Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Racer Chris Knight and wife Michelle had a son, Stephen James Knight, February 14 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (To submit a birth announcement, send name of father and mother, connection of father and/or mother to motorcycle road racing or to the motorcycle industry, the date of birth, the city and state of birth, the baby’s name, and contact numbers for additional information, to [email protected])

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA Acts To End Health-Care Bias Against Riders

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Following intense efforts by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), legislation has been introduced in Congress to end health-care discrimination against motorcyclists.

In the ’90s, Congress passed a law meant to bar employers from refusing to cover motorcycle-related injuries in the health-care coverage they offer employees. But federal bureaucrats reversed that law, writing rules to allow health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who engage in legal activities like skiing, snowmobiling, ATV riding or horseback riding. This new legislation would correct that action.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) on February 14, would “promote health-care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities.”

Specifically, the bill states that “a plan or issuer may not deny benefits otherwise provided for the treatment of any injury solely because such injury resulted from participation of the participant or beneficiary in an activity such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding, horseback riding, skiing or other similar legal activity.”

Those words came out of meetings between aides for the senators and the AMA’s team in Washington, D.C., that also included officials of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The bill also has the endorsement of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association, the American Horse Council and the American Snowmobilers Association, among others.

Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, said the threat of losing health-care benefits is enormous.

“Medical bills from an accident can easily total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said. “Without insurance, that can amount to a devastating blow to any rider.”

Riders and others who want to end this type of insurance discrimination are urged to send letters to their federal lawmakers asking them to support the Feingold-Collins bill. An easy way to send your message is to use the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com.

“We succeeded in this effort years ago, only to see our efforts reversed by federal agencies,” Moreland said. “Now, we have a second chance to protect all motorcyclists from health-insurance discrimination. We need to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Selected CCS, WERA, AFM, CMRA, CRA, LRRS, MRA, OMRRA, WMRRA, WSMC regional event payouts for GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000
1. $1000
2. $500
3. $275
4. $200
5. $100
6. $125
7. $100
8. $75
9. $50
10. $25

AMA Superstock Race Payouts
1. $2000
2. $1500
3. $1250
4. $900
5. $800
6. $700
7. $650
8. $600
9. $550
10. $475
11. $400
12. $350
13. $300
14. $275
15. $250
Championship: $15,000

AMA Supersport Race Payouts
1. $6000
2. $4000
3. $3000
4. $2000
5. $1500
6. $900
7. $800
8. $700
9. $600
10. $500
Championship: $25,000

AMA Formula Xtreme Race Payouts
1. $3000
2. $2000
3. $1500
4. $1000
5. $750
6. $450
7. $400
8. $350
9. $300
10. $250
Championship: $25,000

WERA National Challenges Series payouts for GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000
1. $1500
2. $1000
3. $700
4. $350
5. $250
6. $200
7. $175
8. $150
9. $100
10. $75

WERA National Challenge Series payouts for Heavyweight and Lightweight Twins classes
1. $500
2. $250
3. $125
4. $75
5. $50

WERA National Endurance Series Superbike Classes (Heavyweight, Middleweight, Lightweight)
1. $1500
2. $750
3. $500
4. $150
5. $100

WERA National Endurance Series Superstock Classes (Heavyweight, Middleweight)
1. $1000
2. $750
3. $500
4. $150
5. $100

WERA National Endurance Series Overall Championship Bonus: $10,000


F-USA Sportbike & 600 Superbike Race Payouts
1. $1500
2. $1000
3. $750
4. $500
5. $375
6. $225
7. $200
8. $175
9. $150
10. $125
Sportbike Championship Bonus: $10,000
600 Superbike Championship Bonus: $5000


Suzuki Contingency-paying regional dates, by organization:

AFM
4/26-27, Sears Point
5/24-25, Thunderhill
6/14-15, Thunderhill
9.6-7, Buttonwillow

CCS
2/27-3/2, Daytona
3/15-16, Firebird
4/5-6, Blackhawk Farms
4/26-27, Road America (double round)
5/3-4, Jennings GP
5/24-26, Mid-America Motorplex
5/31-6/1, Streets Of Willow
6/27-29, VIR
7/5-6, Mid-America Motorplex
7/19-20, Moroso
8/8-10, Road America
8/16-17, Thunder Hill
8/16-17, Barber
9/5-7, Summit Point
10/16-19, Daytona

