From a press release issued by Eckl Kawasaki:

GARRY MCCOY: READY TO ATTACK

Kawasaki Racing Team has an optimistic outlook on the MotoGP season 2003. At the official pre-race press conference for the season-opening Japanese Grand Prix in a Tokyo hotel, Garry McCoy was enthusiastic about the technical progress on his Fuchs Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR.

“When I first tested the bike, I immediately noticed how powerful the engine was, but there were some problems on the chassis side to address. Thanks to the efforts of the team and the engineers in Japan, we made significant improvements over the last months. I have no doubt that it won’t take us long to be very competitive,” said the Australian ‘King of Slide.’

Kawasaki test rider Akira Yanagawa, who will take part at the Suzuka Grand Prix with a wild card entry, was also delighted with the recent modifications on the bike, including a smooth and elegant looking re-design of the fairing and the seat.

From Tokyo, McCoy and Yanagawa will travel to Jerez/Spain, where they will meet McCoy’s Australian team-mate Andrew Pitt and German test rider Alex Hofmann for the official IRTA test session on February 21/22/23.

From a Press Release by KWS:

KWS Motorsports is pleased to announce that we will be fielding Shawn Higbee and Brian Livengood in the 2003 AMA Superbike series. The team will be called ‘Millennium-Kaufman-Suzuki Team.

Millennium Technologies, Kaufman Trailers, Inc.com, and Honda Suzuki of Sanford will be the primary sponsors during the season. Shawn and Brian will be riding 2002 spec GSXR1000-based superbikes built and maintained by the staff at KWS Motorsports. We are also sponsored by B.G. Lubricants, Bakker Race Gear, Dunlop, EK Chain, EBC Brakes, GMD Computrack, Penske, Pitbull, Nutec, Sharkskinz, Traxxion Dynamics, Ti-Force Exhaust, Vortex, Wiseco, Web-Cam, Yoshimura and Yoyodyne.

KWS will be attending the Indy trade show this weekend and will have four of our GSXR1000-based superbikes on display. Shawn and Brian will also be there so say hello and meet some of our new sponsors, stop by and say hi.

From a press release issued by Namco Hometek, Inc.:

Namco Hometek Inc. Announces MotoGP3 Release Date For North America

Namco places you in the center of the intense, high-speed world of professional motorcycle racing, and adds new twists to challenge all racing game fans

San Jose, Calif. – Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that the hot new motorcycle racing sequel, MotoGP3 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, is scheduled for a North American release date of March 18th, 2003.

Fully licensed and featuring new graphics, mechanics, features and updated season stats, MotoGP3 will thrust players into the high-speed world of professional motorcycle racing while adding new twists to make it more appealing to the mass audience.

“Prior MotoGP titles have been very realistic and focused primarily on simulation”, said Jim Atkiss, Namco product marketing manager. “With MotoGP3, the intent here was not only to please the existing simulator fan-base, but to broaden its appeal to a larger audience of racing game fans by adding more arcade-like features.”

The MotoGP team at Namco conducted massive research that would assure a well-rounded racing title. MotoGP3 has added five new world-class racing circuits to the existing 10. The game also includes 20 fantasy tracks that come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This brings the total track count to 35.

There are six intense modes available in MotoGP3: Arcade, Season, Time Trial, Challenge, Legends, and Multi-player. Players will also have the option of selecting the new “Brake Assist” feature, if they desire, to aid in handling treacherous curves.

In Multi-player mode, up to a total of 4 contestants are allowed, using the multi-tap (for PlayStation®2). Now, they can also choose the new “Cockpit View” that replicates an actual machine cockpit and throws the players right into all the action.

As with previous MotoGP titles, there will be a plethora of unlockable treats in the Challenge mode including riders, movies and machines. A whopping 100 challenges await completion. “Thanks to new features in the game, MotoGP3 now delivers a well balanced experience that still provides a top-notch motorcycle enthusiast’s title, but will also appeal to the all-around racing game fan,” comments Stacey Hirata, Namco director of marketing.

