy Corser and British Superbike Championship race winner James Haydon. Corser’s incredible third place qualifying performance was a first attempt landmark in SBK history, and Haydon and Corser both went on to secure one DNF and a points scoring finish each. Corser has the spur of home ground to push his performance on in front of the expectant big Phillip Island crowd, and the prospect of a more powerful machine to boot.

Multiple SBK race winner Pierfrancesco Chili (who expects to take his 196th and 197th career SBK starts in Australia) has stood on the top of 15 previous SBK podiums, and will be going all out for his first points score of the 2003 season.

Local rider Steve Martin (DFX Ducati) heads up an impressive three-man DFX effort, with Juan Borja and Marco Borciani also running top spec privateer Ducatis on Pirelli tyres.

With Regis Laconi (NCR Nortel Ducati) returning to Superbike as a proven SBK race winner, in the last race of the 2001 season, the 2003 entry features some notable talents, especially during the first year of 1000cc four-cylinder competition.

Leading the charge in the four-cylinder world is the Alstare Suzuki of Gregorio Lavilla, with the latest version of his GSX-R1000 already proving to have great, but as yet untapped, potential – despite the air intake restrictors required by regulation.

In the World Supersport Championship class Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Suzuki) will be going for the winning double, after scoring the Valencia victory ahead of Ten Kate Honda rider Chris Vermeulen. A maiden podium finish of third for Team Spadaro Italia rider Alessio Corradi (Yamaha) ensured that there were three different manufacturers in the top three places – no surprise in this year of unparalleled competitiveness in World Supersport.

A full complement of factory Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki riders will be in attendance in Australia, with three former World Champions, Fabien Foret (Kawasaki ZX-6RR), Stephane Chambon (Alstare Suzuki) and Jörg Teuchert (Yamaha Motor Germany) included in the perennially competitive mix.

Fans unable to attend the race itself, or unable to watch on TV, can follow the weekend’s action on the all-new SBK website, found at www.worldsbk.com.

From a press release issued by Alstare Suzuki through the World Superbike Championship press office:

Kats Leads The Charge

Round two of the 2003 Supersport World Championship takes place at the beautiful Phillip Island circuit in Australia. It is a spectacular setting and a track much loved by riders and spectators thanks to its fast, flowing nature. Team Alstare Suzuki rider Katsuaki Fujiwara is leading the championship after his superbly controlled win in the opening round and knows that it¹s going to be another hard-fought race. The Japanese rider is full of confidence after his victory and is looking forward to the race and extending his lead in the series. His team mate Stephane Chambon will be viewing Phillip Island in a different light and will be hoping to get his season off to a good start after missing the opening round due to injury.

Last year’s race was won by local hero Andrew Pitt (Kawasaki), with Piergiorgio Bontempi(Ducati) second and Chambon third. Fujiwara finished fourth, but will be hoping for another podium for sure.

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA

It’s good to be leading the championship – even though we’ve only had one race! Last year I was fourth at Phillip Island, so this year I will definitely be wanting a podium. It’s a great track, because it’s fast! But, I like all tracks – when I have good results – so I’m looking forward to a good result at Phillip Island this year. I will only be happy with a podium, but a win would be best of all.

STEPHANE CHAMBON

I was very disappointed not to be able to race at Valencia in the opening round, but very happy that my team won. My knee and back have all improved recently, but I’m not sure how my ribs are. I’ve had a good rest and now I’m looking forward to getting on the GSXR600 Suzuki and starting my season properly. Hopefully, all my injuries will be OK and I will be able to chase a good result.

From a press release issued by Ducati:

LORIS CAPIROSSI RECEIVES THE VERY FIRST MONSTER S4R



The first Monster S4R came off the assembly line today. Federico Minoli, Ducati’s President and CEO, personally presented it to Loris Capirossi.

