From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

Workers Begin Final Phase of Track Safety Redesign
for AMA Superbikes at Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)–Infineon Raceway has completed the on-track design work for three circuit enhancements, and workers have begun the final phase of the project: placing the asphalt. These changes are designed to increase rider safety at the AMA Supercuts Superbike Challenge, presented by Honda of Milpitas, May 2-4.

The redesigned portions of track at Turns 1, 10 and 11 will be used strictly by the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Superbike Championship Series and Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. The traditional road course will be used for all other events at Infineon Raceway, including NASCAR Winston Cup and the American Le Mans Series. The enhancements further demonstrate Infineon Raceway’s goal of becoming one of the safest AMA-sanctioned circuits in the country. A polymer-modified asphalt was used on the three portions of track. It is the same blend of asphalt that covers the entire circuit.

The changes were made with the aid of AMA Superbike riders Eric (Kawasaki) and Ben Bostrom (Honda), Miguel Duhamel (Honda), Aaron Yates (Suzuki), and AMA Road Race Manager Ron Barrick, who visited the track two months ago. The enhancements will be in place for an AMA Superbike test session at Infineon Raceway on March 20.

Turn 1 has been a sweeping left-hander, putting riders at a dangerous angle as they approach a pedestrian bridge at the apex of Turn 1. The track has been extended 50 feet in a straight line before entering Turn 1. Riders will now make a left turn at approximately 90 degrees, which is designed to direct them away from the bridge and up the circuit toward Turn 2.



The entry into Turn 10 has been altered to increase rider safety. As riders crest Turn 8A, they will no longer continue down the famous esses. Instead they will continue down a straight line for 900 feet, parallel with the Hillside Terraces at Turn 9, before making a 90-degree right-hand turn, followed by a sharp left-hand turn, which will blend them back with the original road course just before Turn 10. This alteration will slow the bikes down substantially, lowering the risk entering Turn 10, plus it should also turn into an exciting passing zone in front of the Hillside Terraces.

The final safety enhancement will occur at Turn 11, which will see the entry shortened by approximately 40 feet. The change will direct riders away from the wall as they exit the hairpin turn and direct them toward the start/finish line.

All three changes demonstrate Infineon Raceway’s commitment to rider safety. Increased run-off was added at virtually every turn on the road course during a $50 million Modernization Plan, and the racing surface has also been permanently separated from the slick drag strip.

From a press release issued by WSMC:

WSMC #1 plate holder and multi-time Willow Springs Class Champion Jeremy Toye lined up for his first amateur Supercross event Sunday, Feb. 9th in San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium and came away with victory in the “Over 30” main event and a close 2nd place in the very competitive 250cc Intermediate class.

Riding a Lee’s Cycle/WSMC/Excel/Vortex supported Honda CR250, Toye rode fast and smooth throughout the day, taking top finishes in the heat races to transfer directly to the main events. It was his first motocross race in what he termed “over 5 years.”

WSMC class Champions Frank Aragaki and Kenny Kopecky also participated in the Clear Channel operated event in San Diego, as well as the previous week’s round in Anaheim, CA. Both races were run on ‘mellowed’ versions of the pro Supercross tracks used for the AMA Supercross Series on Saturday night the last two weeks.

Aragaki (WSMC’s 2002 250cc Grand Prix #1), riding his new Honda CRF-450 sponsored by WSMC and Maxima Racing Oil qualified for the “Over 30” main events directly from his heat races each week, finishing 17th in Anaheim after stalling the motor while in the top 10. In San Diego Stadium he had holeshot the main event and held off Toye briefly, and while battling for a top-5 position several laps later came up short on a large double jump and was thrown hard over the bars. He sustained severe bruising but reported Sunday night that nothing was broken.

Kopecky (WSMC’s two-time F-40 Lightweight Class Champion and #7 overall in ’02) also qualified directly to the main events each week in the “Over 40” class. At Anaheim he was lapped by several former pro motocross racers and finished 15th. In San Diego after running 4th for the first half of the final he faded to an eventual 9th place finish riding his KTM 520SX sponsored by WSMC/Maxima/O’Neal USA/Factory Effex/Excel and Vortex. He had last raced in amateur Supercross events in Southern California in 1979 to 1981.

All three riders were pleased with Clear Channel/Formula USA’s program and are hoping to see the opportunity return to race in the amateur Supercross program in 2004.