CMRA
3/15-16, Texas World
5/3-4, Motorsports Ranch
6/14-15, Texas World
7/19-20, Hallett
9/6-7, Texas World

CRA
4/12-13, Mid-America Motorplex
6/21-22, Brainerd
7/19-20, Brainerd

LRRS
4/26-27, Loudon
6/14-15, Loudon
7/5-6, Loudon
8/16-17, Loudon

MRA
5/18, Pikes Peak
6/15, La Junta
6/29, Second Creek
8/10, Pueblo
9/14, Second Creek

OMRRA
5/10-11, Portland
7/19-20, Portland
8/23-24, Portland

WERA
3/22-23, Roebling Road
4/19-20, Texas World
4/26-27, Talladega
5/10-11, Nashville
5/24-25, VIR
6/21-22, Nelson Ledges
6/7-8, No Problem
6/7-8, Summit Point
7/5-6, Road Atlanta
7/26-27, Carolina Motorsports Park
8/9-10, Putnam Park
8/23-24, VIR
10/4-5, Jennings GP
11/1-2, Road Atlanta

WMRRA
4/12-13, Pacific Raceway
6/21-22, Pacific Raceway
9/27-28, Spokane

WSMC
5/17-18, Willow Springs
6/14-15, Willow Springs
7/19-20, Willow Springs
8/16-17, Willow Springs
9/20-21, Willow Springs

From a press release issued by American Suzuki:

American Suzuki Unveils New 2003 Road Racing Contingency Program

BREA, Calif. February 18, 2003 – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) proudly introduces the 2003 Suzuki road racing contingency program. The Suzuki program which has provided 18 years of non-stop support for U.S. road racers now features over $1.5 million in payouts for Suzuki racers nationwide. Highlights for 2003 include a totally revamped AMA Superstock program, higher regional payouts for 600, 750 and open class categories, a chance to compete in the World GSX-R Cup, and the 18th annual Suzuki Cup Finals at Road Atlanta.

Suzuki AMA Superstock riders will be thrilled to hear about the heavily updated Suzuki contingency program for ’03. AMA Superstock riders will now benefit from increased payouts for the top 15 positions ($250 for 15th), an increased championship bonus of $15,000, and higher overall payouts per position.

Suzuki GSX-R riders will also be happy to hear that 600, 750 and open class category regional payouts have been increased for ’03. The new payout structure for these regional classes now includes a $1000 payout for first place, $500 for second, $275 for a third-place finish, and $200 for fourth place.

The Suzuki World GSX-R Cup Final will return for its second year. America’s best GSX-R750 mounted privateers will have a chance to win a spot on the U.S. team and take on the fastest Suzuki privateers in the world in Magny-Cours France.

Finally, all Suzuki mounted riders will have the opportunity to race in the 18th Annual Suzuki Cup Finals at Road Atlanta and win their share of $80,000. Be sure to check out the Suzuki website at www.suzukicycles.com for complete details in early March.

From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Rick Shaw Closes In On Daytona 200 Mileage Record

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.,(Feb. 18, 2003) — One rider will celebrate a victory in the Daytona 200 By Arai on March 9 after the conclusion of the 57-lap event at Daytona International Speedway.

Rick Shaw hopes to celebrate breaking a major record in the Daytona 200 By Arai after Lap 2.

Shaw, a police officer from Miami, Fla., needs to complete only two laps during the March 9 Daytona 200 By Arai to eclipse the mile completed mark of 3,187 set by Warren Sherwood. Shaw currently stands at 3,180 miles.

“The record has stood for such a long time and it represents the pioneers of the sport and to be included and recognized with the pioneers of the sport, to me there’s a lot of pride in that,” Shaw said. “To do this as long as I’ve done it — it takes a lot of time and effort and a lot of help from a lot of people.”

The major roadblock standing in the way of the record for Shaw is the Daytona 200 By Arai qualifying session on March 6.

It’ll be no easy task for Shaw to crack the field for the Daytona 200. He’s a privateer running on a shoestring budget against top factory teams.

“There’s always a concern,” Shaw said. “You have to be within a certain (speed) percentage of the (factory) Superbikes. These Superbikes have raised the bar so high, it’s made it difficult for privateers to compete.