About Namco Hometek Inc.

Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Committed to providing the ultimate entertainment experience, Namco uses cutting-edge technology and advanced electronics to take their theme parks, arcades, and home video games far beyond traditional entertainment.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.



Roadracing World Wild Card Editor Sam Fleming is dodging seagulls at Phillip Island on the 2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Read all about revisions that have reduced the overall weight by five pounds and boosted top-end power in the next print issue of Roadracing World.

From a press release issued by Libasci Racing:

Libasci Racing announces Australian rider Jamie Stauffer to ride with team as team contests the AMA 600 Supersport title. Seventeen-year-old Young Gun James Mann will also be riding on the team.

Libasci Racing is happy to announce that Australian rider Jamie Stauffer has joined the team based in Oceanside, California and will be vying for the AMA 600 Supersport title. The team will be riding 2003 Yamaha R6s that are now being prepared at the team’s shop in Oceanside, California.

Joining Jamie in the team’s efforts will be 17-year-old young gun James Mann of Silver Springs, California. James has been racing for five years and has accumulated many race wins in SCFTA,CMRRA and WSMC, recently James has been riding an Aprilia RS250 and a 1999 Yamaha 600. Tim Knutson, 2002 Heavyweight Aprilia Champion and WSMC class champion who has been a rider for the team the last two years, will also be riding a new Yamaha R6 in the Supersport series. Donnie Libasci, the fourth member of the team, will be riding his Ducati 748 in selected events.

Jamie, having just arrived from his home in Australia, is fresh off a fantastic 2002 season which saw him finishing third in the 2002 Australian Superbike series, third in the 2002 Formula Extreme Superbike series, and second in the 2002 Formula Xtreme Supersport series. He also broke the track record in both Supersport and Formula Xtreme at Oran Park in August of last year.

Jamie’s only experience in the United States came during the final round of the Aprilia Challenge at Daytona in 2000 where he finished in first place. Jamie also is the winner of over 53 State Titles and 19 National Titles in his home country. Libasci Racing is very pleased to have a rider of his caliber competing on their team.

From a press release issued by Traxxion Dynamics:

For Immediate Release:

Changes at Traxxion Dynamics

Traxxion Dynamics Inc. is now entering its sixth year in business. We have come a long way with the help of many loyal customers. We are at a threshold moment in time for our products and services.

Trackside support has always been the key to our company’s success. Last year I realized that we were providing spotty trackside service to lots of different organizations; we just couldn’t be in enough places at once. This wasn’t good for anyone. Comprehensive support for each region is what racing suspension customers need.

I founded a new company, Axxion Centers Inc., last summer to seek out one highly qualified representative for each of the major regions of the United States. We are filling these spots slowly but surely.

A shift in business philosophy from one of our major suppliers has created competition for us that we never would have, nor could have anticipated. With our product sales badly crippled, and no apparent remedy in sight, we have been forced to seek alternative means for our company and our new Axxion Centers to generate income and hope to once again become viable. Many have suggested we simply become a “consulting” company. While this is not what any of us want, it appears to be the most logical means to attempt to minimize our losses.

So, effective immediately, we will no longer be able to provide free trackside support, as we have in the past. Don’t be alarmed; the fee we intend to charge is $20 per weekend for customers who have purchased their forks and shocks from us. We will charge $50 per weekend for customers who have purchased their products elsewhere.

So, you may not need us all the time, but if you do, we will be there. If you needed us every weekend in a ten race season, it will cost you $200. I hope that doesn’t seem unfair to have your own trackside suspension rep.

Mike Fitzgerald, our General Manager, has left Traxxion to form his own company, Thermosman Suspension Inc., which will serve as the Southeast Axxion Center for Traxxion Dynamics Products. If you are a SE racer, support Mike as he will be the guy who is going to payout your contingency money.