From a press release issued by Ducati:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM – PRESS INFORMATION

50 LUCKY DUCATI EMPLOYEES CHOSEN FOR TEAM MOTOGP LAUNCH

Borgo Panigale (Bologna) 11 February 2003 – The international launch of the Ducati Marlboro Team is scheduled for this coming Friday, 14th February. The venue for the event – reserved exclusively for accredited media, VIPs and institutional figures – will be the FilaForum, Assago, in Milan (Italy). The event marks an important moment for the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer, which makes its return to Grand Prix racing after an absence of thirty years, while continuing its commitment in the World Superbike Championship, a key cornerstone of Ducati strategy.

As is Ducati’s style and tradition, the entire company will participate in this historic moment, sharing the passion and the excitement of the unveiling of the Ducati Desmosedici in its definitive colours, together with Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi, the two riders chosen to spearhead Ducati’s line-up in the MotoGP championship.

50 employees, made up of 30 from the Borgo Panigale factory plus 20 representing the six Ducati worldwide subsidiaries, have been given an opportunity to experience the event in person. The lucky ‘winners’ were chosen in a draw on Monday 10th February. A Ducati coach will take the group directly to Milan on Friday 14th February. On arrival at the FilaForum, the 50 reserved places will allow the Ducati employees to enjoy every single moment of the presentation, followed by lunch together with journalists, VIPs and riders, before returning to the factory in the afternoon.

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

Important Rule Changes for Endurance in 2003

Qualifying Positions Simplified

Ahead of the announcement of the World Endurance Championship Permanent Team entries for 2003 (many interesting additions to the list are expected) some important rule changes have been confirmed.

Qualifying Positions Simplified

The most significant of these alters the way that the starting grid positions are worked out. For 2003, qualification positions will be based on the best time put in by the fastest rider of a team. This is a real improvement over the complicated system used previously which averaged the times of all of each team’s riders. With endurance qualifying often spread over a four hour period weather or track conditions could change significantly from the first rider group to the last. The new system will also make the calculation of starting position a much simpler and quicker proposition.

Refuelling and Pit Stops

Under the new regulations, refuelling of the bike must now take place after all other work has been done on the bike, but before it is restarted. If serious repairs are needed, the bike can be moved into the pit garage, but only four people may work on it.

Riding Time and Racing Classes

The maximum length of time a rider can stay on the bike without a rest period is 3 hours. The rest between riding sessions must be at least half the length of time last spent on the bike for races of less than 12 hours, and two thirds of the riding time for shorter races. The classes of bike eligible to race in the championship were brought into line with the World Superbike championship, with four cylinder bikes of up to 1 litre capacity allowed into the WSB class if fitted with air restrictors.

The confirmed calendar of the 2003 World Endurance Championship is as follows:

May 4 San Marino Imola 200 Miles

May 25 Holland Assen 200 Miles

June 15 Czech Republic Brno 6 Hours

June 28-29 Spain Albacete 12 Hours

July 20 Austria A1-Ring 6 Hours

August 3 Japan Suzuka 8 Hours

August 24 Germany Oschersleben 24 Hours

October 5 Italy Vallelunga 200 Miles

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in via e-mail:

I just wanted to announce that I have resigned my position as Crew Chief at Annandale Racing due to health issues.

I was diagnosed in November 2002 as having Keratoconus in both eyes. This is a degenerative disease of the cornea which eventually results in functional blindness. In my case it has been pursuing a fairly rapid course and I underwent the first corneal transplant in December.

Since that time, Anna Johnston and Dale LeMaster have been very supportive and accommodating in regards to my visual impairment.

Unfortunately, it has become apparent to me that I cannot fulfill the needs of my position in the manner that the crew at Annandale Racing deserve.

Therefore, I have resigned and have returned home to New Mexico to recover in the comfort and care of my wife Patricia. I wish the great group at Annandale all the best and I know that they have a very bright future.

Thanks,


Bruce Byrd
P.O. Box 415
Arroyo Seco, NM 87514

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

2001-2003 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Approved For 2003 AMA Superbike Competition

By Michael Hannas

AMA Pro Racing National Technical Director Rob King said today that 2001-2002 GSX-R1000 models as well as the 2003 model Suzuki GSX-R1000 will be approved for competition in the 2003 AMA Superbike Championship Series.

Many teams and competitors planning on racing in the 2003 series may have assumed this to already be fact, but it wasn’t.

Only approved and homologated motorcycles may be used in AMA Superbike competition. AMA Pro Racing homologation policy allows only one model year of any given motorcycle to be homologated for Superbike racing per season. Once a motorcycle has been homologated, it remains legal for competition until new rules or regulations deem it illegal.