“The factory Hondas are putting 175 or 180 horsepower down on the track and we’re sitting around running around with 135 or 140. It’s bad enough that they are getting special qualifying tires and running special qualifying motors and everything else. They make the bar so high, it’s difficult for a privateer to make the grid anymore. Qualifying is a major issue.”

Shaw has spent the months leading up to the Daytona 200 working on sponsorship opportunities that will allow him to purchase a new motorcycle.

“We are going to have to have state of the art stuff,” Shaw said.

Shaw says he first competed at Daytona in 1974 and made his first Daytona 200 By Arai start in 1981. Through the years Shaw has fallen in love with the heritage of the Speedway, which makes the record a special moment in his life.

“Daytona epitomizes the center of speed,” said Shaw, whose best finish in the Daytona 200 was 18th in 1985. “It still does. You can say what you want about all these other tracks. They have a different tradition. Daytona International Speedway has its tradition and I’m going to be part of that tradition.”

Tickets to the Daytona 200 By Arai are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

From a press release issued by MRA:

2003 MRA Season Race Schedule

May 3-4, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, Co

May 17-18, Pikes Peak Intl., Fountain, Co.

May 30-June 1, AMA National-Pikes Peak Intl., Fountain, Co.

June 14-15, La Junta Raceway, La Junta, Co.

June 28- 29, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

July 26-27, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

August 9-10, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, Co

August 23-24, La Junta Raceway, La Junta, Co.

Sept. 13-14, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

Sept. 20-21, Pueblo Motorsports Park, Pueblo, Co.

October 4-5, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.



2003 MRA Race School Schedule

April 4-5, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

April 18-19, Continental Divide Raceway, Mead, Co.

May 27-28, Second Creek Raceway, Denver, Co.

From a press release issued by Octagon Motorsports, organizers of the FIM Endurance World Championship:

Endurance Means Innovation

Racing Through the Night

The World Endurance Championship is rapidly becoming recognised as a development arena for production-based racing. We saw 1000cc four cylinder bikes competing on equal terms with WSB-spec twins in the 2001 championship – a year ahead of British Superbikes, and laying the ground for this year’s revised World Superbike regulations.

This year the championship sees the development of two new race formats. The Albacete 12 Hour round of the series will be run from nine o’clock on Saturday evening through to nine o’clock on Sunday morning. The race will run through the darkness of the Spanish night, with a massive Fiesta Espanola running in parallel to fuel the spectators.

The Brno 6 Hour and A1-Ring 6 Hour races are also revised for this year. They will both be run in two 3-hour stages, on Saturday evening and Sunday. Between the two the crowds will party into the night with music and entertainments laid on at the circuit.

Step Up to World Level

The championship is also seen as a chance to further a career in world-level motorcycle racing. Two of this year’s permanent teams have announced “junior” squads aimed specifically at developing the skills of younger riders alongside their more experienced peers, and the competition for places is fierce. With over 64 hours of racing on some of the world’s finest tracks this year, what better opportunity could there be?

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM – PRESS INFORMATION

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM LAUNCHED IN MILAN



Milan (Italy), 14 February 2003 – The Ducati Marlboro Team for the MotoGP championship was launched today at the FilaForum, Milan, in what is sure to become yet another important chapter in Ducati history. The presentation of the new Desmosedici took place in front of 400 people, including journalists and media from all over the world, institutional figures and sponsors, in a spectacular audio-video light-show display. The bike that will mark Ducati’s return to Grand Prix racing, was finally presented in its definitive colours for the season ahead, and after a thirty year absence, Ducati will now surely play a leading role in MotoGP, while continuing its commitment to the World Superbike Championship.



A series of speeches preceded the spectacular entrance of the Desmosedici on the stage, ridden by the two riders of the Ducati Marlboro Team.

With an introduction capable of relaying all the enthusiasm and passion of Ducati, Federico Minoli, president of the Bologna-based company, opened the proceedings. “We couldn’t have chosen a better date for the presentation of our team, our riders and our beautiful bikes: February 14th! In Ducati we are in love with any project that is capable of giving us excitement, pleasure and passion as a team.”

“MotoGP represents an important investment for the company, which by stimulating research and development will allow us to continue to grow and improve our products, while increasing the renown of the company name and offering a positive return in terms of sales” added Carlo Di Biagio, Ducati Motor Holding CEO.