In Texas, for South Central Region racers, we are in contract negtotiations with a rep there, that unfortunately, are failing. Unless we can get these problems sorted out, we will not have an Axxion Centers Inc. Authorized Rep for racers in that region. Racers who want to use our products and services need to contact our main store in Atlanta, or visit www.traxxion.com.

Check our rep’s schedules out at the newly launched www.axxioncenters.com.

We appreciate your support, and will continue to do our best to bring you the cutting edge of suspension technology and the world’s best trackside suspension support.


Sincerely,

Max McAllister
President
Traxxion Dynamics, Inc.
Axxion Centers, Inc.
Axxion Arm Systems, Inc.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Two-time FIM Endurance World Champion Stephane Mertens will race in the 2003 Daytona 200.

Mertens, 43, raced in the 2002 Daytona 200-miler, but it was the Belgian’s first time at Daytona since racing a 250cc machine on the high banks in 1986. Last year, Mertens raced a Dick Suarez-tuned privateer machine in the 57-lap classic, running as high as ninth until a broken transmission knocked him out of the running late in the race. Mertens was credited with finishing 38th, 11 laps down from winner Nicky Hayden.

Mertens’ effort this year will be more official and more potent. Mertens will ride the same Dunlop-equipped 2002 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (modified to be legal under AMA Pro Racing’s new-for-2003 Superbike rules) that he co-rode with teammate Warwick Nowland to the 2002 Endurance World Championship, including full quick-change hardware and quick-fill fuel equipment, and his 2002 World Endurance pit crew will fly in from Paris to work the race. Suarez will again assist the effort.

“My plan this year is to get the world title again, be safe and have a lot of fun especially at Daytona, which I consider as the best motorcycle event in the world,” Mertens wrote in an e-mail to Roadracingworld.com.

In addition to his 1995 and 2002 Endurance World Championships, Mertens raced in World Superbike for seven years (1988-1994) recording 154 race starts, 45 podium finishes and 11 race wins. Mertens finished fourth or better in the World Superbike Championship from 1988-1991 with a best Championship finish of second in 1989 to Fred Merkel, when both rode Honda RC30s.

In addition, Mertens won the 2002 BMW Boxer Cup Championship but stated that he will not defend his title and will not race in the BMW Boxer Cup event at Daytona.

From a press release:

2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series
Event 1, Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW
Event preview

YAMAHA RIDERS COMMENCE THEIR TITLE DEFENCE AT THIS WEEKEND’S FORMULA XTREME OPENER AT EASTERN CREEK

Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway plays host to the opening round of this year’s Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series this weekend, with Yamaha riders Kevin Curtain and Craig Trinder preparing for their title defences.

Both Nikon Yamaha Racing Team riders will be out to retain their respective titles, with Curtain the current Xtreme and FX Supersport champion, while Trinder holds the coveted #1 plate in the exciting NakedBike class.

This weekend the pair will be joined by teammates Daniel Stauffer, competing alongside Curtain in the Xtreme class and Brisbane teenager Brendan Clarke, who will be making his team debut in the FX Supersport class. The team will be armed with the very latest machinery from Yamaha, with the YZF R1 again being the model to beat in Xtreme. The all-new fuel injected YZF R6 looks set to ignite the Supersport category, with the FZ1 in the hands of Trinder being the bike to beat in NakedBike.

As he did last year, Curtain will compete in the premier Xtreme (formerly Formula Xtreme) class, as well as FX Supersport. In recent years, the Newcastle rider has become one of the most prolific title winners having secured four Formula Xtreme crowns, one FX Supersport and a total of four Australian Championships since 1995.

The weekend will mark his debut with the Nikon Yamaha Racing Team, but he will be facing the new season with the same outlook that he had in recent years.

“The late arrival of the bikes has prevented us from doing a lot of testing before the season started, but hopefully we will have done enough to pick up some good results this weekend,” said Curtain. “The first round of any series is always difficult. You never know who is performing well at the moment, but I am confident that we will be up near the front. There are generally a few things that need sorting out and as a result should benefit us for the rest of the year.”