Bologna, March 24th, 2003 – Today the first Monster S4R came off the assembly line. The Monster S4R is a new and fascinating “racing” evolution of the first mass-production “café racer”, the best-loved “naked” motorcycle in Italy and all over the world.

The Ducati Monster is a commercial success but also a social phenomenon: with 130,000 motorcycles sold over ten years (a record in sales as well as in appreciation) it is considered a landmark in motorcycle history.

Federico Minoli, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., wanted to personally present the first Monster S4R – fresh from the assembly line in the Borgo Panigale factory – to Loris Capirossi, official rider in the Ducati Marlboro Team. The gift is meant as a sign of high esteem and recognition of the first success Capirossi achieved with the Desmosedici during the IRTA official tests in Barcelona last weekend, as well as to welcome Loris into the great Ducati family.

Together with the new SBK 996 engine (with 113 hp), the Monster S4R features several remarkable changes. Among those new features are the new single-sided rear swing arm, new high mufflers “two-into-one-into-two”, new Showa rear shock absorber and front fork and a new variable cross-section aluminum handlebar, not to mention several carbon components and a brand new
look.

The new Monster S4R will be available from dealers at the end of April, 2002.

From a press release issued by Alstare Suzuki through the World Superbike Championship press office:

Round 2 – Phillip Island – Australia

The second round of this year’s Superbike World Championship takes place at Phillip island – undoubtedly one of the most spectacular racetracks in the world. It is one of the few circuits where the ocean can be seen in the background and is a track which always features as a favourite amongst riders and spectators alike. The 4.445 kilometre circuit is fast, flowing, undulating and always provides exciting racing. Last year local hero Troy Bayliss (Ducati) dominated the event, winning both races with Colin Edwards(Honda) and Ruben Xaus (Ducati) taking the remainder of the podium places.

Team Alstare Suzuki rider Gregorio Lavilla was seventh in the first race and eighth in the second and will be hoping for an improvement this time round.

GREGORIO LAVILLA
Last year, I was on a new bike with new suspension and this year, it will be another new bike and new suspension again. It’s always hard work when you change bikes and suspension, so it’s something that you just have to get used to. The change to the new GSX-R1000 Suzuki has not been without problems, but we knew that this was going to be the case, so it’s just a matter of getting on with the job in hand and moving forwards. Everybody at Alstare Suzuki is working hard and we are looking forward to Phillip Island because it is a much more flowing track then Valencia in the last round. I’m hoping that some of the problems we encountered there will not exist at Phillip Island, but we shall see on the first day of practice. I like the track and hope that my bike likes it as well!

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Michael Hannas

James Randolph fired the first shot in the battle for the 2003 AFM Championship, taking the AFM Mach One Motorsports Formula Pacific season opener Sunday at Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) on a Dunlop slick-shod Suzuki GSX-R1000. In what looks to be shaping up as the year of the 1000 in AFM, Mike Raab and Rob Mesa followed Randolph home in the final two podium spots, both Suzuki GSX-R1000-mounted. 2003 Kawasaki ZX-6R-mounted Ken Hill and Suzuki GSX-R750-mounted Dave Stanton were in the 1000 parade early on, but a admittingly impatient Stanton ran off the track while attempting a pass on Hill in the narrow new turn one section, and came back to finish seventh. Hill and the 636 eventually succumbed to the GSX-R1000s of Raab, Mesa, and Jeff Tigert, who said he was “conducting research” for his employer (American Honda R&D) as well as racing. Mark Foster powered his ancient ex-Muzzy WSB-framed Kawasaki ZX-7RR ahead of Hill to finish fifth.

AFM Formula Pacific, Round One
Sears Point, March 23

1. James Randoph, Suzuki GSX-R1000
2. Mike Raab, Suzuki GSX-R1000
3. Rob Mesa, Suzuki GSX-R1000
4. Jeff Tigert, Suzuki GSX-R1000
5. Mark Foster, Kawasaki ZX-7RR

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Keiichi Kitagawa won round one of the 2003 All-Japan Road Race Series on a Kenz/J Trust-sponsored Suzuki GSX-R1000 JSB1000-class machine at the revised Suzuka circuit March 23.