American Suzuki is planning on racing the 2003 GSX-R1000 with Team Yoshimura Suzuki, and only applied for homologation for the 2003 GSX-R1000, which met the requirements and was thus homologated. But the 2003 model isn’t expected to be available at dealers until sometime around Daytona, way too late for effective race preparation.

The 2001-2002 models were not legal for the AMA’s pre-2003 750cc-Four/1000cc Twin Superbike formula, and didn’t need to be homologated for AMA Formula Xtreme, where GSX-R1000 models had been racing; FX rules only require that motorcycles be produced for U.S. street use and be available through U.S. dealers. Which meant that the 2001-2002 model GSX-R1000s currently available were illegal for AMA Superbike, prior to today.

According to King, AMA Pro Racing officials realized this situation would keep many racers out of the season-opening Daytona 200, and so they decided to also allow the 2001-2002 model Suzuki GSX-R1000.

King noted that this went against the normal policy of allowing only one model per season to be homologated, but added that it was in the best interest of fair competition to make the change, given that Superbike rules changed to 1000cc for all engine configurations in 2003.

King said racers should expect AMA Pro Racing to issue a list of approved motorcycles for 2003 AMA Superbike competition shortly.

From a press release issued by MRA:

Manitoba Roadracing Association Announces 2003 Race Dates

All races held at Gimli Motorsport Park in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada

May 10-11
June 7-8
July 26-27
Aug 9-10
Sept 6-7

In addition the MRA is proud to announce a new webpage address at www.mrasuperbike.ca

From a press release issued by Proforma Services on behalf of WERA:

Pirelli To Sponsor WERA National Challenge Series Formula 1 Class

WERA Motorcycle Roadracing announced today that it has finalized an agreement with Pirelli Motorcycle Tire Division to sponsor the Formula 1 Expert class in the 2003 WERA National Challenge Series.

Evelyne Clarke, president of WERA, said, “We’re excited to have Pirelli step up and sponsor one of the premiere classes in WERA’s National Challenge Series. The Formula 1 class features a wide variety of equipment with virtually no limitations, which, along with the $1000 per event purse, makes it one of the most anticipated races of the weekend.”

“Pirelli is pleased to continue our long relationship with the WERA National Challenge Series program,” said Rich Munson, Race Manager for Pirelli Motorcycle Tire Division. “With the continued development of our 16.5″ racing slicks, the Formula 1 class provides a perfect proving ground for our products, as well as reinforcing the Pirelli name in everyone’s mind. We expect riders on Pirelli tires to fill the Formula 1 podium on a regular basis.”

Look for the Pirelli Formula 1 Expert class at the WERA National Challenge Series opener at North Florida Motorsports Park, March 28-30, 2003.

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM TESTS
Barcelona, Spain
10 February, 2003

UNFORTUNATE TUMBLE FOR CHECA, BREAKTHROUGH FOR MELANDRI

Carlos Checa crashed out of today’s Fortuna Yamaha Team test in Barcelona, Spain, not long after he took to the track. The Spaniard fell at the second turn and landed heavily on his bottom. He was taken to hospital as a precaution but released soon afterwards without needing any treatment. He had completed 21 laps before the fall and took no further part in the day’s action but is expected to ride at his home circuit again tomorrow.

Team-mate Marco Melandri, meanwhile, made a significant breakthrough with the minor braking problems he experienced at the team’s previous test in Valencia. The Italian had found difficulties with his front braking and spent today trying to rectify this. This was his first test with the YZR-M1 at the Catalunyan circuit, and he adapted well to the longer and faster straights, ending the day with a best time of 1:46.2 having completed a total of 52 laps.

Team Director Davide Brivio was philosophical about the day, “We have had good weather conditions considering it is only February. We can only have about four or five hours a day of testing, as the track temperature is too low the rest of the day but we knew this before we came here”, said the Italian. “It’s a great shame that Carlos fell again, we hope that he will be back out tomorrow. He is seeing his physiotherapist tonight so hopefully that will help him. Marco has been working very hard on his front end braking problem with the support of Brembo. His lap times today were not too bad. We are basically finding a way to adjust the braking system to his riding style, and will continue to do so tomorrow.”

LAP TIMES

Alex Barros, Gauloises Yamaha Team 1:44.8 (52 laps)

Shinya Nakano, D’Antin Yamaha 1:46.1 (56 laps)

Marco Melandri, Fortuna Yamaha Team 1:46.2 (52 laps)

Carlos Checa, Fortuna Yamaha Team 1:46.6 (21 laps)

Olivier Jacque, Gauloises Yamaha Team 1:49.1 (41 laps)