Then it was the turn of Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing Director, who illustrated the technical details of the bike. “The Desmosedici has already carried out 12,000 kms of track tests and a further 5,000 will be completed before the first round of the season on April 6 at Suzuka. Today we know a lot more about the bike, and we are reasonably sure of our potential. Troy and Loris are proving to be a perfect team. They are working together, sharing information and both of them are a real surprise. The Desmosedici is the result of a lot of research and great passion, and is a bike that has a number of interesting technical features such as the new four cylinder V90° Desmo 16 valve engine, or the innovative and exclusive stress-bearing frame, which has been adapted from Formula 1. Although retaining Ducati’s tubular trestle design, this enables weight to be saved by using the engine as a stress-bearing member”.

Preceded by the noise of the powerful four-cylinder Ducati engine, Troy and Loris then arrived directly on the stage on the bike in its new colour scheme.

“This is a great day for Ducati and I am really proud to be a part of the Ducati Marlboro Team for the MotoGP championship” declared Troy Bayliss. “The Desmosedici looks fantastic in its new colours, testing has gone really well and all of us in Ducati can’t wait to line up on the grid at the first race of the season.”

“Now we are finally a team!” commented Loris Capirossi, “and we are ready to start the season. After the excellent results achieved in winter testing, I have finally seen the definitive version of the Desmosedici. We are all really enthusiastic and ready for the challenge that lies ahead”.

Before the start of the championship on April 6th at Suzuka (Japan), the Ducati Marlboro Team will take part in three days of official IRTA tests from 21-23 at Jerez de la Frontiera (Spain), and then Estoril (Portugal) on 26/27 February, followed by Barcelona (Spain) on 15/16 March.

From a press release issued by Dr. Rob Tuluie:

Tul-aris Smooths Powerband and Reaches 160 Rear Wheel HP Benchmark

Manley Cycle, Minneapolis, MN. The Tul-aris racing motorcycle reached the 160 rear wheel hp mark for the first time during extensive dyno testing on Doug Lofgren’s Dynojet dyno at Manley Cycle, Minneapolis. This equates to 181 hp at the crank. Furthermore, many part-throttle and full-throttle runs resulted in the smoothest powerband yet and corrected some of the powerband issues that the new 800cc motor presented during a recent magazine test at Willow Springs, California. We varied Powervalve opening rpm, increasing it back to our normal setpoint of 6800 rpm instead of the incorrect setpoint of 5700 rpm that was used during our testing at Willow Springs.


Red: Power and torque as used at Willow Springs, Dec 02
Blue: Power and torque Feb 03. Note elimination of the power drop at 6200 rpm and smoothing of power increase at 7300 rpm. Power band is now a straight line from 5700 rpm to 8200 rpm. This setup was achieved using a new ignition system and slightly shorter exhaust pipes. This particular setup produces 3 hp less than the highest result we achieved this weekend, but in return offers the smoothest powerband.

Furthermore, we varied part-throttle and full-throttle ignition timing, which is now possible thanks to the latest Polaris ignition system, which allows ignition mapping as a function of rpm, throttle position and an external input (such as gear position). We increased timing just before 7300 rpm and decreased timing just after that, in order to further smooth a step in the powerband at that rpm. Finally, a slight shortening of the exhaust pipes, suggested by Hot Seat Performance’s Steve Houle, resulted in increased rpm and power and the smoothest powerband yet. Our best figures for the day were 160.7 hp at 8200 rpm and 104.6 ft-lbs of torque, with a powerband that is an almost perfect straight line from 5700 to 8300 rpm.


An example of how things can go wrong: part throttle power with the powervalve opening set at the wrong setpoint of 5700 rpm (red). Doing nothing but changing the powervalve opening back to 6800 rpm (blue), which is what we used for most of 2002, immediately improves matters substantially.


The Tul-aris project is sponsored by: Michelin Tires, Nutec Racing Fuel, Hot Seat Performance, Ohlins USA, Lofgren Racing/Manley Cycle, Mason Racing Tires, MTS Systems Corporation, Yoyodyne Titanium, GP Tech, Carbon Fiber Specialties Products, DCM Services, Deus Ex Machina.