Kitagawa, who raced a Prototype-class Suzuki GSX-R1000 for Kenz/J Trust in the 2002 All-Japan series, qualified on pole with a 2:08.390, turned the fastest lap of the race at 2:10.351 and won the 18-lap event by 1.2 seconds.

The race included 44 starters in three different classes; JSB1000, Superbike and Super-NK. The first 14 finishers were on JSB1000-class machines, and 29 of the 44 entries were in the JSB1000 class.

Takeshi Tsujimura finished second on a JSB1000-spec F.C.C. TSR Honda CBR954RR, while Tatsuya Yamaguchi, the defending All-Japan JSB1000 Champion, took third on a Castrol Honda CBR954RR, some 10 seconds behind Tsukimura.

Reigning All-Japan Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe finished fifth overall and in the JSB1000 class on a Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000, 23 seconds behind the winner.

Masataka Hayashi, 15th overall, won the Super-NK class on a Team Moto Sport Yamaha YZF-R1, and Tomoki Arakawa, 21st overall, won the Superbike class on a Sofukai/Suzuka Racing Team Honda RC51.

The next round of the All-Japan Road Race Series is April 27 at Sugo.

All-Japan Results From Suzuka:

1. Keiichi Kitagawa, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 18 laps, 39:25.527
2. Takeshi Tsujimura, Honda CBR954RR, -1.216 seconds
3. Tatsuya Yamaguichi, Honda CBR954RR, -11.627 seconds
4. Hitoyasu Izutsu, Honda CBR954RR, -19.409 seconds
5. Atsushi Watanabe, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -23.228 seconds
6. Osamu Deguichi, Honda CBR954RR, -23.335 seconds
7. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda CBR954RR, -23.521 seconds
8. Ken Eguchi, Honda CBR954RR, -34.786 seconds
9. Takuma Yamamoto, Honda CBR954RR, -36.751 seconds
10. Akira Tamitsuji, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -37.144 seconds

From an e-mail:

This is a correction to a press release issued by Willow Springs International Raceway on 3/17/2003, titled Updated Post: Toye Wins Again At Willow, Pfeifer Second

In the article, the writer makes the following comment:
Round Four of the Toyota Cup will be held April 18-20th, with the main event scheduled for Sunday, April 20th. Race schedules and ticket information can be obtained from the track office at (661) 256-2471. Admission including pit passes and camping privileges is only $10/person for all three days.

The writer was incorrect when he stated that we charge $10 for all three days at WSMC events. The Fridays preceding each of our race weekends are seperate form the weekend event. Fridays are testing and tuning sessions for licensed racers on the Big Track here at Willow Springs, along with track sessions for riders that are not licensed. There is a $10 charge at the gate for Fridays, and a $10 gate fee for the weekend event.

Several people noticed this inaccuracy, and called to see if our program had changed. I just wanted to notify others who may have read this release, in order to eliminate any confusion at the gate at our next event in April.

Thanks for your attention.
Best Regards,
Christopher Huth
Willow Springs International Raceway
[email protected]
phone 661-256-1944
www.willowspringsraceway.com

From a pair of press releases, the first issued on behalf of Eric Bostrom and the second issued on behalf of Ben Bostrom:

First, Eric Bostrom’s release:
Eric has been pretty busy since his 5th place run at Daytona over a week ago. He traveled home to Las Vegas and also has spent some time at his southern California ranch. “Well, I’m licking my wounds a bit after Daytona. I’m sure Ben would like to do it over again, but I don’t. The test we just had at Sears Point (Infineon) was very successful, though. It seemed like we were setting the pace all day. Mostly we were trying to dial in the new design of the track. It seems a lot safer now and more raceable. It’s still a tight track. It’s still Sears Point, you know, so it’ll be a lot of work to get around there and will be quite a workout. But we ran through some different suspension settings and tested some other things on the bike and everything worked pretty well.”