For Stauffer, the round will mark a return to racing as he has now recovered from a hip injury that he suffered last October. He will also be out to improve on his fourth place overall in last years series.

“Unfortunately I missed the test at Willowbank with the team last week, which means that I’ve only had one ride on the bike in the last six months, which is a bit of a problem, but I’m sure it will be OK when we get out there on the weekend,” said Stauffer. “I’ve been working hard during the off season with a lot of swimming and jet skiing. My hip has come along well since I injured it in October, but at this stage all that will fix that will be time on the bike.”

The FX Supersport class could well provide a huge amount of excitement and interest. The addition of a number of new models to the class has been matched with the quality of riders competing in it. One of those riders is Brendan Clarke, who along with teammate and defending champion Curtain, will be hard to beat.

“I rode the new YZF R6 the other day and things went very well,” said Clarke. “It’s a whole new package for me this year, new team, new bike and new tyres. The team has been awesome so far, they are very professional and have produced a very good race bike. The new fuel injected Yamaha YZF R6 feels great, as do the Dunlop tyres that we will be using this year. I’ll be aiming at getting a feel for the bike in the first meeting, find a good set up and see how the weekend pans out.”

As one of the more experienced riders in the team, Craig Trinder tends to be more relaxed, but knows what it will take to win a second NakedBike crown.

“I’m very excited about the year ahead,” said Trinder. “We will be going into the season with a fully developed bike that is putting out more horsepower than what it was last year. It won’t be easy, especially with a few new models from the other manufacturers out there. I’ve been training hard and will be aiming for a second NakedBike title in the Formula Xtreme TT Series.”

Qualifying for this weekend’s opening round will take place on Saturday morning, with the first of the scheduled races set to start at approximately 1:00 p.m. Racing continues on Sunday with 16 races scheduled commencing with warmup at 9:00 a.m.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI’S SUZUKA DEBUT



Suzuki’s all-new 2003 specification GSV-R MotoGP machine made its public debut at the Tokyo press launch for the Suzuka MotoGP on Monday (Feb. 12th). Suzuki joined the other major Japanese manufacturers at a press conference to launch the first round of the MotoGP season at Suzuka on April 6th.



The new Suzuki appeared in the same all-black bodywork that it has been tested in at early season tests in Malaysia and Australia, but no technical details were released apart from confirmation of the MotoGP team’s technical sponsors Motul, Michelin, Yoshimura, NGK, RK Excel and D.I.D



Suzuki has called a press conference at the IRTA tests in Jerez, Spain on February 21st, where full team and technical details will be announced.

From a press release issued by Tight Squeeze Racing:

Tight Squeeze Racing is a publicly funded, non-profit (501(3)(c)) organization dedicated to club-level motorcycle road racing. It is TSR’s intention to solicit tax-exempt donations to provide funding for participants injured during this activity. Solicitation involves, but is not limited to, raffles, auctions, services, organized motorcycle rides, and advertising via the Internet. For more information, please visit www.TightSqueezeRacing.org or email [email protected]

In 2002, The TSR Injury fund had another successful donation year. We received a total of $4,345 from 38 individual donors, averaging $114 per donor, with single maximum donation of $1500. All donations for the 2002 year have been processed and receipts have been mailed. If you have not received a donation receipt, and need one for tax preparation purpose, please email info@TightSqueezeRacing with your name and complete mailing address. From the funds received, $3000 was granted to Papa Thiam of Arlington, VA, and $500 to Richard Knight of Atlanta, GA. Remaining funds were either spent on administrative costs such as annual business license renewal, postage, and credit card fees, or deposited into the Injury Fund bank account for usage at a later time. We will continue to solicit donations in the 2003 season, and accept cash, checks, or credit cards via Paypal.com.([email protected])