“After Daytona, Ben and I have been doing our usual routine; having a great time, rock climbing, of course, and surfing. Our house (in Vegas) is coming along pretty well, too, as we’re doing some pretty extensive work to it. We also went dirt tracking. It was pretty fun. Both my mechanics, Dan and Kenny, and also Ben and myself. I was on my KLX400, which is all dirt-tracked out. We were mostly out there swapping bikes around, just trying to figure out how to make the best bike. Everybody was pretty competitive. The next night we did Danny Walker’s Supercamp. Ben and I were blasting around with Shawn Russell and Danny and the rest of his staff. It was a real good time.”

And finally, for the biggest news shocker in this update, Eric’s manager (Norm Viano, aka ‘Lawdog’) has presented a further title incentive for Eric. The bet made with Eric is as follows: If Eric wins the AMA Superbike title, Norm will enter the Pit Daddy contest! And not only enter the contest, but also wear whatever outfit Eric makes him wear.

“Norm is a brave guy for not only agreeing to enter the Pit Daddy contest, but to leave it in my hands by agreeing to go out there in whatever outfit I can come up with. I’d be very worried if I were him. And I’m feeling pretty good about this year. I’m looking forward to getting on with things and leading the way with the number one plate. He might be wishing he hadn’t made that bet.

“Maybe Ben will help throw the championship just to see that sight, though!”


Now, Ben Bostrom’s release:
“Since Daytona, I have been replaying that last lap in my head about a hundred times. I wish I had had eyes in the back of my head, because I would have done the chicane a lot differently. Miguel wouldn’t have gotten by me. It’s a bummer.

“After Daytona, I flew to Charlotte to do the Speed Channel show with Greg White. I took some big hits off a RedBull during the whole show. It’s funny, because people were asking me about it afterwards, even wondering if it was a prop or a fake can! It was real, man, and I drank it! I only had three hours of sleep, I needed it. After the show I flew home and got even less sleep the next night. I was just running it.

“After things settled down a bit, we went climbing and surfing, and we also went dirt tracking. We did the Danny Walker school too, which was fun. Everyone was really cool at the school and riding really well, actually. And I was impressed with how Danny taught the school. He knows those 100s so well. He really knows those bikes. And Danny doesn’t care if you crash, he just wants to help you ride those bikes and to learn. I learned quite a bit myself, actually. It’s amazing, you always learn. Every time you get on a bike, you learn.

“We headed up to Sears Point (Infineon) afterwards for a quick test. I hadn’t been to the track in about four years and it is quite a bit different from when I was there last. They actually made the track much safer and it even has two more passing areas now. And they are right at the end of the racetrack, where you can set someone up for a finish line pass. Some thought the new design hurt the flow of the track, but I thought it was really fun and even provided a few more technical corners than before. It was just as much fun to ride as before, just safer.

“Overall, I’m feeling good about my decision to come home. The two best series in the world right now are AMA Superbike and MotoGP. All the factories are putting all their support into these two. They both have the majority of the best riders and bikes. It all leads to the best racing. You’re always going to have more than several guys up front, going really fast. So I’m really excited and happy with my choice. My bikes are fantastic, and I find myself on another good team.

“Oh, and no way am I going to throw the championship just to see Norm in a thong.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Lee Acree will race Arclight Suzukis in the rest of the 2003 F-USA Sportbike and Superbike Series, with selected appearances at AMA events.

Acree and Arclight Suzuki co-owner and Crew Chief Chuck Warren reached an agreement Friday morning, covering the rest of the 2003 season.

“Susan and I are thrilled to have Lee back working with the team. We’ve have a great deal of success working with Lee in the past and we expect to have a great deal of success with him in the future,” Warren said.

Warren and his wife Susan have owned and operated Arclight Racing, Inc. since they founded it in 1991.